Vizlantine Therapy

I recently began a new career - as a therapy dog.  My Guardian and I are new at this, but I'm catching on very quickly.  And I really enjoy doing it, since I get so many "you're beautiful." comments, lots of petting, and often an invitation for a snuggle.  What's not to like?!!   I start wagging my tail when we start our walk up to the facility we visit each week, just so there's no mistaking that I'd like to come back.




We meet and talk to all kinds of people at the facility.  Some are hurt and recuperating, some are a bit confused, and some are at the point in life when it's just hard to get around.  Men and women, young and old, some in bed, others in wheelchairs or walkers. I've learned how to approach them and try to relate to them all to make their day a little better, as they make mine better with their attention.

We've done a couple special things.  Like dressing up with other therapy dog teams for a Valentine Day parade (not all the other dogs know it's really Vizlantine Day).

Also, since there are several Veteran's at the facility, I learned to salute.  I have a favorite Marine who salutes me back!  This is as far as I plan to go with military behavior.  I've been promised I won't have to learn how to do push-ups or KP duty, though as an avid trail dog, I might like the marching.

Think I'm going to like my new career as a Therapy Dog.

Wintry Trails

Should explain what I've been doing since my last blog post.....but will let that wait til another time.
Wanted to pay tribute to winter trail adventures..... whether out with just your guardian......

or out with trail buddies....

 you've got to love a winter trail adventure!

Heaven Came to My Door....Window

It was quite a shock, and extremely exciting, to look out of our second story bedroom window
and see this huge bird had materialized out of no where. 

It was like the best every doggie dream come true.

I was more than willing to give chase on the roof, agile agility dog that I am.
So far, that has been discouraged.   I'm still hopeful.

FashionVizsta

Though I'm a trail lov'n hunt'n dog.... I'm also quite the fashionable girl,
within the bounds of safety and health, of course.
I've modeled for CanineDesigns on Etsy, my picture has appeared in two publications, and I often get requests to take my photo on the trail.
Here I am in a few of my outfits.
How do I look?  What do you think is my best color?

wearing Laura Herbertson in green

my "everyone must have a red sweater" sweater

my Easter Bonnet (I agree to wearing hats only on very  rare occasions)

Bandannas are cool in sunny yellow

my purple Tummy Warmer

my Petite Mademoiselle collar
in french blue , ooh la la (another Laura Herbertson)

collared for the beach in Hawaiian print

Reflective Orange - what every fashionVizsta girl wears to point a bird

Point of View

Yesterday, we enjoyed a warm day, treed a raccoon, chased a herd of deer, stood quietly watching a red-bellied woodpecker drilling overhead, enjoyed the eerie peace of answering calls of a pair of barred owls, greeted dog friends, and enjoyed some socializing.  Today, we rolled on a deer carcass, slid both flanks through a very dead fish, saw no one and got wet and cold. .... I like dog walking some days more than others.  --Susan

Yesterday, we did an awesome job running really fast and chasing LOTS of interesting animals in the woods, watched attentively and hopefully for birds we could point and flush, sniffed and played with some dog friends, collected compliments from humans and patiently waited to share treats with friends.  But TODAY, we found some fantastic natural perfuming opportunities, had the trail all to ourselves, so got to chase ALL the birds and squirrels, didn't have to wait around, sniffed up loads of "doggie news" and I didn't have to wait for or share my treats. ...  Every day is a great day when out walking, but some days are even better than others.  --Tia

Vizslatine's Day

On this special day of Vizslatine, I want want to send Vizsla hugs and kisses to my one and only true love and boyfriend ...

Sparky, Max, Watson, Max, Shaq, Bob,Ivan, Samu, Colby, Coby, Cody, Kahn

Master Duncan, Master Bailey, Master Cannon, Noah, O'Malley, Charley, Anchor

Henry, Arti, Monty, Montage, Winky, Bodi, Toby, Gibs, Buddy, Cisco, 

Rascal, Gus, Moscow, Noble, Franz

                                                      I'm such a shameless, wilely girl!!!

Brave Hunt'n Dog

Usually I'm a very brave, not afraid of anything, bring it on, hunt'n dog!

But every now and then everyone has to rely on her friends. Yeah for friends!!

No Smoking

NO --- I DON'T smoke and that's NOT
    a CIGAR!!  If I did smoke, I'm sure I'd use one of those fancy long filters and say "Daaaarlinck" with a Hungarian accent.

Waiting for Santa 2010

I gave my Christmas list to Santa...

 

 

.    

Rosemary and Mint

Smelling like a flower (though I preferred another scent)

At the moment I have a very girlie-girl rosemary and mint smell; not by my choice.

Earlier today I selected my own choice of body enhancing scents from the available trail options, with stealth, as a surprise.
My Mom and her friends were remarking on the aroma, but they kept examing their shoes and didn't realize I was the lucky girl to have found the natural and potent perfume. 
Finally, I was identified as the source.  When we arrived home, we went directly from the car to the shower.  So much for
personal expression!

Love's Tough

I put up with nose bites....

and sometimes I get kisses....

                                                                  Love is confusing 

Super Cat Powers

My rock'n kitten partner caught a bird today -- Awesome!
She didn't even point -- just froze then...leaped.
When she came down, she had a bird -- right out of the air like magic. 
I was very excited. My human got very excited too,
and spoiled all our bird play by letting it fly away. 
This is the most cool thing the cat's done since she climbed a tree, an envious skill.

Squirrels in trees, birds cavorting on the lawn, cat's picnic.

Feel'n Young As a Pup

It's my Birthday!

I'm three today!!  People I meet on the trail still think I'm a puppy, petite mademoiselle that I am. 
Just hate that a dog's life is a run from birth to the grave in a seeming instant.  Slow that meet clock please; how did I get to be three already?.


The house has smelled like liver all day.  I'm sure my human plans some special treats with dinner tonight.

Also hoping the cat and I will get to go out for late night bug hunting again.  We're doing a great team-up on the Katydids.  Enjoying this dog's life.

Advice

I found out recently that the advice, "Start small and work your way up.", does not apply to hunting rabbits.  I was very proud of my effort, but apparently this is an area where one is expected to start big, not catch little bunnies.  So sorry, I didn't know.

Sea Birds

After this week's beach experience, I must report that sea birds do not necessarily behave the same way as other "normal" birds.  I found this one to be loud, aggressive, too ready to use his
very sharp beak, and --  he wanted to chase me instead of  letting me do the chasing.
Normally I love to be chased, but the squawking was a bit annoying. 
It appeared he was just a baby with a flying issue.  Not a good outlook for him, so we

gave him his space with good wishes and no hard feelings.  

My Work Write-up

A story on my work as a County geese dog appeared in the recent issue of the Conestoga Viszla Club News.

Read about my April job at www.CVCweb.org, Newsletter, 2nd quarter, page 20.  My picture was in the Washington Post last year too.  I wonder if I should start carrying ink to give out my paw print?!

"Wroofing"

My human went out onto the second story window roof  to help the roofers who were working at our house yesterday.
I had my second hind foot on the sill completing my exit when everyone got very excited. 
Don't know why since I follow my human every where, am agility trained, and part goat-dog. 
But my effort to help as "wroofer" was cut short and I was shuffled back inside. 
The cat's question, "Is it loyalty or

My wroofing location

or dullness?"  She no doubt expected me to request the question be repeated.

Saturday Jaunt

Rachel Carson meet-up with V-dog buds followed by
lots of attention and relaxing at dog friendly Barrel Oaks Winery.
Picture posted on Chow Now Pet Foods FaceBook page.

Summer Digs

We're really enjoying the dog beach at Dewey Beach Delaware.  Dogs rule before 9:30am and after 5:30pm, running off leash.  Can't beat the dog sniff'n, bird chase'n, flat out run'n, swim'n, sand fling'n, hole dig'n, socialize'n fun.  Ghost crabs -- that's a whole other chase'n / dig'n adventure.