October 2011 - The Thundering Herd

Feeling Sorry For Others

Oct 312011

This past weekend, the weather “experts” were saying we would get some snow, but we knew better. Our humans figured that out because when it is going to snow, we sit by the fence sniffing the air – and we did none of that leading up to our “storm.” The weather experts should just call us on the snow predictions.

So while we would have preferred to be buried in snow here, we were happy that so many of our canine friends received the great gift of snow and were having so much fun in it. But looking over our hu-dad’s shoulder as he browsed Facebook, we saw all of this human whining that it should not snow when leaves are still on the trees. We could argue that point forever (think about it – snow the last of July would seem quite refreshing, now wouldn’t it?), but let’s be clear about what condition we are in here:

Our favorite tree. Note that we have NO leaves.

Catawba Rhododendron with a dusting of snow. Let's call this NO snow.

This is Rusty giving a sympathy look to the whining humans. Say it with us - NO sympathy.

Sigh – It was November 6 last year before we received our first measurable snowfall (but October 18 the year before and October 27 the year before that – can you tell we keep track?), so guess we will just have to be a little more patient.

P.S. – Happy Halloween.

October 31, 2011
13 Responses
Rusty, Snow

Waiting Patiently (Not)

Oct 302011

We were down in Asheville running errands and stopped at one of our favorite Asheville City Parks features – the Greenway through French Broad River Park and Carrier Park – to walk The Herd. After a couple of miles of walking, we were ready to load everyone back in the Jeep. Each dog needs to be loaded and fitted with their seat belt. Therefore, the rest of The Herd is to wait patiently while that is being done. So how well do you think that went?

Apparently SOME dog smelled a creature under the ground and, while the hu-dad was distracted, burrowed into the ground and had their head buried in mud. And who do you think would be prey driven enough to dig this fast AND quiet enough to do it with the unsuspecting hu-dad only a couple of feet away.

The crime scene - a quick hole dug and a "snout" hole burrowed to chase some poor unsuspecting creature.

We can rule all of these suspects out. So who is the guilty party?

Bwaaahahahaha

Honeymoon is Over

Oct 292011

Everyone who is ever adopted a rescue remembers the honeymoon period – that stretch where the newly adopted dog is exhibiting the best possible behavior out of fear that it will – once again – have to change homes. Thus, the first sign of bad behavior is a weirdly good sign in that the dog is comfortable and knows the home is secure. Frankie has apparently become VERY comfortable.

As we mentioned earlier this week, a new dog slowly earns freedom around the house but starts out with crate time when the humans can not directly supervise the behavior. Frankie has been very good and has earned more and more freedom, so who would think he would figure out a way to get into trouble while INSIDE the crate? Sigh. At least we now know he is truly a Siberian Husky.

First, in order to cause problems from inside a crate, one must remove the pan in the bottom of the crate. That, apparently, was easily projected across the den floor. Thus, the bottom of the crate was now directly on top of the carpet. And carpet is good for claw sharpening. And what better way to sharpen claws than to DIG.

Natasha is quite impressed that her neighbor ejected the crate pan across the floor.

But exactly how far can a dog dig into carpet when they are determined?

Apparently to the concrete floor underneath the carpet AND the carpet pad.

Notice the fine art work here. The runs of carpet threads that were ripped up and pulled several feet from the crate. The nice pile of carpet threads pulled into the crate (which apparently makes a good pillow as we came home to find him resting with his head on the pile). Details like this are the sign of quality Siberian Husky work.

And some pup is quite proud of his handiwork.

P.S. – Have no fear – Frankie’s new found home is quite safe and permanent for him. After all, we have worked with the masters who created Frankencouch. A little hole in the carpet is nothing.

P.P.S. – Dear Frankie – Please do not take this as an invitation to top Frankencouch.

P.P.P.S. – Rumor has it that a certain Siberian at the Herd Annex – and the not the one who came instantly to your mind – has also declared war on a certain vacuum cleaner. Pictures were not taken, but we will see what we can, err, piece together.

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

October 29, 2011
36 Responses
Frankie

Kiska and Frankie

Oct 282011

For those of you who have asked about how Kiska is doing with the loss of Kodiak and the addition of Frankie . . .

Hey, new guy. You aren't Big Red, but . . .

You are sort of cute.

Ahhhhhh.

October 28, 2011
24 Responses
Frankie, Kiska

Hanging Around

Oct 272011

When you are the new pup, you have to test all of the boundaries. We have discovered a couple of Frankie’s “challenges” (one being the desire to shred his dog blanket in his crate, but we are here today to talk about the other). Frankie rides in the Jeep very well – while it is moving or the engine is running. But once you park the Jeep and turn off the engine, he is ready to get out and go on an adventure. A few times now that has meant not even waiting for a door to be opened. Nope, he just exits through a window.

Since all of the dogs ride with seat belts on, this does not quite gain the freedom he is after. He ends up just, well, hanging around.

When Qannik thinks you have done something stupid, you have really done something stupid.

And the hu-dad has the audacity to grab his camera and take pictures rather than help me out.

While the pictures are funny, the situation is serious. We, obviously, will not leave him unsupervised in the Jeep until this habit is broken. And he is monitored very closely while we are driving even though he has shown no inclination of leaving the Jeep while the engine is running. Patience and gentle corrections will guide our little Frankie to the proper behavior in the Jeep.

October 27, 2011
19 Responses
Frankie

Food Aggression

Oct 262011

When bringing a new dog into the house, there are many things that need to be tested for. One of those is the tendency towards food aggression, a major cause of fights within a pack. When introducing a new dog into The Herd, we always crate feed for a while to test the temperament of a dog about eating among its peers. Some dogs graduate quickly to eating out with the rest of The Herd and others may take a long time to be trusted with open food.

Don't I look all tense and insecure?

No? Ok, so maybe I just like breakfast in bed.

We are thinking Frankie is passing this test with flying colors.

October 26, 2011
16 Responses
Frankie

Ruby Tuesday – Placement Options

Oct 252011

Sometimes, you need to strategically place yourself.

Some of us just will the food to fall to the floor.

And when nothing falls during dinner, you have to watch the clean-up operation closely.

Or just work on your best pathetic look routine.

Wow, Tartok is good. I had better practice.

P.S. – Yes, yes, yes – We will have more pictures of newbie Frankie tomorrow. We had to celebrate Ruby Tuesday first, right?

October 25, 2011
16 Responses
Ruby, Tartok

Introducing Frankie

Oct 242011

So many of you correctly noticed - we have a new pack mate.

Meet Frankie.

And, yes, he is fitting in very well.

Frankie came to us from our good friends at Siberian Husky Assist, the same people who guided Kodiak into our lives several years ago. We will back over with them January 14 for their annual Winterfest. If you are anywhere near Bristol, Virginia, please plan on attending this great event and support Siberian Husky rescue.

Frankie has settled in very nicely. He has found the dog closet where all of the good things are stored, and tried to walk away with a bag of 100 bully sticks. We certainly have to give him credit for thinking big. And he is learning how to ride in a seatbelt in the Jeep (some pictures of the bloopers from that experience later this week). And he has taken quickly to our hiking routines.

Most importantly, he is learning the rest of The Herd. He has proven to be quite the flirt with the girls and is especially smitten with Natasha (again – more credit for thinking big). He and Cheoah are closest in age and they are already engaging in some smack down wrestling matches. We will show you some pictures later this week showing how well he and Kiska are getting along. And he and Qannik and Rusty get along fine with only a small amount of that boy dog trying to outdo each other stuff.

For the next week or so, he will continue to gain more freedom as he continues to prove himself trustworthy in the house and with every other pup, but so far everything is progressing very well. He also gets vet checked this week. We do not anticipate any challenges as all of his vet checks from the rescue were clean. We are guessing he is around 40 pounds and probably a year and a half old.

Welcome to The Herd, Frankie!