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We had the misfortune opportunity to dogsit my parent's monster dog, Copper earlier this week. She's been with them for a couple years now, rescued from the local shelter in Virginia.

She and Talos adore each other. They wreck run through the house, barking and playing, until they collapse. They're enamored, truly.

I can't say the same for the other dogs in the house – they're not particularly fond of Copper. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say Copper's not too keen on them.

She's a pain in the neck lot of dog. She's definitely not a dog for a novice dog owner. If she were human, you'd call her, well, I don't really use that kind of language here on the blog. Let's just say this: if she were a human, she'd be the boss of everyone.

She's especially rough on Tango and Lily. If I don't put her in solitary confinement watch her, she'll try to control every move they make. They're (unfortunately) nice enough to take it from her. When she's commandeering visiting our house, Tango can't retrieve the tennis ball if she's around. She'll go after him immediately – and not in a nice way. She's an idiot "up" and "on her toes" kinda dog. 

Talos seems to be immune to her bossiness. I know I'm anthropomorphizing here, but I'd venture to say that he laughs at her antics. It looks as if he's saying "That's all you've got?" As much as she tries to boss him around, he'll have none of it. Not because he's bullying back, just because he doesn't take her seriously.

Thankfully, her stay with us was only an overnight one and she's now back with my parents. It was quite sad to see Talos' face, though, when my parents put her in their car and left our driveway. She, too, looked longingly at Talos from the backseat, her eyes never leaving him as the car went up the street.

I guess it shouldn't surprise me that some of our dogs are clearly uncomfortable when she visits, while another dog finds her completely irresistible. I mean, how many times have you said about a friend "I don't know what he sees in her!" I guess opposites attract in the dog world as often as they do in our own world.

Eight years ago today, a little yellow Labrador was born. I didn't know then that the best dog ever had been born. I wouldn't meet him for nine weeks and I thought he'd be just one of another service dog we'd raise. Little did I know deeply in love I'd fall for Tango. Or how happy I'd be when he didn't make it to his final destination as a service dog due to shoulder trouble. Happy 8th Birthday Tango! Here's hoping for many more years and fun adventures together!

I should have been born into the horse world. I was one of those girls who wished for a horse for every birthday and wound up crying every birthday because I never got one. I honestly think that's why I'm so in love with big dogs, especially the giant breeds like the Danes and the Mastiffs. They're almost like horses. When Talos gallops past me in the backyard, the ground vibrates. If I close my eyes, I can convince myself that I'm sharing the backyard with a horse.

A couple weeks ago, I found my calling in life. I should be a recklessly wealthy woman living on several hundred acres with both a stable full of horses and a kennel full of dogs. Well, not really a kennel – all my dogs would be house dogs. But that's just a minor detail. Back to my newfound calling…

I went to the Howard County Iron Bridge Hound Race a couple weeks ago. It wasn't a race for hounds, it was a horse race over rolling meadows, through the woods, and over some pretty impressive jumps. It was dog-friendly so Nemo accompanied us. 

Unfortunately, Nemo didn't share my love of horses. He was quite suspicious of the large, snorting, smelly things if we're being honest.

At the conclusion of the race, this really nice man (the keeper of the hounds) let us come out and get our picture taken with him and his horse. As you can see from the top picture, Nemo really didn't want a whole lot to do with the situation. The rider was patient and spoke softly and calmly to Nemo, who obliged us, but would not untuck his tail. He has his limit, I suppose, and we were just a tad over it.

The day was great fun for all of us. I am asking for a horse for my birthday. And a 300-acre farm. And 30 hounds.

We're one of the few people in our neighborhood with a "real" fence. It's made of wood and wire. It's not invisible and it doesn't have electric current running through it. You can see it. You can't come in to our yard unless you really try.

I took this picture Sunday afternoon. Some of the neighbor kids came over to see the dogs – which is fine. The dogs usually have a good time, the kids love watching the dogs.

Except this time, I see the one of the kids climbing the fence and reaching into the yard. Parents listen up: THIS IS NEVER GOOD!

Parents:

1. ALWAYS supervise your kids, especially if dogs are involved. Yes, even if the dogs are friendly and nice.
   
2. TEACH your kids how to interact appropriately with dogs. That means
3. • Asking the owners if they can say hi to the dogs
   • NEVER reaching over a fence to pet any dog and
   • Not climbing on fences.

Our dogs are nice, well-mannered dogs. But they're dogs. They get excited. They have teeth. They get rambunctious. I'm not naive enough to think my dogs will never bite; that they're not capable of biting. They're dogs: they'll definitely bite if the circumstances are right.

And running up to a fence, climbing on the rails, and leaning into our yard is definitely not a good idea. It was a perfect teaching moment…if only the parents were around. My husband educated the kids as best he could without resorting to scolding (at which point the educational opportunity vanishes). He explained that walking to the fence, calling the dogs' by name, asking them to sit (the dogs have all learned to sit on cue if someone outside the fence asks), kneeling down, and then petting the dogs is the best way to say Hi.

In general, we've got great neighbor kids. And for the most part they've got great dog-skills. And our dogs really do like the visits. I don't want the kids to think that all dogs are friendly and tolerant like ours – a little bit of education might save these kids — and their parents — a lot of pain and plastic surgery by preventing a dog bite.

 Talos wouldn't come inside this morning, which is odd, because breakfast is served after the first pee break of the day. I called and called – nothing. I poked my head around the corner and I see Talos rearing up like a horse, then down on the ground in a play bow. This goes on for a couple seconds and I realize he's got some sort of wildlife trapped out there and he's playing with it.

I'm thinking "snake," which just makes my skin crawl, but I throw some shoes on anyway, thinking that I've got to get Talos out of there before the snake latches onto Talos' lip and won't let go. When I get there, I don't see anything. Nothing.

Then I see a big, fat frog in a hole. Except the frog has itty bitty ears. And fur. And is the cutest thing ever. I realize that frogs don't have ears, nor are they cute, and then it dawns on me: this is a baby bunny!

Thank god he's still alive (I don't know how Talos' big paws managed to avoid his little fragile body). I took Talos inside and came back out to figure out what to do with the little one. He's cuter than cute and more than once I thought about just bringing him in and clicker training him.

Knowing the little guy couldn't stay in our backyard, I relocated him to the shed where I figured he'd come from anyway. Then it was back in the house to get ready for the day.

I let the dogs out about an hour later and notice Talos back down by the same spot. When I went to check, there's another bunny, just as little, just as cute. I relocated him under the shed as well. The dogs are still awfully curious at the original bunny-spot so I lean in for a closer look. Oh good lord, there's another bunny. It's an entire nest of bunnies! There were four total.

Mama bunny had dug a grapefruit-sized hole and all four of those little bunnies fit in there as if they were puzzle pieces. I took all the nesting material I could carry, the other two bunnies, and relocated the entire lot under the shed.

Please don't write and tell me I killed all the bunnies by moving them. They would have been inside a dog's stomach if I didn't move them. I'm hopeful they'll survive, as I moved the entire nest with them and it's only about eight feet from their original nesting spot. Apparently Mama bunny will come back a dusk for a feeding – she should be able to catch the scent of their new nest.

Talos and I cordially invite you to Bark for Life on April 17 at Western Regional Park in Woodbine, MD.  

 Saturday, April 17, 2010

9 am to Noon

Western Regional Park
 14800 Carrs Mill Rd.
 Woodbine, MD 21723

Registration is $20 for first dog, $15 for second, $10 for the  third from the same family. Registration includes dog bandana. All dogs must be on a leash and we ask that you please be ready to clean up after your four legged friends. 1K and 2K walk.

Here is the schedule (subject to change)

9-9:30am: Community Registration and Pre-Registration Check-In

9:30am: Introductory Remarks and Opening Ceremony

9:45am: Blessing of the Animals – Pastor Lisa Sparks, Lisbon United Methodist Church 

10:00am: Canine Relay Walk Begins

11:00am: Canine Games, Activities, Bark For Life T-shirts, Exhibitions,  Contests, Food, Entertainment, Canine Massages/Healing Touch, Pet- friendly Vendors,  and Photographer.