The routine first thing every morning, after we let the dogs out, is to scoop the poop in the various dog yards. Almost all the dogs at Widget's House go trotting out immediately to "do their business," before heading back to the building to settle in for a nap on the cots and beds on the porch. This is pretty efficient, because I can scoop up all the new prizes, as well as those left over from the previous evening, and be done for the morning.
There are just a few dogs who didn't get the memo on the timing of how this is supposed to work. Specifically, blind Moose and the blind Poodle sisters, Molly and Priscilla. Moose comes out the front door and disappears into a heated dog house on the porch, not to be seen again for some time. Molly and Priscilla like to take their sweet time before getting around to the necessities of life. Usually they will finally go potty just after I've finished scooping their yard and have moved on to another one. Not helpful, that.
But the last is always Moose. After spending 30 or 45 minutes in the heated dog house, he finally realizes he really needs to go ... and only then does he venture out into the yard. Everyone else is back on the porch. This morning, with a spring snowstorm underway, I had finished all the yards when ... of course, here came Moose out of the dog house. Oh, brother. As he ambled off, I went inside to get the camera to take some photos of Mr. Last-To-Go. Naturally, good blog etiquette means I'm using only one of many different "poses" I captured on camera, but you get the idea.
The horses -- you can see a few by the shed in the background -- haven't been fed yet, so they get more than a little impatient with the "late bloomers" over in the dog yards for holding up their breakfast.
Done with his business, here's Moose on his way back to the porch:
Finally.
I just LOVE that dog. I see his face and just have an overwhelming desire to hug his handsome self! When you move to NH I'm going to have to come and see Mr. Moose...but I guess I should wait until late morning. :-)
Posted by: LeighsaM | May 02, 2010 at 09:45 PM
Love the post...Moose is sure one loveable boy!
Posted by: Ann | May 01, 2010 at 02:18 AM
well,heck. who can "go" when it's cold out?
Posted by: Penny Henirich | April 30, 2010 at 08:30 PM
Oh my gosh, that's hilarious!
Posted by: Lisa K. of Escondido, CA | April 30, 2010 at 02:30 PM
My Nana used to say she always needed a cup of hot water with lemon in the morning to get things moving in the right direction. Perhaps Moose needs a......... nah.....
He just likes having a clean bathroom to use! LOL
Steve, consider yourself manipulated!!! :-)
Those animals have your number, that's for sure.... and that always puts a smile on my face. They live the good life at RDR....
Posted by: Gena | April 30, 2010 at 02:13 PM
Dog trainers say that you can train your dog to go on command. This is true, but not always as quick or simple as it sounds. Our neighbors probably think we're crazy, since we're always standing around in the yard saying "Go! Go! Go!" in a loud, encouraging voice. We have no fence, so we take the dog out on a leash every time. In inclement weather, speed is of the essence, at least in our opinion, but our dog (dachshund-terrier mix) is so nose-oriented that he gets fixated on the many fascinating smells and forgets what he is supposed to be doing.
Sorry about your snow! You'll probably have less of that in your new home.
Posted by: Tonya | April 30, 2010 at 01:40 PM
My dogs do this too (sort of) It's called " Stages of Waking Up". It is a fine art you see. Stage one is waking up from the bed. Stage two is going from the human bed in the bedroom to the dog begs in the front room. Stage three is FINALLY going outside. This may take as long as 30 minutes or so depending on the weather, the colder the outside the longer it takes. Welcome to the Committee of Dog Servitude...good grief! ;)
Posted by: Amy | April 30, 2010 at 11:37 AM
Steve, I'll bet you have a weather widget thingy that reminds you of the temps in New Hampshire, don't you? I've got mine set to Burlington, Vermont and the high today is supposed to be 67. Ahhhhh, yes!
Posted by: Lynne Parker | April 30, 2010 at 11:11 AM
Well obviously he prefers to conduct his business in a clean yard. LOL
Thanks for the laugh this morning. I love me a happy blog post :-)
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | April 30, 2010 at 10:52 AM
Yes, Moose, for some it does take some time in the morning to get moving...(no pun intended)! And, as far as Priscilla & Molly, a girl, just has to look good before venturing out for the day!!!
To Glenn: That was great!!!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | April 30, 2010 at 10:38 AM
Steve, there are certain things in life that can't be rushed and don't adhere to a schedule. Moose is clearly a guy who marches to his own drummer and refuses to rush nature. Celebrate his individuality.
BTW, looks like you're getting that storm that finally left us here in the Reno/Tahoe area. 3 days of WIND (over 100 mph in the mountains), temps in the 30s or 40s, and SNOW. They said this morning Squaw Valley got over 2 feet of fresh snow this week...
Posted by: Linda | April 30, 2010 at 10:34 AM
The "attitude" of Moose's body tells me that he feels it was "a job well done". Go Moose! (No pun intended).
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | April 30, 2010 at 08:48 AM
LOL....I have a cat (just one of many) that stands and waits for me to scoop the litter box just so HE can use it...yeah, I feel your pain!
Posted by: Debbie | April 30, 2010 at 08:37 AM
Oh Moose the big lug! Gotta love him despite the drawn out morning potty habits!
Posted by: Kate & Luke | April 30, 2010 at 02:05 AM
There once was a doggy named moose
Whose movements were not very loose
"Why pause in the elements
When the heat is quite elegant"
mused moose the warm furry caboose
Posted by: Glenn | April 30, 2010 at 01:32 AM
Atta boy Moose. No one is going to tell you when to go............At least you are predictable!
Posted by: Ev | April 29, 2010 at 11:57 PM