Today...

I got my driver's license!!

Now that I've had a chance to drive...

It will be very hard to be a passenger.

Many thanks to Moses, Odie, Banshee and Casey!

In case you're wondering, yes - it IS as exciting as it looks!

The crew goes a carolling.

Oh Christmas Tree

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
How are thy leaves so verdant!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!

Not only in the summertime,
But even in winter is thy prime.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!
For every year the Christmas tree,
Brings to us all both joy and glee.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!


O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!

Each bough doth hold its tiny light,
That makes each toy to sparkle bright.


O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!


Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year to everyone!

Many thanks to Mike and Lori-Ann for providing today's prop. It was finally enjoyed by all!

Relationships are all about compromise

About a week ago I mentioned that Mateo had a few complaints about the lack of available space on HIS beds.

It seems that he and Antonio have come to an agreement.

Yep, they're both thrilled with their new cohabitation...

Oh, and Mr. Hope, who can't stand to have his own picture taken, also can't seem to stand being left out when someone else is getting theirs taken.

I stand corrected

Karen Ramstead, Queen of the Tundra herself has just called to inform me that the days do not grow in length until December 24th, and even then it isn't much. She even provided official government data. She has burst the little happy bubble I've been hanging on to for most of my adult life. I slip into a dark, winter induced depression... well not really... MY cup is still half full! ;-)

It's the mother of all hump days!

Let's all take a moment to celebrate the Winter'sSolstice. Why you ask? Because today is the shortest day of the year, the darkest, and I can only hope the coldest. So instead of dwelling on the fact that this can be miserable time of year, I prefer to be a "cup half full" kind of person and remind myself that there will be a little more sunshine tomorrow, and a little more the day after that, and the day after that, and the day after that...

The grass is always greener on the other side

Hope and Tell sleep in crates. Mateo sleeps beside my bed, and Bruce...well Bruce pretty much sleeps wherever he wants to. Generally this means he sleeps outside. I tried for months to convince him that he would someday have to fill Mateo's shoes and that he should also sleep in the bedroom. I even provided him with a cushy bed. After months of putting up with his middle of the night requests to go out, I finally caved and let him sleep out.
Anyway, the Border Collies have no choice as to where they sleep, and Bruce has all of the choice in the world... so where have I been catching him lately?

Jammed inside Hope's crate. A crate that is really too small for him I might add. Apparently I'm punishing him by NOT crating him.

Another check on the list

When I was about 5 or 6 I started a list. Don't ask me why, but I decided to keep track of how many "modes of transportation" I used. I know - I was an odd child. When you are that age, you think it's a fairly short list - plane, train, automobile. Of course, as I got older and broadened my horizons I discovered that there were an AWFUL LOT of ways to get around the world. I've checked off things like elephant, camel, biplane, tractor, cog train, etc., etc.. As a dog trainer, you'd think that by now I'd have managed to clear "dog sled" off the list by now, but somehow I was never in the right place at the right time.

You can probably figure out by now where I'm heading with this.

Yep, that's me - giddy little school girl all over again!

And we're off! What a great way to get around. Quiet, but not quiet. Just the sound of dogs breathing, feet moving, and snow squeaking under the runners. I definitely see how people get hooked on this.

Kicking it into high gear.

Interesting that while it is common in the dog training world to talk about how challenging "northern breeds" can be to work with, that I watched dogs as responsive to command as my Border Collies. Their change of direction was as precise as anything I'd expect from my guys.

Yes, it's about as warm and toasty as it looks... but trust me, there's a BIG smile under there.

Heading back into the dog yard.

The Perk at at the end of the trail - a happy fish. Trust me, he's smiling...so are the dogs.


See, he's definitely smiling too.

Thanks Karen for a great time as well as an opportunity to check another thing off my list!