A Literal Squirrel Moment!

What's this?

I heard beagle girl Baby Ah-ROO-ing a "This is mine!" in the backyard. I looked out to see a squirrel on the ground in between Buddy & Baby. So I managed to ninja-maneuver-scoop it up with my jacket.

Here's a video:

Squirrel!

To dog rescuers: for the Varina dogs, click HERE.

There's been much research about the importance of an enriched environment and how it affects the brain. I first learned about it from the very brilliant Eric Jensen, when I was doing my Brain-based Learning certification. You want to provide security with routine, what he calls ritual, and also introduce new things; novelty. Temple Grandin says that pigs will choose old phone books when they're first introduced over toys that they have already played with, because they're new and different. The same principle applies to people, of course. That's why it's exciting for Timmy to go over to Tommy's house and play with toys he doesn't have, even tho Timmy is bored with them.

Years ago, when I first went to the  Biology of Belief seminar with the most awesome cell biologist Bruce Lipton, I learned the importance of the environment on health and well-being. So I'm very aware of creating an environment that is stress-free and enhances the lives of my dogs. And the cat. I can't forget the cat--because he won't let me. Ha. Anyway, back to environment and enrichment, I got the dogs a new toy. 

I put it here for them to discover:

Here's Buddy, not noticing it.

"Right there, blood hound."  I was watching Reggie thru the window, sure that he would take it. But he's a bit more cautious . . .  

So then I moved it . . . 

"Right behind you, blood hound."

 Bingo in her spot. She's not into toys or chewing--unless it's something to eat!

Zzzzz . . . .

Zzzzz . . . 

So then I moved it again . . . 

Here's Reggie:

 And then!

"Mine." 

  

"What's that?"

Distracted by the neighbors.

I call him in before the Bark Fest begins. Good boy, Buddy! Thanks for coming when I call you!

Aaaand under the deck he goes! So much for coming when called.

Inside:

On the dog bed means "mine."

Buddy likes to carry around the squirrel and make it squeak. Reggie got a hold of it and was tearing out its tail. Same toy, different strategies. I'm sure if Snuffy The Black-Nosed Beagle had it, it would be toast. You heard me. TOAST.  

Leaves Are Leaving

We are in the middle of Autumn now, having had our first frost on Saturday night. I love these crisp, cool days!  Il fait frais!

Here's Buddy in a patch of sunlight.

Reggie playing with a frisbee disk that the vet gave him:

Buddy, back up against the fence, snoozing in the sun:

ROO-ROO! at the neighbor dogs. Bingo doesn't care.

A few back yard pix:

Here's Reggie, still not fond of the camera!

Here are Reggie & Buddy rompin' & playin':

I have to take these photos thru the kitchen window or Reggie stops. Even here, he heard the camera going clicky-click and off he goes:

Buddy says, "Where ya goin?" 

Buddy in the leaves:

"What's this?"

*sniff*

Bingo, seeing something:

Hullo. 

 Another shot of Buddy in the sun:

Because we don't have enough of those!

Hullo Reggie:

My sweet boy.  :-)

Pizza Box

I put this is the dog's toy box:

Buddy was the first to retrieve it.

I'd like to think he's thinking, "Thank you" here:

but I think he might be thinking, "Mine" or "I want more."

This week's Frog Pose brought to you by the telephoto lens and the lazy photographer:

Bingo:

Reggie trots by Bingo:

Sunny days . . . 

SQUIRREL!

See this tulip poplar tree?

You prolly can't see the squirrel:

 Two squirrels were chasing each other around and around the tree . . . and:

And then the squirrels noticed the beagle and managed to run across the branches of three other trees to get out of the yard. Here's the disappointed beagle:

"Wait, what? Where are ya goin'?"

Bingo says, "They went thatta way."

Here's Buddy:

"I'll go investigate."

Bingo, in one of her spots:

Overlooking her domain.

 Yoo-hoo!

Hullo.

And then she's in another spot:

And here's Reggie again:

Another few pix of Buddy in the leaves:

He's adept at finding the sunny patches.  :-)

Surveying the perimeter:

Inside

Here we are in the office:

Buddy finds a new empty tissue box in his toy box.

Hullo.

Here's Bingo, ready for belly rubs!

Reggie walks in:

"What's going on?"

 In The Living Room

I walked into the LR to see this:

AND I was able to get a photo! Progress for
Reggie. Buddy has been so good for him. :-)

 This is my only photo from a RoRo vizzie:

15 minutes of Bill Nye before his drum lesson.
(Rowan's, not Buddy's, in case that wasn't clear).

 Another Reggie-Buddy Sofa Fest, but Reggie jumped down before I could get the photo:

But . . . 

And getting down.

One day, I'll walk in and sit down next to him!

 Sunday night, bed time:

We are in the winter duvet, now. Somehow, Buddy managed to unbutton the duvet! This morning, Reggie woke me up, as per usual, with his, "Wake up and feed me." I got up but Buddy stayed in bed. He usually gets up when I do. I went to the kitchen and took the lid off the dog food. Still no Buddy. I fed Bingo; no Buddy. I fed  Reggie; no Buddy! As I'm walking back to the dog food, I hear Buddy rustle from under the covers and jump off the bed. He knows the food routine: Bingo, Reggie, Buddy. He was waiting until it was his turn! 

After breakfast, I walk into the bedroom to see this:

He went back to bed!

Friday night, Buddy fell asleep with his head cradled in my arm, paws stretched across my chest. I fell asleep with him snoring in my ear. When I woke up, I was amazed that he had slept like that all night. He was still in my arm . . . except as I became more awake, I realized that it was not his head resting in the crook of my arm! He had turned himself around. Ha!  HAPPY MONDAY!  :-)