Tag: Achilles

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.

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.

NOT a duck in a dog suit . . .

NOT a duck in a dog suit . . .

. . . describes Achilles, here shying away from a tiny wavelet breaking at his feet during a visit to Lake Erie. ‘Ain’t gonna get wet, don’t wanna, no how, no way, can’t make me.’

He’s never gotten more than his feet wet and that has only happened walking through puddles. Chili has never taken a swim. I’ve encouraged him but have never made nor will I will never make him.

Because he’s a stray I’ll never know the reason for his antipathy to water. Some mysteries are destined to remain such.

The day I arrived in Canada

The day I arrived in Canada

July 30, 2007 is the day my life began again. Achilles, Stella, and I arrived at our home after a journey rich in miles, time, and living. Sometimes people ask if I have been home, meaning Texas, lately. I reply ‘This is my home.’

I would not trade that journey, and my destination, for anything.

Winter thaw 6 – outside

Weak sunshine and very little wind drew all five of us outside – if only for a short time. Achilles, Kendal, and Stella surveyed the backyard for a moment.

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Achilles

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I have owned Achilles for almost eight years and am still astounded by how he came to me. A friend involved in Labrador Retriever rescue told me about a dog at a shelter she pulled dogs from. He was typed as an Australian Cattle Dog mix and knowing that I had ACDx Stella, she thought I might want to foster him.

He was picked up as a stray and his people never came for him. By the time I took him home he had been at the shelter for 363 days and probably running out of time.

Achilles is wonderful with people, which is atypical for ACDs and very easy on leash. He is undemanding, very low maintenance. He walks and trots smoothly, almost languidly. Chili runs with a fluid grace, he seems to float. His one quirk is an utter refusal to get wet. The shelter estimated his age to be six though I find it very hard to believe he would now be 13 or 14. It amazes me that he languished in the shelter for so long, almost as though fate designated him to be my, our, dog.

I am, we are, very, very blessed to have him.

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Dinner

The blur on the right is Achilles heeding the call of ‘Is it time for puppers?’ Stella waits in the living room as she has been trained to do.

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Achilles

I caught Chili Dog just as he looked up at me after dropping his fire hose squeeky toy. Did not realize his snout was wrinkled until I saw the photo.

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