Jasmine's new collar

Recently, we went to the bridle trails near Kohler Andrae State Park, for a walk.  A while back, the retractable leash had been taken out of the car and never put back.  In our eagerness to get to the walk, we forgot to double-check that we HAD a leash.  Oy.  So, we were at the park with an excited dog and no leash.  PetSmart was closer than going home, so we went there.  It turned out they were having a buy one/get one 50% off with the collars and leashes, so we bought a collar, too.  We ended up buying a Kong Comfort Plaid Collar and a Kong Leash.  The collar and the leash are both soft to the touch and comfortable for the dog and the person holding the leash.  She had a collar, but it was getting faded, so we got her a new one.  The old collar was a Lupine collar with a lighthouse print on it.  We thought it was a fine collar, but since we have the new collar on her, she isn't licking her paws anymore.  She was licking her paws so much, that we had to keep a cone on her most of the time, because she'd lick herself raw.

Hubby was inspecting the old collar and there is a seam that seems kind of poky and uncomfortable.  Since we have the new collar on her, she is a like a different dog.  She isn't licking her paws, doesn't need the cone of shame, and just seems happier.  She'd had the old collar a LONG time, like most of the time that we've had her.  We would never have thought that the collar was bothering her neck and that's why she was licking her paws.  I feel really bad now.  She could have had a more comfortable life the last few years.

At the bridle trails with Sarah, left and Emily, right.

Jasmine hanging out in her crate

Jasmine's new collar

Jasmine's new collar again

Jasmine walking in the yard. Grass is trying to turn green.

We should just throw the other collar away. It's old anyway. So, back to the walk.  She did enjoy her walk and probably would like to go back soon!  For the moment, though, one daughter is working and the other daughter is painting her room, so the house is in turmoil and we don't have much time to get to the bridle trails.

Winter's almost over

Maybe I'll get to go to Kohler-Andrae State Park soon. It's been a long time. Sometimes, I think we are driving there, but we are just going to Walmart or Wendy's. Darn it. I miss walking on the beach.

Last night it snowed a little bit. The sidewalks and driveways were all clear of snow and I was even getting some grass back, but now all I see is snow. Mom says we only got about an inch, though, so it probably won't last too long. Mom says she is ready for flowers. Do I tell her it's only February?

I"m ready for spring. That's enough with the snow for now. I do like rolling in it, though, and getting my snout all full of snow. Mom always laughs at me. Also, I'd like the snow to melt around the mugho pine, because I know that rabbits hide under there and it's fun to flush them out. They run so fast to the neighbor's yard. I don't usually chase them, though.

Maybe with warmer weather, someone will get me to the park. I needs me a park fix. Bad.

Hackles

Mom was just saying the other day, that I don't show my hackles very often. I like barking at other dogs, but usually don't feel threatened by them. Well, the neighbor thinks we have too many wild critters in our neighborhood, so he likes to trap the raccoons and take them out to the woods. Mom thinks the raccoons he moves, are just replaced by new ones and that it's kind of futile to keep catching them and moving them, but that's another topic.

Anyway, mom sees me make a bigger circle out in the yard, than I usually do. My head was down in stalking mode and she also saw hackles of fur, up on my back. So, she comes down to see what is under the tree. She thought it was a big ol' raccoon all scrunched up in the small Hav-a-heart trap. Poor thing had no room to move. So, that was the reason for the hackles. She has no idea if raccoons make any noises, because that one was quiet, even though we were looking at it.

So, there you have it. I do know how to get my hackles up! Oh yeah, she wants you to know that the next time we were outside, the neighbor had taken the trap and gone somewhere with it, so the raccoon wasn't scrunched up all day!