Monthly Archives: May 2010

Tango and Cash Reunited

Back in April of 2004 a generous breeder from California donated two of her German Shepherd puppies to a guide dog school.   They were given the names Tango and Cash and we were chosen to foster and train Tango for a year.  Every week we got together with Tango’s brother Cash to attend training classes and to socialize them at off-leash parks.  Cash was great with people but he had a bit of a dog aggression problem so he was eliminated from the program.   He was adopted by a couple, Judy and Bob, who loved German Shepherds and had recently lost their beloved dog Laser. Judy has MS and she was hoping that Cash would be able to assist her around the farm.  Tango made it to the second phase of training but it quickly became clear to everyone that she was a very high energy girl and not suited to be a guide dog.  We were given the opportunity to adopt her and become her forever home. Over the years I often thought about Tango’s brother and hoped that he was living a wonderful life in the country.

Well, we no longer have to wonder about Cash.  About a month ago I was contacted by Judy.  Poor Cash had some serious health issues and she wanted to let me know about them so that I could get Tango checked out by our Vet.  A few days ago we drove up to their farm to meet them and to reunite Tango and Cash.  Except for the 40lb weight difference it was like we were looking at Tango’s twin.  Their markings, colouration and even their vocalizations were identical.  As we began talking we quickly discovered how similar their personalities are too. They both love people, especially kids and they are both very talkative.  All four of us just couldn’t stop talking about how much alike they were.  We had a wonderful visit and we look forward to getting together with them again very soon.

Judy with Cash and Tango

Don and Cash

Tango and Cash (8 months old)

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Ladybug is ready to fly away

It has taken me almost 7 months but the ladybug quilt is finally finished and ready to be given away.  To read more about it click on this link Ladybug Quilt for Renae.

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Annoying Visitor

I just love our yard and how so many different and amazing critters are attracted to the pond….that was until recently. We have a first time guest who has already worn out his welcome. It started in the wee hours of Wednesday morning. We always sleep with our bedroom windows open to get fresh air and to listen to the sound of the stream flowing into the pond. At around 1:00 am a new sound could be heard.  A very loud and annoying sound.  It rang out every few seconds throughout the whole night.  It sounded like a giant frog. Of course Don slept through it all and in the morning I was beginning to think that maybe it had been an annoying dream. Then late Wednesday afternoon I heard it again. Definitely coming from the pond. When you get up close it is so loud and it almost sounds electronically generated. I started trying to locate the source of the sound but it would stop once I got close to the edge of the pond. Once I turned away it would start again. Ok…..is one of our neighbours trying to ‘punk’ us with some hidden speaker. This time Don heard the racket too so he came out to investigate. We checked everywhere but we could not find any critter  or speaker so we gave up and went back inside…..and then it started again. We could hear it in our kitchen with all the doors and windows closed. Don went out with a big metal stick and began poking around all the rocks and crevices. Nothing. We gave up and went to bed.  And then it started again. It lasted all night. At around 3:20am the neighbourhood Robins joined in to the chorus.  Of course Don had no problem sleeping through all the racket. I love nature…but this guy has got to go. I’m surprised that he hasn’t attracted some prey animal to come and get him since he is doing such a great job of announcing his presence.

It has now been 3 nights of frog serenades. Although we can hear him loud and clear we have not caught even the slightest glimpse of him which would lead me to believe that he must be very small.  I just can’t believe that something that small could produce such a loud, reverberating sound. Check out the video and listen to his song……

UPDATE:

I think I have discovered the identify of our visitor…..a boreal chorus frog.  When I read the description I knew I had found my loud mouth frog:

  • These secretive and largely terrestrial frogs are often heard, but seldom seen. Their tiny size makes them difficult to find, even when the males are calling. Their calls are relatively loud, but deceiving, often sounding as if they’re calling from someplace else!
  • Despite their tiny size, these frogs call so loudly that if you stand at the edge of a large chorus, your ears will ring.

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Another family visit


It has been a whirlwind few days in the dog house. Catherine surprised Sean by flying them out here to visit us and Grandma for Sean’s 29th birthday. It has been about 3 years since they have been here so it was wonderful to see them. This has been a good year for visits from the kids. Chris is March and now Sean in May. We are keeping our fingers crossed that Erin will come for a visit soon.

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Playful Paws


I found a new MeetUp group for toy and small breed dogs.  In the summer they meet weekly at a fully fenced outdoor hockey rink.  It is great because the dogs have tons of room to run around and play and we don’t have to worry about anyone getting lost or running away.  There were over 20 dogs at today’s get together and everyone got along really well.  It was wonderful for Tilly to have so many dogs her size to play with.  One of the Papillon’s was celebrating it’s first birthday so there was doggy cake for all the 4-legged participants and even a little treat for each human.  I can’t wait for our next play date.

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Hope’s Visit

We’ve had Hope as our houseguest for the last 2 nights. She was one of our foster puppies in 2008-2009 so she is well known to Wally and Tango. She loved playing with little Tilly but she was a little rough……I guess she has never had any experience playing with a small puppy. Everyone survived and a good time was had by all.  Hope was very good a remembering the house rule for only going potty in the restricted zone but she either completely forgot or ignored the rule of no swimming in the pond. Thank goodness we hadn’t moved the fish outside yet.

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Mother’s Day

We took Don’s Mom out for brunch this morning. We enjoyed a lovely meal overlooking the river valley.

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Garden Visitors

Over the past week I’ve noticed a pair of ducks hanging around the neighbourhood.  Friday night Don found them swimming in our pond. As much as I would love to have a pair of ducks nesting in our yard…..it is just not safe with the dogs. I would be sick if Tango caught one of them or their ducklings. The female had a good feed on my Irises while her mate just paddled around. Don did manage to get a bunch of pictures before they were spooked by the dogs. I’ve always thought of the females as being very colourless and drab. If y0u look at the picture of the female flying off you can see she has the same amazing blue/purple feature on her wings that the male has. What a treat to enjoy all the amazing wildlife that visit our garden and hang out at the pond.

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Sleeping buddies

I don’t know what it is about Tango and Tilly but it seems like every time I find the two snuggling together they are in some weird position.  First it was Tilly sleeping with her muzzle parked right up against Tango’s butt and now this.  Tilly’s neck is sandwiched between Tango’s two back legs…..like she is in a wrestling death grip choke hold…..only she is peacefully asleep.  Strange but true?!?

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May????

Our backyard is a winter wonderland again. There was so much snow drifted against the back door that I couldn’t open it from the inside. It is hard to believe that it was 26 degrees Celcius last week…….go figure????

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Fun Weekend


We went for an off-leash run with Susan, David and Hope this past weekend.  There were so many gopher holes in the field it was like walking an obstacle course. I was concerned that one of the dogs would hurt themselves and possibly break a leg while they were running around and playing. Wally, who is not normally a high prey drive dog, was fascinated with some of the holes and began digging in them.  I got a good group picture at the end.  You can see how tired the dogs are with their giant pink tongues hanging out while they were panting profusely.

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Filed under Foster Puppies, Tango, Tilly, Two legged family, Wally

A dog house morning

I love weekend mornings. I’m always the first 2 legged member of the family to wake up. As soon as I am starting to stir Tango is right there waiting to say good morning. I just need to snap my fingers or whisper ‘OK’ and she is on the bed in a microsecond.  She loves her morning cuddles and she is so anxious to plant a kiss on my face that I often end up with a french kiss.  Wally is more like Don…..not a morning person. It takes him a while to stretch and slowly come to consciousness and then as he approaches the bed you can hear the loud thumping of his tail against the mattress. Wally is a ‘spooner’…..he just loves to mould his body to mine and snuggle in close.  Our little Tilly prefers to get as close to your face as possible.  She will sleep draped across my neck or mouth.

If I get up for a potty break, by the time I come back Tilly has staked a claim on Don’s neck and the big ‘kids’have taken over my side of the bed.

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