Nature Studies

                         This is me at 6 months old . I is growing up. Almost grown into my earsies 

   Well here I am again . Have had a very exciting couple of weeks, as a result of which I have decided to relinquish ornithology for zoology. My nose discovered a very different scent at the base of a tree when Dad and I were going for our afternoon walk. I looked up and saw what I thought was Smokey's big bum up there but it didn't smell like him so I got Dad to check it out and he got all excited and rang Mum to ask her to bring the camera down the paddock. Turns out that they were kwalas or something and the parents went all soppy and smiley. Whatever they were they didn't do much and looked like my fluffy toys but didn't seem to squeak. Boring .

    Dad and I have all the excitement because the week before the kwalas when I was taking Dad for his afternoon walk we came across a spikey thing. Because we were down wind he just kept waddling towards us until he stopped just in front and started digging for food. Boy - can those spikey blokes dig in a hurry and  he had such an amazing long nose ! Dad and me "sat and stayed" quietly for a long time and watched . It came very close and Dad got this photo of it with my earsies in the picture.

This spikey thing must like me as he often comes up to the house now and digs for his dinner. The parents tell me he eats ants - stupid thing - no accounting for taste but I'd much rather dig my old bone  up . Anyway Mum did get a good photo of him having what she called his sunset cocktail at the fish pond.

The hoppy 'roos are fun to study. I reckon I could catch 'em if they let me at it . They would take a bit of rounding  up but it would be a challenge. I was a bit upset when one of them tried my hurdles out without so much as a "by your leave" though. Didn't see it try my weaving poles but I wouldn't put it past it - bit cheeky .Luckily Mum was on the ball and got some photographic evidence. Pity she missed the action shot . I did try to attract her attention before it got away . I don't trust them  -they could have anythng in those pouches and I don't like the way they lurk around the fishpond . I reckon they are dealing in goldfish - selling them to the kookas.

I am being as good as I can because I have heard that some fat fella  is going to fall down our chimney soon and give me lots of presents if I behave myself. Sounds a bit scary really and if I don't like the look of him I might bail him up until Dad can deal with him . Still I might check out the presents first .

I did have a couple of problems recently though which may go against me . The first was just a bit of a joke really. I nicked a pair of Mum's knickers from the washing pile and took 'em for a few laps of the yard. Then I had a brilliant idea . I have been watching Mum and Aunty Donna dyeing silk scarves with all sorts of leaves and stuff and remembered that Mum used red mud one time so as a big suprise for her I decided to try a bit of eco dyeing on the knickers. I thought they turned out real good so I wasn't prepared for her reaction .No pleasing some people .

Then one morning early I was waiting for my walk and as it was later than usual I thought that while I was waiting I might as well have a look at some bundles on the verandah table. They were just out of reach but I managed to jump up and grab some and had a great time trying to open them up and shake them loose. How was I to know that they were silk scarves that had been eco printed and were waiting to cure ?  Anyway I only wrecked three out of the ten . Mum didn't speak to me for a long while after that as apparently she needed them for the weekend and she reckoned I had torn the prettiest ones . Well it just shows that I have very good taste .I offered to help by quickly dyeing some more like I did her knickers but I just got "THE LOOK" for my trouble.

Ahh well - I will just wait and see if the fat bloke turns up   

Trials and Triumphs

      

The good news first

  I attained my Level 1 Obedience Certificate from KDOT school  on the 12th October after only seven lessons. YEAHHHH  !!   I've certainly come a long way since that first class when I wanted to attack every dog there. They are all my mates now and I have a great time socialising and learning new things.I would recommend all you dogs out there to nag your parents to take you to obedience school for both your and their sakes.

 Mum dragged me out of bed to take this photo so please excuse my dopey expression - not my usual bright eyed and bushy tailed look but I can tell you that we were all very excited and proud on the day.

                                                        Bit of brush action.

Mum and Dad tell me that I should always clean my teeth and say my prayers before going to bed . Can't get my paws around the prayer bit yet but I love having my teeth brushed every night . I have to have a paw in the process of course . I have beautiful big pearly whites. They crunch up bones real well and real fast so I am looking after them like the vet says to.

As you know I love to help people and I am so considerate at times that I even amaze myself.  Mum is ever so grateful when I help her with the housework as she hates doing it . I am a whizz at vacuuming - as you can see from this action shot that Dad took.

Smokey cat likes to play hide and seek with me but I always find him and let Mum and Dad know where he is . He gets in the weirdest places but particularly likes bags so that is where I check first . He sometimes gets a bit narky when I tell on him and then when I am not looking he will hide on a seat under the dining room table from where he can snag my bum as I  pass innocently by. We also play tag and he chases me through the house . This sometimes ends with him leaping on the bookcase and knocking everything over so is not one of Mum's favourite games.

                                                      Cat in a bag

Well I guess I must now tell you the bad news .  It was really all just a mistake . There I was resting on the sofa on the front verandah early one morning while I was waiting for Mum to take me for my walk. This is (or was !) the only furniture that I am allowed on . Anyway - there I was and I just wasn't quite comfy so I started  scruffing the cover up a bit and the next thing I knew there were bits of rubbery foam stuff popping out everywhere . This was such a suprise but I have to admit that the more I dug the more fun it became . I ate some of it but it wasn't up to my standards so I wandered back into the yard to play ball. Dad came out first and then he called Mum but thankfully they hadn't seen me in the act so I blamed the cat !  I got up on the sofa trying to discover some forensic proof of this but unfortunately there was none.  The parents muttered darkly but as they had no proof of my guilt I got away with it. However they pretty much ignored me a lot that day . I was useless at obedience that morning though as I was still all excited about the sofa exploding the way it did. By evening it was obvious that the parents had sussed me out as they were barely speaking to me so I put myself to bed and cuddled and licked my blankie. Mum came in and saw me with my earsies down and I put on my best "sorry " face and looked so pathetic that they asked me back into the lounge and I gave me  lovely cuddles . So the day ended well after all. My family refuse to go to bed without kissing and making up. I think all people should be like this and the World would be a wonderful place . 

                                                                The cat did it - honest .

                                                 Looking for evidence of the cat's guilt


Mum spent nearly five hours mending the sofa but I'm afraid that two days later the rotten thing did the same trick again . This time they caught me in the act and boy did I get in trouble. The cat was highly amused and sat smirking at me. Not the act of a friend . Just wait until he does something naughty !
                                       
                                             Good job Mum and Dad love me so much .

News from the home front

                                                  Someone shrunk my puppy basket !
   I went to "boarding school " for the first time a couple of weeks ago - just for a weekend . Must say I was a bit disappointed as there were no lessons and not even a tunnel thing to run through like we have at KDOT school, but there were lots of new friends to meet and I got to play with some  of them . Unfortunately I came home as silly as a wheel and I had eaten too much which destroyed my perfect puppy figure so I am now on a strict training regime and my rations have been cut down until I have my shape back. I don't think that has anything to do with my basket shrinking though .

   My parents seem to have developed a fascination for my toilet corner in the yard and spend unhealthy amounts of time poking about with a stick in the deposits that I make. This behaviour seems to have started three weeks ago when I swallowed whole a large tough flappy felt foot which I tugged off my toy duck. They haven't found it yet but everything seems to be in working order so I guess I am okay .

                                           Me with a towel that I liberated recently.

I have been renamed "The Bra Bandit" since I streaked out of the bedroom whirling one of Mum's bras around my head in the manner of a seasoned striptease artist. Mum was in hot pursuit yelling "Anyone seen a dog with a bra ? " while Dad and our visiting family members tried to head me off before I escaped into the yard. I think they enjoyed themselves as they were all laughing . Must remember that trick to amuse them at a later date. Socks aren't half as much fun .

I've been helping Dad in the shed. So far I am learning how to use the lathe and have just started to learn tig welding. Dad has made a special screen thingy so that my eyes will be safe if I haven't got my welding helmet on when he is welding .  We are building the roll cage for his Chevy Corvette racing car .

     Just checking one of Dad's welds - I gave him a 9.5 out of 10. You can see my welding helmet in the background


And here I am learning all about lathes

                                                 Me with the 'vette .

 I had a sit in the drivers seat but couldn't reach the pedals - Dad said not to worry 'cos by the time I'm old enough to get my licence my legs will be long enough to reach.

When we stopped for smoko I asked Dad "Hey how fast do you reckon our little chevy will go ?"  He reckons about 240 miles per hour but I don't "do" miles so he told me it was around 400 klicks - WOW AWESOME !!!!! He will have to watch out for cops . They'll lock him up and throw away the key if they catch him . I don't want to have to visit him in jail to smuggle in one of Mum's doggy meat loaves with a file inside. Dad explained though that the chevy won't be racing on the open roads but on a salt lake in South Australia . I'm not into geography yet as I am still studying ornithology so he will have to show me where it is on a map. I don't really know what a salt lake is either but as long as there aren't any cops there with radar guns I guess Dad will be fine.

Have to go now - Me 'an Dad are watching Bathurst on TV - Mum is watching as well as typing this for me - She's a girl so she can do two things at once !

(NEWS FLASH  - MUM FOUND THE FLAPPY FOOT  DURING HER SEARCH THIS MORNING . It had been "processed " so was barely recognisable but the parents are very happy )                                                                                   
                                                                                    

New developments.

                                       Pardon the angle - but just look at those cool stripes

    Mum and Dad are puzzled as to my pedigree. One of my birth parents was obviously of kelpie stock but the other half is a mystery - especially as I have developed these real cool stripes across my back legs. It is being rumoured that there may be some okapi antelope somewhere in my ancestory as I do leap and grab at bits of bush as I fly past . What do you reckon ?

    I have found some interesting fleshy plants in the paddock but the parents try to keep me away from them. I did manage to get my nose to one but it must be related to the grey furry thing as it too has sharp bits and it attacked me. Might leave it alone after all.

  Smokey and me helping Mum paint her latest work of art . Smokey is guarding her case of painting gear. He belts Mum up when she tries to get anything out , which is very naughty .

The big grey furry thing (aka Smokey Bear) and I are good mates now. I found out that he was very sad when his best kelpie friend "Danny" went to doggy heaven not long ago and that he spent the last 2 months of Danny's life watching over him , always at his side and would pat him gently  if he thought that he was feeling worse. So I reckon that "Smokes" will be a good friend to have - even though he still gives me a clout if I am being a bit silly. His fluffy tail is Oh so tempting !   

                                                             "Danny"

 I saw something really strange the other morning on my walk. I was watching a big fat "Hoppy 'roo" when all of a sudden a real little one just popped out of it and started hopping around and falling over its own feet .  Like magic it was and I nearly jumped out of my skin ! Mum said something about "Russian dolls" - no idea what she was talking about but I think she was having a go at me - No way could you fit a Russian in that 'roo ! I reckon it had something to do with birds and bees but the parents say I'm too young to know about those things and I don't need to know anyway. Hmmmmm !!!!

  My bird studies are going well. There is one bird that teases me by flying low over my head when we go for walks. They tell me it is called a fantail . I told them "I'll fan its tail for it if it does that one more time ! " I like to help Dad feed the wild birds every morning, especially when he has mince for the meat eaters. I'm a meat eater so I feel duty bound to test it out for them. I also like to scare the finches off the seed tray as that scatters the seed on the ground and I can then test that as well. I am just so considerate. I actually think that bird seed is the secret to successful flying. Dad used to jump off the tank stand flapping a sheet when he was little but he never had much success. he should have eaten bird seed I reckon, I'm already jumping higher. Dad says one of our regular birds is called "Maggie". Stupid name for a boy bird but I don't like to embarass it so I say nothing. "Maggie" keeps walking into the kitchen so I have to round him up every day.

         I am growing so fast and my earsies are going a bit wild. We are wondering if my right ear will catch up with the left.
       
         'bye for now. Back with new adventures soon

Fun and Games

                                                   I just love this tunnel thing at school

                                            My BIG friend Randall and me having a sniff

          I am learning lots at KDOT school . Our fun day last week was a hoot and Mum and Dad didn't need to take valium after all as I was so happy to see all my friends again. I only had a couple of growly moments and they weren't my fault - Honest they weren't.
          My friend Randall plays by flopping down on top of me and wrestling. He is the same age as me but is a very big boy . I just love having fun with him. Last week we were on our leads playing but his Mum couldn't see what he was up to so she asked my Mum . Mum said "It's all right he just has Skip by the throat !" His Mum told him to stop it but it was really okay as I was giving as good as I got in my own way . We were just having so much fun.
           Then there is my mate Brodie . He lives down the road from me and he can run at warp speed and tries to round us all up because he is a proper working kelpie. He rocks.

                                                      Brodie and me having a chat.

 The catch cry in our house at the moment seems to be "What have you got in your nasty little mouth ! "
Bit harsh I reckon - it can range from experimental poo tasting to sock detection . I don't think my parents realise that I only have my mouth to test things out. I have to learn about things somehow.

                                                         Sock bandit

For instance I heard Mum say that she was going to buy some fringed silk scarves to paint so I thought I would save her money by shredding the edge of the one she was working on . Dad must be a mind reader because he called out to her just as I was about to start this delicate and very generous operation. I still can't believe that she refused my offer - she must be made of money.

     Early one morning I dug up an old bone. It had reached the ultimate stage of maturity in all respects . There I was having a good old chew when Mum decided it was walkies time. I ignored her when she came over with my lead as my bone was more important and anyway I just knew that she really wanted my bone for herself so I took off at lightning speed round and round the garden until I was just a blur - Is it a bird - is it a plane - No it's Super Skip !  Then Mum made a big mistake - she dropped the liver treat that she had been nibbling and before she knew what had happened I dropped my bone and grabbed the treat from right under her nose. Somehow I suddenly had my lead clipped on and my bone had vanished, so we went on a great long walk and had fun instead. When I came home my bone was back in my bone cemetery. Can bones fly?  Ahhh I just checked in my bird book and found butcher birds. That must be them . Good job I am studying ornithology hey ?

       Back later with more news.   

Three weeks on

                                                              My favourite toy
                                                (P.S.  I don't fit in my basket any more ! )

Here is the second letter that I wrote to my Foster Mum and my lovely friend at AWDRI :

  Hi Aunties,

                  I am having lots of adventures with Mum and Dad.

     They wanted me to study obedience but I decided to major in poo science. I became an expert in the field, studying the subtle difference in the texture, taste and smell of cow, horse, 'roo, wallaby, rabbit, hare and possum poo. My favourite is possum. The sample I tried was a little immature but had a pleasant bouquet and a delicate woody after taste. I now have a Ph. degree in poo science so I am broadening my education in other directions . I am now into ornithology.

     I attended my first obedience class last Sunday. Oh boy - So many dogs and so little time ! I freaked out and decided that fight not flight was my best option so I scared the hell out of Mum and Dad by trying to attack the entire pack. Even the giant dogs. My teacher wasn't cross though .  She has seen many puppies do this and showed Mum and Dad how to calm me down. Then her big - big dog came over . He is trained to teach manners to puppies like me . He grumped at me severely when I was naughty and then ignored me completely with his head and tail in the air. He certainly put me in my place but in the kindest way. I spent most of the lesson too excited to do much of the stuff but by the end of the hour I was saying "Hello" nicely to the other pupils and had made some friends. I did have fun jumping over some hurdles and my parents were pleased that I did something right. Can't wait for the next lesson as we are having a play day . Mum says they may have to take valium themselves ! I think she is joking - hope so - I will try to behave but it is all so exciting.

        At home I learn quickly and sit nicely in front of my food dish until Mum says "Okay". I started to learn that with my foster Mum. I also sit before going in and out of doors and at the paddock gates until I am allowed to pass. I come when I am called and also sit and stay. Mum can tell me to sit and stay and she can walk a long way away ( and hide behind trees) before she tells me to come and I am so good. My walking at heel is coming along okay as long as the grey furry thing isn't watching. I am now learning "down". Not bad for less than three weeks at home. I really only do all this stuff for the liver treats I sometimes get but Mum and Dad don't realise this of course.

         I found some orange squashy things in the house so thought I would see what they tasted like. Not much taste but they were chewy so I ate one. Dad was looking for something he called ear plugs later as he could only find one of them. They found the other one in the garden next morning but Dad said he would pass on using it. He bought new ones apparently.

         The grey furry thing has decided to be friends and keeps coming up to me making a rurring noise and bopping me with his head. He also smooches along my sides which I am a bit worried by as he has sharp bits which he nails me with if I start to play, so I have to stand very still. He doesn't mind me having a sly lick at him and rubs noses. For a short time he even puts up with me sniffing where dogs like to sniff but then he gets all huffy so I try to catch his tail as he turns round. So we are becoming friends and our parents are very happy.

            'bye for now,
Lots of wags and licks
    Skip

Note from Mum and Dad

      Skip is full of mischief and certainly keeps us on our toes. Quite the "Houdini" of pups so the backyard is now a fortress. He just wants to be with us all the time so tries to get to us. However he settles down to play on his own out there with his various toys and favourite treatas ball. He discovered fallen lime fruits early on and has very complex games throwing them around, pouncing  on them and tearing around the yard at a great rate of knots with one in his mouth. It is hilarious when he sinks his teeth into them and tastes the bitter juice. He grimaces, throws them down, shakes his head and then puts his front paws down and bum in the air in a play stance and attacks them with renewed vigour. Keeps him amused for ages . He is still a very cuddly boy and it seems that he has always been here.

                                         Me and the big furry grey thing having a conference.     

Small beginnings

                                                    My first night home


  Hi everyone - It has been suggested by some nice people that I write of my adventures so here I am .

For those of you who haven't met me before I am called Skip . One of my birth parents was of kelpie heritage but the verdict is out on the other half - more of that later .

I was adopted by my Mum and Dad from the Australian Working Dog Rescue Incorporated . A wonderful organisation who rescue and rehome dogs like me who have had an unfortunate start in life or those who have problems in later years, or dogs that  just need a loving home for the rest of their days.

I have written twice to my foster Mum and the coordinator of the organisation as I remember how kind they were to me and anyway they love to hear how I am getting on because I am very cute and cuddly and they love me. These letters have ended up on the AWDRI Facebook page so I am a "published puppy " but I will post them here so that you all get the entire story.

Here is my first letter which I wrote when I first arrived home with my Mum and Dad :

    Boy have I ever had a day. First we went for a cuppa and a walk. Everyone who saw me thought I was so very cute so I opened my big puppy eyes even wider and looked even cuterer. We had to go to see some man then about an awning on the truck which didn't work properly and I was helping by watching out of the window. The canvas flapped on my face a few times so I just gave it a lick to see what it was . I wasn't scared though and the man said I was a very calm pup so I looked cuterer again and got a big smile and a pat from him too.

     I curled up on Mum's lap then and had a big sleep until lunchtime. Mum and Dad got fish and chips and I didn't beg at all - just lay beside them and kept watch . Everyone who went past smiled at me so I just had to look cuterer still. Mum had brought some biscuits and special doggie meat loaf that she had made for me and they had saved me some nice white fish too so I had my lunch after they had finished . I didn't eat it until they said I could but boy did I hoover it up then- Mum is a pretty good cook (or I was hungry after the energy used in looking oh so cute) We went for a short walk and no one could believe that it was my first day on a lead. Mum even had me walking at heel for a time - no idea what that is but she was happy so I just looked cute again.

     The rest of the trip home I chewed my tugga toy a bit but then had another big sleep. We got home at about 3 pm so it was a long day but I was still ready for a big walk around the paddock and games off lead in the back garden with my new ball and my tugga toy. There is strange furry grey thing here ( doesn't smell like a dog) that keeps staring at me and I think he might be alright but every time I get excited and want to play he gets all hissy and spitty . We have been eyeing each other off though and I think we will be friends later. Mum and Dad are keeping me on a lead at the moment when he is around to control it all . The grey thing is keeping its distance but Mum says it hasn't got its big saucer eyes on (That would be scary I reckon as he is nearly the same size as me)  I put myself to bed in my new basket after all the games - but not before I had asked nicely to go to the toilet before I settled down. Have just had my tea so will have a little rest and then a walk before bedtime.

        The walk around the paddock broadened my education no end - I now know the difference between the taste and/or smell of rabbit, roo, horse and cattle poo. What good fun that all was. There are just so many great smells around the place that I nearly wore my nose out this afternoon

        Love and licks - Skip
                    ------------------------------------
       
 
This is me on my first night home trying to get Dad to play with my new toy .