tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47517209114314642662024-02-19T19:14:28.161-07:00Conversations With Dogs & CatsSome families include four-legged people. This is where we have conversations with our furry members.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-76732035269870945892009-01-21T12:15:00.006-07:002009-01-21T12:28:59.064-07:00Hip Dysplasia in Dogs<div>Lilly Belle was diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia as a puppy, and we decided to schedule her for surgery in December. This video show the trouble she encountered when climbing stairs. One week after this video, she underwent surgery to receive a new hip.</div><div><br /></div><p align="center"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KFQk0I2caV8&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KFQk0I2caV8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p><div></div><div>We consulted with our local Vets and decided to have Lilly's operation performed by <a href="http://www.bigskyanimal.com/" target="_blank">Big Sky Animal Medical Center</a> in Great Falls, Montana. The surgery went exceptionally well and Lilly is now in the recovery phase, wich takes about two months. During this time we do not let her run free, climb stairs or use her back legs to jump, stand, etc. It is important to let the bone fuse around this new cobalt hip of hers.</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/hip_dysplasia.htm"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 163px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/images/hip_dysplasia_xray_large_dog_3_small.jpg" border="0" /></a>Lilly is doing very well, but she is bored and restless due to the confined space we must keep her in for her own protection. You can also see the x-rays of her hip joints after the surgery. To <a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/hip_dysplasia.htm">learn more about hip dysplasia </a>and see our videos, photos and x-rays, <a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/hip_dysplasia.htm">go here</a>. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-71492157691440170042008-02-08T08:20:00.000-07:002008-02-08T08:29:21.132-07:00A Dog’s Prayer<strong>Pack Leader here:</strong> I stumbled upon this beautiful prayer and thought it needed to be shared with all animal lovers. If you have ever lost a pet, I'll wager you can't read this prayer with dry eyes...<br />_____________________<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me. Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;">And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest - and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.”</span><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000000;"><p align="center"><a href="http://great-pyrenees.us/karelian_bear_dog.htm"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://great-pyrenees.us/images/karelian_bear_dog.jpg" border="0" /></a></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><a href="http://great-pyrenees.us/karelian_bear_dog.htm">In memory of Sugarbear,<br />our Karelian Bear Dog</a></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-44403272352860007962007-12-25T07:10:00.000-07:002007-12-25T07:30:30.719-07:00Merry Christmas!<div align="center"><a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5147912866916654242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3o_-vrOubrO5yvqijtXMxJ_KDidMJIpet3jzmJKEhjvCmoXyNmdZt4IyYTI8IgFt6_MNd5CMDAah5RnPtdDlQ1gpDW3-UXBTMi2JYka_LflrzG1vEK1BaJMv_6DuEybXeucXipFKfTrx/s400/lilly_santa_dec_12.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;">Lilly Belle & 'Ol Saint Nick himself!</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Ho, ho, ho. . . .</span><br /><br />Well here it is early Christmas morning and I'm waiting for the 2-legged dwellers of this place to get out of bed and continue with the festivities of yesterday. Man, I like it around here when they start bringing the outdoors inside, potted trees, hanging bright lights and decorations all over the place... so much to get into and so little time!<br /><br />Oh yeah, that's me (your favorite <a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/">Great Pyrenees </a>pooch) and some funny dressing guy called Santa Claus. He fed me cookies to pose beside him so that he could get his picture taken. Mom giggled the whole time, but dad seemed embarrassed and kept out of sight.<br /><br />Today should be fun like yesterday was; seemed that everybody was feeding me treats I'd never tasted before.... mmmmmm good! I'm not sure if this was the reason I bugged mom 3 times last night to go outside. I know she doesn't mind, I think she likes it when I wake her up when it is dark and she gets dressed to go out in the snow with me. Hey, I could hold it until next Wednesday if I wanted to, but I know she enjoys this special time together with me.<br /><br />Wait... what's that? Either one of those danged <a href="http://www.puffandpooh.com/">cats</a> to chase or one of the tall critters are stirring. It must be time to start playing Christmas again. I REALLY like this time of year, I guess you do too! Sooooooooooooo . . .<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#660000;">Merry Christmas to all!</span><br /><br /><em>(yeah, even those cats, <a href="http://www.puffandpooh.com/">Puff and Pooh </a>and <a href="http://www.cat-house.us/">Minnie</a> too... I'm feeling good!)</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-73298231506034190812007-08-01T11:21:00.000-06:002007-08-01T11:38:23.651-06:00Dog days of summerNot just whoof, but.... <span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><strong>WHOOF!</strong></span><br /><br /><strong>Pack leader here...</strong> I now know why they call this the "<strong>dog days of summer</strong>". We've just had the hottest, driest July I can remember. Forest fires are raging to the east, north and south of us, and there does not appear to be any rain in the immediate forecast. <br /><br />Our Great Pyrenees, <a href="http://great-pyrenees.us/about_us.htm">Lilly Belle </a>has been lethargic to say the least. That fur coat she wears is not making her life any easier. And the cats... <a href="http://www.puffandpooh.com/am_i_puff_or_pooh.html">Puff and Pooh</a> always try to conserve their energy, but I think they have enough stored up to stay awake for the next month. Even little <a href="http://www.cat-house.us/miss_minnie.htm">Minnie (the mouser)</a> prefers to hide out in the garage instead of sniffing around for fresh rodent meat. <br /><br />And even the 'ol pack leader (that's me) has had trouble raising the energy to keep this blog current. I don't know about you friends, but this is one dog who is ready for fall and some cooler weaher!<br /><br />I think I'll go lie down somehwere in the shade....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-82014509212856235332007-05-22T11:28:00.000-06:002007-05-22T11:38:14.776-06:00Dog vs. Porcupine<span style="font-size:130%;">To the winner goes the spoils</span><br /><br />Last summer, our Lilly Belle attacked a skunk. It was a horrible and tragic story (for the pack leaders), Lilly seemed oblivious to all the commotion and the "stink" that surrounded our acreage after her victory. You can <a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/night_of_the_skunk.htm">read the full story here...</a><br /><br />Today I received an email from a friend telling of an equally terrible tale of a Pit Bull who made the wrong decision to tangle with a poor little Porcupine; but being brave and stupid, he learned the hard way that you can't always win, no matter how tough you are. The Vet sedated the dog and removed 1347 quills...the dog survived and hopefully learned a lesson.<br /><br /> 1. There is a fine line between bravery and stupidity<br />2. Choose your fights wisely. 3. Don't mess with Porcupines!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLICe41zH3LVaNwvZuxVTqbPssLpBVg3P704WMjikL-mRk2uSqVkoZDTVUc31iw_sFlCUxMOCA8sGbO7S-770hyHI2LXaHVQ5nHwSjz3hB3EQZkteIlWqXaQkA-0MZCWLT6GmK-XBPVVIL/s1600-h/dog_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067438802828818610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLICe41zH3LVaNwvZuxVTqbPssLpBVg3P704WMjikL-mRk2uSqVkoZDTVUc31iw_sFlCUxMOCA8sGbO7S-770hyHI2LXaHVQ5nHwSjz3hB3EQZkteIlWqXaQkA-0MZCWLT6GmK-XBPVVIL/s320/dog_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHT-tARnnPCr_LXPlx4l0mFejn0HAQ-he6sZCv-Xe1qUIz82yeipXC5dMnYyuCekCUtc8AD-gCA6f7gJQwNVex1ZoxisqB-4pwthalkPpXNvgo_WPz5O4DcTew3SGH05J4lAnnnusZGF23/s1600-h/dog_1.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067438519360977058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHT-tARnnPCr_LXPlx4l0mFejn0HAQ-he6sZCv-Xe1qUIz82yeipXC5dMnYyuCekCUtc8AD-gCA6f7gJQwNVex1ZoxisqB-4pwthalkPpXNvgo_WPz5O4DcTew3SGH05J4lAnnnusZGF23/s320/dog_1.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Ouch, that smarts!</em></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-43354379142953325072007-03-17T13:53:00.000-06:002007-03-17T14:01:42.051-06:00All about Pyrs<span style="font-size:130%;">Note from the pack leader here...<br /></span><br />I just discovered a wonderful video on YouTube about <a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/">Great Pyrenees </a>dogs. It is a well done video describing the characteristics of Pyrs. If you want to know more about this fabulous breed of dogs, watch this video.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6EdNHI5inDM"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6EdNHI5inDM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object></p><strong>Oh and BTW</strong>, all of us 2-legged and 4-legged bloggers would like to wish you and your family a <strong><span style="color:#006600;">happy and safe Saint Patrick's Day</span></strong>!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-48664644393049333642007-03-06T17:13:00.000-07:002007-03-06T17:34:04.465-07:00Dogs & Cats Together<strong>Lilly:</strong> Minnie, I saw your last post and what you did to that poor helpless mouse. You should be ashamed of yourself. Great Pyrenees dogs (that's me) are famous for our good nature around kids and cats. What if I treated you like you treated that poor mouse? You're not much more than a light lunch anyhow...<br /><p align="center"><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hu8XHCRx-gU"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hu8XHCRx-gU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object></p><strong>Minnie:</strong> Give me a break! Mice are rodents, they carry diseases and scare the hell out of women... I do the world a favor when I munch a mouse for lunch. <br /><br /><strong>Lilly:</strong> Not if you're a mouse. <br /><br /><strong>Minnie:</strong> You're probably just jealous that I got to that mouse before you did. After all, you eat skunks!<br /><br /><strong>Lilly:</strong> Do not.<br /><br /><strong>Minnie:</strong> Do so.<br /><br /><strong>Lilly:</strong> Not.<br /><br /><strong>Minnie:</strong> Forget it, I'm going out for lunch.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-78605704685531905112007-02-24T12:11:00.000-07:002007-02-24T12:28:26.835-07:00Mouse nightmares<span style="font-size:130%;">Ever wonder what keeps mice awake at night?</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.cat-house.us/miss_minnie.htm"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035180674686347394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3nqQpPexKnLvQNFWCZXmoEQUoxMq3AhaBJ_cc48sP0Tj7Po08BApcG_OgCxyhtJukwylxQtk_81Zseetnb_C2KfuvqyFNbRvkUKc_plXkzmJkztBK_vlLzJlWMzcwB-YGsQTZnJwSR6D/s320/cat_mouse_1.jpg" border="0" /><p align="center"></a><span style="font-size:180%;"> <strong><span style="color:#000000;">I do!</span></strong></span> </p>Hi, I'm Minnie (the mouser) - as my dad likes to call me. I alone am responsible for clearing the prairie dogs from our five acre home site. When my family first moved in, they didn't see a prairie dog that first summer because the previous owner had a cat. The next summer mom and dad saw a few of those rodents and thought they were cute. Right.<br /><br />By the third summer, prairie dogs were hanging out at every tree, why there must have been a hundred of them. Then I showed up, and I can't remember ever having so much fun. Some of those dogs were as tall as me, but they never stood a chance. Yup, I put on a lot of weight that year.<br /><br />Today I have to work harder to amuse myself since the prairie dog population has dwindled so. These days all I can find are mice. Don't let anyone fool you, a mouse is not as tasty as a prairie dog and they don't hang around chatting like those talking rodents.<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.cat-house.us/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035181280276736146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnaLzWdyqGOSAiShIn6K1Cx05tcaTbC4bA3GDkFUn8g8yQsHyOYY-lCdyBaHrLpbApDfSCaeJuh64PRP67006gIxF2F7efHnenUOWnXBfnSLqvS6JNr5eGjHaELsrbrVJU5lRMbKsEbaV/s320/cat_mouse_2.jpg" border="0" /></a> If you were a mouse, I would imagine that this picture is the stuff that nightmares are made of. I brought this mouse up to the door so dad could see me having fun and he snapped a couple pictures to remind me of my summer vacation. I do know how to have fun! </p><p><strong>PS:</strong> If you want to see more of me, come visit me at my "<a href="http://www.cat-house.us/">Cat House</a>"!</p><p><strong>PPS:</strong> Maybe later dad will tell the story of my big sister, <a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/great_pyrenees_lilly_1.shtml">Lilly Belle </a>who tangled with a skunk. The skunk suffered the same fate as this mouse... but IMHO, Lilly was the big loser. Wow, did she ever stink!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-33287966958711744462007-02-15T13:46:00.000-07:002007-02-15T14:23:11.079-07:00Barking Dog?<span style="font-size:130%;">News from the <strong>pack leader</strong>...</span><br /><br />If you are a subscriber to this blog, you are aware that our "puppy" is a criminal having been cited by the Sheriff (3 times) for barking. Yes, in rural America where you can shoot guns, dig a gravel mine and use your back yard for anything you choose – we have a county-wide ordinance for "barking dogs". And not just any old run-of-the-mill barking dog ordinance…<br /><br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNqp3xJSZBNtXK25gC5jaXs0kxd5OezMqqAjQ4qFkFSGTe-3sd3YvDYM5kIVMoAMwzqoD7t9SnY6enDI9GrWmP1yo1vHJMIZUL3hNVi921eWc_rvDrxH0k7bv2dT9mC27CtNiLaxtuD8e/s320/criminal_dog.jpg" border="0" /><br />No sir, our <strong>purposely vague</strong> law states that anyone can have the Sheriff cite a dog owner if the dog's barking bugs them. There are <strong>no definitions</strong> as to how many times the dog can bark, how long it can bark, at what it can bark or. . . . or nothing! Dog barks – you don’t like it - call the Sheriff. Got a neighbor you don't like who has a dog? Call the Sheriff. What a great way to drive a neighbor to the brink – but it is not working.<br /><br />We chose to pursue our legal rights as we feel that our dog should be allowed to bark at the bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and drivers who are lost and think our paved drive is a road. Toss in the UPS guy, Fed-X, mail carriers and other neighborhood distractions and . . . these are the reasons we have a dog that barks and protects us on our tiny 5 acre plot.<br /><br />Well Tuesday was the day for our "omnibus hearing", where we met with a judge and the county prosecutor to discuss our side of the case and decide if we wanted to pay a fine or go for a jury trial. It should be noted that each of the citations required a separate trip to the courthouse to plead not guilty. Today was our 4th. trip to the courthouse on this matter. The neighbor? All he has to do is dial the phone.<br /><br />We were prepared. We believed that we could demonstrate that the County’s barking dog ordinance is extraordinarily vague, lacks any definition, provides County officials and dog owners no reasonable guidance, and is blatantly unfair to all dog owners in the County.<br /><br />We believed that we could establish that this county-wide ordinance, when applied to rural areas, violates personal freedoms, the State Constitution and the Code of the West (seriously, that's real). We also do not believe that one unfriendly individual should have the power to dictate standards to an entire community. We were ready to do battle, armed with color photos, letters to the Sheriff, emails of support from neighbors and highlighted copies of the State Constitution and the Code of the West, and a stack of supporting documentation (my bride is like, well - a dog with a bone when it comes to research - no pun intended).<br /><br />Tuesday during our hearing, we learned that if we go to court and win - nothing changes. The only thing we "win" is absolution of a small fine (in this case, three fines). Our neighbor can call the Sheriff that day and we begin the cycle all over again. We paid the fine. The thought of yet another future trip to the courthouse to gain absolutely nothing seemed like a waste of time. So there you have it, one disgruntled neighbor can dictate his will to the entire community. </p><p>But wait, <strong>we're not done yet</strong>. We have a plan and this plan is a humdinger! No, nothing illegal or even morally or ethically questionable (<em>unless you agree that our legal system is morally or ethically flawed, but that's a debate for a different blog</em>). </p><p>We KNOW our neighbor is not a dog lover, so it is improbable that he subscribes to this blog, but we will save our plan for a future post - AFTER - we've accomplished our mission of getting our neighbor and our Great Pyrenees to live in harmony and peace. In the meantime, I've got to go straighten-up the house for the next deputy Sheriff's visit. </p><p>PS: And BTW, the Sheriff and all the deputies we have met (5 now) are just outstanding, professional and courteous people. </p><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-22569553119149476272007-02-04T13:42:00.000-07:002007-02-04T14:44:12.568-07:00Whitefish Winter Carnival Parade<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2klieLQURguZ7vHiwxbb_NhgkDLcmROjXvs2LpdpgUA0QN_uXcNfb_kBBXVmsCiQXwjuoAk1e3KaTqKAMMA3BO8hW23n4MWycXvsMQ1hNfgwmInVmtRTxqVwu6sV_UkH0O4DfPNpYFnP/s1600-h/lilly_parade.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027782538051058738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2klieLQURguZ7vHiwxbb_NhgkDLcmROjXvs2LpdpgUA0QN_uXcNfb_kBBXVmsCiQXwjuoAk1e3KaTqKAMMA3BO8hW23n4MWycXvsMQ1hNfgwmInVmtRTxqVwu6sV_UkH0O4DfPNpYFnP/s320/lilly_parade.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong>Lilly:</strong> Puff, Pooh and Minnie... did you cats see me in the parade yesterday? I was the star, mom told me so!</div><br /><div><strong>Pooh:</strong> What parade? I must have been sleeping. There was a parade? Why didn't someone wake me?<br /><br /><strong>Lilly:</strong> Yesterday, they held the annual <a href="http://www.whitefishwintercarnival.com/"><strong>Whitefish Winter Carnival</strong> </a>and they had a huge parade, and I walked with about 12 other dogs from the <a href="http://www.hsnwmt.com/">Northwest Montana Humane Society</a>. We were awesome - we were the hit of the parade! Mom told me that was true.<br /></div><br /><div><strong>Puff:</strong> Yeah well, mom isn't one to always tell the truth when she's talking about you, Lilly. I mean after all, she does call you "Puppy Love". What could be further from the truth?</div><div><br /><strong>Lilly:</strong> Hey, this was a big deal, they've been holding this parade for 48 years. This year I was the star. One short human called out... "Hey look a Polar bear"! </div><br /><div><strong>Pooh:</strong> Well, too bad hunting season is over, you'd look good hanging on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">somebodies</span> wall.</div><br /><div><strong>Lilly:</strong> Pooh, they stuff cats too, ya know! And besides, no one would shoot "Puppy Love".</div><br /><div><strong>Minnie:</strong> I would, will you show me how?</div><strong>Lilly:</strong> You ladies are so "catty". Go back to sleep! That's what you do best anyhow.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-11730660832754801552007-01-15T21:54:00.000-07:002007-01-15T22:12:52.852-07:00Cat Tree<a href="http://www.puffandpooh.com/cat_tips/cat_tree/index.html"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 190px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 289px" height="391" alt="" src="http://www.puffandpooh.com/cat_tips/cat_tree/cat_tree_scratching_post.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><strong>Pooh:</strong> Hey Puff, mom wanted us to show everyone how dad built a custom made "Cat Tree" for us. </div><br /><div><strong>Puff:</strong> Don't tell anyone, someone might see it and ask dad if they can have it. </div><br /><div><strong>Pooh</strong>: We can't keep this quiet, heck dad posted the <a href="http://www.puffandpooh.com/cat_tips/cat_tree/index.html">instructions on our website!</a></div><br /><div><strong>Puff:</strong> Oh great, now every cat in America will have a scratching tree like ours. </div><br /><div><strong>Pooh:</strong> That wouldn't be so bad. Just imagine if every cat in the country was as happy and contented as we are? </div><br /><div><strong>Puff:</strong> Yeah, maybe you're right. Okay, go tell everyone to go see our <a href="http://www.puffandpooh.com/cat_tips/cat_tree/index.html">cat tree here</a>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-14898208513883723632007-01-14T07:35:00.000-07:002007-01-15T21:53:39.860-07:00Lilly - Criminal Dog! (part 2)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNqp3xJSZBNtXK25gC5jaXs0kxd5OezMqqAjQ4qFkFSGTe-3sd3YvDYM5kIVMoAMwzqoD7t9SnY6enDI9GrWmP1yo1vHJMIZUL3hNVi921eWc_rvDrxH0k7bv2dT9mC27CtNiLaxtuD8e/s320/criminal_dog.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNqp3xJSZBNtXK25gC5jaXs0kxd5OezMqqAjQ4qFkFSGTe-3sd3YvDYM5kIVMoAMwzqoD7t9SnY6enDI9GrWmP1yo1vHJMIZUL3hNVi921eWc_rvDrxH0k7bv2dT9mC27CtNiLaxtuD8e/s320/criminal_dog.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><strong></strong></div><div><strong>Lilly:</strong> They're back . . . do you remember me telling you that the long arm of the law reached out to me as a result of our neighbor calling the sheriff because I bark? <a href="http://puppyandcats.blogspot.com/2006/12/lilly-criminal-dog-part-1.html">Remember this conversation</a>? Well, they were again called in to issue mom & dad a citation because I do what I'm supposed to do... bark!</div><br /><div><strong>Puff:</strong> This is so cool, Lilly the 'outlaw dog' - living under our roof... or should I say you're hiding out here? </div><br /><div><strong>Lilly:</strong> Yeah, can you believe this guy keeps calling the sheriff! He never calls mom or dad, just calls the sheriff . . . what a strange person we have living next door. </div><br /><div><strong>Puff:</strong> Are you guilty?</div><br /><div><strong>Lilly:</strong> Of course I'm guilty... I bark! </div><br /><div><strong>Puff:</strong> That guy must be like me and Pooh, he must not like dogs. I can't blame him, of course.</div><br /><div><strong>Lilly:</strong> Well I can tell you that dad is getting tired of this. He went to the Sheriff's office the other day to see if there was anything he could do to help solve this problem. He and the Sheriff talked for a long time and the bottom line is that mom & dad are going to go to court next month to get this taken care of. </div><br /><div><strong>Puff:</strong> Will they arrest you or dad?</div><br /><div><strong>Lilly:</strong> They will only arrest me when <strong>I start attacking cats that think they are funny!!! </strong>No one is getting arrested, the purpose of the court hearing is so that everyone can tell their side of the story and a judge (<em>who I hope likes dogs</em>) will decide who is right. </div><br /><div><strong>Puff:</strong> What's with our neighbor? How come he doesn't just ask you to shut up, or ask mom to gag you?</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div><strong>Lilly:</strong> Understanding human motivations and peculiarities is far above your level of understanding... I only know these things because I am "man's best friend". This neighbor is a bit eccentric and apparently just doesn't like friendly puppies like me. So, as they say in the movies,</div><div><em>"To be continued..."</em> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-27121517402107414312007-01-02T10:31:00.000-07:002007-01-02T10:58:53.296-07:00Famous Cats<a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/images/great_pyrenees_and_cat.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/images/great_pyrenees_and_cat.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Pooh:</strong> Hey Lilly, last week I told you that Puff and me are movie stars and had one of our videos <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UScoGcFaDVo">featured on YouTube</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Lilly:</strong> Oh yeah, I'm still trying to figure out why anyone would take time from their day and watch two cats sleeping. I'd rather watch paint dry.<br /><br /><strong>Pooh:</strong> Well I can tell you that almost 600 very smart people disagree with you because that's how many times our movie has been watched by an adoring public - who are asking for more!!!<br /><br /><strong>Lilly:</strong> You have got to be kidding me. People are THAT bored?<br /><br /><strong>Pooh:</strong> Boredom has nothing to do with the appreciation of fine artistic productions and two magnificent movie subjects. I can see it now... "The Adventures of Puff and Pooh" - how two beautiful kittens defend themselves from a polar bear-looking dog and lived to tell their tale.<br /><br /><strong>Lilly:</strong> You are a sick cat. Someone must have told those 600 people that mom was giving away free dog bones or something.<br /><br /><strong>Pooh:</strong> Think what you want, all I know is that Puff and I now have a following. And, due to the many requests for more, I'm going to point everyone to our famous movie... <a href="http://www.puffandpooh.com/video/video_2_drain.htm">"Where did the water go?"</a><br /><br /><strong>Lilly:</strong> You won't mind if I check it out later, right now I have some important things to do... mom needs some animal-therapy and the best thing that helps her cope with you two cats is by loving on a big dog like me. She needs to hug me and rub me all over... doesn't do much for me, but she seems to like it. She calls me her "therapy dog".<br /><br /><strong>Pooh:</strong> Wow, and you think people are bored because they watch our movies? How bored must mom be?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-11332091862395697582006-12-31T16:29:00.000-07:002006-12-31T17:14:22.620-07:00Pet rules!<div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;">or is that supposed to be pets <strong>rule</strong>?</span><a href="http://www.cat-house.us/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5014844626095752530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9DOnTAq96j2SPU-NBqTkw4X6LWRDE1mIs8d1fjRpdtcXY0Jsj4-oa0A5mg-pLrIZatmCHXUbGs2l9NLKsZ8DLvzKMhWZQWku0BzDQ5IITishW9cOeD2fqORtwPf8QhNXbhy6e6p_qZ9q/s320/miss_minnie_small.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Whatever... Hi, <a href="http://www.cat-house.us/">Miss Minnie </a>here with a New Year blog post for all you cat-lovers... and also those of you who tolerate dogs.<br /><br />This is my first time here, I'm usually too busy to bother with such trivial things. I'm the "shop cat" in this family and I sleep in the garage. I've yet to discover an Ethernet connection out there so I don't often get a chance to paw mom's keyboard.<br /><br />Anyway, mom found this list of "<strong>Pet Rules</strong>" and she thought it would be a nice way of introducing the new year to her animal loving friends. Well here goes...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><strong>Pet rules!<br /></strong></span><span style="font-size:85%;">(To be posted snout height on the refrigerator door)</span><br /><br />Dear Dogs and Cats,<br /><br />The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate of food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.<br />The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.<br /><br />I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.<br /><br />For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years -- canine or feline attendance is not mandatory.<br /><br />The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!<br /><br />To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;">To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets<br /></span></strong><br />1. They live here. You don't.<br />2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"niture.)<br />3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.<br />4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.<br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Remember</strong>:</span> dogs and cats are better than kids because they:<br />1. Eat less<br />2. Don't ask for money all the time<br />3. Are easier to train<br />4. Usually come when called<br />5. Never drive your car<br />6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends<br />7. Don't smoke or drink<br />8. Don't worry about having to buy the latest fashions<br />9. Don't wear your clothes<br />10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and<br />11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Anyway, those are mom's pet rules and she thought you might get a chuckle out of this. But mostly, mom wanted me to wish all of you a very special...</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;">Happy New Year</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-25682371109018948412006-12-28T07:36:00.000-07:002006-12-28T08:02:56.769-07:00Puff and Pooh, Movie Stars!<strong>Pooh</strong>: Hey Lilly, did you know that Puff and me are movie stars?<br /><br /><strong>Lilly:</strong> Right. You think that just because mom can't let that camera get three inches from her hand that she wants YOUR picture?<br /><br /><strong>Puff:</strong> No Lilly, its true... mom put a video of us on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/myfurrychildren"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">YouTube</span></a> and now we're movie stars.<br /><br /><strong>Lilly:</strong> Cecil B. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">DeMille</span> couldn't make you two "movie stars" if he had a gazillion-dollar budget. You guys don't do anything cute, you just sleep all the time and lick each other.<br /><br /><strong>Pooh:</strong> If you won't believe us, look at our movie debut below!<br /><p align="center"><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UScoGcFaDVo"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UScoGcFaDVo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object></p><strong>Lilly:</strong> That's disgusting. You just wait until mom sees me doing something really cool...<br /><br /><strong>Pooh:</strong> We can wait...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-4667975075946998002006-12-18T14:25:00.000-07:002006-12-19T17:26:22.225-07:00Merry Christmas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUl6Mj84rDUpNwRL96IScKcH0kvZzct8afpr2BPNVcGGAhW-XKa_w1v4piESVDprvi2-lmHp2qgIJtCpEBjlG-vTNPeuHgYt1RfOzo4mi2rB9HkJchBgaNC5IpMQjq_hACMCL-q0KXIFmx/s1600-h/christmas_dogs_cats.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5009981404184896786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUl6Mj84rDUpNwRL96IScKcH0kvZzct8afpr2BPNVcGGAhW-XKa_w1v4piESVDprvi2-lmHp2qgIJtCpEBjlG-vTNPeuHgYt1RfOzo4mi2rB9HkJchBgaNC5IpMQjq_hACMCL-q0KXIFmx/s320/christmas_dogs_cats.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><b>Lilly:</b> Pooh, you look ridiculous in that hat.<br /><br /><b>Pooh:</b> And you think this was my idea?<br /><br /><b>Lilly:</b> So, your paws don't reach your head anymore? You spending too much time bending over the food dish?<br /><br /><b>Pooh:</b> Have you looked in a mirror lately? Most people can't tell if you're a polar bear or what.<br /><br /><b>Lilly:</b> Yeah, well mom likes me best because she took me to get my picture with Santa Claus. I didn't see you getting your picture with Santa.<br /><br /><b>Pooh:</b> Wait one minute! You think I look ridiculous in a hat, but you're all excited to get your picture taken with a guy who has the same hat and a matching pajama-outfit to boot?<br /><br /><b>Lilly:</b> It's a people thing. They see this fellow once each year and get all excited about it. If they really like you, you're taken to meet him. I didn't see you get your picture taken, and, he gave me a treat.<br /><br /><b>Pooh:</b> So that makes you special?<br /><br /><b>Lilly:</b> What can I say... mom likes me best. <br /><br /><b>Pooh:</b> I sleep with mom, you don't. When she's watching TV, I get to sit in her lap, and you don't. I get to follow her into the bathroom and where ever she goes.<br /><br /><b>Lilly:</b> You still look dumb in that hat.<br /><br /><b>Pooh:</b> Maybe we should do what mom asked us to do and wish everyone a Merry Christmas.<br /><br /><b>Lilly:</b> Since I know Santa and you don't, maybe I should be the one to<br />wish everyone a Merry Christmas.<br /><br /><b>Pooh:</b> Why don't we do it together. . .<br /><br /><b>Pooh & Lilly:</b> <span style="color:#cc0000;">Merry Christmas everybody!</span><br /><br /><b>Lilly:</b> Pooh, that was nice, but you still look dumb in that hat.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-60171143613126663422006-12-10T17:20:00.000-07:002006-12-11T07:11:44.795-07:00Lilly - Criminal Dog! (part 1)<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNqp3xJSZBNtXK25gC5jaXs0kxd5OezMqqAjQ4qFkFSGTe-3sd3YvDYM5kIVMoAMwzqoD7t9SnY6enDI9GrWmP1yo1vHJMIZUL3hNVi921eWc_rvDrxH0k7bv2dT9mC27CtNiLaxtuD8e/s1600-h/criminal_dog.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5007061647254304770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNqp3xJSZBNtXK25gC5jaXs0kxd5OezMqqAjQ4qFkFSGTe-3sd3YvDYM5kIVMoAMwzqoD7t9SnY6enDI9GrWmP1yo1vHJMIZUL3hNVi921eWc_rvDrxH0k7bv2dT9mC27CtNiLaxtuD8e/s320/criminal_dog.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><strong>( Mug Shot)</strong> Lilly talking with Puff</span><br /></div><b></b><br /><b>Lilly:</b> Hey Puff, did you hear that a "good neighbor" of ours complained about my barking?<br /><br /><b>Puff:</b> You're a dog; you bark. Dogs bark, what's with that?<br /><br /><b>Lilly:</b> Yeah, but this guy called the sheriff! I feel like a criminal. No one ever call the police to complain about cats... that's not fair.<br /><br /><b>Puff:</b> They called "The Law" on you? For barking? How cool!<br /><br /><b>Lilly:</b> Dad didn't see it as "cool". I heard him talking to mom and they are as mad at this neighbor as they got at me when I had diarrhea in the living room. Apparently this neighbor is a real "piece of work", I heard dad say. In two years he never called to complain, just - up and calls the sheriff one day at 6:00 in the afternoon.<br /><br /><b>Puff:</b> So are you going to get arrested - do hard time? Will you get a jailhouse tattoo?<br /><br /><b>Lilly:</b> Well, I think the sheriff thought this was as funny as you do, he said that in six years on the job he had never cited a barking dog... especially out here in the country. No one seems to complain when I bark at bears, mountain lions or people coming up our drive. I wonder what caused this "good neighbor" of ours to cross over to the "dark side"?<br /><br /><b>Puff:</b> Let me get this straight... we live 10 miles outside of town on 5 densly wooded acres, you can't even see this neighbor's house from our front yard; we have carnivores like bears, mountain lions, coyotes (<em>oh my!</em>) as regular visitors and you're not allowed to bark? What do we need you for?<br /><br /><b>Lilly:</b> It seems the county has a law about barking dogs, but according to dad it is a really dumb law. It says that anyone can complain about a dog who is barking unduly", but unduly is not defined. Mom and dad don't know if unduly means I'm allowed to bark 2 min. per hour, 20 min. per hour, before midnight, after lunch, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only.... how dumb is that?<br /><br /><b>Puff:</b> So, I can complain, that is... I can sick the sheriff on you if you bark 5 times and I think you should only bark three times, is that how I understand this law? Do you have the sheriff's number handy?<br /><br /><b>Lilly:</b> And they don't think cats are as smart as dogs! Gee Puff, you're a regular Einstein!<br /><br /><b>Puff:</b> Thanks, is Einstein a cat or a dog?<br /><br /><b>Lilly:</b> Back to the important things... my liberty and legal limitations of my barking... mom and dad are meeting our "good neighbor" in court. They decided to make the county define when I'm allowed to bark and when I have to be quiet.<br /><br /><b>NOTE from the pack leader:</b> This conversation between Lilly and Puff(<em>may or</em>) may not have taken place, but the absurd citation for a barking dog was actually served. It was surprising enough to discover that here in rural Montana, a barking dog ordinance actually existed, but what is even more perplexing is that a neighbor living acres away was so inconsiderate as to never call or knock on our door to complain. Lilly's been doing her job as a watchdog for more than two years, and we have NEVER received a complaint from any neighbor.... until the sheriff knocked on our door.<br /><br /><i><b>To Be Continued...</b></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-39335326156765303382006-12-03T10:24:00.000-07:002006-12-10T17:37:50.816-07:00Miss Minnie's Cat HouseIn our last post we talked about Lilly Belle's fancy kennel, but the real celebrity critter around our place is Minnie, our "shop cat". Minnie's job in the spring and summer is to keep our prairie dog population at bay, and I must admit she does an admirable job. For the rest of the year, she roams our property and brings home anything that is smaller than her.<br /><br />As an outside cat, Minnie has to undergo some pretty harsh weather. She's slept outside when it has been twenty-below zero. But we don't just toss her in the garage and forget about her, she is actually quite a pampered kitten. Minnie has her own website and you need to visit "<a href="http://www.cat-house.us/garage_cat_house/index.html">Miss Minnie's Cat House</a>".<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cat-house.us/garage_cat_house/index.html"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 125px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 187px" height="236" alt="" src="http://www.cat-house.us/garage_cat_house/images/cat-house-for_garage_sm.jpg" border="0" /></a>Minnie's food is kept at the 'big house' so that it doesn't freeze. In the shop she has a heated water dish and her very own cat house with heated sleeping accommodations. You've gotta see this... Minnie's shop-condo is a 2-story affair lined in carpet (including the ramp to the 2nd. floor). The first floor is her feeding station, food storage, etc. To make thing easy, we use disposable paper trays instead of a food dish that would require daily washing.<br /><br />Miss Minnie earns her keep around here and we take care of her and treat her like a local celebrity.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-75539479141002858102006-11-25T07:32:00.000-07:002006-11-25T19:34:08.623-07:00House those cats and dogs!Our dog and three cats have a variety of living quarters. Lilly Belle, our Great Pyrenees considers planet earth to be her province. As any Great Pyrenees owner will tell you, a Pyr off the leash is a "<strong>Dis-a-Pyr</strong>" (<em>say that fast</em>). Consequently, if you don't live on a 5,000 acre ranch, Pyr's need to be fenced. Lilly's fenced play area is approximately one acre in size.<br /><br />Although she has her favorite perches, she will snooze anywhere. Lilly is not one to cuddle-up inside a dog house and stay out of the weather. On the contrary, she LOVES being out in the weather and nothing makes her happier than sleeping in the snow, regardless of the temperature. We have tried to make certain areas her 'den' and she has a wonderful 10-foot kennel lined with hay bales (<em>below</em>), but more often than not, she prefers to sleep out in the open where she can keep an eye on her flock... us.<br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/5450/580044056571223/320/416895/dog_kennel.jpg" border="0" /><br />A dog house for Lilly Belle is not something that is high on the priority list as we don't think she will make use of it. It is hard enough to get her to stay inside our home longer than a couple hours. She is driven to patrol the perimeter of her fence and do the job she was breed to do - guard.<br /><br />However, we've done a good bit of research in this area of dog houses and if you are in the market, I'd recommend you check out <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yfr57h">DogHouses.com</a>. They are the leading source for Wood Dog Houses, Plastic Dog Houses, and Crates and Kennels. From rustic looking log-style houses to barns and plastic designs of all types.<br /><ul><li>More about <a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/kennel_great_pyrenees.htm">Lilly's kennel</a></li><li>Check out <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yfr57h">DogHouses.com</a></li></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-67222308522206918602006-11-22T14:25:00.000-07:002006-11-22T14:59:52.165-07:00Thanksgiving Cats<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5450/580044056571223/1600/pooh_on_ladder_300px.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5450/580044056571223/400/pooh_on_ladder_300px.0.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p><b>Puff:</b> Pooh, what are you doing on that ladder?</p><p><b>Pooh:</b> I'm waiting for Thanksgiving.</p><p><b>Puff:</b> What is Thanksgiving?</p><p><b>Pooh:</b> I'm not really sure, but a bunch of 2-leggers show up, food is everywhere, I get petted for hours - and even Dad's in a good mood.</p><p><b>Puff:</b> Does Lilly know about this?</p><p><b>Pooh:</b> Lilly's a dog. She doesn't know about such things as Thanksgiving or even Indians and Pilgrims.</p><p><b>Puff:</b> What's Pilgrims and Indians?</p><p><b>Pooh:</b> Indians are like you and me, we were here first. We had the run of the whole house and we were happy. Then Lilly shows up and starts chasing us from place to place, eating our food and stealing our toys. Yeah, I think Lilly is a Pilgrim.</p><p><b>Puff:</b> Oh. I guess we're supposed to be thankful that we're not Pilgrims, is that it?</p><p><strong>Pooh:</strong> How would I know? Do you think I make this stuff up?</p><p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5450/580044056571223/1600/turkeydinner-cornuco.gif"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5450/580044056571223/320/turkeydinner-cornuco.gif" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong> </p><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Happy Thanksgiving</span><br />from Puff & Pooh<br />& Lilly Belle too!</strong></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-89154294211744811942006-11-19T12:53:00.000-07:002006-11-19T13:19:05.979-07:00Lilly Pad<a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/images/lilly_pooh_july_05.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/images/lilly_pooh_july_05.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hi gang, Lilly Belle here (<em>you know me, I'm the Great Pyrenees puppy</em>). In our last posting we talked aout 'ol Dad being a crafty fellow, and I have to tell you the he really likes me.<br /><br />Mom and dad are concerned that I might develop "hip dysplasia" (<em>whatever that is</em>) because I'm such a big puppy and that is supposed to be common in large breed dogs. Well anyway, I told you that my Dad loves me and here's why I believe that...<br /><br /><p>Dad likes to take me along with him when he goes to town. He drives a huge <a href="http://www.dodge-truck.us/">Dodge truck</a> that mom says she needs a step ladder to get into. They didn't want me to jump up or down from the back seat, so Dad invented a "<a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/lilly_pad/index.htm">Lilly Pad</a>".<br /><br />The back seats lift up and out of the way, so Dad built a platform that rests on the floor and he covered it with indoor/outdoor carpet. This is where I ride when we drive to town. What's more, he also built a step for me to use getting in and out of the truck. This truck step is also covered with carpet so I don't slip when I get excited. You can see my <a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/lilly_pad/lilly_pad.htm">truck step here</a>.<br /><br />See, if my Dad didn't love me do you think he'd make me all these cool things? Oh and BTW, that's me and Pooh watching people walk up the stairs.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-3753882204839877962006-11-13T18:33:00.000-07:002006-11-19T13:19:58.981-07:00Walking the dog - in style!Lilly's 2-legged dad is a crafty kind of fellow. Nothing makes him happier than tinkering in his shop. The best part about old Dad's tinkering is that he creates the neatest things for me and the furry members of the family.<br /><br />Dad is religious about walking Lilly every day - weather permitting. He even walks her in the rain. The only weather condition that puts a halt to the daily walks is ICE. The problem is that Lilly needs her exercise whether there is ice on the road or not. This posed a problem and the need for Dad to spend time in the shop looking for a solution.<br /><br />We have a Yamaha ATV, and we have taken Lilly out to run while we ride the ATV and hold the leash. However, in bad weather both hands should be on the handlebars to work the brakes and accelerator. Not having three hands, Dad's answer was to attach Lilly's leash to the ATV.<br /><br />Now anybody could tie the leash to the bumper, or metal racks on the front and rear, but that wouldn't do for Dad. No, he had to devise a special mounting system that permitted quick attachment and disconnects.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/dog_leash_bracket/index.htm"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/dog_leash_bracket/pyrenees_leash_atv.jpg" border="0" /></a>In addition to being a crafty kind of fellow, Dad's also a closet geek and he made a webpage that shows you all the steps in creating a mounting bracket for Lilly's retractable leash. <a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/dog_leash_bracket/index.htm">See Lilly's ATV leash project here!<br /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4751720911431464266.post-31287336095172137992006-11-12T07:18:00.000-07:002006-11-12T07:43:29.415-07:00Welcome to my purrrrfect blogHello, and thanks for stopping by. I have great hopes for this blog. The critters I share my life with are more than just pets, they're part of my family. The pure joy that they provide me every day was the motivation behind this blog. Their antics, pictures and funny stories will force a smile and bring joy to your day. Please come by often - take a break and enjoy.<br /><br />My furry family and I make our home in northwest Montana with my husband , daughter, three cats and our 100+ lb. <a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/lilly/03_16_06.htm" target="_blank">Great Pyrenees "puppy"</a>, Lilly Belle. All of our critters have their own websites. Yes, that's me being kept warm by two sister kittens, Puff and Pooh.<br /><br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5450/580044056571223/320/about_us_1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="http://www.puffandpooh.com/">Puff and Pooh's</a> site is written as a children's story and tells of their daily adventures in and around their home. Our "mouser" is named Minnie and to learn of her exploits, you need to visit <a href="http://www.cat-house.us/">Miss Minnie's Cat House</a>. She lives in the shop and has a very unique "cat house" with whole-house heating and a dining room!<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.great-pyrenees.us/"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/5450/580044056571223/320/lilly_03_16_06a.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>Our Pyr is named Lilly Belle and although she tips the scales at one hundred pounds, she's just a puppy. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0