...and they finished the course.
Monday, September 10, 2007
The Others
With all the fuss over the new puppy, you'd think we didn't have any other dogs. Well... most of you know better.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Test dog extraordinaire! Best described a few years ago by Sandra Moore as "the best fixed broke dawg I ever saw!". And still the prettiest dog on the planet.
UPDATE 1: I'm looking at this, and it reminds me of something. What is it? Wait! That's it!!
All Relative.
Since I posted pictures of Sandia's parents last week.. (or was it the week before?), I thought maybe readers might like to go back another generation to see the grandparents..
Above, is Grandmother "Zanda", and below, Grandfather "Xicot", (the tall, dark, and handsome one in the group- pronounced, "Chico".) Click on the link to see some background information, and a list of European titles... most of which I don't understand. Probably show, racing, and lure coursing, but I'm not sure.
Images courtesy Anke Schute, in the Netherlands. Thanks!
EDIT 1: And, just to close a circle here... When I wrote the story of my Galgo "quest" back in August, I mentioned exchanging emails, back in the late 90's, with the "Little Lobitos" folks in Germany about their pending first litter. Well... it happens that in that first litter was a cute little girl... by the name of Zanda!
Above, is Grandmother "Zanda", and below, Grandfather "Xicot", (the tall, dark, and handsome one in the group- pronounced, "Chico".) Click on the link to see some background information, and a list of European titles... most of which I don't understand. Probably show, racing, and lure coursing, but I'm not sure.
Images courtesy Anke Schute, in the Netherlands. Thanks!EDIT 1: And, just to close a circle here... When I wrote the story of my Galgo "quest" back in August, I mentioned exchanging emails, back in the late 90's, with the "Little Lobitos" folks in Germany about their pending first litter. Well... it happens that in that first litter was a cute little girl... by the name of Zanda!
Small world. (At least in Europe it is...)
As before.. to view Zanda's puppy picture, click on the link, click on "Puppies", click on the "A" litter, roll your mouse over all the cute puppies until "Abizanda" shows up, then click on that picture. For some reason we can't link directly to a specific page on the website; only the home page.
Nature Finds Us.
We generally don't have to go looking. Case in point, yesterday; we're packing up after the weekend's trials in Hobart, IN. We've had the puppy's travel crate outside all weekend. It makes a nice table/workbench/catch-all. Under all the stuff I find this guy...
He/she had plenty to eat this weekend; the mosquitos were quite horrendous. If I had to guess, I'd call this a Grey Tree Frog. Any amphibian biologists out there want to help out, feel free to jump in. It's about 3 inches long, got some serious grippy toes, and was a dull grey with vibrant black and yellow areas under the arms and legs.
Look closely, and you can see the self-portrait of the photographer in the eye!
He/she had plenty to eat this weekend; the mosquitos were quite horrendous. If I had to guess, I'd call this a Grey Tree Frog. Any amphibian biologists out there want to help out, feel free to jump in. It's about 3 inches long, got some serious grippy toes, and was a dull grey with vibrant black and yellow areas under the arms and legs.
Look closely, and you can see the self-portrait of the photographer in the eye!
If You Have to Ask... You Must be Dick Cheney.
The Question? Are Liberals Smarter?
William Saletan at Slate.Com reports on a study that shows that "Liberals' brains 'are more responsive to informational complexity".
Where's the news there? I knew that. Didn't you know that?
William Saletan at Slate.Com reports on a study that shows that "Liberals' brains 'are more responsive to informational complexity".
Where's the news there? I knew that. Didn't you know that?
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Who's Yer Daddy?!
You know it's true... nobody works harder to get you a unique, spectacular image of your hounds.. 
So, where will we be working hard in the upcoming weeks? Why, it's time for a schedule update:
Sept 8-9 WCLCC Hobart, IN ASFA trials (and annual Pig Roast!)
Sept 15-16 LARC Oberlin, OH LGRA racemeet, and ASFA Fun Trial
Sept 22-23 NCC/ASFA Region 6 Invitational, Ravenna, OH
Sept 26-30 LCLC Romulus, NY ASFA & AKC Events
That's it for September! Remember, if you just want pictures on a disk, you're cousin Vinnie can handle the job; if you want a Full Time Professional Photographer, offering a comprehensive photographic product list, including: Prints, CD's, CD Slide Shows, Posters, Photo T-Shirts, Mouse Pads, Tiles, Checkbook Covers and Wallets, Cutting Boards, and... and... the list goes on- you get the idea. Call us!
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Observation.
You can always tell when we're parked in one place for more than a couple of days, can't you?
New Links
Added a couple of new links on the sidebar. Definitely worth a look as we try to be less sighthound-centric here at the Hare-Brained Express. Patrick Burns has working terriers. He posts sometimes witty, sometimes scathing commentary on all things dog, and other related subjects. He's recently had a couple terrifically entertaining posts on the show dog - working dog dichotomy.
And because gun dogs need representation, too, we have Andrew Campbells Regal Vizsla. He has puppies, too. When you're tired of looking at Galgo Espanol puppie pictures here, click on over to Regal Vizsla and see how the puppies are progressing there! (But for the life of me, I can't imagine why, with a name like Andrew Campbell ,the man doesn't have Scottish Deerhounds!). Andrew also enjoys cycling, and actually admits to being a University of Michigan grad! Welcome.
And because gun dogs need representation, too, we have Andrew Campbells Regal Vizsla. He has puppies, too. When you're tired of looking at Galgo Espanol puppie pictures here, click on over to Regal Vizsla and see how the puppies are progressing there! (But for the life of me, I can't imagine why, with a name like Andrew Campbell ,the man doesn't have Scottish Deerhounds!). Andrew also enjoys cycling, and actually admits to being a University of Michigan grad! Welcome.
Embarassing? I'll Give You Embarassing!
One piece about the Michigan-Appalachian State debacle last Saturday, and then I'm done with it.
Yes, I'm a Michigan fan. Margaret, too. We both were born and grew up in Ann Arbor. Margaret's parents are rabid fans.. they not only go to the major sports events, they go to women's gymnastics, softball, baseball, lacrosse, and even field hockey, (the Michigan Women were National Champions a couple years back). My parents were also die-hard fans. My dad worked as an usher at the Big House, and passed the job on to me when he retired back in the 70's. Neither of us attended UM, but when you grow up in "A-Squared" you're either a Michigan fan, or you're the equivalent of some kind of child molester.
So yes. It was embarassing last Saturday as the scores ticked in throughout the afternoon. It was doubly embarassing because I was shooting a trial in Dayton, OH that was rife with incorrigible, hated Buckeye fans... (who were probably secretly thanking whichever deities they believe in that their school wasn't stupid enough to schedule Appalachian State, a move which, win or lose, would have no good come of it).
Very embarassing. Can't say it enough. Nearly as embarassing as, say, going to a high profile National Championship football game and getting bitch-slapped around by a team nobody thought should even be there. (And then, to add insult to injury, to show up at another National Championship game in another major sport just a few short months later, and get bitch-slapped around by the very same school for all the world to see.)
Yup. Last Saturday was almost as embarassing as that. I'd put it at Number 2.
Yes, I'm a Michigan fan. Margaret, too. We both were born and grew up in Ann Arbor. Margaret's parents are rabid fans.. they not only go to the major sports events, they go to women's gymnastics, softball, baseball, lacrosse, and even field hockey, (the Michigan Women were National Champions a couple years back). My parents were also die-hard fans. My dad worked as an usher at the Big House, and passed the job on to me when he retired back in the 70's. Neither of us attended UM, but when you grow up in "A-Squared" you're either a Michigan fan, or you're the equivalent of some kind of child molester.
So yes. It was embarassing last Saturday as the scores ticked in throughout the afternoon. It was doubly embarassing because I was shooting a trial in Dayton, OH that was rife with incorrigible, hated Buckeye fans... (who were probably secretly thanking whichever deities they believe in that their school wasn't stupid enough to schedule Appalachian State, a move which, win or lose, would have no good come of it).
Very embarassing. Can't say it enough. Nearly as embarassing as, say, going to a high profile National Championship football game and getting bitch-slapped around by a team nobody thought should even be there. (And then, to add insult to injury, to show up at another National Championship game in another major sport just a few short months later, and get bitch-slapped around by the very same school for all the world to see.)
Yup. Last Saturday was almost as embarassing as that. I'd put it at Number 2.
The Queen!
I've written often here about my Scottish Deerhound, "Randir", who turned 11 a couple weeks ago, and I have more to write on the subject. That's an advanced age for a deerhound, especially a male, and the funny thing is he really doesn't know he's old.
Randir's in the minor leagues, however, compared to Megan, a deerhound in Berkshire, UK. Astounding! HT to Ellen B. in Jersey!
Randir's in the minor leagues, however, compared to Megan, a deerhound in Berkshire, UK. Astounding! HT to Ellen B. in Jersey!
Monday, September 03, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Something Different.
Command Performance
For all those clamoring for more pictures.. here's a nice movement/construction image. Just look at those feet! He's going to be about Fanny's size.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
One Smart Puppy
Forget everything you've heard about puppies.. especially kennel raised puppies. Here's a 13 week old pup who'd never had a collar on, never been on leash, never been in a crate, never been away from his siblings, etc. etc. etc.
Chris was at work when we left on Sunday, so we had to capture this kid on our own.. the plan was to take the big food dish to the puppy pen. All the puppies follow the bowl into the pen, which is when we were supposed to grab him while he was thinking about food. Well, guess who figured out something was up, and didn't go with all the other puppies? Un huh. Sandia. He stayed back, out of reach, and when I went to get him, he ran back to the garage, where I cornered him under a workbench, and got his collar and leash on.
He then did the "mule" thing, planting all four and refusing to budge. Not wanting to waste time, and he being a small pup, I just picked him up, took him to the van, and unceremoniously pushed him into his crate. We were packed, and ready to go, so Margaret got the gate, and I hit the gas, with Sandia yelping and screaming like he was being murdered. Fanny told him to shut up, in her inimitable fashion. It worked.
By the time we hit Texas, he was sound asleep. We stopped to walk dogs, and found he'd pee'd and pooped in the crate. After cleanup, he went back in without a problem. At our next stop, in Oklahoma, Margaret got him out of a clean, dry crate and walked him, where he pee'd for about 4 minutes, to much great praise. We slept in the van at WalMart Sunday night, but by Monday night we were feeling grubby, and tired and stopped for the night at a motel in Effingham, IL. By this point he'd kept the crate dry for over 30 hours, but hadn't pooped since we left. He promptly took care of that, twice, after getting out of the van... along with another long pee. He was now also walking normally... if you consider normal trying to trip me, or jumping up on me, or stopping to "sit and think" periodically. And most impressively of all, when we went into the room, he leaped onto the spare bed, curled up on the pillow like you see here, and spent the entire night there... next to a coiled telephone cord that would have sorely temped a lesser dog! Dog's not normal!
Chris was at work when we left on Sunday, so we had to capture this kid on our own.. the plan was to take the big food dish to the puppy pen. All the puppies follow the bowl into the pen, which is when we were supposed to grab him while he was thinking about food. Well, guess who figured out something was up, and didn't go with all the other puppies? Un huh. Sandia. He stayed back, out of reach, and when I went to get him, he ran back to the garage, where I cornered him under a workbench, and got his collar and leash on.
He then did the "mule" thing, planting all four and refusing to budge. Not wanting to waste time, and he being a small pup, I just picked him up, took him to the van, and unceremoniously pushed him into his crate. We were packed, and ready to go, so Margaret got the gate, and I hit the gas, with Sandia yelping and screaming like he was being murdered. Fanny told him to shut up, in her inimitable fashion. It worked.
By the time we hit Texas, he was sound asleep. We stopped to walk dogs, and found he'd pee'd and pooped in the crate. After cleanup, he went back in without a problem. At our next stop, in Oklahoma, Margaret got him out of a clean, dry crate and walked him, where he pee'd for about 4 minutes, to much great praise. We slept in the van at WalMart Sunday night, but by Monday night we were feeling grubby, and tired and stopped for the night at a motel in Effingham, IL. By this point he'd kept the crate dry for over 30 hours, but hadn't pooped since we left. He promptly took care of that, twice, after getting out of the van... along with another long pee. He was now also walking normally... if you consider normal trying to trip me, or jumping up on me, or stopping to "sit and think" periodically. And most impressively of all, when we went into the room, he leaped onto the spare bed, curled up on the pillow like you see here, and spent the entire night there... next to a coiled telephone cord that would have sorely temped a lesser dog! Dog's not normal!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Introducing:
TSH WatermelonMan @ Shotonsite. ("Sandia"). Born 5/18/07. This little fellow wasn't originally available, but once he showed signs of getting a wire coat, he was. You don't have to ask us twice! He caught my attention the first time we looked at the pictures. The eyes have it! 
Thank You Chris! Watch this space for more pictures... lots more pictures ;-)
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Road Trip...
Dateline: Edgewood, NM
Yup. After weeks of trying to finagle ways to get a puppy from NM to wherever we happened to be at the time, we decided we might as well come out ourselves and actually see the live versions, and make our pick.
Wednesday, we dropped off the Express, and the Escape at Done-Right Auto & RV Repair in Mason, MI, hopped in a shiny white Enterprise Rent-A-Van (bare-bones cargo version... no cruise control!), with all the dogs and the cat and began our 1500 mile trip... which we accomplished in 29 mind numbing, and sleep depriving hours.
that very same black and white girl who now seems to have normal feet?
Yup. After weeks of trying to finagle ways to get a puppy from NM to wherever we happened to be at the time, we decided we might as well come out ourselves and actually see the live versions, and make our pick.
Wednesday, we dropped off the Express, and the Escape at Done-Right Auto & RV Repair in Mason, MI, hopped in a shiny white Enterprise Rent-A-Van (bare-bones cargo version... no cruise control!), with all the dogs and the cat and began our 1500 mile trip... which we accomplished in 29 mind numbing, and sleep depriving hours.
the tan boy we picked from the photos when our original pick was deemed to be "not quite right in the feet",
...or would it be "La Adelita",
that very same black and white girl who now seems to have normal feet?Or would we like another puppy altogether...?
We're leaving tomorrow morning.. hope we've got it figured out by then! As I've said before... stay tuned.
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