Monday Madness

Woo, everypup and everycat.  It's me, Dave.  What a night last night!  There I was, getting in a little pre-bedtime nap...

Me, Dave, at about quarter after 7

...when I heard Mom and Dad talking in pretty excited tones. They kept looking out the windows, so I went over to the front door to look out. This is what I saw:

The view out front at about 8:15

Woo! Given that Dad had golfed Saturday and we'd had temps in the 70s, it was quite the surprise!

I gave it until about 9, then had to go check it out!

It was dark; sorry for the poor quality of the pix!

Stormy took Mom out at about 10 thirty and this was the scene:

Still coming down like crazy!

At about 11:30, it was even better! Here's another snowy collage starring Stormy:

Isn't that great?

Zim thought Mom should check it out at about 2 this morning. This is what they saw:

Again, sorry for the poor quality of the pix. For some reason, it's hard to get nice shots in the dark. But THIS... THIS was the scene once it got light out:

Dad had already shoveled. We got at least 8 inches of heavy, wet snow. Here's a look out back:

Pretty great, don't you think?  What a night!

Luv,
Dave

Serene Scenery Sunday

Tail wags, dear readers!  It's me, Stormy, here with Serene Scenery Sunday.  I have lots of lovely photos to help you find that inner Zim calm, so let's get right to them!

The other morning, Mom and I came outside to find a gloomy, blah day. But as we looked around, we saw these tiny, beautiful splashes of yellow in the trees! Look:

Four and twenty Waxwings...

Aren't they lovely? The ornamental fruit trees were filled with Cedar Waxwings, stopping by to have a snack!

Don't they look sweet?!? They were across the street in our neighbors' tree - then they came into our next-door neighbors' tree. I thought we should go have a closer look!

Mom said we needed to approach slowly and quietly. I did my best to accommodate:

Me, tip-toeing over to see the birdies!

Here are some of the shots we got:

I love how yellow the tip of his tail is!  And check out this next guy:

He has a mask like us Siberians do!

This guy on the right's snarfing down one of those fruits:

Dave gets told, "NononoDAVIDno!!!" when he tries to do that.  (Even though our tree is gone - click here for the story - our neighbors have plenty of fruit-dropping trees.)

I was happy to walk around under the trees while Mom shot her pix ... and then ...

"Look out below!!!"

...then I thought it would behoove us to move along.

"Come on, Mom, let's move over a bit!"

It's been a while since we've shared one of our sunsets with you - so here's a look at our Friday evening skyline:

Sunset over the Flint Hills

Gorgeous, isn't it? I hope you feel nice and serene now!

Tail wags,
Storms

Haik-Woo #42

Woo, everypup and everycat.  It's me - Dave.  Many thanks to all of you for the kind comments on my last Haik-Woo.  I just never know when inspiration will hit!

Me.  Dave.  Waiting for inspiration to hit.

 As I mentioned, it did hit again - not while I was laying around brainstorming in the living room, but the afternoon Zim and I were at the Kansas Ocean!  The beautiful scenery and calming waters helped me clear my mind and find just the right words!

This Haik-Woo is dedicated to my sister Stormy.  She is an amazing leader and teacher, and is just really nice to hang out with.  I give you ... Haik-Woo #42.

Seriously. We can all learn so much from her! Woo.

Luv,
Dave

Photo Finish Friday

Tail wags, dear readers.  It's me, Stormy, here with Photo Finish Friday.  This week, my theme is the Harp Seal Look.  Even though I teach the Harp Seal Look here at the Stormy Zoluschka Kryschtal School of Siberian Studies, I still work constantly to perfect my technique.  I thought I'd show you a few of my practice sessions!

In this one, I'm standing right in front of where our treats are kept:

Unfortunately, I forgot to look Mom right in the eyes. That part is crucial! I had to try again.

That was a good one. I was over in the breakfast room, so Mom wasn't sure what I wanted. That can work to your benefit. As I recall, I got to go outside and got a treat. Bipeds will fall totally under your control and do anything they can to please you if you master this look - trust me!

Mom liked this next one so much that she did some special effects on the photo itself:

THE Harp Seal Look

And me? Oh... I got exactly what I wanted! Check it out:

"I'm not sure this is enough ... I'm sooooooo hungry ... "

See how I was able to take the treat and STILL do the Harp Seal Look? Oh, my, does that take focus! And you know what happened next, don't you?

"Why, yes, thank you; I WOULD like another treat!"

That's right - another piece of the wonderful chicken jerky our friends Mochi and Bali sent us!  It's so good!  Mom rations it; we hardly ever get more than one little taste!

I've taught my brothers to master the look - and you can learn it, too!  Just focus, look as sad as you can, and try to extend the outer corners of your eyes.  Zim is aces at it now; I'm so proud of him!  And Dave - it took him a while, but he's got it!    I'm sure you can do this to!  Give it a try - and let me know how it goes for you!

Tail wags,
Storms

We're Stylin'!

Woo, everypup and everycat!  It's me - Dave!!!  This is so exciting!  Our really cool friend Remi gave us an award!!!  It's the Stylish Blogger Award:

He said he gave it to us because we "always have very stylish neck gear!" Woo! Thanks, Remi! That's mighty kind - and means a lot coming from such a fashionable guy like you!

According to Remi, we're now supposed to tell you 7 things about us! Here goes!

1. My new Buff came in the mail. Remember the one that didn't "go" with my collar & leash? This one is much better. Check it out:

Me in my new Buff

2. Zim always knows when his cat friends are out. When he sees them or even senses them, he sits and waits for them to come over to him or to say, "Meow".

Zim.  Trust me - that Calico Cat was in the neighbors' bushes.

You can see his Buff pretty well in that picture. And guess who else decided she'd wear a Buff ...?

3. Stormy is wearing a blue Buff.

Stormy sporting a Buff!

She said she couldn't wear a Buff and cooperate for photos at the same time. It would be asking too much.

4. Remember the great living room re-do? Zim finally found a good head-hiding place.

Zim is in this photo, even though you can't see him

You can't see him, but if you could, you'd know that Zim has decided the big ottoman is perfect for doing his head-under-the-furniture maneuver!

5.  In addition to the cool adventures with Mom, Dad takes me and Zim on a long road march every morning.  We go about 45-60 minutes.  Here is Stormy, finding us guys!

Zim, Dad and me; Stormy in the foreground; Mom behind the camera

6. Supper-Dupper Time is one of my favorite times of day.

I have no idea why the photo is blurry. Ha woo.

7.  Remember I mentioned that I was working on a new Haik-Woo the other day at the Kansas Ocean?  Well, I'm just putting the finishing touches on it and I should post it Saturday!

OK!  Those are my 7 things!  Many thanks again to Remi for sharing this really cool award with us!

Have a great day, everyone.  And remember to keep it stylish!

Luv,
Dave

Wordless Wednesday

Tail wags,
Stormy

Sun-Day at the KSO

Woo, everypup and everycat.  It's me, Dave.  Did you like the videos Zim posted for Serene Scenery Sunday?  I thought I'd share some of the "still" pix Mom took with you of our outing to the Kansas Ocean (KSO).  We've had a couple rainy, gloomy-looking days here, so I thought we could use some bright sunshine!

Mom put a cool vignette around this one:

I was doing my serious look. Pretty good, don't you think? Mom wanted to get a good shot of Zimmie, too, but he was ...

"Birdie!"

...otherwise engaged.

We walked around a lot, then Mom took this shot of the two of us guys:

I like the Kansas Ocean in the background!

While Zim stared at more stuff, I stuck a couple poses! Here's one:

And here I am from another angle:

I look kinda pensive in those, don't I? I was trying to think up another Haik-Woo. The KSO was very inspiring! I noticed a problem on the way out, though. Could be serious. I think ...

"That's got to be one mighty big mole!"

I think the Kansas Ocean might have a mole problem! Woo.

Luv,
Dave

We Meet Again

So ... Monday...

We meet again!

Play bows,
Zim

Serene Scenery Sunday

Ha roo, pups and cool cats! Please pardon the formatting glitch! For Serene Scenery Sunday this week, Dave and I thought we'd just share those two videos with you. Mom took us on a great walk to the Kansas Ocean yesterday and we had just the most relaxing time!

As you can see in the first clip above, it was extremely low tide!

In the second vid, you can see what it looks like near the KSO. It's a very serene place!

Keep your Sunday serene!

Play bows,
Zim

Update on the Battle With the Pigs

Woo, everypup and everycat.  It's me - Dave.  As you know, I got pretty upset the other day when I found out those smug green pigs had stolen the watermelons.  I mean - not the watermelon! The whole thing wore me out!

Me.  Dave.  Exhausted from battling those smug little pigs.
(And still not wearing a purple Buff...)

Anyway, you asked if I won.  I have to tell you, even though it was an exhausting round ...

iPad screen shot

WOO!!!! That's what I'm talkin' about! Don't mess with Texas! Err... I mean with my watermelon!!!

After I sign up for the newsletter, I think I might order one of the bird plush toys. I wonder if they SQUEAK?!?!

Luv,
Dave

Photo Finish Friday

Ha roo, pups and cool cats! It's me, Zim, here with Photo Finish Friday! It was mighty busy around Headquarters this week, so I thought I'd show you a couple of the highlights - just so you can get an appreciation for how much hard, hard work I put in. Ready to get started?  Let's go!

Mom said she wanted me to do a photo shoot the other day, so I laid down and gave her my best smile!

Me.  Zim.  With my million dollar smile.

Exhausting work!  Then Mom said she wanted to do close-ups and I didn't really have to smile.

How's that for a more serious look?  

Then she said that wasn't quite what she was after.  How much more work does she EXPECT out of me?!?!  I did a little manipulation with my ears and came up with this pose:

Quite the nuanced change, don't you think?  That takes SO much effort!

Then Mom broke it to me -- she meant the super-duper close-ups she's been taking every week.  See...  Mom is chronicling my battle with Zinc-Responsive Dermatosis (ZRD) via photos for one of our vets.  My case is going to be written up for a medical journal or a paper or something, so I really do try my best to help out.  I have to hold REALLY still so she can do "macro work" with her camera and take good, clear shots for the good people at KSU.

After Mom got her photos, she gave me a few Stinky Goodness Jerky Treats as a reward, then I went on to doing some of the more active things that we Siberians are known for.  You know... like looking for my kit-cat pals ...

"Callie?  Are you out there?"

...and other important things.

"Zzzzz...."

Thank goodness the weekend's almost here. I really need some rest!

Play bows,
Zim

They've Gone Too Far!

Woo, everypup and everycat.  It's me - Dave.  Oh!  Wait a minute!!!

Those pigs have taken the WATERMELON, too!?!?

iPad screen shot

They've really gone too far!

"You guys are going down!"

The birds aren't the only angry ones now, you smug little pigs!!!  Woo.

Luv,
Dave

Wordless Wednesday

Tail wags,
Storms

Houston, We Have A Problem...

Woo, everypup and everycat.  It's me - Dave.  As you may know, I am my mom's Guide Dog for the Color Blind.  I help her wherever colors are concerned.  I'm great at picking fabrics for her in the Studio and choosing floor tiles at the floor tile store and letting her know when her outfits don't match and stuff.  And so ... how do I put this?  How about I show you?

Remember how cool Zim looks in his Buff?

Zim

He's the coolest, isn't he? And so Mom bought me a Buff, too. Only ...

Me.  Dave.

See? What's the difference between the pic of Zim and the pic of me? In our collars and Buffs?

Right. How many of you said, "Zim's goes really well with his collar and yours clashes big time!"? It's like a nightmare for a Guide Dog for the Color Blind to be outfitted like this! I mean - no offense to my mom. But we can only get Buffs on the internet and I can't do internet shopping with her. She tried her best ... but ... look!

What was my mom thinking?

After Mom's FaceBook friends let her know just how bad it was, she offered me the granite and black Buff she was wearing. I gave her my sign -- I wagged my tail at her and the Buff -- and we traded. This one's a little better:

Me in the granite/black Buff

At least it doesn't clash with my collar and leash! But ...

...it gets a tad lost, doesn't it? Fear not! Mom's been web shopping again! I hope she does better this time!

Oh! Two more things! For those who might be concerned about Stormy's feelings -- trust me! She'd rather not wear a Buff. She's a real no-nonsense kind of Sibe! Also - for those who might wonder about guys wearing Buffs - LOTS of guys wear Buffs! Don't any of you watch Survivor? Yeah.  All those guys wear Buffs.  AND ... did you see the big match play golf tournament this past weekend? Martin Kaymer (the new #1 golfer in the world!) was wearing a BUFF!!! How cool is that? I think he might have heard that Mom ordered our Dad a couple that give protection from UV rays and bugs!

I'll keep you posted on how my new Buff works out once it gets here!

Luv,
Dave