Monthly Archives: March 2015

SECRET MISSION TO (TOP SECRET) and MY FIRST TIME (IN A HOTEL)

Posted on by under border collie, dog, dog rescue, therapy dogs

This was a TOP SECRET mission…can’t even tell you the name of the location we drove to on Wednesday.  The drive was about 4 1/2 hours, and like my predecessor, I never sleep in the Scion xB when it is in motion…I watch everything.  And when our speed is about 40mph and below, My Dad opens the left rear passenger window and I can stare at people in cars next to me, smell the air, and monitor all passing traffic.

There were TWO queen-sized beds in our room...I was very quick to pick!

There were TWO queen-sized beds in our room…I was very quick to pick!

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Have you ever slept on FOUR pillows…yes, I am VERY privileged, just to answer a question from one of my loyal and faithful followers.

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The second night in (TOP SECRET), I was a bit more comfortable…I couldn’t decide if I should sleep in the bed (my OWN bed), sleep in the easy chair (pictured), or sleep snuggled up with My Dad. I did all three and then ended up in my own bed for the night.

And, I had hamburgers from Culver’s and McDonald’s.

PLAYTIME WITH PATRICK and BLACK & WHITE SPECKLED UNDERSIDE

Posted on by under border collie, dog, dog rescue, therapy dogs
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OK, I’ll kill you first and then you can kill me…

Wanna play? OK, let's go!

Wanna play? OK, let’s go!

My Dad and I went on a SECRET mission last Thursday.  We were up early (like I care), before dawn.  A bit chilly that morning and before we went on the first walk of the day, My Dad started the engine on the Scion xB, locked it up, and off we went.  I was VERY efficient in taking care of my business.  Within 15 minutes we were on our way to…I don’t know…I do know that My Dad lowers the left rear window and I love to stick my head out the window.  I love watching other cars approach and zoom by…moving things and Border collies….go figure.  Our first stop was a Police Department Headquarters in Highland Park (I can read some things, I’m not an idiot).  My Dad was out of the car about three minutes, and then we drove towards the rising sun.  (There’s a McDonald’s!!!!)  We pulled into a McDonald’s, I stayed in the Scion.  No hamburgers?  “We’ll get you some hamburgers after we finish our job.”  My Dad said we were on surveillance…very hush-hush.  But everytime some dog-walkers strolled by our vehicle, My Dad would roll down the windows and have a discussion about dogs (yes he is a wizard, isn’t he?).  And I would get to exchange pleasantries with the dogs being walked (“I’m in the car and you’re not…did you poop, yet?…you only get three walks a day?…you NEVER get to go for car rides?”)  Yes, a lot of drama and angst is exchanged between dogs during these brief encounters.  Just after 9:00 a.m., My Dad left the car for the fourth time with the two manila envelopes, and he returned without the two manila envelopes…SUCCESS! My Dad was in a good mood, he called up his brother Ed (Uncle Ed to me) and asked if we (that means My Dad and Me, Magic) could play with Patrick.  And then My Dad gave me a briefing on Patrick…He is a 70 pound Cattle Dog mix, maybe with Pittie, and sometimes he gets a little aggressive with other dogs, so, maybe we were not going to have a long visit with Patrick.  Mmm…I get along with everyone…shouldn’t be a problem.  So……we got to the house where Patrick lived and My Dad opened the rear hatchback and gave me permission to exit the Scion…My Dad has taught me to ALWAYS wait after the rear door opens…WAIT for permission…OK…and the 49 pound Border collie exits the Scion into bright, sunny weather, and temperatures in the mid 50’s.  And there is a BIG open field right here, it is like my private dog park.  And Patrick comes out…we’ve met briefly once before…I said, let’s play, and we started playing right away.  Chase me – Chase you, herding dog pursuit, knock down, get up, wrestling, rest and start over over…we had a GREAT time.  No hurting, just herding.  I took down Patrick 5 times, but we were playing.  I’d pretend to kill him and he’d pretend to kill me.  The best part?  Two McDonald’s hamburgers (plain, just the bread and the meat) for lunch.  I took a long nap after we got home.

Oh, Magic....just finish me now...

Oh, Magic….just finish me now…

This little girl is Bailey. She was, how do I put this delicately...in season.

This little girl is Bailey. She was, how do I put this delicately…in season.

Patrick! You believe I can't get that ball?

Patrick! You believe I can’t get that ball?

This is LILLY. She wanted to get tough with me, but she wasn't fast enough. I gave her a few kisses and she calmed down.

This is LILLY. She wanted to get tough with me, but she wasn’t fast enough. I gave her a few kisses and she calmed down.

My speckled underbelly appears when I lay down.

My speckled underbelly appears when I lay down.

With an inky black body and a black& white speckled underbelly, I am often referred to as gorgeous, handsome, or beautiful...really!

With an inky black body and a black & white speckled underbelly, I am often referred to as gorgeous, handsome, or beautiful…really!

GIVE ME A KISS and THE IDLE MIND IS THE DEVIL’S WORKSHOP

Posted on by under border collie, dog, dog rescue, therapy dogs
I am giving Nikki a kiss.

I am giving Nikki a kiss.

This is the Milk Bone cookie trick, the test subject's name is Chris.

This is the Milk Bone cookie trick, the test subject’s name is Chris.  

If any of you, my loyal followers, were here, RIGHT NOW, I would give you a hug with my two front paws, and a kiss, because I am a sweet guy.  And Chris, one of my most loyal followers has taken that a step further,  She places these tiny Milk-Bone cookies in her mouth and allows me to g-e-n-t-l-y remove  those tiny cookies with my sparkling white teeth.  I am VERY gentle.

My Dad is learning, the hard way, that my very creative Border collie brain needs things to do.  Any object that is within my reach is interesting enough to chew on…for example:

My Dad’s water sandals…the buckles and connector parts were quite crunchy…

My Dad’s dress shoes…he can still wear them…as part of a Halloween costume that has something to do with zombies…

The driver’s seatbelt in the Scion xB…My Dad was not in the car at the time of that project…

My Dad's seatbelt in the Scion xB. He was not in the Scion when I did this.

My Dad’s seatbelt in the Scion xB. He was not in the Scion when I did this.

I had been caught working on this leash three times...last night we had a breakthrough!

I had been caught working on this leash three times…last night we had a breakthrough!

A roll of gray duct tape, two television remotes, several winter gloves, one of My Dad’s referee shoes, my dog bed, several leashes, an embroidered Border collie tissue dispenser, a shoe shine brush…I believe that is all…what?  Oh, yes.  My Dad just reminded me that I have chewed on some black ink pens…on the carpeting…all under unfortunate conditions…

The seatbelt has been chewed on? Are you asking me or telling me?

The seatbelt has been chewed on? Are you asking me or telling me?

Now that you bring it up, yes, the hamburgers were very tasty (and so was your seatbelt...)

Now that you bring it up, yes, the hamburgers were very tasty (and so was your seatbelt…)

ON THE HUNT at LAKEWOOD DOG PARK

Posted on by under border collie, dog rescue, therapy dogs
Lookin for someone to play with...

Lookin’ for someone to play with…

My Dad and I were up and out early this morning.  No breakfast for My Dad at Walker Bros., thus, no sausages for me.  But we went to a new dog park  off of Fairfield Road.  I had a great time with a Huskie, an Aussie, and someone who claimed to be part Border collie.  And I had a hamburger from Culver’s after our outing.  Yum!

Ahhhhh...the vicious wolf looking for...somone to play with!

Ahhhhh…the vicious wolf looking for…someone to play with!

Chasing down my next victim, I mean, friend, to play with…

Herding a Huskie

Herding a Huskie

This guy took me down cleanly from behind...I was right back up, and then he decided to leave...sigh...

This guy took me down cleanly from behind…I was right back up, and then he decided to leave…sigh…

This young Aussie recognized me as a fellow herding dog, instantly. I am practicing "almost biting your butt" in this action shot.

This young Aussie recognized me as a fellow herding dog, instantly. I am practicing “almost biting your butt” in this action shot.

Yes, I hear you...time to go, already?

Yes, I hear you…time to go, already?

LAUNCHING A BORDER COLLIE – AT PRAIRIE WOLF DOG PARK

Posted on by under border collie, dog, dog rescue, therapy dogs
BORDER COLLIE LAUNCH!

BORDER COLLIE LAUNCH!

I know…it is shocking, just SHOCKING.  You’d better be sitting down for this news, this revelation, this BIG announcement.  Drum roll, please…here it comes…F-O-R-T-I-E-S (as in the number 40) and sunny at Prairie Wolf Dog Park, today.  And Brandy invited herself, too.  Well, let’s be honest, My Dad does like her…especially her VERY intense amber eyes.  And my good buddy GRYFF was here today, too!  We recognized each other immediately and had some great wrestling and pursuit games…he is VERY fast!  I talked to Franky for a couple of minutes…we had something in common…both of us are rescued dogs, both of us are Border collies.  Franky is red with a white star on his chest.  He said he was adopted from Wright-Way Animal Rescue.  He said he was VERY happy to get out of their.  I told Franky about being picked up as a stray in Quincy, IL and how wonderful the garbage was at the truck-stop where I was taken into custody.  My Dad bought me a Culver’s hamburger for lunch.  I asked him for two, but a hamburger and a Chewnola for lunch was OK.

The first play-fighter of the day was this guy. I take on all comers.

The first play-fighter of the day was this guy. I take on all comers.

A quick step to the left and advantage Border collie!

A quick step to the left and advantage Border collie!

Hah! You are out of position, sir...

Hah! You are out of position, sir…

Brandy taking a break.

Brandy taking a break.

This is the (sometimes) brave play-fighter, GRYFF. A man's got to know his limitations...

This is the (sometimes) brave play-fighter, GRYFF. A man’s got to know his limitations…

This is FRANKY from Wright-Way Rescue...he was a Border collie and a VERY cool dude!

This is FRANKY from Wright-Way Rescue…he was a Border collie and a VERY cool dude!

HOT DATE WITH BRANDY and DOUBLE-TEAMING WITH KIP

Posted on by under border collie, dog, dog rescue, therapy dogs
Brandy is very interested in how to drive the Scion xB.

Brandy is very interested in how to drive the Scion xB.

And sometimes, Brandy was telling me to pay attention to the turn signal sound...

And sometimes, Brandy was telling me to pay attention to the turn signal sound…

And sometimes, Brandy is SOOOO entranced with learning how to drive the Scion, I can sneak a kiss.

And sometimes, Brandy is SOOOO entranced with learning how to drive the Scion, I can sneak a kiss.

My favorite girlfriend is Brandy; tall, lanky, sort of distant with me…but she let’s me do whatever I want with her and she never gets mad at me.  Anyway, we went bye-bye in the car together in My Dad’s Scion xB, this afternoon, TO THE DOG PARK!  Oh, and Brandy’s Mom, Donna, went with us, too.  And guess who showed up at the Dog Park, a couple minutes after Brandy and me?  KIP!  Remember Kip?  He is the English Shepherd-Border Collie mix and we always have a great time together.  Kip had this great idea, or, was it mine…anyway, we started double-teaming other dogs.  We’d pretend we didn’t know each other, but then we’d come in on coordinated strikes.  Kip likes to come in low, from the side or front, while I like to fly in, chest-to-chest.  We had a great time!

Kip and I had discussed how we could double-team other dogs...we were just playing.

Kip and I had discussed how we could double-team other dogs…we were just playing.

CASH, a German Shepherd dog, was only nine months old but weighed about 80 pounds. He was a nice guy, we wrestled a long time...until Kip showed up.

CASH, a German Shepherd dog, was only nine months old but weighed about 80 pounds. He was a nice guy, we wrestled…until Kip showed up.

CASH and BODHI...they were both good play-fighter and nice guys!

CASH and BODHI…they were both good play-fighters and nice guys!