‘TIS THE PRE-SEASON

Posted on November 27, 2014 by BigFootClub

For years I’ve been less than pleased with the efforts of those competing for Christmas sales.  Often the Christmas decorations are out before Halloween.  However, as is sometimes the case, I’ve learned something from another Newf.  She begins celebrating the holiday season, experiencing a seasonal joy, at around the same time – the advent of pre-winter chill.  I don’t think she sees the television ads, since the cable was accidentally turned off in June (permanently) at the house when I had it added to the cabin, and we just started watching television in the cabin a week or two ago.  And she doesn’t go shopping with me, since Walmart and the grocery stores don’t allow dogs to shop.  So, that slow dawn of awakening has once again caught up with me:  there is something about the weather change and the coming of the holidays that is inspiring.  There probably ARE people who like to do seasonal shopping beginning in October.

Jade likes to open packages.  Parker taught her about this, and now opening boxes is her delight, if not her passion.  I’ve noticed an escalation in her interest in the past few weeks.  Everything in box form catches her interest, even if it is one intended for recycling, or a box sitting on a table, instead of a new package.  Finally!, a package arrived by “Santa” (UPS).  It didn’t look much like the kind of boxes that have fun inside, but to an especially eager Newf, it still held promise.  So, she helped me open the box for the new ex pen.  ; )  Another package had come earlier, but it had fragile contents, so I had to substitute an empty box.

Every day she is happy and enthusiastic.  She is eager to play, follows Greg around outside in a gait, and looks to other farm inhabitants for someone who shares her enthusiasm.  Banner would gladly take her on, but then things turn ballistic!

I don’t like being rushed into the holiday season when it comes to shopping, but, as in Peter Pan, I hope I’m not so much an Adult that I miss some of the opportunity for the joy in the coming of the season.  Anticipation is part of the fun in any event!

It is terribly painful to see a joy-filled Newf be disappointed, so this weekend I’ll do some shopping and wrap some presents for her to open with “good stuff” inside, and let her teach Banner about this particular joy of the season.  Banner isn’t yet aware that this is a recurring celebration.  But today, we will celebrate Thanksgiving.  We will enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, a day when everyone gets to have full tummies and good food.  And we will enjoy each other’s company, and I’ll be Thankful, again, for the love and joy in the company of these beautiful, warm, heart-filled creatures.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

Video of a favorite present from when Jade was one year old:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nSoy37a7Po

 

Update 12/3/14:

I ordered some extra pieces to a new stoneware set, which arrived without notice in three boxes – that is, without notice except to Jade, who was delighted that “Santa” had been here.  She helped with opening one of the boxes.  Fortunately the packing was very good!

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O. B. Streperous lives here!

Posted on October 31, 2014 by BigFootClub

It’s Friday!  And, did you know?!  It’s C-O-L-D outside!

With the North wind blowing hard and the sun shining, two Newfs are ready to party!

Two lovely Newfs went to work with me today, but two bored Newfs prompted an early closing of the business day.  It is Halloween, so I decided to bake some snacks for Newfs.  It seemed like a good time to put the rumors to the test about how wonderful those salmon cookies are.  Of course, it would be better to use the oven more often, so I could remember that Greg keeps the griddle with the wooden handle in there.  With a heavy layer of smoke once again fogging the upper 12″ or so of the ceiling, I placed the cookie sheet in the oven and set the timer.  I left the kitchen and told Jade that she was in charge.  She must have taken me seriously because she laid across the floor at the bottom of the oven and didn’t move until she was sure that it was time to open the oven door.  The Newfs were suddenly being patient and quiet, anticipating good things to come.  Somewhere lower, in the range of visibility, noses could detect the aroma of salmon.  I have their full attention now!

The cookies have been placed on top of the stove for cooling, and the Newfs are still quiet.  This is a remarkable change from a short time earlier, when one lovely young lady had donned the cape of invincibility, the one labeled “O. B. Streperous”.  With Halloween being on a Friday, and the north wind moving in, there was no way to restrain its powers.  It would be a daring move for anyone to knock on our door with the phrase “Trick or Treat”, especially that rascally terrier mix down the road.  I don’t think the girls will be willing to share.

 O_B_Streperous

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DESKUNKING YOUR NEWF

Posted on October 9, 2014 by BigFootClub

In the late 90s, our female Newf, who was the object of worship by the cats, encountered a black and white kitty cat.  If you alarm bells didn’t sound, let me be clear:  she approached or was approached by a SKUNK!

Think about the volume of coat that had to be cleaned!

For Holly, this happened three times, and twice as we were packing the evening before we were planning to leave for a Thanksgiving trip, after she had already been bathed and groomed in preparation for travel.  Two of Holly’s encounters must have been very close.  By her perception, the skunk’s reaction was no doubt an invitation for further inspection!

There are a number of skunk odor remedies.  A popular one includes hydrogen peroxide (the 3% bottle that is widely available), baking soda and Dawn dishwashing liquid.  Some other variants of skunk remedies include vinegar.  First, please be careful about mixing household cleaning products.  If you want to use one of these variations, locate a recipe from a reliable source, such as ASPCA, the Humane Society or a good veterinary resource such as the VCA site.  The peroxide works because the compounds that cause skunk odor contain sulfhydryl groups (-SH), which are easily oxidized.  So, it is no surprise that peroxide works.

Using these recipes or commercial products may be effective at removing skunk odor, but be sure to rinse very well and be sure to not get the product into the dogs eyes or onto mucous membranes.  Also, if you choose to mix your own, blend the hydrogen peroxide well, as this will cause reddening of a black coat straight from the peroxide bottle.

There is another alternative, used by veterinarians in the past, if you can tolerate a possible slight trace of odor:  tomato juice.  The cheap stuff in the quart container works well.  Due to the size of a Newfoundland, this may require 2 or 3 bottles.  The benefit of the tomato juice is that it is very safe to use.  They can ingest it by licking and it will not hurt them.  Skeptics claim that tomato juice does not work, or that it only masks odor.  However, my experience has been different, which leads me to suspect that 1) assumption has been overextended and 2) the chemisty behind it which appears to be a slower reaction, possibly involving ascorbic acid – vitamin C, has not been worked out.

We worked the tomato juice into her coat very well and left it for about 15 minutes, then she was rinsed and dried.  When we loaded the Expedition the next morning, there was a minor trace of odor on Holly, imperceptable within a very short time.  We rode with her in the enclosed space of the Expedition for over 4 hours.  By the time we arrived, no lingering trace of odor existed on her or in the vehicle.

Since Holly, there have been several successorships to the One Adored by the Cats, and there have been a few close calls with “black and white kitties”, who often show up in our area at night, but there has been only one other event.  We have quit stocking tomato juice in the pantry since it is a short drive to a store that is open 24 hours.

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IN THE MAKING

Posted on October 8, 2014 by BigFootClub

Written 10/1/14

A youngster takes a lot of attention.  At 15 months, she’s probably as tall as she will be, although the last time I thought she was finished growing, just a couple of weeks ago, she grew a little more.  I was looking at her one day thinking she was approaching a mature proportion a bit early.  A few days later, she was taller and lankier again.  That’s the way it goes.  Don’t get in a hurry.

This young lady, much like other of her relatives who have grown up with me, has been a very busy kid with a lot of energy and an active imagination.  One of her favorite activities, as with her other relatives, is a “blasting routine”, where she impresses herself (and the rest of us) with her starting gate practice, as if she has suddenly been shot from a Newf cannon.  Then she runs like mad, here, there and around, until she winds down.  I love her energy.  But energy like this has to be managed carefully.  Last week, I let her off-leash to run, and she disappeared in an instant, racing toward the back of the van, then she made a tight turn, accelerating into the curve like Rockford, and collided at high speed with the very solid large Equalizer hitch on the back of the van.  She instantly dropped, crying, and couldn’t stand up.  I coddled, and rubbed her shoulder and elbow.  When she stopped crying, she was limping.  I took her with me to another already scheduled vet appointment in hopes of an x-ray, but the vet was double-booked for the entire afternoon.  At that point she wasn’t limping, so we left with no x-ray and she was placed on restricted activity for observation and recuperation.

Try explaining that to an energetic young girl who wants to be entertained – a lot – if she can’t be busy or running.  She noticed that someone left a gate open in the house, and the back door was open, with the person standing by the door, so she shot out for a mad race around the yard on Sunday.

I started dinner, then walked to the mailbox to find that today was “Newf Tide is in the mail!” day.  Being a youngster, she hasn’t quite caught onto the change that occurs, while the world settles down long enough for me to peruse the freshly printed issue, which was pulled out of its cover as I walked back to the house.  Maybe I didn’t realize that we could be having more fun.  Maybe I would like to play with a pop bottle.  How about a shoe?  What’s in your lap?  OK.  This will require more effort.  I’ve got it!  Maybe the roll of toilet paper will get her attention!  Geesh!  You’re no fun.  I think I need to take a nap.  (Good idea!)

She is now sprawled belly up.  If I don’t move suddenly, perhaps she will let me finish.

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