Lazy Saturday

Zack had a very lazy Saturday he didn't get to go out for his usual walk because of the cold and I am trying to rest him a bit because of his weird hop. I don't think he minded too much as every time I looked around he was either sprawled over the couch, on the mat in front of the fire or on our bed.

Zacky took advantage that Fat Cat is shaped like a pillow.

But I don't think she minded too much.

Friggin Cold

Woke up this morning to a bit more snow and it is -20 degrees with a wind chill of - 30 degrees. Absolutely bloody awful, it is definitely a shock to the system. Zack certainly didn't hang about in the back garden this morning he just did his business and was back within 10 seconds!!! I reckon that must be a record. When he did come back in from being out in the cold it set off his zoomies he started tearing round the house shaking the devil out of his toy, pouncing on fat cat trying to get her to move (no such luck LOL), the whole nine yards but as soon as I said the word "breaky" his madness stopped and he was soon chowing down.

I don't think we will be taking Zacky too far today it's a good time to keep him in I reckon I am sure he won't mind.

Holidays Over

I am back at work today but have so enjoyed having the extra time this past week to take Zack for romps in the fields during the day rather than the normal roadwork after work because it is now dark. I think Zack has enjoyed it too. Here are just a few pictures from our Tuesday afternoon walk



as usual he is always on the hunt

he didn't find a bunny but he found a stick

as soon as I went to get it off him

he took off!!!!

Hop A Long

During our walk this morning with Paisley we noticed Zack was hopping along on his right hind leg on and off. He has occasionally done this since he was young and I have had his knee caps checked several times and have been advised they were just fine each time. It is weird as Zack is not lame, walks just fine, runs, jumps nothing seems to hurt, but he hops sporadically on that same leg only when we are out for a walk. It doesn't happen in the house. However today he was hopping more than usual so off we went to the vet again to make sure nothing else was going on. After a thorough exam Zack's knees were given the all clear but he was a little sore on the top of his right hind leg/ hip when she pushed he flinched. To cut a long story short Zack's vet thinks that he has a bit of an ache from where he had his bone marrow biopsy done when he was a sickly puppy (which thank god came back negative for leukaemia) she advised any time bones are messed with in any way it can cause aches in the future so she thinks that his odd hopping all this time and more today is from that. It certainly makes sense and the extra exercise he has been getting with me on holidays and the cold weather probably didn't help either - poor boy.

It is not serious but something we may have to live with and if it becomes really bad just give Zack some pain relief but for now just some R & R.

Oh No A Cold Front

The inevitable happened on Monday a cold front blew through, we had freezing temps, a skiff of snow and biting winds so it was time to bring out the winter woolies for our walk. Dam it.

Zack's new sweater is a little big but the next size down was too small and in any event it served the purpose and kept him warm and that's all that matters anyway I guess. This weekend we are supposed to get to a high of - 10 degrees and over night down to - 20 so I think winter has finally arrived.

Zack and I are now off for our morning walk with Paisley the Poodle and Constance from four doors down. It's about - 5 and windy right now so better bundle up again.

Popson Park - Back to the Car

On the way back to the car from the River I pulled out Zack's favourite toy, his little raspberry.

He was certainly ready for a game of fetch and was soon running back and forth



I had laid down on the ground to take some pictures of Zack playing fetch and while I was rolling around and making squeaky noises I heard "are you alright?". I turned and saw a couple looking down at me. I stood up quick, my face as red as a beet, and after they saw my camera and I explained myself we all laughed, but I am sure they thought I was having a seizure or something. Cor Blimey talk about embarrassing. I guess I better remember when we are at a public park there are people about!!!

Popson Park - The River

After Zack's earlier escapades with the dogs at Popson Park we continued with our walk down to the river passing some lovely gnarly trees on our way.

Once at the Oldman River Zack was in heaven


he scampered up and down the river banks for ages on the hunt to find little bunnies



then headed down to check out the River and all the smells along the shore

Luckily he didn't find anything dead or smelly to roll in this time. Phew.

Finally it was time to head back across the golden fields and make our way home.

Popson Park

This morning for Zack's walk I decided to take him somewhere different for a change. We went down to Popson Park in the river valley near where we live. It is truly beautiful down there at this time of year - everything is so golden.

We don't normally go down there because of the chance of running into a rattlesnake but this time of the year they are hibernating
and not out so it is good and safe.

After being on the trail for a while Zacky got mobbed by a pack of dogs - yep he is in the middle there - see his little leg. My heart sank for a split second

but all was fine as he soon popped out none the worse for wear

they actually were all lovely dogs and after a quick play session with the Golden Retriever

Zack came running back to me

and we continued on our walk down towards the river.

It's too bad there are not more little dogs at the dog parks as it seems Zack is always the smallest of the dogs I see and that is why we don't go too often as he has been bowled over too many times. Today however the dogs we met were fine and it was lovely to go somewhere different for a change.

Dodged Another Bullet

Last night there was a weather warning out for a winter storm with high winds, white out conditions and lots of snow so we were bracing for the worst this morning. So when I peeked out the window first thing to my surprise there was no snow or wind!!! There must have been a little rain but that was it. The forecast was wrong again!!!! Perfect.

With the grass in the garden being fresh and damp Zacky was full of spit and vinegar and he went totally bonkers with his balls and got the zoomies. It is unusual for this time of year to have the grass in the back garden so green as usually either the cold or snow has covered it up by now and turned it brown but I am not complaining it is lovely.

After his doolally session in the garden, I then I took Zack for my "run" (which is still a struggle but I am hanging in there) and then finished with a bit of a walk. He is now off with my hubby in the truck to get a Starbucks. Talk about the good life for Mr. Wiggles - but he is so worth it.

Time Off

Nothing much to say today other than I am off work and on holidays for a week!! Woo hoo.

I intend to spend extra time with Zacky and get in extra walks, paint, relax and just enjoy!!! I have been playing on the iMac and turned one of Zack's photos to black and white - not sure I like it but it is different and makes a change I guess.

A Champion Lost

I couldn't believe it when I heard the news that Eric Lamaze's horse Hickstead died suddenly of a heart attack in the ring at the World Cup in Italy. It is very very sad.

I couldn't imagine seeing it happen live right in front of me but that is the way it happened to lots of poor people and Eric Lamaze - there are just no words. I go to show jumping events all the time and have never seen such a thing.

In September Pete and I were at Spruce Meadows in Calgary where Eric Lamaze and Hickstead jumped and won everything. I am glad I took these photos while we were there as he truly was a great horse in the show jumping world.

Hickstead was a World Champion and Olympic Champion and I am sure was a horse in a lifetime for Eric Lamaze. Rest In Peace Hickstead.

Making the Most of It

Luckily the snow storm forecast for last Friday didn't amount to anything except a little skiff which was great but we know we are on borrowed time before the weather changes so every day we are making the most of our walks while we can.
There is not much green grass left in the fields anymore it is mostly brown and Zack does "blend in" which can be a problem

but on the whole it has been a great Fall and we have had lots of great walks although Zacky always manages to have a good roll in stinky unmentionable wildlife deposits before I can get to him little bugger. LOL.

Toofums

As Zack can't have rawhides or the like because of his iffy belly we give him these Nylabones. They look and feel like rock hard plastic to me and so unappealing but thank goodness Zacky loves them and he will knaw on the Nylabone for hours leaving pools of drool behind him and very wet whiskers.

When Zack was having a check up recently at the vets they asked if I gave him bones. I said "no" but I do give him Nylabones and then they showed me how great it had been working to knock off the tarter on his toofums. Zack's teeth were great and you could seriously see the tarter that had been scraped off!!! It's nice to come away from the vets with some good news for a change.

Flower Power

When the sun came out after a frosty couple of mornings Zacky was game for anything

He took great pleasure in running through my frozen flower bed and knocking off the dead flowers. The holly hocks were his favourite.

He would toss them around like a cat with a mouse and then eat it!!!!

New Toy

A face full of fun!!!!

New Portraits

I got two commissions from the Lethbridge Pet Expo that I thought I would share.

This little shih tzu had it's hair clipped short while the other one was left long.

They were fun to paint.

The "W" Word

I can't believe it is coming but there is nothing we can do about it. WINTER. We had a reminder of what is to come the other morning when we were greeted with a few flurries. You either love it or hate it. I love the snow but don't like the cold and ice that comes along with it. Time just never stays still and it just seemed like yesterday that flowers were just coming up in the garden.

and Zack was enjoying lounging on the patio chair

and in the summer heat running through the long green grass


Snow is forecast for Friday but hopefully it won't get this deep so early in the season

or so cold that Zack has to wear his coat and boots to keep him from freezing when it is minus 20 degrees outside.

We will have to wait, watch and see, and keep all fingers and paws crossed that our first bout of winter weather will not pack too much of a punch.

Nope

No, No, No, No, No, No I will NOT open my eyes!!!!!