10/22/2006 Always something new! I thought it might be interesting to type in a puzzle here. When I can figure out how to create a puzzle box on a blog, i'll let you know; Anyone have any suggestions?

Meanwhile, see if you can figure out the phrase in red by following the clues below:

1_ _ _ _ _ _ 2_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3_ _ _ _ 4_ _ _ 5_ _ _ _

6_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1. One of the inhabitants of central Europe prior to 1871
2. One who tends, guards, & protects sheep
3. Domesticated carnivores
4. Present indicative plural tense
5. Of the majority
6. Quick to comprehend

The answers will be on the next dig!

Yesterday was a most beautiful dog day afternoon! The leaves have begun to change color and they are falling in frolicking puppy piles of pleasure—I’m sure our two German Shepherd Dogs will be happy to help with the raking and stocking of firewood—their day begins and ends with a ball, a Frisbee, or a stick—no matter what the length! Here’s Mia, always a willing participant in putting a limb on the bon fire…while Bella pulls another branch off with her multi-dexterous paws…. What’s a gal to do but laugh at their innocence & frolic? With the weather turning cold, their friskiness is at an all-time high; our Shepherds can’t seem to decide if they would prefer to be indoors or out—thank goodness for the doggy door I made! But, because of the social nature of a German Shepherd Dog, they would much prefer us to play their game of jump & race around obstacles with them, which also means having us stay outside to enjoy the fresh air together. Although, their ‘concern’ about our health is wonderful—dang it can get cold out there!—a low of 24 and a high of 65 today; pretty drastic. The other night, Mia & Bella were having another barrage of Tussle & Run as they raced ‘round & ‘round in circles between the kitchen door and the two bedroom areas as fast as they could, while still playing “Catch Me If You Can”. It was a race to see who could outsmart the other as they backtracked & hid behind doorways & desks; I told you GSD’s are smart—Who do you think they learned that game from?! (But they always catch me—especially now that there are two dogs coming from separate directions)! Bella smacked into me & buckled my knees right out from under me, which caused my hip to displace. I have been nursing it in hopes that our 6-hr horseback ride on Saturday would serve to help knock it back into place. Well, that only aggravated it, so to the chiropractor I went—only to find that my disc is near the bursting point. But at least it doesn’t take me 5 minutes to sit on the john, anymore. Lol Needless to say I haven’t been in the mood for their high zest for dog play! But they are persistent, as Bella lays the Frisbee at my feet or Mia barks at me to get my attention to come to the door to play ball with them.

FACT: Black spots on the tongue can be found most prevalent on black & tan dogs such as: Chows, Labradors, Dobermans and our beloved German Shepherd Dogs.

10/18/2006 A Journey by Themselves! You would think that as much as these German Shepherds loooove water, the two of them would b ecstatic to take a bath. HA! If it has to do with scrubbing, forget it—but they’re all a-twitter when it comes to the rinsing off part!—As long as it’s on their terms—“Water! I need water in the mouth—NOW!—Let me just CHASE it for awhile—PLEASE!!” Sometimes I’m smart enough to outsmart them into thinking they’re really just playing in their pool and not taking a bath (yeah, right…!) They really are a hoot!

Fact: German Shepherd Dogs should be bathed rarely to help avoid dry skin.

Tip: Dry skin is largely due to improper rinsing of shampoo (other than allergies or skin problems). Full & proper rinsing after shampooing your dog will help prevent dry skin—and the itching associated with it.

Our two German Shepherds…My comfort and my joy! I used to take them everywhere with me until the weather got too warm to travel in the van. I have recently been suffering from seizures. As goofy as Bella is, she seems to know when a seizure is coming on, as she sticks to me like glue for two or three days prior, which can be both a little frightening but also serves to give me a little comfort in knowing that I’m never alone. My most recent seizure involved me not feeling well for a few days prior. While playing ball with them I collapsed in the front yard shortly after my husband, Joe, left for work. Mia & Bella never left my side.
They tend to serve as good nurses: Mia usually hovers over me & alternates nudging me with her nose, pacing and laying very close to me, while Bella lies next to me and periodically licks my face. During the days that follow, they seem to watch me very closely and walk with me from room to room as I do my household chores; my two, dear, mother hens! I am grateful for their company and always assured by their love.


Ahhhh…turning 50 has never been so grand! YYYYYYep, I turned Ol’ Fart 50! I greeted everyone at the door with my hair in curlers, wearing leopard colored slippers, my grandmother’s nighty, and using an oil funnel as a hearing horn, yelled out, “EH?? AHH CAN’T HEAR YE!!!! LOL The reactions that I received upon opening the door, was hilarious! Bella was naturally intrigued by the slippers—just another soft toy for her to play with—NOT!—And I lost one of the curlers which both Mia & Bella found to be most entertaining—“Heyyyy, non-edible!!” Also on this occasion, we have had Mia exactly one year (she was last year’s b’day present)—so naturally she had to wear a birthday hat—what German Shepherd leaves home without her birthday hat???—One can tell from this picture, how excited she was to wear it, especially after popping one of the balloons; she was certainly the dog’s woof!!
My son, Richard was also returning home from the Marine Base at Camp Lejeune, NC; his first leave home since June. We were also celebrating his 20th b’day since he was unable to celebrate it the month before due to his deployment. Our shepherds, Mia & Bella cried & cried when they saw Richard—jumping & leaping & knocking each other down—their long lost brother! LOL

In celebration of all 3 events, we had a party at the house with family & friends—our 1st party since the arrival of our German Shepherds. And since it was also the first time that Mia & Bella have been exposed to so many people at one time, I thought it wise to put them on the deck where we could close the gate; They were truly the best little angels! Don’t worry; they were treated with many visits from our guests—amidst much Frisbee & ball throwing (I don’t know who was getting a better workout, the dogs or the guests)!
FACT: German Shepherd Dogs should never be yelled at. One will have more control and better response if their master's voice remains calm, yet firm. Until the next dig….Pamela

10/03/06--Mia & Bella;The Learning Curve Yyyyep, one would think that Bella’s previous experience with electricity would deter her from further testing. It served as quite the learning curve for a few days and then it was like, wellllll, let’s see just how close I can get—“YIPE!”—Maybe I can get just a littttttle bit closer! “YIPE!” (And my father says I’m thick-headed…!)—and we wonder why she’s so goofy! Mia doesn’t like getting shocked. She now stays about 10 feet from the zone.
Eeeeeevery day’s a good day, as lonnnnnnng as it includes water!—And sunshine—and paper—and dirt—and running—and playing—and….