The Horses Have Their Own Blog Now, and a Very Sad Day

My human has noticed that the horses are somehow taking over my blog, so she created the Byrd Herd blog, where they can post their own adventures!
Their blog is located at http://byrdherd.blogspot.com/.
Visit them there!

On a different note, yesterday afternoon, our neighbors a couple miles away (we live in the country, so they're neighbors), lost their house to a massive fire, and with it, their two beloved dogs. Nothing is standing as of today. Even the chimney fell in on itself. Out here in the boonies there are few fire hydrants, so all the water had to be trucked in. Our fire department consists of brave volunteers. The home owners were away at work during the fire, so our heart goes out to them and we mourn with them their two canine family members.

Last year, our neighbors a mile down the road lost their entire house to fire also. Unfortunately, in the fire were 35 show cats (some top national winners) and 3 show dogs (Chinese Cresteds). All perished before anyone could get into the house. Again, the owners were away at work when it happened, and when the fire was discovered, the house was fully involved. You can only imagine the horror and pain felt by our neighbors. Truly any fire is tragic, and is a real fear our owner has since we are kennelled in the house. We are fortunate, however, to have a rare fire hydrant across the street, and our owner has a sticker in the window to lead the volunteer firefighters to us. The county sheriff knows we're in the house, too, so hopefully in case of a fire, we'll be rescued.

Please tell your humans to let their neighbors know that you are in the house (if they are yet unaware) and to put a "Rescue Me in Case of Fire" sticker on their front doors or windows. Have them check the smoke alarms, too, while they're at it.

Slurps,
Miss Stella

"Jackie" has a new name!

My old human female didn't like the name "Jackie" for her new Snack, I mean, filly, so after nearly a month of pondering, asking folks for suggestions, she turned the task over to her oldest son. The Snack loves this kid, and follows him around, like, dare I say, a Bullmastiff. He decided to name her "Smokey". Its the 4th most common pet name, according to one source, so its not very original, but fitting.
So, I'll officially welcome the Smokey-flavored Snack to our family!
Slups,
Miss Stella

Next stop: Columbia, MO!

In a couple of weekends, my humans will again WASH me (I hate that!), trim my nails (even worse!) and spray "Odor Muncher" on me (cruel, cruel people). But it will be all worth it, because I get to go to the Columbia, MO dog shows with Lisa in a couple of weekends and meet Tubey's human! Lisa spoils me, too, and I love showing off in the ring with her. So, I can't wait!
My show photo from St. Joseph KC show hasn't arrived yet, but I'll be sure to post it once it comes. That's if the printer/scanner/fax machine comes alive again. Maybe the old human will have to save up for a new one.
Slurps,
Miss Stella
ps-This photo is of old General after a month of daily feeding! He usually wears a horse coat, complete with neck rug, every day. This day it was warm and the coat came off for a few hours. He's starting to put a little weight on.

I'm Just Singin' in the Snow..Just Singin' in the Snow...

What a glorious feeling, I'm woo-wooing again! Hi, this is Bruce. Miss Stella's sleeping, so I have the computer to myself and thought I'd share a photo of me singing my best woo-woos to celebrate the four inches of snow that fell last night! My kennel mate, Old Miss Kiana (13 1/2 yrs. old), was very perky, and even bounced a bit with happiness.
I just love this stuff!!
Woo-woos to you,
Bruce

Back from the Shows

Well, we've come home from another show weekend. My old female human was the "show chairperson" and "show secretary" for the Siberian Fuzzies show on Friday night. She and the oldest human child came back to hotel very late,all pooped out. The rude Civic Center workers started shutting off the halogen lighting on the club during show photos. If I were there, I would have put a stop to that. Grrrrr....... Of course, we had to show early on both Saturday and Sunday...first breed in the ring both days. So, no sleeping in. I LOVED going to the shows! I got to sleep on the floor between two big beds, and even once curled up next to the oldest human on Saturday night. Saturday's show I was the "bridesmaid" again, RWB. Then the Civic Center people were rude again, shutting off lights and locking doors at least a half-hour before the contract said so, and my old female human had to make several phone calls so a couple of puppies an exhibitor had could be fed and walked.
But on Sunday, I got to be WB/BOS for the point! Lisa and I had a grand time showing off and winning the all-purple ribbon this time. I was beginning to be called the "Reserve Queen" at home. I'll post our show photo when it comes in the mail. My female human is not so into dog shows anymore, so she's had enough shows to last a her awhile. I'm glad Lisa and Cecile take me places, or I wouldn't get to go anywhere!
I got to see Cap'n Maverick, but he thought I was out to get his stuffed orange Orangutan. As a matter of fact, I think I would have liked to chew on its head. I loved stuffed animal toys.
Slurps,
Miss Stella

Stella's Saturday show

Hi Blogger friends-
It's me, Bruce, standing in for Miss Stella, who is away with Lisa at the Iowa shows. Today (Saturday) she and Lisa took the Reserve Ribbon. They had a judge change, so it wasn't the person they had hoped for. But Miss Stella wagged her tail throughout the time in the ring, and had a good time. Sunday she'll have another shot at the point. Poor Lisa had a bang-up accident on the way to the show. Fortunately, everyone is fine, and the truck is a bit worse for wear. Keep your paws crossed that their trip back is a safe one!
Right now it is SNOWING!!! All of us Huskies, both Siberian and Alaskan, have had a grand time bounding through the snow and skidding through it. Ahhhhh......snow.
Now, I've heard rumors that Pirate Maverick is teaching Miss Stella some pirating ways. I'm a bit concerned. A lady that size does not need to be learning such things! I think she's a pushy broad anyway! I have images in my doggy mind that she'll come home wearing an eye patch!
Now, since she's away, I can post a baby picture of Stella when she was tiny and cute, at about 6 weeks!! Now she's a big ol' slobbering, gassy monster dog.
Woo-woos,
Bruce

Bad News for the General

The Doctor came out to visit the General today, and strongly feels that he has EPM and is 24 years old, not 17, as my owner was told. He said that if he were his horse, he would not allow his kids to ride him. General is so unsteady on his feet that when he turns, he, as the vet said, "Doesn't know where his feet are". EPM (Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis) is often transmitted by possums to horses via feces on to grass, hay, whatever the horse is eating. Basically, there are protozoan in General's spinal cord, and his central nervous system is infected. Eventually, he will either die of it, or complications from it. The vet said he has maybe 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. He doesn't know. The treatment is very, very expensive and may not work. The vet said if General were his, he would not pursue treatment. The humans are very, very sad, as the General is an exceptionally sweet horse who loves kids and enjoys "talking" to the humans with his nickers. I'd say he's like a big, big Bullmastiff in many ways.
I hereby name General as Honorary Bullmastiff, never to be known as "Snack" again. Salute to theGeneral! May he be with us for many more years!
Slurps,
Miss Stella

More on EPM: http://www.vet.purdue.edu/horses/EPM.html

Close-Ups of "McRib"

Here's General or "McRib" up close. Maybe my owner should take him to Dairy Queen for some sundaes or shakes! My owner says that always works for her!
Slurps,
Miss Stella

New Snack for Christmas & New Year's

The old humans brought home a very boney, sad-looking snack called "General". I think of him as "General Foods", although there's not much to chew on. Even I feel sorry for him. His spine, hip and ribs are showing through a winter coat. I can only imagine what he'd look like in the summer. I wonder if I should call him "McRib"? Yeah, that sounds more like it.
This is the only photo so far that the old female human can upload onto the blog. There are clearer ones to show you just how bad shape the old McRib is, but they won't upload.
He is a 17 year old Quarter Horse that used to be a working ranch horse, then became a church camp horse, a lesson horse for beginning riders. He really likes the small humans. He prefers to visit the little ones over the big ones. My female human is trying to feed him without killing him with kindness. The Doctor said to take it easy with the hay and feed for awhile. The Doctor comes out on Tuesday to check out McRib.
Happy New Year to Everyone!!!
Slurps,
Miss Stella

Jackie up close!

My owner says Jackie is a cutie patootie. I hope this is the last snack she adds to our family! Jackie-in-the-Box is a dark grayish-brown right now, but will be a flea-bitten gray when grown up. Fleabitten? And my owner wants THAT here? Maybe if she puts Biospot or something on her, then she won't have fleas!
Slurps,
Miss Stella

Jackie joins the clan

The humans are bonkers, completly bonkers. They plan to add yet another Snack to the group. This is it, says the older human female. Couldn't resist her, she says. Sheesh! I thought that feeling was only reserved for puppies! Jackie-In-The-Box is the only name I can think of to call her. Hmmmmm.....hamburgers......! The old female human says she's a registered gray quarter horse filly, green broke, and is out of the famous Poco Bueno and Goldfingers lines. That's supposed to impress me or something. I'm impressed only by a nice, juicy steak!
Slurps,
Miss Stella

New Snack for Christmas

Yes, the humans were very thoughtful for Christmas. To add to that "Midnyte Snack" horse, a new "buddy" horse will be joining the household, named "General". I prefer to think of him as "General Foods". They are trading the too-small horsetrailer for him, so General's current owner can use it for her ponies. General is a 17 yr. old bay Quarter Horse gelding who used to work cows. All the humans are excited about him. Oh, Midnyte Snack got a stall toy from Santy Claws for when she goes to "boot camp" to finish her training.

Now, on to more important things. Santy Claws brought all of us canines a rawhide chewie EACH and lots of dog biscuits. Yum! Santy Claws sure knows what us dogs like!

Not too much else is going on. Hope Santy Claws was good to you other pups, too!

Happy Howlidays to you!
Slurps,
Miss Stella

Bonner Springs Tornado

Pictured here is an authentic Bonner Springs, Kansas tornado. This photo was taken about a mile from our house in 2003 by my owner's aunt. What you don't see is her uncle mowing the lawn. He wasn't worried about the storm, which was moving away from the home. My owner said something about "Darwin's Theory" at work. Last March (2006) another one touched down in a field near our house, and many homes had storm damage from the wind. My humans have a "tornado closet" that is a cement closet with a cement ceiling. But its a small closet and is a bit crowded in there. My old female human makes the kids wear bicycle helmets during the times they run to the shelter because head injuries from flying debris from these storms is common. Fortunately for us dogs, we're in a pretty safe place that is partially underground. Mom worried about that Midnite Snack horse the last March and between 2 storms that hit that day, went out to make sure the horse was OK. Midnite was fine, and inside a loafing shed. The van didn't fare so well, and was hit by softball-sized hail. My human is nuts about that "free range" snack named Midnyte.

My birthday is coming up (Dec. 13). I'll be a whopping 2 years old! I wonder what the humans are planning for my birthday party. I hope its a yummy present.

Slurps,
Miss Stella

Introducing "Midnyte"

Here is the family horse the humans here call Midnyte. She is a black paint horse who forgot to wear spots and has one blue eye quite like some furry heathen huskies I know. My humans love this beast who is actually bigger than I am. I think she looks tasty. I call her Midnyte Snack.

The pounding hammer humans came back for a short time today, and will be back soon to put something called a "cricket" where the chimney meets the roof. The old female human is delighted because that means no more rain water in her bedroom. I just can't understand how a bug can prevent that sort of thing to happen. Humans are weird.

That's all for now.
Roof! Roof! Roof!
Miss Stella
Roofing Forebitch

Roofers invade!

Today lots of men I didn't know descended upon our home, tearing off the roof and made much banging noises with things called hammers! The pounding nearly drove us dogs all crazy, and not to mention our humans, too. Last March a tornado touched down near my house, and we had lots of damage to the roof. I'm here to tell you, composite roof pieces are not tasty! Lots of it was on the grass after the storm. My older humans have had a wet floor every time it rained, so they are happy the new roof is in the works. But all those strangers on my house! It really makes me uneasy, since its MY job to see that no strangers get on our property. I need a doggy valium! My humans are thinking its a bit odd that the roofers wait until the house and driveway are covered with ice. They have waited for months for a new roof, so what's a few more days until it warms up? My bladder also hates having to stay inside all day while strangers tear up the roof.
That's it today, fuzzy friends.
Slurps,
Miss Stella
ps-I overheard the older female that those hammer-people will come back again tomorrow!

Introducing "Bruce"

Since I share my home with 9 heathen huskies, I will introduce them one at a time to you. Today I bring you "Bruce", AKA North Star's The Boss O'Troika. My humans really, really like Bruce Springsteen's music, so that's why they named this heathen "Bruce". They used to have a cute little French Bulldog named "Clarence", named for the E Street Band's member, Clarence Clemons, who plays the saxaphone. Clarence suddenly dropped dead at the age of eight years a couple Januarys back...my humans think he had a massive stroke or heart attack. The little humans were very sad about it, and still talk about him to this day. They miss him. Clarence and Bruce were the best of friends, and would curl up together to sleep (imagine a big husky with a little Frenchie snuggled up to him!) Clarence took great fun in grabbing Bruce's fuzzy pants. He would then hang on til Bruce knocked him off! It was in all good humor.
Bruce, also known as "Brucey", "The Brucenator" and "Fuzzy Butt", is a pretty congenial guy. He was raised in a pack situation, so he has good doggy social skills. My human adores him, and he has big cheeks to grab. (No, not the fuzzy butt cheeks!) He used to show, but he didn't like it. His first show he was RWD and Best Puppy in Breed over several other puppies. But he's a bit timid, so showing wasn't his favorite thing to do. He'd rather be home with the humans!
Bruce kind of ignores me. He thinks I'm a pushy girl.
That's it for me today.
Slurps,
Miss Stella

Mister Higgins

I'm posting a photo of my family's first Bullmastiff, Mister Higgins. I have some seriously large pawprints to fill. Not only was he HUGE for a Bully (150 lbs in fit shape) but he had his CD degree in obedience, a CGC (Canine Good Citizen) and was a TDI (Therapy Dog International) dog. He also finished 1993 the #2 & #3 obedience Bullmastiff (depending on what system you went with). He also prevented an invasion robbery a few months shy of his 10th birthday, when my human was alone with her infant son. He's a hero in her eyes! Higgins and I came from the same breeder, so we're kind of distant cousins. And I'm a petite 90 pounds, so I'm a LOT smaller than he was! My human has had to get used to that fact. I was the smallest in my litter, so what did she expect? I've been to obedience classes, but I don't know if I can come close to what Higgins did. But my human loves me all the same.
Slurps,
Miss Stella

One of My Human's Kidlets

Here's the youngest human,Colton, giving Miss Nakita a bath. She's 12 years old, and he's 4. They both were soaked! This was in our local paper, but this is the only clipping the humans here have of it.

Here I am, winning my first point from the puppy class. I went on to win over my handsome cousin, Bo, to pick up the point. (Bo is nearly a champion...he's a very nice boy). Lisa helped me win a RWB to a major up in South Dakota a few weekends ago. I hope next year I'll be able to go to more shows! Mom still thinks I'm still in my "teenage uglies"! My feelings are hurt! Stormy says I'm beautiful.
That's all for now,
Miss Stella

I want to move upstairs

Its not fair. Mom has this white and black piebald fuzzy, pointy-earred thing called "Skye". She is evil, and tries to bite everyone except the human family. I really don't like her. I want to move upstairs to be with the humans, and have Skye move downstairs to the kennel with the other fuzzy pointy-eared things called Siberians. OK, I know my best friend, Stormy, IS a Siberian, but he's also a pain. He thinks he's smarter, faster and stronger than me. Just yesterday he bit my delicate ear because he thought I was trying to be the number one dog. Well, for his information, I am! But since he has been my best buddy since I was really little, I'll ignore what he did to my ear.
I think Skye needs to move far, far away. I want to sleep on the couch.
-Miss Stella