My blog has moved!

You will be automatically redirected to the new address. If that does not occur, visit
http://www.terratoby.blogspot.com
and update your bookmarks.

Training Toby is moving!

Training Toby is moving to Terra Toby. Come and visit!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Our Dream, Toby's Nightmare!

What a day Toby has had!

He was supposed to go to doggie daycare to avoid the chaos. But unfortunately he came down with an itchy eyelid infection and is banned from daycare until his eyes have healed.

It may look like he forgot to put on his eyeliner, but it's an infection (fingers crossed, bacterial not fungal).
His day started out well, since I stayed home from work. After coffee and a shower instead of leaving for the day, I grabbed his leash and we went for a brisk walk. He loves the cold weather (35 degrees, I checked). Me, not so much - I'd rather be on the beach like Sugar the Golden Retriever :)

From there it was all downhill.

First, the chimney sweeps arrived to remove the 25-year-old wood stove insert from the fireplace. This did not go over well. Ted is on a business trip and Toby's protective instinct went into hyperdrive. He isn't truly aggressive, but barks and barks at the intruders, and he has a big dog bark. The entire hour they were there, he was "on duty". 

Next, the electricians arrived. They went in and out, doing who knows what, poking holes into walls, and doing things involving drills. Every single time they walked in or out, Toby acted like he was seeing them for the first time. He simply could not relax.

Men at work.

Shortly after that, the gas technicians came. We now had 5 men going in and out and even under the house, through the gates, continuously.Toby kept looking at me like, "How are you fine with this? There are strangers everywhere!"

At last I just couldn't stand to see his stress, not to mention how annoying it must have been for the workers. I gave Toby a sedative (prescription) to calm him down. It worked wonders. He was still curious to see what was going on, but no longer fearful.

And after the inspector comes tomorrow we will at long last have a modern, energy-efficient, lovely and convenient gas fireplace in the family room!
Note to my kids: Dad really wants this to be a surprise, so if you read this PLEASE act like you didn't know when he shows it to you for the first time. :/

Our Dream, Toby's Nightmare!

What a day Toby has had!

He was supposed to go to doggie daycare to avoid the chaos. But unfortunately he came down with an itchy eyelid infection and is banned from daycare until his eyes have healed.

It may look like he forgot to put on his eyeliner, but it's an infection (fingers crossed, bacterial not fungal).
His day started out well, since I stayed home from work. After coffee and a shower instead of leaving for the day, I grabbed his leash and we went for a brisk walk. He loves the cold weather (35 degrees, I checked). Me, not so much - I'd rather be on the beach like Sugar the Golden Retriever :)

From there it was all downhill.

First, the chimney sweeps arrived to remove the 25-year-old wood stove insert from the fireplace. This did not go over well. Ted is on a business trip and Toby's protective instinct went into hyperdrive. He isn't truly aggressive, but barks and barks at the intruders, and he has a big dog bark. The entire hour they were there, he was "on duty". 

Next, the electricians arrived. They went in and out, doing who knows what, poking holes into walls, and doing things involving drills. Every single time they walked in or out, Toby acted like he was seeing them for the first time. He simply could not relax.

Men at work.

Shortly after that, the gas technicians came. We now had 5 men going in and out and even under the house, through the gates, continuously.Toby kept looking at me like, "How are you fine with this? There are strangers everywhere!"

At last I just couldn't stand to see his stress, not to mention how annoying it must have been for the workers. I gave Toby a sedative (prescription) to calm him down. It worked wonders. He was still curious to see what was going on, but no longer fearful.

And after the inspector comes tomorrow we will at long last have a modern, energy-efficient, lovely and convenient gas fireplace in the family room!
Note to my kids: Dad really wants this to be a surprise, so if you read this PLEASE act like you didn't know when he shows it to you for the first time. :/

Friday, November 23, 2012

Are You Still Thankful?

Now that the turkey has been roasted...
Now that the dishes have been washed...
Now that the pie has been eaten for breakfast...
Now that the Redskins beat the Cowboys (yes, cause for gratitude at our house)...
Now that the first turkey sandwich of the holiday weekend has been consumed...

Are you still thankful?

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love that it has remained immune from the consumerism that has soured Christmas for so many people, which is why I regard Black Friday and all its creep (creepiness?) with apprehension. I love that Americans everywhere take one day to give thanks for all we have. Ever notice that when asked, most folks don't say, "I'm thankful for my iPad" or "I'm giving thanks for the new sweater I got on sale last week"?
How incredibly lucky we are.

 When you ask people what they are thankful for on the third Thursday of November, they talk about freedom, about family, about how God has graced them with plenty when so many are in want of basic necessities. The time the neighbors helped us after the big storm, the time the church found us shelter when the apartment burned, the way the hospital staff looked after our child who was perilously sick.


Three of my reasons to be thankful.

How about the shelter worker who read  your character and matched you with the perfect "best friend" (you know, the companion animal you just have to believe was always meant to be with you)? The teenager across town who took your lost dog to the vet to have its microchip read? The local pet shop owner who bothers to research which pet foods are healthiest - and only stocks those brands, with the knowledge to give advice about the best variety for your pet? How about the vet who let you stay in the examining room alone for as long as you needed after she peacefully sent your beloved pet out of its pain?
What are you thankful for, Toby? 
Pretty much everything!

Now that Santa has officially shooed out the turkey and rung in the Christmas season...

I'm going to try not to think only about all the stuff not bought not wrapped not baked not decorated not mailed...

I'm going to put a post-it on the mirror. It will be blank, except for a big question mark. And I'm going to aspire to carry Thanksgiving inside this Christmas season. When I see that post-it note, it will remind me to ask myself:

Are you still thankful?


Are You Still Thankful?

Now that the turkey has been roasted...
Now that the dishes have been washed...
Now that the pie has been eaten for breakfast...
Now that the Redskins beat the Cowboys (yes, cause for gratitude at our house)...
Now that the first turkey sandwich of the holiday weekend has been consumed...

Are you still thankful?

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I love that it has remained immune from the consumerism that has soured Christmas for so many people, which is why I regard Black Friday and all its creep (creepiness?) with apprehension. I love that Americans everywhere take one day to give thanks for all we have. Ever notice that when asked, most folks don't say, "I'm thankful for my iPad" or "I'm giving thanks for the new sweater I got on sale last week"?
How incredibly lucky we are.

 When you ask people what they are thankful for on the third Thursday of November, they talk about freedom, about family, about how God has graced them with plenty when so many are in want of basic necessities. The time the neighbors helped us after the big storm, the time the church found us shelter when the apartment burned, the way the hospital staff looked after our child who was perilously sick.


Three of my reasons to be thankful.

How about the shelter worker who read  your character and matched you with the perfect "best friend" (you know, the companion animal you just have to believe was always meant to be with you)? The teenager across town who took your lost dog to the vet to have its microchip read? The local pet shop owner who bothers to research which pet foods are healthiest - and only stocks those brands, with the knowledge to give advice about the best variety for your pet? How about the vet who let you stay in the examining room alone for as long as you needed after she peacefully sent your beloved pet out of its pain?
What are you thankful for, Toby? 
Pretty much everything!

Now that Santa has officially shooed out the turkey and rung in the Christmas season...

I'm going to try not to think only about all the stuff not bought not wrapped not baked not decorated not mailed...

I'm going to put a post-it on the mirror. It will be blank, except for a big question mark. And I'm going to aspire to carry Thanksgiving inside this Christmas season. When I see that post-it note, it will remind me to ask myself:

Are you still thankful?


Saturday, November 17, 2012

Playing, Protecting, Patiently Permitting...A Dog's "Grandkids"

Well, now I have TWO kids coming to see me from time to time! Whew! A Granddog's work is never done! Last weekend pack member Lauren brought both of them to see me. I felt so mature watching over the baby.
 I try to be very, very patient with little Mareto when he gets a bit rough, because everyone in the pack is helping him learn how to be good to me. And I know he loves me from the way he squeals when he sees me.
Somehow I just know I must be gentle with the littlest one.


Don't worry, baby. I'm on the lookout for trouble.


She'll be chasing me around before long!

Let them smile. I take my job VERY seriously.


Aw, Mom, can't I just give her a few kisses?
Today Mareto came to visit. We had a wonderful time chasing each other around the yard. Then we took a walk. Between Mareto looking carefully at all the leaves, mailboxes, and flowers, and me checking all my pee-mail, it was a looong walk - just pawsome!
Beautiful day for a long excursion.

With me in the lead we won't get lost, buddy!
What fun it is being a Granddog. Now I just have to teach Mareto how to get to the dog treats...

Playing, Protecting, Patiently Permitting...A Dog's "Grandkids"

Well, now I have TWO kids coming to see me from time to time! Whew! A Granddog's work is never done! Last weekend pack member Lauren brought both of them to see me. I felt so mature watching over the baby.
 I try to be very, very patient with little Mareto when he gets a bit rough, because everyone in the pack is helping him learn how to be good to me. And I know he loves me from the way he squeals when he sees me.
Somehow I just know I must be gentle with the littlest one.


Don't worry, baby. I'm on the lookout for trouble.


She'll be chasing me around before long!

Let them smile. I take my job VERY seriously.


Aw, Mom, can't I just give her a few kisses?
Today Mareto came to visit. We had a wonderful time chasing each other around the yard. Then we took a walk. Between Mareto looking carefully at all the leaves, mailboxes, and flowers, and me checking all my pee-mail, it was a looong walk - just pawsome!
Beautiful day for a long excursion.

With me in the lead we won't get lost, buddy!
What fun it is being a Granddog. Now I just have to teach Mareto how to get to the dog treats...

Monday, November 12, 2012

Monday Mischief - Silliness

Toby has a toy that looks like a blue lizard (gecko?). He carries it around and enjoys catching it. Sometimes he curls up with it while the humans stare at the noisy picture box in the family room.

Why did Ted put it on him like a hat? Toby isn't a dressing-up dog. He wears his TDI bandana with pride but refuses to allow any nonsense with sunglasses, hats, or any other costume or attire. (Believe me - I've tried, inspired by some of the creative work of other bloggers). Apparently, no treat is good enough to offset the humiliation.

To our great surprise and amusement, The Blue Lizard Hat was apparently exempt from the ban on headwear. Even our laughter didn't keep Toby from walking carefully around the living room like a preteen girl with a book on her head learning good posture. 


Does this clash with my fur?

Maybe this will keep my ears warm too!

A rakish side to my personality...
Happy Mischief Monday!
Note: Sorry Toby hasn't had a new post lately - nice to be back and catching up with our favorite blogs.

Monday Mischief - Silliness

Toby has a toy that looks like a blue lizard (gecko?). He carries it around and enjoys catching it. Sometimes he curls up with it while the humans stare at the noisy picture box in the family room.

Why did Ted put it on him like a hat? Toby isn't a dressing-up dog. He wears his TDI bandana with pride but refuses to allow any nonsense with sunglasses, hats, or any other costume or attire. (Believe me - I've tried, inspired by some of the creative work of other bloggers). Apparently, no treat is good enough to offset the humiliation.

To our great surprise and amusement, The Blue Lizard Hat was apparently exempt from the ban on headwear. Even our laughter didn't keep Toby from walking carefully around the living room like a preteen girl with a book on her head learning good posture. 


Does this clash with my fur?

Maybe this will keep my ears warm too!

A rakish side to my personality...
Happy Mischief Monday!
Note: Sorry Toby hasn't had a new post lately - nice to be back and catching up with our favorite blogs.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...