Dry Run Success

I've been wanting to get out in the kayaks again. My husband didn't think Teddy would fit, nor do well in the kayaks, so we didn't go out at all last year. With a little help from fellow Cavalier owning kayakers on a forum on Facebook I managed to convince him to at least give Teddy a chance. 

In a dry land test today Teddy passed with flying colours. He's not afraid of much and he never gets motion sickness so I was pretty sure he would do well. Teddy confirmed that. He was more than happy to sit still in the kayak, even when I purposely rocked it back and forth and made paddling motions. 

I do have to leave the "dashboard" console off my kayak, but that's not too much of a big deal. I usually keep a water bottle there in the cup holder and my phone stashed in the dry box, but I can keep them elsewhere. They just won't be as easily assessible.

(A view of the kayak consoles in the above picture.)

Teddy's reward for being such a good boy in the kayak was a trip to Mr Pets to be fitted for a life jacket.

He doesn't look happy in the picture but, I assure you, he is quite happy to be wearing it. He even played fetch and had a nap in it with no problem. 

Doggo Hood

Teddy doesn't like his "Doggo Hood", but he enthusiastically dons it since he knows it means some sort of food is on its way. 

With his very long ears that sweep through anything he bends down to eat or drink ---

-- it spares him from extra ear combing and baths.

And there is the added benefit that it makes everyone smile.

 Okay. Maybe people are laughing too, but the food still makes the humiliation worthwhile.

Teddy's First Hallowe'en

 Happy Hallowe'en everyone, from Li'l One-eyed Teddy!

This is his very first Hallowe'en, and he's a little bummed that he didn't get a costume to go out Trick-or-Treating. 

He figured costumes like "Cyclops", "Flying Purple People Eater", "Long John Silver" and "Mad Eye Moody" would be perfect for a uniquely handsome guy like himself.

But he is only a little over 12 weeks old and until he has been fully vaccinated it's not considered safe for him to be out and about where other dogs may have been.

Maybe next year Teddy. I know at least one neighbour who would be sure to have a little treat for you -- costume or not. 

Sun on Snow

We're experiencing some beautiful sunshine here in Chilliwack but the temperatures remain below freezing and the excessive snow is going nowhere.

 Townsend Park sees a lot of dog walkers, even in this weather. Unfortunately, yet understandably, getting a walking path cleared is not a priority for the equipment crews.

This is definitely a situation where I am thankful for all those who have blazed a trail before me! As long as one sticks to the beaten path the going isn't too bad. Step off that trail though and you're over your knees.

I don't normally let Kona off leash but with no walkers or dogs in sight I let her run free for a few minutes. She had an absolute blast! She is such an obedient, well trained dog that whenever I called her she came charging back and stayed at my side until released again with an "okay". 

That's Enough!

Christmastime and snow seem to be a natural go together, but enough already!

It's just not safe to walk a dog along the road mess that has been pushed onto the sidewalks so I took Kona to a nearby park only to find that the walking was pretty tough there too.

Kona is no dummy though. She walked along the edge, almost under the shrubs, where the snow wasn't so deep -- and left me to slog through the more difficult depths.

My trailKona's trail

I paid her back by taking her picture. She hates cameras and refuses to look at them. (Sorry about the up-the-nose shot Kona.)

I haven't seen icicles forming on a building for years.

These ones, on a building in the park, were particularly long and beautiful.

Bitter Wind Chill

We are experiencing a break from the gloomy dark days and torrential rain. Unfortunately that still doesn't mean that this morning's dog walk was pleasant.

It's terribly cold and windy! It was -9 degrees Celsius with a windchill factor of -15 when I took Kona for her morning walk. (That's 15 degrees and 5 degrees Fahrenheit, for my American readers).

Puddles are very common here in Chilliwack's "Coastal Rain-forest" climate. Seeing them frozen? Not so much. 

I think someone should invent indoor toilet facilities for dogs. 

Appreciating Shade

So grateful for the shade!

My daily dog walks are usually one and a half to two hours long, but with the extreme heat we've been experiencing I've had to shorten them up some, for my sake and for the dog's.

Kona insists that the walks still happen, but she's no dummy. When given a choice she always picks a route that takes her through the shady spots and down to the slough for a drink. 

Luckily, early in the morning one of our favourite routes has plenty of shade -- at least until we have to head home along the hot city streets.

Even then Kona will want to cross the road if it means she will be able to walk within the shadows.

Three Colour Clasped Weft

After weaving the first few inches on this black mercerized cotton warp I discovered a tutorial on a three colour interlock technique (about 1/2 way down the Ravelry post). After some initial confusion and the need to pay close attention to the steps in the tutorial I've "caught on" and now find it not only easy, but fun!

I've decided to stick with the technique for the remainder of the 6m warp.



Kona felt the weaving was getting more attention than she was, and that just wouldn't do!





The entire length of cloth is being woven in mercerized cotton. The warp is 5/2, and the weft is 10/2, and 8/2 in bright colours accented with the same 5/2 black that the warp is done in.



I'm thinking it will eventually become some sort of clothing. We'll see what it says once it is complete.

Welcome Home Ritual

Week 4 of the Dogwood 52 Week Photography Challenge.

"Portrait: Head shot. You shot a selfie now shoot a 'selfie' of someone else!"

I don't know any people who want their portrait posted on the internet SOooo ---

This is my son's dog, Kona. I care for her during the day when he's working. When he arrives to pick her up she goes to the dogs' toybox and picks up the biggest mouthful of stuffies that she can manage. This time it was FIVE! She then prances around, head held high, moaning and groaning and waging her tail vigorously.

Kona is a Presa Canario/Bull Mastif Cross weighing approximately 70 pounds. She's an obediant, gentle, sweetheart of a dog that rarely ever barks.

Fridge Gallery

Flame must have noticed my granddaughters' fine art proudly displayed on my fridge.

All was quiet for awhile and when I went looking for him I found him hunkered down on the Tulusson family carpet, humming "O Christmas Tree" and creating some fine artwork of his own.

Hauling Firewood

Flame and the family dog, Benjamin Bowser, just got back from a refreshing walk in the woods. 

The dog wasn't the only one "fetching sticks". Flame brought back an armload of windfall wood to use in the fireplace.

A Dog of Routine

There was a time when, if it was raining, Shelby had to be forced outside to pee. But for the last couple of months I've been taking her for a walk every morning, rain or shine. She's gotten used to it now and despite today's rather torrential downpour she wasn't just willing, she insisted! 

We did her full route of about 30 minutes and returned looking like drowned rats.

You know, I think we both feel better now that we've gotten a bit of exercise and fresh air. Maybe she's not the only one that is comforted by routine.

Not So Bad

So today Shelby is rethinking her initial rejection of the new bed.



In fact, I think she quite likes it.

Ingrate

I spent $70 for a fancy orthopedic Serta bed for her to ease her aching, arthritic hips and she lays on the floor!

To be fair she IS laying in it at the moment, but only after being coaxed to do so.

Sheep and Shepherd

Soft, fuzzy and very warm,

a fluffy blend of pink superwash merino and chiengora handspun into a 2 ply yarn.

Chiengora supply courtesy of my friend Charlie. Thankfully the finished yarn doesn't have quite the "aroma" that Charlie possesses. In fact after a double scouring it doesn't smell at all.

Unfortunately the yarn sheds..........just like Charlie.