Posted in authors, books, dogs, Family, Fiction, friends, health, humor, Jansen Schmidt, love, reading, success, words, writers, writing, tagged authors, body aches, book signing, books, cats, comedians, dogs, labrador retriever, labs, losing a dog, malaise, men, quiet house, sore throat, speaking, speaking engagement, Youtube on November 5, 2018| 10 Comments »
I’ve had a hard couple of weeks. Some of you know, my super sweet, almost 15-year-old Labrador Retriever, Sherlock, had to be put to rest on the 11th of October. It was one of the hardest days of my life. I’ve never had to make THAT decision before. Here’s a picture of him in his glory days.
Sherlock and miniature Thor. Photo by P. Rickrode.
Posted in authors, blogging, dogs, drinks, Family, Fiction, friends, Holidays, humor, Jansen Schmidt, love, writing, tagged celebrations, child, childless, children, dogs, fur babies, fur baby, labrador retriever, labs, mother's day, motherless, mothers, toasts on May 14, 2018| 6 Comments »
So yesterday was a day to celebrate our mothers. We all have, or had, a mother who in so many ways changed and shaped our lives for better or worse, hopefully better. I lost my mother to cancer in 2008 and I miss her darn near every single day. My husband lost his mother in . . . em . . . 2002 I believe. So, we’re both motherless and therefore don’t “celebrate” our mothers on Mother’s Day except via clinking of glasses when we go out to eat in their honor. (more…)
Posted in Baer House Inn, blogging, dogs, Family, friends, humor, Jansen Schmidt, love, writing, tagged aging, aging dogs, buddies, canine, canine love, dog poop, doggie door, family dog, fetch, labrador retriever, life lessons, old dogs, patience, playing, porch, stairs on November 6, 2017| 11 Comments »
I have a purebred AKC registered yellow lab, who is the sweetest dog on the planet (IMHO). Everyone here at the inn loves him and return guests always ask about him. Most guests won’t leave until they’ve said good-bye to Sherlock. He’s quite the celebrity. (more…)
Posted in dogs, Family, Fiction, friends, humor, Jansen Schmidt, love, words, writers, writing, tagged bathroom, canines, dog brains, dog chasing ball, dog dreams, dog pillows, fetch, labrador retriever, labradors, pets, play fetch, seizure, tennis ball, yellow lab on March 7, 2016| 9 Comments »
As you all know, I have an old yellow lab and he is awesome! I love him. He makes me laugh and smile and cry and shake my head in wonderment. He can also make me mad, but I’m taking the high road on that one.
I don’t know about you guys, but my dog does some really weird stuff. It confuses me. Like where he chooses to lay, for instance. Sometimes I just can’t figure it out. Usually he chooses the absolute worst place to lay. It’s usually right underfoot and in a dangerous spot. Why right there? Can’t you see I’m working right there?
And what’s up with the whole bathroom thing? I go into the bathroom and sit down on the throne and bam – there he is – right in my business. Really? Do you have to stick your nose there? Sheesh. I do not need to be watched while I’m in the restroom. It’s weird. It freaks me out. I have to lock the bathroom door to keep my dog out. Who else does this?
The dreaming is downright scary sometimes. I’ve often thought he was having a seizure or something with all the shaking and leg flailing and whatnot. The silent jowl quivering as if he’s growling at something big and scary. He does that all the time. Almost every night. What gives? All that whimpering and whining is annoying in the middle of the night. But, I love him and I’m worried about him so I sneak out of bed, squat down next to his oversized doggie pillow and rub his tummy until he stops. What is wrong with me? I’m a big ole softie.
They say dogs dream much like humans dream. If that’s the case, my dog has a nightmare every single night. Better him than me I guess. Weird.
The final confusing characteristic is his constant begging to play, but then when you throw his stick he won’t let go of it when he brings it back. Seriously? I’m not playing tug-of-war. I’ll throw it over and over if you’ll just let go of it. I’m not sure if he thinks he’ll never see it again and if relinquishes the stick to me or what? It’s so weird. I find myself negotiating with him about dropping the stick. I say things like, “You look like you want to play, but you’re not letting me play, too.” Or, “Do you want to play or not? Cuz if you want to play, you’re going to have to drop the stick.” “I’d really love to throw that stick, but I can’t if you don’t drop it.” Etc. etc.
Reasoning with a dog is just plain strange. And yet, that’s what I do. I can’t figure this whole thing out. Sometimes I’ll even throw a different stick (or ball), just to get him to drop the first one, but, nope; he’ll just chase after the second one with the first one still in his mouth. What a goofball.
Does your dog do anything bizarre? Do you often shake your head or roll you eyes at your dog? I mean, dogs are the bomb and all, but sometimes I truly wonder what goes on in their little dog brains.
Word of the Day: Cabestro
Fun fact about me: I never appreciated our pets until I had a puppy of my own. (Sorry Barney Boy. I was a bad human.)
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, March 2016. Photos courtesy Google Images.
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