partying with the pups

We had a visitor this morning, but he came through the side gate so Kane wasn't able to bark at him. It was a tradesman installing security grilles on the windows at the back of the house. In last month's burglary, the intruder had broken and entered through a small bathroom window. Anyway, I gave Kane a full fur brush while it was happening. Kane didn't like the sound of the drill.

Afterwards, we went on a small block walk, which is now our routine in the mornings before I go to work.

This evening, or rather late in the afternoon as the sun was still high in the sky as we left earlier at 6.10pm we went on our walk. We stopped by to say hello to Jet's people two doors up, and then said hello to Glen next door (the house in between us and Jet's). Glen was starting to replace the fence between their house and Jet's and after all the fences are done, they will adopt a puppy.

After a quick chat, including to Jet through the fence we walked to Cook oval.

There was a big puppy party in session with Millhouse, Margot, Tai, Kel, Tosca and a new puppy, a fluffy little terrier called Chelsea. Melba soon arrived and then Molly. There was also a strange dog without a collar and balls who tried to dominate Kane, but Kane wasn't going to allow any strange dog be top dog over him and I had to shoo strange dog a way a few times. The only human name I knew in the group was Melba's person Adam.

We left when the party adjourned, walking part of the way home with Millhouse. This time we didn't go via the woods. It was a good one hour outing and lots of fun.

Unfortunately, I forgot the camera.

just like Monday

This morning, before I went to work, we went on the small block walk. It is now part of our regular routine.

This evening, we walked to Cook oval from the back way. Upon leaving the oval, we came across Sherlock the Beagle whom we hadn't seen for six months. He still has his balls.

Further down the path, we saw Gypsy and Pepper, and their new mate Windsor. Pepper was still acting like a puppy. Then we continued along the woods on the way home.

Just like Monday, the walk took 41 minutes including the canine chat time. Still better than the big block walk.

Wednesday rest day

This morning we went on our regular morning small block stroll before I went to work.

It has been raining for most of the day and night, so we haven't managed to go on an evening walk. There was a break in the rain earlier when we should have gone. Nevermind.

Emily came around for dinner tonight (I made fish red curry) and Kane barked at the door when she arrived.

A mid week rest is good.

visiting Momo and Miss Molly

The morning walk around the small block before I leave for work has now become regular, unless of course we go on a bigger walk.

It rained this afternoon, and I returned home earlier after being offered a ride home. It became a drizzle but we still went on a walk as Kane's medication was running out.

We walked to the chemist, where there was a 10 minute wait time, and then continued on to Momo's house. I knew that they were also looking after a new (11 week old) puppy so thought we'd check her out. Like Momo, Molly is also a Shi Tzu Maltese cross but with dark fur and short legs. She was cute, but kept on barking and barking at Kane. Even he ran away from her. Molly was a real lap dog and just laid in my lap (when she wasn't barking at Kane).

We didn't stay too long, but by the time we returned home, past Macquarie oval and dropped in to say hello to Jack the Jack Russell Terrier, we had been out for over an hour (from 5.40pm to 6.55pm).

still bigger than the big block walk

finally, a puppy party... though small

We had the perfect walking routine today for a week day.

This morning, before I went to work, we walked around the small block, which took about 12 minutes.

This evening, we walked to Cook oval from the back way. Kel (blond Labrador) and Quon (black Labrador) were playing and then Kel went home. Then Tosca the funny dog with short legs arrived. Quon is the customs dog in training who we discovered will now undertake full time training, much to the sadness of his person.

We didn't stay too long and continued along through the woods on the way home. It was a good outing of 41 minutes. So much better than the big block walk.

Map (blue = morning walk, red = evening walk)

the bestest Kane Day ever

Today was the best ever Kane Day, even better than the 16 March 2008 bestest Kane Day ever.

Early this morning (but at a decent hour) we went on the shop walk, but took a different route. We walked the long way there through the series of alley ways, then after my quick shop we walked around the outside of the complex in the opposite direction than usual before taking a shorter way back.

After an hour rest, Margie arrived (Kane barked) and we went together with Lola the Golden Retriever to the local Dogs' Day Out, which was the official opening of a new (enclosed) dog park. Lola was so excited to have Kane in the car with her.

location of the new dog park (the space under the A)


The Dogs' Day Out was really exciting. There were lots of dogs partying. Lola had a blast going into the lake, but Kane refused to go in.

slideshow

today's portrait


Kane met lots of interesting dogs. We only saw and met two other German Shepherds but there were plenty of Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Beagles and even Airedale Terriers. None of our usual neighbourhood canines were there. Kane had a doggacino (frothed soymilk with liver sprinkles) from a stall there.

After an hour and a half (or so) we left. By then Kane had partied enough.

We had a few hours rest in the afternoon, or rather Kane did while I cleaned some windows (using Selleys Liquid Soap, and then Windex).

At 3pm, a Golden Retriever called Jazz (three years old) came to visit with her people, Lois and her son Adrian. She had a lot of fun exploring and then we went for a walk around the little block - I held Jazz by the lead while Kane walked unleashed at his own pace. Jazz will be staying over during the week over Christmas while her people are away, and the visit was to see how Kane would share his space with a new dog.

Then at 4.20pm, Jet the German Shepherd from two doors up came to visit with Therese and Dee. Jet had fun running around the yard while us humans had wine and assorted cheeses.

As if the day couldn't get more exciting, Jake came over to visit. Sue was taking him to Cook oval after a bath.

slideshow

Jet and Jake then chased each other in the yard, and Kane decided to join them. There was too much running around, so Jake and Sue left to continue their walk.

I don't know who had more excitement today - me or Kane. We had three outings and had three dogs visit our house. I fell asleep on the couch later in the afternoon, foregoing more painting of the rest of the gate/fence.

Although Kane barked this morning when Margie came to the door, he didn't bark at any other visitors for the rest of the day. He must have had too much fun at the park.

another surprise from Jake

I meant to take Kane on an early walk this morning but there was laundry to be done. Anyway, we were about to leave mid-morning when the door chime sounded and Jake and his person Sue were on the doorstep. When Sue walks to Cook shops she always takes Jake with her and this morning she had just returned from the shops when Jake decided to visit. Just like Thursday, it was terribly exciting.

After their quick visit, we went on the regular Saturday shop walk, including the complex perimeter and then through the woods on the way home.

This afternoon, I was busy with more house projects, mainly cleaning the windows at the back of the house in readiness for installation of security screens on Tuesday. I promised the firm that I would clear the windows of spiders in particular.

Late in the afternoon, I left Kane to go to dinner on the southside and returned an hour and a half past his regular dinner time. Poor puppy. He must have been starving.

a proper rest day

After so much excitement lately, we had a rest day today. We have a very exciting upcoming weekend planned.

Jake's surprise

This morning, we didn't set off on our walk until 6.50am. It was the shop walk - walking the long way through the woods to get there for a brief visit and then home again. By the time we arrived home at 7.30am, the sun was up and warming the day.

When we arrived home, Jake was on the doorstep. He was very excited so I let him in for a drink, and then I walked him home. Silly Jake must have escaped his yard early this morning. We were privileged that he chose our house for a visit.

Kane has a lot of canine friends, but prefers the company of a select few including Jake. We haven't seen Bruno since early September and Milco for over a month; two of his favourites.

We didn't go on a big walk this evening. Instead, going later in the night on the little block walk sometime after Kane's dinner of diced goat hearts (four, they were small) and green vegetables.

tonight's portrait

a rest day

I was too tired to go on a morning walk.

When I returned home after work, Kane was peeking out under the side gate/fence. Perhaps Kane has decided to take his guarding duties seriously.

Emily came around for dinner tonight and Kane barked at her at the door when she arrived.

Today has also been a warm day, so tonight we only went on the small block walk and that was after dinner time.

It's good to have a rest day now and again.

from dawn to dusk, a super Kane Day Tuesday

I wasn't home for most of the day, but before and after work, Kane had a super Kane Day.

We went on a good walk at dawn from 6.25am. It was like the Saturday shop walk, except we didn't stop at the shops. The walk took 45 minutes.

Then, before I went to work, I gave Kane a super bone.

When I returned home from work, Mary had taken a pruning saw to the big shrub in front of the front steps. It made a huge difference. Not only was Mary here, but Margaret and Momo as well. I continued with the saw pruning and then we all had a beer on the back deck.

This evening at dusk we walked to Cook oval on the loop and met two new canines, Louis a Golden Retriever and Brian a Border Collie. We didn't stay too long. The outing was only 25 minutes this time.

the big block walk

Our walk today was very early in the morning. Between 6.09am and 6.39am in fact. 30 minutes - it could only be the big block walk.

After work today, I continued painting more of the side fence/gate, so consequently too tired to go on an evening walk. Poor puppy.

Kane just barked out the back. He is starting to express himself. Maybe he was calling for me.

the day of barks

Today was a very busy and strange day.

I meant to take Kane on a walk this morning to visit Momo, but decided to do some painting instead - of the side gate and the railing around the front door steps. The painting took longer than I anticipated - the railing took 90 minutes and it was too warm by then to walk.

Kane insisted on supervising me, first by the gate and then on the front steps, before I put him inside the front door.

After I had finished the railing I continued some more with the gate before stopping as it was getting too sunny and warm. While I was painting, Scotch the Dobermann next door started howling. Then Kane started barking and Scotch barked back. Hmmm, I had never heard them have a canine conversation before.

After I was all done with thepainting, Mary came over to check out the house projects and suggest others and then we left to go to the hardware store - I needed coal and lighters for the kettle barbecue and more paint. When Mary arrived, Kane barked at the door. Good dog!

Afterwards, Mary and I returned via her house so she could give me some rosemary. After that, I had other chores such as cleaning the bathroom and lighting the barbecue and preparing dinner.

After the roast lamb and vegetable dinner was in the barbecue, Kane and I went on a walk to Macquarie oval. Unfortunately nobody was there. We are always too early or too late and are missing out on the puppy parties.

Not long after we were back home (the outing was only 20 minutes and we met a Moodle - Maltese Terrier x Poodle called Leo), Therese from two doors up came to visit. Kane barked at her too, and not only that, I didn't even know she was at the door, so Kane was being a good guard. It was only a quick visit as Therese wanted old newspapers for her worm farm.

Later on, we had more visitors, but this time for dinner, and not only that, they (Brian and Jacki) had a dog with them - Tex the Cocker Spaniel.

Tex enjoyed visiting, even if Kane didn't want to play.

meeting the Dobermann from next door

We had a great day today. This morning we did the shop walk. It was a very slow walk both there and back as the rain had diluted all the scents (neighbourhood canine gossip) so Kane spent twice as long with his nose. When we walked the long way back through the woods, it seemed like forever.

This afternoon, I did some shrub pruning and while I was out the front on the driveway, Jarn was taking Scotch, the Dobermann from next door for a walk. Scotch knows Kane by smell through the fence, but this was the first time for the introduction by sight. While Kane was resting on the driveway, Scotch even came right up to smell him. Unfortunately, when Kane stood up, Scotch was rather snappy.

Later in the afternoon, we walked to Cook oval similar to Thursday's walk but a little longer.

the big bone

I ended up not taking Kane's big beef bones back to the butcher. Instead, this morning I gave him one half and scraped the marrow out for him.

When I returned home from work, the bone still had plenty of chews left on it.

This evening, we started on the small block walk, as it started raining with a light drizzle. We called on Jet and said hello to him though his fence. I then decided we'd go to Macquarie oval. Along the way we said hello to Jack the Jack Russell Terrier who had already had his walk earlier. There was nobody at the oval so we continued on, walking back up the road. Including the two canine visits, the outing was 30 minutes. It was timely as it is raining tonight.

even better than the big block walk

Poor puppy, I had to give him dry kibble instead of a chicken wing for breakfast. I didn't go to the markets yesterday as I had phoned earlier and Gino said the big beef bones had not yet been delivered (to his shop).

I did visit the markets after work today. Gino had saved a bone, but it was not split lengthwise, which I discovered later, so I will have to return it was cutting tomorrow.

This evening we started walking around the small block, but then continued along the alley way that we had discovered before. It was another quick way to Cook oval. There are so many alleys in the neighbourhood that we must explore them.

Anyway, there were lots of children there packing up from sports so there wasn't a canine party in session. We did meet a small black poodle though. We then walked back the usual way. The walk took about the same time as the big block walk, but with more soft lawn to walk upon. We might start doing this route more often.

big block walk

I was up very early this morning and started doing some weeding in the front yard, but there were just too many weeds. Instead, Kane and I went on a walk instead at 6.30am around the big block.

This evening, we were out on the deck and Kane saw a car pull into the drive way. When the driver got out, Kane barked. It was only Emily coming over for dinner. He greeted her at the door, but didn't bark again.

After dinner (to celebrate President-elect Obama's victory, with hot dogs or rather kransky roll and hamburgers ), we walked a small block walk, which was a part of the big block walk, not the usual small block walk that we do.

happy Tuesday

We made up for yesterday's boring non-walk day.

Today happened to be a public holiday in Canberra, coincidentally falling on Melbourne Cup Day, which is also a public holiday in metropolitan Melbourne. This meant I was home all day.

In the morning, Kane and I walked to the shops. It was a leisurely stroll off-leash until we approached the shops. Usually, I aim to not spend longer than 30 minutes leaving Kane tied up outside, but today I took longer than usual as I also shopped in a leisurely manner. I eventually found shoe polish.

After the shop, as I had fresh meat and did not bring the cooler bag, we walked straight home the quick way.

Around midday, we had visitors and Kane barked. It was Tim, Toni and their child Phrim passing through on their way back from shopping. They live half a block away. We sat on the deck where I demonstrated the party/fairy lights. Tim reckons it looks like a grotto, as it is all enclosed with vines.

Anyway, Kane paid particular attention to Phrim, notwithstanding the fact that she was eating something. Later, I taught her and sung the happy Tuesday song to Kane. After that, Phrim sung some of her kindergarten/day care songs to Kane. They left after a brief visit so I was back to tidying up.

Late this afternoon, we walked to Cook oval. Along the way, I bumped into a former work colleague and it was good to catch up. At Cook oval, we met a Maltese/Fox Terrier called Belle who was very friendly, and cute too. Melba also appeared with Adam, so it was a very social visit as I was catching up with Adam about our football club. We walked around the oval and then past Melba's place on the way home.

,

boring Monday

After the weekend's excitment, we are having a rest this evening.

Super Kane Day Sunday

After yesterday's Super Kane Day, we had another one.

This morning, not so early this time, we walked to the hardware store (more like a huge warehouse). At the store, I was rather cruel and tied Kane near a stall selling barbecued sausage sandwiches. After I had finished my shop, we walked across the road to the markets. At the markets we went to the pet store and wandered around looking for Splat the resident cat. Splat wasn't to be found so we just followed the dry food aisles, which Kane enjoys smelling. He also enjoys visiting that store because of all the fuss and attention he receives.

On the way back, we walked the long way through the woods. It was a good hour and a half outing.

Later in the afternoon, we started on the short block walk. Along the way, we called in to visit Jet. At the doorstep, we call Felix the cat.



Not caring much for each other, both just wanted to enter the house.


As always, Jet was pleased to see Kane, but all Kane did was explore the back yard. After a few minutes, we continued on the short block walk.

I think I surprised Kane, as he is so used to the route, when we crossed the road to head towards Cook oval. We didn't see any other dogs apart from a strange one to whom Kane greeted, and then walked across the grounds and continued home. We found a new alleyway, crossed the street and found ourselves at a point on the small block walk, so we continued on home. It was a good 40 minute walk.

Super Kane Day Saturday...

and that was just the morning.

We haven't had a Super Kane Day for some time. The last time was back in August when we had the big adventure walking up Mount Painter.

Early this morning we walked to the vet to use their scales. Kane also walked most of the way without the leash, until we came to the traffic lights. At the lights, some guy driving in a car, commented about Kane being a fine looking dog.

We met two Jack Russell Terriers called Ralph (after happy Days) and Gidget who were so happy to see Kane. All Jack Russells just love Kane. Kane's weight is now 40.0 kg, his ideal weight.

On the way back from the vet we went to visit Momo. He was home and was barking at the door. Margaret and Mary (Mar Mar and Mare Mare) were not home so couldn't open the door.

We then went to the chemist (drug store) on the way home, but had to wait 10 minutes before they opened.

After a 30 minute rest at home, we went on the shop walk. It was regular, with the long way home through the woods.

Aside from 30 minutes at home in between the two walks, we were out for nearly four hours between 8am and midday.

After such an exciting morning, I had plenty to do in the afternoon.

In the early evening, Declan, Nell, Olivia and Kim came over for dinner. I was in the kitchen and Kane did not even notice them coming inside. Olivia at 18 months and learning to talk quite enjoyed talking to 'woof'.