Today was Tweed’s Christmas day, lottery win and found-not-guilty-of-a-heinous-crime-by-a-jury-of-his-peers day all rolled into one fantabulous moment.
I can haz good day?
For today was the momentous event when Ruthie decided that Tweed could puppysit while she explored the house.
There is nothing in the whole world that Tweed likes better than itty bitty puppies. I do not understand why. He’s kinda anti-social by nature, choosy about both his human and canine friends, but give him a pile of puppies under the age of 5 weeks and he is in dog heaven.
He absolutely has been vibrating with anticipation for this day to come, and now that it’s here, he is over the moon.
The only thing that upsets him is that the puppies try to nurse from his wiener, and he doesn’t know what to do about this problem, so typically he gets up to run away, tip toes around the pen, makes ugly faces at one of the other dogs to redirect his rage, and then lays back down again. He is much more careful about the pups than their own mother is – he refuses to step on them. Unlike Ruth, who frequently squashes them, kicks them and even snaps at them when they show interest in her bones or food.
The other dogs have mixed feelings about the puppies. Dexter is not totally sure they aren’t squeaky toys and he eyes them with a mixture of both interest and disgust. I think it’s sorta like how teenagers look a little kids – reminds them too much of what they were just recently! Either way, he doesn’t interact them with at all, unless I pick one up.
Can you throw it? Can I fetch it? Is it a toy? Can we play?
Piper, as with all things that squeal, feels a mixture of maternal instinct, and Dr. Kevorkian-ism. She both wants to protect the squealing thing, and put it out of its misery, all at the same time. For this reason she does not want to go near the puppies, but she does not want anyone else to go near the puppies either.
The puppies are really turning into dogs now. No longer potatoes, they are responding to my voice, coming to visit me at the pen door, wrestling, wagging their tails and, most blissfully, climbing into my lap for naps!
Here’s one of the black/brown ones (Tootsie, I think) and Snickers, who came out of the pen for the sole purpose of hanging out with me :)
They are starting to follow movement with their eyes now, and will face the camera for me.
Smartie is too sexy for this photoshoot.
Not sure who these two are (the black/brown ones are too hard to tell apart still).
I had to wake Twix up for this, and she wasn’t super impressed about that.
Borrr-riiiinnng.
Mars would like you to stay out of the food bowl plz, kthxbai.
Gosh they are super sweet, but they are so going to outgrow my Xpen in no time flat! They head off to their real foster home on Monday, and I admit I will miss them.
Mr. Woo will not miss them. I have no photo to document his feelings about puppies, because a photo of nothing would be very boring – he’s under the bed pouting.
As for TWooie …
Must …. kill … puppies …
… he’s in a crate in the bedroom, THINKING ABOUT WHAT HE’S JUST DONE! TWooie is the singularly most predatory dog I have ever owned. Last night he grabbed one of the pups out of the pen by its fur and tried to make off with it, no doubt to kill it. Thank doG they scream very loudly as I caught him in the act and removed the puppy from his evil jaws. Today while I was photographing the pups, he was getting much too close for comfort and I shoved him out of the way with my elbow. He responded by biting me in the arm, the f*cker. Colour me unimpressed.
And that’s not the only crappy thing that happened to me this week either! On my way home from work on Tuesday I was just siting in stopped traffic on the highway, thinking about changing the radio station, when two small cars and a giant pick up truck smashed into the backs of one another and they all smashed into the back of me! Assholes!! Fortunately, because while I am an aggressive driver, I am also a careful one, I was stopped far enough back from the car in front of me that I did not hit him. The impact was hard enough to shift all the dog crates about a foot forward, and poor TWooie’s crate was unanchored by bungie cords so it flew off the platform in my van into the back of my seat. Perhaps the impact rattled his brains, and this is why he chomped me today (he’d better hope so, for his sake!).
Everyone is fine, including me, except for a mildly sore back and neck. Even the van seems to have escaped unscathed, although I’m calling my insurance today to have them look at it just in case there’s damage I can’t see. Thank doG I had the brakes redone two weeks ago, huh?
We had an adventure!
That was a loooong commute home, as I had to call an ambulance for one of the other drivers, and then the police came etc. etc.
It was sure nice to have this to come home to.
And this.
And Ruthie, by the way, is turning out to be a very nice dog. She’s gentle, and sweet, likes everyone she meets, is starting to be reliable about her recall, and is learning how to play with my other dogs. She’s a gem.
As for me, I’m still not 100% up to snuff yet. It may be time for another nap!
This weekend I will be photographing the Paws 2 Dance Gala, “Escape The Darkness,” at the Bell Center for the Performing Arts. It’s almost sold out, so if you would like to attend get your tickets soon!
Cait says
I think Ruthie is the first dog (other than Twoo) that has ever had a face that makes me wish I lived in BC so I could apply….
riosmom says
Loved the pictures of Tweed and the puppies. Does he only become a pervert when they get older? The expression on Twix’s face is priceless. Don’t know how you do it – taking on a litter with your crew – but I am glad you do so I can get my puppy fix from a distance. Hope your car and your neck are ok. Bad, bad Twooie – who gets handsomer every day.
Alice says
FL, so sorry to hear about your accident! Glad to hear that everything is in working order, though, and the puppies look like they’re thriving under your care. Lucky hounds. And Tweed looks so foster-mum-ish that it made me “aww.” And I’m not that kind of a girl. Great shots!
Amy says
Yay for Tweed! BAD Twoo! And I’m really glad you all are ok after the fender bender. Smoosh the puppies for me. I have total puppy lust and no desire to own a dog! lol
Ailsa says
Is it just me or does anyone else think Smartie looks like a Wookie? And I agree; that pic of Tweed with the pups is just priceless. What a good dog he is. And so glad to hear Ruthie will be such a catch for someone.
But as for TWooie, um …
TWoo: NO EATING PUPPIES or BITING THE FL!
Sorry about your accident; do make sure you have your back/neck checked. Maybe you can get some free massages out of it from your insurance company. Those kinds of injuries can become chronic and a real pain.
Lynn says
Sure wish I lived closer to those puppies (I’m in Texas). I’d snatch up that Twix in a heartbeat! :)
Adrienne says
I agree with Ailsa, a “minor” fender bender with just soreness can be more damage than is at first apparent. Getting checked out is a good idea.
BAD TWOO! BAD, EVIL DOG!
Love Tweed! That is so freakin’ cute!
Am I out of my mind to think I could even consider one of these pups if I live in Minnesota. I have to get a new car, to drive up there, mine is gasping it’s way through a blown head gasket. Ugh.
Are their personalities showing yet? What are they like? Particularly Mars, Mars is AWEsome looking!
Janice in GA says
Tell Tweed that his biggest fan (me!) sends him hugs and kisses for being such a good boy.
And Twooie…. BAD DOG!
brooke & Darwin says
OMG that 3rd picture is THE CUTEST THING IN THE WORLD!
riosmom says
Just came back for a second puppy fix and caught this – Ruthie is “learning how to play with my other dogs” Your OTHER dogs? Not your dogs but your other dogs?
Freya's Studio says
Thank goodness you and the dogs are ok Food Lady! I’m always glad people crate their dogs in cars since they seem to fare accidents better that way! At least you had fuzzy cuteness to make you feel better.
Good for you Tweed loving on those puppies and as for you Twoo, be kind to the Food Lady! She has done so much for you, you’re lucky to have her so no biting!
citydog says
My Tiko is also in heaven when he’s with puppies. He gets bizarrely maternal, and we joke that he’d like nothing better than to have some sort of modified CameBac thing strapped to his belly so he could nurse them. He’s *awesome* with them.
Defintitely get yourself checked out, Food Lady. Back and neck soreness from accidents often only shows up after a few days. Call your doc *now*.
I think Snickers needs to come live in Vermont. ;-D
Jennifer says
I’ll second Ailsa. Please have your back and neck checked out sooner rather than later. We want you to be running agility with Dexter, for many years to come….. even when gravity sets in!
So says someone who has experienced whiplash three times (as a driver and as a passenger) and has been left with some niggles and twinges. (I also worked in insurance claims for too many years).
I’m sure you’re going to find good homes for the chocolate/candy clan. Great theme. Tess came from a chocolate themed litter. In fact, Fudge and Rolo live right next door. (Tess was originally Smartie but we thought this might be tempting fate and called here Tess instead. We shouldn’t have worried – she’s really smart!).
The Food Lady says
“Ruthie is “learning how to play with my other dogs” Your OTHER dogs? Not your dogs but your other dogs?”
No it doesn’t mean anything, I just didn’t do a grammar check before I posted. Ruth is a lovely dog, but she is not by any stretch of the imagination my kind of dog. I’m not even slightly interested in keeping her.
cinnamondog says
Tweed is a Nanny Dog. I like that! TWoo’s behavior re: the puppies is very unlikeable, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that predatory streak of his were responsible for some bad treatment he received in the past. People tend to be very freaked out by that. Good thing he’s with you now.
Jean B says
May I borrow/rent/steal Tweed as soon as the pups are gone? I still have at least another two weeks with the ten I have here, and neither of my dogs nor the mama dog want anything to do with them. I need a Nanny Dog, and I loves Tweed!!!!
Ailsa says
Just a query Sheena: With TWoo’s predatory inclinations, do you think this is something he will outgrow with your guidance or does he need some significant re-direction, i.e. in the form of less ‘free’ time and more leash walkies when you’ll be able to lessen his more ‘feral’ instincts (a real bummer when you live out in the boonies)? Or are you just going to roll with it and keep an extra eye on him? Wonder what your take is on how he’s become that way — any relationship to the Aussie in him (no aspersions meant)?
Pamela says
Wootube is like a microcosm. We got nurturing, violence, and suspicion all in the same blog post. And then, at the end, you throw in the car crash. Was this written in Hollywood?
Glad everyone is ok!
Liza Lundell says
Glad you’re ok after the accident. And glad the pupsters are ok. I also have a truly predatory dog, and it’s a trip. She’s 11 now, and I don’t think she’ll outgrow it. She has actually killed field mice while I’ve had her on a (4-ft) leash. I take no chances with her and very small dogs. Oddly, she adores the basenji puppy; I think he was big enough to look like a dog to her, or he smelled like a dog, or something.
SheSpeaksBark says
Adore the pic of Tweed kissing that pup. What a sweet boy he is!
Piper mean face made me laugh- she’s so serious.
Maria Shanley says
I still think Twoo and Woo are part sled dog, for which breeds predatory behavior is entirely normal. Our 11-year-old Husky/BC Sarah is a dedicated hunter of rodents, rabbits and any birds foolish enough to come into the dogyard. She knows where all turkeys or pheasants on our 50 acres are at ALL times, and watches deer with the air of a butcher marking cuts on a carcass. Just be glad she’s in Wyoming – too far away to hang out with your two hunters (with her in charge, they’d be dragging home big game – lol!). I’m sure she’d break Twooie of his barking while hunting, as Sarah insists on absolute silence while she’s on the hunt.
hornblower says
Awwwww, Tweed as nanny is so cute.
As for the accident: Doctor, lawyer, in that order. BTDT with being rear-ended & doing the ICBC dance. They are much nicer to deal with when you have a lawyer :-) & if your neck is anything like mine, you’ll be paying for massage therapy & muscle relaxants decades down the road. The personal injury guys work on contingency, btw, so it won’t affect your pocketbook to at least have a consult. GL!
Joe says
I can vouch for Ruthie. She’s a real sweetheart. Whomever adopts her is in for a treat. So to speak.
Alaska says
I don’t know if you follow brisbeethewhite, but at the moment she’s got some pretty good pictures of her border collie playing favorite uncle to a litter of 2 week old kittens – they make a nice counterpoint to your Uncle Tweed series: http://brisbeethewhite.livejournal.com/767169.html
Hope the soreness turns out to be nothing.
Caroline says
Those puppies are soooo cute!
Sorry to hear about the crash :( Once you start commuting with the “masses” on peak hours, it’s only a matter of time before someone hits you or whatever… For me, it was about 3 months after starting my new job and 80KM round trip – after no accidents in 30 years of driving! Hope everything ends up OK with your back and neck.
Sarah says
I love love LOVE that second picture of Tweed. He looks like the Happiest Creepy Uncle ever.
The excited but ever-so-slightly-ashamed eyes, shy smile, and (I imagine) a glisten of saliva around the corners of his lips.
I shall look at this picture multiples times and derive much amusement from it.
Catherine says
Love that 3rd AND 4th pic – make ’em into posters and sell them on your site!
(During all your extra free time, of course.)
DSG says
Tweed is such a FINE au au pair…
jackie says
Oh I want to hug Tweed so bad! What a sweet sweet guy.
Bad Twooie! Maybe you should throw him a chicken so he’ll leave the pups alone…
: )
Sheri says
So, something about the expression on Twix’s “I’ve just awoken” face reminded me of the expression on some of your pictures of Briggs. I’m not sure what, so I tried to search for the photo that brought it to mind — I’m not sure I did (this was the closest to what I thought I remembered that I found: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z2KspHSCzds/R4knUO0B1eI/AAAAAAAADFU/fPhteyXE0WI/s1600-h/RD+copy.jpg ) but, now I’m sitting at work with tears in my eyes from re-reading all those old posts (and, of course, Mr. Sport showed up too). It made me miss our dogsters, who both passed on in the last year and a half. So now I have to go back and look at all the happy puppy and happy Tweed pictures! And, the comment from Jeff about “Snorgler’s apprentice” makes me laugh whenever I think about it.
Nikki Darnall says
Give Tweed a hug for me and tell him Gramma is very happy he got to play with the puppies! I just saw his sister Skye on Tuesday, what a pretty girl.
shap says
Definitely agree with hornblower – go see a doc, especially if you experienced *any* neck/back soreness. Whiplash has an unfortunate tendancy to emerge a couple of days later, and you want to be on-record with the checkup if that occurs. It’s actually not the impact that causes the whiplash. It’s the interaction of the impact, the victim’s body tensing up in anticipation, and any angular momentum that you may receive as a result – much of which the victim fails to notice at the time, because the tense-up is largely instinctual.
Hopefully it will all amount to nothing, but play it safe and get yourself checked out.
Olga says
Do check a doctor and make sure you are OK from the accident. And have a report from the doctor just in case something comes up later as a consequence of it. Car accidents are a very serious thing even if it looks like you are OK. Really sorry to hear about the accident, and hope you and the dogs (Twooie included) have nothing but the scare of it.
Changing subjects, you are so lucky the Atlantic is in the middle (live in Ireland) because Tweed is so AWESOME I would “adopt” him if he was living near by. Just kidding don’t be offended, but he is such a good dog and so sweet, that the puppy thing all makes him even more huggable than he usually is.
I’m not surprise by Dexter opinion of the puppies, they are too young to play with him, so they will bore him, but I’m sure he would love them to bits if he could play with them. LOL
Twooie is really a dog with lots of issues from his past, because it’s normal that reaction to the puppies. Quite likely when he took the puppy was to get rid of him and recover all the attention he usually gets when there are no other dogs around. I think it’s a extreme case of jealously.
I hope you recover from the accident and the flu, and it’s nothing. Enjoy the puppies and best of luck for you and Ruthie and her puppies. :)
Amy says
Going to second or third or fourth recommendations to see doctor for exam and recording of accident. Friend complaining about her shoulder which she put out after slipping on a piece of lettuce (and water puddle) at a local grocery store. 8 weeks later and she is still in pain regretting the day she did not report it. All of her physio appointments could have been paid for at least.
Mars and Ruth are tugging at my lil heart strings although all of the pups are gorgeous. And Tweed? How adorable is that?
Ruth says
Ruthie! Love the name :o)
Those puppies are so adorable! I want cuddles…!