(notice how the three Aussie crosses stick together, and reject the collies? Snobs)
Man, blogcation has been fruitful for the Food Lady. I’m getting all kinds of stuff done around here.
I dug up and prepped the front garden for flower planting:
My stepdad came over and put a real floor on the henhouse, and then raised it off the ground so the rats don’t sleep with my chickens anymore!
He also built me external-access nest boxes for the chickens and they seem to like them, since I am getting a lot more eggs these days. Today I got five!
I even squeezed in some bird watching.
It’s been so relaxing and productive that I was going to extend my blogcation, but then Woo made a face like this, and I felt selfish not sharing it with all my friends.
(even if it’s not really in focus)
Blogcations are nice, but a gal’s got to go back to work sometime. So I eased back into it with a puppy photo shoot.
This is Kane, and he is my friend Mary’s new puppy.
Mmm … a tiny humpable … yummy.
He is !KEY-UTE! with a capital “gggaaaahhhh I’m dyin’ over here”
But, like all puppies and all AUSSIES everywhere, he is evil, and probably from hell too.
We resemble that remark!
He’s already emulating his big brother Ryder. Good luck, Mary! mwa ha ha ha ha!
I took these photos at the agility trial that everyone but me was at. *pout* I can’t trial right now, it hurts my shoulder (<– car accident) too much to play agility and my physiotherapists suggests, sensible fellow that he is, that doing things that hurt “is stupid.” Bah. This year I will be missing Regionals for the first time in I-don’t-know-how-many-years, and I’m grumpy about it. But I will be going to visit everyone for the closing ceremonies and cheer for the TDBCR dogs who WILL be on the podium again this year (I’m glaring at you, Fiona) and I’ll try and take some photos at least!
I’m bummed because Tweed and I had planned to be in 1st place this year too. I mean, that seems like a reasonable plan, right? ;-) Anyway, I suspect this would have been Tweed’s last Regionals, which is the biggest disappointment for me in all of this. In three days Tweed will be 11 years old. Can you believe it? ELEVEN!
I totally don’t look my age. I’m still stinkin’ hot.
But then again, who knows? Maybe he’ll kick some ass at Regionals next year, when he’s 12. After all, he’s going to live forever.
Unlike SOME Aussies I could mention.
You better run, Woo, she’s talking about you!
Shut up, you asshole, she’s talking about YOU!
Well in that case, I’m ignoring her.
Hmph. Typical.
The other week I did something I am not proud of … I spanked TWooie. Not in a lost-my-temper-wailed-on-my-dog kinda way, but more like a “I’ve had enough of your bad attitude and I’m going spank it out of you like a dad from a 1960’s television sitcom” kind of way. I realize by admitting this I am setting myself up for alllll kinds of shit from readers, but you know what? I did it, it’s done, and I like to talk about my successes and my failures on my blog. And here, I failed.
All my hard work of raising TWooie’s confidence and teaching him to love himself created a hairy little BASTARD of a monster of an Aussie dog. I am very proud of his many accomplishments and how far he has come. I *may* have sung his praises just a little too much. Because a few weeks ago, TWoo decided he was the King Shit Of Everything That Lives and started strutting around the house kicking ass and taking names. He started biting the cats, chasing them out of the room (and not in a predatory way, more like “f*ck you, get out of my room” way), guarding the bathroom and doing this “Bring it on, bitch” thing with Dexter.
I put him on lockdown right away, but it didn’t make an iota of difference. Once I even tied him to the doorknob on the porch and leave him outside, but all he did was chew through the leash and take himself on a walkabout to hunt rats. Clearly social isolation was not a deterrent for him. Then about a week ago I was having a face-cuddle with Dexter on the floor (you do this, admit it! You sit on the floor and put your forehead against your dog’s forehead and tell him how handsome he is. I’m not the only one who does this … am I?) and TWooie walked by and for no reason whatsoever, bit Dexter in the ass.
So I – literally – put TWooie over my knee and spanked his butt whilst telling him what a jerk he was. It wasn’t a hand-stinging kind of spanking, but it wasn’t gentle strokes with a feather while feeding him peeled grapes either. I feel bad about this because I don’t think smacking dogs really accomplishes anything at all, and I feel especially bad about this because I suspect TWooie’s previous owners spanked him fairly regularly. But by golly, Dexter had a hole in his ass, I hadn’t seen my own cats in like a week, and I had had enough. So I spanked him. And he’s been as good as gold ever since.
I suck at agility, but please don’t spank me!
We’ve been doing Regionals prep in class this whole last set, and focusing on gambling. I don’t even pretend to try with Piper. She’s an up close and personal kind of agility dog :)
Not me! I love to gamble!
He does too. There is nothing this dog can’t do in the ring. He is going to be phenomenal. I can’t wait until I am all healed up and can start competing again. I am dying to debut my little giraffe!
So there’s my blogcation in a nutshell. We had a lot of fun while we were away:
But it’s good to be back. I mean, if you even want me back … after the whole spanking-gate thing :(
Dude … try a breathmint! Gah.
MrsB says
Of course we are glad you are back!
You are my relief from tornadoes, removing downed trees and waiting for the power to come back on. Thank goodness for Wi-Fi and a good battery!
Abbie says
I face cuddle my dog, too!!! She loves it, I can tell by the way she surreptitiously tries to lick my face while I tell her how awesome she is.
Alice says
Yay for the return of all things hairy and doggy! First: the photo of Woo going for the steal of the Wootie toy? Priceless. You could have posted that photo and that photo alone and it would have made my day. But then you had to include Mary’s new puppy (fluffy = fantastic), and Dexter, my long-necked hero. Bonus points for the ever-earnest, beautiful Piper shot. Yep, this post has it all. I can’t wait until you start competing with Dex and posting about it! As a relatively voracious reader of 3WW&AW, I feel deeply invested in the triumphs and follies of your marvelous hounds.
And Spankgate? As a good friend of mine used to say of his trials and tribulations, “Ain’t nothin’ but a thang.” Great to see you back, FL.
Oh! And I got my copy of your book and enjoyed it thoroughly. I read it when I need extra cheering up from the insanity that is writing my thesis. My favorite photo is the shot of Piper in the hamster story: “Hamster. Brain explosion.”
Cath says
So glad you’re back, FL. Fluffy puppy biting owner’s hair—-could it get any cuter? And the double profile shot of the WTW is fantastic, too.
Robin Layton says
Yay! Great photos! So glad you are back!
Robin
Emily says
shit happens!
glad youre back!
Samantha says
Your blogcation sounds productive, but I’m glad you’re back already.
Face cuddles: with my Akitagirl it’s more of a headbutt, she’s not exactly a delicate blossom, but same concept!
Janice in GA says
Both my dogs know that when I put my hands on both sides of their heads, they just have to bear it while I put my face down and kiss them between the eyes. :)
And Tweed is the handsomest red dog I know, though that sure is a cute puppy!
Brittany says
I have missed you guys! Glad you are back.
Michelle says
So good to get a good “fix” of your dogs, and it sounds like Twooie got just what he needed! I mean, it WORKED, right? He didn’t run away from home over it, and he’s being GOOD now!
kristy says
Fun post and lovely and long!! A reward for being patient?!
Spanking? All I can say is, I have three kids and they reward me for yelling at them…there has been the odd spank in there as well!
Think about it, what does a mom dog do if her pup is getting out of hand? She ‘spanks’ him.
Stephanie says
Your pictures always make my day!
clairesmum says
Glad to see/read what’s been happening at Casa de Food Lady! Not to fret about spanking – the occasional, deliberately delivered spanking can be very effective, esp to someone who has decided that the rules do not apply to him! And spanking for safety – of the other dog, who got chomped in the butt – seems reasonable to me! you don’t overdo it, of course, but my kid got spanked for ignoring/breaking safety rules – run into street, grab up at stove, run towards open campfire when told not to, etc. Dog got spanked when she got something in her mouth that was toxic, or when she got out of control angry at another dog on beach – and then went immediately back to the car, and home – no more beach was a powerful lesson that day.
Pics and posts when you can, we all enjoy them much.
RachelB says
I squeed at the puppy picture– Kane looks like he is made of fluff and butter.
I’m glad you’ve been having a productive blogcation, and it’s great to see y’all again.
Adrienne says
BackBackBackBackBackBack! Yay the Woofs are back! And the odd spanking Food Lady too! My take is, I’ve done it, I felt bad afterwards. But the occasional swat certainly makes an impression in a household where positive methods are the norm. Face it, we’re human. :-)
The Wootie shots are phenom. As are TWooie’s. Mr. Tweed is hot as ever. And I always love seeing !!!!!!! on film. Puppies are always good for some love and Madam Piper makes me melt.
Head butt? Oh my yes! My girls put their head right into my chest. Course I have to be on the ground for them to do it. They are about a foot tall at the withers. And Pippin is learning.
That totally sucks about Regionals. Maybe the girafe and Mr. Handsome will get in next year!
Um, mystery woman. says
Hurrray for blogcation! Sanity remains intact!
Bestler says
I am ssoooo glad you are back food lady, thankyou all is right with my crazy world now. :)
As for the spanking bit, meh, I have found those types of rare reactions can be very effective, problem is you end up beating yourself up over it for weeks and Twoo has gotten over it.
When I’m feeling blue
All I need to do
Is read 3 woofs and a woo
Shasta says
Welcome back. Now I can stop checking Wootube obsessively for the return from blogcation.
Tweed WILL outlive us all. That is an order.
No judgment on the spanking. I’ve been known to swat the hindquarters of a certain mutt on rare occasion when he’s gotten too big for his britches and the usual warnings don’t work. It works, especially when he has a brain the size of a walnut and a skull like tree bark.
I want chickens so bad. Your step-dad sounds like a prince!
Michelle says
We are all human and we all make mistakes and we ALL get angry. Sometimes that anger gets directed at our dogs when they act like pain in the ass little jerks. I admit to once booting my dog in the butt with my foot. Not a real hard kick, but a sort of shove with my foot when she was being a total jerk. Am I proud of it? No. Do I wish I hadn’t done it. Hell yes. But it happened and it’s over and I realize I am only human.
As for face cuddling. Yes. A lot. We both (my partner and I) do it nearly every day with our dog. Usually it results in belly rubs on the floor, but we LOVE to cuddle with her.
Glad you’re bag and it sounds like your blogcation was good! Any update on Phinn? Was he found?
Ailsa says
My only question is: how could you find his bum with that fluffy butt? ;c)
*Really* glad you’re back. Throughly enjoyed the (as someone else exclaimed) long post. My day is complete.
3 Aussies and a BC says
Yay! Food Lady is back! Love the first pic. Love Mr Tweed – the very, very Handsome Mr Tweed…probably because he is very much like my old man Jester. Face snuggles – all the time, on the floor, in the bed, outside, in the car…love my pups!
Glad you had a productive blogcation but even more happy to have you back! Thank You!
Jamie says
My thoughts on spanking are this: I do not judge because… I have lost my temper a time or two and my dog’s butt has been spanked as well. Sometimes they get cocky and a spank to remind them that they are DOGS and you are the OWNER is in order. I know there are lots of other ways but you can loose your shit when you are at the end of your rope. I am also not talking about beating to a pulp but swift butt pat is just enough to shock them off of their high horse for a second. No one is calling you a bad dog owner because we all have moments we are not proud of.
Anyways start feeling better soon. I want to see this long legged horse Gamble!
We are so glad you are back. :)
Michelle says
Yay! I check back EVERY DAY hoping for a post and you just totally made my morning! So glad you’re back. Sounds like a super fun blogcation.
riosmom says
Welcome back! The shot of the puppy looking over his shoulder almost did me in – too much cuteness! I think a calmly delivered “knock it off” benefits everyone – dog and human – once in a while. Dog knows, it sounds like Twooie needed it and benefited from it. Glad you had such a productive blogcation and hope you heal quickly and get out there and tear up the agility world with Dexter!
Ann says
Re spanking (dogs and children) – sometimes it just helps to get their attention. “O – you really don’t want me to do that?”
Welcome back.
kelly says
YAY! Glad to see you back! :)
Jo says
Sometimes you DO have to remind them who is alpha, and cuddles and timeout don’t do that. A pack leader would have been a whole lot more kick ass about it. Glad he’s back to being a good boy! (Well, as good as he gets!) :P
Helene says
I missed you all so much. Thank you for coming back and
thank you for being honest. I will admit to spanking my girls (the human ones) and feeling just as guilty about it. My dog came to me from guide dog training school so she is kind of perfect (well not really, but nothing spank worthy yet). I love what I call nose cuddling with her and I even spoon with her.
Larissa says
Do not feel bad. I have spanked my girl Athena a time or two, but really it was more for snapping her out of her little la la world. I know people think that spanking is abuse, but I think it works sometimes. Like when i caught Athena face first in the cat box and I snuck up behind her and spanked her butt while telling her no. Sure the top of the cat box went flying and it scared the shit out of her, but she’s not once gone near the cat box since. *shrug*. People think using the prong collar on my dog is evil and abusive too, but it works. So as long as you aren’t abusing your dog why not try what works?
Jonathan says
You are SO looking at this the wrong way. Aussies learn by example, so just don’t be too surprised if Twoie spanks you the next time *you* bite Dexter in the ass. I mean, hey, quit teaching them stuff you don’t want them to know, food lady!
Says shap, picking the black and white fur out of his teeth hungrily.
Now where *did* Trevor and Faith get to…
Olga says
Seeing the first photo with all the dogs, I’m not sure who enjoy the blogcation more: you or your dogs. :)
Nice to see you back and see that you have been doing lots of stuff.
The spanking incident could have not been so serious as I don’t see Twooie in need of psychiatric attention. You are too hard with yourself and I think you did more damage to yourself with it than to Twooie. Don’t worry, as you say Twooie seems to be behaving better and one incident should not do anything to a dog like Twooie even if he was beaten regularly. He’s been living with you for a very long time and he knows that is not something that happens regularly. It’s you and not his previous owners and that’s the difference.
Changing subjects, you almost kill me by a cute overdose with the photo of that puppy, you should seriously think twice before posting utterly cute photos in your blog without warning. And I’m not the only one saying it. ;)
Take care of yourself and that shoulder and enjoy the good weather. :)
Patricia says
Soooooo glad your back, missed seeing your wonderful dogs,
I have to agree with Olga, a spank here and there does wonders to smarten them up, it is not abuse, and you are way to hard on yourself. Now take care of that shoulder of yours and get healthy!!!!
From Patricia & The Gang in Edmonton
Liza Lundell says
Welcome back, FL! Twooie doesn’t look like he’s scarred for life, he’s already over it, so you get over it too.
Sucks about regionals; you’ll burn ’em up next year!
And 11 yo Amelia says keep on truckin’, Tweed!
Christine Hibbard says
Take me through the changes baby! You give me adorable Aussie puppy pictures, pictures of the crew including your flower bed action with solar lighting AND a little “timely, actionable feedback” in the form of thoughtful, calm spanking. Dang girl, you should go on vacation more often except we miss you and your crew so much. Welcome back and happy spring… got eggs?
BarbaraF says
FL – Awesome picture of the whole crew!!! Glad you are back, I missed all of you. Your blog makes my day…
Susan Bassett says
awesome pawsome!!! sooo glad you are back!!!!
Melissa says
Yay! Food Lady is back! I always love your photos. The Wootie toy one is one of the funniest dog photos I’ve ever seen. What an expression! I also love the one of Piper between your legs. Like “what are you waiting for, FL?”
Sorry that you can’t do Regionals due to your shoulder :(
I will admit to swatting my GSD puppy once or twice when we was being especially bratty. Mostly when he’s chomping on our older girl because he wants to play and she’s blowing him off. I always feel bad about it after but he seems unaffected. We’re all human. Dogs can push our buttons in so many ways! We know you. You’d never advocate physical punishment as a standard behavior modification technique!
Glad to have you back, but definitely take a blogcation when you need one. We all need a break sometimes too.
Chance's Mom says
So nice to see you back.
Maybe you and Bananarabbit should try bunny show jumping — it looks kind of agility-esque and may be easier on your body:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1381464/Bunny-rabbits-compete-jumping-course-Dressage-set-world-storm.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Amy says
The Aussie coat of arms bears the caption:
“what’s in it for me?”
Life in Vet School says
I wouldn’t stay up at night flagellating myself for spanking TWooie. I mean, sure, it’s not ideal and I’d never recommend it to a client. BUT, in your case, I have to say that your dogs have more awesome lives than almost any other dog I’ve ever known (I can’t let my dogs read your blog or they’d leave me!) and it sounds like TWooie needed a serious attitude adjustment. Which worked. And he doesn’t appear to be permanently scarred psychologically. :)
Kane is ridiculously cute. The first photo, with the Aussie mixes glued together, flanked by bookend BCs? Hilarious!
Your blogcation sucked, Food Lady! I mean, it looks like it was great and all, but we need our fixes more regularly than that! Going cold turkey is hard! :)
Emme says
Our dogs usually have to have the dominance wrestle position-looking hold; you know the one, I’m sure. I’ve tried spanking once or twice after a serious felony and was given a look only a Jack Russell can give…then he turned and trotted away to go munch on the couch. But I remember this Little Golden Book I had as a kid that reminded us “Never hit your puppy with your hands; hands are for petting only. Use a rolled up newspaper instead.” Yikes!
As for face cuddling- I LOVE that! My favorite is getting them on their backs and blowing zerberts on their tummies. But it’s not a good petting if we don’t conk foreheads. My little mini rhodie/beagle mix likes me to nibble on the tips of her ears…shh!