Turkeys in the yard, just one of the things dogs here are regularly trained around

Just one example of the wildlife that we regularly have around us while training dogs.   You can never predict when they may walk through, so you always want to be prepared.   At this point, most of the dogs here just ignore them LOL.

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Summer 2011 Fleamarket and Boris

Connected by DROID on Verizon Wireless

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Woodsy Weekend

The Crew Tommy, Bristol, Boris, and Gus (Leon is around there somewhere).

Boris looking to chase a stick embedded in the ice, as Tommy hangs out behind me.

Bristol about to go under, as Tommy completes his over.

Tommy starting his over (he is an awesome jumper).

Boris hopping alont.

Boris starting his over.

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Market Square Day Portsmouth NH with Dogs

Balloons balloons balloons!

Balloons closer up.

Nice Merle Great Dane meeting Boris.

Excellent way to travel with your favorite frisbee.

Adorable puppy with one blue eye and one brown eye.

Us just standing around meeting the Merle Great Dane.

Leon and I walking through Market Square Day in Portsmouth New Hampshire.




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He Gets Dead Things OR What Is This Skull From

Before the winter hit, something either died and was pulled apart OR was killed and pulled apart in our back woods.   Probably a lot more common occurrence than I would like to think about.   A host of animals that could be prey live around here like squirrels, rabbits, possums, rats, mice, moles, deer, and more.   Also we have quite a few predator animals like bears (yup they have been seen around here), dogs who are allowed to run loose, cats (also could be food source), coyotes, foxes, owls (I hear him daily), hawks, and so on.   So I am sure there is quite a bit of death that goes on in the back woods.

Leon can find dead things.   He has shown this talent before.   One day last fall, he was trolloping back with what I thought was a stick.   As he got closer, I saw that the stick had grey fur, but could not see what it was.   I assumed a part of a dead squirrel.   I told Leon to drop it, but could not take it out with me as I did not have a bag.   A day later, I thought it was a good idea to gather up and dispose of the creature.  I could not see where it was, and knew that Leon would find it.   In a day, it became bones.   The skull was MUCH bigger than a squirrels and has no canines.   Does not seem to be the skull of  a predator.   Here are some pictures that I got before disposing Leon's "find":

Good boy, Leon, for fetching all of these for me.   Each was found in a different place in the woods.   They were scattered over about two acres that we own, and there are still more parts back there.   The dogs keep bringing me this same bone from time to time, and I never seem to have a bag on me to bag it up.

I meant to measure it this day, but forgot.   I am curious though, anyone know what this is?

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Leon and Boris Adventures

Leon in our woods in the winter. 

Leon meets his baby brother Boris (about a year ago).

Me and Leon walking on the ice in our woods.

Leon and Boris playing around the ice rink (last year)

Leon in Ellis Park.

Leon playing tether ball, when Maine was not in the ice age!

Leon and Boris at the fleamarket where we set up last year.

Leon and Boris at Ellis Park last summer.

Leon as a baby meeting his big sister Miss Boo (Jazzabelle).   Jazzabelle was 13 at the time about five or six years ago.

Baby Leon on a walk in West Boylston.

Baby Leon in puppy class.

Six month old Leon plays with Sheepdog, DJ.

Leon and Jazz in Newport Rhode Island about five years ago.

Leon carrying a stick in our woods.

Recent picture of Leon and Boris playing on Long Sands.

Recent picture of Leon finding small log in the ocean.

Recent picture of Leon and Boris playing on Long Sands.

Leon and Boris racing through the rocks on Long Sands.

Boris playing in the rocky portion of Long Sands.

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The Adventures of Leon, Magoo, and Boris

Boris Chasing Magoo

Three Amigos Boris, Magoo, and Leon

Magoo, Boris, Leon and I in Portsmouth (not sure why this didn't keep the rotation)

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Share Maine Canine Legislative Finds

Leon reads up on local legislation. Last year, legislation in my own town, York Maine, took me by surprise.  Due to the passage of this legislation, dogs are no longer allowed off leash and under voice control in areas where they previously could be.   Unfortunately, I only found out about it when I got my absentee ballot to vote.   I felt it was way too late to try and organize a move against, and I explain my other thoughts in the linked blog that starts off this paragraph. Before and since, I try to look for and be aware of what is posted out there about legislation coming up especially in regards to pets  (my primary interest being the effects on dog ownership of course).  In browsing a Facebook page for an animal rescue called Almost Home Rescue of Maine.   They were discussing some legislation in progress for the state of Maine, which is likely to make landlords very leery about renting to pet owners.  It may also make landlords review and change their policies for current pet owners living in their apartments.  Yikes, don't we already have an economy problem and homeless animal problem in full force without this additional monkey wrench? I would like to urge pet owners, rescues, and professionals in the pet industry, veterinarians, and any people who are interested in pets to share information like this in any venues that they can think of.   If you run across an article or piece of information, please do not assume (as I have been guilty of) that they "right" people know about it.  Here are some sources you can share the information with or look up what is going on in Maine (in addition to writing to your legislative contacts and signing petitions): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Maine_Legislative_Canine/ http://www.understand-a-bull.com/ (breed specific legislative concerns) http://www.fedmedogclubs.org/ http://nhdogs.org/  (dog owners in New Hampshire) Also if you have a blog, be sure to blog about it, then it can be found when others search on these issues.   If you have a rescue, do not assume that your audience is not interested, and share what you know about legislation that is happening. If we can all share this information, it can be acted on that much sooner.   Once these things become law, it's very hard to reverse or amend them.  I went over some unfriendly dog legislation that exists in this blog post. Other ways that you can get a heads up on local legislation are: Search the Web for news stories on local pet legislation. Follow your local town councilmen/women <G> meetings.   Many times they are broadcasted on local television or may be available on the Internet. Check local rescue pages for news and discussions. If you know the bill number, you can check the Maine Legislative site for the wording of the bill (and the status). Many pet legislative bills start out with good intentions, but the language ends up restricting responsible parties.   This is why it is so important to share and keep an eye out for pet legislation. http://www.mannerlymutts.com http://mannerlymutts.blogspot.com mannerly_mutt@yahoo.com

Snow Fun!!

Looks like an excited Shamon, Boris and Harley!

At least one of them doesn't mind a bit of snow on the fur.

Roxy and Harley play a bit of chase.

Shamon getting all snowy again.

Snow balls can build up in Giant Schnauzer puppy fur!

Roxy says "gonna get you Leon".

Brujo and Gus take a well deserved nap after snowy fun.

Roxy finds herself worn out as well.

Boris in a rare still moment:)

Ollie Models his red Fido Fleece jacket.

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