A Vacation for the Blog -- July 11, 2007

For the last few months, Ali's been finishing her new book, Focus Not Fear -- Training Insights from a Reactive Dog Class. Now she has to catch up on all the other important stuff that fell to the wayside while the book had priority. And since Bing (and Acacia) haven't had their picture taken lately, it made sense on this cool, dry, picture-perfect day to take photographs of these two hairy black dogs. And they look like they're ready for vacation too.

Pictured above, Bing and Acacia pose by the "Pink Menace," so named because the geese despise its pink underside. You see, Canada geese love to visit the pond by the hundreds in early Spring, and we and the students of Great Companions don't really appreciate goose droppings. These two Belgian Sheepdogs love to chase geese, but that only forces them onto the water. So the next step is to take the little paddle boat out onto the pond. But in the spring, there is usually water on the seat from rain or dew, so we have to pick up one side of the boat to upend it and empty out the water. Usually that agitates the geese enough to make them fly off the pond.



This is Acacia's favorite spot on a warm day, the willow tree next to the pond. The grass is always cool and a little damp. And there's just enough mottled light coming through the leaves to make a Belgian Sheepdog look good for the camera.



The ever vigilant Belgian Sheepdog wooden cutout usually catches the eye of new dog students at Great Companions. Bing believes he is significantly more handsome, and taller (finally!), than his impassive counterpart.



OK, it may not look like much, but the orange coloration you see in the water is "Goodyear," our orange koi with what looks to be tire treads on his back. In the foreground is a 12" largemouth bass.



After a difficult photo shoot -- the cameraman is very demanding -- Bing cools off in the pond. Acacia hasn't left the shade of the weeping willow. Then back to the house for treats. Not just any treats, Solid Gold Cinna-Bones. These treats are so good, both Bing and Acacia will run back to the house even when a new class of Puppy Students shows up while these Belgians are outside.

Pete
(questions about this blog, email pete@e-production.net)

Return to the Main Blog Page.

Send email to Ali Brown

Bing Blog 31