2015; Year in Review

The year has been one full of changes for us at Aussies in Charge.  I started this blog at the end of June and have learned all kinds of stuff and met (cybermet) lots of people. The Aussies took over on June 23rd.  At least officially, although they have been large and in charge for a long time.

My business is growing by leaps and bounds.  Blogging is beginning to feel comfortable and normal. I find that I love photography.

My personal life has had a few bumps with losing first my father in law and then my own father in November.  After taking a little time to get it together and also take care of my business (having it's biggest month EVER), I finally have a little time to reflect.

I've learned about blog hops and joined in on several.  Thanks to Blogpaws, Dachshund Nola, Sugar the Golden Retriever and all the other blogs who have been hosting the hops.

I've learned about my fancy new camera; at least enough to start playing with it.  And I've been learning about all the cool editing effects.

My favorite dog picture has been:

My favorite horse picture:

My favorite scenery picture:

My favorite business picture, at least that I took.  Several people have taken some really good ones.  you may have seen some of them in my posts or on social media.

I've grown soooooooooooooooo much, which I love. I look forward to 2016 and all the new challenges ahead.  

Hope anyone reading this has a Happy New Year and I hope to get to know you all better in 2016.

We're joining the Thoughtless Thursday blog hop hosted by Ruckus The Eskie, Barking from the Bayou and Owned by a Husky. 

52 Snapshot Challenge, Final Week, Peace

Peace

Jessie in my lap as I get my morning started.  This is our peaceful time.  Doesn't she look like she's at peace?

I haven't been able to join the challenge regularly this year, but what I was able to participate was fun.  Thanks to The Lazy Pit Bull for hosting.

We're joining Wordless Wednesday for the final hop of the year as well.

Tuesday Tales and Tails, Aussie Edition

I've never personally met these people in person, but I feel like I know them.  Maybe someday that will change.  But right now the internet is working its wonders.

This is Kimberly and Paul Howell, who live in Rogue River Oregon.  They've been taking in dogs with big health issues to rehab and rehome them.  

They started out with this sweet girl several months ago.  Although she passed away, they decided to continue on with their work and have taken in several more dogs. The Howells started the Miss Gabriel Foundation in honor of their first rescue, Miss Gabriel.

Currently, they have five dogs that they are working with, in addition to their own dogs. Each of these dogs have issues which might doom them to euthanasia without these kind hearted souls.

They have Miss Violet:

Miss Coral:

Miss Heidi:

Mr. Jake:

and Mr. Noel:

You can click on each of their links for more information about each of these dogs.  The Howells do plan to rehome them once they have recovered from their various ailments, but right now, funds are a bit depleted.

If you are interested, please donate to the MGF Foundation.  They account for all their expenses and spend every cent on the dogs.  Click on the link to see the various ways you can help.  

Black and White Sunday, lazy morning

This is who is sitting behind me, perched on the back of the chair. Happy Sunday!

Showdog Saturday, the Italian Greyhound

Since I make dog clothes, I see alot of Italian Greyhounds.  They are smooth coated and seem to always be cold so they are excellent customers!  As per usual, the internet is a great place to research stuff.  I use the AKC breed site and doginfo.com for much of my info.

I was curious about their history because, although Jessie is a Miniature Australian Shepherd, she reminds me alot of an Italian Greyhound with a long coat.  Can you see the resemblance?  Turns out there are some similarities!  

Turns out that Italian Greyhounds have been around for a LONG time.  There are images of dogs like these from 2,000 years ago.  They were favorites with the royals because of their elegant looks and small size.  IGs were often portrayed in portraits with their owners in the Middle Ages.

                                          

Experts debate about whether they were bred as hunters of small game or as companion animals. Being sighthounds, they have the instinct to hunt and can actually run around 25 miles per hour. They are also very affectionate and make excellent companions. Maybe they are bred for both.

Here is a comparison picture of the Italian Greyhound (left) with one of his larger relatives, the whippet (right).  Both, as sighthounds, are long and refined and built to run  However, the IG has a smaller head and chest isn't as deep in comparision to the rest of his body.

These guys are very loving to family but a bit reserved with strangers.  They do have a large bark so can be great watchdogs.  They are fairly delicate so small kids could easily cause injury and need to be monitored. Unfortunately the radius and ulna or "forearms" are prone to breaks. 

Iggies are good at being lap dogs; at least for a while.  They they want to run and play.  IGs are a bit catlike; enjoying high places to perch on.  The Italian Greyhound can be really good at coursing (picture below), as well as agility.  A dog that is fit can even be a great jogging partner.

They demand attention and are not so good alone for long periods of time.  Training can be successful if they can see what is in it for them.  Interest might be pretty low if they don't enjoy what they are doing, however.  And potty training............may never be complete.  Between needing to see the reason and hating to be cold, potty training may be pretty iffy.   

So..............Jessie is more delicately built, craves attention, has trouble with the idea of pottying outside, loves to run outside and sit in high places.  She also gets cold quickly even with her longer fur.  I know she is mini aussie because I know her parents, but sure does make me wonder sometimes.

Merry Christmas from Aussies in Charge

This is what the dogs live at Christmas; cooking! Especially all the potential spillage from the kids.

And then there is the clean up!

And resting by the tree!

Hope everyone is having a special, blessed day! Merry Christmas!

Wordless Wednesday (almost)

This is what it looks like right now. Brown fields, leftover snowdrifts and blue, blue sky! Jessie is waiting patiently for us to catch up as we slog through the snow.

Mischief Monday, Aussie Style

Mischief Monday at our house. Jack is not the one committing mischief. He's got the back of the one committing mischief. 

That's the granddaughter. If you take a look at that face it spells "stubborn"! And Jack is watching out for her so she doesn't get in too much trouble.

Black and White Sunday, Aussie Style

Olde Time Farm

So, I haven't been taking as many pictures lately due to all the stuff going on, as well as lack of inspiration.  But I really liked this one from the other day.  It looks like it could be from 50 years ago or more, but it was about a week ago when we had a really frosty morning.  This is what I love about our neck of the woods; we aren't all over run with the modern stuff (although it is still available; note wireless internet).

Friends?

I'm also including this one rare glimpse into the friendship between Sera and George.  You may have seen it before, but I couldn't think of a better examples of Friends for the 52 Snapshot Challenge.

We're joining the Black and White Sunday bloghop today, hosted by Dachshund Nola and Sugar the Golden Retreiver. 

As well as the 52 Snapshots of Life bloghop, hosted by The Lazy Pit Bull.

Check it out!!!!

Monday Mischief, Bokeh

Wistful in Bokeh

I wonder what she's thinking about.

Trying to take a shot of Reba and there was too much going on.  

We got a profile shot.

Black and White Sunday, a little late

Hiding in Plain Site

Gabby was pretending to be asleep, but she's watching everything!

Showdog Saturday, Vizslas

Showdog Saturday is BACK!!!!  This vizsla was a recent winner of one of my giveaways; note the new coat he is wearing.  His mom also got him a fleece jacket.

I love the vizslas I've come in contact with.  They always seem so personable and intelligent.  So that's the breed I'm covering today.  As usual, the internet sites of dogtime.com, akc.org and dogbreedinfo.com have been used for research and the pictures are not my own.

The vizsla was created in Hungary and is also know as the Hungarian pointer. They seem to have descended from the Magyar hordes in Europe a thousand years ago and then were developed by the aristocrats of Hungary.  The breed nearly disappeared after the World Wars, but a few dogs survived and allowed the breed to continue.

They were developed to be pointers and retrievers, but are good at all kinds of activities.  According to AKC, the vizsla is the only breed to be able to brag of a quintuple champion in conformation, obedience, field and agility.  (Yes I can count and that only adds up to four, but I'm trying to quote them accurately.  Maybe somebody out there knows if one of these categories has more than one title?). They are natural hunters and excel in all kinds of activities, such as search and rescue, flyball, therapy, drug detection......... you name it.  They are sensitive and quick to learn.

One of my sources called them the "velcro vizsla" because they stay very close to their people.  This was a valued trait when the breed was developed and it seems to have continued.  These guys need to be a part of the family and treated as a best friend.  They have short smooth coats so inside is the best place for them in cold weather.

They need a firm quiet hand and lots of socialization to keep them happy and balanced, as well as an hour or so of exercise every day. They are happiest when they are not left alone for long periods of time and tend to get into trouble if on their own too long.

Vizslas are generally chewers so lots of toys are in order.  They are good with kids but may be too energetic for toddlers. A large yard is definitely a plus so they can run off some of that energy.  Due to their hunting nature, they aren't usually good with smaller animals such as rabbits or gerbils, although cats can be ok if they are raised with them.  But people who have the right home for them have a loyal companion on their hands.

Black and White Sunday, Bridges

Bridges

November has been one heck of a month for us. We've crossed some bridges and things have changed. 

On one hand, we've had all of our kids and grandkids together. My business is exploding! We're healthy. We live in a place we love!

On the other hand, we lost my father in law a couple weeks ago. Then last night, after a long and difficult fight with Parkinson's, my dad took his last breath. He is at peace now. 

This is all a part of life. Things change and new replaces what was. We don't know why things happen the way they do; we just keep moving.

And it all somehow works out as it should. November 2015 will be a month to remember. We crossed bridges and came out on the other side.

I'll get back to writing blogs and actually including the pups soon. But right now, I am going to take just a little break and appreciate what we have.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Aussie clan!

Tuesday Tales, Aussie Style.

This is Jake from Robue River, Oregon. I featured Jake a few weeks ago.  He was surrendered by his owner with several health issues. He is a 4 year old Boxer/American Staffie/America Bulldog/Chow mix pup (DNA tested).  He needed some help but is doing much better now.  Except he has a mass in his chest.  It is benign but it is in a bad place and growing.  

The vets believe it is a benign mediastinal hemangioma. Even though this would be a benign mass. it must be removed because of its location and because it is growing. Please donate so Jake can have surgery. Kimberly Howell at the Miss Gabriel Foundation is taking care of Jake and will find his forever home after the surgery. DONATE to help Jake below or at www.helpmydog.org

Jake is a playful, happy guy who would love to have a new forever home.  Once his surgery is done, he will (hopefully) find that perfect place!  

Black and White Sunday, Aussie Style

Inter species love.  

One of those rare moments when you have the good camera on hand and can catch a unique photo.

We're joining Dachshund Nola and Sugar for the Black and White Sunday blog hop.  Check it out!

Showdog Saturday, the Basenji

Showdog Saturday is back! I love the basenjis that I've come in contact with so I figured I'd check out the "barkless" dog of Africa. I love finding out what is unique and special about each breed of dog.  Seems like they all have a purpose of some kind. As usual, much info was obtained from the internet; sites like doginfo.com, akc.org and dogtime.com.  

Basenjis are considered one of the oldest breeds.  They have been documented as living in ancient Egypt and survived in Africa when the Egyptian empire declined.  They have been used for flushing out small game and controlling rodent populations, as well as alerting for approaching strangers. Some tribes valued them more highly than wives. 

They are sight hounds, which means that see motion and chase whatever moves. They have a high prey drive, which makes them excellent hunters. In a more domesticated setting; cats, squirrels, rabbits, etc. are considered prey and are fair game.  Basenjis are intelligent, resourceful and independent, which helps when they are out of site of their people. 

Basenjis are know for being barkless.  This doesn't mean they are silent, however.  They make lots of other sounds, like yodelling or screaming.  I went to a Basenji specialty once.  The dogs started yodelling to the National Anthem; pretty much all of them.  It has stuck with me.  

These guys are also known for their corkscrew tails, as well as their smooth coats and muscular little bodies.  They are said to shed only minimally, which makes grooming pretty easy.

One unique trait they have; they clean themselves like cats.  If dogs are generally too dirty, these guys might be an option to consider, although a person who has a Basenji might find that the Basenji has them instead.

Agility is a sport that they are really good at, especially if you can convince them that it is their idea.

And they are naturals at coursing since they are sight hounds.  Lure coursing is a sport in which they see a lure (usually a plastic bag) attached to a line with pulleys that they can chase.

These dogs are not "willing to please" or easy to train like many breeds, but instead decide each time whether or not they will obey.  They are more likely to teach their people; things like keeping the house picked up so things don't get chewed or doing their bidding when they need something. Basenjis may use their smarts for their own causes.

These guys are know escape artists!  They are resourceful and can figure a way out so they can go exploring.  Climbing fences or ignoring a shock collar are no big deal.

They do bond with their family and if they are in a household where consistent rules and advanced planning are included, they can be really fun companions.