We are still watching the daily coming and goings of our new friend the Raccoon. I have tried chasing her, but hunger and easy access to food wins out every time. The birds are so very accustomed to their daily seed that I cannot just stop feeding them, nor do I want to for it is such a joy to look out my window and watch them.
She has become a little too used to me and the dogs and I have noticed her coming when we are out. I am very FIRM and with authority I tell all to down. The effect is wonderful for all three down and the raccoon retreats back into the woods. This only happens when she approaches the fence from the ground….I believe when she comes this way she cannot see the dogs, only me. Sometimes she will come by way of tree branches and walk along the top of the fence to get to the feeder. As mentioned in a previous post it is common for them to forage during the day this time of year. A couple of years ago we had an entire family….Mom and several babies. Come summer things went back to normal and we really did not notice them, except at night. Hopefully the same will hold true in this case. Again, while they look very cute please remember these are wild animals that carry all kinds of nasty things….ticks, fleas, roundworm (a number of wormy things that your dogs can get and pass on too you)…not to mention rabies. Lastly, they can be very protective of their babies so best to not bother them if you see them.
Sunday found me bathing Rocky for the second weekend in a row….he had developed a nasty hotspot. Before his bath, I sat and watched while Mike played with the dogs and could not help but smile….Rocky will be two next week. In the two years there have been major changes to this little pack of mine….Niki’s spinal injury….all the work and time spent doing physical therapy.. The fact that she is walking, plays kick ball, does agility… although still has a weak back end she is cartless. Our little miracle dog….The Little Dog that Could Then there was Phoenix’s cancer and all too soon death….their lives are really too short.
As they played I watched each, for they have such wonderful personalities….as I usually do managed a few photographs…no special occasion. Just your normal, typical Sunday afternoon. If it’s been a while that you hung out and played a few games with your dog, did some training or just went for a nice long walk….do make the time to do so…of and don’t forget to bring your camera! Or if in the Atlanta area know that I offer “A Day in the Life” photography package which includes three to four hours of photography time up to four pack members (people or dogs). Great shots of play time, bath time…the dogs not the humans Along with several portraits. Conatact me for more information!
Big Print Give Away….only two have subscribed to You Tube and one here at the blog. Three people….come one now….get over to You Tube and subscribe. I know the print looks less then good on the video….it really is lovely trust me
Running a business out of your home, well eventually you will run out of room. In looking around I have a little of this, that just taking up room. In the next few weeks I will be listing in the store the remaining night lights, these are adorable, as are there a few cat and dog paw prints dishes. I also have a few prints left over that really must go. Oh, and about four or five pet nail dremels (I do not cut my dogs nails. I use a power tool to sand the nails down does a nicer job then trimming), several tee shirts to sell. I will be putting together a short video for while I will be selling these items in the Paw Prints Store, so to will I be auctioning a few items off in e-bay. ..should be fun
Growing up I loved to read about animals as did I enjoy movies about animals (bet you could have guessed that one ). Having been raised in Brooklyn NY…the zoo was my closest experience to wild life. Early teens the family moved to LI….more land, better air…I was never really much of an out doorsy kind of gal…lots of allergies and I hate bugs.
In my mid twenties I relocated to Atlanta….been in the very same house ever since. Here there is abundant wild birds and ever since I can remember we have shared our yard with a few raccoons. We get along…they will forage in the area that we feed the birds. They have not ever bothered us, but then again we do not leave anything out for them to get into.
Raccoons live in the wild about 8 years or so….longer in captivity. Our area is the perfect location for raccoons for there is a creek in the wooded area. At night If the light comes on or they hear the clicking of the back door….they zip over the fence for they know the dogs are coming out for a potty run. They are actually pretty darn smart in knowing our daily and nightly habits
Once the spring time arrives we notice the raccoons more and more, especially during the day. This year is no different. We seem to have a female hanging around….last few days she is visiting us more and more throughout the day. I cannot tell if she has had babies, or is going to have babies. She is sooooo hungry. Now, as cute as raccoons may seem, they are wild, and you do not want your dogs to get into a fight with one….raccoons can be so very nasty. Yes, they do at times have rabies as well. So as of late I find myself watching for changes in their behavior. They can be extremity protective of their babies, as can I be extremely protective of my dogs
While I have always allowed them to feed (no choice if feeding birds) this one however is not moving when she sees me. She has gotten to accustomed to me…mine and the dogs daily outings in the yard… she does not realize she is tress passing. A free meal can be had over the fence, they are such opportunist feeders. So, it looks like for her safety, and that of my dogs and myself I will be bringing the bird feeder in at night and just allow them to forage on the seeds on the ground….as will I be chasing her more during those times I see her during the day.
This is what our students are learning to paint this week….class starts up again in a few short weeks. Interested, visit our Paw Prints Store to save your place in class.
Cloudy, overcast and the occasional storm passing through Atlanta this afternoon. After a few hours of painting I decided it was time for a walk and play. Get the dogs….who when it rains are so lazy, out we go. It did not take long for them to get in the mood for a little romping. Several “fresh” sticks had fallen last night, something new to sniff and chew on. A few games of kick ball, fetch the stick, fetch the ball and of course fetch the Frisbee. We then took some time to do a little bird watching…lot’s of them visiting the feeder this spring. I then noticed the raccoon looking down upon us….through the leaves. So, I decided it was time to head inside and let her eat a few of the seeds before having to chase her away. So, for the reminder of our Sunday I think we will curl up on the sofa and read, nap before our next big adventure out and about.
The above lovely portrait is what our students are learning to paint this week…interested? Class starts again in May. Visit our Paw Prints Studio Store to reserve your place in our on line class.
The other day was bath day….always fun. Once the warmer weather arrives bath time can occur outdoors…saves my poor aching back. The doggie tub (yep, they have their very own tub which is raised up off the ground and therefore I do not have to bend) was dragged out of the garage….hose was run from inside out the window so I could use luke warm water. Poor Niki had a few fleas….a true sign sprig has arrived.
After re-introducing the “evil” tub to the dogs….all are little skittish and since they have not seen the tub since last summer I thought it best if they practiced getting in and out….for treats of course. Bath time should be relaxing to a dog….it should not have to be a struggle….nor should grooming. Niki was first….brushing/comb and bath/ towel dry….then a nap in the sun. Gemma was up next….brushing/ comb, towel dry….then run around crazy until she too takes up next to Niki in the sun for a nice nap. Last….Rocky….brushing/ comb bath. Then he is force dried (doggie drier) for he has so much fur his under coat would never dry. I tend to brush my dogs almost on a daily basis. On those days I skip a day or two I reallllly kick myself for they mat very quickly….especially Rocky and Niki. Gemma is a low maintenance dog, however since the other two are getting attention she wants her fair share and will actually wait her turn. In other words….she wants to be groomed.
Niki, the smallest is actually the most work. She was before her accident and after now requires special handling. She is very sensitive to touch all along her spine (overly sensitive reflexes). After her spinal injury it seems the nerve endings are crossed wrong now. Her coat must be kept short due to sanitary reasons. She can at times drop her hind end, tail into her urine when she relieves herself….as do we still have to help her completely empty her bladder. Shaving her is also a bit tricky. Just running the clipper down her spine causes her to twitch, pull her hind legs up…I must be very careful. Because of this it can take me days….or weeks to fully groom her. We will do a little and then go back a few days later….poor thing, while she dislikes the process….when it is over she does strut her stuff. Yep, she is indeed a “hot dog!!!!
The photographs were taken early evening…all smelling so very clean….nice shiny coats. Soon after Rocky went and rolled in the red clay….yep, you gotta love a Golden! Be on the look out for those nasty critters….fleas and ticks. Images taken with a Nikon d300.
Then there was Phoenix’s cancer and all too soon death….their lives are really too short.
