Whippet Snippets

On the Road, Now Beat

Ribsy came home tonight, all tuckered out from his whirlwind weekend on the mainland. He was a reserve winner on both Saturday and Sunday, which he supposes meant that he wasn't the best whippet, but was close to being the best.

Those results didn't matter one bit to Boy and Girl. They got the fire cackling, the prime rib roasted, and his favourite toys and blankets out. Plus they brought over Linda to greet him upon his return home. The only creature missing was Bailey. But he might see Bailey tomorrow at the dog park (boy he missed the dog park!), so that's something to get excited about.

It's good to be home, thought Ribsy. It was hard to eat and get settled and sleep while on the road. Like anybody, he was missing his creature comforts, his routine, his people. Now he's back and aaa--a-ah, there's a good scratch. Mmm and here's a treat. Mmmm...zzzz.

Sunday Silence

Ribsy comes home today! Well, it's not as if he's been gone for a long time (One and a half days to be exact) but the house, although it feels cleaner, sure feels...emptier. And quieter. Girl supposes that Ribsy brings out the laughter and yelling and screaming in them. There's nothing funnier these days than to tease Ribsy into a jealous frenzy: Boy and Girl hug and jump up and down and laugh really loudly. This action triggers Ribsy to run in and jump frantically up on us, wagging his tail so he's not excluded from all the fun. Guaranteed to get your pooch up off his butt, or to come to you or to go to bed.

Anyway, all this makes Girl miss Ribsy more. She did have her doggie needs met yesterday, visiting Bailey and meeting Boy's friends' doggies - Fox and two boxers named Bailey & Guinness. Ribsy would have had fun romping with them. Soon.

Yield to the Whippets, Part II

Caught on camera, those whippets from the UVic playdate a couple of weeks back sure know how to work it.

Click here for some more pictures from the whippet whirlwind. Thanks to Heather for sharing.

In the meantime, Ribsy's got one final showdog lesson tonight before leaving tomorrow on his quest to becoming BC's Next Top Whippet in Cloverdale on the weekend. His first show and last show were both in October, so it's been awhile.  Boy and Girl wish him luck and lots of kisses.

Two of a kind

Ribsy had another great playdate with his pal Scott the Whippet, who just turned 1 year old.  They'll see each other for sure this weekend at the dog show in Cloverdale, where it'll be interesting to see if they can put away their instinct to play and chase during the pooch pageant.  They might even compete houndy head to head against each other. Of course, the bizarre notion of 'competition' is in the people's heads only and won't have any bearing on their friendship, thought Ribsy. See you at the dog park, where competition is cooly contested, the smiles are slobbery, and all friends are furry. Or is it, all furries are friends? Either way, the dogs have it all figured out.

Hutch Puppy

Pictures from Ribsy's homefront, including the new buffet and hutch scooped up from Kilshaw's Auctioneers. 

Slim Ribsy's back

Guess who's back, guess who's back, guess who's back...

Now that the computer has successfully been rehabilitated, Ribsy can get back to important social matters instead of spending hours wistfully gazing out the window.

First things first. Pictures from the whippet social on Sunday. No not a bunch of anorexic cows but Theo, Max, Millie, Ribsy and Louie on the field mingling and sniffing.

   

Pretty little Millie in her colourful sweater.

   

 

Ribsy's brother Louie. Those same dark eyes.

   

 

Ribsy and Theo get to know each other, with Britt looking on.

   

      

   

Ribsy and Theo explore the snowy Mystic Vale trail.

   

   

And a great day at the dog park wouldn't be complete without seeing his main squeeze Sophie, pictured here checking out her future brother-inlaw Louie.

   

And today there were more whippets in Ribsy's midst! He met James and Otto at the dog park, setting up an impromptu Indy track for the racing that only whippets can do. The day when they can ALL meet up will be definitely something else.

Yield to the Whippets

What do you call six whippets together at the UVic dog park? Why, The Amazing Race! No pit stops, no roadblocks, just plenty of fast forwards! Ribsy was reunited with his brother Louie (formerly Bandit), met up again with Max and Millie, and was introduced to Theo the five-month-old puppy and Britt, the elder whippet. Ribsy had a great time running in the dunes and exploring the Mystic Vale trail, and he even managed to squeeze in a bit of running time with his main squeeze Sophie the Pointer.

Photos and links from this special day to come as Girl waits patiently for the return of their sick computer, currently in PC rehab.

Birthday Girl

Happy birthday, thought Ribsy as he looked up at Girl today. Thanks. Other than this virus that's killed the computer and relegated Girl to posting at odd locations here and there, the day looks cheery. The snow has melted, the wind has subsided and there's the occasional hint of warm Pacific air. Perfect for a long, soul-searching romp at the dog park. That's what people do when they turn older right? Soul search? Yes, but I also like to look back at the year and see where I've gone, thought Girl. It's been a wonderful year and I look forward to rising high again soon.

Whippet Wonderland

Ribsy and Boy waiting, anticipating the snow to come down. And it sure did this morning, emitting another low-voiced 'w-o-o-o-f' from Ribsy, who obviously mistook white snow for a furry Alaskan dog.    

 

This morning's 'go potty' adventure.  Dipping his toes into the snow for the first time, Ribsy shivered and made an attempt to quickly duck back into the warmth and safety of the house. "No no no," said Girl as she shoved him out the door - in his sweater and coat of course - to do his business.

   

 

Ribsy managed to find a somewhat sheltered corner in the yard to do the deed. Upon finishing he ate some snow - mmm was pretty good - unearthed a toy buried in the snow, tossed it around in his mouth like a dead animal for a few seconds, ran a circle in the yard and then zoomed back into the house. 

Are there whippets that actually enjoy the snow? Ribsy asked incredulously. Hmm, maybe, maybe not. The snow continues to build up here in Victoria, with Arctic winds blowing through the trees. 

Up in the air

Warning for Skinny Dogs!

Greater Victoria
9:19 AM PST Thursday 6 January 2005

Snowfall warning for
Greater Victoria continued

Snowfall amounts will locally reach 5 cm or more in these regions.
Local snowfall accumulation could reach 25 cm over southeastern
Vancouver Island today through Friday.

Ribsy is excited about the prospect of seeing snow for the first time.  Even in the mild haven that is Victoria. Cozy in his home after a morning romp with a 3 month old bulldog named Buster (cute as pie really) and a 2-year old lab x named Lucky, Ribsy may be a daring dog but he knows where he belongs once the thermometer dips. Speaking of dip, he's not sure yet whether he wants to dip his dainty toes into the snow once it falls. Well if it falls. Currently it's rainy and yucky.

Let it snow!