Views from our West Window

This was sunset a few nights ago. Getting into winter sunsets are often breathtaking up here.

This is the same view tonight. The bare trees in the top picture are on the right side in this photo above. You can just barely see the lake, and that is a low, thick cloud all the way across behind it, not trees. A very weird sky tonight.

A few minutes later, the lake was amazing and the sky had changed completely. It's too bad it doesn't really show the true colour of the lake. It was a goldy/silvery colour, I've never seen anything quite like it. Certainly looks very winter-like here.

Oh, we love the snow!!!!

That's the dogs talking, not us!!!!
Blast is having a great time rolling around on an old bone in the snow.

Out for a walk in the forest, Trust is pleased with herself, having just chased a poor bunny.

"Have you got any treats for us?"

Walking on a trail at the back, Tank ran back to see what was keeping me....It was a gorgeous walk through the forest.

Not ready for this....

The snow began yesterday afternoon, October 30th and we awoke to this beautiful sight this morning...however, we really don't want it yet and hope the next couple of days will melt it all...look at my poor teeter and tunnel down at the corner...how sad.

And we also hope it melts as deer hunting begins tomorrow, and tracks are so easily followed. This pretty girl was standing in the old manure pile eating lovely, lush grass from under the snow.

Of course, the dogs love it! Tank was pretending he didn't hear me calling him in, he was having so much fun.

Friday afternoon before snow arrives!!!

Blast got the walk after Tank and Trust, and raced around the "same" route we took. Here, I've called him back to me. What a lovely morning it was...

I just love it when he races full tilt back to me...ears flattened out and so intense. I usually stand to the side...just in case...He's found a stinky bone in the field that probably the fox has left his scent on...yummy...

The only time Blast isn't running...he loves to roll on stinky old marrow bones and has just finished doing so, looking at me as if to say "Aren't I just sooo special"....! Well..yes, and no...

Foxes Galore...

We seem to have a good supply of red foxes this year. This has been clear by the multi fox poops I find daily on dog walks, and the smell of fresh fox musk on early morning walks. Any toy that gets left behind on walks seems to be scented by the fox. I saw a very large beautiful deep red one a few days ago, crittering beside my dog teeter. Paid no attention to me watching.
Well today, I had two visits, I believe from the same one, just beside the house, outside the fence. Again, this one knew I was watching, but didn't seem to mind. Above, he is waiting on a rodent to show.

All of a sudden he springs forward. What a beautiful coat and thick tail this one has. Hunting must be good!

I stood on the deck and talked to this one, hoping it would leave as I wanted to take the dogs out. It did eventually, but seemed almost more interested in me than in leaving.

And by the way, for those who might not know, fox musk smells a lot like skunk.

Canine Good Neighbour Test

On Saturday, Oct. 16th we held a CKC Canine Good Neighbour Test in North Bay. The Global Pet Food Store on Lakeshore sponsored this event, and gave lovely big gift baskets to everyone entered, and goodies for the volunteers as well. Weather co-operated and 13 of 16 dogs tested passed and earned the CGN Title. Dog owners from the New Liskeard area (2 hr. north) entered as well as local dogs. There were a number of different breeds and spectators enjoyed watching them all working through the exercises. We had a lot of fun and some comical moments. The OPP K9 Unit were a hit, as usual, with a talk, discussion and demonstration mid-day. Always much appreciated by everyone attending, and drawing in others to watch.
Winston is quite relaxed with Betty for his three minute supervised isolation while his owner is out of sight. This exercise seemed to be the one the owners were most stressed about how their dog would do....yet, this was not the exercise that caused many problems at all, only one dog failed on this test.

I combined three of the exercises into one station here, Test 1,2,3.

These two agility jumps represent entering through a gate or doorway. This was our oldest dog tested, she was nine; she passed.

Again, this is the combined Test 1,2,3. What a nice big fellow!

Reaction to passing dog, Test 9. Little Emma (the test dog) met mainly very large dogs in this exercise. Both dogs sitting relaxed by their owners.

Test 4 - Out for a walk. Winston was a pretty relaxed guy walking along with his mom.

It's been quite a while since there was a CGN in North Bay. The plan is to have another one in the spring. There are already a few people wanting to do this that didn't find out in time or couldn't attend this one. It is nice for spectators to watch and see good dogs and responsible owners instead of hearing negative reports all too often. Training for the CGN Test is not all that difficult or time consuming and it's fun. It's just basic manners that all our dogs should have.

Wonderful Weekend Weather!

This had to be the best weather for Thanksgiving Weekend that we've had in years! I hope everyone else had such good fortune. Leaves carpet the forest floor, and crunch so loudly as you walk, you cannot possibly sneak up on anything..We found a lovely little black salamander under the wood pile - almost all split and stacked now - we had to "re-home" this little guy.
We walked all the way around the back of our property on Monday, and found the hidden stream in the north corner. So pretty in some spots back there, but too far to access.

Even Jess came for a short walk earlier in the day, and picks her way carefully through the pokey sticks that must feel awful to walk on...imagine us in bare feet...

I took a single picture of each dog in the forest today. Storm stayed inside as he isn't able to navigate through unseen obstacles these days. Tank was enjoying running on the paths.

Trust is racing around a bend back to me after I called her. She was enjoying herself, usually she just fast-trots

And when is Blast not running!!! I was trying to hide from him a few times, why I bother, I don't know. It never works, but he loves the game.

Couldn't have been a better weekend....hope it lasts a little longer....