Or in my case, that glow is from sweat. It was a hot weekend…just warning all you folks who continue to receive so much rain…trust me…summer is coming. Last week was super hectic and busy and we’re still recovering after a few days of hospital visits among other commitments. Wilson the Dogtor, was a big hit and now we’re hoping this week will be easy-does-it as this post visit nap shows how hard he worked. He was a good boy, brought loads of smiles to all he met and left everything he had at the hospital.
Greetings mates, Wilson here for the first Friday of June and the 157th day of the year. Today we’re doing something different as we join our friends at the LLB Gang for this week’s edition of Nature Friday. Trees have leafed out but blooming flowers really haven’t changed, Mum has noticed the only thing new has been the direct result of our weather. It was the second week in a row where rain showers fell nearly every day. In fact, yesterday’s afternoon walk around the neighborhood saw us getting soaked. Again. What the bloody dog? Mum knows I don’t like rain on my fluffy white head but there she was dragging hustling me along to try and find some cover under the trees.
So what does all this rain mean? Well things are green and lush. So much so, grass seems to grow overnight. And so do the weeds. And if you haven’t guessed by now, Mum is highlighting the weeds this week {eyes rolling}.
Yes, you heard me right…bloody weeds. I’d think she was in the sun for too long yesterday before the clouds and rain rolled in after working in the garden all morning, pulling two bins full of weeds. She said it’s the yang aspect of Nature and she thought we should see the other side of what happens when there’s lots of moisture. Not that we’d ever object to moisture, mind you…but weeds? Come on Mum, just admit it…your brain is fried and you’re suffering from writer’s block.
The Mum: Good morning, House Pony. I see you’ve set a somewhat negative stage for today’s Nature Friday focus on the reverse side of Nature. When you usually have a lack of moisture, plants struggle. But give them even just a little spot of rain and voila!…they are transformed into a scene from Little Shop of Horrors where gardeners swear they are hearing the baritone wail of Levi Stubbs (of Four Tops fame) who was the voice of Audrey in the movie-Feed me Seymour.
Wilson: Ermmm, didn’t mean to cast dispersions, Mum, but seriously…weeds. That’s the best you’ve got? Surely there’s gotta be something far more exciting, not to mention far more visually pleasing.
The Mum: Sorry, it’s just reality. You can water the garden like crazy and it’s so-so but even with a tiny little rain sprinkle and poof, instant greening up and lushness.
Wilson: Well, ok…if you say so. I still stand with my observation that you might be suffering from a spot of writer’s block but let’s move along. Some of these weeds universally vex us all summer long, rain or not…like the bindweed and spotted spurge but some of the have grown to gargantuan dimensions like the prickly lettuce and that plant that resembles hemlock which is a member of the carrot family.
Prickly lettuce-wear thick gloves when removing this bad boy.Poison hemlock, a member of the carrot family.Argemone – Prickly Poppies, another weed that requires thick gloves for removalSpotted Spurge loves getting between flagstone pathwaysBindweed sheltering other assorted weeds
The Mum: I swear that bindweed is going to be the death of me yet. I have yet to be able to eradicate it and the recent rains have acted like nitrogen fertilizer. Oh sure, the ‘morning glory-like’ blooms are pretty but this weed will strangle the life out of everything around it.
Wilson: It looks quite innocent but I noticed it went from just a few blossoms to an entire carpet of them. This weed may be your Waterloo, Mum but mine are the foxtails that typically show up along sidewalks waiting for unsuspecting dog legs and paws to attached their bloody barbed seed awns.
The Mum: As I was researching foxtails for this post, I noticed “wall barley” (sometimes called false barley), is very similar in appearance and can’t be 100% certain if what’s pictured is actually foxtail or false barley. Either way, you’re right saying these seed awns can be not only dangerous to dogs but depending where they’ve entered a dog, can be lethal if not promptly and fully removed.
Wilson: I will chew on my toes if some piece of grass gets stuck which apparently is some sort of code to dog mums that something is stuck between our toes/pads and needs immediate remediation. I swear even if I just look at my feet, you’re all over me examining me with a whole battery of combs and other grooming tools to remove any offending bits and bobs. I appreciate it but you descend on me like grasshoppers/locusts from the Dust Bowl and that’s somewhat terrifying.
The Mum: Trust me, the alternative would be much worse. It’s for your own good.
Wilson: It’s funny how things us dogs dislike are always accompanied with that phrase. Anyway, I’m glad you’re obsessed on guard for them. And because I’m a benevolent floof, I had you take a photo on our walk for this morning’s post-dawn walk of a white lupine in bloom. We have the purple and pink variety in our garden but had never seen a white version before. It’s rather pretty and a nice offering for Miss Rosy after all these lame weed pics.
Whether you’re suffering from writer’s block or have loads of things to write about, we hope your weekend is full of joyful exploration and discovery of both sides of Nature. Have a great weekend.
Good grief, I can’t believe it’s June already! What the dawg is going on? Wasn’t it just Valentine’s Day? However we got here, it’s no reason not to still start the week out with a smile. And today’s installment is sooo Wilson. There has never been any doubt in my mind that this trait embedded deep in his DNA since he’s shown a strong proclivity for chilling out on the sofa (or even better, on a bed).
From the day I brought him home, this boy has loved laying on my bed…the sofa, me…well you get the point. I’d be upset at his flagrant disregard for one of the house rules if he wasn’t such a cute floof.
Sending you loads of happy thoughts for a great Monday.
Some days I swear, I should have named “him” Hoover…or Dyson as crumbs on the floor are not safe. We hope all your food groups are met today. Stay happy, stay healthy and make it a great day (and week). Happy Monday.
Happy Monday! We hope all you pet mom’s had a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend. While the calendar says it’s spring, we find ourselves more in summer with temps in the mid-80’s with mostly clear skies.
Wilson found today’s smile and said he totally agreed with it after a weekend of good weather with lots of helicopter leaf seed pods finding their way to sidewalks. I swear this boy is a lot like having a toddler…he has to be watched like a bloody hawk so that he doesn’t put everything in his mouth. And here I thought dogs processed their worlds by sniffing, when in fact, in his case, everything is processed through his mouth first.
Here’s hoping you have a totally pawsome Monday and an even better week. Wilson says, ‘don’t eat anything he wouldn’t eat.’
Wait…it’s the last Monday of April? Where the heck did April go? Seems like I just blinked and poof! it’s practically gone. When I realized it, I felt a lot like this game show’s contestant. Wishing you a fantabulous Monday and remember don’t sweat a ticking clock. Happy Monday!
Welcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday in April, where we’re joining the LLB Gang for their weekly blog hop. Be sure to click on the link to see what scenes from nature others are sharing. This week my great-granddaughter turned one year old and the family visited the Denver Aquarium to celebrate. Kids young and old are fascinated by the calming sight of fish floating through coral and rocks. While it’s challenging to photograph fish in large tanks with glass reflection, not to mention the occasional photo bomber or poor positioning due to large crowds visiting, we apologize in advance here. That said, let’s ‘dive in,’ so to speak.
Wilson: Right, Mum. I’m sure glad they don’t allow dogs. You know how I feel about water especially since I received the full professional water torture treatment so I could visit patients and staff at the hospital. The only water I’m interested in lives in my water bowl where I’m happy to gulp and make a mess with the best of ’em. The Downtown Aquarium (originally known as Colorado’s Ocean Journey) opened back in 1999. It’s not huge as aquariums go, however the aquarium holds approximately 1,000,000 US gallons (3,785,000 L), and exhibits a variety of fish and other animals.
The Mum: That’s right, House Pony…the aquarium was rebranded in 2005 as the Downtown Aquarium after Ocean Journey filed bankruptcy when it wasn’t able to make the high construction cost repayments. The restaurant chain, Landry’s Restaurant purchased the facility in 2003 and remodeled the premises by adding a full restaurant, bar and ballroom for events.
Wilson: This aquarium examines the relationship between inland freshwater ecosystems and the ocean and features the path of two rivers in their route to the ocean (namely, the Colorado River and the Kampur River in Indonesia).
Reticulate Whipray
Wilson: After the 2005 renovations, the two paths were continued although they are not arranged in a zoogeographic pattern. Tanks were added to showcase species from African and South American freshwater ecosystems and some tanks are mixed community spaces. There are several interactive exhibits, including a stingray touch-and-feed tank. Check out the Reticulate Whipray that looked like a leopard. It’s a large species from the Indo-Pacific area. I notice you chose not to pet him.
The Mum: Yeah, I had a minor infection on one of my finger tips and decided there were plenty of people to pet him so I’m sure he didn’t miss my fingers running along his skin.
Wilson: Whoa…for someone who’s so gung-ho about petting animals, that was a surprise. But I applaud you for thinking of the welfare of ‘therapy ray.’
The Mum: I just thought it was prudent for him. Besides, I was kind of mesmerized by the way he floated around and didn’t even realize I wasn’t petting him. He did seem to enjoy the attention under the watchful eye of the human attendant who was quick to correct overly enthusiastic visitors.
Wilson: The aquarium continues to focus on conservation by housing many endangered or threatened species. There are twelve species of fish, six reptiles, two mammals, and two birds and the aquarium participates in the American Species Survival Plan for Sumatran tigers with two gorgeous young male tigers, Rudi and Luhahn who will be featured in another post.
The Mum: There were loads of students on field trips and I couldn’t help watch them checking out all the fish. The largest tank is the one where everyone is awed. It was quite something to see sharks floating in front of and above the crowds, almost like a cave. Most of the sharks were females but there were a couple of males that looked quite fearsome.
SharkShark
Wilson: Gosh, Mum…it’s not even Shark Week! But I can see why everyone wants to see them. Say, didn’t your grandson dive in the tank with them years ago on his birthday?
The Mum: He did and we chatted about his recollections. It began his ongoing love with diving and the ocean. I ‘m afraid I’d be too afraid to do that as an adult, let alone as a spry young kiddo.
Wilson: I don’t blame you for not getting in. There’s water involved and not nearly enough treats to make me want to get in it.
The Mum: Silly boy. Diving is not for everyone but it’s good that some people are willing to do the research to save and protect these amazing creatures. I mean, just look at those rows of teeth!
Wilson: Ummm, I think I’ll pass on focusing on all those teeth. Let’s look at a few more of the creatures from the aquarium.
OctopusSea starSea AnemonesFossil
The Mum: It was a great visit and I loved watching Halia’s reaction to the fish floating around. I’m sure it was somewhat overwhelming for her but glad she had the opportunity to be exposed to the natural world. Well, we’d better skedaddle for the hospital. Another big day, buddy. You were a real superstar and I know there will be more opportunities to bring smiles to folks today. This afternoon, I’m going out to pick up a sheepdog who’s coming into our rescue. Her family is moving here from out of state and the landlord won’t allow pets so she’s relinquishing her girl. While I don’t know a whole lot about her, I’ll have a better idea later this afternoon. It’s going to be a big day. What’s on your weekend schedule?
Wilson: Whatever it is, we hope you can get outside and experience a great springtime weekend. You’ll have to fill me in after you pick her up. I’m glad the owner had sense enough to contact us but sad that she’ll lose her family. I know how traumatic that can be and we’re keeping our paws crossed it goes well. Have a great weekend, mates.
Wilson: Hey Mum, you know it’s Friday, right? It’ll be my second day of visiting patients and staff at the hospital but I wanted to know if we’re still going to try to participate with the Nature Friday posts from our friends over at Adventures of the LLB Gang without the Ninja?
The Mom: Well…I thought we should at least try but I doubt our posts will be nearly as entertaining. Would you be up for it? I’m sure Elsa would like that. Just know some days will be easy and some will be harder. That last sentence is more of a note to myself than to you, House Pony.
Wilson: You do know that I miss her even if I’m more than enjoying having you all to myself. Is it wrong for me to be selfish?
The Mom: No, I understand, House Pony. She was a special girl and while she had her quirks, she was quite unique in her own way that made her truly adorable. I was always rooting for her to succeed as a dog-it just took a little longer after enduring such adversity in the puppy mill.
Wilson: I can’t imagine what she endured. But I do have to wonder, if you loved her more than me?
The Mom: No, sweet boy. She and I just had a slightly different connection-she was basically feral when I got her and needed lots of love and care. You know I loved you as well.
Wilson: That’s reassuring but you do know I’m worried about you. You seem so sad at times…that’s why I feel like I have to smother you with love.
The Mom: I know. It…well except when I wake up and can’t breathe easily because of it. But I do understand. You’re a sensitive chap and true blue loyal which are some of the many qualities I love about you. So what kind of slices of nature did you find this week to share?
Wilson: Right-o. I’ll give it a try but without her unique slant, I think you’re right, it’s not going to be nearly as entertaining. Let’s start with a couple of pics taken earlier this week now that some of the early spring flowering bulbs have begun to appear. Just look at this lovely Scilla luciliae specimen (aka squill). It’s part of the Asparagaceae family and its common name is Bossier’s glory-of-the-snow after the Swiss botanist, Pierre Edmond Bossier. Sometimes it’s referred to as Lucile’s glory-of-the-snow, as an homage to the botanist’s wife. After this early spring bulb blooms, it goes dormant until the next spring and originally came from western Turkey. It is a low-maintenance naturalizing bulb that can be found in zones 3 to 8. I know you like low-maintenance and was surprised you don’t have any in your garden. Their blossoms have a white center with blue or violet petals and the stamens are flat and clustered in the middle of the flower.
The Mom: It’s lovely, Wilson. You know how partial I am to blue flowers and this is a pleasant change from yellow daffodils that are beginning to bloom. I like how it naturalized between the fence post and sidewalk. Isn’t it fascinating that there weren’t any other flowers like it nearby. I keep asking myself why I haven’t planted any before too. So far, I haven’t got a good answer to that.
Wilson: Well maybe this autumn you’ll remember to add some. You know I was just about ready to ask about how is it that Nature is so selective and surprising when it comes to placement of some plants. The Mom: It’s one of those botanical mysteries, I guess. But it never ceases to amaze me how Nature arbitrarily decides for something to appear out of nowhere. Wilson: Boy, you can say that again. Nature really knows how to surprise gardeners. Speaking of surprises, did you see that yellow magnolia tree blooming in the next block up from our house? Talk about being pretty. Hard to believe it’s blooming in March especially considering the temperatures were just shy of 80ºF (26ºC) yesterday. Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. The Mom: I know! The temperatures have been crazy warm for March and uncharacteristically dry. March and April are the two snowiest months and all we’ve had around the Ranch is wind, wind, oh and more wind. Everything is parched and spring bulbs are flowering earlier than usual. I’m surprised any bulbs are blooming without winter moisture. Guess flowering bulbs somehow manage to be quite adaptable when conditions aren’t ideal. No wonder they’re so popular.
Wilson: When we were on one of our long walks a couple of days ago, I noticed the pussy willow blooms were beginning to change. Those fuzzy nubs are starting to flower. When I looked them up to find out more about them I discovered those nubs are insulation from cold temperatures before these yellow flower bloom. It’s like finding two different plants in one shrub. What a fascinating morphing. Soon the plant will be leaving out and look completely different. We probably won’t even notice it much then.
TheMom: You may be just right about that. It’s a real striking shift from the throws of winter to spring and finally toward its summer look. Again, Nature is full of surprises.
Wilson: Well that’s all I have for this week. I gotta get ready to go back to Lutheran and visit folks. Yesterday was a fun packed day and lots of folks seemed to enjoy our visit. It was the first time I got to train a new applicant who is bringing her dog into the program. She shadowed me as I visited patients and staff. It was a long day but I enjoyed it. How about you, Mum?
The Mom: It was a long day but a nice diversion to establishing a new normal. You and I both passed out early. Hopefully today will be less packed but it felt good bringing a bit of joy to others. You did good, House Pony. Let’s hope today goes as well.
Wilson: Thanks, Mum. I’ll do my best today…as long as I’m with you, I’ll be ok. I’m just glad I don’t have to have another bath any time soon. We hope spring has sprung where you live and you are able to get outside and enjoy finding lots of signs of spring. Wishing everyone a terrific weekend. I see that WordPress acted up on some of the spacing. Doggone it, I relied on the Ninja to make this stuff look right. Hopefully next time I’ll do a better job. For now, please accept my apologies. I may be a trainer for pet therapy but it seems obvious that I need to my own training to account for the vagaries of blogging.
Although my precious angel left this earth just 16 days ago, I was and remain a big proponent of the Five Sibes’ Live Gib Strong Epilepsy Awareness Day. As many of you know, Elsa was adopted back in the autumn of 2016 and two weeks later was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy following several severe Grand Mal seizures. Having owned an epileptic dog before, I knew a little about what to expect. Because I was 100% committed to keeping Elsa and helping her enjoy a good life with me despite being offered the option of returning her to the rescue. That option never occurred to me. Instead, I became obsessed with providing her with the best life possible. Enter two fellow bloggers who are lay experts in providing the best life for their own epileptic fur companions. FiveSibes and Knotty Toys for Good Dogsbecame my go-to for info, tips and resources and I couldn’t have found two more dedicated advocates for the treatment of canine epilepsy. Both of these remarkable epileptic ambassadors provided Elsa and I with amazing info to manage her condition along with our vet. My vet once told me, the advice I was getting from them both helped me keep Elsa’s seizures manageable all the while providing me with some much needed hope when I needed it most. To both of them, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please keep sharing your valuable info and resources for epileptic pets as well as their caregivers all over the world. Thank you for all you do.
Many people don’t understand that epilepsy affects both the epi-warrior as well as the caregiver so having reliable and supportive info can make all the difference for us. I will always be grateful beyond words for their help as well as for all the resources they shared. Their advocacy makes me want to continue to be a supporter for Purple Day even though Elsa is now seizure free at the Rainbow Bridge.
For more educational information and a list of resources, please watch this short video.
On a closer and more personal note, I also want to thank everyone who sent donations in Elsa’s name to RMOES Rescue as well as notes of condolences after she earned her angel wings. Your notes of gentle support have buoyed my heart and I know the rescue is equally grateful for your donations. Your supportive thoughts of comfort have been so very appreciated. Blogville is the truly the best at supporting its own and especially at times of heartache. If only words of gratitude were as easy and heartfelt to express as what your support has meant. I’m truly at a loss for the right words of gratitude and will simply leave it with the humble but deeply sincere “thank you,” from the bottom of my heart.
Happy first Monday of March. Neither Elsa or I are 100% healthy yet but are holding our own. You may correctly surmise that I’m improving with a scrappy greeting to today’s weather forecast by yelling (as much as one can with no voice) to today’s weather forecast, “bring it on” as the Ranch braces for the first spring storm arriving later this afternoon. Spring storms in Colorado are normal and welcome in March as they tend to drop a lot of moisture and melt fairly quickly. With 17 days until the official arrival of spring, we’ll see if Nature goes along with the forecast of 8-14 inches of white stuff. In the meantime, let’s enjoy a lighthearted look at life.
In accordance with Colorado consumer law, I recently received a notification from the LexisNexis Consumer Center indicating I was eligible for a free disclosure copy of my credit report so today’s smile ironically seems in line with what our pets face all the time. It came as a rather big surprise since I wasn’t aware of LexisNexis (you can click on the link to reach their website to see if you’re interested in checking out) having a presence in the credit reporting arena, being only aware of the big 3: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Looks like the day won’t be a total loss as I learned something new and discovered there’s yet another place to check to keep my online identity safe in this age of online theft, scammers and mischief makers. Anyway, hope it’s a lighthearted look for you to start out the week. Wishing all is well wherever you’re located and this smile allows you to usher the week in with a little chuckle. Happy Monday.
Greetings mates, Wilson here for the first Friday of June and the 157th day of the year. Today we’re doing something different as we join our friends at the 
Welcome to this week’s edition of Nature Friday in April, where we’re joining the 
Wilson: Hey Mum, you know it’s Friday, right? It’ll be my second day of visiting patients and staff at the hospital but I wanted to know if we’re still going to try to participate with the Nature Friday posts from our friends over at 
