Adventures about pet therapy, dog rescue and urban life in the 'Burbs
Good grief, where did the weekend go? Somewhere along the way, we seemed to have lost a day, but at least we managed to answer all the questions that popped up, unlike the subject of today’s smile. We hope your week’s ‘pyramid’ is amazing and that you aren’t stumped with any trick questions. Make it a great Monday.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Hope you all managed to survive Explosion Day, aka July 4th. Elsa here. Whew, thank goodness we got through it even though it lasted until after midnight. Mom closed up the house and turned up the volume on the TV so we’d have less to hear. Bless her. Seems like a lot of peeps are beginning to question this whole “let’s blow &#@% up” holiday and not just here in the Mile High. Although Mom thought there were a lot of people who give lip service to ending fireworks but still ran to their favorite fireworks pop up stand and bought a bunch. Still we hope all that barking and whining by folks about it is starting to move the needle. Baby steps. Not only are there alternatives that don’t scare the Bejesus outa woman and beast, it’s so much better for the environment. With way too many ozone alert days around here lately (thanks Mother Nature-the heat ain’t bad enough?), let’s add a ton of toxins to the atmosphere from shooting fireworks to make it even more obnoxious. But I digress.
Today we’re here to join our friends, Rosy and Sunny for this week’s edition of Nature Friday so be sure to click on the link to see what else was shared this week. Today we are finishing up with the final installment of photos to last week’s Spirit Guide post. Take it away, House Pony.
Wilson: Greetings mates. Let me begin by saying you chaps can keep your noisy holiday. Color this dog definitely not a fan. And here I thought garbage trucks were loud. But thankfully it’s over, and like any good dog, I live in the present moment. so let’s check out the rest of Spirit Guide photos, shall we?
Elsa: Yeah, come into our garden, said the spider to the fly.
Wilson: Huh…wait, there are spiders? And flies? You mean I missed noshing on bugs? Crikey, I don’t recall seeing any of those.
Elsa: {eyes rolling} Dude, it’s just a figure of speech. Jeez, you gotta stop being so literal.
Wilson: Whew, I thought I missed a few snacks. Anyway, I think Mum saved the best for this week. Check out this Coyote-Fish spirit guide.
Elsa: What. The. Dog?! Umm, o-kay. Not sure about some of those spirit combinations. I mean just look at these different views on the eagle-camel.
Wilson: I will say they are most colorful. Even the pond’s reflection with the deer-butterfly looked glassy but colorful. I say, I can’t even image not getting cross-eyed while painting all those patterns.
Elsa: I’m dizzy just looking at them. I mean, check it out…{stuttering} I, I mean…it’s so bizarrely weird. Got anything to share that won’t give me a seizure?
Wilson: Well, Mum took some photos of several bonsai trees. I’m rather miffed I couldn’t sniff at them.
Elsa: I’m sure the grounds keepers are quite grateful for that. Some of these bonsai trees had been in ‘training’ for well over 10 years. That’s some kind of intensive maintenance to keep their shape. Some were crafted from yews, ordinary pine trees, a jade and also a maple like this one. Guess you can make a bonsai out of anything.
Wilson: Many of the flowers were pretty as well and of course the Chihuly spire that’s located in the Romance Garden is always striking. Mum really enjoyed her visit at the Denver Botanical Gardens (which she learned is one of the top five botanical gardens in the country). Their special events and exhibits manage to please and entertain all visitors.
Elsa: Ok, now that’s what I’m talking about. N-i-c-e flowers. I can see why she loves going there. There’s always something for everyone. Even the weirdos. So, what are your plans for the weekend? We’re heading down to my grandpa to introduce him to the new great, great granddaughter. We are very excited and can’t wait to see them all together. Whatever you do, just make sure you get outside and check out all the cool (and yes, some of the weird) stuff that Nature provides. Have a great weekend.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Today is June 24, 2024. There are 190 days left in the year. Let that sink in. Training Wilson to not go insane whenever he sees a squirrel remains an ongoing project although he is getting a little better but when I saw today’s smile, I had to chuckle. One benefit of walking this dog is I never have to worry about doing any upper body weight training.
We hope nothing holds you back this week. Make it a great Monday.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Happy first Monday of June. The temperatures are rising and it clearly looks like Summer is ramping up. Temps will be in the 90’s in the Mile High and that means it’s even more important to think of the four-legged sect. Before we get to today’s smile, here’s a public service announcement every pet parent and/or animal lover should remember.
Fresh water will do more than just make your petunias happy; it is essential for you and your pet’s good health. So be sure to stay hydrated. And now for this week’s smile.
Happy Monday, peeps.
Live, love, bark 🐾
Today is Memorial Day, a national holiday in the U.S. where we officially remember and mourn all those who perished while serving in the country’s armed forces. Let’s take a look at the historical background to see how this holiday began.
Originally it was known as “Decoration Day” following the Civil War when both Union and Confederate soldiers honored their dead by decorating their graves with flowers. Today it has morphed into its current form honoring all Americans who served and paid the ultimate price for their service.
So why do we see people wearing red poppies on Memorial Day? Red poppies are associated with remembrance and officially became the national emblem of remembrance in 1920. Those little flowers originated from the battlefields of World War I because they sprouted in the unlikeliest of places. One reason-poppies are actually considered a weed and its seeds germinated when the soil was disturbed between the trench lines and the Western Front.
Poppies grew in the most inhospitable landscapes of war-torn battlefields in 1915 and from this wreckage of war, they seem to spring up like tiny beacons of hope.
As you can see, there is a difference yet there is still confusion between the various patriotic holidays celebrated in the U.S. Far too many people think Memorial Day honors every service members who served. The truth is Memorial Day honors those who gave their lives in service of their country. Unofficially it’s also known as the start of summer and too often used as a marketing campaign for such things like mattress sales.
We hope this post provides you with sufficient info regarding the origins of Memorial Day. Although our family has been blessed to not have lost anyone who served, we know families who were not as lucky and our hearts go out to them with deep appreciation for the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. We honor their memory and send gentle thoughts of comfort today.
And even though it’s a serious day of remembrance, it’s still Monday which means we need to share a smile. Two weeks ago, the 148th American Kennel Club Dog Show was held and Wilson thought there may been some celebration during and after the competition. Congratulations to “Sage,” the miniature poodle who was won Best in Show. For more on her impressive win, see this story.
Happy Monday.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
It’s Monday. Again. Gosh, how is that even possible? We hope you had a wonderful weekend. At any rate, it was one of those perfect weekend’s where the weather was near perfect, the garden received a lot of attention and yesterday, a certain special someone, received a lot of attention when I went to visit with the newest family member who continues to captivate my heart and who is growing like a little weed. I know I’m biased, but she seems to get cuter every time I visit. Luckily, it’s a good thing dog barking doesn’t seem to bother her too much while her canine protectors continue to monitor her well-being and alert the entire household of any perceived sketchy visitors or passersby. Lucky for her, there aren’t any smart-alecky squirrels in her apartment complex. And as insurance, I bring a pocket full of tasty treats to quell any racket quickly.
We hope you have a fabulous Monday and aren’t faced with any life conundrums like Mr. Ruffles. Happy Monday!
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Good Friday morning. As is our usual MO, we’re joining Rosy and Sunny from the LLB life for this week’s Mother’s Day edition. Be sure to click on the link to see what others have shared.
Elsa: Before we get started sharing some of this week’s photos, I personally want to wish our own Mom a very Happy Mother’s Day weekend.
Wilson: Yes, Mum, I too want to wish you a very Happy Mother’s Day. You provide us both with treats, unconditional love, great ear scritches and belly rubs, and are the best walking companion who happens to be a super duper pooper scooper. In fact, I’ll go one better…I wish all dog mums a Happy Mother’s Day.
Elsa: Yo Big Guy, this isn’t a competition. Those are all implied in my Happy Mother’s Day wish, so stop trying to up your game, okay?
Wilson: Well I just wanted to elaborate just a tad in case Mum didn’t know how I felt about her.
Elsa: Face it House Pony, you’re a brown nose and are trying to make up for being a pill yesterday. Trust me, Mom loves us no matter what we chew up or do. She may be unhappy for a quick moment, but I guarantee you she still loves us, so stop going overboard.
Wilson: You mean she won’t be upset with me because I chewed one of her craft tools when she took you for a separate walk? Whew…glad to hear that. And again, you seem to be a bit colorblind, my nose is most assuredly black, not brown. Just wanted to point that out for the record.
Elsa: Oh for crying out loud. STOP, just stop. I told you before it’s a figure of speech. Now that we’re 300 words in, let’s get on with the post, all right?
Wilson: Just wanted the record to be clear. It’s been a very windy week accompanied by cool temps. Yesterday morning it was a cool 36ºF (2ºC) when we went outside for our morning wee. I didn’t mind it but Mum seemed a tad chilled.
Elsa: She was sleep walking I think. She made sure she had a jacket on this morning. While it’s ever so slightly misting, at least it wasn’t quite as chilly. Neither of us seem to mind (well at least not the cooler temps-but I’m not walking around if it’s raining) but at least we’re not in the mountains where 1-3 inches of white stuff are expected. Over the past 4 of the past 5 years, we’ve actually had a bit of snow during Mother’s Day week so I guess we should consider ourselves lucky.
Wilson: Snow? Hmm, I thought we were over all that. Well it hasn’t seemed to damping any spring flowers from what I can tell on our walkabouts. I mean just look at this gorgeous lilac bush. Mum said it’s different that the solid color ones we’ve seen over the past couple of weeks. Each bloom is rimmed in a narrow stripe of white and the purple is quite intense. It smells amazing, too.
Elsa: Whoa…that’s quite a beauty, dude. I haven’t seen that variety on my route but then I don’t walk the Santa Fe trail like you do. I’m not good with a deviation from the route so probably won’t get to see it before it’s finished.
Wilson: You should try a different route, it’s good to experience new things-trust me. I’m exposed to all sorts of new and look how great I am.
Elsa: Umm, I wouldn’t be going there, Pony. You still get wigged out with large trucks and…
Wilson: {interrupting} Excuse me…those things are terrifying to a country boy like me. I don’t know how you city chaps manage to not freak out whenever a UPS or garbage truck rumbles past. They are quite noisy and they startle my otherwise calm demeanor.
Elsa: Oh brother…just deal with it. As long as you’re with Mom, nothing is going to get you. Chill dude, ok.
Wilson: Well I’m trying, but I don’t have to like them.
Elsa: What’s to like. Just look pitiful and not like some scaredy-cat and Mom will likely give you a treat if you don’t freak out.
Wilson: {wheels turning in his brain} Hmm, treats you say? Ok, I’ll keep that in mind and practice on the pitiful look for the best effect.
Elsa: Yeah, I thought that might make you stand up straight. Yeesh, what a chow hound. What else did you see on your travels?
Wilson: Well the bearded irises are blooming all over the place. Gosh some of them are quite striking. Like this one.
Wilson: Mum was very excited at this bearded iris from her garden. Most of her’s are in the very early stages since the garden doesn’t get as much intense sunlight. This one is actually a reblooming hybrid that she really likes but that hasn’t performed as reliably as she’d like. Still, it’s rather pretty even if it doesn’t have any scent. What’s up with that?
Elsa: Hey, do I look like a botanist? I don’t know why some plants have scents and others don’t. I just like the way they look.
Wilson: Well scent is very important to me, I mean have you seen my nose?
Elsa: Good point. That honker was made for sniffing. I’m surprised they don’t use Old English Sheepdogs like bloodhounds.
Wilson: Well we need to sniff out potential predators, so maybe that’s why. Sniff then drive them for forward together. That’s us.
Elsa: {eyes rolling} Look dude, this isn’t a job interview. We’re sharing slice of Mother Nature, okay? What else have you got?
Wilson: Mum noticed this blooming wisteria a couple of days ago. I asked her, “Where’s the leaves?” She assured me they’ll start forming soon. Seems rather odd to me, those droopy racemes hanging down. Mum said they are part of the legume family so naturally I inquired if they are edible but she said the pods and seeds are quite toxic and for me not to get any clever ideas about noshing on them. Luckily this house has a wrought iron fence so it’s not likely pets will mistakenly snack on the toxic parts.
Elsa: There are plenty of things for you to nosh on, you don’t need to sample poisonous things. This next plant is also toxic so don’t get any bright ideas.
Wilson: These plants are tucked into an overgrown corner of a garden we pass every day and Mum liked that park bench in the back. She thought what a lovely secluded spot. They come in a variety of colors and are quite ornamental. Mum says they’re part of the garlic/onion family and can make us dogs sick if they ingested. She said some species are quite poisonous so I’ll be staying away. Don’t need any stomach upset any time soon.
Elsa: Whoa…you’re actually not interesting in eating something. That’s gotta be a first!
Wilson: Ahem…don’t sell me short. Yes I enjoy food but it’s just not worth a case of diarrhea or vomiting. Not when Mum hands out tasty treats like Tic-Tacs.
Elsa: Hmm, maybe you are trainable! So when you were out on your walks, did you come across these flowering trees?
Wilson: Yes, we did see one near the post office the other afternoon. Mum said it’s a Aesculus x carnea..a red buckeye/horse chestnut an artificial hybrid. Mum said it’s a medium sized showy tree with toothed leaves. It’s pretty striking to look at and makes a great shade tree. Those flowers can be messy when they’ve finished blooming.
Elsa: That looks like it for this edition. Nice job, Pony. So what’s on the agenda for Mother’s Day? I heard Mom is going to see the new great grandbaby for brunch tomorrow. I keep asking Mom when are we going to be able to see her and she said soon. She turned one month old yesterday. Kinda a cute little chunk, isn’t she?
Wilson: She sure is. Mum is nuts about her. I’m not sure just how I’ll react when she starts wailing but I’m sure I’ll be Johnny on the spot, ready to soothe her with a pup kiss or three. I always react to videos of her with a cocked head, with upright posture and loads of bum wiggles. Crying babies need to be soothed and they don’t call us sheepies Nanny dogs for nothing.
Elsa: You do know she’s not edible, right?
Wilson: Of course I do. But she is kissable and I can’t wait to see and meet her. Mum says soon and I can’t wait. We hope all mums have a wonderful Mum’s Day whether your ‘kids’ have two or four legs. Enjoy your weekend being the center of attention-you totally deserve it. And don’t forget to enjoy some nature over the weekend.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Happy last Monday of April, 2024. We’ve returned to gorgeous Spring weather and are looking forward to spending the next few days with out-of-state family who are visiting Colorado. Nice weather on the patio will make the get together that much more fun.
But first before we hit the road, we need to take a moment to share today’s smile. Since Elsa’s last surgery, her nose woke up dramatically so when I saw this cartoon, it made me think of how she’s seems to have become more of a Bloodhound than a Spoo on the walks. Before finding this epiphany, she was an all business kind of girl, finding the absolute right spot (which often took at least 90 seconds of walking in a circle to find the exact perfect spot) before she would potty. I always get a kick out of how male dogs and female dogs differ in this regard. I often think Wilson could pee anywhere, whereas the location is critical to Elsa’s way of thinking, er sniffing. For her it now takes several minutes checking out all the ‘messages’ left, scanning the landscape for ripe spots, determining who replied, what and how they communicated their presence and goodness only knows what else. It does however brighten my day knowing she’s exploring her environment through sniffing and I welcome it. Most people rush their good dog’s walk, but they really should embrace it. It quiets dog’s minds and makes it more enjoyable for everyone on the trail.
Whatever you do today, we hope you take time to, at least metaphorically, smell the roses and let your dog do likewise (though I doubt it’ll be roses they’re sniffing). Happy Monday.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Happy Earth Day. Let’s begin today’s nod to Earth Day with a compilation of numerous videos from CBS’s Walter Conkrite on the first Earth Day from around the country, which contained a reference to Denver’s smoggy skies in the first segment. Going to school in a small southern Colorado community, I was somewhat sheltered from Denver’s air quality notoriety at the time and found was surprised the state capitol was specifically singled out. It speaks volumes of how important the issue was and continues to be featured in the news, especially with the extreme weather patterns we are experiencing across the globe.
The original idea of bringing attention to the environment came from Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wyoming following a 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Sen. Nelson who enlisted the help of a young activist, Denis Hayes, had growing concerns for the environment following Rachel Carson’s book, Silent Spring which was gaining attention among environmental groups and wanted a unified cause to provide a way for disparate groups find a way to join together and bring information and education to people on the impact of pesticides were on farm workers and the environment.
The first Earth Day saw approximately 20 million people participate, many using the day to clean up streets in their neighborhoods. New York’s Earth Day parade shut down Fifth Ave. Later that year, The Environmental Protection Agency was created by then president, Richard Nixon. A condensed timeline can be found at the EPA’s website. Earth Day went global in 1990 and is now recognized around the world.
As you begin this week, I hope you take some time to look at your immediate environment and do something to improve it even if it’s just picking up trash or something a bit more lasting like not using plastic bags. January 2024 saw Colorado ban plastic bags from large retail stores as well as prohibiting restaurants and retail food establishments from using Styrofoam takeout containers.
Although today’s post is of a serious nature, we still want to end it with a small smile and hope it prompts you to do whatever you can to help this growing problem. Semper Fido.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
In case you somehow missed it, today is the deadline to file your income taxes in the U.S. While you may file an extension, you still need to include any payment of any taxes owed with the extension. Can anyone explain the point of doing that?
Luckily, the Ranch Hands filed theirs last month, quickly received a refund and then immediately signed it over to the vet {grimace}.
While I’d have loved to file this form with our return, I’m not sure Uncle Sam would have found it as humorous as I did. No offense, but I often have wondered if having no sense of humor was a hard requirement for all employees who work for the IRS. With the 2017 revision of the tax code, itemization seems to have become a relic of the past.
Despite today’s deadline, we still hope you are able to tackle today…lo the entire week, with loads of humor and grace. It’s a gorgeous spring day here in the 303-we hope you are able to make it yours wherever you are. Happy Monday.
Live, love, bark! 🐾