The Duck Neck and Mini Fergusons

Last night, we had the wonderful and tasty opportunity to eat duck...my parents had originally bought it for Christmas dinner.  Because my brother came to visit for the weekend, we thought we'd have it while everyone was together, and it was quite good (I'm a very big fan of duck, it being my favorite fowl meat).  The bird was prepared while I was at work during the day shift yesterday, but my mother was kind enough to save the neck and not cook it, for Ferguson to have.  It looks exactly like a raw turkey neck, so I am assuming that it is okay (if not, someone PLEASE comment now, as I plan to give it to him later today!).

I would have given it to him last night, but for some reason, Ferguson occasionally decides to not eat all his dinner, and the way I see it, no dessert if all the dinner isn't gone.  When he does this, I tend to take what's remaining in the bowl, put saran wrap around it, and then feed the remaining for breakfast.  Yes, he ends up getting maybe half a meal less this way, but it makes certain he'll eat it the next go around.  Also, I figure that later when I give him the neck, it will make up for some missing calories.

In other news, I purchased a crocheting pattern for some "Pixie Hounds" the website calls them.  They are ADORABLE to say the least, and my crochet savvy friend came over last night to help me get started.  We each made the body piece that took about an hour and a half, with hers looking strangely larger than mine (I think because she crochets loser than I do), and mine looking kind of like a chicken bone.  However, once it gets some limbs and a tail, I think it will be okay ^_^.  I'm excited, because the yarn I got for the project is almost exactly Ferguson colored!  Hopefully the finished product will look something like the greyhound on the left!  (My friend started working with white, so maybe hers will look like the one on the right).  In any case, I'm hoping to get really good at making them so that I can make a dozen to give to Greyt Expectations Greyhound Rescue to sell at events for $10-$15 (to be fair, it costs at least $5 for me to make each one).  Of course, in addition to having my own little mini Ferguson doll ^_^.  Now to just find some proper eye pieces...

Today I'm also off to look at a few apartments with my friend Sarah to see if there's anything reasonable that would allow a big dog (they exist, but they take a bit more hunting).  If, hypothetically, nothing could be found, it should be noted that I would sooner live home forever than move into a place where my beloved Fergus couldn't come with me ^_^.  Hopefully we see some we like, as all the ones we've picked out are Ferguson friendly.

Hope everyone enjoys their Sunday!

A Note From Joey and Maggie: Please Stand By

You can lead a Dachshund to his potty spot, but you can't make him go.

Joey says "Hey thanks Dad for spending an hour to clear out a path and spot for me to potty after the blizzard, but you better think again if you really think I'm gonna go here.  Are you crazy?  You know it's not my regular spot."  It's a battle of wills in Chicago, world headquarters of the Long and Short of it All.  Of course Maggie knew exactly what to do - she's good like that.  Twenty four hours and no BM for the Joe-meister though.  Hopefully soon.  

We've got to take a few days off, our Dad's Dad is very ill, but we'll be back some time next week.  Keep bundled up in the meantime.  And kiss all your Grandmas and Grandpas.

Yours in Dachshund Love,

Joey and Maggie.....

Another two days off :)

It's almost nine am, and Ferguson and I are enjoying the slow waking up and opportunity to sleep in (Ferg perhaps a little more than me ;)).  I work next on Saturday afternoon, but Saturdays are easy, and it's with a good supervisor, so I'm not loathing it.  Though work as a whole hasn't really left me loathing it yet.

Yesterday was my first morning shift during the week...and there were A TON of dogs for some reason.  Ferguson got to stay in the pen all morning while I worked, but then I was invited to go do training for the pick-up and drop-off van (yes, just like daycare, we do that).  So, at about nine, I left with another supervisor to go drive around VA picking up about five different dogs.  Before I left, I told my other supervisor he could put Ferguson in a kennel if they filled to capacity, as long as he had his bed in it with him.  When we got back, Ferguson wasn't no longer in the daycare pen, but was replaced by maybe even a dozen more dogs...I don't know if I've ever seen the pens that full in my life!  It seemed so crowded that I think Ferguson probably appreciated some peaceful quiet to himself.  When I got to him at about noon (so he'd been in there for three hours or so) he looked perfectly content, though had shoved his bed out of the way to not lay on it (?).  His back was facing me and it looked as if he was having an intelligent conversation with the elder black lab kenneled next to him (I wish I could have gotten a picture).  When he saw me, it was like, "Oh, hi, Mom!  Did you want me to get up?"

I do find it odd that Ferguson has no trouble being kenneled and away from me while at work.  I mean, I suppose the environment is similar to a track kennel, but at home I always leave the radio on, and I always drag Nile's kennel next to his so he is obviously not alone (heck, he's even been alone in the other building at work, and he's never made a peep...we can hear any faint barking from outside).  I don't think it's stress induced either, because he seems 100% okay every time I see him in passing or get him out...no panting, no pacing, nothing.  Often, he just lays there with his head down, and will wag his tail when he seems me (good, at least I know he cares).  I suppose this is a good thing, if it's just this house he has trouble being left alone at.  I wonder if that's my fault?  I mean, we practiced alone time...but he is with me most of the time, where at work, he isn't for more than a few minutes at a time (SOMEONE is, or he has the company of other dogs almost constantly).  So...if and when we move to a new apartment, should I leave him alone a lot, just seeing him in passing here and there? lol.  Perhaps I will start it out that way.

Anyway, alone training will continue, with increased portions of kong treats and steady increases of time away, with the gentle aid of the citronella collar (though I'll try to beat the collar back before it's needed).
On the bright side, he seems to know that barking while wearing the collar is a no no, but he still pants and paces somewhat in my absence.  Perhaps we should go visit the dog park or something to completely wear him out.  Does that sound like a plan, Mr. Ferguson?

"Sure...but I think it's time we get up..."

Okay then. Looking forward to spending another great day with my best buddy :)

The Citronella Collar

This video was recorded early this afternoon, and is the first time Ferguson's ever worn a Citronella collar.  Overall, I am pretty happy with how it worked.  Though it seems long and lapsed over a long period of time, it was no more than 20 minutes in total...I just edited it. (yeah, that's how much of a baby he is about being left, even when I'm still in the house!), he did not bark anymore than the two times seen in the video.  I ran out of film, but when I came downstairs, he was curled up with his head down in the back of his kennel (how he normally sleeps at night).  He seemed much more relaxed and was not panting as he usually is when I return to him after any length of time, and remained calm even after let out.  After getting a drink of water, he even went back into his kennel to lay there while I watched TV, so he has no fears of the kennel what so ever.  Originally, I was afraid that the collar would be too harsh, but he didn't seem to have any serious anxiety about it (more than just being alone...the pacing and panting you see is what he does all the time).  So, hurray!  Also, you can't see in the camera, but Niles's kennel is right next to his, so he isn't even totally alone.  Hopefully the collar continues to work even if we go out for longer periods of time, as opposed to me just going upstairs to shower.  Updates to come soon!

2011 Lubbock Wiener Dog National Dachshund Race

'Calvin' was just crowned the 2010 Wiener Nationals Champion in December, but the 2011 regional qulifier races have already begun.  Kicking things off, eight finalists raced during half-time at the Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma State men’s basketball game on Saturday in Lubbock, Texas.  Will last year's Lubbock champion, red smooth piebald-ish 'Crystal,' defend her crown?   You'll have to watch the video to find out.  By youtuber Daily Toreader who notes:  The DT's Jon Arnold reports on the halftime event which saw dogs compete for the right to move on to Wienerschnitzel's event in San Diego.

Viral Dachshund Videos: Iso In Slow Motion - Bath Time!

Thanks to a good pal for sending this new one in - little 'Iso' sure gets around, doesn't he?  Posted just 2 days ago,  this video has garnered over 65,000 views.  Youtuber IsoInSloMo notes:  It was time for Iso to take a bath, so why not film it in slow motion? The song is The Way I Am Ingrid Michaelson.


Related: Viral Dachshund Videos: Iso in the Snow

Dachshunds Strut their Stuff on the Catwalk to Raise Money for Queensland Flood Victims

Cat?!  Who said cat?  Four-month-old red smooth 'Lily' showed all her best sides on Sunday to raise money for Queensland, Australia flood victims.  The doggie fashion show was sponsored by Marina Quays Dog Bakery, and was part of a Marina Quay Village Markets flood fundraiser.   Read all about the event and see lots of doggie couture at goldcoast.com.