February 6th, 2012

Finding Safety in an Apple Tree

Posted by F&S

In our never-ending quest to be crackerjack squirrel chasers, we tore across the farm after one the other day.  We were just inches away from its tail, when the darn thing darted and made a beeline for the hollow of an old apple tree.  You’ll get yours yet, squirrel!

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I chased a squirrel right into this big hole in this apple tree! There's a bird feeder nearby and the squirrel has been eating the seeds!

1 I chased a squirrel right into this big hole in this apple tree! There's a bird feeder nearby and the squirrel has been eating the seeds!

You're right, Sharkey! It's too dark to see him, but I can certainly smell the critter!

2 You're right, Sharkey! It's too dark to see him, but I can certainly smell the critter!

Hmm, it smells like a common gray squirrel, right Franny? They don't hibernate in the winter like many other animals. But they often take shelter inside hollow tree trunks to stay warm and to stay near a food source.

3 Hmm, it smells like a common gray squirrel, right Franny? They don't hibernate in the winter like many other animals. But they often take shelter inside hollow tree trunks to stay warm and to stay near a food source.

Hey, squirrel!!! Come out of there! You're eating all the birdseed. You know, there's no such thing as a free lunch around here!

4 Hey, squirrel!!! Come out of there! You're eating all the birdseed. You know, there's no such thing as a free lunch around here!

Maybe if we both shove our heads inside the hole at the same time...

5 Maybe if we both shove our heads inside the hole at the same time...

Wait, Sharkey! There's a hole at the top of the tree, too!

6 Wait, Sharkey! There's a hole at the top of the tree, too!

Say, I have an idea...let's flank him! You stay down at the bottom and I'll just jump up to that one. He'll have nowhere to go!

7 Say, I have an idea...let's flank him! You stay down at the bottom and I'll just jump up to that one. He'll have nowhere to go!

One, two, three - jump! Such athleticism!

8 One, two, three - jump! Such athleticism!

Aw, come on, darling sweet little squirrel! We just want to play with you!

9 Aw, come on, darling sweet little squirrel! We just want to play with you!

Franny, I'm beginning to feel like a foolish Frenchie. I think we've been had by that squirrel. I think he used that top hole as a back door and now, he's outta here! Probably sitting in another tree laughing at us!

10 Franny, I'm beginning to feel like a foolish Frenchie. I think we've been had by that squirrel. I think he used that top hole as a back door and now, he's outta here! Probably sitting in another tree laughing at us!

Posted on February 6th, 2012 in Favorite Things, Housemates, Out & About, Photo Galleries, Playing | direct link to this entry |

February 3rd, 2012

Why do we Have a Topiary Donkey?

Posted by Sharkey

We dogs were sitting at the kitchen door the other day watching the world go by, when I spotted a very strange thing out in the courtyard.  After investigating, I found out that this object was sent from a place in Brooklyn, NY called Dig Gardens.   Now we just have to figure out why?

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Francesca! GK! There is something strange outside! It appears to be some sort of green animal about Frenchie size!

1 Francesca! GK! There is something strange outside! It appears to be some sort of green animal about Frenchie size!

I'll just wait here, where it's safe, while you girls investigate. That green color is kind of disturbing.

2 I'll just wait here, where it's safe, while you girls investigate. That green color is kind of disturbing.

Hmmm, it's shaped like one of the miniature donkeys except that it's much more miniature! But our mini donks are the smallest size there is! And they definitely don't come in green! We need a closer look.

3 Hmmm, it's shaped like one of the miniature donkeys except that it's much more miniature! But our mini donks are the smallest size there is! And they definitely don't come in green! We need a closer look.

Well, Francesca, would you look at that! It's a topiary in the shape of a donkey!

4 Well, Francesca, would you look at that! It's a topiary in the shape of a donkey!

Topiaries are often made by trimming trees, shrubs, or bushes into shapes. This is a different type of topiary.

5 Topiaries are often made by trimming trees, shrubs, or bushes into shapes. This is a different type of topiary.

Oh I see, the donkey shape is actually a wire frame, which appears to be filled with sphagnum moss. Sphagnum is often referred to as peat moss, as it's often found growing on top of peat bogs.

6 Oh I see, the donkey shape is actually a wire frame, which appears to be filled with sphagnum moss. Sphagnum is often referred to as peat moss, as it's often found growing on top of peat bogs.

You know what? I can pose like that, too. Why doesn't someone make a topiary of me? The art of topiary has been around since Roman times. What better way to be immortalized?

7 You know what? I can pose like that, too. Why doesn't someone make a topiary of me? The art of topiary has been around since Roman times. What better way to be immortalized?

How about this, Sharkey? Is this a good pose?

8 How about this, Sharkey? Is this a good pose?

Or should I look off this way, like I'm daydreaming?

9 Or should I look off this way, like I'm daydreaming?

Just think, people all over the globe could decorate their lawns with Topiary Francescas! This could be big, Sharkey!

10 Just think, people all over the globe could decorate their lawns with Topiary Francescas! This could be big, Sharkey!

Oh Francesca, you're so silly. We don't need a topiary version of you—one of you is enough!

11 Oh Francesca, you're so silly. We don't need a topiary version of you—one of you is enough!

Posted on February 3rd, 2012 in Favorite Things, Friends, Housemates, Out & About, Photo Galleries, Playing | direct link to this entry |

February 1st, 2012

Friends of the Daily Wag

Posted by Pia

As promised, here are some great pics of our 'canine readers'- including the self-named 'Glue Squad,' a great crew of regulars who 'meet' here in the comments section each day. They are loyal friends to each other and to us at the DW- always offering lots of pooch-loving support and encouragement to their fellow readers.

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Dudley Do Right asks,

1 Dudley Do Right asks, "Hey Glue Squad buddies, wanna ride shotgun in my Ranger pickup?"

Rebel sent this glamour shot of Maddox!

2 Rebel sent this glamour shot of Maddox! "Is this too posed? Did you want a candid sort of thing? Me just lounging fireside or something more action oriented?"

Basil- The fifth 4 legged pooch parented by The Wallaces over their 35 years of marriage. Basil and his humans give a big shout out for the support they've gotten from the GSquad and DWag crew.

3 Basil- The fifth 4 legged pooch parented by The Wallaces over their 35 years of marriage. Basil and his humans give a big shout out for the support they've gotten from the GSquad and DWag crew.

Basil's late companion and best buddy Tasha, at home in Colorado. She was adopted from a local shelter and lived a full happy life with Basil, her other pooch siblings and the Wallace humans, until she passed from Cancer last year :(

4 Basil's late companion and best buddy Tasha, at home in Colorado. She was adopted from a local shelter and lived a full happy life with Basil, her other pooch siblings and the Wallace humans, until she passed from Cancer last year :(

Loyal DW reader Susan sent this shot of her husband and his best bud Boomer.

5 Loyal DW reader Susan sent this shot of her husband and his best bud Boomer.

Minnow says,

6 Minnow says, "I know! I know! Send the one of me winking at the G Squad...that's what i'd do if I met them dog to dog, dog to person, dog to ... well you get my drift..."

Francesca is a canine of few words but she periodically remarks on her affinity for her fellow waggers and the squad.

7 Francesca is a canine of few words but she periodically remarks on her affinity for her fellow waggers and the squad.

Sharkey waxed poetic about times shared with her cyber family. She remarked that perhaps this internet thing was of some use and would really take off some day.

8 Sharkey waxed poetic about times shared with her cyber family. She remarked that perhaps this internet thing was of some use and would really take off some day.

Proud mom and DW regular Alex sent this photo 'F & S stand-in models,' Winnie and Fala with their security guard Johnny Goliath.

9 Proud mom and DW regular Alex sent this photo 'F & S stand-in models,' Winnie and Fala with their security guard Johnny Goliath.

Ann, mom of Daily Wag regular Zoe, snapped this shot of Zoe engaged in some poolside

10 Ann, mom of Daily Wag regular Zoe, snapped this shot of Zoe engaged in some poolside "gardening."

Zoe's sister Precious can't quit understand what all the DW fuss is about but she remains supportive of Ann and Zoe for their loyalty to the squad.

11 Zoe's sister Precious can't quit understand what all the DW fuss is about but she remains supportive of Ann and Zoe for their loyalty to the squad.

T-Bone, another Zoe sibling, is anxious to get this photo session over with as he can smell the peanut butter hidden in the red toy that his stylist chose to accessorize the shot.

12 T-Bone, another Zoe sibling, is anxious to get this photo session over with as he can smell the peanut butter hidden in the red toy that his stylist chose to accessorize the shot.

The fair complexioned Sophie rounds out Zoe's sibling set. Pictured here reclining with her dark haired and more sultry sister, Precious.

13 The fair complexioned Sophie rounds out Zoe's sibling set. Pictured here reclining with her dark haired and more sultry sister, Precious.

When asked what he wished to say to the Glue Squad, GK found himself a bit verklempt and full of emotions...

14 When asked what he wished to say to the Glue Squad, GK found himself a bit verklempt and full of emotions...

Maddox, father of GK, sends a regal shout out to his loyal friends on the squad.

15 Maddox, father of GK, sends a regal shout out to his loyal friends on the squad.

Sophia is the happy little fur-child of Marilyn B. who describes herself as,

16 Sophia is the happy little fur-child of Marilyn B. who describes herself as, "certified dog lover of pugs."

And here is Sophia, lady of leisure, out for a round of golf on a warm Texas afternoon.

17 And here is Sophia, lady of leisure, out for a round of golf on a warm Texas afternoon.

Delia with Senta in '56. Tabu joined Delia following her husband's departure to serve in Viet Nam. Fifi came to Delia in '76. Pepper was a barn cat that Delia had spayed and then took into her care.

18 Delia with Senta in '56. Tabu joined Delia following her husband's departure to serve in Viet Nam. Fifi came to Delia in '76. Pepper was a barn cat that Delia had spayed and then took into her care.

In 1970 Delia found Pippa in a field all caught up in weeds. She cared for her until Pippa passed in 1982.

19 In 1970 Delia found Pippa in a field all caught up in weeds. She cared for her until Pippa passed in 1982.

Kitty came to delia in 2008 and remains her devoted companion and Glue Squad member today. Arabian Stallion, Ibn was a foal when Delia got him in '79. He was loyal and had the personality of a lap dog. He lived to the age of 29.

20 Kitty came to delia in 2008 and remains her devoted companion and Glue Squad member today. Arabian Stallion, Ibn was a foal when Delia got him in '79. He was loyal and had the personality of a lap dog. He lived to the age of 29.

Little Noella arrived on Christmas of '85, hence her name. Oreo, a barn cat adopted by Delia, joined the crew around that same time. Playmates Oreo and Noella showed many a sceptic that felines and canines can in fact be the best of buds.

21 Little Noella arrived on Christmas of '85, hence her name. Oreo, a barn cat adopted by Delia, joined the crew around that same time. Playmates Oreo and Noella showed many a sceptic that felines and canines can in fact be the best of buds.

When helping me to choose photos of some of her siblings, Minnow, not so subtly, chose only shots that also featured her little mug... coincidence? I think not. Here she is snuggling with big sister Luna.

22 When helping me to choose photos of some of her siblings, Minnow, not so subtly, chose only shots that also featured her little mug... coincidence? I think not. Here she is snuggling with big sister Luna.

Big Suprise....Here is the one Minnow felt best represented her feline brother Max. You see the pattern I'm talking about yes?

23 Big Suprise....Here is the one Minnow felt best represented her feline brother Max. You see the pattern I'm talking about yes?

When Minnow went out to relieve herself, I managed to snap this one of her sister Luna. Sneaky mom!

24 When Minnow went out to relieve herself, I managed to snap this one of her sister Luna. Sneaky mom!

The legendary Miss Pickles is surely watching over the Glue Squad and sending good vibes to loyal DWaggers.

25 The legendary Miss Pickles is surely watching over the Glue Squad and sending good vibes to loyal DWaggers.

Minnow tushy-to-tushy with sister and BFF, Luna.

26 Minnow tushy-to-tushy with sister and BFF, Luna.

27 "Psst...hey waggers...my mom took a break so I snuck in this snap for your viewing pleasure. Thought you should know I moonlight on the occasional security gig. If any of you ever need some back up- just ring me up. I can also bounce no-gooders at velvet rope events.... here comes mom...gotta fly"

Portraits of Daily Wag authors F & S- and regularly featured pooches Minnow and Pickles- painted by our very own Delia P.!

28 Portraits of Daily Wag authors F & S- and regularly featured pooches Minnow and Pickles- painted by our very own Delia P.!

29 "Psst...It's me Minnow again... managed to sneek another one in for you guys...you like?"

The photos pretty much say it all, but I thought I'd share some sentiments sent from two Glue Squad member to all of you! Lynn's and Karen's heartfelt words illustrate how the human-animal bond can foster a bond between fellow humans as well.

Hello Dr. Pia,
I am Maddox, handsome father of GK.
After I retired from the show circuit, I started commenting on a regular basis on The Daily Wag. I got to be friends with and to care deeply for the regulars. I noticed how we all supported one another regarding health issues, behavior or when one of us did something very good too.

I came up with The Glue Squad name. I said that no matter what, we stick together like glue. We are there for the other members for the good and the bad. I hope that there will be Glue Squad Chapters that spring up all over the country. It doesn't cost a dime to truly care about and support one another and it makes you feel all warm inside and as Martha would say, "that is a good thing". Hehehehehe
Love you to pieces,
Maddox

Hello Dr. Pia,
Thank you so very much for your devotion to animal adoption. In my entire life so far, they was only a period of about 8 months between dogs that I have ever not had a companion. Basil is the first small dog I have ever been around and he warmed into our hearts right away. In 35 years of marriage Basil is our 5th companion of the 4 legged nature.

Since Basil and I have joined the Daily Wag conversations on the blog, we have had many, many smiles and laughs. We learn a lot, and share a lot, and feel although we have never met, all the Glue Squad and you Dr. Pia, help us through each day. We are very lucky and fortunate to be a part of this group. Thanks to Martha and her staff and to you. The photo of Tasha (Basil's late best buddy) is doing what she loved most, fetching. She was a Black Lab Mix, adopted from a nearby shelter. Basil is a Tiger, Brindle French Bulldog.

Basil has survived many health issues with the help of an excellent doctor, but I believe his buddies on The Daily Wag, and all their paws crossed and prayers have been something that has kept Basil and I going. We love you all!!!

Love, Lynn and licks from Basil

It seems clear that a shared commitment to the well being of our animal companions can traverse great distances- via cyber space-leading to the amazing community of humans and dogs alike who convene here at the Daily Wag.

I for one, am honored to be among such caring souls- And I know my sentiments are shared by F, S and GK. Thanks so much to all of you for supporting us, each other and our fellow creatures.

In kinship,
Dr. Pia Salk

P.S. Please continue to send me your pics and comments- and for anyone who is a regular reader, but did not yet send in a pic, please share one for us to post for the rest of the crew.

Posted on February 1st, 2012 in Adoption, Favorite Things | direct link to this entry |

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