Happy Monday and happy new month! Welcome to February, the month of love, where we hope 2021 finally gets off to a good start (January seemed to be either an extension of December or the 13th month of 2020). A new clean slate is making us hopeful that muzzles will be the de rigueur fashion item for uprights. And for heaven’s sake, wear it properly (not as a chin cozy, ‘kay?)
Don’t forget your muzzle when you leave your house as you make it a pawsome day!
As today is my baby brother’s birthday, this is a special shout out to wish him a terrific day. Here’s hoping you catch your limit on the river, Bro! Love ya.
Welcome to the last Monday of January and what a month it’s been. We experienced an insurrection, an impeachment, a inauguration, an anniversary, sixty plus degree sunny days with a couple of minor snow showers mixed in for variety and now know which teams will be competing in the Super Bowl. Goodness…I can’t even begin to imagine what may happen in February!
As you may recall, I don’t make resolutions at the beginning of any new year but I do focus on routine rituals when it comes to good health practices so today’s musing reminded me it’s time to schedule Norman’s wellness check this week.
Let’s hope your 20/20 hindsight is spot on (without dwelling on the past) and you and your good pet(s) are staying happy and healthy. Let’s keep smiling and have a good Monday!
When it comes to the world of dogs and their social media, I can’t get enough, apparently the ‘posting’ aspect, right Norman? Have a smile filled week.
Welcome to Monday. The laptop’s back up and running now and we thought this smile was a clever way to let you know we’re back. While we read everyone’s posts from last week, we left next to no comments. My hat’s off to millennials who easily manage life typing on a tiny little phone screen. Alas I’d make a lousy millennial since it became clear quickly that leaving comments from the phone was an exercise in futility and frustration. But we’re back, I’m smiling and the small storm that blew through over the weekend allowed us some ‘dashing through the snow’ time so the dogs (well at least Elsa) were happy too. Norman remains in the “Yeah, I can hold it” camp but he still manages to leave significant amounts of yellow posts nonetheless whenever we ventured out. Talk about a weather wuss.
We hope your privacy settings are well respected this week and it turns out to be a good one. It’s ‘crisp’ this morning, (19ºF at 8:30 local time) but should hit the mid 40’s later today with low 60’s by Wednesday. Woohoo…60’s in January folks! We’ll take it. Have a great Monday and even greater week.
We hope you had a lovely New Year’s celebration. Ours was quiet…well until around midnight when some knuckle-dragging neighbors began shooting off fireworks. For a few minutes, it was nerve-wracking for a couple of pups. Fireworks always set my jaw and make me grumble but we finally were able to get to sleep soon thereafter. Thank goodness for the BBC which broadcasts late at night on public radio. Apart from getting world-wide news without the same cable TV newscaster droning on about that same ‘breaking news’ story that had been highlighted for the previous six hours, it provided some pleasant white noise for the dogs. Hard to believe they have next to no interest in soccer scores or how the 4-1/2 year long divorce known as BREXIT ended up. It only took about 15 minutes before canine snores were competing with news from Britain, the rest of the world and fireworks.
Unlike my usual MO, this post was penned before Monday. Usually they’re done the morning they get published but knowing the laptop will be going in for a tune up later this week, it was actually written in advance. I even hope to get a couple in the hopper to tie us over. Perhaps this proactivity might set the stage for that age-old resolution of ‘being better organized.’ Yeah, probably not.
So let’s start out the new year with a nice big smile, shall we?
So how was your New Year’s celebration? Here’s hoping the ‘first week’ sets the tone for a better year. Hope springs eternal.
Welcome to Meet the Breed Monday. Norman here. We’ve been AWOL these past few months with this series (and by ‘we,’ I mean mum, who neglected to help me with research). And every time I was ready to finalize the post, something else came up so here we are. But no more banging on about who dropped the ball…BALL?!?! Wait, somebody’s got my ball?? Sheesh, almost got off track there. Whew.
So let’s see who’s the star of this edition. Which breed shall we highlight this time? Our breed lottery winner for this month is…drumroll please…the affable and regal looking German Shorthair Pointer (“GSP”). Please note, all images in this post are from mum’s son who owned Copper for more than 14 years. We’re sure he greeted Sam at the Rainbow Bridge with the same enthusiasm as when he stayed with us before clearing quarantine for his move to Hawaii 8 years ago.
The buddies
According to the AKC, GSP’s are rated the 9th most popular of registered breeds and range in size from 21-25″ high while weighing between 45-70 pounds. Their life expectancy is between 10-12 years.
GSP’s can be summed up in a few words: friendly, smart, and willing to please. Bred to work long days in the field or on the lake, this powerful, agile breed requires lots of exercise. They live to run, swim, and participate in activities involving movement. So, if you’re looking for an active partner, then the German Shorthaired Pointer may be just the right dog for you. They make great family dogs as well.
Copper and Kevin spending a day at the beach-that dog absolutely loved the water.
So what’s the history behind the GSP? The German bird-dog tradition dates back to at least the 1700s, with master breeders experimenting with tracking hound–pointing dog crosses in the quest for a quick and powerful hunter with a good nose and plenty of versatility. A key player in the early development of this breed was nobleman, Prince Albrecht zu Solms-Braunfels. The prince and fellow enthusiasts succeeded in creating a do-it-all hunting dog. A breed historian summed up the GSP’s credentials as being “a staunchly pointing bird dog; a keen-nosed night trailer; a proven duck dog; a natural retriever on land or water, with pleasing conformation and markings, and great powers of endurance; and an intelligent family watchdog and companion.”
GSP hunts a variety of quarry: gamebirds, possum, rabbit, raccoon. With webbed feet and a sleek but sturdy construction, the GSP punctates his résumé as one of dogdom’s finest swimmers.
Note the drool bomb in anticipation of getting into the water
Ranging in size from 21-25″ high and weighing between 45-70 pounds, the GSP generally has a life expectancy between 10-12 years. Their coats are solid liver (a reddish brown), or liver and white in distinctive patterns. Dark eyes shine with enthusiasm and friendliness. Built to work long days in the field or at the lake, GSPs are known for power, speed, agility, and endurance. “Noble” and “aristocratic” are words often used to describe their looks.
Trust me, this is my best side
GSPs make happy, trainable pets who bond firmly with their families. They’re always up for physical activity that will burn some of their boundless energy while spending outdoor time with their human buddy.
Sweet ole ‘sugar-faced’ Copper-2012 making himself comfy in Sam’s bed
Do you have any experience with this great family and hunting dog?
Remember if you’d like your dog featured in our “Meet the Breed” series, be sure to email photos to mum so she can feature your good dog in a future post.
Did anyone happen to catch The National Dog Show over the weekend? Even though no fans were allowed to attend (cardboard cutouts of dogs were featured in the seats) and announcers broadcast from their respective homes, the AKC safely hosted the show and what a great batch of dogs participated (including Kam, the black Standard Poodle, who won the non-sporting group – shameless plug for Elsa’s breed). Big congratulations to 3-year old Claire, the Scottish Deerhound for her Best In Show Win. Deerhounds are not often in best-in-show limelight, despite being one of the oldest breeds recognized by the AKC. It was the first win for the breed in the show’s 135-year history. Many fans took a particular liking to little Chester, a personality filled Affenpinscher, who was the winner in the Toy Group. Kudos to all the ‘pawticipants,’ both two and four legged.
Here’s to enjoying a great last day of November and a ‘wagnificent,’ tail-wagging start to December. And for those keeping track, there are 24 days until the big guy in the red suit arrives. 😱
It’s Monday and this is where we start out the week with a smile. Even as we’re being buried in about 9″ (so far) of snow with single digits. Yup, it’s true, winter arrived at the Ranch. Both dogs took one look outside, sniffed then turned around saying, “Nah, we can hold it for a while.”
The snowstorm has somewhat stemmed the growth of the fire (despite it consuming now more than 192,000 acres) as well as much of the containment work across Northern Colorado’s massive wildfires. Some evacuation orders have been lifted in Larimer and Grand Counties as of Sunday night. This is good news. That said, because much of the region is in rough, steep country, heavy equipment used to fight fires will not be able to make additional progress in the icy conditions. Perhaps the 700+ firefighters can get some much needed rest. We continue to keep them and the residents of the fire areas in our thoughts and prayers.
Here’s to a ‘wagnificent’ week of smiles, mask wearing, social distancing and paw washing.
Welcome to Meet the Breed Monday. Norman here. We’ve been AWOL these past few months with this series (and by ‘we,’ I mean mum, who neglected to help me with research). And every time I was ready to finalize the post, something else came up so here we are. But no more banging on about who dropped the ball…BALL?!?! Wait, somebody’s got my ball?? Sheesh, almost got off track there. Whew.
