Zara Heartwood 1950 ~ 2012

We were very sad this past week to hear of the loss of Zara Heartwood in B.C. It was because of Zara, that Jess became a part of our lives. I am sorry that Zara and I never met, face to face, however we kept in contact, although not frequently. Zara, along with the Shetland Sheepdog Club of British Columbia, took Jess into rescue where she was fostered in Zara's home.

This was Jess the day she was rescued, at over 9 yr. of age, wet and dirty.With Zara's loving care, this was Jess "cleaned up" being led by one of Zara's puppies. Zara was instrumental in getting Jess to us and will forever be remembered for her love of the many dogs she help to rescue. Jess lived over half her life in a horrible environment. She was so lucky to have Zara in her life when she was most needed.Thanks to Zara, Jess was able to live her senior years with us, becoming a loved pet therapy dog for six years. Jess also earned a Rally Novice title and a Tracking Dog title just before reaching 15 years of age. Zara was always so happy to hear what was new with Jess, and see every birthday party picture of Jess with our other dogs. This picture is Zara and Jess. Zara was preparing to load Jess in her crate at the airport to come to us. May Zara always have this smile on her face.

Thank you, Zara, for all you did for all the rescues, not only for our special Jess.

The Day After....

Usually, after a storm the following day is beautiful and sunny...voila! It is...even though extremely cold and windchill of -28 C. This is the most snow we have received this winter.

Plowed again this morning, Blast up on top hoping I will not call him inside.

This was the former path behind the house and into the forest that the deer used. It is very buried in deep snow right now.Taken this morning from the back deck, very pretty, no tracks anywhere now other than bunnies and squirrels.Down at the bend in the driveway, deep piles at the sides, and the driveway is very narrow now. Trees are very heavy with ice and snow.From the driveway looking into the east field. Most people would think this was a winter wonderland, but it has become just major work for us now, and the melt will not be a fun time. Only the dogs are happy!!!

March 3rd + Biggest Storm Yet!

Our snowplow guy did the driveway around 8 a.m. These first few pics. are around 9:30. We've been under a heavy snow warning for 24 hr. and it's been non-stop driving snow sideways most of the time, so drifting as well.

Tank and Trust and I are heading back up to the house.Trust is standing at the bend in the driveway, which is now mighty narrow, heading up to the house.None of these early pictures truly show the driving sideways snow, but this one gives you 'some' idea. It was awful walking and you had to hold your hat or hood on your head most of the time.Looking south on the driveway, and even a short time after it was plowed, it is already snow-covered and drifted in again.Trust pushing through drifts in the driveway. All our dogs love the snow...after all, they have servants and no worries! It's all just fun!!!Out again in the afternoon, snow up to 6" again in driveway, with drifts. Some places the snow is blown off to nearly bare where it is drifting, other places the snow is so heavy, you can hardly walk through it.Blast always finds the highest spot to jump up on and "protect" his ball from Tank!Doesn't matter how cold or awful the weather, he'd be happy spending more time out here.David and Kira in the driveway. He's throwing snowice pieces into the field for her. The drift on the right is actually the driveway.Here she comes, back through it all. This is actually a ball she has in her mouth this time, covered in snow.The poor trees were covered in ice before the snow began. It was wet at first, and piled up on the branches. I'm surprised we didn't have some snap off, and even more surprised we did not lose hydro in this storm.

The driveway was just plowed out again, and now all the paths around the house, the deck and the bird feeding areas need to be done. Too much work, the snow is terribly heady and the dogs will just want to go out and play...

So when is it spring?!!

New Ball - Dog(s) Approved!!!

Well, here we are again, nothing but more snow and dog pictures....latest forecast is for 15 -20 cm snow. Planning our tracking entries for next week, which seems a bit ridiculous right now.....what can you do?!

I can't believe how big Tanks' mouth is! He saw the new ball on a rope and thought he'd died and gone to heaven.I'm sneaking up on him and he's pretending he doesn't know. In a flash he will duck off if I don't call him.Look at Tanks' back legs, funny guy, he's trying to stop in mid air, seeing the ball landing beside him when he expected it well out in front. Trust is making one of her feeble attempts to get it!And here she is, actually TRYING to get it away from Tank. Trust really has no interest in balls, she's just in one of her 'princess' moods...And now the Princess has turned into a Puppy...a ten year old one! She was acting very silly and having a great time.Kira's turn. She also approved of the new ball. Today was her first day after being spayed being fully off leash on walks. And she was having fun, jumping over the snowbank.I threw a few balls out into the deep snow, she hasn't had this much fun for a while, and was certainly enjoying it.All four off the floor! Running back with the ball on a recall.She's up on a snowhill here, waiting to see which way I'm going next.I was tossing the ball up in the air here, not for her to catch, I wanted it to come down to the side so she wouldn't jump for it.Blast is saying, oh boy, it's finally my turn. I heard all the commotion and I know there's a new ball, and holy cow, there it is outside of the gate in the driveway, let me out, let me out, I need that new ball!!!! And he said all of this without taking a breath, poised and ready to spring.So, when I finally got it....I tossed it way over the highest snowbank. He had no trouble going up and over, but coming back was another matter. The other side is soft and he got bogged down pretty good and really had to climb and push to get up and over coming back to me. I'm so mean. But he loves it.So, he's up on top, pulling himself together so he can jump down.Blast coming back further down into the field. He would do this all day. He would get tired, but wouldn't quit if he had a choice.Climbing out over another snowbank along the driveway. I'm so NOT looking forward to another big dump of snow. I sure hope the forecast is wrong (it often is!).

Afternoon Driveway Walks

Since Kira is being leash walked for a few days, I decided it's a good time to work on some on-leash manners. I also took a tug toy for rewards as she can't run to chase a ball right now...on leash!

She's much more calm than I expected, as being on a leash is certainly not desired by her...so much snow to run ind...She does do a nice "out" and a good "sit". Good practice for her which she certainly needs.She's enjoying this tug toy, especially as we haven't used it for some time. It's always good to "change it up" with rewards and toys used in training.Back 'home' behind the house, we are checking the bird feeders to see if they require filling, and also watching chickadees in this picture.Tank and Trust had gone quite a ways down the driveway ahead of Blast and me and just noticed and decided to turn around and come back.Blast coming down a snow hill. I had thrown the ball over the top of the hill for him to retrieve.Some training for Blast as well. I'm holding a ball about 6" from his face, have told him to 'leave it' and am waiting for eye contact....click....throw.

Nice afternoon, but afraid more snow coming in tonight...curse, curse, bad words go here...

Major Snowfall Last Night...

Since my last post, I was beginning to become optimistic again about losing some snow, temps. slowly climbing, and drove around looking for potential tracking sites again. Must be my fault! Yesterday, we got the storm that was supposed to be bad in southern Ontario, and it moved up here. I was driving home in some of it and it was whiteouts...awful. And here is the result.

We had to wait for our snowplow fellow to do the driveway this morning before we could get out for dog walks...it was just too deep. Of course, the dogs love it, and it is always pretty, but sure puts a damper on any activities.We had about 20 cm of snowfall, so I don't know when we will get out to track.Blast retrieving a ball I tossed over the snowbank. He loves it, not a lot beats snow in his mind.Tank is still looking for the purple ball, and doesn't realize Blast found it and is taking off with it!I threw up a piece of cookie to get Tanks' attention, and now he's buried his head trying to find it...Nope! Nothing there! What else do you have for me?!The cookies worked well, so when we got to this larger pile, I threw up a few so that Trust would also climb up.Trust found a couple and decided the smart thing was to come down to me and likely I'd give her another one...smart girl...Like I said...it is pretty! But it's almost March!!!!!!!!!