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.

Dachshunds Rule the Day

Ralphie brought a gift for Snickers, so Snickers would always have a little dachshund to play with. I'm not sure what we'll name him, but Snickers seems to like the new puppy. She hasn't even torn his eyes off, yet, so she seems to think it's the real deal. She sure would have been a good mama!

Jewel of the Nile

Snickers has lots of friends, even cats (as long as they don't get close enough to eat)! Auntie Patty came to visit us for Easter and brought a beautiful hand made necklace she and her cats made for us. Can you see the little cat bead at the bottom? Isn't it pretty? It's just for dress up. We have to use our regular collar for walks. I think Snickers looks very mysterious!

Happy Easter Everyone!

I hope everyone had a Blessed and Happy Easter. Ralphie was visiting today and he and Snickers were the life of the party! The couldn't stop playing and nipping and chasing each other. There was lots of licking and yoweling, but no biting.












Even though Snickers is really good at baring her teeth, she was playing. Ralphie was neutered two weeks ago and no longer cares to try to do the deed. Snickers still didn't trust him and so wasn't letting him get too close at first.












Ralphie kept rolling over to let Snickers know she was the boss and finally Snickers seemed to believe it. As soon as Ralphie went home, Snickers curled up to sleep and I haven't been able to wake her. Ahhh!! Happiness is a fluffy dog bed!

Snickers Gets Ethnic

We have been very busy with family matters since Grandma passed away. There have been many chores, and many visitors. Snickers looks for Grandma everytime we visit her home, but she doesn't find her. Her human Auntie is still living there and Snickers loves to wash her face when she sees her. Auntie shrieks with laughter because Snickers tongue is so long and soft. Snickers gets so excited she jumps up in the air and hops around on her single rear leg. This dog is amazing!

One weekend we had a Polish dinner and Snickers dressed the part with a cute little scarf covering her head. It didn't last long, though. Snickers ears couldn't wait to pop out from underneath.

Rat Terrier Likes Maltipoo

Snickers "cousin" Toby was visiting this weekend. Last time Toby visited, they were trying to decide who was boss. It was Toby's birthday, so we celebrated by giving them each a new toy. Snickers ran off with them both. It is clear that in her house, she is the boss and that seems to be okay with Toby. Here she is drinking Toby's water. Toby doesn't care about that either.












If we travel, Snickers is invited to stay with Toby and Toby is invited to stay with Snickers if his parents travel. It works out nice for the parents, but when we told Snickers, she didn't react very well.










In the end, they got along so well, that Snickers was pretty tired out. After Toby went home, all Snickers wanted to do was sit in Dad's lap and let him scratch her ears.

Spring Hunting Season

Snickers was very busy today practicing her hunting techniques. I caught her shaking one of her babies by the tail. I'll bet it would have broken her neck if it was real.

She has been insisting on going outside and then chasing low flying birds. These birds are very active. The robins are staking out their territory and the mating rituals have begun.

As the neighbors walk by with their dogs, Snickers needs to bark a friendly hello. I think we'll be meeting the new yellow lab that lives next door.