I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love.

For me they are the role model for being alive.

~ Gilda Radner

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Tuesday's Tasty Treat (#12)


Brussels Sprouts???

Stumpy loves her greens. She's very fussy though and mostly she only loves grass and bamboo. In the spring, I would hand pick the baby bamboo leaves because they're red and neither she (or Wabbit) believed red vegetables were edible.



When we lived back east, part of every day, in season, was spent grazing. In Dirtville, grazing is a bit of a challenge. I've tried them all and Brussels sprouts are all she likes (Wabbit loved them, too.)


Unlike most treats, Stumpy did not search out and eat every last crumb (or leaf, in this case)


Yesterday, the computer was infiltrated by a virus. I'm sorry if we didn't make it to your blog!

Friday, March 25, 2011

The next biggest thing

...a Petite Giraffe



Is this not the sweetest ever?


Petite Giraffe Live Cam

Petite Giraffes been featured in Direct TV commercials

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Dogs of Dirtville (#1)



Frequently, strange dogs pass through our yard. Most don't stop to visit because Stumpy fools them with her bluster and charge. This guy wasn't phased, in the least. He stopped to say hello with his buddy. They're new neighbors and live down the street. Unlike most, they seem well fed. They escape their fenced enclosure every once in awhile.


His buddy took off as soon as I came out, and this guy followed right along. Five minutes later their owners drove up the street in pursuit and returned, a few minutes later, with the dogs in the cab of the truck.

I know Stumpy wishes they would have stayed to play. I'm happy these two have a family that loves them. But if we could get one of those skinny ferals to hang out, I wouldn't be sad.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Must you?



I suppose, you must.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Tuesday's Tasty Treat (#11)

Pizzle




piz·zle
n.
1. The penis of an animal, especially a bull.


It is also known, at least since 1523, especially in the combination "bull pizzle", to denote a flogging instrument made from a bull's penis - compare bullwhip.
Modern uses
1.
Animal consumption:
Pizzles are almost exclusively used/produced today as chewing treats for dogs. They are a fibrous muscle, and are prepared by cleaning, stretching, twisting and then drying. The result is a very hard, 80–100 centimetres (30–40 in) long brown stick, which is then sawed into pieces appropriate for the size of the dog.


2.
Glue:
The pizzle of a bull was commonly rendered for use as glue.[3]

3.
Human consumption:


In addition to being used as a dog treat, pizzles are also eaten by humans for their health benefits such as being low cholesterol and high in protein, hormones, vitamins and minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Pizzles for human consumption are prepared either by freezing or by drying. Scottish deer pizzles are thought to boost stamina and were used by Chinese athletes at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Pizzles can be served in soup, and if they have been dried they can be turned into a paste. Pizzles may also be mixed with alcoholic beverages or simply thawed (if frozen) and eaten. In Jamaica, bull pizzles are referred to as "cow cods" and are eaten as cow cod soup. Like many pizzle-based foods, cow cod soup is claimed to be a male aphrodisiac.

Stumpy has gotten a little fussy when it comes to chewies. For some reason there are unchewed rawhides, booda bones and other assorted chews all over the house. But the pizzles still hold her interest.

Twenty minutes later, she'd barely made a dent.


I traded the pizzle for her dinner, at that point. And I'll pick up some more of these when I go to town.

By the way, These were a generic no-name brand. You might be more familiar with the Bully Stick brand.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Monday Memories



It's been just over a year since Alf first made himself at home, in Stumpy's favorite chair.

We haven't heard from him, lately. But he's never far from our thoughts. I did talk to his Mom after Christmas. His sweet sister Sophie had to under go ACL surgery and then they were headed to Oklahoma for the winter. I think they will be returning in April. Stumpy and I are planning to head to the beach to visit with them and my sister.

Alf was a lot of things, but mostly he was stinkin' adorable. Below are pictures from a Sunday Snooze that had never been posted




If you're a new visitor to our blog, The Berner (now known as Alphonso Bernard Jacob Scout Billy Bob Berner)was a semi-feral dog trying to survive in the Mohave Desert.

Through the Pawer of the Paw, Alf has a family of his own. He's living the good life, well-loved and happily ever after, in sunny SoCal.

The Berner's story can be read in the posts listed below, in chronological order. Or Alf's story can be read by clicking his picture on my side bar.
#1 Who's been sitting in my chair?
#2 Runnin' with the big dawgs
#3 There's a Berner in my living room!
#4 He's everywhere!
#5 He's gone
#6 The Berner: coming and going
#7 Berner News
#8 The Weekly Berner Report (March 28 - April 3)
#9 The Weekly Berner Report (April 3 - April 10)
#10 The Weekly Berner Report (April 10 - April 17);
#11 The Weekly Berner Report (April 17 - April 24)
#12 The Weekly Berner Report (April 24 - May 1)
#13 The Berner (aka Alphonso Bernard Jacob Scout Billy Bob Berner) Report: May 1 - May 8
#14 The Weekly Berner Report: May 8 - May 15
#15 The Weekly Berner Report: May 15 - 22
#16 The Berner Report: May 22 - May 29
#17 The Weekly Berner Report: May 29 - June 5
#18 The Weekly Berner Report: June 5 - 12
#19 The Weekly Berner report: June 14 - 19
#20 The Weekly Berner Report: June 27 - July 3 (Experts weigh in, please)
#21 The Weekly Berner Report (July 3 - July 10)
#22 The Weekly Berner Report, July 17, The Details and Boatlaods of Gratitude
#23 July 20: Vegas, Baby!
#24 The Berner Report: New Beginnings, July 23
#25 The Berner Report: August 7th Update
#26 The Berner Report: September 13, 2010
#27 The Berner Report: November 30, 2011

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Silly Stumpy Recycles

We all know that Stumpy is an environmentally conscious canine. She has a personal pooper scooper and previous posts show her dedication to recycling.

Stumpy also recycles her toys. After pulling the squeakers out the toys can be stuffed with treats and go for another couple of go-rounds

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Click to aid the animal relief effort in Japan!




FreeKibble.com




100% of the yummy kibble raised today will go towards the animal relief effort in Japan.
They need us... spread the word!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Stumpy's working overtime / Tuesday's Tasty Treat (#10 )


The nights have been pretty mild, so Stumpy's been staying up late watching for coyote and other marauding predators

That makes for a pretty sleepy Stumpy, the next day.


Nevertheless, there are chores that must be done.


The recycling must be cleaned


Fortunately for Stumpy she has the ability to multi-task. She can catch rid the house of flies while preparing for her nap

Monday, March 14, 2011

Monday memories ... Ode to my BFF

who happened to be a dog... and so much more.

Wabbit's been on my mind more than usual, lately. And the Monday Memories, of Princess Dakota, at the OP Pack's home in blog land clinched the deal.

It's been over two years since my Wabbit-boy went on without me. He and I got sick in the same time period. As a result, I will always feel I wasn't there for him, the way he was ALWAYS there for me.

I credit Wabbit with Stumpy's recovery, too. Strangely enough, Wabbit, who didn't have the desire to get along with any other dog, decided Stumpy could be his buddy. It was Wabbit who showed Stumpy how to be a dog and gave her the courage to go places and do things she had previously been unable to face.


Wabbit, Life was always "Better With You There"


Jack Wabbit Von HenaC
(9/29/1995 - 1/10/2009)
Loved and missed every day.


See you there, Bubba!

"Better With You There" written and sung by Dan Reising

Artwork by Nancy Schutt

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Red Dog - The Movie



Based on the book by Louis de Bernières, the movie, "Red Dog," is the legendary true story of the Red Dog who united a disparate local community while roaming the Australian outback in search of his long lost master.



Koko, an Australian Kelpie, beat out the competition for the role. The video below, demonstrates Koko's worthy talents.



Although I can't find a release date for this movie, it premiered in LA, recently.


You can follow Koko on Facebook.


As always, click to biggify the pictures

Friday, March 11, 2011

Bobble head


Huh? What? I wasn't sleepin'...

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Seriously????




Are you kidding me, right now?




PHEW!!!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Stumpy was abducted

At first we thought it was Kuzzin' Fenway


But the lazer-like eyes revealed it's true identity.


OK, not really. But we did go visit Fenway.

Last week we crossed the dam, into Nevada, to take the RV we had looked at earlier for a coach, chassis and drive-train inspection. The Shasta will not be our home on wheels :(...
This has really knocked the wind out of my sails. I thought for sure this was it. The never-ending, all-consuming search was FINALLY at an end.

We're OK, now. But I was really expecting to drive that baby home and start packing.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Where in the world has Stumpy been?

Where ever she is, it looks like she's got a comfy bed. (PHEW!)


She looks cold

Not too cold, though (PHEW). If she was really cold her tail would be covering her nose.

And she doesn't look very happy.


What's up bratty girl? Where have you been?



*Stumpy and I have been away from dirtville and reading blogs but not commenting because I can't type on my little netbook without making a bazillion-eleventy mistakes. As if my typing wasn't bad enough already!. We're going to get caught up today, though!