Wordless Wednesday

  

Ragnar & Mags

The Bored Look

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  Maggie and I were playing in the back yard, then Mom wanted us to do some posing for her.  She took shots in a few different areas, then when we got to the Friendship Garden, she took a few more shots then said, "Yeah, I know - how about you two try to look as bored as possible?!?" so we did this:

"Umm ... OK, how's this?"
"Dang, Raggi!  That's a good one.  Check this one out!"
"Sigh ..."

Does anyone know what "facetious" means?  I meant to ask Mags.  

Sköl!

Ragnar

 

Before We Go In ...

Greetings to all!  It's me, Maggie!  Yesterday, Ragnar and I had some fun in the back yard together.  Oh.  And Mom was there, too.  I'm not sure if she had as much fun as we did.  Anyway, we were heading back in when Mom did the ol', "Before we go in ..."  That could only mean one thing -- posing.  Great.

We sat on the rocks by the gate for her ...

"Good puppies!  Now smile!"
"Not feeling it."
"How's this, Mom??!?"

I may have suggested to Ragnar that he should at least look away from the camera, and being the best kid brother ever ...

"Oh, come on!  Happy now, Mags?"
"Pretty much."
"How's this, Maggie?"

Is he awesome or what?!?

Happy Monday.

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

Siesta Sunday

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  Lately, we've been out the door and on our walks by 0530 - then Mags and I play, guard the house, do zoomies together, have lunch, help in the Studio - a pretty full day!  So before it's time to help make dinner, especially on these hot days, this is what I've been doing:

"Zzz ..."

Oh. And a little bit of this, too:

"Faster than a Greyhound ...
 more powerful than a Mastiff ...
flying to the rescue ...
 it's SUPER SIBE!!!"

What can I say?  

Sköl!
Ragnar

Saturday Smiles

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  Maggie and I took Mom and Dad on a nice long walk this morning.  We went all over the place (we checked CiCo Park for horses or cows early on -- sadly, none were there) and eventually ended up by the Kansas State University football stadium.

We paused for a quick shot ...

Me, Mags, the stadium, and the sunrise!

... then started heading back.  It was a pretty morning so we took all kinds of interesting detours.  Mags and I always LOVE changing up the route!

Around the corner from the stadium and down a bit, we found some big chunks of limestone.  Mags and I thought they were perfect for posing.  Check these out!

"Who wants a cookie?!?"
"Yay!  Mom has cookies!"
"COOKIES!!!"

"Tasty, huh, Ragnar?!?"
"I love this kind."
"Who wants another cookie?!?"

AND ... here's the big finish!!!

"Everybody say, 'Cookies!'"
"COOKIES!"
"COOKIES!"

We had such fun!  We went over 7.5 miles today, but don't worry --- we went early and Dad brought water for us.  We took two water breaks today and made sure to get another drink when we got home.

It was really fun taking different detours on our Stadium Route walk today.  Lots to smile about!!!

Sköl!

Ragnar

Daisy Day!

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags.  Yesterday evening, before our storms rolled in, Ragnar and I spent some time exploring the back yard.  Most of the photos Mom took didn't exactly come out the way she wanted them to, but two of the better ones show off her Daisies!  We thought you might want to take a look!

At the corner near the Friendship Garden, Mom planted two "new to her" varieties of Daisies!  In front is a little Dwarf Shasta Daisy and closer to me and Ragnar is a Banana Cream Shasta Daisy.

"Umm ... Maggie?  Ragnar?"
"Wait.  What's back there?"
"I think the neighbors are out, Mags."

What can I say? It's not like she had treats or anything. 

Our biggest Daisies, the Becky Daisies, are just down a tier from there.

"Hello?"
"Is that a bunny?!?"
"Yeah, I think the neighbors ARE out, Raggi ..."

I'd say it was a successful outing - Ragnar and I had fun, no one jumped off a retaining wall, and Mom got photos of her Daisies.  Good enough -- right?!?

Have a great weekend!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Just Stopping By

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  Today's a busy day at Ao4 Headquarters - a lot going on and Mom and Dad running all over the place and doing all kinds of crazy things.  Mags and I are doing our best to help.   All the activity aside, I wanted to stop by and say, "hi."

"Hi, everybody!"

Have a great day - and remember to help out wherever you can!

Sköl! 
Ragnar

Wordless Wednesday

Ragnar and Mags

Deck Games And Guard Duty

 Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags!  This morning was remarkably cool (for Kansas in June) -- 60-something degrees!  To celebrate after a nice, long walk, we all went out on the deck together.  While Mom and Dad looked at the garden and decided what the next big project is, Ragnar and I entertained each other with a little game of "Got Your Footy-Foot".

"Got your footy-foot, Ragnar!"
"No ya don't, Mags!"

It's pretty fun.  We took turns.

After that, we went on Guard Duty:

"The German Shepherd is out, Mags!  Let's stare!"
"Achtung, German Shepherd! We see you!"

 I'm assuming he speaks German.  Being a German Shepherd and all.

We stared for a good, long while, then Raggi and I went in the house to relax while Mom and Dad got to work.  What a great morning!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

Our Newest Route

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  We recently discovered yet another new trail here within walking distance of the house -- can you believe that??  I mean, just when we thought we knew all the nooks and crannies around here, BOOM!

We've done this new route a few times now, and there are all kinds of options, which keeps things interesting. It starts out by going through a tunnel:

"Oooh!  A tunnel!  I haven't been through one in a long time!"
"I've never been through a tunnel!"

That's pretty exciting -- it goes under a major road. Mags and I like going through there!

Once on the other side, we walk through a pretty neighborhood with sidewalks (Mom and Dad always like it when there are sidewalks!) and stop by Susan B. Anthony Middle School.

"Time for a break, pups!"
"Sounds good."
"Yeah!"

That's where we usually take a quick water break - there's plenty of room, so we don't block the sidewalk or anything. After that, we do some exploring - that's part of the "options" I mentioned before. When it's time to head back, that's when we hit the new-to-us trail!

"What a cool trail!  Nice and wide!"
"And there's even some shade!"

Do you know the BEST part of the trail?!?

A BRIDGE!!!!

How cool is THAT?!?

"SO cool, Ragnar!"
"I love a good bridge, Mags!"

It's so fun to find a new trail - and new places to explore!  Thanks for coming with us!

Sköl!
Ragnar

"Serene Scenery" Sunday

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags.  Ragnar and I were all set -- were all set -- to do a great Serene Scenery Sunday post today.  Yesterday afternoon, we could hear someone on the PA system at CiCo Park all the way from our house. Dad drove by on his way to a meeting and do you know what he saw?!?

"Go ahead and guess.  Something REALLY serene!"
"Yeah.  Go ahead and guess -- we'll wait."

...

...

...

Did anyone guess "HORSES"?!?!  In our PARK!!!!  How exciting!!!

So we were all kinds of stoked to go through the park this morning to see the horses.  We LOVE horses!   But guess what?  As of this morning, they were GONE.

"We couldn't believe it."
"Yeah.  What a bunch of ..."

Oh.  Yeah.  Well, THAT was still there!  You know -- they left their "calling cards" for us, so to speak.  All wasn't completely lost, but still.  What a bummer.  Definitely not the "serene" Sunday we were hoping for.

Great walk anyway - we're hoping all of you are having a wonderful Sunday!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

Water Break!

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar!  Today, Mags and I took Mom and Dad on another GREAT walk!  We were having so much fun that we took not one but TWO water breaks!

"Are you done, Mags?"
"Yep!  Go ahead and get a good drink, Ragnar!"

We take turns going first.  Mags was thirstier than I was, so I let her have a good drink before I went in.

"Good water today, Mom!"
"I hear geese ..."

Break #1 was at Anneberg Park, and there were geese on the lake there.  Sadly, we didn't get close enough to check for goose poop.

Coming back home through the neighborhoods, we took another quick break:

"Ha roo!"
"Slurp, slurp, slurp ..."

Oh, I know what you're thinking.  "Looks mighty wet around that water bowl."  Am I right?  Well, perhaps someone stuck a little white paw in there to do some digging and perhaps someone didn't.  Mags and I aren't saying which one of us may or may not have done that.  It sure does cool your feety-feet down, though.  Hypothetically speaking, of course.

Sköl!

Ragnar

Staying Cool In The Studio

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags.  In the afternoons, it's nice and cool in the Studio, so Ragnar and I like going down there to work.  Here are a few action shots of us, hard at it!

"Hi, Mom!  We're playing with toys."
"Do you want the Cupcake, Raggi, or can I play with it?"

"I just finished a Pickle; the Cupcake's all yours, Mags."
"Thanks, little bro."

"Yay!  Cupcake time!"
"I'll stand guard while you chew, Mags."
"You two do know there are two Cupcakes ... right?!?  And two Pickles ... and two of those blue thingies ..."

Well, yes, we DO know that, but we like to run everything past each other.  We never bicker, we never scrap, we are perfectly in synch with each other!  We're cool like that.  And we're staying cool!

Hope you're all staying cool, too!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

Help With The Housework

Hi everybody.  It's me, Ragnar.  As you know, Maggie and I are Working Breed Dogs and as such we are always working, helping Mom and Dad in any way we can.  Yesterday, for instance, Mom was doing the daily vacuuming and I thought I should pitch in.  She had just moved my carrier to vac behind it and under it, so ...

"Umm ... Ragnar?  Excuse me, please ..."
"I'm here for you, Mom.  By the way, you missed some floof ..."

It's not easy, but we ARE Working Breed pups after all!  This kind of thing comes naturally to us!

Sköl!
Ragnar

Wordless Wednesday

 

Mags and Ragnar

The After-Walk Cool Down

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  Even though it's definitely Summer weather here now, we're still going on our long walks in the mornings.  We leave early, Mom and Dad bring water for us, and we try to limit our distance to about 5 miles.  Here's a shot of yesterday's sunrise:  

"Their flag's out for Flag Day!"
"That looks gr--- wait!  I think I see a bunny!"

I get distracted easily.

When we get home, Mom and Dad get coffee and breakfast, and Mags and I have our cool down. It goes something like this:

"BOOM!"
"BOOM!"

Then Maggie usually initiates a round of zoomies. It's very relaxing and a great cool down!

How are you staying cool?

Sköl!
Ragnar 

Flag Day & US Army Birthday!

 Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags, here with my kid brother Ragnar to celebrate Flag Day!!!

"Happy Flag Day, everybody!"
"Three cheers for the red, white, and blue!!!"

   AND, that's not all! It's also the 246th birthday of the US Army!!!

"246 years!?!  That's a lot of candles on a birthday cake!"
"HOOAH!!!"

I think this all calls for cookies!  Who's with me?

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

Serene Scenery Sunday

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags!  Before I get started, I just wanted to thank everyone for spreading love to my little bro for Adopt-a-Ragnar Day yesterday!  I can't believe he's been with us for a whole year already ... and at the same time, it feels like he's always been a part of our family!  Funny how that works!

Anyway, for this week's Serene Scenery Sunday, I thought I'd share a few garden poses Ragnar and I did this week.  We go down there to play around a bit and check on the work Mom and Dad have been doing.  

Here we are, right by the gate:

"Maggie!  Ragnar!  Would you two please ..."
"Later, Mom.  We're checking for bunnies."
"Yeah.  Bunnies."

Seriously.  How can she expect us to look at the camera when there could be a bunny in the yard?  We LOVE to stare at bunnies!

We moved on.

"How's this, Mom?"
"You're squinting ..."
"Could be a bunny over there ..."

I could tell you the sun was in my eyes, but it was behind me.  Still ... it was pretty bright out there.  Besides, I couldn't be TOO cooperative, right?!?

Here we are by the new Succulent Garden:

"Great, Mags!  Uh ... Ragnar?"
"Still scanning for buns ..."
"Look at me!  So perfectly behaved!"

Mom finally gave up, but not without trying one more pose on the stairs by the Honeysuckle.

"Oooh!  Perfect, Ragnar!  Mags?!?"
"Wait a sec. I think I'm going to sneeze ..."
"Is that a cookie, Mom?"

What can I say?  Sometimes we feel like posing ... sometimes we don't.  It was very serene in the garden, though!  

Oh -- and just an aside.  You know - in unrelated news.  Did you know that if you stick your snooter in the Honeysuckle you get pollen all over your snooter?  True story.  Also, don't try to eat bumblebees.  Apparently that's a big "NoNoMaggieNoNo".  Whatever.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

Yours sincerely,

Margaret Thatcher

Adopt-A-Viking Day!!!

Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar!  Did you know today is Adopt-A-Viking Day?!?  OK, not really ... but it is MY adoption day!!!  One year ago today, my mom and dad and Maggie traveled out to my homeland of Missouri to meet me.  They also met a couple other pups who were available for adoption, too, but I worked hardest at winning everybody over and Maggie chose ME!!!  Or something like that.  Anyway ...

We started today with a really fun walk, then Maggie and I played with toys for a while, then we did zoomies and had lunch.  After lunch, Mom said she had a special anniversary treat for me!

"Great Dane in the morning!  I've had these once before, Ragnar, and they're SUPER good!
Do a pose quick so we can move on to the cookies!"
"Mmm... cookies!!!  OK!  Here's a Head Tilt!"
"❤️❤️ HEAD TILT!!!!! ❤️❤️"

"Excellent job, Ragnar!  Happy anniversary, little brother!"
"Look at th--thanks, Mags!--ose COOKIES!!!!"
"Happy Adopt-a-Ragnar Day!!!"

Maggie was right.  These cookies are amazing!  They're carob-peanut butter!  I've never had carob before but I sure do love peanut butter.  And now I'm pretty sure I love carob, too!

I miss everybody back at Polargold HQs, but I sure am happy here.  Mom said they all needed me really bad - so I think I'm in the right place.  Have a cookie on me today!

Sköl!
Ragnar

Moral Support

Greetings to all!  It's me, Mags.

"Yep.  Just me.  All alone."

I was trying to help our mom - she was having quilting problems.  Uh ...  challenges.  Oh, let's face it -- she  had to rip out a bunch of stuff she messed up.  I was trying to cheer her up - you know, lend a little moral support - but wow, what a big job for just one little Siberian!  I could have used some help, but ...

"... yeah.  I have no idea where Ragnar could be."
"... maybe this hiding place is working out better than I thought!"

"Nice try, Raggi!"
"Uh, oh."

"Now get up and help me!"
"How did you know where to find me?!?!"
"❤️❤️ You two make me smile!!! ❤️❤️"

Yep.  All is took was a little bitey-face action under Mom's sewing table and some zoomies around the Studio and boom!  Our work here was done!  So much easier with both of us helping!

Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher

PS:  How did I know where to find him?  HA!  Wherever Mom is, Ragnar is.  Pretty simple!

New Hiding Place

 Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar.  

"Oh.  Hi, Mom."
"BOOM!"

There's a chance Maggie just discovered my new hiding place.  I need a new plan.

Sköl!

Ragnar

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Mags and Ragnar

What A Walk!

 Hi everybody!  It's me, Ragnar!  Over the weekend, we had a spectacular walk.  We ... hang on a sec ...

"Sorry.  I needed a beverage."

Yeah.  So there we were, on our walk -- we were heading out on what we call "The Vet School Loop", it's about a 7-plus miler.  Hang on.

"I could stand a drink, too, Ragnar."
"Take your time, Mags.  Gotta stay hydrated!"

OK, so that's us at one of our water breaks.  You know - stay hydrated and all that.  Especially on a long walk.  But the REAL excitement was about 45 minutes earlier while we were cutting through the park.  Check it out!!!

To view on YouTube, please click here.

I mean ... it's COWS!!!!!

"Hello!  I'm Polargold's Margaret Thatcher and this is my kid brother Polargold's Einherjar.
But you can call us Mags and Ragnar."
"Hi, Cow!!!"
"MMmmmoooo!"

It was SO AWESOME!

Anyway, we kept walking - past the cows, past shopping centers and banks, past where we had our water break, then hit the KSU Gardens.  Here we are, posing just outside:

"What a great walk!"
"We saw cows!!!!"

Pups aren't allowed in the Gardens, but we walked around the outside a bit.  Mags thought we should pose by this arch-like thing.

"I wonder if they let cows in the Gardens ..."
"Hey, Mom.  Get us by this arch!"

I wanted to swing by the park and see the cows again on the way home, but Mom and Dad said we needed to get home.  At least we got to see them once -- and we sure had fun!  

Sköl!
Ragnar