Hello and Welcome Back!!

Lookin' for chippies....double click to enlarge

Fluffy Fans, spring has officially sprung here in Southeastern Wisconsin. The sun is shining brightly, the birds are singing and the grass, the hostas and every sort of bulb that was ever planted is greening up and sprouting.

Mocha and Te'a remembered the "chippies" from the fall and introduced our Pal Chance to the pesky rodents. The other day they had one trapped in the downspout. I got so annoyed with the whole production, I picked up the end of the spout and shook out the varmint.

Now, for all you tenderhearts who don't have pesky rodents destroying the lannon stone retaining wall in front of your home, the wall that keeps your house from sliding to the front yard, don't worry, the dogs did not get the chipmunks. They were too busy sniffing the other end to notice the chip scurrying out to a pine tree for safety.

They run all over the yard chasing these silly critters. I'm not sure what they would do if they actually caught one but as everyone knows, it's really the thrill of the chase anyway, isn't it? So every chance they get, they go FLYING out the front door hoping to catch a striped marauder. Only to come up short with a mouthful of leaves. We had sleepover city here last night and the three boys are out there now trying desperately to catch one too. Once again, I'm not sure what they are going to do with it once it winds up in the live trap but it really is the thrill of the chase.

In addition to three fifth grade boys, we also had two second and one first grade girls. I fell asleep somewhere around 11pm listening to the melodious strains of High School Musical and pre-teen boys giggling over something. But the part about all the kids that I need to tell you about is that our pal Chance got a little overwhelmed with the whole production. Actually, truth be told, one little girl totally loved Chance and she was stuck to his Fluffy Fur like a thrice licked Tootsie Pop. At some point she walked away from him and went back upstairs and Chance made a beeline for his crate. And he wasn't comin' out for NOTHIN'. He actually spent the whole night in our room (Ok, the door was closed and he was more corraled in there more than anything) but it was really for his own well being.

I've also been doing some research about Bearded Collies and Old English Sheepdogs and I've found some interesting facts. Mostly, I've been reading the bio's of dogs that are up for adoption from various rescues around the states and they are all coming back about the same. They tend to food guard and they aren't big fans of other dogs. I consider us and Chance's furever family pretty lucky that he likes other dogs - perhaps it is the poodle mix (?) in there or perhaps living with other dogs who he is comfortable with makes him understand that it's ok. He also does great at the dog park, unless of course there are dogs much larger than him there. Like Great Danes, like Mastiffs and like St. Bernard's.

Have a great weekend - Here's a little chippy chasin' video for you, cuz I knows you likes 'em!