The 'splorin' Wolfies

Two Sick Wolfies???

2012-01-26T14:22:00.000-08:00

Maggi's been feeling a little BLUE...

...and I've been a little "HORSE"...hehehe

of Distant Days...

2012-01-25T15:43:00.000-08:00

Guinness here. It is cold.

Zzzz...the world has gone to sleep.

Everything is still. Even the River speaks in strange little whispers. Shhhh...listen!

Just a few short months ago I was walking into the sunset with my Gramps.

Seems like a lifetime ago we were out picking apples.

But before you know it we will be wondering where Winter went. It will be Spring, then Summer-- and it will be Autumn again, you can be sure.

The Fruit Comes Home to Weigh the Branch...

...and Nothing is Ever Come-by-Chance...

...love ya Gramps

Our Sweet Little Polar Bear

2012-01-24T16:20:00.000-08:00

...Lessons of Patience and Enduring

2012-01-23T15:26:00.000-08:00

Oh hi, Guinness here. As you can see we are well into winter here in our pretty little Valley.

Me and Mags are en route to the Olde Train Bridge. This tired old bridge has been a friend of mine for many years.

"Wanna walk down to the train bridge, Guinny-Bear?" My human will ask. Yes. Guinny wants.

Old is she...

Such weight she bore!

To aid train's journey, but never more!

Too brittle her bones!

Too slow her breath...

She's absolutely bored to death!

Haha! Indeed! The bridge teaches me lots of lessons. Lessons in patience. Lessons of enduring.

Winter is here to stay she tells us! We must wait it out.

I look down into the River. It runs slow...and thick. It is in no hurry. I do not need to be a Groundhog to figure this one out. We must endure...

We turn around. It is time to head for home. That is our walk to the bridge and back.

When I get home THIS is here,

He said he could not make it all the way home. He needed a stop over.

I am not surprised. It is Monday. Groucho has just come back from his AA meeting. Afghan-Alien Anonymous. It really takes a lot out of him.

As per normal, he makes himself at home on the Groucho-Coucho.

And once again we are reminded of our lessons in enduring. Til next time...love Guinness.

And When She Got There

2012-01-19T04:28:00.000-08:00

The cupboard was bare

And so the poor Doggies

had none!

The Visitor...

2012-01-18T02:10:00.001-08:00

A Long Winter Nap

2012-01-17T03:16:00.000-08:00

Holding Down Gramps

2012-01-13T03:15:00.000-08:00

Rockin Around the Christmas Tree

2012-01-12T03:02:00.000-08:00

3 Sizes Too Small

2012-01-11T02:07:00.000-08:00

The Beheading of a Chicken

2012-01-10T02:57:00.000-08:00

Walkin in a Wolfie Wonderland

2012-01-09T03:14:00.000-08:00

I Want My Walky---NOW!!!

2012-01-05T03:06:00.000-08:00

My Imminent Death and Groucho's Mangominster Entry

2012-01-04T09:53:00.000-08:00

Friends, I do not know how this has happened but another year has come and gone and Mangominster is once again accepting applicants. I am now in a fight for my life as I am forced to submit Groucho in the Adventure Alien or Bad Sport category--whichever Mango deems most appropriate. Being an alien and not of this worldly cosmic conscience, I plead for mercy to allow his entrance--this could be the beginning of the end for me. Here lies the truth...

Gulp. These pictures bring back some bad times. It all started last year when Groucho lost Mangominster. He went into a mad frenzy. He actually levitated down to WESTMINSTER and gate-crashed the Alien Afghan Hound category. He lost that contest too and you can watch the video and read about it here.

Well he came home and lost his marbles remember? Here he is going into convulsions.

He went into this crazy seizure like trance and faked his own death--remember?

Yeah. It was bad and his human had to revive him. It was all so dramatic.

He crashed at my house for a few days and I had to plea bargin with him that we would work hard all year to build the best applicant possible for Mangominster 2012. It was do or die.

Groucho delivered. He went off to Hollywood for a stint to try his paw at acting. But the PUParazzi started delving into his past. And the most astonishing thing happened!

They discovered these baby alien pictures of him and soon his alien identity was starting to attract unwanted attention.

These pictures were found deep in the archives of the internet before we even knew Groucho's true past. It looks as if the moment that Groucho first discovered he could levitate was actually caught on tape and documented on some secret files!

And LOOK!! The moment of his escape was finally revealed... and truth became stranger than fiction!

This did not bode well for Groucho so, as you all know...Groucho fled to the NORTH MOUNTAIN to live there as a hermit.

Do you recall the time I went to visit him at his campsite? Well, here he is levitating right off the ground!! Look at him soaring above the Earth! He was trying to catch squirrels and living off boiled underpants, remember?

That did not go so well because a few weeks later I saw smoke signals coming from the NORTH MOUNTAIN. I found Groucho near death and rescued him off said Mountain.

He ended up having to come home and have his hip replaced. It was a very trying time for all of us.

Unfortuneatly this picture started circulating around Town around the same time Groucho was on the NORTH MOUNTAIN. It even made the local newspaper and you can read that stupid story here... But basically some bird watchers had captured the image and said there was a monster on the MOUNTAIN. I recognized the picture right away and warned Groucho that the authorities were looking for him and he better leave town. FAST.

So then Groucho left town and went to live amoung his own kind for a while over in Alienville. Here is the postcard he sent me.

But then the authorities found his old dental records so he was forced to come home to get plastic surgery and change his identity.

As you can see they did a great job and that will hold off any speculation for some time.

But Groucho can't help himself and he started back with his questionable antics. Here he is sitting on these Green eggs again to try and raise some of his own kind.

No doubt he wants Allen, his alien hamster, to have some friends.

And also Groucho has taken to some old TV re-runs that have given him some strange ideas and raised some eyebrows.

The authorities have got wind of this too and now Groucho is drawing some unwanted attention to himself.

We are now counting on a Mangominster win to propel him to fame and victory once again so he can take his winnings and continue with his plastic surgery disguise. I am sure you can all see the scope of this situation in which we found ourselves.

Anyone interested in helping can please donate to Groucho's Nose Job Fund. We gotta get that Gonzo-like appendage fixed once and for all.

You can see what I have had to deal with over the past year. Please consider not only your life but mine when you cast your vote. Guinness.

Can't get enough of this Girl!

2012-01-04T03:21:00.000-08:00

Little Polar Bear

2012-01-03T03:24:00.000-08:00

Snow Angels

2012-01-02T05:29:00.000-08:00

Turning 50

2012-01-01T08:50:00.000-08:00

Hi it is Guinness! I am five years old today on NEW YEAR'S DAY!

And in Wolfhound years, that makes me about 50

But 50's is like the new 30's--did you know?

So I am still feeling pretty spry!

Maggi's Vision

2011-12-24T06:43:00.000-08:00

Maggi stopped and wouldn't move. Sometimes the heart sees more than the eyes

May Your Days be Merry and Bright...

2011-12-23T02:53:00.000-08:00

...and may all your Christmases be white!

Got Cat?

2011-12-22T04:33:00.000-08:00

Subliminal Messages

2011-12-21T03:01:00.000-08:00

What the... Why do I keep hearing voices in my head. "BRING FOOD AND WATER, BRING FOOD AND WATER" Over and over like a broken record.

GACK! Then this horrible image gets plastered on my brain... and I remember! GROUCHO! I totally forgot he had to get his teeth cleaned! Well, I guess it was bad news. He had to get knocked out and have 5 teeth pulled. GULP. How am I going to face him?

I go over to Groucho's house. OH OH. I find him near death in a crumpled heap. He hasn't had any visitors throughout this entire escapade.

I rush around giving him food and water. I make sure to use his new Christmas Bowl to soften his mood.

Groucho starts to come around. I ask him to show me his dental work. He is being stubborn.

Come on now Groucho. Don't be like that. Open wide--show us your nice new smile. Groucho's teeth look much better now!

Groucho is still pissed. He lays there in a foul mood. Lucky for me I have one last trick up my sleeve.

I bought him his own hamster to keep him company while he heals.

Look at his face now! It worked! Groucho loves his new alien hamster. He names him Allen.

...and I survived that one quite well I think! Til next time..love Guinness

Sorry Big Guy...

2011-12-20T02:32:00.000-08:00

Dear Mango (click here to meet Mango)... I know we are friends...

*smack* *lick* *gulp*.....

But they..were half price...

I would like to offer this as my humble apology...

Sweet Smiles

2011-12-19T04:16:00.000-08:00

Ghost of Christmas Past

2011-12-16T04:37:00.000-08:00

Saige 2006, 4 months old

Found Deep in the Archives!

2011-12-15T04:24:00.000-08:00

Christmas day, 2007! Our 1.4 year old puppy Saige.

Maggi's Christmas Quilt

2011-12-14T04:00:00.000-08:00

Goodbye Day

2011-12-13T04:38:00.001-08:00

Wheatens in the Wheat

2011-12-12T04:11:00.000-08:00

T.G.I.F

2011-12-09T04:31:00.001-08:00

Foot Warmer

2011-12-08T04:28:00.001-08:00

Bonding Blondes

2011-12-07T04:19:00.001-08:00

Fridge Magnet

2011-12-06T04:17:00.001-08:00

Whole Lotta Hound

2011-12-05T04:36:00.001-08:00

Christmas Trees in the Clearing

2011-12-01T04:06:00.000-08:00

Happy in the Hardwoods

2011-11-30T04:06:00.000-08:00

Secrets in the Softwood

2011-11-29T04:31:00.000-08:00

A Hunting We Will Go!

2011-11-28T03:38:00.001-08:00

Alien Nation

2011-11-25T05:04:00.000-08:00

Guinness here. Someone just pulled up in the driveway. Oh. It is just idiot Groucho. Boy, it has been a while. But I knew the peace and quite could not last forever.

You may have noticed Groucho left town for a while. He took off after this MOST WANTED picture was circulated all through town. That was after his stint on the NORTH MOUNTAIN. Remember?

Just last week I got this post card from my blogger friends in Oklahoma. They were out touring the ALIEN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD and look who they spotted. No doubt he was living among his own kind for a while--keeping a low profile you know.

But now Groucho has been forced to return home. See his nasty alien teeth? He has to get some serious work done.

So now he is home to stay and life is about to get crazy again.

Winter Wolfie

2011-11-24T05:15:00.001-08:00

Muddy Maggi!

2011-11-23T03:50:00.000-08:00

Guinness here! C'mon quick! Maggi is going to do her mud run! It is really funny to watch--I guarantee it!

Yes Maggi is completely blind--but look. She marks the puddle...

and then springs right up out of that puddle!

Then she makes a mad dash on the soft track, turns mid air, and kicks off for the puddle again! Haha! can you spot me in the background watching Maggi?

And there she goes again, see? She wades in the puddle like a fat hippo...

KAPOW! Up she comes for another round! Haha!

Isn't it heart-warming to see Maggi so carefree and happy?

Seeing that smile at the end of our walk makes up for a bit of mud on the floor.

Seasonal Confusion!

2011-11-22T04:10:00.000-08:00

Guinness here. It has been a magnificent autumn in the Valley!

The days are warm and the wind is crisp, the smell of autumn is thick and heavy in the air.

The sun is high in the sky and the grass is still green! Ahh! But we want to go to the CABIN!

We drive up to the camp. GACK! WHAT THE...?? I thought it was a mild Fall day, but up here at the cabin there is snow!

That is because we are inland now--away from the ocean, so the snow stays around.

And look how happy I am after that romp in the snow. I do not want to leave. I NEVER want to leave the Cabin. I always pretend to run away when it is time to go. That is a tricksy bad habit I have learned. Hehehe.

But no one wants to go home now. We stay longer than intended...and we are getting hungry! Provisions are low. My human finds a can of beans and mixes them with peanut butter. Can you spot them warming on the stove?

Now we eat those beans with peanut butter right off the spoon. Haha!

SMACK LICK GULP! Ahhhhh! Beans with peanut butter is DELICIOUS!

You might be laughing...but trust me, if you were here...

You'd love them too....

Tongue-tied

2011-11-21T04:27:00.001-08:00

a Sad Little Monster

2011-11-04T04:26:00.000-07:00

We'll be on a blog break for a bit so we can visit this sad little monster over in Newfoundland. See you soon!

Deeper than Expected

2011-11-03T04:18:00.001-07:00

TRICK? or TREAT?

2011-11-02T04:12:00.000-07:00

Guinness here. Poor, pitiful me. Things are pretty rough as you can see.

Me and Mag-Pie got banished to the cabin for the entire weekend. Our Dad is re-doing the floors. He said no wolfies allowed. HRMPH!

Looks like Maggers took the news pretty bad too, eh?

But here is a glimmer of light in our troublesome time...Sandra and Angelina from Silvershoe came for a visit! They finally get to meet Maggi.

She reminds them a lot of Silver. I agree.

But they soon leave and I find myself once again all alone in the forest. SOB.

At 4:30 AM I demand to go our for a bathroom break. GACK! WHAT THE...!?? I can't believe my eyes!

And Maggi can't believe her feet! Looks like winter got mixed up with Halloweenies this year.

Wake me up in the Spring.

SCRITCHINS

2011-11-01T05:58:00.001-07:00

Nasty Couch

2011-10-28T04:25:00.000-07:00

What the...? What is this? Why is nasty couch being kicked to the curb? I mean this Couch holds a LOT of memories!

Sure, it may have been a nice couch at ONE time...but the humans didn't know that wolfhounds took over your furniture, your house...your life... no matter how hard your try. I mean look at sweet little puppy Saige--how could this be bad?

And here is me and Saige as little teenagers. Notice the humans are starting to put down blankets on NASTY COUCH?

But then Saige grew and grew..and GREW. And NASTY COUCH was HER favorite seat. So Nasty Couch got a NASTY COVER.

NASTY COUCH was a great spot to take stolen food and make a mess everywhere...

And NASTY COUCH was a great spot to leave NASTY BUM prints...

So yeah, I will miss NASTY COUCH. But I guess it IS time to say good by to all its NASTINESS. But we can't say goodbye yet until you see one more special memory of NASTY COUCH! The newest member of our family needs her time on NASTY COUCH too....

so I leave you with the last piciture of NASTY COUCH with Maggi! ENJOY!

The Enchanted Forest

2011-10-27T04:15:00.000-07:00

a GAP in Time

2011-10-26T04:35:00.000-07:00

Guinness here! You may have guessed we were on a little trip! That is because we have a sign on our farm for the Mountain Gap Inn--so every year we get a free get-a-way!

We get to stay in these rustic little cabins by the ocean. Look at Maggi. She loves it!

And there is the GAP! And that marks the end of the NORTH MOUNTAIN. That makes Digby the first Town in the Annapolis Valley.

If you look close enough you can see the Ferry from New Brunswick to Nova Scotia. There it goes. Right through the GAP!

Remember our friends Doug and Waveney who found our blog and came to visit us all the way from California? They would have taken that very Ferry across to come see us!

That seems like a long time ago now.

They should come back and meet Maggi. Then the GAP wouldn't seem so long...

Sea Steps

2011-10-25T04:32:00.000-07:00

Guinness here by the sea.

GRUNT

I love going down by the sea. It takes trouble away for you.

Just take all your anger, fear and illusion and leave them for the tide to carry away.

The tide will scatter them, gather them, and give them back to you not so big or important as before.

We think a lot of ourselves for sure. But illusions aren't important in the big scheme of life.

You don't have to be anything. Even yourself. Because your self was only something you had to make up.

And then you thought you had to carry it around with you.

What a relief to lay it down by the shore and walk away from it.

Just to be a part of what is around you is enough.

Wolfhound Chess, Anyone?

2011-10-24T04:10:00.000-07:00

RED-y when you are!

2011-10-21T05:46:00.001-07:00

Chicken Little

2011-10-20T04:05:00.000-07:00

Something keeps falling on my head! OH NO! The sky is falling-- the sky is falling!

I meet Ducky Lucky. He told me it was probably just some rain drops.

But I am still dry! It is not raining! The sky is falling--the sky is falling!

I meet Goosey Loosey. He said it was the Alien Mother Ship. But that can not be right either.

I meet FOXY LOXEY ;-)

and she said it is AUTUMN! And the LEAVES are falling on my head!

Well that makes sense! I am glad I didn't over-react!

Jackpot!

2011-10-19T06:11:00.001-07:00

Golden Strollin'

2011-10-18T04:08:00.000-07:00

You Figure It Out

2011-10-17T04:24:00.000-07:00

Attack!

2011-10-14T03:23:00.000-07:00

Lucky Duck

2011-10-13T04:15:00.000-07:00

Guinness here! My sewer rat human took a video of her co-worker doing a good deed! Enjoy!

Porcupine Revenge!

2011-10-12T04:08:00.000-07:00

Guinness here! I am running for my life. My human said we are going on a porcupine hunt!

GACK! You remember the last time I tried to take on a porcupine and the porcupine won!

But Maggi seems intent on this little mission so I hesitantly follow...

AHA! I see how it is! These are a DIFFERENT breed of porcupine--well they seem rather delicious--don't you think?

YUM! I find my porcupine and gobble him right up!

Maggers needs a little help finding hers.

That wasn't so bad after all, huh?

Guess I need to learn to be a little more open minded about these things...

Thank God for Maggi!

2011-10-11T04:12:00.000-07:00

Giving Thanks for my Newfoundland Family

2011-10-07T05:01:00.000-07:00

For me the fertile soil, soft rolling hills, and orchard fruit for those who love in peace

For you the barren rock, the rugged cliff and bitter fruit from upland shrub

They need no care but in defiance cling --to earth untended

Bred with the wind and sea-- lock within their core the taste of salt

But for my Valley I would call this land my home

Newfoundland!

Newfoundland

Her beauty cast in stone

http://www.petermacdonaldphotography.ca/
www.flickr.com/photos/petermacdonaldphotography

Best Frenemies

2011-10-06T04:33:00.001-07:00

Crop Circles

2011-10-05T04:08:00.000-07:00

I whisper a plan in Maggi's ear.

Hahaha! She is all for it!

Ready...Set...GO!

WOOOSH! We are making CROP CIRCLES! Hehehe...

And in the morning...we will blame it on GROUCHO!

Oh...That Boy

2011-10-04T04:10:00.000-07:00

It's Raining, it's Pouring...Guinness is Snoring

2011-10-03T04:03:00.000-07:00

This is Guinness and it is pouring rain! But I have a secret to tell you--

That is the absolute BEST time to be outdoors! There will be no one else out walking...and we have the world to ourselves...

And we do NOT need rain jackets--silly humans. We have this stuff called FUR! Besides...I am the noble and great hound of Ireland... my coat is designed for the harsh winds and rugged weather.

Maggi likes to drip-dry on the moss. See? He he he. She loves how soft it feels on her feet.

And look! There is so much rain it weighted down the branches on this tree--right to the ground.

Pretty nice, eh? Look at the leaves turning color.

Bet you can't catch me!

After a while, we head back to the little cabin.

I love to get patted down with a towel. It puts me in such a silly mood.

Did you notice the warm fire? Maggi sure found it.

I snuggle in and watch the rain. *SIGH*. It is nice to sit and *YAWN* listen to the rain pitter patter on the roof...*ZZZZZZZ* pitter patter *SNORE* ...pitter patter....

Fire in the Sky, Smiles from the Guy

2011-09-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

Follow the Yellow Birch Road

2011-09-29T04:00:00.000-07:00

Back to Africa

2011-09-28T04:02:00.000-07:00

Guinness here! Years ago I told you about a tree that reminds my human of AFRICA! And everytime time we hike down there we pretend we are going on a big safari.

The problem is Maggi does not like to walk through the long straw. I think it makes her feel trapped and she can't find a way out of that long grass. So my human dad took his tractor and cut a trail--SEE?

Now we can all enjoy the walk to Africa again. And look... Maggi loves it!

My human climbs the tree. She thinks she is 9 and not 39.

But Maggi does not like that one bit. She cries and whimpers. She does not understand "UP".

So now we will all sit together UNDER the tree instead!

Besides...it's better to keep your feet planted firmly on the ground.

She Certainly Leaves an Impression!

2011-09-27T04:07:00.000-07:00

Maggi's front paws are enormous. Lots of people comment on them. Most likely they grew wide and splayed the way you would hold out your hands if you were groping in the dark. Sweet Maggi.

CAUGHT YOU ALL!

2011-09-26T04:01:00.000-07:00

Splorin!

2011-09-23T04:24:00.000-07:00

Hi! Guinness here. Here is a short video of a Boston Terrier taking me for a walk. Don't worry--it is only 19 seconds! It is my friend Willis. He has a lot of energy, I can't be bothered moving so fast as him!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubr8QF3tIOE

Mighty Mouth

2011-09-22T03:32:00.000-07:00

The Old Milk Run

2011-09-21T03:36:00.000-07:00

Guinness here in the background and LOOK! It is our GRAMPS!

That's right. We found an old apple tree and have some questions for Gramps. The Annapolis Valley is famous the world over for its apples--and Gramps? Well, he knows all about apples.

We hike down old trails and see beautiful fields and farmlands. Gramps tells us this is the old SPUR LINE and in the old days--when the trains still operated-- this was a side rail to pick up the MILK from all the dairy farmers in the Valley.

We hike and hike and finally find that old apple tree.

Gramps lets Maggi have a guess first. Maggi thinks it tastes like a GREEN apple. But Maggi is wrong!

Gramps goes for more apples. He will go anywhere to pick any fruit. Careful Gramps!

Now I have a go at the apples. Crunch crunch smacksmack smack GULP. I say it is some kind of RED apple.

Gramps says that is cheating. He fills up his pack with MORE apples!

Now for the official word. Gramps has a smackeral. He says they are an ancient breed of Cortland apples and there was a farm here once. Gramps spits out his apple. He thinks it is too tart and we all laugh very hard.

The sun is going down. The days are short now. It is time to meander home.

We pass back over the fields, through the old farm land and back to the trail.

We were really happy to have our Gramps here with us on our walky.

Ever since my human was a little pup Gramps taught her about all the little wild flowers and the different types of trees and all the birds and animals.

It is important to have quality time you know.

Gord's Gourds

2011-09-20T06:02:00.000-07:00

Grass Bath

2011-09-15T04:25:00.000-07:00

Hi! It is Mags! I am about to take a grass bath. I will show you how it is done!

First, you roll like this!

Then you kick like this!

Then you sit up like this!

And then start all over again!

A Whole Lotta Nuttin'

2011-09-14T03:49:00.000-07:00

Oh hi there--it is Guinness! While on vacation we did nothing....

...except a whole lotta this, ZZZZ...

...and a whole lotta that, CLUNK...

But that is ok!

Sometimes it is good just to, you know...BE.

GOSH!

2011-09-07T17:06:00.000-07:00

Oh hi it is Guinness. We are on Staycation for a while but I was going through Facebook and found this old picture of Saige and Christa. Sometimes it is fun to look back. We forget how massive Saige was until we see pictures like this. Hope you enjoy--we'll be back in no time. Love, Guinny-Bear.

Endangered Species of Canada

2011-09-02T03:40:00.000-07:00

The North Atlantic Right Wale

Population: 300

Vancouver Island Marmot

Population: 195

The Great Canadian Wood Bison

Population: 3,000

The Red Crossbills of Newfoundland

Population: 500

Groucho

Population: 1

The Old Swimming Hole

2011-09-01T03:44:00.000-07:00

Hi! It's Guinness. We are close to home but on a path we have not 'splored' before, if you can believe that one! Well, we come across this little pond way down in the gorge--see?

UH OH! Maggi HEARS the water. Maggi SMELLS the water! Maggi LOVES the water and Maggi wants IN that water!

DOUBLE UH-OH! Maggi starts heading down the bank. She is very bold. The humans always have to watch her close because she is a bit too confident.

Oh please watch this short video--watch Maggi find her way down. Remember she has never been here before and is completely blind. WOW! SMART MAGGI!

Well looks like Mags finds the water and has a little cool-off. Hey, this place is neat!

There is a pretty old stone wall. I wonder who built it. I wonder how old it is? We climb back up.

When we get home our human dad tells us it is the OLD TOWN SWIMMING POOL! When he was a little boy it was dammed off and flooded to make a big pond. He said there would be hundreds of kids here all summer and that is where they took swimming lessons!

I like all the old stories and the lost history. It is fun to think about huh? Plus it is a good way to keep my mental faculties well exercised. Til next time....love Guinness.

The Big Dipper

2011-08-31T04:11:00.000-07:00

Nessie

2011-08-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

It Can Not Be

2011-08-29T04:11:00.000-07:00

I hear "crinkle crinkle" above my head. But it can not be the leaves already. Not yet.

But then I hear this. Listen? What do you hear in the video. It can not be. Not yet....

The Cottingley Fairies

2011-08-26T04:41:00.000-07:00

YAWN. Guiness here. What the??? I thought I was at the cabin. I wake up and I am in this beautiful forest glade.

GACK! There are mushroom rings all around me! Holy COW. I know this place. I am in Cottingley, the land of the fairies!

How did I get here anyways? Maybe the fairies stole me and Maggi while we were sleeping!

Look! the little fairie houses are everywhere.

And this little Fairie has his mushroom house right in a blackberry patch! That is because he is making blackberry wine. That is what the fairies love the best--did you know?

Maggi checks under this mushroom but no one is home.

Yikes! Maggi nearly tramples a mushroom. The fairies will be really mad if we destroy their houses. There is no telling what they may do to us.....GULP!

ACHOO ACHOO... everything is getting dizzy and blury...it is FAIRIE DUST! OH NO!

WHAT THE? I wake up. I am at the cabin. But what is this by my foot! COULD IT BE????

GROUCHO'S COCKtail Party Invitation

2011-08-25T04:07:00.000-07:00

RSVP

Maggi in the Meadow

2011-08-24T02:16:00.000-07:00

It's Maggi! Everyone says I am just the sweetest pup. I am happy ALL the time!

Wow! Just look at me! Look at me! I am flying... I am FREEEEEEEEEEE. No cages, no chains...

Life is so good now.

Can't you just feel it?

The Legend of the Fat Hippo

2011-08-23T04:11:00.000-07:00

Maggi here. There is a legend in these Woods about a scary, fat hippopotamus that lurks in a deep dark pool. I am boldly going to brave these woods and settle that rumour once and for all!

I walk down a long winding road--towards the middle of the forest! I am not scared.

Finally I reach the thick fern patch. I know because I can smell their sweet, lush scent!

*pant pant huff puff*. It is hard work being a Myth-Buster!

I am hot and thirsty after all that walking. AHHH! I feel something cool and wet!

Nice! I cool off in this little pool deep in the forest. See--I told you. I searched long and hard and there is no fat hippo lurking away in a deep dark pool in THIS woods!

Ha. Makes you wonder how stories like that get started in the first place, doesn't it?

Corn Dogs

2011-08-22T04:13:00.001-07:00

Think I'll Just Lay Here....

2011-08-19T04:27:00.001-07:00

For the Love of Oxen

2011-08-18T04:15:00.000-07:00

Guinness here and this is my human at the Exhibition. That is when all the famers from across the Valley bring all their nice farm crops, crafts and animals for display and judging. Even though it is nice to see all the horses, pigs, and sheep-- my human has always LOVED the oxen...

The farmer has to match the bull calves when they are young. Then they form a very strong bond and love each other very much. Oxen are simply castrated bulls, so they will grow stout and stocky.

Oxen can be trained quickly once the bond is formed-- but they have to be worked regularly. They learn "GHEE!" to turn right... and "HAW!" to turn left. They wear distict bells that are soothing to listen to. They are very affectionate and calm. Did you know, they follow their master around just like the most loyal of dogs? It is a sight to behold.

Oxen are given sharp, distinct names that are different from each other. Usually a team of Oxen are named Toby and Spark, or Nickle and Dime. The most common names are "BRIGHT" and "LION!" My human has always dreamed of having a team of Oxen and thinks it would be funny to call them "BRIAN" and "LIGHT" instead of Lion and bright--hehehe!

The harness and collars are beautifully decorated and very extravagant. The red yolk must be formed for the team and notched out acording to their individual horn and head shape. As they grow, the yolk has to be modified. You can not use a different yolk for a different team. That would be like wearing someone elses running shoes and you would soon get blisters!

The oxen are the most beautiful creatures to be around. They are so gentle and peaceful and play such an important role in Nova Scotia history. They are used to work the land and clear the woods--it is very beautiful to watch them in the field. When our friends Waveney and Doug visited us from California they had never seen Oxen before and that was kind of shocking!

In this little video you will hear the soothing sound of the oxen bulls. Just imagine how beautiful it is to see the team work in the field and lumbering along in their slow, sure litany. CLONG... LONG... CLONG ....DONG....SO LONG, so loooong....

Doga

2011-08-17T04:29:00.001-07:00

Three

2011-08-16T04:16:00.000-07:00

(the sun marks Saige's tree)

Peek-a-Boo!

2011-08-15T04:07:00.001-07:00

Up Close and Personal

2011-08-12T06:04:00.000-07:00

Black fly bites on Guinness ---OUCH!

COULD IT BE??????

2011-08-11T04:19:00.000-07:00

It is Guinness and I can't believe my eyes. I was searching on the internet and I was SHOCKED to find an expired webpage that said "picture of 4 month old Groucho. It said he was a real ham and he was getting ready for a beauty pageant."

It said Groucho was born December 29th, 2003 and adopted into his new family April, 2004.

He must have been getting ready for a show and here is a baby picture I found of him. Could this really be our alien?

How Groucho came from being a show dog in Ontario to landing in the slammer in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia is beyond me. My human didn't ask too many questions at the time because the situation seemed a little bit charged and she just wanted to help poor Groucho. That was a loooong time ago. You can read about that here.

I did manage to find some more pictures. It might add some clarity to the situation... I think I actually found proof of Groucho's great alien escape!!!!

LOOK!! Could this be the answer? Is this the moment Groucho first realized he had levitational super powers? Is this his great alien escape caught on film? I guess we will never know.

Pondering

2011-08-10T04:29:00.000-07:00

The Brightest Silver Lining in the Clouds Today...

2011-08-09T04:17:00.000-07:00

Guinness at the keyboard today and one year after losing Saige we must now bid farewell to her sister, Silver.

Even though we Wolfies are a short lived breed, 3.9 years for Saige and 4.9 years for Silver really is too short.

But as I have told you all before, time is a problem for you humans-- not for us furkind. At some point today you probably thought about what you did yesterday, or perhaps what was going on a year ago. Or maybe you are dreaming about your future...or what you need to get done by the end of the day...or in the next few minutes...

We do not think like that. "THE NOW" is what is important to us dogs. And I will tell you Silver had a life full of wonderful "NOWS." Look how happy all her "NOWS" are in these pictures! It makes me smile.

We often hear people say "Oh! I could never get a wolfhound--it is too sad!" I ask you: Will it not be just as sad to lose a beloved pet after 15, 18 or even 20 years? Of course. Silly humans. You deny us our very life when you confine us to your receding walls of time.

You are a funny breed--you humans. You should all take your lessons from us. Enjoy every moment with us and try to live life the way we do! That is what we are here to teach you!

As you journey through life... a little of us will always stay with you. See, we live on in your hearts. We live in your memories. Those are all very real things. Just think of Silver and she will be right there...

Besides....Queens never die.

Little Miss "Herself"

2011-08-08T04:10:00.000-07:00

Excerpts from the Valley Chronicle

2011-08-05T04:16:00.000-07:00

It seems that the NORTH MOUNTAIN is home to its own monster mystery these days. Two tourist visiting the area last week have submitted an interesting photo while out bird watching. Although many speculate the photo to be a hoax, experts claim the picture to be legitimate and un-tampered with. With today's technology they were even able to zoom in for a close up of the creatures unsightly face. Here it is below. WARNING: DISTURBING SCENE

" It was a perfect day for bird watching..." says the first tourist who does not wish to be identified. "Clear blue skies, not a cloud in sight. Lots of great bird activity to observe. That is when it happened."

" I know it sounds crazy..." interrupts the second tourist sheepishly, "but we saw a strange furry creature levitating up and down from tree to tree." With some prompting the first gentleman continues. " Thank goodness I had my camera out and ready. I was photographing the elusive bluebirds that were nesting in a cluster of pine trees. I snapped one picture of the monster and we got out of there as fast as we could. It tried to follow us. It was speaking a strange cackling language. I think he was weak--looking for squirrels in the trees. He had a foul odor about him--like boiled underpants."

Skeptics have rejected the incident claiming a set-up with a stuffed toy, or a Jim Henson Muppet. But one resident of a nearby town, Guinness the Irish Wolfhound, has bravely stepped forward to confirm the creature's exsistence.

Looking bored, the large Irish Wolfhound rolls his eyes. "Oh, him...yeah. I recognize the picture all right...nevermind about that idiot..he's gone past his "best before" date. He is home safe now and won't be bothering with the NORTH MOUNTAIN anytime soon."

What ever you choose to believe one thing is for certain: The strange goings-on of the NORTH MOUNTAIN will feed fable and legend for years to come... and two unknown birdwatchers will never visit the area again.

The Abandoned Cynic

2011-08-04T04:24:00.000-07:00

Get off my field--you may not roam

do not come knocking, i am not home

No tenderness for the passerby

and no loveliness for the careless eye

OH! i once had a splendour that was all my own

it lies hidden now beneath brittle bone

There is a far off laughter almost heard

where the dust, you can almost taste, has stirred

And soon i'll return to the earth's soft yield

my secrets ever buried in this hell-lonely field