Whippet Snippets

Scarfur

 

It's funny how time heals wounds. Take the house for example. Last fall Boy and Girl had a real drain of a plumbing problem on their hands. Eventually half their yard was dug up and numerous plants sacrificed all in the name of restoring proper flushing. Now the front yard looks rather splendid again, with green grass and new plantings sprouting optimistically. Even Ribsy laid down the pipe on this one.

 

Speaking of Ribsy, he too is also healing, thanks to the wonders of time. His gash? There is a scar (and boy does it make him look like a whipppet gangster) but his fur is growing like green grass on a certain Victoria front yard.

Feeling bookish for a whippet?

Now that the days are getting super sunny and lazy here in Victoria, Ribsy has noticed that Girl has been perching herself on the deck a lot. What better time to start some early summer reading?

For all you whippet fans out there, Ribsy would like to recommend Narrow Dog to Carcassone. As the title suggests, this true story does involve a skinny hound who happens to be a reluctant whippet named Jim. His two retired human companions decide to set sail sixteen hundred miles across France and down to the Mediterranean, against Jim's wishes, and those of nautical experts  - who advised them that they would probably lose their boat, their lives, and Jim.

Well, Jim and his folks all survived, and they are setting sail again - despite his loathing for boating - this time along the east coast of the United States, and their adventures - if they're lucky once again - will be published in a future book.

Get Narrow Dog to Carcassonne.

Vivi update - whippet gone wild?

Ribsy has been busy as of late, getting all starry-eyed once again for his one and only Boy. But he did manage to catch this article in the Queens Chronicle which will be of interest to those wondering if Vivi the missing showdog whippet who bolted from JFK Airport in February (pictured at left) had been found yet. The bad news is that she still has yet to be found. The doubly good news is that there have been numerous sightings of her in the Queens area, and that faithful volunteers are still working tirelessly to bring her home. Interestingly enough, they say that if Vivi was found today, she wouldn't recognize her owner - whippets go wild that quickly.

Ha! Just like me when I greeted the wrong person at the airport! exclaimed Ribsy. Instead of twirling around Boy when he came through the doors, he got all excited over a stranger beside him. Ooops. Well can you blame him? Everyone looks the same from the knee down.

Men with sticks

Snoody Magoo looking forward to his trek out to Island View Beach. Thankfully the sun came out and he had a wonderful time getting reacquainted with Boy's stick tosses. None of those Girly throws anymore!

Highs and lows

Were his big black eyes playing squirrely tricks on him? Or was that really Boy live and in person? Of course, Girl had to gently guide him to Boy after he had erroneously wagged in delight at the traveler beside Boy, but after that correction, Ribsy was all twirly hugs and kisses and through-the-leg-squirmies over his return.

Ribsy has since made it his duty to be Boy's protector, following him around to make sure he never gets lost from home again. It sure is nice to get spooned in Bed and to cuddle on the couch together, sighed Ribsy.

Ribsy also sighed at this editorial this couple wrote about their life and love with a whippet and how sadly, they had no choice in the end but to say goodbye to him. This is a must-read for ANY whippet lover.

Those artsy British whippets

For those of you in the land of tea and crumpets, there are a couple of exhibitions that are of particular houndy interest. The first is one called Descent by Jo Longhurst at the mac arts centre in Birmingham. Ribsy has to admit that there's something uneasy about these photos. In fact, the artist is questioning what it means to be human.

As 24 Hour Museum writes: "The images allude to the controversial relationship between controlled genetic selection and unplanned mutations, as well as the intimate relationship between dog and breeder, in which power, control and love become intertwined.

Longhurst explains on her website why she finds man’s effort to breed whippets selectively interesting. She says: 'As the skills required of a working dog are no longer so significant in a pet, the importance of the visual impact of the dog has increased.'

'A Whippet’s temperament remains important, but in pedigree programmes the breeding is based almost exclusively on the look of the dog. In fact, as a show dog, the Whippet is already predominantly conceived of as an image.'"

Longhurst does admit to having a soft spot for the whippet. Whew, thought Ribsy. For a moment there, he thought she was contemptuous of the breed. It's not our fault we're the way we are.

Exactly, thought Girl. And on another artistic note:

At the Victoria and Albert Museum in London graces this painting, part of a Lucien Freud/Frank Auerbach exhibition that's on until the end of May.

A little sister for Sprocket

Sprocket, with whom Ribsy had a fun playdate during his Christmas romp to Vancouver, is proud to announce that he has a new squeak toy in the house.

Her name is Cricket, and she's cute as pie. She also bears a resemblance to Ribsy in his puppy days. (She's pictured on the left, Ribsy as a pup on the right)

   

   

   

   

Looks like they're getting along famously already! Congratulations Sprocket!

Not a morning dog

Ribsy takes after Boy in many respects. He does not jump up and down for joy at the prospect of another morning.

He can't wait to have massive lie-ins with Boy upon his return.

Upcoming adventure?

Ribsy apologizes for not having pawed out much thoughts lately. His mind has been consumed by the excited ramblings and furious house-cleaning activities of Girl. Could Boy possibly be coming back home soon? As in very soon? He noticed that Girl made a reservation for the BC Ferries this weekend - is this a hint of an upcoming pick-up trip? Exciting indeed.

Speaking of which, his weekend was packed with fun, including a bbq shindig that his Adventure Dog walker hosted. Girl got the opportunity to meet all his assorted dog walking buddies, who greeted each other at the gathering like the good friends they had become. Ribsy ran like a banshee for two hours straight, only stopping to lap water or beg for the occassional treat. The next day he was understandably low-key. Girl ran her 10k race, and later took the pooch out to the UVic dog park, where he took it easy with a couple of sighthounds - Piper (a deerhound) and Guiness (a grey).

Today, Girl shooed him out the door again, to the tune of another Adventure Dog walk. At the grand old age of 2, Ribsy's not sure how long he can handle this furious pace of activity! Where's a lazy Boy when you need him?