Archive for the ‘The Little Darlings (Dogs)’ Category

Mar 27
2008

Green Dogs

I don’t think I’m particularly obsessed with things being perfectly trimmed and even in my garden…

I always tell people that a little bit of wildness breathes life into a greenspace. This philosophy also happens to make it easier to justify the times when I don’t exactly get everything done to perfection in the garden. There isn’t time to do everything and to do it well, so a laissez-faire policy seems to work as well as any to justify what I do (or don’t do).

So I have to wonder if I have the discipline and patience to accomplish a topiary. Can I do all that training and trimming and spritzing and pinning? Do I even have the time?

I may have to give it a try. I have fallen in love with green dogs–topiary dogs.

Take a look at this pooch from the Philadelphia Flower Show, accomplished with multiple varieties of ivies. Some are solid and some are variegated. See the little pine needle sprigs for his whiskers?

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There was a whole topiary dog park at the flower show, complete with the obligatory fire hydrant. Some were sniffing and some were playing. I thought this fellow lolling on his back for a tummy rub was clever.

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Since I adore dogs, I think a nice green dog would be a wonderful addition to my garden. And I have extraordinary patience with my real dogs. Perhaps that would transfer to a topiary dog.

Wait. What’s this?

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Nice try, Sarah, but topiary dogs are green, not brown.

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Um. Okay, you’re partly green now. But you’re still not a topiary dog.

Robin

Wonder where I’ve been?

Well, between that wretched cold, business travel and generally trying to keep my head above water, I have been the victim of extortion.

See this sweet little dog? She may look innocent. She’s not. She’s my extortionist.

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The Extortionist, Sarah

Here’s how she operates:

She scratches at the door to go outside. I figure, “Sarah needs to go potty.”

I take her outside–in the freezing cold. She sniffs. She observes the beautiful sky. She wanders around and scratches at the ground.

Nothing. Nada.

We go back inside. A short while later she scratches at the door.

“You didn’t do anything last time.” More scratching. “You’re gonna poop on my floor if I don’t take you outside, aren’t you?”

Innocent look. (See above photo.)

More scratching at door.

We go outside. She sniffs some more. Looks around. Wanders around.

Repeat this scene about 20 times during an eight-hour period, each time with Little Miss Innocent threatening to poop on my hardwood floors.

See what I have to put up with around here? It’s a wonder I get anything done in the wintertime.

Robin

Nov 11
2007

Mexican Standoff

I very much love sending my imposing 10 pound Papillons to chase the deer away from our yard and garden.

Who knew that a little ball of fur could be so scary? Remember seeing Sarah terrify the deer and sending them scurrying?

Well, I am sad to report that the deer just might be catching on that my Papillons have their limits. We had a bit of a Mexican standoff this morning. Since the grass was wet, Sophie and Sarah were loathe to wade in to eat the deer.

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The deer, sensing the hesitation, took advantage of the situation and stared back at the Papillons.

More staring ensued…

Until Sarah worked up her courage to wade into the high, wet grass.

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The deer, finally leaped out of sight.

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No more deer.

Good job, babies.

Robin

Right Now at Bumblebee

February 6th, 2012

Another Monday.

Harry and I spent the better part of the weekend painting the master bedroom. We traded off between rolling and detail work and we both made our fair share of messes. For a while Sophie perched on top of a chaise to supervise our work. Sarah was distraught. She does not like change.

Today we get back to normal. I will have to do something about my manicure. Speckled fingernails in Benjamin Moore Light Pewter is not really a good look.

Here’s wishing you a happy, calm and productive week.

Robin

February 3rd, 2012

If you’re in the neighborhood and just happen to have your paintbrush and paint clothes with you, stop on by. Harry and I are taking the day off from work to start painting the master bedroom. We figure it’ll take until Sunday. Harry does most of the rolling—no small chore with high ceilings—and I do all the tedious detail work. You, of course, can pitch in wherever you like.

We’re painting it a dove grey. So if you see some grey in my hair in the next few days, it’s paint. Got it? The grey is paint.

Robin

February 2nd, 2012

Happy Groundhog Day! What are you doing to celebrate?

We’ll have a special dinner of NOT groundhog. Dinner will be a special pasta (TBD) and some yummy homemade yeast rolls. Then we’ll pull out the photo album of past Groundhog Days and reminisce. We will toast Puxatawny Phil by opening the first bottle of my homemade apfelwein, which I hope is sparkly by now. If it’s any good, you’ll hear more about it.

Cheers!

Robin

February 1st, 2012

Working from a home office is not always what it’s cracked up to be. I have a lousy IT department (me). Interruptions range from barking dogs to crowing roosters. I hear my business phone ring during non-business hours.

But there is a lot good about a 15 step commute. Such as today. It’s cloudy and a bit drizzly, but the temps will climb into the mid 60s for the second day in a row. I will turn off the heat, throw open the windows and give the house—and office—a good airing. Ahhh!

Robin

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