Bill Bishop was planning to revive aspects of my old website Freddy K's Unofficial 400 Squadron website when lo & behold he found a gentleman from Holland who has resurrected a number of the old Geocities Websites including mine! Bill told me about these ReoCities sites and posted the fantastic news at Propwash:
http://400sqn.blogspot.com/2011/05/joyful-breaking-news.html
Check out his post and click the link there. I was amazed! While an archive I mentioned in my Fireside Chat of 2010 did have much of the text of my old site, all the pictures & graphics were gone. But here at ReoCities - it's a complete snapshot of my site from late 2002 with ALL the photo galleries (save one at present) intact!
I'm ecstatic! Some of those photos were lost until now! It's like revisiting an old friend. Working on that site during the 911 period and afterwards was my way of getting through that terrible time & it's wonderful to see it preserved!
Thanks Bill for finding this. And a big thanks to those at ReoCities!
Per Ardua Ad Astra,
Freddy K
Monday, May 30, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Sweetie & Precious Victoria Day 2011
12 week old Precious the Golden Retriever is able to climb on Muskoka chairs & drawing less blood these days!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Wally Jaremko's Sentiments
At Bill Bishop's 400 Squadron gathering last summer it was great to see a few familiar faces from my era. But it was also wonderful to meet a few people from Bill's era, before my time. One of these that I had not met before was Wally Jaremko. Wally was a Commanding Officer at one time. He was now in bad health and said he had little time left. In the past he had viewed my website and I had his email address so he use to receive my email newsletters, when I use to send those out to the troops. He received my email message about Bill's party and decided at the last minute to drop by, as it would probably be the last Air Force related event he would attend.
He gave me a couple of photocopied photos. He shared a bunch of stories. He related to a few of us some feelings about a pilot I knew from my period (let's call him Major Chas). He always felt that It was a shame that the Major was never made Commanding Officer of 400. He knew him well when the Major was a Junior Rank in the unit. Watched him go through pilot triaining and followed his career through the ranks, his pilot career at Air Canada, and Wally still kept in touch after he retired from 400.
I liked Chas. He was compitent, confident, a favourite among the Junior Ranks, his peer pilots - I think everyone liked him. He loved to party, fraternize with the techs, and blow of steam. When we were in North Bay, he brought out his violin, wore his apron with the bottle opener dong, and sang bawdy songs with us. Although he commanded respect, you could trust him - he had your back, whether in the air or on the ground in some misadventure!
I don't know how the selection process for CO works. Wally offered no suggestion as to why Chas was overlooked for the position. I would guess that image or political agendas might have something to do with it. In which case, Chas's popularity and party image, his lack of detachment from the troops, may have been considered a detriment compared to other candidates. So he was always overlooked. Yet Chas bled 400 and when he was moved to another unit, he went but his loyalty and heart was always with Canada's Senior Squadron.
I wasn't shocked when the news broke about the base commander of Trenton had a secret side that included murder. dismayed but not shocked. Everyone has a "Heart of Darkness" (from Joseph Conrad's book that was referenced in the film "Apocalypse Now") that can appear if allowed to flourish. A Colonel at Trenton can be viewed like a god, at least they were at one time. I don't know the man's background but he was probably groomed as a pilot. The privileged who never were denied can begin to believe that, like a well known quote from a Canadian politician, that they are "entitled to their entitlements". Or like the recent head of the IMF, they can get away with their sexual assaults because of their position & power. The Colonel went from kink, to rape, to serial killings. Someone, subordinates, peers, or superiors, must have had an inkling that something wasn't quite kosher, you'd think. Perhaps an underling who was instructed to say he was somewhere when he was actually breaking into women's houses? But there is a tendency to cover for a powerful person in the military. Or perhaps this fellow was so skilled at playing the game that he could deceive everyone into believing that he was a good guy? It seems that many these days have trouble determining merit. The gate keepers and decision makers seem to be asleep at the switch and allow the unworthy to pass. Perhaps because they are fooled by image and the gift of gab, or is it because they are bound by agendas and are blind to quality?
President Harry Truman famously said "The buck stops here". A training instructor of mine told me that if you screw up, get caught, you take your lumps. You don't find a scapegoat, deflect blame, just man up, accept your responsibility and receive punishment. But these kind of sentiments appear to belong in Truman's time or at least a generation ago. These days nobody wants to be accountable or take responsibility. Even those who are paid the big bucks to ultimately be responsible. I recall a city official who allegedly embezzled public funds and gambled them away at casinos. He was found out and dismissed. Not a dime was recovered. He then sued the city for wrongful dismissal because the poor man was sick! So then he"s entitled to severances or bonuses on top of what he absconded with? Then there were the Wall Street firms whose greed caused the final meltdown of recent years. Some of these characters got government bailout money, so they could have bonuses & perks, while the Average Joes lost their homes! Or the incompetent folks at EHealth, who wasted tons of money and now must also receive various payouts?!
Ever hear of the broken window theory? When I was a kid & we broke someone's window, dad owned up to the cost & we were punished. Then things changed sometime. Parents refused to take responsibility for their errant kids action. They denied that " my kid would do that".at abandoned buildings, broken windows became the norm. No one cares. Maybe it is learned early now that you can get away with it and later on, that you just need a good lawyer & money (like O.J. Simpson had).
Well Wally could recognize merit when he saw it. He said to Bill that for future events, Bill should contact Chas to get the word out & muster the troops. Such is the clout that Chas still has among the retired pilots & probably current ones too. The class acts are known among many, if you are around long enough and look. In these days of mobile talent, people who leap frog around for promotions or are parachuted into an organization, it's harder to know what they're made of. But Chas had the Right Stuff. Air Commodore Burchill too. It's apparent to many.
He gave me a couple of photocopied photos. He shared a bunch of stories. He related to a few of us some feelings about a pilot I knew from my period (let's call him Major Chas). He always felt that It was a shame that the Major was never made Commanding Officer of 400. He knew him well when the Major was a Junior Rank in the unit. Watched him go through pilot triaining and followed his career through the ranks, his pilot career at Air Canada, and Wally still kept in touch after he retired from 400.
I liked Chas. He was compitent, confident, a favourite among the Junior Ranks, his peer pilots - I think everyone liked him. He loved to party, fraternize with the techs, and blow of steam. When we were in North Bay, he brought out his violin, wore his apron with the bottle opener dong, and sang bawdy songs with us. Although he commanded respect, you could trust him - he had your back, whether in the air or on the ground in some misadventure!
I don't know how the selection process for CO works. Wally offered no suggestion as to why Chas was overlooked for the position. I would guess that image or political agendas might have something to do with it. In which case, Chas's popularity and party image, his lack of detachment from the troops, may have been considered a detriment compared to other candidates. So he was always overlooked. Yet Chas bled 400 and when he was moved to another unit, he went but his loyalty and heart was always with Canada's Senior Squadron.
I wasn't shocked when the news broke about the base commander of Trenton had a secret side that included murder. dismayed but not shocked. Everyone has a "Heart of Darkness" (from Joseph Conrad's book that was referenced in the film "Apocalypse Now") that can appear if allowed to flourish. A Colonel at Trenton can be viewed like a god, at least they were at one time. I don't know the man's background but he was probably groomed as a pilot. The privileged who never were denied can begin to believe that, like a well known quote from a Canadian politician, that they are "entitled to their entitlements". Or like the recent head of the IMF, they can get away with their sexual assaults because of their position & power. The Colonel went from kink, to rape, to serial killings. Someone, subordinates, peers, or superiors, must have had an inkling that something wasn't quite kosher, you'd think. Perhaps an underling who was instructed to say he was somewhere when he was actually breaking into women's houses? But there is a tendency to cover for a powerful person in the military. Or perhaps this fellow was so skilled at playing the game that he could deceive everyone into believing that he was a good guy? It seems that many these days have trouble determining merit. The gate keepers and decision makers seem to be asleep at the switch and allow the unworthy to pass. Perhaps because they are fooled by image and the gift of gab, or is it because they are bound by agendas and are blind to quality?
President Harry Truman famously said "The buck stops here". A training instructor of mine told me that if you screw up, get caught, you take your lumps. You don't find a scapegoat, deflect blame, just man up, accept your responsibility and receive punishment. But these kind of sentiments appear to belong in Truman's time or at least a generation ago. These days nobody wants to be accountable or take responsibility. Even those who are paid the big bucks to ultimately be responsible. I recall a city official who allegedly embezzled public funds and gambled them away at casinos. He was found out and dismissed. Not a dime was recovered. He then sued the city for wrongful dismissal because the poor man was sick! So then he"s entitled to severances or bonuses on top of what he absconded with? Then there were the Wall Street firms whose greed caused the final meltdown of recent years. Some of these characters got government bailout money, so they could have bonuses & perks, while the Average Joes lost their homes! Or the incompetent folks at EHealth, who wasted tons of money and now must also receive various payouts?!
Ever hear of the broken window theory? When I was a kid & we broke someone's window, dad owned up to the cost & we were punished. Then things changed sometime. Parents refused to take responsibility for their errant kids action. They denied that " my kid would do that".at abandoned buildings, broken windows became the norm. No one cares. Maybe it is learned early now that you can get away with it and later on, that you just need a good lawyer & money (like O.J. Simpson had).
Well Wally could recognize merit when he saw it. He said to Bill that for future events, Bill should contact Chas to get the word out & muster the troops. Such is the clout that Chas still has among the retired pilots & probably current ones too. The class acts are known among many, if you are around long enough and look. In these days of mobile talent, people who leap frog around for promotions or are parachuted into an organization, it's harder to know what they're made of. But Chas had the Right Stuff. Air Commodore Burchill too. It's apparent to many.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
We're Still Here!
Well may 21 came and went and surprise, the world is still here! Yet another doomsday believer has been proven incorrect, as they have each time throughout history. So it's a pretty safe bet in Vegas to bet against every one of these prophets. Now next year is 2012 when the Mayan calendar ends and some believe that this means the end of days. I liked the movie 2012. But I'm inclined to go along with other experts who say that the ancient civilization didn't suggest that the calendar meant the end of the world but that the calendar restarts a new cycle. If anything, it suggests a new era in the world. I'll put my bet on this interpretation. So Mother Earth will likely be around next year.
This isn't to say that in the distant future the sun won't go supernova or that the world might be smashed into bits by a rogue passing asteroid but that end will come quick without prophesy. The privileged might have already gotten out of Dodge to a galaxy far, far away. The great unwashed may have only time to bend over & kiss their ass goodbye! Maybe that should be the final chapter for human kind on this planet. But some may have moved outward to a new home in the universe. But not today. Obla dee obla dah life goes on!
This isn't to say that in the distant future the sun won't go supernova or that the world might be smashed into bits by a rogue passing asteroid but that end will come quick without prophesy. The privileged might have already gotten out of Dodge to a galaxy far, far away. The great unwashed may have only time to bend over & kiss their ass goodbye! Maybe that should be the final chapter for human kind on this planet. But some may have moved outward to a new home in the universe. But not today. Obla dee obla dah life goes on!
Monday, May 23, 2011
They finally got Osama
Well the US Navy Seals succeeded in eliminating one of the most wanted men of all time. Finally. I was pleased about the turn of events. Not jump for joy & dance in the streets kind of elated, but nonetheless pleased that they finally took him out.. It was far too long coming though. For years it was a running joke among comics that they couldn't find him with all the assets they have available? The US became overly reliant on technology in the War on Terrorism. Satellites, Predator drones, cruise missiles & other costly Precission Guided Munitions have there place but aren't particularly effective at targeting a specific individual & verifying that you have indeed taken him out. It comes back to elite forces that are well trained & equipped.
Watched a piece on 60 Minutes the other night about an intelligence operative with the NSA who blew the whistle on a program called Trailblazer which was supposed to aid the War on Terror by analyzing the huge amount of data collected from the Internet. The system ran over budget to the sum of millions & never worked. The brass at the NSA bought into this boondoggle despite being told that it wouldn't work by the operative in this story. He went through channels including Congress but no one listened. So he leaked details to the press. The short story is that he was right, no one was held accountable for this screw up, but the fellow who brought it to light is incarcerated, charged as an enemy of the state! There is legislation to protect Whistle Blowers but it hasn't been effective - particularly against the rich & powerful when their secrets are leaked. Look at the head of Wiki Leaks, they are trying to put him away.
Do you remember Ronald Regan's "Star Wars" initiative? Another expensive, high tech solution that failed to fly. Sometimes there's no substitute for skilled "boots on the ground" and solid intelligence (something completely lacking with regards WMDs in Iraq).
You also have to have the will to win. The Russians had it during the Second World War at places like Stalingrad. The US didn't have it in Vietnam. Field commanders complained that whenever they made gains they had to hold back or pull back for political or other reasons. It seems to me that if you are in it to win it, then you must be as ruthless as your enemy - even more so. The Japanese were particularly ruthless during WWII. I heard a story that they weren't afraid of US Marines with their superior numbers or equipment. They were afraid of the Gurkhas from Nepal. These soldiers fought for Britain. While the Japanese were adept at jungle warfare, the Gurkhas were supposedly the masters. They could smell the enemy in pitch dark, sneak up silently and strike with their unique knives. But I heard they terrorized the Japanese by such things as cutting their boot laces while they slept. It could easily have been their throats. They wouldn't sleep after that.
In Afghanistan today our troops face a ruthless enemy that beheads journalists on camera or hides explosives behind burkhas. To lessen the number of our people who come home in body bags it makes sense that your troops be well trained, elite soldiers. Not cooks or logistics personnel with some basic training. Likewise they have to be as well armed or better than the enemy to be fearsome. Back in my day, fellow's who were on peace keeping missions complained that when you are armed with a pistol and the opposition walks around with AK 47s, they don't take you very seriously. I recall one fellow's account of how the combatants in Cypress rolled right over their UN position! Being nice guy Canadian peace keepers in blue helmets wasn't a deterrent at all.
We did have the elite Airbourne Division at one time. But I believe it was the unacceptable photos of some members torturing and humiliating Somaliis, that brought down the unit and led to disbandment. We are civilized people and torture is dis-tasteful but one should remember what conditions were like in Somalia. If you recall the movie Blackhawks Down, you may get a sense of the chaos of the warlords with their kids in heavily armed Technicals.
Today units like the Airbourne Regiment would be handy, if you want to win. Obama has his units. The Brits have the SAS. They got Bin Laden. But it's far from over. It would be wise to have more arrows in the quiver.
Watched a piece on 60 Minutes the other night about an intelligence operative with the NSA who blew the whistle on a program called Trailblazer which was supposed to aid the War on Terror by analyzing the huge amount of data collected from the Internet. The system ran over budget to the sum of millions & never worked. The brass at the NSA bought into this boondoggle despite being told that it wouldn't work by the operative in this story. He went through channels including Congress but no one listened. So he leaked details to the press. The short story is that he was right, no one was held accountable for this screw up, but the fellow who brought it to light is incarcerated, charged as an enemy of the state! There is legislation to protect Whistle Blowers but it hasn't been effective - particularly against the rich & powerful when their secrets are leaked. Look at the head of Wiki Leaks, they are trying to put him away.
Do you remember Ronald Regan's "Star Wars" initiative? Another expensive, high tech solution that failed to fly. Sometimes there's no substitute for skilled "boots on the ground" and solid intelligence (something completely lacking with regards WMDs in Iraq).
You also have to have the will to win. The Russians had it during the Second World War at places like Stalingrad. The US didn't have it in Vietnam. Field commanders complained that whenever they made gains they had to hold back or pull back for political or other reasons. It seems to me that if you are in it to win it, then you must be as ruthless as your enemy - even more so. The Japanese were particularly ruthless during WWII. I heard a story that they weren't afraid of US Marines with their superior numbers or equipment. They were afraid of the Gurkhas from Nepal. These soldiers fought for Britain. While the Japanese were adept at jungle warfare, the Gurkhas were supposedly the masters. They could smell the enemy in pitch dark, sneak up silently and strike with their unique knives. But I heard they terrorized the Japanese by such things as cutting their boot laces while they slept. It could easily have been their throats. They wouldn't sleep after that.
In Afghanistan today our troops face a ruthless enemy that beheads journalists on camera or hides explosives behind burkhas. To lessen the number of our people who come home in body bags it makes sense that your troops be well trained, elite soldiers. Not cooks or logistics personnel with some basic training. Likewise they have to be as well armed or better than the enemy to be fearsome. Back in my day, fellow's who were on peace keeping missions complained that when you are armed with a pistol and the opposition walks around with AK 47s, they don't take you very seriously. I recall one fellow's account of how the combatants in Cypress rolled right over their UN position! Being nice guy Canadian peace keepers in blue helmets wasn't a deterrent at all.
We did have the elite Airbourne Division at one time. But I believe it was the unacceptable photos of some members torturing and humiliating Somaliis, that brought down the unit and led to disbandment. We are civilized people and torture is dis-tasteful but one should remember what conditions were like in Somalia. If you recall the movie Blackhawks Down, you may get a sense of the chaos of the warlords with their kids in heavily armed Technicals.
Today units like the Airbourne Regiment would be handy, if you want to win. Obama has his units. The Brits have the SAS. They got Bin Laden. But it's far from over. It would be wise to have more arrows in the quiver.
To those I've offended over the years...
An apology to those I've offended. Yes, some of my musings & postings have offended a few over the years. If I haven't offended you...where did I go wrong? How did I manage to miss you? :)
But seriously, when one is controversial, some are going to be offended. I also know that a few enjoyed my stuff over the years. The vast majority are simply ambivalent. That is the way of the world with all things. Socrates said that the life unexamined isn't worth living. I've done a lot of examination of my life - the good, the bad, and the things that I'm ambivalent of.
At one time, I'd become indignant if someone attacked my creative efforts. But lately I'm attempting to adoptba Buddhist like sentiment of detachment. Live in the moment. I put my work out there, it was of interest to me at that moment. But that moment is gone. That part of my life is now gone & no longer relevant or important. So rather than debate or fight, move on. I've removed the subject matter from this Blog and from YouTube. Perhaps the offended will be happy?
The facts are that those posts were never popular. There was no chance of them going viral! The interest in the subject matter was minimal with few views. I hold the copyright to the material but realistically it can't compare to interest in the stuff like a Roy Orbison clip or of a clip from Dancing With The Stars - material that is not mine but the copyright holders don't demand removal as it's extra publicity.
I use to get into debates with those who criticized my material. Those that would say something like that my karaoke was the worst they ever heard. Or that my Cuban Slang was terrible with bad pronunciation, grammar & spelling. I've always offered the challenge that they're welcome to do a better rendition of the song or since they are Miami Cuban & it's their culture, why don't they do a better slang video? The challenge would go unanswered. I've come to just let it go. Look where it's coming from. Negative feedback from young people who merely trash but don't post themselves. Don't create. Like Clint Eastwood said in a movie, "Opinions are like assholes - everybody's got one. And they've got they're right to have them. When I see something I don't like I can always hit the delete key.
These are wondrous times we live in. Computer music fascinated me in the late 1980s. Email and web sites in the late 1990s. The recent mobile explosion and iOS devices like tablets are the future post PC era. With social media like Facebook and twitter, despots in Egypt can be brought down and companies like Toyota or Sony Playstation can feel the wrath of the public when 77 million people,s info is at jeopardy. Books can now be instantly downloaded to eReaders like Kindle, IBooks and others. Never before has there been an era for expression. These are wondrous times. And that's where my interest & curiosity lies.
But seriously, when one is controversial, some are going to be offended. I also know that a few enjoyed my stuff over the years. The vast majority are simply ambivalent. That is the way of the world with all things. Socrates said that the life unexamined isn't worth living. I've done a lot of examination of my life - the good, the bad, and the things that I'm ambivalent of.
At one time, I'd become indignant if someone attacked my creative efforts. But lately I'm attempting to adoptba Buddhist like sentiment of detachment. Live in the moment. I put my work out there, it was of interest to me at that moment. But that moment is gone. That part of my life is now gone & no longer relevant or important. So rather than debate or fight, move on. I've removed the subject matter from this Blog and from YouTube. Perhaps the offended will be happy?
The facts are that those posts were never popular. There was no chance of them going viral! The interest in the subject matter was minimal with few views. I hold the copyright to the material but realistically it can't compare to interest in the stuff like a Roy Orbison clip or of a clip from Dancing With The Stars - material that is not mine but the copyright holders don't demand removal as it's extra publicity.
I use to get into debates with those who criticized my material. Those that would say something like that my karaoke was the worst they ever heard. Or that my Cuban Slang was terrible with bad pronunciation, grammar & spelling. I've always offered the challenge that they're welcome to do a better rendition of the song or since they are Miami Cuban & it's their culture, why don't they do a better slang video? The challenge would go unanswered. I've come to just let it go. Look where it's coming from. Negative feedback from young people who merely trash but don't post themselves. Don't create. Like Clint Eastwood said in a movie, "Opinions are like assholes - everybody's got one. And they've got they're right to have them. When I see something I don't like I can always hit the delete key.
These are wondrous times we live in. Computer music fascinated me in the late 1980s. Email and web sites in the late 1990s. The recent mobile explosion and iOS devices like tablets are the future post PC era. With social media like Facebook and twitter, despots in Egypt can be brought down and companies like Toyota or Sony Playstation can feel the wrath of the public when 77 million people,s info is at jeopardy. Books can now be instantly downloaded to eReaders like Kindle, IBooks and others. Never before has there been an era for expression. These are wondrous times. And that's where my interest & curiosity lies.
Propwash Takes To The Cloud
Had a nice video Skype chat with Billy Bishop yesterday. Bill informed me that he's working at putting his Propwash Blog in the Cloud where it will be accessible even after he is gone. Sounds great! Again Bill has wonderful ideas for keeping 400 Squadron alive in cyberspace (along with Downsview). He asked for my feedback on upcoming aspects. Also the re-issue of my old "On Guard" series of stories, with the thought that they could be done as a "video book". While I'm of the mindset lately to go forward rather than back, I do have the time now & the prospect of doing it geared towards the generation that doesn't read - either as audio or video, is an interesting challenge.
I said to Bill that rewrites would be required. Given that On Guard was based on events from about 30 years ago, written 10 years ago - it could offend people's sensibilities today. To which Bill replied that a great part of the allure of the stories was my style and I shouln't change a word for the sake of political correctness or potential complaints. Well thank you Bill. It's wonderful to have a supportive Editor!
When the articles first ran, I did have one complaint accompanied by the threat to sue. I worked with the complainant on a suitable rewrite of that segment and all was well. Indeed, during the 8 years of my unofficial 400 Squadron website, the Squadron never complained or interfered with my content. In fact, the powers that be in the form of Warrant Officer Fisher appreciated my site as a means to get the word out about reunions and for finding lost alumni. Being Canada's oldest Air Force unit, there have many members over the years. And unlike Harper banning potential hecklers from his rallies, the Squadron isn't afraid of some heckling (anyone who ever attended a Christmas Dinner will remember the abuse that the CO and Officers took for tradition & morale)!
No the Airforce community was largely appreciative of my work. I can't always say the same for websites I did for cigars or old car clubs, who criticized but couln't contribute.
I look forward to continuing this effort with Bill. "Per Ardua Ad Astra".
-Freddy K
I said to Bill that rewrites would be required. Given that On Guard was based on events from about 30 years ago, written 10 years ago - it could offend people's sensibilities today. To which Bill replied that a great part of the allure of the stories was my style and I shouln't change a word for the sake of political correctness or potential complaints. Well thank you Bill. It's wonderful to have a supportive Editor!
When the articles first ran, I did have one complaint accompanied by the threat to sue. I worked with the complainant on a suitable rewrite of that segment and all was well. Indeed, during the 8 years of my unofficial 400 Squadron website, the Squadron never complained or interfered with my content. In fact, the powers that be in the form of Warrant Officer Fisher appreciated my site as a means to get the word out about reunions and for finding lost alumni. Being Canada's oldest Air Force unit, there have many members over the years. And unlike Harper banning potential hecklers from his rallies, the Squadron isn't afraid of some heckling (anyone who ever attended a Christmas Dinner will remember the abuse that the CO and Officers took for tradition & morale)!
No the Airforce community was largely appreciative of my work. I can't always say the same for websites I did for cigars or old car clubs, who criticized but couln't contribute.
I look forward to continuing this effort with Bill. "Per Ardua Ad Astra".
-Freddy K
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Puppy Class
11 week old Precious at her 1st Puppy Class, playing with her classmates.
This is a flashback for us to a decade ago. She needs the schooling but so do we, as we're out of practice!
This is a flashback for us to a decade ago. She needs the schooling but so do we, as we're out of practice!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Precious May 8 & 10
Although the puppy is getting bigger, Precious still shouldn't go for walks. So she goes along for the family walk in her puppy pouch.
Click on an image for a larger view.
In the first segment of the following video, her bed can be more interesting as a toy than any of her real ones. In the second segment, Precious gets Sweetie to rough-house with her. Sweetie can easily knock her over with a flick of her head. Thankfully, Sweetie is holding back but I sense that Precious when bigger won't be such a push-over & given that they are 2 Alpha females, we will have sparring sessions that equalled the Monty & Sweeie bouts! No one ever lost an eye though...
Click on an image for a larger view.
In the first segment of the following video, her bed can be more interesting as a toy than any of her real ones. In the second segment, Precious gets Sweetie to rough-house with her. Sweetie can easily knock her over with a flick of her head. Thankfully, Sweetie is holding back but I sense that Precious when bigger won't be such a push-over & given that they are 2 Alpha females, we will have sparring sessions that equalled the Monty & Sweeie bouts! No one ever lost an eye though...
Thursday, May 12, 2011
The Precious & Sweetie Show
Precious is settling in to her new surroundings - getting into the gardens, eating rocks - all the things that puppies do! This required some chicken wire to keep her out of the forbidden areas. She's had a couple of accidents in the house, particularly on the Rec Room carpet but she would follow big sister Sweetie outside & has gradually gotten the idea to do her business always on the grass, instead of new territory indoors!
Still has problems going down the basement steps but one day recently she made it down 3 or 4 before getting stuck & crying for help! She's learning how to entice the 11 year old PWD into playing with her.
Still has problems going down the basement steps but one day recently she made it down 3 or 4 before getting stuck & crying for help! She's learning how to entice the 11 year old PWD into playing with her.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Puppy's First Day Home
Precious came home on April 28th, the day of the big wind storm in Southern Ontario.
The pup didn't seemed alarmed with the 100 kph winds even though they took down a section of fence & trashed our two gazebos.
On that first day Precious learned to use Monty's old deck ramp. Within a day or two she learned to handle stairs - at least going up - she still hasn't been brave enough to go down the basement stairs.
Sweety showed initial curiosity toward the pup but really didn't play with her until day 10. But she readily shares her beds & toys!
The pup didn't seemed alarmed with the 100 kph winds even though they took down a section of fence & trashed our two gazebos.
On that first day Precious learned to use Monty's old deck ramp. Within a day or two she learned to handle stairs - at least going up - she still hasn't been brave enough to go down the basement stairs.
Sweety showed initial curiosity toward the pup but really didn't play with her until day 10. But she readily shares her beds & toys!
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