This is what we're doing right now to contain our fence-jumper, Travis -- he's spending most of the day in the "wobbler den" on the front porch of Widget's House. When we let him out in the morning, he gets to race around the yards while we're over there scooping poop and doing laundry and washing the dog dishes. That way we can keep an eye on the rascal. Then we put him up in the pen when we leave. We turn him loose for another hour or two in the afternoon when we head back for the evening chores. And he gets one more chance to run his steeplechase course when we let him out again for the final "pit stop" before bedtime.
Smokey, our little wobbler, loves being outside in the snow during the day -- it's soft enough that tumbling over in this stuff is kind of like landing on a pillow. (Smokey's brother Charlie is no longer with us. Sadly, we had to euthanize him last fall because of a progressive nervous system disorder that was unrelated to his cerebellar hypoplasia.) So while Smokey wobbles around in the snow, Travis gets to stay in the wobbler den. He doesn't think it's fair but then, as we tell him, who said life was fair?
We need the snow to melt about, oh, another foot before we can let this scamp have free rein again.
How is Smokey doing without Charlie? We will always have wonderful memories of the day we put them in their wheelchairs for the "Day at the Races."
Travis you put a BIG smile on my face!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | April 02, 2009 at 01:45 AM
I did not know that Charlie had left us. One of my favorite videos on YouTube is when they got the wheelchairs. I just loved to watch them run all over. I'm glad Smokey is doing well & can enjoy wobbling about while the snow cushions those falls. I just know Travis cannot figure this one out. He probably thinks you guys have gone bonkers, for sure! Hang in there Travis, spring is just around the corner!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | April 01, 2009 at 04:09 PM
"Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush"...Doug Larson quoted in the Montreal Gazette. Do you feel like whistling yet?
Posted by: Peggy S | April 01, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Travis doesn't look as happy as he did while leaping the fence.
Don't worry buddy, you'll be out of the wobbler pen and leaping again very soon!
Posted by: Boundforglory | April 01, 2009 at 09:10 AM
Hang in there, Travis...springtime should be right around the corner!
Posted by: Debbie | April 01, 2009 at 07:28 AM
I didn't realize that Charlie was gone. I had loved to watch their videos. They always looked so happy.
Travis is a hoot even when he is just sitting there.
Hope it warms up soon for him.
Posted by: Jennie Wiseman | April 01, 2009 at 07:19 AM
Charlie and Smokey were two of my favorites. That makes me very sad about Charlie, but at least Smokey is still okay.
Posted by: Billie | April 01, 2009 at 12:52 AM
Travis..don't forget life gets better with spring.
Posted by: Craig from Great Falls | March 31, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Hey, Steve, I was really glad to see a picture of Smokey. I think of him so often. You had told me that Charlie had been euthanized. He sure looks good. He always loved to be outside in any kind of weather. Loved rolling in the grass. Travis is a trip. He sure has a lot of energy. Keep up the good work at RDR. Sonya
Posted by: Sonya Brooks | March 31, 2009 at 07:08 PM