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We had stopped in a parking lot to let one of the humans run an errand when we looked at the ground right beside the Jeep and saw this litter:
Hey, wait a minute. We do NOT endorse tobacco products. But as we studied this package a little more, we realized that the husky is growling. Since we are all friendly, sweet creatures (well, except for Queen Natasha the Evil when one of us is in her spot), we believe that the Husky is growling to warn people AWAY from the product. Excellent job!
As we mentioned yesterday, we were looking for a home for a sweet little lady that we met last week at Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation. Last Saturday, we were driving through town and noticed that Sarge’s was having an adoption fair. We glanced over and this beautiful red-head was sitting there looking at us. We did a quick u-turn and spent some time with her. Isn’t she just precious?
Now you might notice that she is wearing a brand new seatbelt and collar. Why? Because she is in her very first car ride with her new parents – and brother. Yes, Khyra guessed correctly. Our little girl is our new cousin and will be living with Tartok!
Everyone had met last weekend, but we did another introductory walk in our city park today. Here the little girl is getting to meet the entire Herd. No shyness about her and she is not intimidated by that many Sibes.
And after a long walk, we went back to the car and got some fresh water. Despite all of the excitement, it is hard to keep the eyes open, isn’t it?
One last thing we need. A name. We have tried many (Khyra, your suggestion of Tartok backwards – Kotrat – we decided to skip on. But thanks for the suggestion). Her shelter name was Lilly, but that is not going to be the permanent name. Last night, we were playing with Ruby Red. Ruby is an aunt who passed away many years ago, but was always a very colorful character. So the name seems to fit. But before we are final, any suggestions?
When we originally took these pictures last Saturday, we were going to post pictures of a dog who needed to find a home. She is safe and sound with our good friends at Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation, but we knew we needed to get her to a permanent home. But we held off posting her picture because we had an idea that seemed like a great solution. We think that – today – this lady will have a great new Siberian friendly home (no – stop that rumor – NOT with The Herd). Hope to have more for you tomorrow!
How could you resist this face?
I am ready for my close up
We always want to do a regular feature where we respond to questions and comments from our readers. Somehow, we never quite get around to it. But we had so many great questions in the last week, we decided we had to do it. So, first up -
Lots and lots of pups asked, what was Natasha reaching for?
Ready? A tomato. Yep, we had a single, ripe tomato on the floorboard and Natasha decided she really, really, really wanted it. And to answer the next question, no, she did not get any. Don’t throw tomatoes at us.
We had several questions about the way we group the dogs for walks.
KB asked, “Is one human being actually holding onto all those leashes and keeping them untangled?”
Nope – two humans – each with three. We use High Sierra Walk A Belts from White Pine Outfitters so that our hands are free to handle walking poles and cameras on the trail. Of course, we can get pretty tangled some times, too.
And asking about those three dog teams, The Op Pack asked, “Do you group them that way purely for color or does personality/temperament come into play as well?”
Grouping The Herd into The Red Team and The Black and White Team just developed over time. But now we do that almost all of the time. Placement is important in that Rusty always wants to the left of the trail so he can play and Kiska always wants to the right of the trail because she does not like any movement on her right (we don’t really know why). The others are really flexible.
On a related note, the NY Bully Brats asked if it was The Red Team that made the rescue we told you about the other day.
It happened to be the Black and White team. They just happened to be closer.
Several of you asked if they could trade for Rusty as their Big Brother.
Well, The Rooster loves to meet new people and new dogs, but we can’t give him up. He is the life of the party around here, as we like to share. Besides – and this is just for you Eva – Qannik says there may be too much competition in the handsomeness category if he and Bricey shared the same household.
Our final questions comes from Ammy of the A04 – “So the answer to that age-old “does a bear poop in the woods” question is “yes”?
Based on our experience, oh yeah. A lot.
Clouds rolling in over Mt Pisgah – Why we stuck to safe trails Sunday
As I am taking Mt Pisgah pictures, Natasha focuses in on something in the Jeep.
Think you dropped something on the floor, Dad
Stupid seatbelt. Can’t quite reach.
Can smell it. Stretch.
Almost.
So close, yet so far.
A lot of times, when we mention that we are rescue dogs, people assume that we go and rescue people – not that we have been rescued from shelters. We always find that funny. But maybe now we can claim to REALLY be rescue dogs.
Yesterday, we showed you this picture:
It was taken from the top of Waterrock Knob, one of our favorite hiking spots, partly because we can almost see our house from the peak. The trail starts out from a very popular parking area on the parkway. We notice that many people on the trail are not prepared for how difficult it can be. After a paved start, the trail turns rocky and often has water flowing on it. The last section, at an elevation of about 6400 feet (1950 meters), can be narrow, rocky and wet (and icy in the fall and spring). And unlike many trails in national parks designed for the casual hiker, there are no railings along the edges.
As we were descending just below the peak, a couple passed us on their way to the top. They were no more than a few feet behind us when we heard a gasp and the husband calling out the wife’s name. She had slipped on the wet rocks and fallen OVER the edge. Fortunately, her husband had caught her hand and she had found some footing just a few feet down. We scrambled back up the trail and helped her back up and onto the trail.
(Human input – 3 dogs connected to your waist belt are not necessarily a big help in a situation like that. Just for the record).
Hey – human – this is our blog. Not yours. We tell the story our way. Anyway, she had banged her knee up a little, but, fortunately, was safe.
By the way, when we reached the parking lot, a relative of the woman approached us. Apparently, the couple had called him and let him know what had happened. He was thankful that the DOGS had come to the rescue. So pfffffffft, human. Don’t take our credit.
The Thundering Herd
Rescue Dogs
Throughout the day, we had the threat of rain. The clouds certainly looked threatening much of the day. And with those clouds, we had plenty of humidity. One of those sticky, humid days.
So you know what we did all day? Yep – hiked. Rain or shine!
Kodiak here. Notice the sun is shining. Well, the sun is shining in this picture. But the weatherman is promising that the clouds will burn off this morning and the rest of today and tomorrow will be gorgeous. So I have my leash on and am ready to go. Shut down the computer. Back away. Start the Jeep. Let’s go.
Qannik here. Hole, what hole? I don’t know anything about a hole. Did you see all of the dirt that Natasha threw onto my face? You see, if you will leave the computer alone and take us out hiking all day, she will calm down and not get into trouble. You know, A Tired Sibe is a Good Sibe.
Kiska here. I even already have my seat belt on. But here is what I think about working on the computer when it will be a pretty day today. Pffffffffffffffft. Enough said? Let’s go.
Hu-dad here. Ok, ok, ok. Blog maintenance is postponed. We had a little tiny crash Thursday night (little tiny being defined as the administrative panel disappeared for about 2 hours meaning I could not access the blog to make changes), and then that “busyness” thing got in the way. So nothing more will happen for several days until I get some time. Thought I would share a few comments though before taking off -
Huffle (whose real name is Stella, not to be confused with Stella) – ” ”. - Yep. Apparently, Huffle found out I turned on the “cat scan” which prevents cats from making comments. Well, no, not really. I upgraded WP Spamfree which blocked comments from behind proxies – a common technique among spammers, but, unfortunately, also some users. Successfully fixed. Fortunately, Huff used the contact us box so we found out about the problem. Betting others had the problem too.
Bricey the Ever Astute – “You did change the font.” – Yep, but that really was not what I was going for. Part of the challenge that I have is that I tinkered with the template that I use. Thus, everytime that I upgrade the wordpress software, those changes are lost and have to be rebuilt. So you are actually seeing the “official” font of that template. I thought the new template would be working by now, so never changed the font back. Oh well.
But no one commented that the header picture has changed. Well, the picture is the same, but the the website title and the dogs names are now on the picture itself. Makes for a faster load.
Dennis the Vizsla Dog – “WordPress has manuals???” – You made us laugh. The answer is, sort of. They can be found at wordpress.org .
The Op Pack – “Knowing how knowledgeable your huDad is about computers, you are convincing us more and more to leave ours alone.” – We have tears running down our face from all of the laughter at that one here in the house. Our hu-dad has actually had 2 whole classes in computers in his entire life, and both of those were in college many, many, many moons ago. BASIC and COBOL. Yes, COBOL, because some professor convinced him that was the computer language for business. Boy, has that really been useful. And the IT department at dad’s work would really find that comment funny.
We will leave the final comment to our buddy, Ozzie – “I am in fear for woo all. Good luck on the up(down)grades.” – Enough said.
P.S. – Ozzie, we still think the new puppy should be called Harriet, because then your humans would have “Ozzie and Harriet.”