Happy 5th Birthday
to our ornery - but wonderful - little Miles!
(aka Miles Davis, Miles of Smiles, Mr. Miles
and, on occasion, Milesyoulittlebastard)
Musical background is "Doxy" by Miles Davis
Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
April 22, 2011
April 6, 2011
February 16, 2011
Wordless Wednesday - Forget Waldo, Where's Louie?
Sorry, can't go wordless today. I was putting makeup on in the bathroom, glanced over at the bed and thought, "What is that?"
Yep, it's Louie's muzzle and nose sticking out from between the navy blue sheets. This guy is a burrower. He crawls under the blankets and tunnels his way around until he's comfortable.
After I took the picture, I kissed him on the nose. He never moved.
January 19, 2011
Louie, Louie Poo Pooie
In celebration of Louie's 4th birthday today ...
Happy Birthday, Louie!
(FYI ... this was my first attempt to create a slideshow, set it to music and export it.)
(FYI ... this was my first attempt to create a slideshow, set it to music and export it.)
January 12, 2011
Puppy Brain
Have you ever had a dog that wouldn't come when called? Our fourth Yorkie, Miles (a.k.a. Miles Davis, Miles of Smiles, Mr. Miles and Milesyoulittlebastard) is the one. He was already 6 months old when we got him from a Yorkie breeder. They had considered keeping him, then decided he wasn't show quality. In the meantime, though, he'd been living with each new litter of puppies so he came to us a little wild, not house trained, with no manners and somewhat skittish.
We got him the first week of November 2006 and found out right away that even though he would use the doggie door to roam the back yard, he really preferred going potty in the house. This was when we had wall to wall carpeting and it was soooooo frustrating. So we started corralling the dogs with a baby gate in the kitchen/family room area when we were at work. They had their food, water, doggie door and the entire family room of furniture to lounge on. We had just lost our 14-1/2 year old Reggie in October and Skyler was the same age. Here is a photo of Miles (on the left) and Skyler getting to know each other ...
On Christmas morning 2007, we were packing up the car to go visit Hubby's brother and Miles escaped through the garage and took off down the street. We live at the dead end of a cul-de-sac, so I figured we'd just go out and grab him and be on our way. Oh no ... this was his first great escape and he made the most of it. What a fun game, having everyone running up and down the street, trying to give him treats and coax him to them. He is wily and fast, though, and managed to make it all the way to the other end of the street where there is traffic and ran directly in front of two cars. Of course, I am shrieking and waving my arms like a crazy person, hoping they'll stop before they smash him flatter than a pancake right in front of us. What a Christmas memory that would be.
Over the months, he managed to slip out the front door when we were signing for a package or bringing in the newspaper, the garage door when I was bringing in groceries and the back yard gate as we were wheeling the trash can through. And each time he played the catch me game with obvious excitement and glee. I'd think it was funny if I wasn't so aggravated. So I signed him up for obedience training class at PetSmart. I actually dreaded going because, come on, nobody wants to have the big idiot loser in the class and I was pretty convinced Miles was going to be sporting the dunce cap.
Surprisingly, he was very good, proved he was smart, breezed through all of the tasks like heeling, staying and coming when called looking like a little prince. He was so adorable. I'd tell him to stay and walk to the other end of the long aisle at the store. Then I'd face him and make him wait for a torturously long moment, crouch down and call him. He would come sailing down the aisle, hair blowing in the breeze, literally flying through the air right into me. I learned to brace myself after he knocked me over the first time and was very glad he only weighed 7 pounds. And everyone would laugh and awwww over how cute he was.
Then we'd go home from class, he'd escape out the door and make us chase him all over the cul-de-sac again. What the??? Where did that good little obedient dog from class go? And this is where he got his nickname Milesyoulittlebastard.
There was a female Rottweiler puppy in the class that was probably triple his size and something about her used to just make Miles crazy. We couldn't stand anywhere near each other because he would turn into a spitting, snarling, slathering beast and act like he was going to attack her. He never bit her, but he would carry on like a raving lunatic. Even though I was mortified, the trainer acted like it was no big deal and simply had me step on his leash, then pull up on it until his neck was on the floor next to my shoe.
He never seemed to care about any of the other dogs in class, but we went through this crazy thing with the Rottweiler for 8 weeks. During one of the last classes, I was wearing an ankle length summer dress. We had to walk in lines that formed big loops and would occasionally pass the Rottweiler -- and Miles would just go off. I yanked his head to the floor so many times that night, I thought I was going to either wear out the leash or my sandal. The trainer just said keep doing it until he stops. We were, of course, the focus of the class while this drama was going on and I really wanted to kill Milesyoulittlebastard. After about the 6th time in a row of downing him with the leash, when I let him up, he kind of sighed and literally walked underneath my skirt and sat down. Exhausted? Dejected? Humiliated? Who knows. All you could see was the leash disappearing under my hem and his front feet. What a total hoot that was. He brought the house down!
Surprisingly, he graduated from obedience class with flying colors. That dog would do anything he was supposed to as long as we were at PetSmart in class. However, get him home and apparently all new rules apply.
This doesn't always work with Miles, but we've found how to make Louie come when called without fail. Louie was cuddled up on Hubby's shoulder recently and the Granddaughter wanted to see if she could make him abandon her Bampy to come snuggle on the couch with her. She called him over and over, "Louie, Louie, Louie," in every sweet and cajoling tone of voice she could come up with. He was comfortable and content and just plain ignored her. Then she switched tactics and called Miles who started heading her way, but Louie ran over Miles and nearly killed both of them getting to her first.
So how do we get our dog to come when called? Just call the other dog!
We got him the first week of November 2006 and found out right away that even though he would use the doggie door to roam the back yard, he really preferred going potty in the house. This was when we had wall to wall carpeting and it was soooooo frustrating. So we started corralling the dogs with a baby gate in the kitchen/family room area when we were at work. They had their food, water, doggie door and the entire family room of furniture to lounge on. We had just lost our 14-1/2 year old Reggie in October and Skyler was the same age. Here is a photo of Miles (on the left) and Skyler getting to know each other ...
On Christmas morning 2007, we were packing up the car to go visit Hubby's brother and Miles escaped through the garage and took off down the street. We live at the dead end of a cul-de-sac, so I figured we'd just go out and grab him and be on our way. Oh no ... this was his first great escape and he made the most of it. What a fun game, having everyone running up and down the street, trying to give him treats and coax him to them. He is wily and fast, though, and managed to make it all the way to the other end of the street where there is traffic and ran directly in front of two cars. Of course, I am shrieking and waving my arms like a crazy person, hoping they'll stop before they smash him flatter than a pancake right in front of us. What a Christmas memory that would be.
Over the months, he managed to slip out the front door when we were signing for a package or bringing in the newspaper, the garage door when I was bringing in groceries and the back yard gate as we were wheeling the trash can through. And each time he played the catch me game with obvious excitement and glee. I'd think it was funny if I wasn't so aggravated. So I signed him up for obedience training class at PetSmart. I actually dreaded going because, come on, nobody wants to have the big idiot loser in the class and I was pretty convinced Miles was going to be sporting the dunce cap.
Surprisingly, he was very good, proved he was smart, breezed through all of the tasks like heeling, staying and coming when called looking like a little prince. He was so adorable. I'd tell him to stay and walk to the other end of the long aisle at the store. Then I'd face him and make him wait for a torturously long moment, crouch down and call him. He would come sailing down the aisle, hair blowing in the breeze, literally flying through the air right into me. I learned to brace myself after he knocked me over the first time and was very glad he only weighed 7 pounds. And everyone would laugh and awwww over how cute he was.
Then we'd go home from class, he'd escape out the door and make us chase him all over the cul-de-sac again. What the??? Where did that good little obedient dog from class go? And this is where he got his nickname Milesyoulittlebastard.
There was a female Rottweiler puppy in the class that was probably triple his size and something about her used to just make Miles crazy. We couldn't stand anywhere near each other because he would turn into a spitting, snarling, slathering beast and act like he was going to attack her. He never bit her, but he would carry on like a raving lunatic. Even though I was mortified, the trainer acted like it was no big deal and simply had me step on his leash, then pull up on it until his neck was on the floor next to my shoe.
He never seemed to care about any of the other dogs in class, but we went through this crazy thing with the Rottweiler for 8 weeks. During one of the last classes, I was wearing an ankle length summer dress. We had to walk in lines that formed big loops and would occasionally pass the Rottweiler -- and Miles would just go off. I yanked his head to the floor so many times that night, I thought I was going to either wear out the leash or my sandal. The trainer just said keep doing it until he stops. We were, of course, the focus of the class while this drama was going on and I really wanted to kill Milesyoulittlebastard. After about the 6th time in a row of downing him with the leash, when I let him up, he kind of sighed and literally walked underneath my skirt and sat down. Exhausted? Dejected? Humiliated? Who knows. All you could see was the leash disappearing under my hem and his front feet. What a total hoot that was. He brought the house down!
Surprisingly, he graduated from obedience class with flying colors. That dog would do anything he was supposed to as long as we were at PetSmart in class. However, get him home and apparently all new rules apply.
 |
| Louie's favorite thing is to lounge on the couch under a blanket |
This doesn't always work with Miles, but we've found how to make Louie come when called without fail. Louie was cuddled up on Hubby's shoulder recently and the Granddaughter wanted to see if she could make him abandon her Bampy to come snuggle on the couch with her. She called him over and over, "Louie, Louie, Louie," in every sweet and cajoling tone of voice she could come up with. He was comfortable and content and just plain ignored her. Then she switched tactics and called Miles who started heading her way, but Louie ran over Miles and nearly killed both of them getting to her first.
So how do we get our dog to come when called? Just call the other dog!
November 29, 2010
Everyone Should Have a Red Sweater
The shagamuffins went to the groomer recently and got nekkid. I know they look pretty, but let me tell you how much they don't like being brushed. They went from this ...
To this ...
And even though those fancy blue bandanas rock, it's on the chilly side now so we got out the old red sweaters that I bought at Petsmart years ago ...
The Granddaughter thinks they need earmuffs too ...
They seem to enjoy their sweaters -- Miles headed right outside. The sun may be shining, but the air is brisk. Geez, those sweaters are looking ratty. Guess I better knit up something new for them.
Louie cruised the yard making sure everything was cool. This rock looks fine -- check!
As it turns out, he was so exhausted from patrolling the perimeter, he dragged a blanket onto the floor, collapsed and took a little nap ...
But their favorite thing to do is pal around together like best buds do ...
To this ...
And even though those fancy blue bandanas rock, it's on the chilly side now so we got out the old red sweaters that I bought at Petsmart years ago ...
The Granddaughter thinks they need earmuffs too ...
They seem to enjoy their sweaters -- Miles headed right outside. The sun may be shining, but the air is brisk. Geez, those sweaters are looking ratty. Guess I better knit up something new for them.
Then he soaked up a little sunshine on the doormat ...
Louie cruised the yard making sure everything was cool. This rock looks fine -- check!
I don't know what this is, but it probably needs to go into the trash can ...
Here he's thinking, "I'd love to shoot a few hoops, but the ball is just too darn big" ...
The citrus trees are looking good -- I see some fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice in the future ...
Uh oh, looks like we have a dead oleander to pull. Louie, go back in the house and quit showing the work that needs to be done ...
As it turns out, he was so exhausted from patrolling the perimeter, he dragged a blanket onto the floor, collapsed and took a little nap ...
But their favorite thing to do is pal around together like best buds do ...
The End!
November 22, 2010
What's Cookin' - Chicken and White Bean Chili
Don't you just hate it when there's a line for the bathroom?
I posted my so-called recipe for Cheater Chicken Soup recently. Now I'm going to share with you the link for the best from scratch Chicken and White Bean Chili from Epicurious.com. No kidding, this recipe is so worth the little bit of trouble it takes to put it all together. And you can still have dinner on the table in about an hour.
The one thing I have found after making this a number of times is that you really don't need to reserve the juice from the beans and add a little at a time as instructed in the recipe. I just dump in both cans of beans and juice all at once. Believe me, it still thickens up nicely and tastes perfect. And the boneless, skinless chicken thighs are so juicy! Although I'm thinkin' that a few cups of cubed leftover turkey would be extremely delicious as a substitute, especially since I have a 21-pounder ready to roast.
We like to serve it with Tostito's Baked Scoops. Oh. Em. Gee. It is sooooooo good! It makes a pretty good sized pot of chili and the leftovers just get better and better.
I posted my so-called recipe for Cheater Chicken Soup recently. Now I'm going to share with you the link for the best from scratch Chicken and White Bean Chili from Epicurious.com. No kidding, this recipe is so worth the little bit of trouble it takes to put it all together. And you can still have dinner on the table in about an hour.
The one thing I have found after making this a number of times is that you really don't need to reserve the juice from the beans and add a little at a time as instructed in the recipe. I just dump in both cans of beans and juice all at once. Believe me, it still thickens up nicely and tastes perfect. And the boneless, skinless chicken thighs are so juicy! Although I'm thinkin' that a few cups of cubed leftover turkey would be extremely delicious as a substitute, especially since I have a 21-pounder ready to roast.
We like to serve it with Tostito's Baked Scoops. Oh. Em. Gee. It is sooooooo good! It makes a pretty good sized pot of chili and the leftovers just get better and better.
November 19, 2010
Dog Baths and Cheeseburger Pie
Because Miles and Louie are small, we're able to give them baths in the kitchen sink. They never like it while it's happening, but they are so happy when it's over. They feel great, they know they're cute because we all oooh and aaah over them, and they get a treat after they're brushed. And, of course, it doesn't matter how fast I am with the towel, somebody always shakes and sprays the window.
Well, now that we're all nice and clean, I have two words for you ... Cheeseburger Pie. This is the good old Betty Crocker recipe made with Bisquick that has been around forever and a day and it is one of our family favorites. Hubby has a love/hate relationship with this dish because he always has to have just one more piece. And then just one more piece. You see where this is going.
Here's the link for the recipe -- Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie -- and a few pictures of the process ...
So have a nice bath and brushing, then a piece of cheeseburger pie ... you'll like it!
Well, now that we're all nice and clean, I have two words for you ... Cheeseburger Pie. This is the good old Betty Crocker recipe made with Bisquick that has been around forever and a day and it is one of our family favorites. Hubby has a love/hate relationship with this dish because he always has to have just one more piece. And then just one more piece. You see where this is going.
Here's the link for the recipe -- Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie -- and a few pictures of the process ...
So have a nice bath and brushing, then a piece of cheeseburger pie ... you'll like it!
November 15, 2010
Bad Dogs, Good Hats
According to the late Barbara Woodhouse, there are no difficult dogs, only inexperienced owners. Well, Louie is my fifth Yorkie in 32 years and, experience aside, I'm still being surprised by my dogs.
Point in fact: Louie, who is nearly 4 years old, is a digger and a chewer, which has me completely baffled. I don't think of these as Yorkie traits. He began life as Louie Louie Poo Pooie, then became Louie Louie Chew Chewie. I ask you ... is this the face of evil?
Well, let's take a closer look ... anybody else see HORNS?
One fine Sunday morning when Louie was a little puppy, so cute and innocent, Hubby and I were sitting in the family room sucking down our caffeine and reading the paper. We heard a noise like a gunshot in the kitchen just a few feet away. We jumped up and found Louie with a piece of molding from the kitchen island in his mouth. He had actually chewed on it and snapped it off. I did the bad Mom thing, took it and swatted him with it, then shoved him out the doggie door until I could calm down.
Also, during these puppy chewing days, he ate the entire edge off the family room carpet while we were at work -- another good reason why we now have only ceramic tile throughout the house. Chew that, you little sh*t!
But he will be 4 years old on January 19th. Is that still considered puppy brain age? I buy him the best chews ever -- Mini Dingos with meat in the middle. I know he loves them because he goes into conniptions every time I give him one. Happy, happy! He has toys and rawhide bones all over the place. So why, oh why, did this happen?
Closer ...
I left a package of bamboo double pointed knitting needles on the end table and when I returned, the package was on the floor with needles scattered around. The points are all chewed and one of them has even split. Fortunately, there was no actual knitting on the needles at the time or we'd be planning a doggie funeral. As it is, he was cussed up one side and down the other. I probably should have closed the windows first because we live near a school and I suppose those kids got an earful that day!
Bad dog, bad dog, bad dog!
When we had our second Yorkie, Skyler, he puppy brain chewed a leather belt that Hubby left laying on the bedroom floor. I reminded him that anything on the floor is fair game and he should have picked it up. Now he's trying to throw this back at me but, people, I left this package of knitting needles on the table, not the floor. Hello! Not the same at all!!!
I am on a hat knitting kick. I found the cutest pattern in "Yarnplay" by Lisa Shobhana Mason. It's called the "Tami" and also has a matching scarf. I made a few of these hats with minor changes like adding an extended, overlapping button band ...
Here's one for a girlfriend in Denver. I made a knitted flower (pattern from "Interweave Knits 2010 Holiday Gifts" magazine) and put it on a pin backer so she can remove it for washing or even pin the flower to something else ...
And then I had an idea for a new pattern and designed a blue hat for myself with a band of fun fur just above the doubled brim ...
The double thickness of the brim is much warmer around the ears and YD thought this was so cute, she ordered one in a gray alpaca blend. Here is the Granddaughter modeling it ...
I've sanded down the chew marks on my needles, but it's not working so well as there are rough spots that catch the yarn. Thanks to Louie Louie Screw Screwy, looks like I'll be heading to the store for some new size 8s.
Closer ...
I left a package of bamboo double pointed knitting needles on the end table and when I returned, the package was on the floor with needles scattered around. The points are all chewed and one of them has even split. Fortunately, there was no actual knitting on the needles at the time or we'd be planning a doggie funeral. As it is, he was cussed up one side and down the other. I probably should have closed the windows first because we live near a school and I suppose those kids got an earful that day!
Bad dog, bad dog, bad dog!
 |
| Skyler |
I am on a hat knitting kick. I found the cutest pattern in "Yarnplay" by Lisa Shobhana Mason. It's called the "Tami" and also has a matching scarf. I made a few of these hats with minor changes like adding an extended, overlapping button band ...
Here's one for a girlfriend in Denver. I made a knitted flower (pattern from "Interweave Knits 2010 Holiday Gifts" magazine) and put it on a pin backer so she can remove it for washing or even pin the flower to something else ...
And then I had an idea for a new pattern and designed a blue hat for myself with a band of fun fur just above the doubled brim ...
The double thickness of the brim is much warmer around the ears and YD thought this was so cute, she ordered one in a gray alpaca blend. Here is the Granddaughter modeling it ...
I've sanded down the chew marks on my needles, but it's not working so well as there are rough spots that catch the yarn. Thanks to Louie Louie Screw Screwy, looks like I'll be heading to the store for some new size 8s.
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