Thoughts by Kinka

Remy and me

2009-09-25T14:54:00.003-06:00

Well, it's been another good summer for me and everybody. I hope yours was good too. The 2-legs all complained about the weather out here this year, but the way I look at it, we got out for a walk and a swim every morning, rain or shine, so really, it just didn't matter what the weather was like. It's all good!

I'm posting link to a video of me and Remy playing one evening. Remy's last TPLO is all healed. Watch how she acts all like, like "Ooooh I'm the boss of Kinka" now that she has bionic knees..... Can you see it? Can you believe it?

I mean, we all know that superknees don't beat supersmarts, so clearly I'm the boss of her.

At least I think I am.

But again I say, it just doesn't matter. Because we're BFF's and that? That's the important thing.

Travels

2009-05-03T10:17:00.005-06:00

Last month, we all went on a long truck ride to Edmonton for a visit. We stayed in a highrise apartment right downtown! It was a new experience for both Remy and me, but we handled it pretty well. (Remy was scared of the elevator, but not me.) We barked a few times and got in trouble, but for Pete's sake! The little snackdog next door started it!

After that, we got to go to the mountains for a holiday. THAT was fun! There sure were big mountains, and ravens and elk and people and blue sky and big trees and snow and good hikes, and we had a great time! (Remy and I were so busy taking it all in, we couldn't even stop to smile for a picture. Remy shows off her funny tail in this one. I'm more discreet about showing mine. But don't the mommas look cute?!)

Remy is broken. Again.

2009-02-08T09:03:00.006-06:00

Poor Remy! Mamma C says she thinks Remy's born under a bad sign. Last week, she tore the cruciate ligament (whatever THAT is) in her left knee. So this week, she got to go to the vet and she even had to stay overnight, and she got it all fixed with something called TPLO. Now she looks funny, and she isn't quite herself.

Last year, she had to get her other knee TPLO'd. And it took her a while, but she did get better so she could play with me. So I'm trying to be patient.... grrrr..... patient.

But this is supposed to be about me! And since Remy can't play with me or walk with me, and I'm pretty bored with all this recuperating business, yesterday the Mammas took me to this fabulous place that's near us, where I could run up and down hills and get stuck in the snow and smell all kinds of great new smells!

It was a lot of fun! I got to have the place alllll to myself, and kinda didn't even mind that Remy is broken.

I need First Aid!

2008-11-17T20:35:00.002-06:00

But really only for my bruised ego.

This weekend the mommas took a Pet First Aid Course, and Remy and I got to go along as "demo dogs". I figured that was short for "demolition dogs" SO I was very excited to go!

Yeah.

Turns out that's not what it's short for at all. Look what they made me wear while they were practising their skills!

Medic! I need some help here!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-10-13T11:02:00.006-06:00

Yes, we're celebrating Thanksgiving here in Canada. So if you're here too, I hope you get to enjoy the long weekend and that you spend it the best way you can! Maybe that's eating some turkey and stuffing and potatoes and gravy, or maybe it's hanging out with your family and friends, or maybe it's watching football and getting some chips, or maybe it's going for a long hike and smelling all the good smells.

Remy and I woke up this morning and went out, and look what happened overnight!

Happy Birthday #2 Cowcutta Pups!

2008-09-04T09:44:00.005-06:00

Big big kisses and bodyslams to my sis's and bro out there on our SECOND BIRTHDAY! Can you believe it? We are growing up so fast (so say the mommas - me I still feel like a puppy). I don't know WHAT the mommas are planning for me today, but I'm sure it will be DELICIOUS! I heard talk of peanut butter stuffed bones for me and Remy later on. And I say - that's a good start.

I have a cold right now (even though I had my shot I still picked up a little bug at the kennel last week). But it's not really slowing me down. I have a coughing fit in the morning, but then I'm cleared out and good to go!

Anyways.... I hope you're all doing well, my big extended family out there. Gramma Jen, are you okay? I haven't heard from you in a long time. If you wanted to come down and visit - I'd even share my peanut butter bone with you.

Already AUGUST!

2008-08-04T13:58:00.006-06:00

It seems I'm the worst kind of blogger-dog of all - the kind that forgets to blog! I can't believe I haven't been here since January! But I guess it's true what the 2-legs say.... time really DOES fly when you're having fun. The picture with this post is of Remy and me, of course, resting up on our way up north last week for a wild weekend holiday with our black lab pals Cola and Elly and Barra the blond retriever. (The 2-legs say what goes around comes around too, and sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve this life full of retrievers! They are SO hard to keep in line - just impossible. But I will keep trying....) It was a great time - I got to go fishing (well, I didn't actually FISH, but I went along for the boat ride), and I got to run in the woods, and swim in the lake AND eat chips (but don't tell Momma J).

Anyway, it will just take too long to tell about all that's gone on since I talked to you last. Let's just say, the year has flown by!

We are all still living at the farm and I love it! I get to go for lots of walks and swims, and chase gophers and birds and eat interesting poo EVERY DAY! It just doesn't get any better than that, I don't think. Although, I've heard of these things called sheep? And they sound interesting....

I got to go to the Vet College at the U of S in the spring. They were checking out my heart, 'cause the vet here at home thought I might have an enlarged heart. Turns out I don't - or at least they couldn't find anything wrong with me at the Vet College. Very cool news!

(Plus they said at the college that I was totally adorable and that I smelled fantastic. So Mommas, if you're reading - just remember that. Even the vet says I am adorable and that I smell fantastic. So it must be true, and it's not just me that thinks so. And all those bad smells? Can't be me, 'cause I am vet-certified as smellin' fantastic! Better blame Remy! That's right - bad Remy. Bad, stinky Remy... tee hee hee!)

Anyways, all in all, things are good. I will try and write more often, and I hope to hear from all the other blogger dogs out there soon too!

JC

2008-01-13T08:09:00.000-06:00

My leave-it JC went away yesterday. She was an old girl, and she had lived with Momma J for over 20 years! I guess the vet told the mommas that 20 years for a 3-legs like JC is like 110 years for a 2-legs! So I think she was probably pretty tired these last few months, but she was always nice to me and Remy. She was our alarm clock every morning, and she was never late! And I'm going to miss giving her kisses. Even though she complained when I did, I'm pretty sure she secretly enjoyed them! And she was the first leave-it I knew who was nice to me, and left me sniff her and check her out and didn't swat me for doing it. I liked her for that.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T16:22:00.000-06:00

I can't believe it's 2008 already! But I had alot of time in the truck yesterday as we were driving home from Anglin Lake, and I was doing some thinking: Last year was quite a year, wasn't it? With some good things and some bad things for all of us, and I guess that's how years go. I'd have to say highlights of 2007 for me include hangin' with some good friends (both 2 legs and 4 legs (and my leave-it JC, who only has 3 legs)), spending time at the farm, and having Remy come to live with us. We got to go to Anglin Lake for the last weekend of 2007 and it was great! We got to play and flollop in the snow, I got to see Cola and Elly the labs again, and this time I got to meet Oakley and Bauer too. If you can get out to play in the snow in 2008, do it!

Merry Christmas One and All!

2007-12-25T06:35:00.000-06:00

I want to take this time to wish you all a very VERY Merry Christmas. I hope you are safe and warm, not only this day, but every day, and that wherever you may be, there are lots of treats and love around you this Christmas. Love is what it's all about.

One More Sleep!

2007-12-24T13:48:00.000-06:00

It's finally here! Christmas Eve! We're ALL very excited around here. I for one happen to know that there are presents hidden away for me, and Santa hasn't even been here yet! Remy's been watching for him for days now, but I just roll my eyes at her - it's WAY too early for him to arrive and besides, we aren't asleep!

Looking Up

2007-11-12T07:28:00.000-06:00

Things are looking up on a few fronts this week! First of all, my shoulder is feeling better, so I'm not limping as much, so THAT means second of all, that the mommas are letting me and Remy wrassle again! Just a little - not full dog on dog action yet. But YAY! I just love wrasslin! We went to vet last week and they took a bunch of x-rays (but I don't remember that part of the visit - it was weird but I was just soooo sleepy I slept right through the x-ray part of it) and the staff at the vet clinic were all super nice to me and they threatened to keep me just 'cause I am SUCH a sweet girl and ANYWAYS, the x-rays didn't show anything wrong. Which is also good news. It means it's probably a torn muscle, and that it will heal if I just slow down. Which is really hard. I'm not going for walks or really big plays, but I AM allowed to play and mouth fight a little, 'cause if I'm not? I can be really persistant and a pain in the butt! Heh heh heh! Remy and I like to play tug together, and neither one of us likes to give up, so sometimes the games go on for 10 minutes!

Another cool thing about living at the farm? The stars! I had no idea there were so many stars in the sky! In the city you might see a few of the brighter ones, but really, you just don't realize how many many of them there are. On the weekend the mommas found "canis major" - the dog constellation. It doesn't look much like a dog to me. But that doesn't matter. As long as I get to go outside and sniff and pee? They can stand there and stargaze all they want.

Updates

2007-11-02T12:36:00.000-06:00

Well! We have been super busy around here! For starters, Remy and I, and the mommas and the Leave-its, have moved to the farm! Momma C says we haven't "officially" moved, whatever that means, 'cause for now we're just trying it out to see if we like living out there. And guess what? I LOVE living out there! There are just so many great places to explore, and sniff, and dig, and there are barn Leave-its to chase when nobody's looking (but I don't do that, only Remy does - heh heh heh! That's right - bad Remy! Bad BAD Remy! tee hee hee!) and we get to run around and play almost all we want, and go for swims even though the water's getting cold these days, and roll in the dirt and EVERYTHING! The one bummer part is that I can't really blog from the farm, since the connection out there is kind of lousy.

The other bummer thing is that right now and for three whole weeks I'm not supposed to play or run or do stairs or ANYTHING! I'm not even supposed to go for leash walks. Come on! I mean sure, I've had a limp since summertime, but I've tried to downplay it, you know, 'cause really it doesn't hurt THAT much and I was sure it was nothing serious... just an ol' jollyball injury flaring up, but now the vet says there's something hurt in my shoulder. And to give it a chance to heal, I have to do nothing. NOTHING! NOTHING AT ALL! And the mommas are being pretty devoted to that mission, and so I'm not having much fun.

Although I do get carried around alot, and Remy doesn't, and so that's cool. (Good Kinka! Good GOOD Kinka! "Way up high Kinka.... yup, I like THAT!)

But yeah. The next three weeks are going to be bor-ing. That's all I have to say for now.

Things

2007-09-25T07:58:00.000-06:00

Things are just excellent around here! I love having Remy around and I think she might be my NBFF! Most of the time anyway. Once in a while she gets grumbly with me but she gets over it right away..... Maybe I do come on a little too strong but it's so GREAT to have someone around here that speaks my language finally! I've got alot to say!

Last night was tricks and clicks class and I have to admit, I was tired. I just couldn't focus at all! After my big weekend with Remy coming home and all.... yeah. And I was so distracted, I very nearly choked on a treat, and I coughed it out and it went flying and bouncing, and I could have died for pete's sake, and all Momma C could do was laugh 'til she cried! Honestly!

Okay. So maybe we're ALL tired.

She's Here!

2007-09-21T13:17:00.000-06:00

Remy came home this morning! I was TOTALLY excited when I heard her come into the yard with Momma C! I had to shriek and shriek and bark and carry on for a good 5 minutes before I got to go out and see her! (So WHAT if she wanted to check out the yard on her own? This is MY world!) Anyway, we had a really good play, then we had lunch, then I wanted to play more but Remy wanted a nap. Anyways, I had to go shopping with Momma J so that Remy could rest without me bonking her to get her up for more. She's kind of a lightweight.....

We took this picture of her - sleeping! can you believe it!? - it shows her funny tail. I mean funny in a nice way. And the important thing is that even though it's pretty short, she can wag it really fast!

Tricks 'n' Clicks

2007-09-19T20:17:00.000-06:00

That's the name of the class I'm in right now (me and Mace). I'm learning a ton of new stuff and the best part of THAT is that I get a ton of treats while I learn! YUM! So far I know shake left and shake right (which I kinda knew before but shhhhh! don't tell the mommas 'cause they keep on giving me treats for knowing it!), back up, and um.... those are about the only ones I remember for now. There's also take a bow, be sad, put away my toys (pfft! now what would I do that for?!) and pick a card. But I'm still working on them. Let's see those treats!

Remy comes home soon! Her foster mom says she's doing great and that she even went for a swim this week (before it occurred to her that maybe she didn't know HOW to swim and she got a little scared!) - and we are picking her up on Friday morning. We have all kinds of new stuff in the house - dishes and leashes and toys that I'm not allowed to play with (WHAT?!) so I can hardly wait 'til she comes and then I WILL be able to play. Yaaaay!

Remy

2007-09-15T10:01:00.000-06:00

We can hardly wait, little Girl!

It's True!

2007-09-14T07:59:00.000-06:00

Six more sleeps 'til my new sister comes home! I can hardly wait(and I think Momma C is even more excited than me)! The Mommas say I will have to be gentle with her, at least for a few weeks, and I'm going to try, I really am, but it's going to be so GREAT to have a full-time buddy!

From Momma C: Remy is a beautiful Black Lab puppy. She is almost 6 months old. On August 11th, she was run over by a minivan. Go ahead - ask me how much I hate minivans! But that's a rant for another day! Remy's pelvis was badly fractured and her tail was very very broken. Fortunately, she was taken straight to the vet, where she received the necessary multiple surgeries and care, including the amputation of most of her tail. But after all that, she was then surrendered to the vet clinic by her people, who for reasons unknown, no longer wanted little Remy in their lives.

Since then (for the last 3 weeks) she has been receiving absolutely amazing foster care, and last Saturday she came to our attention (via my very persistent niece - gosh, thanks Kate!) as a great pup that needed a great and special home. After much deliberation, we have decided that we can give her that, and with Kinka's help, we will give Remy a fun and healthy and happy life. Needless to say, she has some "issues" that we are already aware of (she's scared of vehicles - go figure) and possibly some that we're not aware of, and she will need some special dispensations for the rest of her life. But her foster family says her mobility is improving daily and she is a totally sweet and loveable and smart little dog.

Let the adventure begin!

Guess What??!

2007-09-12T20:15:00.001-06:00

Momma C says we haven't worked out all the details yet, but it looks like I'm probably getting a little sister! Things are starting to happen around here, like another crate is sitting in our bedroom, and today we went shopping for collars and treats and toys and stuff, but so far there's no new puppy....

But. Last night I got to go and play for a while with a dog named Remy. The mommas said it was to see if we get along and if we play okay together. And we totally DO! I like Remy ALOT! She's bigger than me, and she's not an ACD and she's got a REALLY BIG bark (way bigger than mine) AND we had a great time! And the neatest thing of all is that her tail is funny too, not funny like mine but different, but still we both have funny tails! So. I know she won't bug me about mine, or else I can bug her right back about hers! She seemed to get tired faster than me. The mommas say that's because she was in an accident and she's still busy healing, and that's why it is so important that I'm not too rough for her.

Momma C still has to talk to the vet that knows Remy best. But after that? If the vet thinks it's a good idea? She gets to come home with me! I've got my toes crossed, 'cause I would really really like someone here to play with ALL the time!

Happy Birthday!!!!

2007-09-04T17:01:00.000-06:00

A big snout out to all my sibs on this very auspicious day! Hope you're all doing really really well, loving life, and giving lots and lots of kisses, and getting all the treats you want, 'cause that's what life should be all about, I figure.

Here's to many more years! High fives and nose bonks all around!

2007-09-02T09:44:00.000-06:00

Can you imagine? Only 2 days 'til my first birthday! Wheeeee! (I wonder what my sibs are gonna be doing for the big day? Roo? You having a party? Or are you still grounded?)

Myself, I'm expecting a LOT of presents. I already got a new blue harness (which I kinda don't like, but please don't tell Momma J 'cause it'll hurt her feelings) but I'm just sure there's better stuff than that coming. I got to have my friend Ella (she's a baby Portuguese Water Dog but she's pretty cool) for a sleepover this weekend. We played and played and played! It was great, but I have to admit, I'm totally bagged this morning. It's hard work keeping up to these youngsters! But by last night, even Ella was wiped. So we just hung out on the big bed together.

Oh, and yesterday? I got busted - counter surfing in the kitchen. Heh heh heh! My bad. (Little do the mommas know, I've done it before, a few times actually. They've just never caught me until now. ) But seriously? If I'm not allowed on the counters, then they shouldn't leave good stuff on them. 'Cause that's just not right.

Ride Kinka Ride

2007-08-07T13:20:00.000-06:00

I added a new link over there on the right. It's a video of ME! Surprising I know, I let Momma C be in this one too. (Truth is, I need her, mostly her opposable thumb, to run the ATV.)

Dog Days of Summer

2007-08-03T15:13:00.000-06:00

Wow! It's been a really long time since I had time to blog! And the summer is flying by, isn't it? Sheesh! I can hardly believe I'm almost a year old! I wonder if they're planning a surprise party....?
It's been really really hot here and I'm not so crazy about THAT. It's hard being me when it's hot. We only get to go for little short walks, so I flop around and sigh alot so the mommas know I'm not impressed. But we've been spending lots of time at the farm, and there I can wander around all I want and take myself for swims to keep cool (and sometimes if I remember, I bark when people drive in like a real grown-up dog!)so THAT part of summer's okay.
I get in trouble for lots of stuff out there too. Like once or twice my nose has led me astray and 'waaay down the gravel road where I'm not supposed to be by myself. (I got in DEEP for THAT! But there are so many things to explore! It's hard to resist.) Other things I've been hollered at for (so far) include stealing tools off the shop floor when it turns out the people are still using them, tromping through the garden, and taking ALL the plastic pop bottles out of the recycling box and tucking them around outside. (They're NOT just recycling, people! They're TOYS!) I'm slowly making friends with the farm Leave-its, but they're pretty tough so I have to be patient (grrrrr!) AND the funnest thing of all? I learned to ride on the ATV! When I hear it start I jump right on and go for a ride (love that wind in my face!). I'm going to ask for a helmet though I think, 'cuz these bugs are hard to get out of my teeth! And hi-five or no hi-five, nobody likes a girl with buggy teeth.

Update

2007-06-27T17:15:00.001-06:00

So. Here I am back! The last couple of weeks have felt kind of weird around here. I know the mommas are sad, because they haven't been quite as fun as I'm used to them being. But last week we did go camping for a few days. THAT was fun, even if I did have to be on a leash ALL the time in the park. I got to smell lots of cool new stuff and I got to go on a real cattle drive! Okay, actually, we drove THROUGH a real cattle drive, in the Cypress Hills. I had to stay in the truck, but I barked ALOT and I'm sure that helped them out. They didn't even have a cattle dog! Can you believe it? Oh sure they had a border collie, but he didn't make nearly as much noise as me so how hard was he working really?

There's a picture of me at Cypress Hills at the bottom of the page.

And now we're home again. And the mommas are both really sick with colds. So we've spent alot of time sleeping on the big bed and watching movies this week. I'm down with that too. I'm always good for a sleep on the big bed.

Today my friend Mace is coming over for a play. She's quite alot bigger than me now, and she looks all grown-up retrievery. But we're still solid buds. And if I take a good run at her, like from across the yard, I can still bowl her over.

And this weekend? We're going camping again! To Anglin Lake again, to see my friends Cola and Elly the labs. It's gonna be GREAT! Finally - someone who wants to PLAY!

Adventures

2007-06-17T08:00:00.000-06:00

Yesterday Momma C needed to get out of the house. So we all got in the truck, and we went to a barbeque party at my friend Gary's. Gary calls me Killer. I like him.

It was really nice to get out, and meet some new people. And I got to go for my first motorboat ride. It was fun! I'm totally a wind-in-my-hair kind of girl. They wouldn't let me try tubing though. But that was okay, 'cuz then I got to play on the trampoline and bounce with Momma C. I wasn't scared at all!

AND the craziest thing of the whole afternoon - I almost can't believe it myself - but I kissed a kid! I'll be the first to admit that kids freak me out 'cuz they're so little and they move funny. But yesterday, the kid was there, and he was really nice and he smelled great, and before I knew what I was doing, I kissed him on the cheek! I was a little scared afterward, but it's all going to be okay I think. Kissing kids is perfectly normal, right? Am I right?

More Sad

2007-06-15T22:13:00.000-06:00

Yesterday? Momma C's mom died. She was a really really nice lady and we're all going to miss her. Alot. Our house feels pretty sad these days.

Yum

2007-06-12T22:37:00.000-06:00

Today I rolled in something super stinky. I don't know what it was, but WHOOO-EEE was it good! And I got in some excellent rolling before I got busted.

But then I had to have a shower. A cold one. Outside.

But all in all? I think it was still worth it.

Sad

2007-06-11T11:38:00.001-06:00

My favourite leave-it, Boo, is gone today - Momma C says she was really sick and hurting alot and that it was time for her to go. I don't really get what that means. All I know is that I can't find Boo to play chase with, and the mommas have been crying alot. So I'm being a super good girl today. This morning? I noticed Momma C was crying in the big bed. I jumped in beside her and gave her my bestest, tightest, snuggle ever and put my head across her neck and gave her a hug. I thought she would like it. But she cried even more then (sheesh!) but she said I was the sweetest girl and that was exactly what she needed. Mm-hmm. I just knew it.

I wonder what we're going to do this afternoon?

I'm back!

2007-05-27T19:13:00.000-06:00

WOW! Has it been a busy couple of months!

Since I got spayed, my tummy hair has been growing back, and more importantly, I've been going to the dog park lots. I LOOOOOVE it! It's great! I've met good friends and the mommas say there's nothing like a trip to the dog park to wear me out for the night. I've learned the route and I start shrieking in the truck before we even get parked. By the time we get to the gate, lots of dogs are waiting there, just to see who is singing SO beautifully! ME!

I went on a REALLY long truck ride at Easter, to Edmonton, Alberta. Long truck rides just put me to sleep - the mommas say I could ride for days without complaining. We went to a fabulous dog park there, twice, and I was a really good girl in momma j's momma's really nice house.

I passed puppy manners class with almost flying colours, although I'm still not too sure what the point of "stay" is. BORRRRRRRING! And today I graduated from puppy agility class. Now THAT is fun! I like the whole course, but if I had to pick favourites they would be the weave poles and the A-Frame. I was scared of the teeter the first couple of times, but now? It's simple!

I went for an overnight at a kennel, my very first night away from the mommas. I shrieked as they were pulling away 'cause it was kind of scary watching them go, but April the nice kennel lady and her Newfy made me feel better and I was okay after that. I even got to swim in a pool there.

I went camping for the first time last weekend, to Canora Beach with some people friends and some weird little poodles. What IS the deal with them? But anyway, it was GREAT! I went swimming in the lake and I was a little nervous but I went back in, and I LOVE chasing my jolly ball out into the water and bringing it back for more. And we're going camping lots more this summer! The mommas even bought me a trailer, so I don't have to sleep on the cold hard ground (that's it and my truck in the picture up there). They took a picture of me before I was even awake for pete's sake, after my first night! It's at the bottom of this page.

'Kay. That's all for now. Thanks everyone for reading! And thank you sister Roo for checking up on me. I hope you're well and enjoying summer as much as I am. It sounds like you've been busy in the ring! You GO girl! (and ya know what? I'm missing some teeth too!) I miss you and Chip and the whole old gang.

Love, Kinka

Well

2007-03-10T10:39:00.000-06:00

The people were pretty nice to me (at least that I can remember) but THAT was the WORST hotel I've ever stayed at! All I can say is it sure is good to be home, but even now I can't seem to get comfortable. *sigh* My belly hurts. And it gets cold when I go out to pee. What the h*ll is going on around here these days? Zip? I think maybe I DID get spayed. AND momma c says I got a tattoo and now everybody in the house has tattoos and so we're a real family! AND even though I'm not feeling 100% I can still appreciate all the extra treats and hugs and kisses I'm getting. My new rawhide bonie is DELICIOUS!

Something's Up

2007-03-09T12:58:00.000-06:00

So last night? At around bedtime? The mommas put away ALL my food and water, took away all my biscuit treats; they even closed the lids on the toilets so I couldn't sneak drinks. It was like they didn't want me to eat or drink ANYTHING! They've never done THAT before. Then this morning? It was the same deal! No breakfast. No water. Not even a treat for a "do it" outside! WHAT the HECK is going on around here? This SUCKS. And incidentally, I've heard the 2 of them talking alot about "spaying" lately. What IS that anyway? Spaying. Is it like "playing"? I like playing! Do they maybe mean "spraying"? Like I can do with the water when I dabble my paws in Momma C's tubby? Maybe THAT's it. But it doesn't explain why I can't have breakfast. Hmm.

Anyway, I was ready to chalk it up to them being weird. 'Cause sometimes? They just are. But now Momma C just left for work like usual, but she gave me a little extra squeeze and a kiss on my nose before she did. And Momma J's hanging around a little later than normal. Weird. I'm starting to think something's up. Ooooh I hear Momma J getting out my harness, which means I get to go for a ride in the Jeep! Cool! Gotta go! I'll write later.

How I Spent My Winter Holidays

2007-02-27T19:35:00.000-06:00

Okay! Last weekend? I had the busiest weekend EVER! It started early - on Thursday afternoon - with a long ride in the truck to Saskatoon. I've never been downtown in the city before! There were so many things to sniff and see and hear and bark at, it was all I could do to "do it" when I was supposed to. Once I did it when I wasn't supposed to, right in the middle of Spadina Avenue, but it was okay really and I only held up traffic for a little bit. I got to stay at the Sheraton and when I got there? They had bowls and a bed out just for me! The bed smelled weird to me so I beat it up then decided I'd sleep in my own crate thanks anyway. Then on Friday? (This is VERY exciting!) I GOT TO SEE MY SISTER CHIP AGAIN!!!! We played and played and played and played and played. Then we played some, then we drank some water, then we played! It was GREAT! Chip's a little bit smaller than me, and her tail is just an ordinary tail and not kinky like mine, but she's still gorgeous and I love her to bits! And Gramma Jen came too and she was amazed at how big I am and I remembered how nice she always was to me and I kissed her lots, and we all had a great time!

If you want to see us playing, you can click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9HobB10x_k

So after my morning with Chip I was already tired, but the holiday was just beginning! We got back in the truck and drove another long drive, north to my friend, Elly's cabin! It's at Anglin Lake, where it's a beautiful winter wonderland right now. Elly and I p

blogs & friends & stuff

2007-02-11T07:50:00.000-06:00

Well would you believe it? I didn't know other dogs had blogs! Until just the other day. Thank you Zip and sister Roo - I'm adding your links right now and I've already checked them both out and it's so exciting I could just pee!

I really like hearing about what other ACD's spend their time at (gives me some great ideas!). And I 'specially liked to see my sister Roo again. And to think that even though she lives far away - in a different country even - she's still just a few clicks away. Amazing! ACD's unite! Today the internet, tomorrow the world! HA HA HA HAHHHH!! (but first I'll have to have a nap.)

Yesterday I got to play with my new friend Mace. She's bigger and heavier and growing faster than I am, so I am trying to assert myself while I still stand a chance. So far she's pretty easy to boss around although yesterday she did manage to hump my head. Good grief! But she gets tired so fast! Those fluffy retriever blonde-types just don't have the stamina.....

Puppy school again today. We've been working on "go to your mat". Which is great - 'cuz these delicious little weiner bits always somehow appear on my mat! I can't quite figure it out.... but anyways I know a good thing when I see it. And also "leave it". Boy was MY face red when I realized that "leave it" is not a THING (like those evil 4-legged things they still make me live with) but rather something I'm supposed to be doing! After all this time! Why didn't anybody tell me?

trick grrr treatin'

2007-02-06T20:13:00.000-06:00

Did I mention I've been learning lots? Uh-huh! It's true! But if anybody out there has any cool new tricks I could work on? Send them along!

(Oh and I can't believe how nervous I get when there's a camera around! Like, in this video, when I mixed up my left and my right? Grrrrrrr! How embarrassing! I TOTALLY know that one! Anyway.... check this out!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziDuH1krCwA

verboten

2007-02-04T09:08:00.000-06:00

In the birdwatching chair. I'm told I'm not allowed. So can someone PLEASE tell me how they ALWAYS know I'm here?

acd? adhd?

2007-02-03T12:03:00.000-06:00

Okay okay! I KNOW it's been a really really (really) long time since I checked in here with everybody. But puppies have the attention spans of jujubes, dontcha know?! (And I should probably say I'm sorry but.... true to my roots, I am rarely sorry about anything I do wrong. So. There.)

I'm doing great! I am growing big and strong, my chest is starting to develop, and my colours are beautiful if I do say so myself. I'm quickly losing all my baby teeth (the mommas have a collection of them - now how weird is THAT I ask you?!) and learning lots of new stuff. I realized early on in life that I was born to be a shrieker, and can say now that I am a damn good one too! I am perfecting my nose bonk (I think it will be a lifetime of practice though *evil grin*), and my bark is getting a little bit bigger and (I like to think) professional-sounding. AND I can see onto the kitchen counter now when I stretch up there. Yup. Life is good.

Let's see.... what's happened lately?
There was Christmas a while back - I can't say I get all the hype about THAT. But the mommas were home a little more over the holidays. and so it was fun.
New Year's 2007 - there was a party and I got to stay up really late! Although I mostly slept through the evening, I am a party girl at heart and I love having people over to visit and play!
I got all my puppy shots done with so I could finally start going for walks like a real grown-up girl. Walks are cool. I like 'em alot. (It's just so cold here right now that we don't get to go much.)
I started puppy school a couple of weeks ago. I'm not sure how I feel about that yet. I mean, I GET all the stuff I'm SUPPOSED to be doing. Sheesh! It's not rocket science people! Maybe I just don't WANT to do it, okay? ("Loose-leash walking", my one black eye! How is THAT fun?)

Anyway - got to run for today. I posted a new video - me keeping stir-fry veggies in line. They're bad around these parts, those veggies. I think the whole household would say it's a good thing I'm here.

For Sister Roo

2006-12-15T10:30:00.000-06:00

My sister Roo is going to her new home this weekend and she's kind of nervous about it. I can totally relate! It IS scary when you leave for your new home for SURE. I remember looking out the window of the Jeep as we pulled away from Momma Jen and Daddy Shamus's house, leaving the whole old gang behind. I didn't know what to do! I mean, the mommas seemed nice enough, but they sure weren't family yet. SO I shook and whined almost all the way home that day AND I had an embarrassing case of anxiety gas and we had to stop a few times and I could hardly eat treats I was that stressed, and when we got to the new place, I just didn't know what to do! That whole first week, every time something new happened, I got the hiccups - I was SO nervous!

But you know what, Roo? Even though that first day and sleeping without the old gang is really scary and hard, the next day is a little bit easier, and the next day too, and that's how it goes. And then? Well, I've been with my mommas for a month and a little bit, and I LOVE them! And they love ME! And it's worth those first few scary days and nights. It totally is! You'll have so much fun with your new momma and your kids Roo! I wish I had kids instead of LeaveIts - seriously. I can only imagine that kids would be good to herd. The LeaveIts sure aren't. And the mommas make loud noises when I nip their legs but they don't go where I want them to.

I'll give you one tip for success in the new digs: If you do something really really bratty and you think your people might be mad? Just follow it right up with something unbearably cute, like a wink or big kiss, or curling up with your bum on your new momma's foot and falling asleep? And voila! All will be forgiven!

Roo? You're gonna be just fine. I know it.

(And if you ever want to come hang out with me, I know my mommas would let you come in a heartbeat!)

Busy Binks' Update

2006-12-11T20:42:00.000-06:00

I have been SO busy! It's hard to find the time to write. I've been growing like crazy, meeting people and learning stuff - it really tires a girl out! Let's see.... what's happened lately?

I went to the vet for another set of shots about 10 days ago. I'd gained 5 pounds since the last time there, so that's 5 pounds in a month! Must be all those chicken strips and liver snacks. Anyways yeah, the vet? Dr. Hutchkowsky? She's really nice, except for that whole little glass stick up my butt business. What's UP with that?!

And I got to go and see where Momma J works and I met lots of CBC people..... hard-nosed journalists phooey! They all turned to mush when I turned on the charm!

I got to go on a looooooong road trip with the mommas to Anglin Lake. I discovered that riding in the truck just makes me sooooo sleepy. *yawn* And my new friends Cola and Elly sure are grown-up dogs! I hope one day I can be as cool as they are. Oh! And I got my picture taken there with the mommas..... it's further down in the blog.

I'm discovering the joys of water. Water, snow, dumping my dish, eating ice off the deck, chasing cubies from the fridge - it's all good. We went to the farm yesterday and I played on my first snowbanks (and ate some rabbit poo - mm-hmm!). And I got to play in the tub tonight and I'll be making a habit of that FOR SURE! Too cool! Kinda slippery? But cool.

I'm posting a couple of new video links tonight too. I know I seem a little self-centred 'cuz all I ever post are videos of me, but really? IS there anything cuter to watch than the Kinkabear?

Yukky SpitItOuts

2006-11-29T15:55:00.000-06:00

Uncle Rowdy! I DID find the treasure box! Yummmmmm nice! I don't know why the mommas get so uptight about me nosing around in it - that's pure gold in there! I also don't know how they always know when I've been poking around in there. That grey sandy clay-looking stuff stuck to my face? That could come from ANYWHERE! Really. Uhm, yeah.

Let it Snow!

2006-11-26T15:56:00.000-06:00

Well, less than a month 'til Christmas (I'm told it's VERY exciting). And it snowed last night. And I think it's here to stay. It's -20 today (that's Canadian -20 by the way). And you know what? It's GREAT! I LOVE THE SNOW! I go a wee bit crazy critter whenever I step outside and remember that there's snow! Whooo-hooooo! Who knew that life held such sweet surprises?

Got to go to the farm again today. All those lovely farm smells are only made better with a little sprinkling of snow. Totally irresistable! Seriously. But my feet sure did get cold quick! I've never felt it this cold before. But the cool thing is? I just had to start to whimper and plant my butt and stick my back legs straight out in front? And I got picked up and carried! Sweeeeet! I gotta remember that one for when I get older.

Oh yeah, and I got my picture taken a bunch of times, so check out the pix link for more of - that's right - ME! when you get a chance.

RawwwwwwHIDE!

2006-11-24T17:12:00.000-06:00

I love this stuff! Why didn't anyone tell me about it sooner? In fact I worry just a tiny tiny bit that I may be developing a problem with it. My bonie is the first thing I go for when I walk into a room these days. I chew and chew and chew and every once in a while I get a decent-sized chunk off. And when that happens? I just want to be alone in the corner with it. Is that wrong?

Crabby

2006-11-22T20:02:00.000-06:00

I didn't get a chance to write yesterday, 'cuz I was CRAB-BY! The mommas called me Rangytang. Whatever. You know those days when nothing seems to go right? That was my yesterday. Maybe I was bored. I don't know. All I know is that my many many many toys held little allure. So being a resourceful gal, I turned my attentions to other entertainment, and I thought the mommas would be pleased: I found a loose loop in the carpet and pullllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllled it (got a rise of momma c for that!), I barked alot and chased a Leave It or 2 (a really good loud rise), I jumped onto a coffee table AND then a couch (another rise), and I nibbled momma c's nose - and that's right, you guessed it - got yelled at for that too. Apparently it was too rough or something. Sheesh! There are just so many complications to this life I've got to figure out. Who'dve thought that amusing myself could get me so many scowls in one night?

On the up side, the mommas are paying WAY more attention to me tonight. Got to go for a big long ramble, THEN a big play, and momma j's teaching me a new trick for treats: "Spin" (I've got "Sit", "Down" and "Shake a Paw" pretty much down, for this week anyway.....)

The Leave Its

2006-11-20T18:15:00.000-06:00

Phew! What a busy weekend! Some truck rides (check me out below - guarding the truck - ain't nobody gonna mess with me nohow, no?!), shopping expeditions with the mommas, a trip to the farm and the wide open prairie where I got to run freeeeeeee! Even got some footage of my trip. Check out the link. Over there. There. ------> And down a little.

It's busy being a puppy, for sure.

SO. Those weird growling hissing things I'm sharing the pad with? I've figured out they're called Leave Its. (I mean, who couldn't figure THAT out? I get told EVERY time I go near them for a sniff or a teensy taste: "LEAVE IT!" OKAY! I get it! They're Leave Its! NOW can I taste one?) But I just don't ~get~ them. They make some totally great noises that really crank me up and make me want to play, but then they never ever follow through. In fact they ignore me! Can you believe it!? They stroll away, flicking those tantalizing tails RIGHT AT me, or they run! Even MORE my type! Between you and me? I'm getting a little frustrated. We're just not speaking the same language right now, and I think I'm making myself pretty #@%* clear when I bark and dance and jump for them. Dumb Leave Its.

Mounties & Other Coolness

2006-11-17T19:23:00.000-06:00

Today I went to the best place! OMG! It smelled fantastic! I couldn't see the sign from my spot in the back seat of the truck, but I'm told it's called the RCMP Training Academy, or as the locals call it, "Depot". It's where all the RCMP in Canada go for their cadet training - kinda like puppy school for Mounties. They learn all kinds of important stuff there, stuff that they need to know to be good cops. And I was only there for an hour or so, but I learned alot too! I learned that Mounties are the nicest people! Almost everybody there that saw me gave me treats, and scratches, and cootches, and hugs and kisses, and told me how beautiful I am (it's obvious they're all really smart people!) I learned about noises like car alarms and sirens and drill corporals yelling. I met people in uniforms and people of all shapes and sizes; just so MANY people! They were travelling in big herds and little herds; some were even out on their own! I was tempted to round 'em all up but really? They seemed to be doing pretty well without me. In fact some of the herds I saw already seemed to have a herder, and man, those guys were good! That one person would yell, and the whole group would do what he said! Amazing! I'm SO gonna have to work on that with the people here at home.....

What's in a name?

2006-11-16T06:17:00.000-06:00

I've been asked about my name. Kinka. Well, the story goes like this. I was born with a little curl in the tip of my tail, a little twist like a fiddlehead or a cinnamon bun. Mmmm. Cinnamon buns! Anyway, my tail has stayed that way, all tightly curled at the end. So my first people family started calling me Kinky. 'Cuz of my kinky tail. But my new people family didn't think they liked that. For some reason that I don't get, they didn't want to have to stand in the middle of the dog park, or the street, or puppy class, shouting, "KINKY!" That sounds okay to me, but they didn't think so. So after many many days and evenings of coming up with puppy names (Momma J even asked her radio listeners for their help), they came up with Kinka. It's an Australian Aborigine word that means "laughing". And since I do keep 'em laughing, AND I'm an ACD, AND I've got a kinky tail, it totally fits! So here I am. ta DA!

I'm all aloooooone....

2006-11-15T06:28:00.000-06:00

Nobody told me there'd be days like this! That first week in the new digs, life was great! Constant attention from the mommas, lots of go outside, exploring, even a couple of road trips - oh YEAH! Then THIS week? Can you believe it? The days go like this: We wake up. They play with me. We go outside like maybe twice (only twice?), they give me breakfast, a couple of stuffed Kongs (okay I'll admit THOSE are pretty tasty), and then what the?? They're gone! Vamoose! And suddenly I'm all by myself in my pen in the kitchen, watchin' the world go by. *sigh* Oh sure, they come home to check on me and everything, but it's just not the same. Tell me, what's a girl to do? Kongs and squeakies and bones and water dishes and my good stuffed friend Pinky Tuskadero and hidden treats and napping and playing and barking only last someone of my admittedly limited attention span so long, for goodness sake! What am I supposed to do with the rest of my time?

Never mind the cheese

2006-11-14T05:52:00.000-06:00

Those dried chicken strips that my moms get at Costco? Deee-LISH-us! AND they give me gas. Yeah. Sorry about that. Can I have another one?

2006-11-13T11:23:00.000-06:00

Well. Where do I begin? I'm new to this whole blogging thing; I'm quickly realizing that my lack of thumbs makes for tough typing here, so bear with me please. Week 1 with my new family was a roaring success! Lots to report but I'll start with my mommas, 'cuz I DO love them already, even if they're a little slow on the uptake sometimes. They're good people, and true to my ACD heritage, I'm quickly getting them whipped into shape. I've already got them both trained to "GO OUTSIDE" (as they put it) as often as possible! (Man, do I love it out there! Lots of leaves and bark chips to munch on, cool birds to watch and bark at, a great pop-bottle soccer pitch, good places to dig and hide and... I can ~almost~ squeeze myself through the fence to the other side where, I'm just positive, the grass is greener! Mental note: Must explore that further. IF I can remember. ) Anyway, yeah. Back to my moms. They've sure learned alot in a short time! And for some reason they're totally pumped when I poop or pee out in the yard! They'll start chanting "DO IT!" and "GOOD GIRL!" as soon as I squat. I have to tell you it's a little embarrassing and they sound totally dumb, but I just let them keep on chanting 'cuz I get a treat EVERY time. And I don't know if they realize it yet, but I've started holding it when I'm in the house, just so I can get more treats when I go outside! Sometimes I even squat twice in one trip - ha ha! TWO treats! Yup. I've got this one all figured out. Speaking of which.... I gotta go!
Next post - let's talk about these weird growling hissing things that I'm supposed to be sharing the new digs with.