Whippet Snippets

It don't matter if you're two- or four-legged

Rest in peace, Michael Jackson.

Driving Miss Mirabel

Whippet puparazzi catch a shot of Ribsy and Mirabel stuck in traffic on the 403 highway.

"We could get there faster by running," a frustrated Ribsy grumbled to Mirabel.

"I told you to just pay the damn toll fee and take the 407 instead," Mirabel spat back. "It's your fault, you cheapo."

Trying

Hmm, thought Ribsy. I'm not any faster on two legs. Somehow, though, I must snatch that frisbee from pesky Mirabel.

It's not easy being the slower whippet in the pack. Even though Ribsy can still run circles around any other dog at the park, it's tough kibble to swallow knowing that your biggest competition lives under the same roof.

Mirabel is a typical young upstart who thinks she knows what she's doing. Just because she's quick and has loads of energy doesn't mean she's always smarter.  Being older and wiser, Ribsy knows there are other ways to get ahead. And no, he doesn't mean cutting corners. He's learned from experience, and years of that has got to count for something.

Weighty whippet

Nothing brings out the surliness in Ribsy like a miserable rainy day. Hot summery sunshine, where art thou?

To add insult to injury, he also had to be dragged to the vet for his annual check-up, heartworm test, and flea medication pick-up. He did enjoy having his chest rubbed and examined, and being festooned with "he's so well-behaved" compliments, and getting treats just for standing on a table (easiest treats he's ever earned), though.

However, his manhood took a wet nosedive when he heard the news, straight from the vet's mouth:

"Mirabel outweighs Ribsy now. She's at 34 pounds and he's at 33.4."

Ribsy's got to pull up his fawn-colored socks and act tougher. Show some more grit and feistiness. Tell his pesky sister who's boss. Push his (lighter) weight around. Like this moment below. Note the menacing teeth-baring. Mirabel's practically crying.

Black Cloud

Warning to dogs heading out to Christie Lake Conservation Area anytime soon: black flies are gonna eat you up.

Ribsy and Mirabel found this out the hard way. Especially Ribsy:

At least my rakish body is appetizing to something, Ribsy mused.

Thankfully it only looks really bad. Other than taking a hit in the looks department, Ribsy seems to be doing fine. He's not irritated or itchy. Just unsightly.

So Ribsy's learned that black flies...
- produce only one generation each year
- peak in number in June
- use sight and seem to be attracted to the color blue (and fawn whippets too, apparently)
- feed only during the day
- pollinate blueberries.

Possible remedies? Here's a homemade repellant that you can make and spray on your dog's coat when the pesky flies are around. Or you can buy this one.

Dogs and Swine

Are you sick of all this swine flu talk? Ribsy and Mirabel certainly are. However, they must admit that they are concerned as to whether it's possible that dogs and cats and other animals can fall victim to this flu virus.

Fortunately to date, there appears to be no information that says that pets can contract swine flu.

• The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said the virus "appears to present a low risk of infecting cats and dogs."
• The American Veterinary Medical Association is in agreement that "there is no evidence that pets are susceptible to this new strain of influenza."
• Sharon Hietala, a professor at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, headquartered at University of California, Davis, said that the H1N1 influenza viruses “have never been shown to transmit to dogs and cats.”

Whew, thought Ribsy and Mirabel. So far so good.

Of course, as developments occur rapidly, however, that could all change. It's best to keep up with the latest updates from sources such as the Public Health Agency of Canada,  the World Health Organization, and the Center for Disease Control. 

One day goodbye will be farewell

Girl remembers so clearly, as if it were yesterday, the experience of bringing Ribsy home. Cradled in Boy's arms, young Ribsy trembled throughout the entire car ride - so much so that Girl pulled over a couple of times to see if the poor nervous pup needed to barf or pee.

Fast forward to today, and Ribsy is approaching his 5th birthday. Girl can't imagine not having Ribsy in her life. He is her first dog, and she does not know how it's going to hit her when he passes on. She downright fears the moment when her little Magoo isn't there to lovingly nudge her with his snout anymore.

Fortunately whippets are generally healthy and one of the longer living breeds. With luck and good care, Ribsy will live for many, many happy years to come.

But sooner or later, no matter how strong the will or fighting the spirit, every dog must say its goodbye.

Girl came across a touching tribute to Finn the whippet, who passed away at the age of 15.

Thank you, Sharon Sakson, for writing this, and for sharing the words that comprise The Power of the Dog by Rudyard Kipling.

Here's a verse:

When the body that lived at your single will
When its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

Our pack sends its condolences to Finn's family and friends at this difficult time.

She's a Little Runaway

Dear Girl,

I am very sorry that I caused you undue worry this morning. You see, I can't help it when I see something annoyingly furry like that squirrel in the woods today. The way it was bushing that tail. Egging me on with its scamper. I had to chase it. My instincts didn't give me a choice. What I didn't know was that my absence of ten minutes felt like ten hours to you. Don't you know that you are my favorite person in the whole wide world? I would never want to leave you. I heard you the first time you screamed (Maybe it was actually the 20th time? The first few might have gone in one of my ears and out the other...), and you have to trust me. I will come back! Besides you always seem so happy to see me when I return. I had thought that you liked it when I went away. Haha! I thought it was a fun game! Who knew that you were actually sickened with panic? Oops.

Love,
your Mirabel

Bend and Crap

The wonderful Victoria, BC artist Marc Johns tweeted about his new Post-It Note drawing today, and Ribsy fully concurs with the ruling.

The local dog park is currently a poo land mine, with turd bombs lying concealed amongst the muddy terrain, waiting to either (a) hitch a ride on an unfortunate shoe, or (b) detonate in Mirabel's eager chops.

Really, folks, how hard is it to bend, grab and toss?

Of course, there are many, many other ways in which a dog owner can be found irresponsible, but failure to pick up your dog's poop is downright inexcusable.

Ribsy thinks it's a no-brainer. I pinch. You pick.

Here's a test: if you're disgusted by the photo below, you're not ready to be a dog owner.

 

See more (and purchase some) of Marc's drawings on his website.

The Dirtiest Word

A sullied post-park Ribsy listens for it.

That one word in his vocabulary which sends shivers racing through his spine.

"Ribsy let's go take a BATH."

In a flash he is off, scurrying upstairs to the safety of the bed. There he plops his bum down, curls up into a tight ball, and summoning all his strength, renders himself so heavy that he believes he is unable to be picked up.

Got to love dog logic, Girl chuckles, as she cradles one hand around Ribsy's hindquarters, and places the second on his chest, carefully peeling him off the bed like Velcro.

Darn, thinks Ribsy, not heavy enough this time, as he's whisked away to the dreaded shower.