Author: andrew puntch

married, dog owner, current events, politics, history, baseball, weather/climate

Treat ball

Treat ball

Faye bought this this treat ball for Kendal several years ago. Like most Labrador Retrievers, Kendal has a tendency to Dyson any food that comes his way. That’s unhealthy and has a small potential to be dangerous because bloat or torsion can result. This treat ball dispenses food in a slow manner and makes Kendal work for his food.

The treat ball is hollow and you dribble kibble into the hole visible above Kendals’ nose. He pushes the ball around with his nose (which he does with an admirable single-mindedness of purpose) and when it rolls just right, a piece or three falls out. He Dysons it up and resumes the process until either all the kibble is gone or he gets bored (the latter is very unlikely). It’s quite entertaining. Nothing gets in his way or distracts him from his ball.

Waiting at the vet clinic

Typed on the PlayBook.

We took everyone to the vet for their annual wellness exam. Our vet, Wallaceburg Animal Hospital, is in the next town and the roads were snow-packed, so the drive was leisurely.

The vet had an emergency patient so we waited longer than usual. The dogs understandably became restless.

Achilles paced.

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Kendal cocked his ears at sounds outside the examining room.

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Drama queen Stella paced, barked at sounds, and occasionally hoisted herself on her hind legs to check out the counter.

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Eventually the vet came in, we really like Dr. Vallee. Everyone is fine, Stella has a little gum disease. The cattle dogs got their vaccinations. Kendal not yet, because of his recent illness Dr. Vallee recommended holding off for a few weeks. And now everyone is curled up.

Achilles: Light and shadow

Achilles: Light and shadow

This is a wonderful study of Chili dog on a recent sunny day. Faye gets (and deserves) all of the credit.

Winter walk

We walked the cattle dogs Saturday afternoon. The sun was out, it was breezy, and about -5C – balmy compared to the brutal temperatures and winds of he past few days.

Stella surveys the open field behind the high school. She loves running free and has good recall, but on this day we decided to go off our regular route and for that reason I kept her leashed.

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Light and shadow

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Grasses, bent by the prevailing wind, gently waved as the breeze flowed around them.

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Shadows and light. And Stella.

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Achilles found something worth investigating.

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Friday’s gale-force winds blew snow around the tombstones in Dresden’s largest cemetery, which we enjoy walking through. The snowdrifts’ shapes and patterns were, are, beautiful.

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It was a largely pleasant and enjoyable stroll. We occasionally had to make our way through drifts a foot deep and more, and the breeze flung snow in our faces as we turned into the wind to make our way home. It’s good to get outside though, to appreciate the wonder of the winter landscape, and when done to doubly appreciate our comfortable, snug little home.

Changes to the blog

Changes to the blog

I am thinking about some changes. Perhaps changing the layout, adding options to subscribe, for you to share if you see fit, to publicize my work.

My About page describes what I intended to write about when I started blogging in June 2013. My purpose has changed since then. My interest in photography has been kindled (or rekindled?) and I am more interested in posting photos, writing about gratitude, my blessings, the (mostly simple) events in and of life. More interested in writing about these things than politics, current events, even baseball.

And I would like to ask you, my readers: What would you like to see, to read about? Can I improve?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Waiting

Waiting

We came across this chair on the riverbank during yesterdays walk, waiting for spring, waiting for someone to take a load off and relax while waiting.

Junco tracks

Junco tracks

I have seen eleven Dark-eyed Juncos in the backyard today. Here is evidence of their presence.

Icing sugar on a sweet boy

Icing sugar on a sweet boy

Faye and I took a walk earlier (photos to come). When we returned home I stayed out to shovel the driveway and brush the vehicles. Achilles stayed out with me. As I wrapped up my task it began snowing – big Christmas flakes floating out of the sky. I was struck by how well dusted Chili dog was as well as his seeming disregard of the snow. I also like the demonstration of how mobile a dogs ears are.

Brigden Sideroad

Brigden Sideroad

January 3, 8:00AM. Temperature: -19C. A freezing, frozen treat to behold.

Fuzzbutt

Fuzzbutt

For the drama queen she is, sometimes Stella is quite adventurous.