Sheltie Sense

I'm Running!

2010-08-12T16:21:00.002-04:00

I tried my paw at lure coursing last week...

Here's documentation of my awesomeness. They don't call me "the flying fluff" for nothing!

Lookin' Good

2010-05-18T17:38:00.001-04:00

Plenty of Oregon Awesomeness...

2010-03-03T19:24:00.000-05:00

Yup, we're still lovin' life on the West Coast!

Me & My Gang

2009-10-30T16:40:00.000-04:00

Photo By: A Dog Gone Good Place

Howl-o-Ween Party to benefit Oregon Humane Society

2009-10-19T22:03:00.003-04:00

Me rocking my Storm cloud costume...
Bobbin' for apples...

Sheltie Invasion!

2009-09-25T18:54:00.002-04:00

Lifeguard Duty

2009-09-09T17:45:00.001-04:00

Photo courtesy of A Dog Gone Good Place.

Portraits

2009-08-26T00:52:00.001-04:00

Friends!

2009-07-19T16:22:00.000-04:00

Hey!

2009-07-14T15:30:00.001-04:00

I've got news for ya!

I'm 'Dog of the Month'! Check it out!

Mountain Sheltie!

2009-07-06T23:14:00.002-04:00

Good Dog Photo

2009-06-02T13:29:00.002-04:00

A photo of me from the Oregon Humane Society Doggie Dash!

Adventures!

2009-05-31T23:55:00.000-04:00

Coastal Sheltie

2009-05-27T13:34:00.001-04:00

My new West Coast look...

2009-05-21T10:42:00.000-04:00

Tulip Festival !

2009-05-05T13:28:00.002-04:00

A Dog Gone Good Place

2009-04-30T17:57:00.003-04:00

From Maryland Sheltie to Oregon Sheltie!

2009-04-26T12:14:00.004-04:00

One week I was in Maryland...

The next I was in Oregon!

Me and My Peeps!

2009-04-12T21:07:00.002-04:00

Here I am playing with my friends on Easter Sunday... I was doing a glorious job of herding don't you think?

Closeup...

2009-04-10T09:07:00.001-04:00

Co-Pilot...

2009-04-09T08:05:00.001-04:00

2009-04-06T16:00:00.001-04:00

We're perfectly normal...

2009-03-25T13:34:00.002-04:00

Trust us...

The O.C.

2009-03-13T09:34:00.001-04:00

Stormy style!

Whitehaven - The Place To Be...

2009-03-13T09:24:00.002-04:00

Someone asked about my limp...

2009-03-13T09:19:00.003-04:00

And I am finally getting around to repsonding to your comment...

Yes my mystery limp has gone away. The vets told us that it was likely caused by the early stages of arthritis in my ankle and gave us some pain meds for us on an as needed basis. I started limping on my left rear leg as well but now that has cleared up.

What did we do?

I lost weight- I weigh about 22 lbs now, down from 27. Mom wants me down to 20 and we're working towards that! I take a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement (see it HERE) and a multi vitamin everyday. That has helped me immensely.

After 4 weeks of taking the supplement my limp has gone away and I am back to my old self! Mom is happy, I'm happy and life is good!

A sheltie dog life...

2009-01-23T09:58:00.003-05:00

is a good life and I wouldn't want it any other way!

Ready for my closeup...

2008-12-11T16:22:00.001-05:00

The folks at my doggie daycare think I am so AWESOME that they put my photo in their new advertising!

Aren't I just stunning? I love being a model.
I think they captured my best side... don't you?

Fur-Ever Since I posted...

2008-09-10T16:14:00.001-04:00

Hey dogs, Storm Dog here.

Life's been crazy, Mom and Pops have been traveling like mad and well there's just not enough time to make them sit at the computer to compose a post for me! But guess what, I put my sheltie foot down and here's a new post!

It's a short one, I just wanted to post a really super awesome picture of me. I am fording the river in pursuit of my Mom who decided to ride her horse out into those dangerous waters...

Don't I look AWESOME?
So brave!

The Carolinas....

2008-04-01T21:19:00.009-04:00

Mom, Pops and I travelled to the Carolinas to watch some b-ball and visit family and friends. What a great trip it was! I had a blast, I got to see my cousin Jasmine... I haven't seen her since January, right before she moved South. Here we are hanging out under her new deck after a great game of chase.

She has an AWESOME yard to play in, there are woods to play in and explore. All sorts of good things for us to sniff and its fenced in for us! It's pretty much awesome, they even built trails so Mom and Pops and the rest of my family can wander through the woods with us! It was so so cool!

Made me kinda want to live in North Carolina... then it got HOT and I haven't shed my winter coat. That changed my mind real quick... Maryland isn't so bad after all.... spring shouldn't hurry like it does in the South and us shelties like it that way. Maybe I would have liked it better if I had been furminated. Gotta tell Mom to work on that!

We also went kayaking while we were there! The weather was super warm and Mom even got a little sunburn- should've worn sunblock! Here we are out in the lake...

The weather was so warm and the water was so cool that I couldn't resist taking a dip. Ahhh.... the water feels SO GOOD! We didn't limit our fun to North Carolina... We went to South Carolina too! Talk about travelling sheltie! There I had a reunion with my buddy Cujo!!! I haven't seen him in FOREVER! We made up for lost time with a great game of tug with his March Madness brother....He'll be visiting our place in May! YAY!!!

I also met something really WIERD this weekend, something I've never seen before. But I was braved and sniffed it.. that something was a ball python!!

What an awesome trip!

I'm Baaaack!!!

2008-03-26T17:05:00.002-04:00

Hey Ya'll !

Hope you had a great weekend trying to sniff out the Easter Bunny... I know I did and I swear I almost caught him. If I had caught him I would have asked if he had any kitty treats in those baskets he was carrying. But, I was unsuccessful in my hunt and had to settle for licking up the crumbs on the kitchen floor after Easter Dinner. Mom says I make a good mop :o)

I am heading out for my next big adventure, this time its to North Carolina! We have family down there and we are going to visit. I'm sure Mom will get lots of pictures of me and my cousin Jasmine the German Short Haired Pointer. She LOVES to be chased and well I love chasing, so we're like best friends. She's pretty much awesome.

No really looking forward to the warm weather, the forecast says it is going to be in the high 70s... a little warm for the sheltie that is in need of a spring meeting with the Furminator! I much prefer the 50s-60s we've been enjoying here in Maryland.

I'll report back with my "tails" of my big adventure!

Wow! It's been a while!

2008-03-11T15:13:00.002-04:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while... I've been terribly busy with sheltie business. I am a busy boy you know... I have to keep the cat off the counter and scan the parking lot for cat cat cats all after a full day of daycare!!!

That doesn't leave much time for blogging! But rest assured I am coming up with new content and will back in action real soon!

Woofs!

Storm Dog

RIP Darby

2007-12-27T14:53:00.000-05:00

The world lost a great sheltie today, his name was Darby. As far as I'm concerned he was the BEST sheltie EVER and I hope that someday I will be half the sheltie he was. I'll remember all the times we had together, they were the best, I wouldn't trade a single minute of any of those memories... even the times you drooled on me when I was little and my first night at my new home when you peed on me cause I walked under you at the wrong moment.

Thanks for showing me what a great sheltie should be... I'll miss you good buddy!

Limp Diagnosis

2007-12-16T15:50:00.000-05:00

So... remember that limp that I told ya'll about in my Mystery Solved post? Well, turns out I spoke too soon. It came back :o(

So it was off to vet's office again so that they could take another look at my leg. After a complete physical exam and a round of x-rays it was determined that I have a defect in my shoulder along with a little bit of arthritis in ankle. Arthritis at 3? What's up with that? So I was sent home with orders to take baby aspirin whenever my leg flares up and Mom was told to watch me to make sure it doesn't get any worse. They are also sending my x-rays up to Penn to have their orthopedists take a look to see if there is anything else of concern.

This afternoon Mom placed an order for Joint Care Supplements from Dr. Foster and Smith's catalog that hopefully will help make my joints happy again.

Sheltie Love is Spreading!

2007-12-13T10:37:00.000-05:00

My popularity is spreading, no longer am I just known around daycare and the doggie park... people at the University of Maryland know me!! Here's an excerpt of a Gmail Chat session my Mommy had this morning...

Mommy's Friend: i met the grandmother of one of the people takes care of stormy!
Mommy: haha
no way
Mommy's Friend: yeah dogwood acres right?
Mommy: yea!
Mommy's Friend: yeah her granddaughter works there
i asked her if she knew stormy the sheltie
Mommy: that's great
random people know my dog
too funny
Mommy's Friend: its a small dog world

Who can resist me? No one! I turn on the sheltie cuteness and its impossible to resist me. I could even make the Grinch love me!

Christmas Rules for us dogs...

2007-12-11T10:50:00.000-05:00

From my buddy Simba's blog...

1. Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog leans.

2. They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.

3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.

4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know:
a. Don't pee on the tree
b. Don't drink water in the container that holds the tree
c. Mind your tail when you are near the tree
d. If there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open
e. Don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree

5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part:
a. Not all strangers appreciate kisses and leans
b. Don't eat off the buffet table
c. Beg for goodies subtly
d. Be pleasant, even if unknowing strangers sit on your sofa
e. Don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach

6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important:
a. Observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. (4a is particularly important)
b. Respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house
c. Tolerate children
d. Turn on your charm big time

7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night. DON'T BITE HIM!!

Happy Merry Christmas...

2007-12-09T20:57:00.000-05:00

Why must the parentals dress me up in little hats? Oh well, Happy Howl-o-days everyone!

2007-11-29T09:17:00.000-05:00

There was this family, and their cat cat cat lost its tail when it got slammed in a door. They were so distraught about it that they took the cat cat cat to Walmart because its the largest retailer in the world!

bark! bark!

There is much drama in my life...

2007-11-20T16:24:00.000-05:00

Why?

Because a car CRASHED into the Chick-fil-A (read article HERE and HERE )where Pops and I go to breakfast on my way to daycare!!! Where am I going to get my tatoe rounds in morning now? Where is Mommy going to stop in the afternoons for waffle fries and a vanilla shake? All I can say is... WOW.

Here are some photos of the accident scene from the local news, WBAL...

In all seriousness, 3 people were injured in the crash (an older gentlemen, a state trooper and a 6 year old boy), the older gentlemen severely enough to have to be airlifted to Baltimore's Shock Trauma unit... I wish those injured a speedy recovery...

So I was a little bit of a bad boy...

2007-11-19T12:46:00.000-05:00

Hey guys!! I'm back in action! Sorry that I haven't posted... we've been BUSY!! But its all good now, I'm back and I want to tell you ALL about my friend Bob. He's totally pawesome! He lives across the parking lot from us, and lives on the second floor like us. He sits out on his deck like this some evenings and we say hi to him on our way by to go check the mail. He's one of my best buddies! I LOVE it when Bob and his Mommy come out to play. Cause everytime Bob comes out we get the zoomies and that is the greatest!! And when we are leashed, Bob grabs my leash and leads me around! Normally I like to be in charge but that game is just so fun I can't help myself! Bob is one of the coolest dogs I know!

Bob and I are buddies, and if you know me, you know that when my buddies and I get together trouble is soon to follow... but I am ALWAYS the innocent one. I just go along to watch... I NEVER do anything wrong. (Note from Mom: If you believe this I have a bridge I'd like to sell you...) Anyway, Bob and I were out playing. Daddy was watching me, and Bob's Mommy was there too. Well there's this lady that feeds the stray cat cat cats in our complex. She sits out YUMMY cat food and well Bob is a lab and its well known that labs cannot resist the kitty food (Note from Mom: Neither can shelties!)

Well we were playing and all of the sudden Bob zooms to the kitty food and I am in hot pursuit. Only thing is Bob stopped at the kitty food and I went past it hot on the heels of a cat cat cat! I went full tilt into the wooded area behind our building and scared Daddy. He was not happy with me, especially when I emerged full of sticker bush stems and leaves... but I rid the area of those cat cat cats!! Bob and I weren't allowed to play anymore...

Hey Guys!

2007-11-10T18:07:00.000-05:00

Sorry that I haven't posted in a while... Mom went off to Florida for a business trip for two whole weeks and I am hanging out with my grandpawrents. But you can bet I'll be back in action real soon! My Mommy and Pops are coming to pick me up tomorrow!

Tonic & I Meet Again...

2007-10-27T23:09:00.000-04:00

So Mom took that silly little rodent of hers out again... he's an odd creature I've decided. He runs about in that blue ball of his and seems perfectly content. I would be terribly bored if I had to navigate this world in a plastic ball...

He also stays up ALL night and sleeps ALL day. You know how much fun I would miss if I slept all day like he does??? A TON of fun!

All this makes me happy that I am a sheltie, not a hamster!

Mystery Solved!!!

2007-10-25T10:12:00.000-04:00

My mystery limp is no longer a mystery!!

I went to the vet yesterday and was told that I sprained my shoulder! Yup! great job huh? Now I have to take a pill a day for the next 30 days and be careful not to do whatever it was that I did to sprain it. I will be spending the next two weeks hanging out at the grandparents being spoiled, that will DEFINITELY help my shoulder feel better!

I also got my health certificate filled out, so that means the last of my therapy dog paperwork has been completed! All we need to do now is pick out an awesome picture of myself for my badge and send in the packet!

YAY!

The Case of the Mystery Limp

2007-10-23T10:38:00.000-04:00

I've got a hitch in my gait...

Who knows why... it happens when I lie down for a while and then get back up. But not all the time. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't. It's been this way for 3 weeks... it comes, it goes. On Sunday my limp appeared while I was playing at the doggie park... first time that ever happened.

Mom took me home, and I was fine for the rest of the night. Her and Daddy did all kinds of "flexion tests" on my leg but I just fell asleep while they were moving it around. So clearly I wasn't in any pain then. They had me make turns, pivot using that leg and everything- no limp.

Monday morning I limped when Mom took me out on a walkies but was perfectly sound when Dad took me to daycare. Last night after daycare (no limping at all during the day) Mom stopped to talk to our neighbor and I laid down at her feet and when they finished talking and I got up to walk with her my limp was back! Argh!

Mom is confused. I'm only 3, I can't have arthritis yet can I? She is leaving for a work trip and wants to get me checked out (I also need my Therapy Dog paperwork completed) before she leaves so my Grandparents won't have to worry about my mysterious limp.

We won't even discuss the fact that Mommy is deserting me for two whole weeks because of work... that's a totally different pouting post.

2007-10-21T13:26:00.000-04:00

I promised to post more of my pictures from my adventure out to the western part of the great state I call home. Here they are! Picture heavy post coming folks.. so be prepared.

Here I am getting my feets wet at Swallow Falls State Park...

And playing with a new friend...
The next day we visited Rocky Gap State Park... here I am on the trail to the Evitts Mountain homesite... this guy was a hermit and he made sure not to be bothered. To reach his place it was a 3 mile hike!

After such a long hike on what turned out to be a humid day, I crashed...

After a short dog nap... I made the trip up to the canyon overlook. Here I could survey the world...The last day we went to the Paw Paw Tunnel. This is was a great adventure, we went through this dark tunnel and Mommy and Daddy needed their flashlights. Mom said it was kinda spooky, but in a fun kind of way.

Here we are at the top of the tunnel entrance...

And here we are coming out the other side!

2007-10-17T07:40:00.000-04:00

**By the end of the calendar year, I will send a gift to each of the first five dogs (or people!) to comment here. The catch? You gotta make the same offer on YOUR blog.** Leave a comment if you want to play along.

C'mon you know you wanna :o)

2007-10-13T21:52:00.000-04:00

I'm a Therapy Dog Now!

Yup I am! I passed my TDI Evaluation with flying colors this morning. All Mom has to do is complete the paperwork and I'll be able to start visiting! The evaluator said I was awesome and in her comments said Mom and I were an "adorable, confident team"! Excitement! The resident who participated in our test was very nice and thought I was the most adorable thing ever. She wants me to come back for another visit :o) I think we will, especially since she is collecting stuffies to give to children when they have to go to the hospital. Mommy thinks that is a very nice thing to do and is going to donate some stuffies.

In other news this weekend... my newest little brother Tonic the hamster took his first spin around the condo in his ball. I was fascinated. Here we are hanging out together.

But then we got tired, so we decided to nap... he's a good napping buddy.

2007-10-11T23:15:00.000-04:00

My Mommy wants me to give my Daddy a HUGE hint for Christmas...

She wants to own one of these... preferably one that looks like ME!

They are made of wool....and custom made from a photo, all you gotta do is go HERE. If Mommy gets one she'll have a mini wool me to go with her mini wooden me that she bought from Dog Bark Park!! If you want a custom wooden mini you Mommy HIGHLY recommends them!

2007-10-08T21:55:00.000-04:00

I spent the last three days out on the trails in Western Maryland... I'll post more pics later, but I thought that you would enjoy this one of me climbing the stone stairs of the Paw Paw Tunnel... The name just screams super cool doggie place, and it is!!! Don't I look so cool?

2007-09-30T20:34:00.001-04:00

My sister is fat...Maybe we should start calling her Maddie Fat instead of Maddie Cat!

2007-09-29T17:34:00.000-04:00

Mom and I are in The Great KC for the weekend. The Fall weather has arrived and I am loving life! Yesterday a stiff breeze was blowing, so I did my best sheltie pose. This is what I bet I would look like if I lived on the Shetland Isles and had my own herd of shetland sheep.

Mom also took a couple of closeups in the car, she said they showed how cute I am and show my beautiful brown eyes (brown eyes that will melt your heart & make you hand over some people food!)

2007-09-24T21:52:00.000-04:00

Sorry that I haven't written in a while but MY DADDY CAME HOME!! YAY!! He came back from the desert outpost of Washington and the wilds of Oregon just to see me! And it made me so happy! No more pouting on my window perch... its time to play tug and bark and play ball! My Daddy is the bestest EVER!

Wanna know something else that is super way cool about Daddy coming home? I got to go to the airport! Yup! Mommy and I went to meet him at the airport and I got to go inside the terminal. It was my first ride on a moving walkway and an escalator. They are such interesting things... we were moving without moving our legs. I stared intently at the floor while we rode on it... those escalator stairs are way different than the ones in our condo. Though they would be nice after a hard playday at daycare- I wouldn't need to expend any more energy to get to the top! After the escalator fun we found Pops in baggage claim, we didn't stay long though cause my feets weren't allowed to touch the floor inside the terminal. Mom was told that if they did the police would escort us out... so I had to content myself by snoozing on the ground outside by the taxi stand (its noisy out there, how's a guy supposed to get some shut eye?) and leaving "nose smears" on the terminal windows people watching while Daddy got his bag...

Before I sign off here's the pic of the trip... Daddy and his BIG TRUCK. I think its missing something. And that particular something is a sheltie in the window!

2007-09-13T08:05:00.000-04:00

My Daddy is leaving me...

I watched him take out his suitcase, pick out his clothes and start to pack his bag. I tried to be a stowaway but he caught me...I thought I had hidden myself well enough, but I guess not. Maybe I should have covered myself up with more clothes...

Then I was excited when I saw him pack two dog toys and maybe I get to go! But my hopes came crashing down when he told me those toys were for my Pup Pals Katy and Max out in Walla Walla. Pout, I don't get to go. But Katy and Max be ready for some AWESOME toys! I helped picked them out and they are super cool!

So I have resigned myself to my fate. While Daddy is out in Imnaha, OR doing this :

I will be stuck back here in Maryland doing this:

2007-09-04T21:29:00.000-04:00

We'll go cruisin' together...

Mom, Pops and I went on a Watermark Cruise of the Chesapeake Bay's Lighthouses. It was a pretty neat little cruise- the best part was that I got to go. I must have been pretty special too cause I was the only doggie on board :o)

Here's a quick photo display of our Labor Day adventure...

Here we are about to leave City Dock... I am keeping watch as everyone boards the ship...

Here's Mom and I looking out across the Chesapeake Bay, you wouldn't believe how many boats were out there! Sheltie Captains were in high demand... they were lucky to have me aboard!The wind was in my fur... Life Was Good!

But being a Sheltie Captain is hard work... so one must include naptime on their adventures! Here we are back at City Dock with the ship... it was a great day... can't wait to go cruisin' again!

Note From The Mommy Person: We were THRILLED with how well the cruise went. Everyone at Watermark was super nice, they welcomed Stormy aboard and seemed happy to have him there. The same could not be said from some of our fellow cruisers, they looked less than thrilled at the prospect of having to share an afternoon with a dog on a ship. I am happy to report that Stormy showed them what a joy a well behaved dog is. If he wasn't looking at the sights, he was asleep either at our feet, on the bench seat or under the bench seat right by an air vent (smart sheltie!). We had at least 8 -10 people come up and tell us how well behaved he was and how they couldn't believe how quiet he was (those of us who have/know shelties, know how awesome that comment was!). One lady even took his picture :o) What a great way to spend our day!

2007-08-31T13:17:00.001-04:00

Support Your Local Sheltie!

Hey Guys! I'm participating in the Tail Waggin' Trail Walk on September 15, its a walk to benefit the shelter animals of Queen Anne's County, Maryland. It's a 2.5 mile walk along the Cross-Island trail that starts at 8 a.m.

If you are in the Maryland area and are interested in coming let me know and I'll get you the sign up info... all donations go to support Adopt-A-Pet, Inc which is dedicated to increasing adoptions at the Queen Anne's County shelter, providing funds for emergency vet care for the shelter animals, providing special supplies needed to care for the animals there. It's a great cause, my family has adopted quite a few of our pets from this shelter.

If you can't make the walk and want to sponsor me, you can do that too!! Just let me know and we'll get you signed up!

You can view a list of Queen Anne's County's adoptable pets @ http://west.petfinder.com/shelters/MD81.html

I'll be walking in memory of my brother Bo, Mommy adopted him from this shelter back in 1996, he crossed Rainbow Bridge in 2002, I never got to meet him but I know he was an AWESOME dog and I want to raise money so more dogs like him can find their forever homes...

2007-08-27T10:29:00.000-04:00

Another Whitehaven post! This place was too much fun! I wanted to detail more of what I got into this past weekend, cause I know you all are just PANTING with anticipation over what I am going to say. First of all, we took TWO, count them TWO, kayaking adventures. The first was a bit tougher than the second seeing as how my superior sheltie navigation skills coupled with Pop's insatiable need for photos led Mom and I to run aground in the marsh muck. We were weren't stuck stuck just a bit jammed up because when Mom tried to push away from the shore the muck tried to swallow her paddle. Yipes! But all was well in the end and we had a good time. Here's another kayaking pic, this time Mom and I are navigating what remains of Whitehaven's Cannery. It was washed away by a hurricane.

Seeing as how it is back to school time, Pops and I took an early morning walk to visit the Whitehaven School. It looks a lot different than my school! In fact I'm not even sure if they use it anymore. I didn't catch a single whiff of crayons and construction paper so I can almost say without a doubt that it isn't used for teaching preschoolers! My Mom-Mom teaches at a pre-school and I get to visit sometimes. There are always good smells there, and they have a bunny rabbit. They don't let me play with the bunny though. I have to sit nicely and show the little ones what a well behaved dog I am. Once I even got to go hang out in the classroom for Fourth Graders while Mom chatted with one of her old teachers. His classroom was fun and he had lots of TERPS stuff posted but I missed all the smells and crumbs that came with the preschool classroom.

In a nod to my Newfy friends I just had to pose with the Whitehaven Ferry safety ring. Mom, Pops and I rode the Ferry across the river the last morning we were in Whitehaven. It's a neat little ferry, it carries three cars at a time back and forth across the river. It's free to everyone, but just make sure you get there before it closes for the evening else you will make a long trip for nothing- except for the chance to catch a glimpse of Whitehaven. It's neat to watch it go back and forth, but I wouldn't want to be the driver. I think it would get boring after a while just going back and forth in a straight line.

I also learned ferry lingo this weekend. The phrase of the day was "run the line." The Whitehaven Ferry runs on a cable that lies below the water, the cable keeps it from drifting down river (kinda like how us shelties keep the sheep moving in the right direction!) Well there are some people out on the river who do not respect that the ferry has the "right of way" and they will zoom up and "run the line" to try to get by before the ferry crosses in front of them. The danger with this is that sometimes their boat propeller can catch on the cable. Somethings gotta give at that point and either the cable breaks and the ferry floats away (VERY bad news) or the prop on the boat breaks and those silly people got what they deserved and are dead in the water. Today's lesson- When boating in Whitehaven don't run the line!!!

2007-08-26T14:47:00.001-04:00

Greetings from Whitehaven!!

That's where Mom, Pops and I spent the weekend! Here I am posing next to the sign at the entrance to town. We stayed at this really awesome bed and breakfast called the Whitehaven Hotel. They allow doggies to come and stay in their Lincoln bedroom. It was really super cool. The hotel is located right on the water. It's a small town with only 20 or so residents but there was still adventuresome stuff for my sheltie self to get into!

First off one of the employees has a sheltie, a GIRL sheltie. Her name is Penny and you know what. She is the all the awesomer because she is tri colored too! How cool is that?! The only thing that kept us from being twins was that Penny has a lot less white than me and she doesn't enjoy playing ball or fetch. Guess thats cause she's a girl. But that's okay, at least she didn't give me any girl cooties or anything. That would have been TRAGIC. Penny and I were supposed to have a date on Saturday evening, you know wandering the woodlands watching the sunset but Mom and Dad had to go and stuff themselves at this place called The Red Roost and I missed my date. Oh drat. I'll have to keep in touch and hopefully she'll talk to me next time we meet...

But the weekend wasn't all about meeting the ladies. It was also about BOATING! Whitehaven is located right on the river and the hotel has three kayaks that guests can take out anytime they want. Here I am captaining my own ship on the mighty river. And don't worry, I was a safe boater and wore my lifejacket. It was great fun on the river, we saw fish jumping and we saw a Great Blue Heron along the shoreline. One of the employees said they nest along the shore. We didn't see any nests, but thats okay because Mom says we shouldn't disturb wildlife. I agree. Mom and Pops saw this neat little picture that sums it all up- Take only pictures... leave only footprints. That's what we try to remember on all of our trips. You should too!

2007-08-26T14:44:00.000-04:00

Great News!!

Nick the horsie is back home!!
Someone took him because they felt sorry for him...
Bad idea folks, leave the horse rescuing up to the professionals.
If you think a horse (or any animal) in your neighborhood is in trouble call your local Humane Society or Animal Control office. They know the right avenues to correct the problem.

2007-08-23T09:19:00.000-04:00

HAVE YOU SEEN NICK ???

This hit a little too close to home... this is not far from where Buttercup used to live!! Mommy said pass this info along so hopefully this little girl can get her horse back.

On August 20 Nick was stolen from his pasture in Fair Hill, Maryland. His owner went to bring him to the barn because the farrier was coming. All gates were closed and secured, and he was no where to be seen. No fences were down, and there was no way for him to have gone over the fence since he limped due to arthritis.

Nick is old, 28 years old, arthritic and swaybacked (that means his back dips down low, like a valley behind his shoulders, instead of being level).

His theft was reported to the Local Sheriff's Department and also to NetPosse. NetPosse is an organization that Mommy is a member of that is dedicated to bringing stolen/missing horses back home. NetPosse issued an 'Idaho Alert' to the equine community (its similar to an Amber Alert for missing children) and has created a flier for Nick, so if you are in the MD/PA/VA area, PLEASE print out this flier and post it in "horsey places". Mom says Nick could be ANYWHERE.

For more information about Nick and a link to his printable flier in .pdf form, visit his NetPosse webpage (Nick's NetPosse Page).

2007-08-23T07:30:00.000-04:00

Mommy always tells me that I need to find a job besides going to daycare and keeping Maddie in line. My standard response is "Well I looked and there just isn't anything out there for us shelties except chasing cat cat cats and well, they won't pay me for that no matter how cute I am."

She just shakes her head. My sheltie friends Darby and Joey are also looking for work. Darby has been looking for YEARS with no luck, he reads the Help Wanted ads everyday and everyday he walks away sad because no one wants to hire a sheltie. We are smart doggies you know and dedicated and cute too!

Well there may be help for us sheltie job seekers after all, I saw this article from Florida about three racing greyhounds who found a job working for Adverdog. Basically they are hired by the hour to go socialize at special events and grand openings. They have spiffy outfits that have little pockets that hold the business cards that they hand out. I don't know about the outfit part but I would love being paid to be petted!! I could even whip out my super spiffy sheltie tricks like spins and rolling over. And I could make money to buy more Greenies! It's a win-win situation. How do I sign up??

2007-08-22T11:02:00.000-04:00

With all the news reporting on the Michael Vick issue its easy to forget that some people will do anything for their pets. Case in point, Alex the Dalmatian's family. He fell into a drainpipe and they searched non-stop for him and when they found him 25 feet underground they dug him out! His Daddy said they weren't going to stop until they had him out. You can hear the emotion in his voice when he reaches Alex... it made my Mommy and my Auntie Beth get teary eyed.

Now thats true love.

See the video of Alex's rescue HERE.

2007-08-20T21:41:00.000-04:00

My sister thinks she is so civilized... she sits all proper next to the fireplace. She says she has class, that all cats do and that we dogs just drool and play in the mud, things a proper kitty like her would NEVER do. She says you need to show good ettiquette (whatever that is) and act in a way that represents your high social standing (she does realize she was rescued from a trash can right?) Maybe growing up in a trashcan is high class, I dunno but...

I don't know my exact social standing other than the fact that Mom and Dad are Alpha but I do know that sitting next to the fireplace with your paws crossed on a beautiful Sunday afternoon is terribly boring... I'd much rather be out and about at the dogpark playing chase with my Pup Pals and a game of fetch with Mom!

2007-08-18T22:50:00.000-04:00

Lassie ain't got nothing on me...

I have my own HORSE!

Ok, so she belongs to my Mom... but that just means she's almost mine!

2007-08-14T07:32:00.000-04:00

I was chased by a Chicken Nugget!

No it wasn't a bad dream, it really happened! While in The Great KC I met up with Chicken Nugget the Miniature Horse and French Fry the pygmy goat. French Fry was cool, Chicken Nugget... well let's just say we had a good game of chase going and I WAS NOT the one doing the chasing!! In fact she ran me right up on the porch and underneath some chairs! Then when Mommy stopped laughing (why would she think a pony chasing me is so funny?!) and tried to let me in the house Chicken Nugget tried to follow me inside!!! When I made it inside she stomped her foot at me. How rude!

I'm looking forward to a rematch. I can't believe she didn't respect my authority!

2007-08-08T11:24:00.000-04:00

Beat the heat!

It's scorching hot around here! Has been for the last few days...The high today is something like 101 degrees! Yipes! This sheltie is hanging out in the shade as much as possible. At daycare I have a special shady spot under the stairs... just for me to keep cool, definitely will be using that today. And, this evening I'll be able to take a dip in the doggie pool at my grandparents' house, Mom even mentioned going kayaking!! Bark! Bark! I LOVE boating! I'm the captain of the ship. I just lack the spiffy Captains hat, but thats not too much of a loss since I'm not a hat wearing kinda guy. I prefer bandannas... I think they make me look handsome.

Alrighty gotta jet, we are headed to The Great KC and I have to mentally prepare myself for the journey cause the AC in Mom's car died! We are taking it home to be fixed... what is it with AC this year? Our condo's AC died a couple of weeks ago... Bottom line its gonna be a hot ride... I am so making Mom stop and by me an ice water from Chick-fil-A :o)

2007-08-07T21:35:00.000-04:00

Proof that my sister Maddie is crazy...

Video One:

Video Two:

2007-08-07T21:34:00.000-04:00

Finally was able to post my swimming video! Bark bark!

2007-08-07T08:14:00.000-04:00

Code Name- Walkies.

Under the cover of darkness the sheltie slips out of the building... his steps are quick, he lurks in the shadows, ever watchful. He must not be caught in the open. His black coat is great camoflage, his thick fur silences the jingle of his tags, his flexi leash glides without a sound. Out the door, past the bushes, slipping in between parked cars... Stealth is essential.

My purpose?

Hiding from the kids in the parking lot...

Don't get me wrong I LOVE kids. They like food, I like stealing their food. They like to play chase, I like chasing them! They want to kick/throw a ball, I'll gladly play fetch for hours... I just don't like THESE kids. Mom doesn't like them either... she tries to be nice but they just don't listen. I cringe at the sound of "doggie! Doggie! DOGGIE!!!!" They come sprinting across the parking lot, descend upon me like a swarm and get directly in my face... I turn away and they move with me. Mom asks them to step back and they don't listen. They grab at my leash, they want to walk ME. Oh no, Mom says. She says I need to be walked in a special way, its good cover. They pull on my tail, hit me on top the head as they are "petting" me, shoot at me with their little laser guns, one even poked me in the face! I stand there patiently panting, waiting for it all to end. Then they run screaming away, yelling that I tried to bite them. WHAT?! I was panting! What part of panting equals biting?

Somedays when I get home from daycare they don't even let Mommy get the car in park before they are tap tapping on the windows asking to pet the doggie. For the love of dog kids! Let me arrive home in PEACE!

It's like they magically materialize out of thin air... yelling "Doggggieeee"

So Mom and I have resorted to covert operations for walkies. She scans the parking lot and when the coast is clear we run down the steps, alongside the building to the back of our condo complex for our walk. If we're feeling bold we'll cross the parking lot to our normal spot, but usually when the kiddies are out we revert to stealth mode or don't go out at all. Mom has tried education, telling them I'm a nice doggie, showing them how to pet nicely, etc. Instead they romp into the middle of our training sessions and demand that I do this or that trick. So not cool. (Note from Stormy's Mom- Has anyone else had this problem? It's seriously disturbing b/c one day these kids are gonna get bitten by a dog that is less tolerant than my own. I don't want that to happen. They play unsupervised in our parking lot ALL THE TIME and as Stormy said I and a few other dog owners have tried to teach them proper dog greeting etiquette but it all flys out the window when they spot a dog. All of us dog owners physically cringe when we hear them coming. It's sad but true.)

It makes me happy that MY kids are good around dogs. Sure Dylan drops spaghetti in my fur right where I can't reach it when he's eating and Christopher tackles me from time to time. But I know when I hear "MeMe, come!" or "MeMe, Sit!" or "Here MeMe" its my favorite boys calling me to have fun... which is the best part of liking my kids. (Note From Stormy's Mom: MeMe is what my nephews call Stormy, sometimes they refer to him as Steamy. Either way it is WAY cute to watch them together.)

Here are me and my boys together...

2007-08-03T09:13:00.001-04:00

Ponch is awesome... he has ALL the great ideas for separating humans from their food. I think I should try this one sometime:
Want more funnies? Check out the 'Pooch Cafe' Comic HERE.

2007-07-29T20:34:00.000-04:00

Who Says Shelties Don't Like Water?!?!?

For all those who believe this I say:This weekend in The Great KC I took a dip to prove that shelties indeed like the water!

First, I got my feet wet. I had to get myself mentally prepared for the adventure ahead of me. This was no small undertaking! I needed to test the water temperature, the currents, the taste! I also needed to ensure my launch point and landing area were clear of debris and had the proper sites for the photographers to take their photos to record this monumental occaision. All systems were go...

And then Mom stepped in, she said for safety I ought to wear a doggie lifejacket. A what?! A doggie lifejacket? For this champion of champions swimmer? I think not! And so I ignored her and dove in anyway...

Yea I wish... I'm too much of a goodie goodie to ignore my Mom...

And so here is the photo of me in my lifejacket... it so kills any coolness factor I was accumulating by braving the waves. How can you impress the chicks when you are wearing a styrofoam bumble bee coat?! SO NOT COOL! Especially the handle! That's like for water rescues, namely rescuing ME out of the water! I'll just pretend thats a handle for the drowning swimmers to hang onto as I pull them from the pounding surf... yea that sounds WAY cooler.

I made the best of my jacket wearing by striking my best sheltie pose and smiling for my adoring fans. They love me you know... even if I am wearing a styrofoam bumble bee jacket...(which gives me visions of my Halloween Costume from two years ago..)

To appease the Mom parental unit I take to the seas in my bumble bee jacket. But as you can see, it seriously cramps my swimming style. I mean bees don't swim! So I shouldn't be looking like a bumble bee in the water. So the bumble bee jacket has gotta go!

I shed the bumble bee jacket and brave the waves once again. This time with a MUCH HIGHER coolness factor. Don't I look brave paddling about without any lifejacket??? We're talking seriously daring stuff here folks!! I set out with supreme confidence... I've got mad swimming skills!

My fans loved it so much that they caught it on VIDEO! Yes, my bravery is preserved forever in photos. There is now proof that shelties do like the water!

Then, when I returned to shore I took a celebratory roll....

LIFE IS GOOD!

2007-07-27T09:49:00.000-04:00

Dogwood Acres held a Petlane Pet Party last night, so not only did I get to spend extra time at daycare, I got to play with some AWESOME new stuff! The best part was the party lady spread all the toys out in a big pile on the floor and my daycare buddies and I got to sniff through them and pick what we wanted!

I convinced Mommy to buy me all sorts of stuff, cause what this sheltie wants he gets :o) Not that I am spoiled or anything. I got this neat tree trunk that these little stuffies squirrels hide in- its my job to get them out! Can't wait to go after those sneaky little guys! Then she got me a Thinga Majig, seriously they called it a Thing-a-Majig! Its this rubber ball thing with all these crazy curls when you throw it it bounces in all sorts of crazy directions. Perfect sheltie toy! And last but not least she got me an everlasting treat ball- Mmmm this is the first thing I pulled from the pile of doggie stuff. It's part rubber for chewing, part treat for licking like a lollipop! Yum! Yum!

Mom also bought some stuff for Maddie Cat- I'm sure I'll get to play with it too!

Know what else they had there? Those doggie licenses I have been wanting... hint hint Mommy!!

Note from Stormy's Mom: The Petlane Stuff was super cool and all vet tested and approved. Nothing goes into the catalog without being thoroughly tested by the company. It was seriously tempting to buy the whole book!

2007-07-26T08:47:00.000-04:00

Carpet just for Canines?

Yup! Thats what us lucky dogs at Dogwood Acres got this week! The small dog area where I play everyday had K9Grass installed. The stuff is super cool, its like the artificial turf that football players play on. Pretty neat huh? Daddy just told me to be careful not to blow out my knee...

2007-07-17T09:19:00.000-04:00

Mom found this comic in Monday's paper... its the Cathy Comic and she claims that I use similar techniques when she and Daddy go out without me...

I would NEVER do such a thing! hehe

2007-07-16T08:03:00.000-04:00

A lady was at the dog park yesterday taking pictures of us doggies while we were playing... she got some neat shots of me. What's interesting is that she sent me two copies of one photo- one in black and white and one in color. It's amazing how different the two photos look even though they are the same shot. Which do you prefer? Mom says she likes the black & white.

2007-07-13T14:57:00.000-04:00

It's Friday the 13th... does a black cat lying in my path count as bad luck too?Licensed?
I'm licensed in the county we live in, but I saw in this catalog that Mommy got in the mail last week that you could get a doggie driver's license. I want one. I would get a card to carry with me and Mom would get one to carry with her. Then I would be way super cool.

2007-07-12T09:47:00.001-04:00

Attacked by a cat... oh the shame!!! What's a sheltie to do when he is so embarassed??! My sister beat me up last night and I don't exactly know why... she just up and jumped on me!! At least she wasn't making the "Maddie Death Noise" that she uses when she goes after my friend Cujo. That's when you know she really means business!! She may look all innocent in her pictures but she's a B-A-D kitty!!

The fam was hanging out in the living room and Maddie got her deranged look and pounced on me... so I went and hid under the kitchen table AND SHE FOLLOWED ME!! So I naturally did what any brave dog would do... I hid behind my Mommy. But Maddie was relentless in her pursuit... Mom and Dad didn't help much, they were laughing the entire time. It wasn't a laughing matter, this was serious drama! I mean what if the other dogs find out about this! This could be seriously damaging to my sheltie reputation. I mean this could jeopardize my cat-cat-cat patrols in the parking lot! Gasp! Those cats might find out and not be scared of me! Oh- that would be so not cool. Not cool at all.

2007-07-10T13:57:00.000-04:00

The thermometer hit 100 degrees yesterday and was supposed to hit close to 100 again today though this time with the addition of humidity. Blehck!!! I'm hoping doggie daycare will set out a pool for us to play in, thats GREAT fun! My human cousins Christopher & Dylan got their very own plastic pool yesterday. My Mom-Mom bought it for them and almost had to buy one from Petsmart because almost no store in her town stocked the actual kiddie ones. Shows how loved us doggies are, store stock pools for us but don't have any for the human kiddies.
My Uncle Diesel has his own pool too... here's a pic of me from the past, staring into Uncle Diesel's pool wishing my little sheltie legs would let me hop in...
All this pool ownership has me thinking that I should get my own pool... I'd only need a small one, I bet I could find one that would fit on the deck of our condo. Then our building would have a regular water park, there's the big community pool (no dogs allowed though...boo!), our downstairs neighbor's hot tub and my wading pool. How cool would that be??!! I would even share it with the Maddie Cat... I bet she'd like a pool too! (Note from Stormy's Mom: Stormy isn't going to get a pool, that's what we purchased the season pass to the doggie beach/park for... And despite Stormy's argument I'm 100% sure that Maddie Cat is not interested in a wading pool).

2007-07-08T20:25:00.000-04:00

Today was a scorcher but I know how to cool off! Just take a dip in the pool at my uncle's house! We visited him for my cousin's fourth birthday, so there was cake for eating too! Though all I really cared about were the kiddies in the pool... I was sneaky... I climbed the pool ladder and I hopped on a floaty and dog paddled my way out to them (all without Mommy noticing!) What a sneaky sheltie I am!

Here I am on my floaty, this time with Mom's supervision.

2007-07-06T21:49:00.000-04:00

Brokeback Sheltie

Mom watched the movie "Brokeback Mountain" and was not impressed. She wanted to know what all the fuss was about. Then we found this video on YouTube and laughed our tails off!! I know it's wrong to laugh at one's true love, but you just can't help it sometimes!!

2007-07-05T07:16:00.000-04:00

My long distance doggie friend Katy posted this on her blog, she found it on this awesome blog by Nanook and Pooka and I just had to join in! Us shelties can't be left out!!

1. Your age?

3 years, 2 months and 2 days. I was born on May 2, 2004.
2. Your age when came to live with your people?
I was an 8 week old ball of fluff that was so small they couldn't find a collar that wouldn't slip over my head.

3. What color is the collar you’re wearing right now?

Red leather, with my Cougar Pooch and Canine Good Citizen tags.
4. Who is your favorite person other than the people you live with?

That would be my Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop, they live on a farm so I get to play outside with my Uncle Diesel and my cousin Bubba. Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop spoil me, they feed me bread and if I look especially cute I might be able to snag cookies, cheese or other goodies. Last time I visited Mom- Mom gave me ice cream! After my grandparents its the people at Dogwood Acres, they are so fun when I go to doggie daycare!
5. How much do you weigh?

According to my vet, 27. 6 pounds.
6. Most expensive thing you’ve ever chewed up?

Hmm... wasn't much of a chewer. I did chew up a pair of Mom's underwear and I destroyed the laces on Dad's work shoes the first time he came to spend the night at our place (it was a test to see just how much he loved my Mommy).
7. Do you like other Dogs?

I do! Especially if they like to play chase, I love to herd. And I act as a referee when there are wrestling matches at the doggie park.
8. Who is your best non-human friend?

That would be Bangs, he's an Icelandic Sheepdog. He's great fun, we play chase in the grassy area by the condos and play fetch together at the dog park. He's way cool.
9. Squeaky Toys or Tennis Balls?

Tennis Balls! I LOVE to chase balls, if I see one I must grab it. MUST grab it. Get it! Get it! Oh sorry, got carried away. Squeaky toys are fun for tugging but I love chasing balls and shoving them around with my nose.
10. Do you like to be brushed?

Having a fluffy coat like I do means lots of brushing and furmination. I also need the hair on my feets trimmed because I get these funny tufts of hair between my toes. Do I like it? Meh. The brushing is alright so long as it doesn't last too long and the trims are pretty good cause I get a belly rub when I'm done.
11. Peanut Butter or Cheese?

Oh dear, do I have to choose? If forced to make a decision I'd have to go with cheese... Mmmm cheesy bites of goodness....
12. Do your people cut your toenails?

Yup! My Mom does it at least once a month. I've even had my nails dremeled? Mr.Sam who has a sheltie named Darby filed my nails once with his dremel tool. It tickled and I kept wiggling my foot but I did have some spiffy looking nails afterwards!!
13. Any formal education?

I'm an honor student at Greenbelt Dog Training, finished first in my class :o) I've even earned two formal obedience titles from the AKC- Canine Good Citizen and Rally Novice.
14. Couch potato or Energizer Bunny?

After a day at Dogwood Acres I'm a total couch potato but let me see a cat cat cat, show me a ball or take me to the doggie park and its time to PLAY! When I get super excited I herd furniture and chase my tail.
15. Five nicknames your people call you.

Stinkus, Stinks, Baby Dog, Steamy, MeMe
16. What is your best trick?

My best trick? Well I just learned how to roll over on command and I am working on mastering the shake. My neatest trick is stealing the kitty food from on top of the table when the parentals leave me at home (evil sheltie grin)
17. Do you like kitties?

Yes, but not cat cat cats. You see Maddie is a kitty, she's my sister and we have great fun wrestling and tormenting each other in general. Cat cat cats live outside in out parking lot and must be chased whenver spotted.
18. What did you have for breakfast?

1/4 cup of Nutro Chicken and Oatmeal dry, 1/4 cup Nutro Dental Care dry and some frozen green beans and carrots.

19. Can you hunt (aka have you ever killed anything living)? If so, what?

I stalk birds and my Pop-Pop wants to take me goose hunting to see if I'll retrieve one. But I must admit I am more of a herder than a hunter.
20. When & why was the last time you went to the V.E.T.?

June 11th I went to the vet to have my teeth cleaned, they don't call me Stinkus for nothing! My breath was kickin'! I was pronounced a healthy pup and sent home with prescription toothpaste.
21. Where do you sleep at night?

Depends on several factors- Is it REALLY hot? Then I sleep in the bathroom wedged up against the toilet where its nice n cool. Most days I sleep on my bed that is on the floor by the foot of Mom and Dad's bed that is unless Maddie steals my bed in which case I go and sleep on the floor on Mom's side of the bed.
22. Do you like to swim?
I do! I do! I'm a wader. But if its hot and I'm all excited I've been known to jump off of breakers to take a dip. If Mom paddles away on her kayak without me I will follow her out into the water. And once I did a somersault into the deep end of my Aunt Marcy and Uncle Jeff's pool trying to herd my cousins...
23. Can you make puppies?
Nope! This bachelor plans on being child free so he can travel the world!
24. Your favorite place to visit?

Let's see- there's my Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop's cause there are always tons of fun adventures for me on the farm, Dogwood Acres cause its always a party and my daycare friends are AWESOME and the doggie park/beach because I can run wild and bark!
25. Do you give kisses?

When I'm in the mood I do, but I'm always in the mood to lick your feet when you get out of the shower...

2007-07-02T10:57:00.000-04:00

Hey ya'll!

Haven't typed in a while, my paws have been busy busy!! We've been having some nice summer weather here in Maryland lately and I'm loving it! Yea we've had a good bit of the searing heat that this sheltie HATES but we have also had quite a few nights where it gets nice n cool and we can sleep with the windows open. Ahhh...

Well, the month of July has arrived and it's shaping up to be a busy sheltie month! Ok, so a lot of months are busy sheltie months but this one is special because I have a dog show coming up! Bark! Bark! The county fair in the Great KC is later this month and Mom entered me in showmanship and sub novice obedience. Sub- novice? I am so not sub-novice! But Mom reminded me what happened last time I was on the fairgrounds (I was afraid of the pigs...) and she said that she would rather have me do all on leash stuff this go round. Ok, so I see her point. And for the record I wasn't all that scared of the pigs... I just don't like the idea of ham on the hoof... I much prefer it on my plate!

Speaking of other funness... I am featured on my breeder's homepage! Fun stuff I say! AND... when you check out Diamond Hill's Kennel you'll also get to see my brother Tyler. We don't look alike at all... but you can tell we're brothers because of our floppy tongues! Wonder what it would be like if we ever met up with each other at the dog park... think he would remember me? While you are visiting their site check out my Dad... his name is Jordan and he looks like me! Or do I look like him? But if you scroll down to his pedigree you will see who I most look like... my grandad- Soccer (or shall I say Ch Oak Crest A Kick In The Grass?)!

2007-05-31T08:16:00.000-04:00

I've been Furminated! I'm a sheltie, I shed a lot. Yea so I leave clumps of fur on the carpet sometimes, but so does the cat!! Mom has been doing some research on deshedding brushes... she bought a knockoff brand from Bed, Bath & Beyond last year to put in Maddie's Christmas stocking and it worked fairly well but not as well as she had hoped. Well she graduated to the Furminator- the original deshedding tool. It arrived in an Amazon.com box yesterday (they have the cheapest prices on Furminators & free shipping!) and Mom decided to try it out on me. In about 45 minutes we groomed a little over half my body and the picture below shows what we accomplished... Mom's happy and I'm happy because my coat is a bit lighter, cooler and a good bit more shiny! Bark! Bark!

2007-05-25T14:08:00.000-04:00

Still waiting on results from my final classes in the Virtual Sheltie show... I hope I win some ribbons even if they are electronic ones. At least electronic ones can be posted on my blog! My Rally Obedience ribbons are hanging on the "Sheltie Wall of Fame" in Mom and Dad's office. Not only am I the subject of a newspaper article, I also have my own Wall of Fame! How sweet is that?! My ribbons, and my certificates for my Canine Good Citizen and Rally Novice titles along with Basic Obedience diploma all hang on that wall with my Qualifying Ribbons, a "win" photo from the day I earned my first Rally title and a pair of sheltie prints. Neat, huh? I must be special or something...

Speaking of somethings- it's Memorial Day weekend! That means a trip to the Shore to visit the grandparents, my cousins and the rest of my family! And that always lots of fun! Last time I went to the farm I got to play with the horse and go down the slide with my cousins. They think I'm super cool and they share their chicken nuggets and cookies with me :o)I hope that everyone has a great weekend planned for themselves that involves at least some sort of fun activity.

You can bet this little sheltie has big adventures coming down the road...

2007-05-23T18:22:00.000-04:00

Celebrity Sheltie?

I guess that means all the "chicks" will recognize me now...

I sent a letter to the local paper and next thing you know I'm the subject of an entire article! How cool is that?! I personally think its super way cool. Mom says she's working on linking it to my page here, so that all my friends can read it.

So what's up in my world? As mentioned in the article I won best dancing dog at the MRE's Dog Day Afternoon! Talk about a barking good time, but I can't take all the credit for my dancing skills... I learned them at Greenbelt Dog Training! Yup! I took obedience classes there (loved them too!) and once I graduated from basic obedience I started taking Canine Freesyle classes. You should try it sometime! Bark! Bark!

And... I found out that I won a ribbon in the Virtual Sheltie Show for a photo I submitted from the MRE Bridge Run! Check it out right here! I'm entered in a couple more classes in that show... so I'll keep you posted on the results!

The article also enlightened me to the fact that Maddie Cat is a gasp! CAT! Yipes! My sister is a cat! Wait a minute... I knew that... she just isn't a "catcatcat" so she's cool to hang out with, aside from being my big sister and all. The article asked if Maddie Cat joins me at my cat lookout post... as a matter of fact she does and I've got photographic proof! Here we are keeping watch over our domain from our lofty lookout perch... talk about an awesome team! Not much gets by us!

We even have a team uniform- black and white!

And For those of you who wanted You Tube Videos... You got 'em!

Maddie & I Wrestling...

Dancing Skills!

2007-05-02T10:26:00.000-04:00

Who wants to be the first to sing 'Happy Birthday' to me?

Cause today- I'm Three!!

Mom and I celebrated my birthday this morning with a trip to Chick-fil-A for Tater Rounds & a Chicken Mini sammich. Tonight, Pop's and I are gonna have a guy's night and hang out on the deck and drink beers (I have a new brew to try out- its called Bowser Beer, bet it's AWESOME!).

Bark! Bark!

2007-04-30T15:02:00.000-04:00

Fluff = Fun

Therefore, more fluff = more fun!

That's sheltie math and that's awesome! This is one tired little sheltie typing to you today, my fluffy self spent the weekend spreading sheltie love across two counties in good old Maryland. First, we went back to my puppy stomping grounds, University of Maryland, I was welcomed back with lots of pats, back stratches, hugs and part of a hot dog. Man was life good.

I represented University of Maryland as an honorary ambassador for the College of Ag and wowed some of the crowd with my tail chasing and spinning skills. They were way impressed. I almost nabbed some little kid's lollipop but Mom caught me... dang! I was feeling the need for some sugar! The chicks were digging me on Saturday too, those sorority girls can't resist coming to spend some time with a dog like me... must be my beautiful brown eyes....

My boy Cujo came for an overnight visit that night, we had a grand time playing chase and stealing chewies from each other. We were up bright and early on Sunday to hit the park for the Walk for the Animals. Time to pour out some more of that sheltie charm... I came home with a whole tote bag of toys, treat samples and a bandanna from my most favorite playplace EVER - Dogwood Acres. Yup, I was sporting the hunter green bandanna. I was representing my peeps from Dogwood Acres, especially my man Batman. I was looking good. Life was good! The whole weekend was AWESOME!

And the best part??

Mom snagged me some doggie beer to sample on my birthday- I'll be legal on Wednesday you know... 3 dog years = 21 people years!

Bark! Bark!

2007-04-26T11:40:00.000-04:00

Life is good in my Sheltie World!

The weather is warming up and though that means non-sheltie friendly weather (hot and humid) is just around the corner but I don't care cause its warm and warm weather means lots more adventures! This Sunday we are headed to the SPCA's Walk for the Animals, if you're there look for the prancing tri-colored sheltie accompanied by a sable sheltie pup and a silky terrier and that will be me! Yup, I'm introducing my sheltie friend Joey and my terrier friend Cujo to the funness of the SPCA Walk... wonder if they'll hop in the doggie pool with me??

Last weekend was the first blast of warm air and I celebrated by falling into the frog pond thats by my grandparent's house. We were out with on a walk with my cousin Christopher and there was this frog sitting on the bank so I just HAD to sniff him. Well he made a funny noise and jumped in the water and I leaned just a little too far over the edge looking for him.... plop! Soaked sheltie!

Mom laughed at me but it was so not funny... I got my payback when she had to ride back to Naptown with a sheltie that smelled like a frog! Ha ha ha!

Paybacks are heck though cause on Tuesday she made me take a bath at daycare.... booo! But I do like how soft and shiny my fur is now!

2007-04-24T08:22:00.000-04:00

What a great comic! A sheltie favorite!

2007-02-28T16:29:00.000-05:00

So Mom and Dad bought me a new treat this past weekend, it was called the Pedigree Super Chew. Sounded yummy enough and according to the package it was "the healthy, long-lasting chew with a delicious outer layer and rich meaty center dogs love. Unlike tennis shoes and table legs, PEDIGREE® Super Chew is a treat that’s highly digestible and nutritionally complete." Can't get much better than that right? Mom and Dad figured they'd get me the large dog one, so it would last me longer. Looking back it was a bad idea but the directions aren't clear. I consumed the whole thing in one night. Should I have used restraint? Probably but it was so, so yummy!

Anyway, I got an upset tummy. Very upset tummy and have been dealing with such for the last three days... granted I snacked on some "unmentionables" at the barn while visiting Buttercup so that is probably to blame as well. BUT- the whole deal started with this Super Chew and I wanted to get the word out that you should follow the package directions... just like you should for Greenies!

As for me, there will be no more sampling of Super Chews or their cousins the Pedigree Jumbones (I throw up everytime I eat those, even when Mom follows the package directions or even gives me less than recommended!) So remember- read those packages!! Mommy and I learned our lesson!

2007-02-12T13:52:00.000-05:00

Mommy and I plan on watching at least part of the Westminster Kennel Club judging tonight, though we won't be nearly as excited as we will be tomorrow (the herding group is judged on Tuesday). We'll be cheering for the shelties!

My great-grandpop won Best of Breed at Westminster in 1999 and 2000... he's a pretty cool dog. His name is Ch. Shadow Hill's Air Force One but they call him Boomer.

I'd like to show at Westminster, but Mom says its only for the dogs that complete in breed classes... I don't do that but if they held obedience classes I'd want in! Even if I can't make it there I'll still be barking encouragement to my sheltie cousins, go shelties! Take the Herding Group and go on to Best In Show!

I'm following the breed classes so far and I thought I'd post the winners of my friends' breeds so they could see if they have any Champions in their family tree!

First up- The Newfies! The Best of Breed winner is:

Ch Pouch Cove's Head Of State

Sire: Ch Darbydale's All Rise Pouch Cove

Dam: Ch Pouch Cove Casts Its Vote

Stay tuned on updates for more breeds!

2007-01-31T21:20:00.000-05:00

Another neat pic of me doing what shelties do best.... playing chase! And yup thats my flying squirrel toy in midair about to hit Mommy as she snaps the picture!

2007-01-22T17:12:00.000-05:00

Portrait of a Stormy Dog... it was a sunny 70 degrees the other day and Mom snapped this picture of me... I think I'm a pretty handsome sheltie don't you think?

2007-01-04T22:09:00.000-05:00

Hope that everyone had a happy holiday! You are reading the blog of a sheltie who had a WONDERFUL holiday. I got lots n lots of great toys including this awesome pillow from my pal Max in Walla Walla. He loves pillows too and he's got great taste! It's wonderful to snuggle with and combines my two favorite colors- red and green! Can't get much better than that!

Mommy, Daddy and I had a lot of big adventures this holiday. We spent time with the family in The Great KC where I got to spend an afternoon exploring the farm with my Uncle Diesel and my buddy Cujo. It was great fun until Cujo and I got a bit to excited about chasing birds and ended up covered in burrs. Not the best thing for my sheltie coat, after the clean up process Mommy mentioned that she now knows why a lot of field hunting dogs have short coats...

Guess you gotta pay when you play... so I had to sacrifice some of my coat hair for an afternoon of fun, it was well worth it! At least they didn't have to use the horse clippers to remove the burrs on me like they had to on Cujo!

2006-12-18T15:57:00.000-05:00

Tell Santa Paws that I have been a VERY good sheltie this year, especially when compared to the Maddie Cat who has been knocking ornaments off the tree and chewing on the branches. What she does that for is beyond me... its not real! It doesn't even smell real, I gave it the sniff test and it failed the pine scent sniff test miserably... But she does it anyway.... oh well, I guess thats why Mommy and Daddy refer to her as Crazy Kitty. I can't believe that it doesn't have anything to do with her early morning windsprints through the condo and her freakish staring at blank walls... but she's my sister and even if she is spashul I still love her.
But back to the task at hand... for those last minute shoppers or early birthday shoppers (my birthday is May 2!) I have an awesome gift idea- squirrels! Yes they have these fun little squirrels stuffed in a tree trunk that you are supposed to pull out. A perfect job for a sheltie like me, I have the nose for it! It even says you can stuff some of my favorite treats inside for even more fun!! How cool is that?! Just a hint!

2006-12-15T08:46:00.000-05:00

Season's Greenies!

So the people who make the yummy Greenies for my tummy sent Mom and I a neato e-card. Every star in the sky is someone's wish and you can add your own. Pretty neat stuff! I think I'll go add mine right now...
Greenies e-Card

2006-12-11T11:21:00.000-05:00

Mommy says "Fear The Turtle!"

Daddy says "Go Cougs!"

One says vote for Testudo, you were raised a Terps fan! The other says vote for Butch cause you're a Cougar pooch- your collar tag says so!

I say- is there a write in option??? Cause I'm voting for a sheltie!

If you want to join in and watch Testudo & Butch battle it out visit:

http://capitalonebowl.com/Voting/Default.aspx

2006-12-08T15:19:00.000-05:00

Brrr!!! It's gotten quite chilly around here in Maryland. They said there were supposed to be flurries last night, but we didn't see any. Oh well... there's still plenty of winter left and I'll be happy so long as I get the chance to romp in the snow at least once this year! I was a happy sheltie when I walked outside last night, happy that I had my thick furry coat to keep me warm! The ground was a bit cold on my feets but I could handle it.

Bring on the cold weather Old Man Winter!! This sheltie is ready for it!

The parentals on the other hand are not so thrilled to be out in the windy cold! Last night was one of those great sheltie nights when the wind is blowing, the wind is cold and exciting scents are in the air! They told me to hurry up but I got to meander anyway cause we had to trek to the mailbox... hehe.

2006-11-29T16:16:00.000-05:00

My friends had their first snow of the year! I am terribly jealous! I can't wait for the first snow here so that I can chase the sledders down the hill like I did last year or go on snowy hikes with Mommy and Daddy. Those are the best times!! Once we went on a hike and I had to protect them from an evil scarecrow... Mom caught my heroics on video, I'll get her to post it on You Tube for all to see!

But the overall bestest best part about snow is that I get to work on my "snow beard"!

2006-11-28T11:25:00.000-05:00

My parents are currently very proud of themselves for 'winning' Battle Cat Food... Mom has even taken the chance to tell the world on her blog.... But I am posting to let them know that they may have won the fight but they haven't won the war... I still have some trickery sheltie moves up my sleeves and I have plenty of time at Dogwood Acres to discuss plans of attack with my fellow doggie friends... you haven't heard the last from me! You've been warned!
*love you mom and dad!* :o)
I have a busy week coming up, I am having my photos done on Friday! Mom also says I am getting a bath that day... ewww!!! But I will be sure to smile pretty for the camera, and maybe even come up with another awesome photo to put on my profile. We shall see. But I will make sure that my photo appears front and center in our Christmas cards... so be on the lookout for them! I KNOW they will be in there because how could my parents exclude such a beautiful boy like me from the cards?? hmmm? That's right! They can't cause I am too cute!

2006-11-21T08:56:00.000-05:00

Since our friend The Evolutionary Pyschologist posted her Christmas Wish List I felt the need to post mine. I certainly hope that Santa Paws will read this so that he will know what I want... I been such a good sheltie this year!

Shetland Sheep : Yes, the real critters. I am a sheepdog you know and how can I reach my full potential without sheep for me to herd? They are darn cute too, just like myself! A small herd would be nice, then I could practice my skills and wow the world with my herding prowess. The one small problem with this Christmas wish is that sheep aren't good condo dwellers and I don't know if Mommy and Daddy would be able to convince the condo board that the sheep would make better grass mowers than the landscapers that already work here... so I guess I would be willing to settle for one of these adorable plush sheepies.

Greenies: We all know what these are! I LOVE THEM!! I would bark with joy if a greenie or two found its way into my Christmas Stocking!

Chuck It Toys: They aren't just ball throwers any more! They have a line of plush Chuck It toys....and I think they are great! I already have two sizes of the non-plush chuck it squirrel but I would love to welcome the plush version to my toy basket! The boomerang looks totally awesome too!

Tug Toys: I love to play tug, so if its a toy that says you can play tug with it then I am all about it! Bring 'em on!