Out & About

Took Zack to one of our favourite walking spots the other day.   The grass is lovely and green now with all the spring rains.

I never get tired of the coulees in spring...

Walkin walkin walkin

Time for a break.....

Hot dawg.....

It was a great walk - although Zacky almost disappears in the long grass at times :)

My Name is Lisa, and I am a Collaraholic

OK, I have been doing well in rehab but unfortunately fell off the wagon again recently and had to break down and buy Zack this spiffy new collar.   I just love it.

from every angle  :)

A Big Decision

The last time Deuce went home I shed a tear or two.  

After many months of weighing up the pros and cons we have finally decided to look at adopting a little rescue  dog to add to our family and keep Zack company.   We are taking our time to find the right fit and may foster one first.    I am excited, nervous all at the same time but I think Zack will love it to have a friend forever instead of only for a week here and there.

It will be an opportunity to put my training to the test again as I am sure any rescue has "some baggage" which may need to be worked with.    

I have my eye on a little dog that comes from a hoarding situation which is really sad and she looks like she needs some TLC and some confidence building.   It is a draw to me as my old Cavalier Cassie that I took in as a 4 year old came from a similar situation and was very scared of people and shy.  She would have panic attacks when we went for a walk but she settled down well.   My other Cavalier Riley that I had at the time was so outgoing and friendly to everyone Cassie soon realized that people and the world was not a bad place. He helped her out lots.

Hopefully, Zack being like Riley,  would help the new dog through her transition period.   Anyways, I hope we do manage to foster her and see if we can help.    We have put in an application, just not sure if we are one of many who applied.

I will keep you posted.

Another Day Out - Episode 2

Whenever we caught a fish Deuce was up and wanted to see what all the excitement was about

We caught quite a few rainbow trout - they are such beautiful fish with lovely colours but we always release them back into Police Lake.

This fish was not so lucky.   We saw a pair of loons swim by and we couldn't believe our eyes when one of them caught a fish as big as the loon itself almost and started to try and swallow it like a pelican. We thought at first he would never get it down as he was struggling and didn't have the big beak or pouch like a pelican

but the bird managed after a few minutes of manoeuvring his head.   It was amazing it fit... really it was something to see.  

I love Police Lake Provincial park because of the wildlife.   We always see the pair of nesting bald eagles which were there again with newly hatched chicks but we didn't get too close so not to disturb.  However, this was the first time we saw a pair of ospreys there.   The photo is quite far away but this one actually had a fish in his talons.   The dogs enjoy watching all the things that go on around them out there that they don't see in a normal given day.   It's a treat for all.

Back on land we visited with our friends who were camping.   Zacky was waiting patiently while we got the food ready and was wondering where his was.

We went for a short hike from the campground with the dogs so they could stretch their (and my) legs and actually where I am standing is the US border.  Behind me (you can't see it) is a monument.   Zack and Deuce had a blast going through all the undergrowth and bushes.   We kept our eyes peeled for bears but as it was a long weekend there were quite a few people about so I think it kept them away - thank goodness!!

It was a great day out.  When I call the dogs, I have now found myself saying "come here boys" - it sounds good :)

Another Day Out (Episode 1)

Yesterday we decided to load up the dogs and ourselves and head off to Police Lake Provincial Park again to do a bit of fishing and visit with friends who are camping out there for the long weekend.   The weather forecast was not so good but luckily we never got rained on all day.   It was cool and overcast but on the whole we were very lucky.   Had a great day fishing, a bit of hiking, visited with friends and saw lots of wildlife.   Here is just a "little bit" of our day out:

First thing the dogs knew something was up with all the packing and getting the car ready.   They were keen to get going just like us.   

Once we got there, Zacky was watching Pete's every move as he got the fishing gear ready for boat.



I got the dogs out and we hung out in the parking lot picnic area while we waited.  It was quite cool early in the morning but the dogs didn't seem to mind too much.   I however had about 10 layers of clothes on and looked like the michelin man!!!

Zack has had his photo taken at this spot many times (you may have seen it in my prior posts) but Deucy Doo hadn't.   He is such a sweet boy who turns 12 next month so I had to get a picture.   It's hard to believe that Zack's buddy is getting on a bit now.    We have noticed he gets a bit stiff if he overdoes it so we don't let them play as much any more but Deuce still enjoys his walks and getting out.

Deuce's mum told us that Deuce had never been on a boat before so we thought to be safe we better get a life vest for him too.   Luckily out neighbour who owns Paisley the poodle let us borrow her lifevest.  It fit Deuce perfectly albeit it was VERY pink but we didn't tell Deuce it was pink!! LOL

Zack being the seasoned fisherdog showed Deuce the ropes.

Deucy Doo loved every minute of it.   

Zacky taught him well ---- who me?  

Zack loves to look out and check out the birds that were everywhere.   We were very lucky to come across bald eagles, ospreys, kingfishers and loons yesterday.   It was pretty awesome.   I will post about that tomorrow.

Deuce loved to sit on deck and keep an eye on things too.   He is much more inquisitive about the fish than Zack.   Zack is not amused when we catch a fish but Deuce is all keen to check it out.   Night and day it's so funny.

It was pretty chilly at times on the boat if the wind got up so I was glad we had blankets for everyone to snuggle in including the dogs.   

I am so glad we decided to take Deuce with us.   He was no trouble in the boat and it was an experience he has now had in his life  - may be it was on his bucket list LOL?!!

After a good day of catching trout, it was back to the boat launch for the day to warm up,  visit with friends and do a bit of hiking.   Til next time.....

Heeee's Baaack

Deucy Doo is back to stay for a week

Zack is one happy boy

I haven't blogged for so long we had snow the last time I did.   I figured I would make up for it and blog twice in one day!!!!

New Member

It finally came in the mail and now Zacky is a new member of the BT Posse (Border Terrier Posse)

He wears his badge proudly :)

Weird Weekend

After a rough night on Friday / early Saturday morning we ended up with Zack at the vets again and to cut a long neverending story short, he has now been put on predisone to see if this will help prevent these painful bouts from coming back.    It was a decision we made after alot of thought and discussion seeing there could be side effects long term but it our goal to wean Zacky's dose down over time then the chances of side effects are alot less.  He just can't go on having these bouts so we thought it was for the best at this time.

Zack had a good night last night and ate this morning and seems alot better so all is good today.   EXCEPT we have about a foot of snow in the back garden and it is still coming down.    We are under a snowfall warning and they aren't kiddin.    On the bright side it is that lovely warm snow if that makes any sense.  A bugger to shovel but you don't freeze your butt off doing it!!!

Zack had trouble getting round the garden you can see some spots that were deeper than he was tall.

He didn't care though he was happy to get some fresh air  and push his way through the snow after being cooped up yesterday in the house.

At times he looked like a little snowman  :)

a foot of snow doesn't keep Zacky from rummaging 

WHO ME?

The funniest is when he comes in the the house the  snow melts off him and he is all wet then he acts like he has just come out of the bath and zooms round the house like a mad thing..... no matter what, he is always able to put a smile of my face.   He is just the cutest.

Great Gift

Zack gotta new toy from his buddy Deuce for showing him such a good time while his mum went on holidays, I think Zack's new Zebra Kong was a hit...

literally, Zack kept whacking himself in the ribs with it!!!!  It doesn't seem to phase him tho he still keeps on giving it the death shake.    He plays by himself alot like this and I never get tired of watching him -   he's so funny.

Thanks Duecy Doo for such a great gift.

On the Way Home

I never get tired of the scenery we drive past - it is always different depending on the time of year.

We stopped to check out more lakes on the way home and this one was open and you could smell the fish.   A fisherman just came out of the water while we were there.   Zack was checking for leftovers not to eat but to roll in LOL!!

There were newborn calves everywhere in lots of the farmers fields.   Soooo cute.   I just wanted to go and cuddle um - not sure the mama range cow would appreciate that tho - and no, I didn't grow up on a farm and have no cow sense - but it does'nt hurt to think "what if I could", especially when the little one looks back at you like this one did.   Zack couldn't care less about the cows - he was probably thinking...mmm dinner.

The grass still hasn't turned green yet but it is starting to and Zack was well into snuffling through all the grass and bushes to check things out.    The gophers tho are out with a vengeance and chirping everywhere.

This is what drives Zack into a trance.   He is not like a normal terrier that charges and tries to catch them (which is good).   He stands and listens to the chirping and stalks the ones he sees - by the time he thinks of running they have popped down their holes in the ground again.   I don't mind it so funny to watch and the gophers always get away.

Travelling always makes for a tired Zacky.    After we got home I was up on the landing upstairs and looked down and caught Zack and Fat Cat on the mat at the bottom of the stairs.   Fat Cat saw me but Zack was out cold.

It was a quiet evening....:)

Easter Sunday Drive

This might be a long post..... just saying

Easter Sunday Pete, Zack and I went for a drive to the mountains to check out the lake situation for Pete's fishing on Monday as the fishing season was opening for those lakes.   On the way there we attended Church for Easter Sunday - well sort of - we stopped at this tiny historic church basically in the middle of nowhere.   I wish we knew it's history, it is very quaint and has it's own little grave yard.   Here is Zack at the front door.

and Zack closer up - the foundation of the church is rock

There is a little creek that crosses the churchyard before reaching the gravestones with a little footbridge.   Zack was having trouble sitting still on the bridge as the gophers were chirping all around him and he was so focused trying to see where they were LOL.

Once at Police Lake it looked like the lake was still iced up a little - especially round the boat launch - a bummer for Pete, but the majority of the lake was open water.

Zack kept watch on the jetty and then he got to sniff through all the rushes and check for critters round the edge of the lake

Big Chief Mountain was clouded over but later in the day the sun did come out - too bad my pictures don't show that.

We then decided to hike through the bush to the foot bridge across to the island where the water was open.   I hope you can see the footbridge on the photo below - that is where we were headed.

It was lovely until I saw this sign and then I started freaking out on the trail  as I could hear grunts and snorts in the bushes.    I haven't been that scared in forever - whether it was in my head or there was actually a bear there we will never know and I am glad I didn't have to find out.  I don't think Zack would protect us in any way he would probably think a bear was just another giant doggy pal to play with.

You have know idea how thankful I was to get out of the bush and into the open and onto the foot bridge.    There were two geese sitting on the rail honking at something - may be they saw the bear LOL!!!

You see Canada geese everywhere here but they are majestic when they take to flight.

I thought Pete had trained Zack well and he was looking for fish from the dock  just like Pete

but this is what Zack was after, he saw a ........mmmmmmm  muskrat -  I swear they look a bit like a miniature beaver - but so cute.

After walking back through the bush talking gibberish and singing loudly and sounding like someone who has escaped from the asylum we made it through the trail back to the car without any sign of the bear.  Note to self - bears come out of hibernation the end of March !!!!!

Once back at the car it was time to harness Zack back in his car seat and head to our next destination and then on home.   It was a great Easter Sunday tho.