BIG DOGS

Hey Hounders,
It's the Big Dogs, Max and Shiloh. We're Newfoundland dogs and since we are black and white we are referred to as being Landseers. Another famous Newfoundland dog, not unlike ourselves, was Seaman. He was a black Newfoundland dog. Seaman was the dog of Captain Meriwether Lewis. Seaman accompanied him on the Lewis and Clark expedition to explore the western territory of America in 1805. Seaman probably looked a lot like Pooka whereas we ourselves look more like Nanook.
The snow storm we got this last Sunday was our very first really big snow. We were born in April 2007 so we missed the winter of 06-07. Last winter, 07-08, we only had one snow and it was maybe an inch or 2 at the most; definitely nothing to write home about and it melted the very next day. So the 10-12 inches we got Sunday was a lot of snow for around here and it has been so cold this week that it only started melting today when the temperature went into the high 40s. It's gonna be in the low 70s this weekend though so the snow in the paddock will magically turn into the mud in the paddock which will then magically turn into the mud in the house. Anyway, we get to wander around the entire paddock while the whimpy retriever dogs are in the house. But before the retrievers can come out, we two goofie newfies have to go into the special pen that dad built for us after the Max-Jack-Shelby incident last summer (ouch - it took a while to pay off that vet bill). Anyway we were out in our pen the other day when dad took some video of all of us in the snow and "communicating" to each other. That's Shiloh on the right of the video over by our doghouse, she has ticking (black flecks on the white part of her coat) and the big black spot on the top of her backside towards her big butt. Max is the one on the left with very little ticking and the large saddle markings. He is standing up against the fence gate. In case you're interested, the fence is almost 4 feet high. Shiloh is bigger, and taller, than Max. Shiloh weighed 169 lbs when she went to the vet's last Friday for her annual shots. So we are The Big Dogs.
- Max and Shiloh of The Bumpass Hounds and Kitties
OBTW: HAPPY 9TH (DOG YEAR) BIRTHDAY TO ZEKE AND JOEY'S DAD. STOP OVER AND WISH HIM A GOOD DAY. http://joeythegoldenretriever.blogspot.com/2009/03/zekie-weekend-happy-birthday-dad.html

MAX AND SHILOH GREET THE RETRIEVERS

RELEASE THE HOUNDS.

Hey Hounders,
Jack and Jubal here this morning. It has stayed pretty cold since Sunday morning so we still have most of our snow from the big storm. Mom and dad let us out to romp in the paddock for about 1/2 hour intervals so that our paws don't get frostbiten. We love to run the paddock and bark at the foofoo dogs that live up behind our garden shed at the far end of the paddock. Here's a short video of some of us enjoying our time outside and having a great time running around and "speaking" to each other and the neighbors. Don't y'all wish the snow would stay around all of the time? Unfortunately dad says that The Weather Channel is predicting temperatures in the 70s this weekend so that probably ain't happening.
Jack & Jubal of The Bumpass Hounds.

RELEASE THE HOUNDS

(We still need dogs and/or cats to help us in our quest to get a signature in our guestbook from each of the 50 states. We have had dogs and cats visit our blog from some of those states but not sign our book. Thanks to Gus and Teka we got TN, and thanks to Steve, Kat and Wilbur we got WN, and life with Dogs gave us VT. So, as of today we still need 29 states. If you're from one of these 29 states pleae sign our guestbook: AK, AZ, AR, DE, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, ND, OK, OR, RI, SD, UT, WV, WI.)

STUCK UP A TREE

Alex P. Kitten here this morning. There is still a lot of snow on the ground out in the paddock. The furry beasts are in and out, in and out. They are tracking everything from the outside to the inside. There isn't much apparent difference between the paddock ground and the kitchen floor. Everything is wet, muddy and YUCKY. I DON'T like it at all. I try to keep a pristine appearance and the recent goings on are making it difficult. So I have commandeered the top shelf tray of one of the cat trees and decided to just stay put up here, high and dry, at least until the snow madness goes away. I can take my treats up here and I can probably go days without hitting the furry beasts' water bowl. Of course I can navigate from the tree to the kitchen table to the kitchen island to the kitchen counter and then to the kitchen sink without having to set my delicate paws on the disgusting kitchen floor. So be it.
- Alexander Beau-Maine, a.k.a. Alex, Alex P. Kitten of The Bumpass Hounds

ALEX UP HIS TREE

(We still need dogs and/or cats to help us in our quest to get a signature in our guestbook from each of the 50 states. We have had dogs and cats visit our blog from some of those states but not sign our book. Thanks to Gus and Teka we got TN, and thanks to Steve, Kat and Wilbur we got WN, and life with Dogs gave us VT. So, as of today we still need 29 states. If you're from one of these 29 states pleae sign our guestbook: AK, AZ, AR, DE, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, ND, OK, OR, RI, SD, UT, WV, WI.)

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

(We still need dogs and/or cats to help us in our quest to get a signature in our guestbook from each of the 50 states. We have had dogs and cats visit our blog from some of those states but not sign our book. Thanks to Gus and Teka we got TN, and thanks to Steve, Kat and Wilbur we got WN, and life with Dogs gave us VT. So, as of today we still need 29 states. If you're from one of these 29 states pleae sign our guestbook: AK, AZ, AR, DE, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, ND, OK, OR, RI, SD, UT, WV, WI.)

WE'RE SORRY BUT WE CAN'T COMMENT

WE'RE SORRY

We notice that a lot of our blog buddies have started using the dreaded comment moderation verification word. We seem to have trouble with a few of them. We always had trouble leaving comments on Spencer's blog and so did a lot of others. When Spencer's HD "fixed" the problem he found a lot of comments that had been lost to Spencer and his family for a long time. We are currently having problems with The Brat Pack, their verification word isn't there and the audio alternative won't play. we have to recycle the "post comment" button over a dozen times hoping just to get a verification word we can see. We have a similiar problem with Tucker, Daisey and Leo's comment box. The word verification box just says "Loading..." like forever and never fills in the verification word and the audio alternative won't play either; consequently we can't leave any comments there. The same style box and same problems is encountered on GOLDENSAMANTHA's blog. (Maybe they're all blocking us out and we just don't realize it.) We don't seem to have a problem with any of the others. We used to use comment moderation on our blog but dropped it when people were having problems with it. We don't have a spam problem without it, but to each his own. We just wanted you guys to know that if we follow your blog we leave a comment, or TRY to leave a comment whenever you post. So, if you don't see a comment from us and you use comment moderation, that's probably the reason. We're soooo sorry.

- The Bumpass Hound

AND THE AWARD GOES TO ............

We still need dogs and/or cats to help us in our quest to get a signature in our guestbook from each of the 50 states. We have had dogs and cats visit our blog from some of those states but not sign our book. Thanks to Gus and Teka we got TN, and thanks to Steve, Kat and Wilbur we got WN. So, as of today we still need 30 states. If you're from one of these 30 states pleae sign our guestbook: AK, AZ, AR, DE, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, ND, OK, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WV, WI.

Hey Hounders,
Big Jubes (Jubal) here with today's installment of the Bumpass Bugle; all the news that's fit to print. We have received an award from both the other HOMER and MO's cats and hounds. The citation accompanying the award states: "When accepting this auspicious award, you must write a post bragging about it, including the name of the misguided soul who thinks you deserve such acclaim, and link back to said person so everyone knows he or she is real. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Or improvise by including bloggers who have no idea who you are because you don’t have 7 friends. Show the 7 random victims’ names and links and leave a harassing comment informing them that they were prized with “Honest Weblog”. Well, there’s no prize, but the recepients can keep the nifty icon shown down below. So we have to list at least ten honest things about ourselves and then, pass it on!" We have made an "honest" attempt to list 10 things, so here goes. Ten honest things about The Bumpass Hounds:
1. All twelve of us really love our mom and dad and are thankful to be living here as Bumpass Hounds (we did NOT say that we all truly love each other, but we do tolerate each other).
2. Shiloh is the biggest Bumpass hound at 169 lbs and Jenny is the littlest at about 12 lbs.
3. Shiloh, Max, Jubal, J.E.B. Jack, Shelby Belle, and Jack love the water and swimming in the lake. Homer doesn't care for the water and we don't yet know about Sophie. Alex, Boru and Jenny do NOT like water.
4. Sophie's most favorite thing, besides eating, is going for a ride. A lot like life itself, the destination doesn't matter to her, it's the journey that she likes.
5. The most mischevious BH is Shelby Belle followed closely by Shiloh and Jack. Much like "baby proofing' a house for a todler, mom and dad have to take precautions to "Shelbyize" the house from counter surfing and food theft.
6. Jenny the cat responses to being called and she loves to lay on mom's lap and watch TV with her. Alex sleeps on the big bed with at least 3 of the dogs at night. Boru sleeps on the sofa in the living room.
7. Abby is the most cuddley pet of the pack. She always sleeps on the big bed with mom and dad and lays next to one of them and makes sure that she is touching a part of that person.
8. Homer J. was sent to us by our brother Chance after he went to The Rainbow Bridge. Homer J. is very much like Chance in both appearance and behavior but he has his own personality, as we all do. Homer J. has helped to fill the chasmistic void that Chance left when he went to The Rainbow Bridge.
9. Jubal and Homer J. are the smartest Bumpass Hounds (it probably comes with longevity). Shelby Belle is most easily excitable and sometimes piddles when she is frightened or startled. J.E.B. is "different" and he dances to his own music that the rest of us don't always hear; he doesn't have a mean bone in his body.
10. There are no bad Bumpass Hounds. Everytime that there is a problem involving one of us there is usually a root cause that could have been avoided if mom or dad had done something different or responded to signs and warnings that something was going to occur (food left out within reach, gates left unlatched or open, "interesting" things left on the table or counter, etc). It usually comes down to "who has evolved."
- Jubal and The Bumpass Hounds

And they seven receipients of the "Honest Scrap" Award as awarded by us, The Bumpass hounds, are.... the envelope, please:

1. Puddles the Golden Retriever

2. NESSA the hovawart

3. Mogley G. Retriever

4. Joey and Zeke

5. Tucker, Daisy and Leo

6. Kingsley the Border Collie

7. Steve, Kat, and Wilbur

That's a wrap. Thanks for tuning in. Goodnight. - Jubal

WELL, WE FINALLY GOT A LOT OF SNOW.

We still need dogs and/or cats to help us in our quest to get a signature in our guestbook from each of the 50 states. We have had dogs and cats visit our blog from some of those states but not sign our book. Thanks to Gus and Teka we got TN, and thanks to Steve, Kat and Wilbur we got WN. So, as of today we still need 30 states. If you're from one of these 30 states pleae sign our guestbook: AK, AZ, AR, DE, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, ND, OK, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WV, WI.

Hey Hounders, It's big Max here to tell y'all that it finally happened... WE GOT LOTS OF SNOW. It started snowing yesterday morning and kept snowing all day and all of last night and didn't stop until this morning. We all got to go out and play in it for about 1/2 hour periods so that we wouldn't get frost bite on our paws (dad's a worrywart). Sophie liked the snow and, of course J.E.B finally got to make his snow angels that he practices for everyday all year long. We've posted some photos to show y'all how much fun we had. - Max

J.E.B.'s Snow Angels

SOPHIE'S DIET REPORT

Hey Hounders! It's Sophie (a.k.a. Sofa-dof) here. We still need dogs and/or cats to help us in our quest to get a signature in our guestbook from each of the 50 states. We have had dogs and cats visit our blog from thos estates (like Washington State; i.e. Woos) but not sign our book. We still need 32 states. If you're from one of these 32 states pleae sign our guestbook: AK, AZ, AR, DE, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, ND, OK, OR, RI, SD, TN, UT, VT, WA, WV, WI.

Also, I have been asked to announce more good news about my diet progress. As some of you may know from my introduction and previous postings in early December and late December and again in January and February, I, along with a lot of other American peeps and animals, have a weight problem. I weighed 147 pounds in June of 2008. I was taken in to foster care in early October at 132 pounds; I was on a diet and had lost 15 pounds. My new mom said that I wasn't fat; more like I was morbidly obese. My new dad set up a weight goal schedule of 1 pound a week and started it at 147 pounds on June 1, 2008. Now he takes me in to Doc Witter's hospital every couple of weeks to get me weighed. This chart shows the progress that I have made so far:

DATE - Goal - My Weight - Delta

6/1/08 - 147 - 147 (Start Point)

10/4/08 - 129 - 132 (Foster Point) (+3)

10/25/08 - 126 - 128 (+2)

11/8/08 - 124 - 124 Even

11/22/08 - 122 - 122 Even

12/13/08 - 118 - 120 (+2)

12/27/08 - 116 - 117 (+1)

1/10/09 - 114 - 117 (+3)

1/31/09 - 111 - 110 (-1)

2/14/09 - 109 - 108 (-1)

2/28/09 - 107 - 105 (-2)

My diet food is Purina "OM" weight management dry kibble from our vet's office (Doc Witter's). Dad feeds me one cup of "OM" kibble a day with 2 cups of fresh uncut, green string beans and small carrot sticks (6 per meal); he splits the food evenly into a morning and evening feeding. I really like the string beans (unfortunately, so does Boru). dad puts the carrots in 1 cup of water with 2 tablespoons of doggie gravy and zaps in in the microwave for 3 minutes and puts it on my kibble with the carrots and string beans; I love it. I have lost 42 pounds since June and 27 pounds since becoming a Bumpass Hound 27 lbs is more than the weight of one Boru or one Alex or two Jennys; maybe not quite as much as a Max or Shiloh head. Dad and mom both tell me that they are very proud that I'm doing so well. I feel good too, I've got lots more energy and don't have any trouble negotiating the front porch stairs; the back deck stairs are the next challenge.

- Sophie of The Bumpass Hounds