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Category Archives: Euka II

She’s snow kind of beauty

Euka II, our pale beauty, at 15 months

Oh heck yeah, people. With just a dab o’mousse and the right amount of root lifter, I’ve tamed this straight-as-string hillbilly hair into a perfectly acceptable coif.

And stellar timing, too, for this blue moon appearance of a Good Hair Day. Looming before me is the The Husband’s boss’s holiday party to hit tonight. So now, instead of the trifecta of my questionable table manners, awkward social skills, plus a hair style that makes folk wonder if I’ve been moving furniture while wearing a motorcycle helmet, we got us only two out of three.

It’s gonna be a good day, Scooter.

You know what’s great about Ohio? No, really. This time I’m not using the sarcasm font. I do appreciate the winter months that bring in lower humidity, which in turn promotes more flattering hair styles for those of us who are challenged in such matters.

And then, here in the midwest climes, we have the added bonus of beautiful snowscapes, don’t we?  The change of seasons that keeps us appreciative of the beauty of nature and all it offers.

So I was pretty darn grateful to snap a few photos of our Miss Euka with the snow at her back before it started raining sleet. Because, you know. Ohio.

Euka at four months

It was just a year ago our California blonde was romping about in her first snowfall, an event we shared at It’s Snow Fun Surviving a Blizzard.  And now at a mature-ish fifteen months old, Miss Euka gets a second shot at an Ohio winter.

Folk ask us where Euka will be when she graduates from advanced training at Canine Companions for
Independence. We have to give the brutally honest answer of … we have no idea. It’s not up to us, of course. CCI, and Euka herself, will decide when that time comes. Our CCI region covers fourteen states, but even that is only part of it all.

We know that Euka’s skills could match a graduate from another region of CCI, as well. The Northwest, Southeast, Northeast, or possibly back to her birthplace of California.

Whatever her destiny, we know this will be her last winter with our family and so we want to get as much snow time in that we can possibly manage.

To heck and back with the Good Hair Day, I declare. Let’s have some fun in the sleety Ohio rain, my pale beauty.

And despite the fact I can’t find my car keys, I was able to locate the red bow we used last December for the First Snow photo shoot.

Just as gorgeous as she was last December, wouldn’t you agree?  She would nearly blend into the snowscape like a winter fox if we didn’t have that red bow on her.

Oh, I hear you though. But last year, you say, she was so stinkin’ adorable with the red bow clutched between her little piranha puppy teeth. 

Let’s see you manage that one again, you say in a taunting manner.

Oh Sure, I reply, flashing a self-assured and cocky half smile. I accept your challenge..

And then I fail.

Miserably.

This is not the adorable either one of us had in mind, now is it?

Nor was this. But it was, I think, what we all expected.

Final score of the day, y’all?

Good Hair Day: 0
Adorable puppy with bow in delicate, yet crocodilish, maw: 0
Beautiful California Blonde having a moment of bliss in the Ohio snow: 1+

It’s a good day, y’all.

There’s snow sense in it

I’ve got my eye on you

You will regret this, hooman, says Bodine.

You know, cat o’mine, I say.  I suppose I will. But it feels good now. 

So, I continue. You’ll be keeping [snort] an eye on me, right?

Oh, purrs Bodine. Count on it, chickeroo. You’re certainly aware of the all-seeing and ever watchful eye that is kept near my Striped Tail of All Things Unholy?

The purring gets louder. You will awaken to its gaze upon you one morning. 

Roger that, I say. Like I wasn’t, in fact, just today greeted by your feline Eye of Sauron hovering above me at Food O’clock this morning. Surely you can come up with a more clever vengeance for once.

And I immediately regret saying that out loud. I just don’t learn sometimes.

A scene from the ill fated photo
shoot from
 We’ll be there with bells on

Kinda like this idea for a holiday photo shoot with the dogs. I’m not even looking for perfection here; a simple good enuf would satisfy that tingly need for a Christmas pic of our four footed family. And it was a mere week ago, as we enjoyed the temperate climes of southwestern Ohio, I went at it. Gave it one heck of a try, I did. (click here for We’ll be there with bells on).

All that work just to end up with a bunch of photos of my trio of festive dogs in front of dry brush pile. This backdrop of dead grass and bare sticks isn’t emanating the aura of holiday cheer that I’m aiming for.

Sending Merry Christmas greetings from the Depths of Despair! our holiday cards would read.

But glory be to the Ohio weather patterns. In a matter of a couple of days, we went from temps in the sixties to a finger numbing mid-twenties. Oh, but this is good news. It is.  Cuz we got us some snow along with it.

Where just last week I was looking at that looming stick pile and thinking it was something only a match could fix, today I’m trekking through the white stuff that covers all the uglies in the backyard.

Don’t let those expressions of practiced tolerance on their canine mugs sway your opinion.  These critters of ours are just dizzy with holiday spirit.

Um, Food Lady? says Micron. We can’t feel our toes anymore. 

What are you talking about? I say, refocusing the camera lens. You have feet like Hobbits don’t you?  You know, like furry on top and leathery on the bottom? You should be set for another few minutes.

Carry me, says Euka.

You might want to run back to the house
for a spatula,
says Micron.

Oh my, I say, rolling my eyes. Fine, let’s get you delicate flowers back inside then. 

Ugh. Ok, I’m feeling some guilt here. Not so much as I’ll feed them an extra meal or something. But watching the poor furries lift their cold, cold paws from the snow has tugged my maternal heartstrings. So before we wrap up to take everybody back in, I pull off Euka’s working cape and fix a scarf about her neck.

Ok dogs, I say. We’ll give you a chance to warm your toesies and maybe we can give it another …Hey! Darn it, Micron!




Because this.

mmmmm …. snow

The big dog has now become One with the snow. A private Zen moment with the white matter like he’s searching for some deeper meaning of it all.

Right.  And then this. A whole lot of this happened next.

And yep, they’ve done it again. The clever critters.

I just don’t learn sometimes.

Wordless Wednesday: Caption This #13

What is Micron saying to Jager?  Worse, what is that look on Euka’s face?

It was likely at this point when I should have been warned that things were about to go awry during last weekend’s Holiday photo shoot.

But of course I was too distracted by trying to put the dogs in a pretty sit while keeping the Santa hat straight on Jager’s pointy little head.

Gotcher your stoopid hats right here, Food Lady!

This top photo feels like a Caption This to me. There’s a conspiracy plan being gelled, a coup in the works, a disturbance in The Force. Or something.

Your thoughts?

We’ll be there with bells on

Wait, there it is … do you smell it, too? [sniff sniff snuffle] That peppery mix of decaying fall leaves and impending snow that we Ohioans know so well. Here in the Bermuda Triangle of weird weather patterns we recognize this heady aroma as the harbinger of the Christmas season.

Yeah, we know we should get out there and take care of that last layer of sycamore leaves, but darn it all, it’s just too cold. There’s no glory in leaf raking now that it’s December, so we find some peace of mind in the thought that the snow will cover them up later.  And then when that melts in the spring, it’ll compost those suckers into a nice fertilizing mulch for the new grass awakening from hibernation.

Just about makes sense, doesn’t it?  You’re welcome, my fellow Ohioans.

As we wave a tearful good-bye to the oh too short Midwestern autumn, we meet the new winter season poised on the threshold. Not really a hearty welcome for winter around here, though. This contrary season brings on too many low gray skies and chilly winds that rattle the tree limbs like dry bones.

Instead, I’d rather greet this unwelcome guest like a lost traveler who just needs some precise directions to get him to his destination.  I’d invite you in, I say to Winter. But you caught me in the middle of emptying the cat box and you know how that goes. Godspeed to on your journey and all, mister. Hope you make it to Toronto ok. I hear they’re really nice up there. 

I leave Winter sitting on my porch steps to look over his map and decide now might be a good time to get some holiday photos of the dogs. At least before this guy realizes that he is indeed in Ohio. Which means we could be seeing some bitter temps anytime before now and February.

As I grab up the holiday props …. antlers, Santa hats, jingly bells, elf cap … I’m on edge and the dogs pick up on it. I feel pressured, you know?  The days are shorter now, the sun’s angle makes long shadows. My window for clean light for photos is rather limited.

Gads, that’s not the only challenge we got here. Here’s my list of lofty expectations …

  • Three dogs
  • In a pretty sit
  • Composed in the same geographical area
  • Wearing festive holiday gear
Oh sure, and don’t forget this one.
  • Eyes are open.  All six of ’em.
First, it’s Jager. But, he says. The sun’s in my eyes. 

It’s overcast, I remind him. 
Then it’s your Christmas sweater, says Jager. Did you get it on sale, at least?

Next it’s Euka with the squinty eye look.

Honestly, she chimes in. There’s a reason some of that stuff is so cheap on Black Friday. 

You know what, I say. Actually I get a lot of comments when I wear this. See, Rudolph’s nose lights up when I press his right eyeball.

Uh huh, says Jager. Did you say “comments” or “compliments”? Pretty big difference there.

Right, I say. How ’bout jealous much?  

That’s it, says Jager. You just hit it on the blinking nose. I’ll be adding Tasteless Rudolph Sweater to my Christmas list.

I’ll take two! says Euka [snort]

I decide to ignore the Duo of Sarcasm and raise the camera for another try.

Hey! says Micron, deciding to join the dialog.

Squirrel!

Oh, for dog’s sake, I say. Of course, there’s a squirrel. We’re in the back … Micron!

Aargh, I didn’t see that coming. A diversion tactic, Micron style. This guy is smarter than he lets on.

The big fella makes a break and grabs a maw full of the holiday gear from the pile on the ground.

And runs like his plume tail is aflame and only Euka can put it out.

I gotcher back, Micron! yells Euka. Keep running! 

Jager looks at the yellow dog melee, then back at me, with a hopeful gaze upon his big eyes.

Don’t even, I warn him.

Fine. No matter. I did manage to get a shot of the three of them with all bullet-pointed criteria checked neatly off.

Just one more thing I should have added to the list, I think. It might be nice to get a shot without a dead stick pile looming in the background like an autumnal Armageddon.

Darn this season cross-over with its sans snow dead stick decor. Ohio is in serious need of an exterior decorator.  I’m just gonna have to try this again.

I’ll break it to the dogs tomorrow. And after I find all the holiday props scattered about in the yard.

Because it might snow, you know. Any day now. [fingers drumming]  Oh, Mr. Winter, I call. Whatcha got planned for us this week, good lookin’?

Wordless Wednesday: Furry Blurries

Holy cow, it’s been a year.

It was just before the Thanksgiving holiday that we puppy raisers welcomed the Canine Companions for Independence Ohio E’s into our homes. Well,I gotta say that went by in a furry blur.

And speaking of blurring by furries, here’s our cuties, Euka II, Ella, Emma and Everett, fresh from California and gamboling about for their first time on Ohio fescue.

And did you notice? Who do you think is that pale pup leading the the pack to new adventures?  Yeah, take a guess, Euka fans.