Chance: Hiya!

Hiya!  It is me Chance. 

One day Far Side said “He looks a little scruffy and I cannot clip his toe nails do you want to do it?”  Far Guy said “no” so an appointment was made.  I knew something was up when Far Side was up really early, got dressed in real clothes instead of her jammies and walked me in the rain all around the yard before putting me in the car…

Before

After

Either way I think I am still handsome!  I have less hair to fill up with burrs and prickly seeds.  Far Side says my fluffy tail was a leaf collector.

I am feeling pretty good, I still need some help getting into the vehicle, and sometimes I am a little SLOW going up the steps. 

A deer snorted at me yesterday…I chased it about 20 feet and then decided it could run way faster than me.   A bear was seen in the neighborhood..a big bear…I have not seen it.  Jody and one of my favorite people in the whole world saw it coming out of the corn field and into our woods.  Far Side said “Well that is scary now we have to watch for a bear again.”

Chance: Daisy Time

Didja know I am a model along with being one of the most handsome Border Collies in all of Minnesota. (Humble too!)

The daisies are in bloom.

They are still in bloom, how many photos does she need anyway?

Enough already!

I had to stay home all alone one afternoon last week it was too hot to go in the car.  Far Side says “ You cannot go today because you will croak in the car, it is too hot.”  So I stayed all alone.  I did get to visit my friends Odda and Putz one evening, it has been stormy and my best safe spot is under the stairs or underfoot. Evening trips outside are quick and right down to business when it is thundering and windy.

Most days I still go and get the mail with Far Guy unless it is too windy.  They say I sleep a lot…I cannot get into the car by myself anymore…I need some help getting my back end to work with my front end…and someone has to lift my butt up to get into the car.  Far Side says “Getting old sucks Chance.”  I can still hear pretty good most days, and I can see the squirrels and Ravens in the yard and chase them off….and I almost got a chippy one day last week….Far Side says “A dumb chippy or a nearly lucky Chance.” I play a little ball but not for very long. 

At least I am still able to walk amongst the daisies instead of pushing them up!

Chance: Still Handsome and Smart too!

My turn!  Just wanted to assure you that I am handsome as ever and going for longer walks every day now that the weather is nicer.  I lead the old folks around and then show them the way back home again.  No one is getting lost on my watch!

Here I am standing in the road watching for other people that walk their dogs in the evening.  We sniff and pee and repeat as necessary.  The old folks visit with other old folks or wave at them as they drive by.

I get bored waiting….sometimes the anticipation just makes you sleepy.

Someone won’t say who made an appointment for me at the G R O O M E R S…she spelled it, but I am pretty sure that I have a good idea what is up.  And there was mention of  a   V E T  V I S I T, I already took the tick stuff and the heartworm stuff.   Yes the ticks are out and so are the skeeters.

Who me?  I guess I must be on someones list.  I guess I will forgive her.  She came through the other day.  She needed to go to the bank, but didn’t stop at the Drive Up Teller that can see if there is a dog in the car instead she had to go inside…oh no…they will never see me now….no treat for me …and I have drooled all over the seat too in preparation for that yummy treat. It musta been my lucky day or else those bank gals knew I was in the car and starving to death…so they gave her a treat to bring to me!!!

Chance : Looking Handsome

I knew something was rotten in Denmark when Far Side set the alarm so she and I could leave the house real early.  Yup I was right…she took me to the groomers…she said “Give him the works, with hypo allergenic shampoo and NO perfume”…then she left.

She came along to rescue me later that afternoon and she remembered to bring the bowl of ice water….cause getting handsome makes you real thirsty.  Far Guy said “Don’t they have water there?”  Far Side said “Yes they probably do, but unless he is coaxed he won’t drink their water.” She knows me well.

I am real handsome now, my white is white again and I am trimmed all over. 

The grass is turning green again and I spend most of my day outside herding squirrels and crows when the weather is nice…like in not windy…I hate the wind.

I made it through the winter.  Somedays I have to wear the special halter cause I need help getting up and down the steps but for the most part I am doing real good for 11 1/2 years old…going on 12.

Chance: Happy Birthday to me!

Today is my day!  I am ELEVEN years old today!  I am an old guy now, sometimes they call me an old fart.

I am a spoiled boy.  At my elderly age my ears must be cleaned on a regular basis…with mineral oil…and my teeth get cleaned often. I like my rides every evening /late afternoon…my sorts are out if we don’t go for a ride.  I moan and groan like it is the end of the world…WELL it feels like it is….then we usually get to go!!!

I have important jobs. I walk with Far Guy everyday, first we get the mail and then we go for more walks later in the day …about 2 1/2 miles…I have met some other dogs while walking…one dog gets walked while his owner is in a golf cart.  Far Side walks too some days… just not as far.

My arthritis is worse some days than others…some days I limp a little and sometimes jumping in the car is really hard….but I still get there!

Far Guy didn’t think I would make it through the winter last year…but I surprised him. 

Far Guy worked on a special “spot” for me most of the summer while I chased the dirt and the shovel.  Two big buckets were filled with dirt and brought in to the workshop/greenhouse and one day when Andy stopped by he dug the “spot” a little deeper…until Far Side said “Good enough.”  It is all covered with a board now so someone won’t accidently fall in. ( I bet if Far Side fell in she wouldn’t be happy…in fact she might get cranky crankier.

Miney and me.

Miney is still my best friend…then Odda, Little Elvis and Putz…I like them all….and my sisters and kids and balls….and Far Guy and Far Side even when she is bossy (which is most of the time).

Happy Birthday to me! I don’t know what they have planned for me…but I know there are some homemade pumpkin treats that will be calling my name.

Chance: Left at the Groomers All Day

Far Side got me up early…I know the drill.  If just she and I go someplace it is to run an early morning errand or I am headed for the Groomer.  I like the early morning errands much better than the groomer.

Georgia was waiting for me and I about wagged my tail right off when I saw her.  Far Side ordered the usual…with emphasis on hypoallergenic shampoo and no perfume.  I had to stay a little longer than normal.  It was a real busy day for the groomer.  Usually I get a little vocal and sing for them and they call for my ride. Today I had to wait a while after I was done…Far Side called and told them to give me a cold drink of water…she knows I get so very thirsty on grooming day.   They said they would…but who knew if I drank anything or not…only me and I am not telling.  Keep them guessing thinking I was thirsting to death.

Far Side was off taking photographs and Far Guy was at his reunion…so I was stuck at the groomer…serenading everyone.

As soon as she could slowpoke Far Side came to get me, she had a thermos cup full of cool water for me…I sure slurped that down. All that singing dries you out!  On the ride home the car thermometer said 102 F or 39 C eh.  The house was cool when we got home…we ate supper and enjoyed the cool.

Then she decided she had to take my photograph.

I look tired, I am tired, going to the groomer wears me out…but I am clean and ever so handsome. At least that is what she who made me wait a long time for my ride said.

Golden Yellow

The Hoary Puccoons are blooming.  The roots of this plant make a red dye.  I took this photo in the late evening with it's golden glow just about sunset.  For us that happens about 9:10 PM..

As you travel the roads in our area the Hoary Puccoon is easy to see in just about every ditch.   It is a Native Wildflower.

We have had frost and freeze warnings.  The days have been downright cool.
I should buy some flowers for under the bird feeders...perhaps after the weekend.

I saw this pretty sunflower in the hardware store and couldn't resist it.   No watering or weeding needed. Just perfect.
Far Side

Chance: I am Handsome!

Hiya it is I Chance the handsomest Border Collie in all of Minnesota!

Far Side got up early…she and I went for a ride. There was snow on the ground by the garage when we left.  I shoulda known…I was being dropped off….abandoned….left all alone.

At the groomer.  I like the people and the other dogs and I tolerate the grooming.

I heard Far Side give them instructions…No water in his ears (I gets an earache) only hypoallergenic shampoo ( I break out from the other shampoos, painful little itchy bumps) NO PERFUME cause Far Guy gets sick…and Far Side does the green around the gills/tremendous headache thing with perfume. Give him a short cut…whatever that meant… I have a whole lots less hair now and my white is white and my black is black.  My glands have been expressed and my nails clipped.

I even look a bit thinner!  AND handsome…Far Side said so…and IF she says something you can bet it is true.

There is no beautiful green grass to lay around in…only brown hay like grass that I cart in the house…but there is no mud either.

Odda came to visit one day and then Jo came over to get Odda and to pet me.  I herded a bunny rabbit one day until Far Side hollered “Leave that bunny ALONE.” I got to visit Jade and Deacon…Jade still wants to lick me in the mouth and that irritates me. On our rides this week we saw turkeys, horses and cows. It was a good week.

Chance: To the groomer

We had to get up early and go for a ride.  Somebody had a pointment…turned out to be me!

Deana was ready for us.

It is nice to be met at the door with a smile!

Someone didn’t take a very straight photograph.  I am not as sad as I look.  Deana held onto my leash until Georgia came and got me for the “works” and a little more off the legs and hiney….hypoallergenic and no perfume!

Are you ready for the after?

Here I am!  Handsome as all get out! 

All is well here, Far Side was washing windows and Far Guy was working on some woodcarvings outside at the patio table…it was 70 F …that is 21C eh!   We haven’t had a stretch of warm weather like this in years.

Late in the afternoon Odda came a visiting all by herself…so we took her home…after she rested and had a drink of water… it was a warm day for a black dog to be running. I like her visits…but everyone else worries about her being mistaken for a bear.

Tomorrow is a special day for me…see ya then!

Chance: Fall Photos

Hiya it’s me Chance the best blogging Border Collie in North Central Minnesota!  I get to blog today…Far Side is hibernating.  She heard the s word…even if it doesn’t get here it is turning cold.

Here I am at the fence near the wild gardens.

Note all the leaves…Far Side raked and mulched again yesterday.  She is making progress and if the wind comes with the snow maybe she can finish up in the next warm spell…IF we get one.

Far Side says this is the best photo of me this week.  She says I look regal!

These are Rose Hips…I like them…they are oh so tasty.  Did you know that they are good for what ails you if you are constipated?   YES I got the squirts…they couldn’t figure out what upset my usually oh so regular self.  Then I was caught eating Rose Hips.  I got a lecture.

 

Honest I am leaving them alone.

Keep Smiling!

Chance: The works

Hiya!!  It is me Chance the best blogging Border Collie in all of North Central Minnesota!

Far Side has a habit of calling someplace and says “Give Chance the works.”

So I get dropped off at the Spa and they get to go out for breakfast all alone.

I have them all fooled…I make so much racket at the spa…a mournful howling kind of racket…that they call for me to be picked up as soon as I am finished.  I am a smart dog. 

I get a bath with hypoallergenic shampoo …no fragrance allowed…a good brushing and a little clipping here and there, my anal glands get “expressed”  uffda..and my toe nails are clipped…I know the routine as soon as that is all done …I commence with the howling.

My white hair is so clean…Far Side says I am ever so handsome.

I don’t look quite as great after a few days…it has been warm and when I play hard I like to plop in my pool and get all cooled off.  I carry lots of sand in the house…I am told I leave little beaches here and there…oh well.

Here I am showing off some flowers.  Far Side points and says “I need a model Chance and you are it.”  I listen carefully so it gets over quickly.  Sit up…lay down..look here…open your eyes… okay you are done GOOD BOY!

Chance: Self Serve Dog Spa

Yes, you heard that right.  Far Side found a place you can take a dog for a bath and not make a huge mess at home.  Far Side said I wasn’t quite as handsome as I could be, and she thought my fur felt grungy.  I had to curtail the big chipmunk hunt.  She made Far Guy come along to the “spa.”

I have been to that place before. The last time I was left there for the afternoon.  This time I walked right into THAT room and up the ramp into the shower..I astounded them all.  Well I am a Border Collie and we are pretty smart as dogs go.

Well…they double teamed me…what Far Guy wasn’t washing Far Side was rinsing.  The “Spa” provides the hypoallergenic shampoo that I needed and towels ...lots of towels.  Then I was blown dry.  Far Side finally said “Gosh you feel good to pet again.” She looked funny covered in hair.   I guess I am “blowing my coat”..otherwise known as shedding a lot…most likely from the hot spell we had a few weeks back.

 

We came home and they brushed and brushed..until I was deemed the most handsome Border Collie in all of the Midwest Minnesota.

I went right back to chipmunk patrol duty.

Chance: Summertime Treats

Hiya!  It is me Chance, possibly the smartest most handsome blogging Border Collie in all of Minnesota.

I have had a good summer…full of all kinds of treats.  I get to lick all of the ice cream off the bottom of a Sundae cup at Dairy Queen…only Far Side’s Cherry Sundae..not Far Guys Hot Chocolate one…it is a rule.  I get to go to the lake and play in the water sometimes in the evening.  I chase squirrels and crows and chipmunks, if they come in my yard I chase them away.

I have my own private pool.

That’s it in the background..it sits on a concrete slab so it doesn’t kill the grass.

Far Guy keeps it full of clean water.  Far Side says that next year I need a new pool cause this one has seen better days. That blue Maxwell House Coffee container is my drinking water.  I share with birds that think it is their private water supply.

I love my pool.

Last night at supper I could barely contain myself.  I knew what was on the menu ..I watched Far Side shuck some corn… I heard them talking about how good it was..then I heard them gnawing on those cobs and I could smell that fresh cooked corn..and I did it..I yipped…to remind them that “Hey I like corn too!” 

I have watched them eat corn on the cob for years.  I know how to eat it too..Far Guy holds the cob and I bite the corn off with my front teeth. I am a corn eating machine, sometimes Far Guy cannot turn the cob fast enough for me!  I love corn on the cob almost as much as spaghetti squash.  I would eat the whole cob if they would let me.

What kind of summertime treats do your dogs like? :)

In The Dog House

Chance is mad at me.  He should be mad a Far Guy too but oh no he was forgiven almost immediately.

It was time for Chance to be groomed..he needed the works again.  He was not thrilled.

We dropped him off with the instructions:  glands, toe nails, hypoallergenic shampoo and NO PERFUME and then we went out for breakfast.  They told us he might be ready about 2:30.  Well we did errands and checked out the antique shops and got home at noon and there was a message that Chance was ready. Really ..so soon??

He was “talking to them”  I knew it was him as soon as we walked in the door.  I hollered “Shut up”  he did for just a minute and then he began his mournful howling again.  Far Guy said “That cannot be my dog.”  News flash to Far Guy..your dog is very spoiled and he has separation anxiety.

All the way home he glared at me from his spot in the back seat.

What a turd.

He was so thirsty he ran right over to his outside water bucket. Still glaring.

Then he laid down and refused to look at me.. he is sure pretty handsome after a grooming.  He will forget all about it in a week or so:)

Chance: The Grooming

HiYa!  It is me Chance.  I had a grooming appointment.  Far Side made it.  She said my hair was too long.  I had too many tangles..nothing about me was making her happy except my kisses.  I was bringing home seeds and who knows what in my long fur…not to mention that my anal glands needed to be expressed and my toe nails clipped.  

I was SO EXCITED  I got to go with Far Side to work.  I got to ride in front and everything!  But then she stopped before she got to work and dropped me off..I was stranded at the Spa…alone.   Well not really alone, other victims were there too, lots of dogs and a cat. 

Far Guy came and rescued me late in the afternoon.   Far Guy has no comment.  Far Side said I look quite handsome and cooler.  Noah said “WHO shaved Chance.”

Shaved??  Have I been shaved?? 

No I am not bald..but I have been groomed for the summer:)

Signs of Spring

Yesterday Chance went to the spa for the day..well not the whole day because Far Guy would miss him too much ..he was only allowed to be there six hours.  He was waiting for us at the gate..as if to say “Get me out of here.”

For some reason Chance is mad at me.  I suppose he heard me saying “Lets get Chance a good trim, before mud season is in full swing and before the ticks are out.”

 

He wouldn’t even pose for a photo..I must be in the dog house.(what a turd)  His white is just brilliant!! Look at those feet..they are perfectly trimmed! ( less sand to drag into the house)

The last two times he was groomed he got tiny little sores, I think he was allergic to their soap or their cologne.  Far Guy is checking Chance every five minutes to make sure he catches any spots right away.  They used a special soap this time, so hopefully there will be no itchy spots. IF Chance has any itchy spots I will be in the dog house big time.

The ticks are out now.

Last evening I found two ticks crawling on Chance..both were the tiny little ticks..he will get a dose of Frontline today. There is no alternative. I wish there was…we live in one of the worst areas for ticks and tick borne diseases. 

Ticks are just a fact of life in Minnesota in the spring..one of those spring signs that you can count on year after year.

This week the Juncos and Finches showed up on April 04, 2011.  The Purple Finches were hot on their heels a few days later.  We saw the first Red Winged Blackbirds on April 08, 2011. 

This Junco hit the window and sat around on the patio for awhile..he eventually flew off.  I hope he lived. The Juncos will be here for just a few weeks..then they will go further North.

We still have snow banks in the yard..it is supposed to start raining..things will green up fast if it rains:)