Loveseat

At last cleaning, I noted that the loveseat is beginning to show wear. It is Guinness’s favorite spot to rest throughout the day. Since Daddy thinks he is cute there, it is time for some protection. I was very pleased to find an acceptable slipcover. Guinness thinks it is nice too.

Snow Day

Today was one of those perfect days for a winter walk: light fluffy snow falling with a new blanket of six inches on top of the frozen snow and ice. Hardly anyone had traversed the bike path before us, so we were almost breaking trail. Well, Guinness did break his own trail! No one was around, so I released his leash and he joyfully bounded through the snow. When he started to wander where I didn’t wish him to go, he was excellent about coming on command. We were the lonely walkers except for a woman with two greyhounds. They let Guinness know quickly that they had no intention of playing. I love it that he always backs down – just like Hershey did.

Cake

Grant made a cake today for the first time in his life! I was rather shocked when he proclaimed this to be his first cake ever. When I thought about it, he never used to eat cake. He didn’t like cake; he only liked pie (or bread pudding which I have never made). While it was in the oven, we heard a thump. Even though it was rinsed out, Guinness had checked out the mixing bowl.

Here is the baker with the final yummy product (Guinness was not offered a piece).

Neat Boy

He isn’t always neat, but quite often we notice that his toys are all in one place or in a row. Here is an example: 2 balls and 2 Christmas toys (which, you will note, he still has not chewed up!)

We Made it to the Beach

As we approached the beach, Guinness went bonkers with excitement. It was a challenge to keep him on a sit/stay while I hooked up his long lead, as a dog-friendly man walked by egging Guinness on to be crazy. No sooner had he passed, and I was trying to get the car locked and mittens on, when another dog-friendly man came along encouraging Guinness to be overly friendly. Here he is posing in the seagrass.

I was determined to do my part in the Great Backyard Bird Count. Two Ring-billed Seagulls flew past us over the edge of the lake. There was a phenomenal build-up of ice flows blocking my view of the birds that might be on the lake. The normal gatherings along the beach of Mallards, Canada Geese, and Trumpeter Swans were nowhere in sight. As we approached the ship channel, I could see hundreds of black birds huddled floating on the lake. I tied Guinness to a tree so that I could try to get a good look with my binoculars to identify them. I am quite sure that they were Lesser Scaups, but I cannot be positive. While watching them, a black duck suddenly popped up out of the ice flows about 50 feet from us. I cannot be sure if it was an American Black Duck or a Gadwall. It was very dark in color and had a bright white wing patch on its side. In trying to get closer to the duck, we encountered this sight. (Click on the picture to get the full effect!)

In the ship channel, there was the usual sight of hundreds of Longtails. Eighteen Trumpeter Swans were hovering at the edge of the channel singly or in twos. I tied Guinness to a tree as it was way too slippery on the pier to be safe. He managed to come loose, but did not try to run away. Thank goodness!


Our walk ended with a bad omen. A black bird with white under its tail fell from the sky into the ice flows. It was not large enough to have been electrocuted by the high power lines overhead, but perhaps it accidentally ran into a wire and fell to its death. We did not get close enough to identify it, as I didn’t want Guinness to find it.

Here is my exhausted boy:

Snow Drifts -- Annoying and Fun

Today is the Great Backyard Bird Count. I was looking forward to taking Guinny to the beach and counting the Trumperter Swans, Longtails, and any other avian creatures that might be there. I considered whether it was a good idea to be driving there as the parking lots might not be plowed. Without a 4-wheel drive vehicle this winter, that could be a problem. But, I bundled myself up for the frigid temps, put my binoculars and camera around my neck, stuffed a BGGC list for my area in my pocket with pencil, got Guinny leashed up and in the car, then backed out. Into a snowdrift. Stuck! Guinness was NOT happy to be going inside instead of for a walk. Fortunately, BMW’s have “free” emergency service. So they came and towed me out a couple of hours later. But I was no longer in the mood to go so late in the day.

When I went out to run some errands, we drove to the beach to check out the parking lots. My normal parking lot has not been plowed, and it would be iffy to park there. But another lot is totally plowed! Guinness was quite distraught that we did not park and cried big doggie tears. I promised him that tomorrow morning we will be there bright and early! We have four days in which to turn in a bird count.

Before going into the house, we made a potty stop in the yard. I decided that he needed some big muscle activity, and we have not practiced jumps in months. So I told him to jump over a 2.5 foot snowdrift. He did, and he jumped back to me on cue. We did the jumps several times and even over a taller drift. He did great!

After the Blizzard

For 36+ hours, a blizzard raged leaving over a foot of snow, mostly blown into drifts. After being stuck inside for two days, when the sun started shining, we just had to get out. The bike path had not been plowed, but we had fun anyway.

Doesn't he look like a happy dog?

Here he is digging in the snow to uncover a substantial stick.

What a handsome boy!

Before the Storm

As snow was beginning to fall, Guinness found a blue balloon dancing across our yard. At first, he was frightened and barked at it. Then he followed it around and picked it up in his mouth. He looked so cute with this big blue balloon in his mouth that I ran inside for my camera. When I came back, it had popped.

Gentle

We took a walk at the bike path where we met a nice lady with some type of terrier who likes to play. We allowed them to be free at the ballfield and have a fun time. The terrier was territorial with his stick, but Guinness was fine with that. While the woman and I were chatting a mile a minute, I missed seeing a young mother with stroller and two dogs come along. Guinness didn’t miss them, but the dogs were not going to allow this crazy man near their baby. Since Guinness is not an alpha dog and backs down to anyone, it was not a problem, and I was able to grab his leash even though he would not respond to my “Come!” However, I am sure, it was frightening for the young mother. On the way home, I again was preoccupied with dropping waste into a trash can as a couple came along with a blind Golden. Guinness ran to them before I knew they were there. They were worried about their dog as he is blind and fearful of other dogs. I was so pleased to note that Guinness was not being his normal crazy self, but was actually sniffing the dog and being quite gentle. He obviously was sensing that this dog had special needs.

Poop-scicles

For over the first year of his life, Guinness loved eating his (or any dog’s) excrement, so we had to pooper scoop immediately. Thankfully, he has lost his appetite for such things, though I always clean the yard as soon as it is dirtied. Now that we have snow on the ground, it is not always possible to pick up the messes immediately – especially in the dark. I have discovered that he enjoys digging down to find his prize and eat it. Yuck! Before leaving for Texas, I warned Daddy that he needs to clean up the yard as Guinness is back to his old tricks. He did not heed me, so Guinness found some picnic items in the snow. Unfortunately, they caused him to vomit in the house. Daddy had to acknowledge that I was right.