Ankle Weights, Dog Training and My Lunatic Family

We've got about six inches of snow over the last 36 hours, and it's still coming down. When I took the dog for her walk, I decided to wear my new Bunny/Mickey Mouse boots. They're US Army issue and I was told they were the warmest books imaginable by my sister, Mushing Mum (see link to her blog in the column on the right).


She's right, I have been given the genes for cold feet year 'round (Thanks Mum!) and these boots were unbelievable, my feet were hot not just warm. I also have small feet, if I wear boy's shoes, a size three is perfect, my new really warm boots are men's size 5. I expected them to be a bit sloppy. What I didn't expect was the weight of those suckers ... 2.61 pounds each. It's like walking with ankle weights, really ungirlie, too big ankle weights .. and through the snow.


My legs were exhausted after 3 kilometers, but hey, my feet were warm so no complaints.

Which brings me to my next topic. Those of you who know Muggins, the guard cockapoo, know that she's pretty smart. She's easily trained for the most part. However, we haven't broken her of her unusual greetings ... best left undescribed here, nor her little-poodle barking when someone dares to walk on her road. However, the car chasing thing I believe is behind us.

When we go for walks, if a car comes along the road, I say "car", and she's expected to sit until I tell her "okay". We've been working on this for three years now. We were walking yesterday, and a total off 4 cars passed us. She heard the car each time before I did, she'd look up the road watching for it and as soon as it came into sight, she plopped her bum down exactly where she was. I had to try to get her to move off the travelled portion of the road, but the old bum was glued to the ground. I pulled the leash .. two steps .. .plop ... pulled ... two more steps ... plop. It was actually pretty impressive. (She pats herself on the back for persevering on the training for so-o-o-o long)

And the third part of my title ... and you thought they were all one topic - hah! It was just a clever ploy to get you hooked on reading this blether.

People often say they have a weird family, or a crazy family, but my family is completely deranged, a collection of lunatics, yes out and out nut bars. Why you ask, would I speak so harshly of my loved ones? Take a look at this it's post my sister put on her blog today . When she and Gryper (see link to his blog in the column on the right) get together, you never know what madness will ensue. I'll leave you to read her blog and form your own opinions.

Hey, I may be able to add to the "Ongoing Ode to Cheryl" .... what rhymes with tongue?