White Shepherd Stories

Photo Shoot with the Highland Myst Boys

 

Journey, Pirate & Andiamo

In the process of trying to obtain a shot with attention from all three, we had some happy accidents.  Sometimes I enjoy the accidents as much as the finished project.

Below are a few of the mishaps along the way:  

 

 Pirate:  "I think this bee might sting us!" 

 

Andiamo:  " You're right Pirate, the bees are all over these flowers."

 

Andiamo:  "Oh look mom, a bug is right there.  I could get it if you want me to."

 

Pirate:  "Mom, I think I am going to sneeze!"

 

Andiamo:  "Wait mom, I need to give Journey a kiss.  He is being so good!"

 

Andiamo:  "I think Pirate forgot to wash his ears."

 

Pirate:  "Oops, sorry mom, my nose was itchy."

 

 

Journey:  "Mom, have you noticed that I am always perfect. In every picture, I am smiling pleasantly and just doing everything right.  We could just leave the other guys out of the pictures.... it would be easier!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Very Successful Breakfast Stew

 

Journey, Andiamo, & Pirate 

Our pack looks forward to breakfast stew.  I usually slice a couple carrots, and clip several large leaves of kale into water with some type of meat.  Chicken gizzards, hearts and liver is a favorite.  Sometimes I use ground turkey, beef or even fish.  Yesterday they had a combination of shrimp & turkey chunks - it was a big hit.  

 

I am planning to buy a third or half steer later this year, so I am concentrating on clearing out the freezer.  The pack is happy to help me with this chore.  This morning I was a little concerned though.  I had a large package of hot dogs.  They had somehow been pushed to the back of the freezer and were slightly iced. My guys are not really hot dog fans.  In training class, hot dogs seem to be a special treat for many of the dogs.  Andi is the only one of mine who will take a piece and he is not super fond of them.  

 

In Northern California there is a family business, "Casper's Hot Dogs". It is one of those delightful businesses that began with one small hot dog cafe, next to a movie theater.  I don't know when it started, but I remember it from the 50's.  The only thing that was and still is apparently a secret is the hot dog recipe.  Those long hotdogs are steamed and placed in a heated, fresh bun.  The classic form is to add mustard, relish, fresh sliced wedges of tomato and onion. (This is probably not part of the recipe, but the women preparing the hot dogs always did it semi-slowly, in a perfect and precise manner.) Add a sprinkle of salt and it was handed to you as you stood, mouth watering, nose pressed on the glass, wanting that hot dog more than an ice cream or cookies or anything. Those hot dogs had a very distinctive flavor. When I moved with my parents, to Southern California, that is the food I missed the most! At one time or another I probably bought nearly every brand of hot dog I could find.  No luck - there was never anything to compare with Casper's. I prepared them the same, but they just did not have "that" taste.

 

Once I found Casper's hot dogs in Costco.  Not prepared hotdogs, just the hot dogs themselves in the meat refrigerators, from Spar Sausage Company.  (Also owned by the Casper family).  I could not wait to get them home; put them in a large steamer; heat the buns and serve them to my family (most of whom were originally from Northern California and had enjoyed and remembered Casper's Hot Dogs. Needless to say they were a hit!  Then the last few times I looked at Costco's, there were no Casper's hot dogs to be found.  

 

When I traveled back to Northern California, my niece, Laura Fess always remembered my love for Casper's and without fail she arranged a trip to their local Casper's or maybe even several trips while we were visiting.  I would buy two, which I never did when I lived there.  I always had the feeling that the flavor had to last in my memory until the next trip.

 

Okay, so back to the stew.  I sliced several carrots, scissored kale leaves and even diced some baked sweet potato.  Then I sliced the hot dogs and let them simmer a little.  Each dog got a generous scoop of Fromm grain-free kibble, topped with a couple ladles of hot dog stew over the top.  I watched as Andi walked up to his and sniffed it. I don't think he recognized the scent of the hot dogs.  He gingerly took a piece.  I checked on Pirate, who was starting to eat from his own dish. Around the corner Journey (most finicky) was eating at a pace as close as he ever gets to gulping. Back to Pirate ... yep, gulping would be the term to describe their action. Andi was eating at the rate of rattling his dish. This continued until every dish was shining and clean; lips being licked on each pack member.  It made me wish I had held back one or two of the hot dogs, freezer burn or not.  I guess my boys are just gourmet hot dog eaters.  I had just given them the wrong brands in the past. 

 

 

 Oh what I would give to be holding one of these right now!

 

 

Cinco de Mayo - Andiamo's 1st Birthday

"We are having a Cinco de Mayo Birthday Pool Party!  Hooray!"

A beautiful day - warm and sunny, what else would do but a pool party!   Andi had just started swimming at the end of the season last year.  I wondered if he would feel secure enough to go in this year.  He is gradually edging in, but not quite there yet.  If I went in with him, as is our custom in the beginning, he would be swimming by now.  Unfortunately, the pool is a bit too cold for me.  I like it to be at least 75 degrees.  I am not sure what it is right now, but doubt if it is in the 70's yet.  Our heat source is solar and though we have had a few hot days, we have also had some cool ones.  The pool thermometer is not working so I am not sure what it is right now.  Once it is into the 60's the dogs enjoy it.  

"Not sure if I remember how to do this,  Wish mom would hold me and walk with me in the pool."

They were all having a good time anyway.  Pirate has all kinds of games that he teaches the others.  He seems to just make them up as he goes.  Pirate dives off of most any sides of the pool.  There are a couple places he does not enter from, probably they are slippery spots.  Pi throws whatever toy he is currently playing with, then he dives in to retrieve it.  When he swims to the stairs to get out, Journey or Andi reach in to help him with the toy, and then he comes out on the stairway.  That is the first thing I teach my dogs, is how to get out of the pool themselves.  I start by having them in my arms, I sort of float them off the stairs, and out a ways into the pool.  I then release them and let them swim back to the stairs by themselves.  We gradually increase the distance.  In no time they take off by themselves and do a lap or two of the pool by themselves. It is neat to watch their confidence build and good to know they will not panic.  I need to be certain they know where the stairs are.  

Pirate has decided that the round filter basket covers are the places he wants to leave his toys when not playing with them.  I am guessing here, but I think it may be because when he drops the toy on the cover, it makes a hollow thump sound and gets attention from everyone.  Anyway, he always knows where to look for his toys.  He prefers the one on the north side of the pool.  It is sort of a pool toy landing pad.  Andi observes carefully and I have already seen him attempting to land a few toys there.

Pirate is carefully placing the bumper toy in the middle of the pad. 

Andi is watching.  Then they both look a little concerned that the toy might fall in the water.  

Pirate retrieving his jolly squirrel.

Andi & Journey getting a drink.  

Pirate dropped his bumper toy into the water (accidentally on purpose).  He is still training Journey to go get things on command.  Next I am sure he will be putting Andi in training.

Journey getting the bumper for Pirate.

"I've got it Pirate".

Journey returning toy to Pirate.  Andi and Pirate on deck waiting.  

These games are all figured out by the dogs.  They stay busy playing and sometimes change the rules a little. It seems to be okay if different dogs change the rules slightly.  Pirate is definitely the alpha dog, but it usually seems fine with him if Journey changes the rules a little.  Andi is just a fascinated learner at this point. I love watching them.  It fascinates me how busy they stay, just playing their own games with each other.  I have all kinds of time to take pictures, or even read while I spend time in the pool house with them. This ritual of training new dogs was also the way it went when Journey was a puppy.  Quest was the alpha at that time.  

Andi went outside onto the agility field.  He is watching to see if the others will join him.  

Andi is sitting by me waiting for the other guys to come out and play.

Here they come!

Andi rolling, Journey and Pirate playing with red jolly balls.   

Pirate and Andi playing rough, as Journey watches.  

Pirate likes to wrestle and play wild with Andi.  Journey and Andi are starting to play more like this at times. When we first got Andi, Journey did not seem to be that happy about it.  For a while he did not want Andi to climb on him and was a little grumpy about all the time Pirate spent with Andi. Journey had been the "baby" for five years and it was hard to give up that position. Pirate fussed over Andi so much, and sometimes he discouraged their play by barking at them and coming to me to tattle on them.  It has been my experience that solid lead dogs know what they are doing, often more so than the humans who might consider getting in the middle of it.  I have a few commands that are understood by all.  If someone comes to me for assistance, I use terms like, "easy" or "lighten up", "be nice".  Everyone looks content to obey and all is well.   With all the un-neutered males in our packs, this was all I needed to do to insure there were no squabbles.  We have never had a fight, or even anything close to it.  They immediately lighten up and give each other kisses.   This makes us all very pleased.  

Andiamo, Journey & Pirate.

Andiamo - the 1 year old Birthday boy.

 "Chewy" is busy with the jolly ball.  Pirate will stop him from chewing the handle off if he catches him.    

My favorite little plum tree.   

The handsome Birthday Boy - 1 year old.