All in a Day

 

The highlight of our Tuesday was taking Bridie to the vet hospital for her vaccination updates.  

Apparently, no physical exam was planned, so we have no updates on her mental acuity. 

In our minds, though, she's really smart and too young to be "losing it." 

On the other hand, she is the right age any day to lose a few pounds.  Over the past couple of months, Bridie has gained about five pounds. 

She did quiver a bit when we coaxed her through the door to the hospital, but the nervousness settled down and the tech told us she was just fine in the room where the shots are given. 

Afterward, I suggested to Bill that we drive up to McArthur Lake so I could snap a few photos. 

The sun was creating some nice January scenes.  The lake was frozen over---for the most part. 

When Bridie stepped off the dock at its furthest section to do some sniffing, I immediately summoned her back.  Fortunately, the ice was solid. 

Later, however, as we walked back to shore, that was not the case.  Once again, she went sniffing off the dock near the shore, and within the first couple of steps, did a mild Border Collie plunge into the cold water. 

Fortunately, the lake is not deep, and I was just a few steps away, but it was cold and Bridie knew she had no plans to make a "look how tough I am" statement yesterday.  She wanted out of the lake. 

It didn't take too long to help her with some momentum to climb back onto the dock. 

Then, I knew what was coming next.  

Border Collies are smart.  Sweet Bridie thought ahead and did a few gentle shake, shake, shakes, so that Mom would be happy and not have to indulge in a McArthur Lake wet-dog shower. 

We had towels in the car, so her situation of sogginess did not last long.  

Foster slept through all of this drama. 

Later, however, the dogs and I went for a nice walk through the fields and the woods.  I was pleased to see that Foster was taking in every opportunity to sniff at inviting scents in the ground. 

He also trotted along with a little spring to his step.

  We also have noticed and had that verified yesterday by others who don't see him every day that the tilt to his head from his vestibular bout is almost gone. 

It's a day-to-day thing with older dogs, and yesterday was a great day for little Foster. 

BTW:  Bridie's purple shirt with kitties on the front is not meant to be a fashion statement.  It keeps her from licking a kennel sore on her elbow.  The sore has been taking a long time to completely heal. 

The shirt seems to help, along with a blow-up collar.  Bridie prefers the shirt to the collar, and so do I. 

Besides the vet trip, we also had several deer visits yesterday.  They have found the bird feeders so our "up close and personal" experiences through the window are becoming more frequent each day. 

One time during the afternoon, when I walked outside, there were five of them hanging around.  When they saw me outside the house, they leisurely turned toward the woods and then stopped to turn around and look at me. 

The head mama even acted like she was going to come up and visit with me.  Watching the slow and deliberate prance of her carefully planned steps, however, I decided it would be best not to have her get too close. 

It's January, and these are the scenes and happenings that keep us going through our winter days.

Not a bad way to pass the time, and with spring will come urgency and long days of sunlight that still are never long enough to get everything done. 

So, I don't mind the leisurely pace, especially when it involves the animals we love. 

Today Laurie will join me over at Roxane's, and CB will get a little workout.  Who knows?  Maybe if he's not feeling his oats too much, I might get on for a short ride.     

When I saw this image earlier this morning, I found it very timely. 

Occasionally, when we go out in the morning for the dogs to do their duty, there are invisible boogie men all over the place.

Our Bridie feels the need to send them on their way with a nonstop litany of barking.  I'm sure she feels like she's protecting us and that her heart and bark are in the right place. 

Nonetheless, instead of scaring away nothing, she awakens the other neighborhood barkers and that brings on "Shut up, Bridie!" which brings on an immediate and temporary stretch of total deafness in our dear Bridie. 

She can hear the zip of a coat two rooms away or my steps from the room above and know immediately that it's time to go into action and go outside with Mom. 

Once outside, however, and thanks to the Boogie men, Bridie's hearing turns selective. 

So, yes, if medals are to be earned for dogs barking at nothing, Bridie would stand proudly on the podium. 

 

Looks like another springy-like day ahead. 

Happy Wednesday.