Christmas Border Collie--2020 Social Distancing Edition

 

Sad to say that little has happened since our last entry in October. With the Covid virus infection rate steeply heading up, the Holiday season seems very subdued. No Holiday gatherings this year. Mall Day, when I spend the entire day at the regional mall getting all of my Holiday shopping done, was not an option this year. No annual trip to Manhattan to see the tree at Rockefeller Center, take in the Christmas fair at Bryant Park, and finish the day with the contra dance in Greenwich Village.

Also sad that this blog entry is a bit on the sparse side.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Thanksgiving was not as dull as I had feared. I had a Zoom dinner with my sister and her family, everyone at home eating a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I was thankful for many things, but I hope I can be forgiven for being most thankful that a new President will be moving into the White House in January.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

While my Holiday decorating was subdued this year, I did want to dress up my house so as to give just a bit of cheer to passersby. For a number of years now I have been putting a small pre-lit tree in my dining room window in front of the house. I got the tree out of my garage and set it in front of the window. Not long afterward I noticed the lights at the bottom were all out, indicating that a string was out.

Those small lights that are in vogue today are wired in series. Each light runs on 2½ volts. Since electric voltage divides over a series, 125 volts of electricity from an outlet would divide over 50 bulbs to provide the 2½ volts for each bulb. As such there are fifty bulbs to a string, which is why if a bulb goes completely out, another 49 bulbs will go dark. To remedy this, each bulb contains a “shunt”, a wire that is intended to bypass the burned-out bulb and allow the other 49 bulbs to keep working. Sometimes the shunt does not work as intended, so the entire string goes out. I went out and bought a $25 device that, in most cases, will fix the shunt by zapping it with a high voltage welding it together. Unfortunately, in my case it didn’t work. I tried replacing bulbs that looked burned out in the hope that I would find the culpable bulb that way. No such luck. Finally, I gave up, found some strings of colored lights I used to use when I put up a live tree, and put them the dark tree. I thought they looked fairly good, though I did not put any ornaments on the tree. I then ordered an LED pre-lit tree, about the same size as the old one, online for next year.

In addition to the tree, I bought an LED snowman window display for my other downstairs window in the front of the house. Electric candles went in my three upstairs windows. I was satisfied with my abbreviated house Holiday decorations this year.

 

 

Olive and the Christmas tree in my dining room.

 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

I came across this item on the web recently. Is it true that only border collie people will understand it? See for yourself and let me know what you think.

https://petpress.net/15-things-only-border-collie-owners-will-understand/

 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

For the past number of years, I have provided a Christmas-themed cartoon for my friends who read this blog. This year the Pink Panther inspired me.

A homeless, hungry, and cold Pink Panther is hoping for a Christmas Eve meal. Even the prisoners in the city jail get a Christmas feast, but nothing for the poor Pink Panther. If you don’t want to watch the entire half hour, skip ahead to the last five minutes where the Pink Panther makes a friend and finally gets his Christmas dinner. The story is a bit sad, but things work out in the end.

 

 

 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

With that, Olive and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

 

Last Saturday Olive and I met my friends Kathryn and Mark and their dog Archie up in the Berkshires for a short but challenging hike up a steep trail in October Mountain State park in the town of Lee. Olive and Archie get along splendidly, and immediately curled up together in the back of Mark’s car for the ride from the grocery store parking lot where we met to the trail.

 

Not long after starting, it looked like Olive was listening to my directions. I have hiked many times before with Olive off-leash, so I removed her leash. For a while she stayed close, but later she seemed to pick up some kind of scent that she completely focused on. She either did not notice or ignored when I called her. At that we put her leash back on and kept it on for the remainder of the hike. The hike was only about two miles total, but a steep and slippery trail left us all exhausted by the end of the hike.

 

At the top of the hill was a pond and picnic table where we all ate lunch, including a treat for each of the two dogs that I usually give to Olive at lunch time.  Kathryn had picked up some large sugar cookies that were nothing short of awesome, which I ate with an apple. Bottled water and a cheese sandwich rounded out my lunch.

 

After driving back to the grocery store lot to pick up my car Olive plopped down on the floor of my car and slept soundly all the way home, about a 75-minute ride. Once back in my garage Olive seemed to be fully rested and wanted a game of “catch the saucer” in the field behind my house. There later seemed to be some effect from the hike, however, as after our last walk of the evening she went straight to her bed and slept soundly.

Kathryn took some great photos of hike. Here are a few that I really liked.

Olive and Archie pose together atop a large rock

At the picnic area at the top of the trail. Don't remember what the two dogs were focused on. Perhaps lunch on the picnic table?

Olive likes cooling off in the stream, as this photo shows.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

 

Some weeks ago, Nanne, Olive’s breeder, sent me some photos she had of Olive’s litter when she was a newborn puppy. It’s hard to pick out which one is Olive at that age, but I have some guesses.

I don't think the one muzzling Nanne is Olive; the stripe down her forehead is too wide. I am guessing Olive is the puppy third from the left in front.

Possibly Olive is the one at bottom left?

Again, bottom left?

Hard to say; I am guessing top left.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

 

The covid-19 virus does not seem to be going away. Sad that social distancing and masks are as important as ever. That means Halloween as I remember from my childhood will not be happening this year. I usually give out chocolate bars, while Olive has always behaved well with all the kids coming to the front door. People have come up with all sorts of schemes for giving out candy, such as a catapult that was written up in today’s Hartford Courant; call me lazy, but I am not so inclined to take heroic measures. I decided to just not give candy out this year and hope that next year will be much closer to a normal Halloween.

 

Not to mention that we got some heavy snow here most of the morning and part of the afternoon. It doesn’t seem to be sticking to the leaves and branches on the trees as it did a few years ago when we had a freak Halloween snowstorm with some heavy wet snow that brought down many trees and limbs.

 

For those who are looking for something the family can do together on Halloween night, there are of course many spooky films available on line or on DVD. Here is a cartoon I remember watching back when it was first broadcast back in 1964, the day before Halloween, on WPIX-TV out of New York City. It might appeal to kids up to the age of 12 or so.Hallow

 

 

 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

 

Election day is Tuesday, November 3 this year. The choices couldn’t be starker. I urge everyone to get out and vote if they have not already. I deposited my ballot into the secure box in my town nearly a month ago. Too late to mail your ballot in most jurisdictions, but everyone’s vote is important. GET OUT AND VOTE!

 

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

 

A few bits of dog humor I collected since the last posting. Enjoy.

Without a Border Collie? How Indeed!

Border collie people already know this, of course.

 

Happy Ninth Birthday, Olive

I am told that Olive was born on August 1, 2011. That makes her nine years old today. Happy birthday, Olive. I might have gone out and picked up a doggy cake for her, but with the covid crisis I am reluctant to go out anywhere other than walking my dog. 

Even grocery shopping is something I do reluctantly, though I always wear a mask and try to keep a distance from anyone else in the store. I have no choice when it comes to wearing a mask, as Connecticut state law requires it and there are employees at the store entrance making sure everyone has one.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

I did make a trip down to the seashore down in southeastern Connecticut to meet a friend at a popular casual seafood restaurant with a large outdoor deck and view of the water. Diners have to order their dinner and pay at a window, take a number, then head upstairs to the deck and select a table with a green seashell on it. A red shell means that the table has been used and staff has not disinfected it yet. Staff brings the food out to the tables with the particular order’s number.

I chose to do this on a Thursday figuring that the place would be less crowded than on a Friday. I dropped Olive off at Candlewick for a bath and professional grooming then headed down. I had fish & chips while my friend had lobster tacos. It was a nice getaway; Olive got her bath and some time to play with other dogs, something she typically did once a week before the covid crisis. That was the first eating out for me since March. I went straight back to Candlewick after my seafood lunch and picked up a fresh-smelling dog. She showed her appreciation for the bath when we got home by rolling in the grass the first chance she got. Well, no one ever said having a border collie would be easy.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

My friends Kathryn and Mark have a corgi mix named Archie that gets along with Olive splendidly. Recently Kathryn send me a photo of the first time the two met. They were immediately old friends and curled up together in the back of Kathryn's car.

Olive and Archie, friends from the start.

Recently Archie had some surgery. I understand he is recovering well, but Olive sent and still sends her get well wishes and virtual tail wags.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

A fellow border collie person sent me a video of dogs beating the heat. There are some border collies shown near the end, though the video not exclusively border collies. I found it amusing.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Olive does not like loud noises and often hides under my computer desk or the corner of my living room when there is thunder or July fireworks. While noise does not bother me, we humans have our own issues.

Move over, Olive.

Corona Virus Lockdown Edition

We are all avoiding contact with other people due to this corona virus pandemic. That includes Olive and I. Everything in Connecticut is closed except for grocery stores, drug stores, gas stations, and liquor stores. I find it amusing that liquor stores are staying open, but I suppose there would be riots in some quarters if they were forced closed. I am fortunate to be able to stay home most of the time, going out only for walks with Olive and grocery shopping.

Olive seems to know that something is up. No one is coming by to visit, there are few people out walking around when we are out for our walks, I am not leaving her home alone very much, and she is not going to Candlewick to play with the other dogs there. I try to keep her busy with toys, games of “saucer” out back, her usual walks, and an occasional game of “catch the rubber stick” after a walk around the complex.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Today I was able to make a video chat connection with my friends Kathryn and Mark in the Berkshires. We tried to get Olive and their dog Archie to communicate over the cameras; they seemed to be aware of each other but seemed to be a bit confused by the whole setup. Perhaps because they couldn’t smell each other? Hmmmm…….we can see and hear each other over the internet; is the next step to be able to smell each other?

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

After a routine checkup at the veterinarian a parasite was found in a stool sample I brought for testing. The vet recommended some medicine in her food for ten days. The medicine came in small packets, one packet per day, to be sprinkled over her food. The medicine resembled sugar. I was at first apprehensive as to whether Olive would eat it, but she ate it right down and even licked the small amount that fell between her food pellets off the bottom of the bowl. Either the medicine had no taste or tasted good to Olive. The morning after the last packet I brought another stool sample to the vet’s office. The good news was that the parasite had disappeared. There was, however, some evidence of hookworms in her stool. The vet prescribed another medicine that I picked up this morning. It turned out to be a one-shot pill. As soon as I got home, I wrapped the pill in a slice of roast beef and Olive ate it right up.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

This morning someone sent me an interesting bit about how technically savvy border collies are dealing with the corona virus lock-down. Much the same as humans, I would say.

Of course border collies would use the latest technology!

Stay safe and healthy. Wash your hands frequently, wear a mask in public, and use gloves. Let's hope that the crisis is over soon.

Valentine's Day Border Collie

On Valentine’s Day I packed up for three days at the Dance Flurry music festival in Saratoga, NY. I had arranged for Olive to stay at Candlewick. It turned out that Candlewick was holding a Valentine’s Day party for dogs that day. I paid a bit extra for Olive to take part. As party favors, she and the other dogs were given a bag with some treats and a plush pink heart toy.

As usual, Olive was in a bit of a snit after I picked her up on Monday morning. Upon giving her the toy and a treat, all seemed to be forgiven. Olive loved the pink heart toy, but within a week chewed a hole in it so that stuffing was everywhere. Afraid that she might get sick on the stuffing, I reluctantly threw the toy away, reluctant because Olive did seem to really like the toy.

Olive at the Valentine's Party

Until recently we had some neighbors with two small girls who adored Olive. Olive adored the girls as well as their parents. The girls often blew soap bubbles which fascinated Olive. I am guessing that she was missing her friends, who moved to a new home in a nearby town earlier this year.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

 Olive often likes to hide from me when we play "saucer" out back. Her colors blend in with a white birch tree in the back of my house. Someone sent me a photo of a border collie similarly hiding on a rug. Look carefully or you won't see the border collie napping on the rug.

Look carefully to see the border collie on the rug.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Last Friday I went to see my dentist about a mild toothache. It seemed that an old root canal was failing (it seems that root canals work fine for a number of years but fail eventually). I was referred to a root canal specialist. I dropped Olive off at Candlewick for daycare and drove to the specialist’s office on Monday morning expecting to have the root canal re-drilled and refilled. Instead the specialist told me that the tooth was fractured and could not be saved. I was referred to an oral surgeon who happened to be the one my dad had gone to when he had a dental implant put in. I drove directly to the surgeon’s office (glad that I had put Olive in daycare), was given Novocain, and the tooth pulled. The tooth came out in several pieces, but otherwise the surgery went smoothly. Since I was restricted on what I could eat after the surgery, I was glad that I had a full breakfast (minus coffee) before heading out in the morning.

On the way home I stopped at the grocery store pharmacy to pick up the pain medication the surgeon had prescribed. I also picked up a six-pack of nutritional shakes, similar to Ensure, figuring that I was not going to be able to eat anything for lunch. I drank one of the shakes and took a nap while the Novocain had not worn off, did a few light chores, and tried to relax with a crossword puzzle before deciding to pick up Olive around 4:30. After we got home I walked then fed Olive, and boiled up some spaghetti putting nothing on it except a thin tomato sauce and some herbal infused olive oil. Not a particularly complete or balanced supper, but I did not have to chew it and it was relatively satisfying.

Olive was very attentive and seemed to understand that I was not feeling well. She did not pester me to throw her a ball or otherwise play with her (although she did check up on me from time to time to see that I was ok), and went to her own bed when I collapsed into mine after her last walk of the night. The pain medication seemed to work well, and I got my best night’s sleep in a week.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

I have gotten word that Olive’s sister-in-law, Selkie, had another litter making Olive an auntie again. The puppies are, needless to say, adorable!

Olive's new nephews and nieces.

Christmas Border Collie 2019

I am happy to say that Olive is fully recovered from her broken nail mishap last month. I no sooner took the bandage off than she was jumping around ready to play and make up for lost time.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Although she does not seem to be a treat-oriented dog, Olive does seem to love her dog biscuits. I have always felt good about the Milk Bone brand and bought them often for my first dog, Smokey, and for Olive. However, I have wanted for a while to make some fresh biscuits at home. While there are relatively easy recipes for homemade dog biscuits on the internet and elsewhere, I had in my pantry a box of a mix that someone had given us. I rolled up my sleeves and gave it a try.

Well, the directions don't look too difficult...

The box stated that the contents would make 14 large biscuits. I had a small dog biscuit shaped cookie cutter and used that to cut the biscuits. Following the box directions exactly and rolling out the dough ⅜ inches thick (10 mm) yielded 44 biscuits. That would make each biscuit about a third the size the box directions intended.

Out of the oven

Baking them according to the directions, I let them cool off in the oven which made them dog biscuit hard. They looked good, but the real test was whether Olive liked them. I rarely use the video feature on my smartphone so didn’t get everything from start to finish (you won’t see her licking the crumbs off the floor or searching for more crumbs); it is clear that she liked them.

She has been getting one each morning with her breakfast. I may have to get on line and order more packages of mix from the company when this batch runs out.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Some neighbors have two delightful young daughters who adore Olive, while Olive seems to love the entire family. She often will pull me toward their door hoping to see them and play. On Olive’s behalf I bought two children’s alpaca scarves at a wool show that Nanne (Olive’s breeder) participated in. The family gave Olive a plush toy turtle that she seems to love. The family also gave me a holiday themed shirt shown below. Other close friends gave me a pair of socks with dog paw prints on them.

Dog themed holiday gifts

The sad note to this is that the family has purchased a larger home with a yard in a nearby town and is in the process of moving. I think Olive already misses them, though we both wish them much happiness in their new abode.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

At the recommendation of a friend I read the bestseller “A Gentleman in Moscow” recently and found the book quite engaging. It follows a Russian count who was placed under house arrest at a luxury hotel in Moscow not long after the Bolshevik revolution. Early in the book the Count’s Christmas Eve dinner in the hotel’s restaurant is described, consisting of “Latvian Stew” with a Georgian red wine. Intrigued I found the recipe for the stew on the author’s website and two bottles of the wine at a Hartford area wine shop.

Making the stew was a lot of work, particularly preparing and sautéing the white boiling onions. I invited a few close friends for an early Christmas-themed dinner, which meant getting my tree and other holiday decorations up early.  My friends seemed quite impressed with the stew, which made for a very nice evening.

The only wrinkle in the dinner was that the “Gentleman in Moscow” book described the Count’s favorite pastry, called “Mille Feuille”. I found on line a French bakery nearby that made them; when I got there the morning of the dinner, I was told that those pastries had to be ordered ahead. The website did not say that. I bought some other French pastries they had ready on display that worked quite well for dessert after the stew, and no one seemed disappointed. Next time I will know to order the Mille Feuille ahead.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

This year my preparations for the Holiday were done quickly to accommodate some early winter weather and the “Gentleman in Moscow” stew night. Although quick, the decorating worked out well.

During my annual day at the large regional mall when I got all of my holiday shopping out of the way I spotted a winged unicorn tree ornament in the Lord & Taylor department store. My first thought was to get it for a small child who is fascinated by unicorns; I ended up getting it for myself (agreeing with the child’s grandmother that the child is too young for such a fragile ornament). The ornament is now on my tree.

No green alligators or long-neck geese,
humpty-back camels or chimpanzees,
no cats or rats or elephants but sure as you're born,
my Christmas tree has a unicorn!

Speaking of the tree, this year I was finally able to get Olive to pose in front of it.

OK, I posed. Now may I have one of those homemade biscuits?

With that, Olive and I wish everyone a wonderful holiday and a happy new year.

Not another bandage!

Last Sunday during our afternoon walk Olive started limping. When we got home, I noticed her left front dew claw was askew, though there did not seem to be any bleeding. Since I wasn’t going to get anyone to look at it on Sunday night, I put it off for Monday morning. On Monday morning she was still limping, so I mad the call to the vet.

It turned out that her nail had fractured close to the base. The blame is on me in that I had intended to ask the people at Candlewick to have their groomer trim her nails the last time she was there for the day. I completely forgot about it, and resolved to have the nails trimmed this coming Thursday, when I would be riding up to New Hampshire for a game day. So, I was kicking myself for forgetting such an important part of Olive’s grooming. I kicked myself even harder when I got the bill; veterinarians these days don’t come cheap.

At this point the weather was rather wet outside. I was told to keep the bandages dry, and was given a heavy plastic bag to tie around Olive’s paw for outdoor walks. When we got home, I gave her a dose of the pain relief medicine (something called Rimadyl) that the vet gave us with a dental stick treat that she usually gets for her lunch, since the directions are to give the medicine to her with food. I thought it might be a bit easier on her if I used a lighter bag made with thinner, more flexible plastic. That did not work well. After walking a short distance, I could see that the bag was starting to shred. Olive wanted to turn around and go back at that point anyway, so I got her home and took another look at the heavy plastic bag. Using an old shoelace, I was able to tie the bag around Olive’s leg so that it stayed fairly securely. That worked, though Olive did not seem to like it (who can blame her?). She stayed off that paw and hopped along on three legs. Even so, she was faster than I was. At least we were able to have a full walk.

She will get another dose of the pain medicine later tonight, two tomorrow, and two on Wednesday to finish off the six doses we were given. Olive is not happy having to walk with a heavy plastic bag on her paw; I keep telling her it’s only for a couple of days. I also keep reminding her not to lick the bandage with the bag off. I think she knows that she would not like a cone.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

For Halloween I had ordered a sheep costume for myself, so that Olive and I could go out as a border collie and her sheep. Of all days, Halloween this year was rainy all day. Not wishing to ruin the costume, I put the border collie and sheep idea aside for a year. Perhaps next Halloween we will have better luck.

 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Here are a few dog cartoons I picked up since the last entry.

Olive is already in the only shape I want her.

I imagine some dogs are like that. Olive is good about it and seems to like Candlewick.

Well, of course!