Tag: Vizsla

Merry Christmas

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Good morning and Merry Christmas!  As I was getting up this morning, I crossed paths with the kids who were just going to bed.  Instead of the kids hovering around the tree at 5am waiting for Mom and Dad to get up, there was Zeke…locked in on his Christmas stocking.  (Of course, Zeke has to have his own stocking.  Of course it’s monogrammed with his name.) Our bird hunting dog won’t hunt birds, he won’t retrieve tennis balls, he’s scared of cats and the dark, but that nose knows precisely where his treats are.  He wouldn’t break his stare for the first photo.  And after telling him that he had to wait for Rachel and Eric to get up before he could get at his stocking, his shoulders slumped, he dropped to the floor and cried “no fair.”

So, Zeke and I played loops of Sean Quiqley’s Little Drummer Boy at a HIGH decibel level.  Hoping that the kids would eventually roll out of bed and we can get this party rollin’.

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Zeke. The Paper Boy…

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dog, animal, cute, pet, family

  • Each morning.  Up at 6am.
  • Grabs newspaper.
  • Runs like a crazy man thundering up the stairs.
  • Arrives.  Applies his 4-wheel brakes.  Sits proudly. Tail swishing wildly back and forth.
  • “Here’s your paper Dad!”
“A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.”
  ~ John Grogan, Marley and Me

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Zeke + Buddhist Monk + Almonds = Enlightenment!

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zeke staring at almond9:15 pm.  June 26, 2012.

Zeke, our four-year old Vizsla, has excellent hearing and smell.  But not for the bird hunting discipline that he was bred for – – but for California Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds.  From a room away, he can hear a 1/2 turn on the top of the plastic Almond container.  If he’s outside and comes inside, his nose goes 911 when he sniffs a whiff of a single nut.

Zeke and I have a routine each night.  He waits for Dad’s snack time before bed time when Dad and Zeke share a heaping handful of almonds.  Most days, it’s one for Zeke, one for Dad, one for Zeke, one for Dad.  (OK, sometimes Dad cheats on the allocation when Zeke isn’t looking. OK, OK, more than sometimes.)

Zeke wolfs down his Almond without breaking his eye lock with Dad.  No chewing.  Straight down the gullet.  1 Almond.  2 Almonds.  3 Almonds.  Same pattern.  He gives me the same desperate look that he might miss out on his share if he breaks his stare.   (Those eyes are telling me that he knows that I’m cheating him out of his allocation.)

I proceed to tell him that “maybe you should chew your almonds and enjoy them rather than just scarfing them down without tasting them – maybe you won’t keep begging for more.” (I’m no different that you other dog owners.  I believe he understands me but he just doesn’t want to cooperate.)

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4:24 a.m. and Inspired…

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We’re kicking off Hump Day with The Romantics and “What I Like About You.” And then on to inspirational posts by my favorite bloggers.

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Research Says: My Personality Profile Is Aligned With A Great Dane (Ouch)

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My Brother shared an article from the current issue of Men’s Health titled What Your Dog Says About You.  “British researchers at Bath Spa University surveyed 1,000 dog owners and found that people pick dog breeds that match their own personality – – because we subconsciously gravitate towards dogs who share our own temperament.”

And lo and beyond, as I hit the link and scanned the article, there’s a picture of our breed, a Vizsla. Almost a spitting image of Zeke.  Research landed squarely on the perfect “Friendly and Agreeable” personality profile match to Susan (my wife).  So, what’s up?  How about me?  Where’s the personality profile for the “Introverted and Disagreeable?”

If you’re: Friendly and agreeable
The dog for you: Viszla

A Hungarian breed, Viszlas are more sleek than labs, and energetic without being aggressive. “They’re comfortable around both people and other dogs, so they’re perfect if you want to take your dog to an outdoor restaurant or a cafe,” says Vargas. Also consider: Cocker spaniels (or any variety of spaniel), Spanish water dog

They even have a quiz to help you pick which dog is right for you.  (Link to Quiz).  I took the quiz (a cool quiz by the way) – and the quiz recommended that the dog I should own is a Great Dane.  Crazy! (Or maybe this says something about my personality.  More frightening.)

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