A Daisy A Day

Snickers has been so helpful by donating fertilizer, that I thought you would enjoy seeing some more of products of her hard work. I love daisies. Snickers seems to like them too. She keeps her eye out for those naughty ground squirrels and bunnies.

When she is helping with the marigolds and petunias, she discovered that this is where the mother robins like to bring their babies. She did some pretty hard sniffing while we were out here. There are so many wolf spiders in the ground hauling around their egg sacks, I think it is a matter of time before Snickers gets a bite on her nose.

Golden Retrievers Love Rat Terriers

Snickers loves it when Harley comes to visit. She always has to do the sniff check to make sure it's really Harley.


Yep, it's Harley. Playtime! People are so much more complicated than dog's are!

Dachshound vs Rat Terrier

Snickers and Ralphie are at it again! Ralphie is such a handsome dog, but he thinks his good looks make him the irresistible.













Snickers loves to play with him, and when they are together, they love to run and nip and jump on each other.

















But whenever Ralphie decides he is the boss, Snickers has to let him know that he really isn't. Ralphie is 5 pounds heavier than Snickers. I can't help wondering what would happen between them if they were together for more than a day or two. Snickers is pretty tired by the end of the day after all the reminders that she is the boss. Would she tire out and just give up?

Ralphie and Snickers Say GoodBye to Jody

We had a going away party for my niece Jody. She is moving to St. Louis. Snickers and I will miss her. I've been lucky enough to work with this exceptional person for the last several years. Snickers loves her because she takes care of her when we go away on vacation. Jody isn't in these pictures because she is too shy, but we all love her and say good-bye. We wish you luck!

No More Stuffing

We lost another baby today! I was surprised to find another baby, unstuffed! I'm not sure why Snickers makes up her mind to rip up her babies after weeks of taking care of them like puppies. It is a mystery to me. She is so gentle with them, right up until the dasterdly deed.

We can't get mad at her because she is still good with all the rest of the toys. The house is littered with them. It is as though we had our own baby in the house.

How can a dog this cute be so naughty?

Cardinals Are Gone

Our baby cardinals have flown the coop. Here are the last two pictures I was able to take of the babies. They are from Friday and Saturday. By that time, they were making little chirping noises and their eyes were opening. Even their feathers had filled in. We had a lot of rain today. I hope they were able to stay dry!

For those of you trying to guess Snickers real name, you need to watch the John Wayne movie Rio Bravo. Snickers got her name even before we knew she was the dog we were going to adopt. It was a deal I made with my husband so that he would agree to have a dog. Isn't she pretty?

I've Been Tagged

I have to tell you eight things about me you don't know. My friends Boo and Ben Benjamin are playing a game with me and they want to know my secrets.

1. I love Buddy cuz I think she would taste really good if I caught her.



2. I don't like Buddy at all cuz when I snap my jaws at her, she pecks me really hard on the nose and I don't think she should do that just because I'm trying to eat her.



3. My favorite nap spot is laying between mom's legs. It's so warm there! Sometimes she kicks me out because she gets too warm.



4. I think worms taste good.



5. The best smelling perfume is mourning dove poop.



6. I dig up mom's flower bulbs and eat them when she's not looking.



7. Sometimes I like playing with Ralphie, the dachshound, even though he nips at my last three legs and ears.



8. Snickers isn't my real name.

Aren't my baby cardinals getting big? I just took the second picture today and the first one two days ago. I'll bet next time we take a picture, they will be chirping.

Now I am going to tag Peony and Kingsley.

Bird Watching

We checked on our baby cardinals this morning. They have a fluffy coat of feathers and open beaks. The eyes are huge and still closed. They have a very busy mom and dad right now. I can't wait to see what color the feathers will be.

Snickers was very busy today hunting and chasing birds. I think they enjoy teasing her. She will see one perched on the lawn, and run to chase it down. By the time she reaches the bird spot, it is gone. Snickers does the next best thing and sniffs and rolls in the spot. Could the bird have left some glorious perfume? Then another bird will land on the lawn, and Snickers has to chase it down. She was so tired by the time we came indoors, she needed a nap. But Snickers, not on my furniture!

Cardinal Chicks

We have had an exciting week. Yesterday, I had to rescue a baby robin out of our window well. The poor thing had fallen in and couldn't get out. When I leaned over to reach for it, I was surprised at all the robins swooping and chattering at me to get away at the baby. It was so frightened, but as soon as I removed it, the baby flew to it's parents. I don't think I've ever seen such a big flock of robins before. They were all sitting in the locust tree trying to encourage the little one to fly out.

Today, when I came home from work, I took a peak at the cardinal nest. Two of the eggs had hatched. There are two completely helpless little chicks and three eggs still to go. The chicks only had about 3 pin feathers on their heads. I'll bet by next week, they'll be covered in feathers. I'm going to have to keep a close watch on Snickers so she doesn't get at the little birds.

Spring is Here?

It is soooo cold today, it doesn't feel like spring time. Snickers and I went outside to explore to see if it has really arrived.

We found Bleeding Hearts in bloom.


Hydrangea in Bloom.


Cardinal's nest filled with five spotted eggs.


Tail to chase.


Wondering where dad is at???

Sea World

One of the places we visited in Florida was Sea World. We always look for things that would amuse Snickers, and we saw this squirrel thieving in a stroller. He must have found some yummy crumbs because he was in here for quite some time.

Often I have heard about orcas, or killer whales, but was shocked when I saw the size of Shamu. WOW! He is HUGE! I have a new respect for these animals. The trainers say that they always ask the whales to perform, they never tell. If you look closely, the trainer looks like a tiny insect on the face of Shamu as he pushes the trainer through the surface of the water. At one point during the show, Shamu pushed a trainer back onto the stage, and he was so powerful, the trainer flew from one end of the stage to the other, and slid off the other side. The show is incredible. If you have the chance, I encourage you to go for a visit.

Home From Florida

We just got back from our vacation in Florida! Snickers got to have a vacation from us, also. It was probably good, so she could get over being upset about the bad manicure. She is better now, and all healed up. My niece stayed with Snickers and took her every day to play with Daisy, the miniature dachshound. Snickers got a new baby from my niece. She loves it and keeps it with her other babies. Snickers was so happy to see us when we got home, the picture I took of her running to meet me is a blur! Aren't homecomings great when you have a dog?

Manicure Gone Bad

We are such bad doggy parents. The trim guard wasn't working correctly on Snickers nail clippers and we accidentally trimmed a nail too short. Boy, did we feel bad. Poor Snickers didn't let out a peep. She must be so used to having been in pain from having had the bad leg. I know it hurt, because when we put the medicine on to stop the bleeding, she winced, but never made a sound. So, the rule is, check the clippers before you clip!

Rat Terrier Spring Time

Snickers tulip garden is in full bloom. I need to thank her for the fertilizer.












The plum bushes don't have a scent but I love the delicate lilac color of the tiny blooms.












My cherry trees are another story. The whole neighborhood can smell their sweet scent. It doesn't take long for the blooms to turn into sprays of tiny cherries.












The dwarf crab apple is so dense, the birds never nest in it. But the songbirds love to hide in here so the larger birds can't catch them. Don't the bright red blooms add a beautiful splash of color?













Uh oh. Snickers smells something. Is it a rat?












No!! It's some new perfume! The best things in life are free!!

Snickers Garden

I thought you would enjoy a picture of Snickers with the tulip garden she helped plant. Snickers furnished all the fertilizer. She did a good job and found perfect places for all the bulbs. I think she is pleased with how it turned out.

Home From Golf

Snickers loves when her dad gets home from golf. That means it is time for a walk in the park. They are always happy to see each other.

Princess Snickers

Snickers is such a little princess. She is so busy protecting the house all day, that by the time we get home, she finds her throne and gets comfortable. Once her humans sit, then it's time for her head scratch. Look out Buddy, if Snickers wakes up, you may be the evening snack!

Warm Weather At Last

Snickers loves going for walks. She was so excited today she was leaping into the air and spinning around. She looked like a little circus dog. We saw lots of new plants, all waking up from their winter naps. It amazes me how they can emerge from the winter freeze intact and ready to go. Snickers stepped in some coyote poop without seeing it. All of a sudden she smelled it and spun around, sniffing in her own footsteps. I think she thought she was being followed. When she got home, she found some nice robin poop to roll in. Then she spotted the remains of a blackbird an owl had feasted on the night before. Oh boy, you would have thought she had some new perfume! She couldn't get enough of that roll! Snickers got a nice long bath when she came inside.

Results of Snickers Gardening

Last fall Snickers helped me plant tulip bulbs. She donated her fertilizer and dug up bulbs she thought might look better in another spot. Even though we got six inches of very wet snow last week, the tulips survived and are beginning to sprout blossoms. Snickers is very happy she was able to help.

Home Made Dog Biscuit Recipe

I have had this dog biscuit recipe for years and have changed it a bit over time. It is easy and fun to make. It would be a good family project. Snickers likes this treat so much, she pretends to have to go outside to do her business just so she can come in to get a treat. Who's training who?

Dog Biscuit Recipe

• 1 pkg dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1 cup warm chicken broth
• 2 tblsp molasses
• 1 3/4 - 2 cups flour, divided
• 1 1/4 cup rye flour
• 1/4 cup flax seed, ground
• 1 cup cracked or bulgur wheat
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk 2 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp salt
• 1 beaten egg
• 1 tblsp milk

Dissolve yeast in water. Stir in broth and molasses. Add 1 cup flour, rye flour, flax seed, cracked oats, cornmeal, dry milk, garlic and salt. mix well. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. On floured surface, knead in remaining flour. Roll out half at a time, to 3/8 inch thickness. (the secret to rolling it out is to reserve some of the flour to sprinkle generously on your rolling surface and the top of your dough to keep it from sticking to your surface or your rolling pin). Cut into 1 x 4 inch biscuits (I cut into 1 x 1 inch biscuits because Snickers is a little dog and I don't want her to get overweight). Place on ungreased baking sheets. Combine egg and milk and use to brush tops of biscuits. Repeat with remaining dough. Bake 45 minutes. Turn off heat and let dry overnight in the oven. This makes two cookie sheet full of biscuits.