Bunnies In the Garden

My garden is growing more than tomatoes this year. We have a whole litter of bunnies! I found them in a hole, just moments after they were born. Tiny, pink, and hairless with their ears plastered against their heads. At first I thought I found a nest of mice!

The next day, they were buried under a mound of bunny fur, all comfy and cozy. I was careful not to touch the nest, but I couldn't resist peeking under the bunny fur blanket by lifting it with a stick. They already had fur! The "blanket" grew bigger and bigger, bunny fur knitted with dry grasses.

And day by day the little bunnies grew. There ears got bigger and their hair thicker with white spots.

Then one day when I went to peek at them, one little bunny hopped out of the nest! Without touching him, I scooted him back in his nest and covered up the hole. The next day, all of them were gone. And I never did see the mamma bunny.

And through all of this, Wilma and Kramer didn't realize that there were bunnies right in their own back yard!

Beating the Heat

It's been very hot summer in Michigan. Wilma and Kramer have been cooling off in the pool almost every day. Kramer has actually walked up the the steps and stood there until I bring him in (he won't go in by himself). He's gotten very comfortable floating around on the raft.

Of course Wilma is still a little fish. And she dives into the pool like a pro! I just wish she would dive like that from the Ultimate Air Dog dock.

We took off for South Haven one day, to spend the day on Lake Michigan. We had the dog beach all to ourselves for a short while. Sun and sand, that's the life!

Woofstock

This past weekend Wilma and I traveled to Kalamazoo to compete in the Ultimate Air Dogs competition at Woofstock, a fundraising event for the SPCA.

Wilma wore her groovy bandana.

It was a hot 90+ degrees and sunny! But there were several Doggie Oasises with kiddie pools and plenty of water and even a misting station.

Wilma did much better with her diving this time....not in distance (she still only did 3 ft 10 in), but she jumped in much quicker. She ran up to the edge of the dock like she was going to fly in....but then she stopped and looked down, then looked back at me. I said "Go get it!" and then she jumped in. The secret is her new toy....it's a floating treat holder! She'll do anything for food!

Bark for Life

Last weekend was the first annual Jackson Bark For Life, part of the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. The event was held in Cascades Park in Jackson. Kramer and I worked a booth for Therapy Dogs, International. We passed out TDI information brochures and testing requirements. We also had some doggie treats to lure the pups in, some dog stickers for the kids, and licorice sticks for the kids at heart.
























The event included a walk around the park with doggie games and contests afterwards.

Kramer was happy to see Jennifer and Flurry at the event. The bobbed for hot dogs

and tried their paws on the agility course.

Kramer's Fancy Do

Kramer's regular groomer was booked until mid-August and we couldn't wait that long. So we tried a new place where the groomer used to show standard poodles. She wanted to give Kramer more of a show look, so I said OK.

So here is the outcome....shaved body and puffy legs! I kind of like it. What do you think?

Harvard the Leader Dog

Another puppy from Wilma's first litter has a job! Harvard, Mr. Yellow, has graduated from Leader Dogs For the Blind. He is working as a guide dog for Susan.

Here he is as a fuzzy little pup......











.
And here he is all grown up!


Congratulations to puppy raiser Ron for giving Harvard a great start!

Chi Reunion

It's been 9 months since the Dearborn Animal Shelter rescued 105 Chihuahua's from a filthy home in Dearborn. And this Sunday at the Mutt Strut about 50 of those little dogs were reunited at the Chihuahua Reunion. Some were brown, some tan, some long haired some short haired, some young, some old...but all were looking great and happy and grateful to be in loving homes!

Carter is still too timid for an outing like this, but I brought a poncho home for him so he could dress up too. Ninety five of the 105 chi's have been adopted. The other 10, including Carter, are in foster homes. But I think Carter's foster days will be over soon. Wilma, Kramer and I have decided to adopt him!

Fun at the Mutt Strut

Hundreds of dogs with their owners + perfect weather + walking + diving + dashing + playing + shopping + eating = The 5th Annual Dearborn Animal Shelter Mutt Strut!


The Strut was a 1 mile walk with plenty of water stops along the way. Kramer and Wilma walked together accompanied by Kayla, my mom's dog who was visiting from Arizona. Kayla growled at most of the other dogs, Wilma started to drag her paws about 1/2 way through, and Kramer kept trying to get ahead of everyone. It was a fun walk!









The Ultimate Air Dogs were there and Wilma competed in 3 Splashes. Although her distance was only 3 ft 9 inches, she's jumping off the dock much quicker. I only had to lay on the dock and coax her in for 3 of her 6 jumps.
The Doggie Dash Du Lure was a new activity this year. The dogs chase a "rabbit" around a track. Wilma was a wild woman with this event! During Kramer's turn, Wilma pulled out of her collar and took off after the "rabbit". Then she had her own turn. Then she pulled away again and took off after another dog's "rabbit"! She was so intent on getting that "rabbit" that I had to leave in order for her to calm down.

After strutting, diving and dashing, all the dogs were tired.