Stopping to smell roses, part one

This post is mostly for mum of sidekick, for know she so love flowers.  But is also for all people, because flowers so fun!  There are many many flowers out at moment, because has become spring!  Here are flowers and pretty plants that found when went on morning walk to Palmetum.

 

Lovely tree near house

 

Ducks stole swimming spot.  Is not nice.

  

Mulberry bush

 

Is snake, Jacinta was almost bitten.

Protip- flower is not called a rain tree.

 Spider on a flower

Ocean of peace lilies smelt so strong

Is all for today!  But have part two!  Come back later in week for part two!

Sidekick skills improving

Did not have Superdog School last week because was so wet, but did have yesterday!  Am so thankful, Jacinta finally starting to get hang of what is supposed to do.  Have certain drill every week, where have 7 jumps, looks like number 8.  Each week have certain pattern that must jump in, and sidekicks must follow with haste and grace.

Usually Jacinta so slow and flailing and confused.  Was starting to think, would never be able to communicate right in jump drill.  So would often get frustrated with and instead go sniff.  But today, today she done so well!  Here are some die-grams.  Orange lines jumps, black arrows superdog path, purple  numbers where sidekick must do job.

 In exercise above, was bit easier for Jacinta.  Most of job was up to superdog, for to run all around killing bad guys.  But at 1, sidekick must do move called front cross.  Is for when is bad guy in front of, so sidekick must punch out bad guy before kills superdog.  Then changes sides to guard other side of superdog.  At 2, sidekick do other front cross.  Kill more bad guys.  At 3, sidekick must do thing called pull through.  Is when has important message for superdog, so superdog must come in close to get message.  Then must run off again speedy quick.

For die-gram 2, was bit more difficult for sidekick.  Had more bad guys to kill.  See?  At 1 has message for.  Must do pull through.  Then at 2, 3, and 4, must fight off bad guy for, and change for to guard other side.

Must say, was pretty difficult but after few tries Jacinta do pretty well!  Feel like, have come to breakthrough moment with.  Can begin to trust that will protect from all sides on missions.

Got The Tweeter

Have caved in, just like agility tunnel when jump on top of instead of run inside.  Have signed up for The Tweeter.  Think could be fun for to tweet to fun tweeters, only do not know many.  Could indeed be fun.

Or could be bad thing.  Maybe will not like and will stop with The Tweeter and do blog only.  But best friend Glenna did so want for to tweet with, so will try.

Is frustrating, because have not been able to yet upload picture.  Have lovely picture for to upload for The Tweeter.

No, not this picture silly.  Very handsome picture.

If would like to tweet with on The Tweeter, please do find!  Am SirSquiggles.

Have other post for later, but first must get sidekick to fix drawing tablet.  Needs bit in computer updated for to work properly, and is take so long to get on computer.  Would like to bite.  Instead will keep to chew tasty bone.

Original image from here.

First of a new habit: Taking random quiz!

Hello All! Around house here has been weeks and weeks and weeks of boring. Asked Sidekick, what to do when have nothing to do? Answer, was take internet quiz! So welcome to first ever Vertigo Quiz! Have done random internet quiz for now, but if would like other questions answered next month, on last Tuesday of month, please to be writing in comments!  

1. Do you wear a ring on your finger?
Am super-dog, do not have fingers.  

2. What are you doing?
Am taking quiz of course! But am also feeling very sleepy, so am pressed up against cabinet so comfy.  

3. Do you like the song ‘I Kissed A Girl’ by Katy Perry?
Have heard song sometimes, in car and in house. Is not interesting song.  

4. Do you listen to your friends’ advice when they give it to you?
Usually so like advice! Advice for to play out in yard, advice for to take nap, advice for to go for swim. Mostly listen when Jacinta give suggestion, because gives so good suggestions.

5. What’s the last kind of soup you ate?
Stole few licks of pumpkin soup last week while Jacinta not looking. Was sweet and tasty.

6. Do you currently have a sunburn?
Do not. Is nice for to have plenty of fur to cover self from sun. Plus also, have been allowed to spend time in carport during day, if want to. So have spent much of day on cool shady concrete.

7.Could you eat nothing but grilled cheese for a week straight?
Am not sure! Should test! Will ask Jacinta for to make grilled cheese right now.

8. What are you listening to right now?
No sounds at all. Is quiet here in house this arvo.

9.Have you ever thought about getting your nose pierced?
Do not think is good idea for to get dog nose pierced. Like too much to use nose for to smell.

10.What are some lyrics from the song your're listening to?
Am not listening to music. Is so quiet here in house this arvo.  

11.Can you trust most people?
Like to think, am very good truster. Think, people very good. Do not trust most dogs though. Other dogs sometimes spies.  

12. Has anyone hurt or betrayed you recently?
Feel so betrayed by sidekick when, promises walk and then, does not take on walk!!  

13. Is your last ex still someone you care about?
Are talking about ex family? Ex family are owners of mummy. Of course still care about.  

14. Do you still have feelings for your ex?
Can not feel ex family. Live many kilometers away. Think, ex family would feel soft and warm and nice to cuddle.  

15. Are you someone’s best friend?
Jacinta Sidekick!  

16. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
Sometimes, can not be inside with Jacinta even though so want to be inside with Jacinta.  

17. Have you spoken to your mother today?
No, Rosie Mum live very so far away.  

18. Do you have any tattoo/ piercings?
Yes, have tattoo in left ear, got when was just young pup.  

19. Latest you stayed up in the past week?
Only 10pm. So like for to sleep, and can sleep anywhere usually. In lair, on bed, splayed on floor, pressed in corner with feet in air...  

20. Be honest, do you miss anyone?
So miss Glenna, who appreciates morning snuggles and being so squiggly.  

21.Anything bothering you at the moment?
No, am very relaxed and content, but sleepy.  

22. What are your plans for tonight?
So hope for to have good walk! Maybe will go to Pallarenda? Or along Strand? Maybe just near river.  

23. Will tomorrow be better than today?
Today is always best. Moment am in is always best.

24. Are you the youngest person living in your house?
Am very much so!  

25. How was last night?
Mostly good! Got to spend inside time with sidekick and chewed bone. Then, took nap. Then, got to eat kibble and played outside for few hours, chasing away possums. After, came back in and snuggled with Jacinta.  

26. Do you think you will be in a relationship three months from now?
Am always in most close relationship with Jacinta. But also have relationship with Amy and Tammy and Danni, and many others. Think will always have relationships. So like for to be relational.

27. Do you ever think “what if” about anything?
No, is never important for to think what if. Life always great as is. Though now, maybe think what if ate Grilled Cheese for week? Wonder whether really would like.  

28. Where is your phone right now?
Do not have phone, is unnecessary.  

29. Do you know anyone that smokes weed?
Am confused, do not know what. Weeds not for smoking, weeds for pulling out of garden!  

30. When was the last time you cried? And why?
Yesterday night, so wanted to come in but door was closed.  

31. How’s your week been?
Have not done much, but have been to beach few times and had lots of naps and snuggles. No complaints.  

32. Who did you last text?
No thumbs, makes it even more hard to text than is to type.

33. Who’d you last call? about what?
Called Jacinta to outside with cries and scratches at door, when wanted to see and play with.

34. Is there someone who you instantly smile when you receive a message from?
Always so happy when see ANYBODY! ANYBODY AT ALL!

35. If someone liked you right now, would you want them to tell you?
Yes, for then could say, "Also like! Shall snuggle and squiggle and be wonderful!"  

36. When did you last eat pizza?
Have never gotten to have pizza. Jacinta and friends so hogs and always eat all pizza.  

37. Are you currently frustrated with someone?
Would like for to go on walk, but is not frustrating, will nap instead. WILL BE SUCH BEST NAP!  

38. Do you tend to make things complicated?
Sometimes, when am playing click game, make complicated by trying so many things. Do sometimes not realize that Jacinta clicking for only simple thing. But usually catch on quickly. Simplicity so best.  

39. Do you like your hair? So recently has been all falling out, because feel so warm otherwise. But, think that is nice fur. So nice colors and usually so nice cuddly. Think, fur makes people snuggle, so is good.  

40. What was the last thing to make you upset?
When had to go spend time alone outside in morning when Jacinta head off to you-knee.

41. Is there a girl you absolutely can not stand?
Love so many people, love all people, and can not stop self from being happy squiggly around all people no matter what. But in brain know, not all people are good. Some people so rude.  

42. Your most recent ex best friend needs you at 3 am, do you go?
Maybe means Bella? Bella is good dog that often play with at dog park. But no longer go often to dog park, so have not played with. Suppose makes ex best friend. Would go if needed help. Think, would make for fun time. Probably would need help chasing possum or similar.  

43. Have you graduated from high school?
Have so! Have so graduated from cover dog high school! Learned to sit and stay and heel and come, all to pretend am not super dog! Now train sometimes at home, and sometimes not. Would like for to show off in competitions. Jacinta say season has finished in Townsville, but will look into next year.  

44. Has anyone recently told you something you didn’t want to hear?
"No Vertigo, can not bring bone inside. Already have bone inside." WAS SO TRAGIC.  

45. Do you ever leave the house without make up on?
Every day leave house, do not have makeup.  

46. Do you expect to be married in the next two years?
MUST DEMAND EQUAL RIGHTS FOR DOGS FOR TO GET MARRIED.  

47. Did you receive a good morning text today?
Do not text! Do not have phone! But was said hello to by Jacinta.
 
48. Is there anyone you would seriously punch right now if you had the chance?
Might bite and bite and bite person or two. But is difficult, for as said, head knows some people mean. Heart says all people so wonderful and should LOVE AND LOVE AND LOVE!  

49. What’s most important in a relationship: honesty or trust? 
Think, are similar and therefore both excellent. Though with Jacinta, need trust most for to know when to obey commands and that she will not be upset if get command wrong.  

50. Do you like to cuddle?
SO LOVE TO CUDDLE! Cuddle in morning, and in arvo, and in evening, and in night. Jacinta so pretty good at being cuddle buddy. Glenna also so good at cuddle buddy, which is why miss so much. Can not wait until next time can see.  

51. What time did you wake up this morning?
First was 7, when alarm went off and then Jacinta turn alarm off, and snuggle back into bed for more hour of cuddle. Then at 8, wake up properly, and say to Jacinta, "IS TIME TO GREET DAY!"  

52. The last person you kissed calls you, what are they calling for?
Last kissed Jacinta. If called, would expect to run in at brisk trot and sit square in front. Maybe would ask to lie down before got to. After got to front, would then ask to "around" or "heel" and would have to go correct direction to side.  

53. What are you planning on doing after this survey?
Finishing BEST NAP EVER! Or else seeing if Jacinta will take on walk.  

54. Is your ”love life” complicated?
Very simple. So love Jacinta, and so love Tammy, and so love EVERYBODY! Also so love walks and cuddles and toys and EVERYTHING!  

55. What ruined your day today?
Day can never be ruined. Day is day and day is good. Some days different, some days only nap days or playing alone days, or going to beach days! But all days are what are.  

56. Is any part of you sad at all?
No no no, always have joie de vivre! Unless have to wear muzzle or go on evil boat.
 
57. If you had to choose between a million dollars or to be able to change a regret which would you chose?
No regrets, regrets so silly. Million dollars would buy many toys! Or would rescue many dogs that are in danger of being trained as spies and need proper homes! Million dollars so best, yes.
 
58. Where will you be 2 hours from now?
So hope for to be on walk, but could also be in house taking nap and is okay too.  

59. Last song listened to?
Was in car, going to beach, think. Can not remember though, was probably something from radio.  

60. Name the person that has honestly hurt you the most in life?
Jacinta. So love Jacinta but am so pained when is upset with, or when must be left alone. Sometimes really hurts.  

61. What is the last thing you said aloud?
Say nothing aloud, am dog silly!  

62. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
Just waking up from lovely cuddle and dream time.  

63. When was the last time you had an emotional breakdown?
Yesterday, when Jacinta come home from work and was so excite for to see, but took so long for to come and meet at back door. Was minutes and minutes. Had tantrum.  

64. The last person you kissed, is he/she single now?
Yes, Jacinta so single. Except for me and for Glenna. Both very important relationships.

65. How many times have you kissed the last person you kissed?
One bijillion! Love to kiss and kiss and kiss.  

66.Think back to the person you fell hardest for, do you still feel that way?
Will always so love Jacinta.  

67.Have you kissed anyone with a tattoo before? No people, but only dogs. Many dogs here have tattoos just like mine, so yes!

67 questions so strange number.  But is what is.  Hope enjoy interesting little quiz!

Tearing apart puppy farm websites is good way to spend rainy evening

This evening chose to tear apart Banksia Park Puppies.  Is place that has had sordid past.  Once called ACA Kennels, but changed name because many people realized that was bad place.  But is still bad place, even with new name. 

Is large place.  Has 330 breeding dogs and between 250 and 400 puppies at any one time.  And only a handful of staff!  5 full time, 5 casual, 1 groomer, and 4 vets on rotating basis.  Can not imagine!  over 600 dogs, with about 8 workers per day!  Amounts to 250 working hours per week.  250 human working hours a week?  600 dogs at any time?  Poor dogs, when can get social time with lovely human?  Only for about 25 minutes per week, and is ignoring fact that workers also must clean and feed and answer phones.

According to Banksia Park, pens for dogs are "4 to 5 times the minimum size recommended in the code of practice".  Code of practice says for to have minimum 10 square meters for dog 40 to 70 centimeters.  Is about size of room of Jacinta.  4 times that?  Really not much space to live entire life.  Would get frustrated and so bored.  At Banksia Park, when dogs get bored and try to escape, dogs get zapped with electric wire.

Puppy factories lie much about what goes on.  As Jacinta explained yesterday while was finishing up an essay, puppy farmers like to give public false truth and false choice so that can feel are making educated decision.  Such is the way when Banksia Park gives information about numbers of dogs and even daily routine.  But are many flaws in daily routine.

First, "The day at Banksia Park starts [at 6am] with an overall inspection of the newborn nursery to see if there have been any new arrivals during the night."  WHAT?!?!  Incredible!  Can not imagine, that workers are not on call while could be puppies being born.  Know would never happen on puppy farm.  But is necessary.  What if are complications?  Mother or pups could die, and often surely do.  Is so difficult to keep close eye on dogs when are nearing whelping date and have person stay with?  Suppose, probably is.  With up to 400 puppies on site, can assume that 50 each are born per week and each stays for 8 weeks.  Can assume from that, that are 10 litters being born per week at Banksia Park!  Starting day with overall inspection?  Wrong, wrong, wrong!

Second, at 7am the mums go outside to have "the day's first feed of Pedigree Pal dog food".  Pedigree Pal?  Is scum food.  Is mostly full of corn.  Many dogs allergic to corn!  Does not even have meat as first ingredient, but second, followed by more corn, plenty of preservatives, and some wheat which many dogs also allergic to.  And meat is not even good meat.  Is "meat and bone meal".  Not only to mention all this, but are assuming mums are pregnant or lactating.  Is very very important, for to feed pregnant and lactating mums puppy food, not grown-up food!

Third, by 10am, few workers that are have made it to non-pregnant dogs to feed.  These dogs do not get to go out into outdoor runs.  "Depending on the day, they may be having anything from fresh chicken, red meat and beef bones to Pedigree Pal dry food."  This is not balanced diet!  Is very important, for to have all good vitamins and minerals, especially in dogs that are expected to breed so much.

At 2pm, "the mums... spend another 2.5 hours outside and away from their puppies."  Hope this is after weaning!  Could not imagine for to spend so long away from mum at 2 or 3 or 4 weeks, or even until after 5 or 6 weeks!  Until then, so love to see mummy.  Sure, 15 minute breaks throughout the day, but 2.5 hours is too too long!

One thing must admit to, Banksia Park insists that mums only give birth twice in 18 months, as is law.Say 250 to 400 puppies at any time, is 30 to 50 puppies born per week, is on average 6 to 10 litters per week.  Means takes about 37 weeks for all dogs to have litter of puppies.  Means that could potentially be following law, but only very much on the line.  For to work out here, must probably be inducing heat in mums in time for to breed the most.  Otherwise would imagine would have slightly fewer litters due to mums who regularly go into heat every 6 months and therefore miss the 9 month cutoff by 3 months.  Seems very suspicious.

Oh, rain has stopped, and am now feeling sleepy.  Must try to stop thinking about poor puppies and grown up dogs who are treated as items for to be made money with.  Will instead be happy that have a great sidekick to snuggle!

Such boredom.

Week has been kind of boring.  Am upset because have not had much training fun at all for weeks and weeks.  So like to learn, but instead have been learning nothing.  Would like for to learn more things.

On good side though, had superdog training school last night.  Was so excellent, for have not had for weeks.  Was good to jump and run through weave poles, and run up and down a-frames and dog walks.  When get to bottom of a-frame and dog walk, must stop with front feet on grass and back feet on obstacle.  When do that, is a tasty food for.

Other than superdog training, have been going plenty to beach.  Is good times!  But otherwise is lots of boredom.

Goodbye ugly rats

Was best day today, rats and mice are at new home.  Know not why but was pleased for to see them go.  Now have Jacinta all to self again.  Jacinta very sad but say have wonderful home and say, rats and mice can not come with.  Can not come with?  Wonder where are going.  Are going to have adventure?

Vacation, all ever wanted

Last week, was on vacation!  Is why could not blog, because was in a yard most of time.  Was nice though.  Was with friend Sonya, and she so love.  Play frisbee, and play water splashies, and play run and run and run.  Also went on walks in parks.  Got to do very much fun things.  Now am back home with Jacinta.

Jacinta replaced with other cattle dog while was gone!  Am so upset.  Played and walked with other dog, name of Banjo.  Would like to bite and bite and bite.  Jacinta say, would be bad idea.  Could be massive fight.

 

Here is photo of evil Banjo who stole fun Jacinta.

Jacinta also went to see fun things, like baby kangaroos.  Would have liked for to chase baby kangaroos.

 Though also, is so cute.

Next without, Jacinta went to visit friend and cat, name of Khan.  Think, is new evil that must watch out for, just in case.

 Evil, fuzzy, blurry kitty

Last and most evil, Jacinta got to see BIG cat.  BIG EVIL cat.  BIG EVIL CAT THAT CAN BEG.  Just like self.  But am better than big cat.  Am superdog.

Think, would not like to meet big cat.  No thank you.

Is nice to now be back home with Jacinta, back to normal life.  Walks and beach and runs in hills, clicker games and fetch and swims in river.  Though very recently Jacinta seem stressed, don't quite understand.  Is to do with school, but is also to do with something else... must investigate.