Now that winter has arrived, the dogs are spending more time indoors rather than outside. To make it easier on those of us who have to shuttle them in and out during the day, we moved a group of dogs who typically play in one of the large yards behind the house to the big yard in front of the house. It's not only closer, but it gives them access to the covered front porch.
On many brisk mornings, of course, they don't want to be outside, but clamor to come right back in -- and then, 20 minutes later, they will naturally go potty in the dog room. So we leave them out for a while to make sure everyone does his or her thing, and we set out plenty of dog beds on the porch for them in the meantime.
We noticed on some mornings that a bed would end up mysteriously at the end of the ramp that leads to the porch. Then one day Alayne saw the culprit: blind Willie dragging a bed off the porch and down the ramp. Once he got to the bottom of the ramp, he fussed with the bed until he got it just right, then laid down on it. Alayne took the photo above a few weeks ago, just before the holidays, after seeing Willie doing it again.
He apparently doesn't like sharing beds with the other Beagles and Dachshunds on the porch, and found the best approach is to take himself and his preferred bed for a hike.
Just a couple of mornings ago, I saw him dragging a big fleece blanket down the ramp and off onto the ice and snow in the yard (we have more now than when that photo was taken). Then he started twirling it around and bunching it up before trying to lie back down. The wisdom of camping out on the ice eluded me, the careful observer, and I knew he would quickly abandon the blanket once the cold penetrated through. I returned said Beagle and blanket to the porch, whence they came.
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The new Shelter Challenge starts Monday, January 9 and ends at midnight on March 18. Grand prize in this round is $5,000, plus $1,000 for weekly winners and $1,000 for state winners. There are also other categories ... please see the Shelter Challenge website for details.
*** Okay, this is important, folks: We are now LISTED UNDER OUR NEW NAME, ROLLING DOG FARM. State is still NH for New Hampshire. ***
Please remember, you can vote every day ... consider bookmarking the voting page to make it easy.
We won $1,000 as a weekly winner in the last contest, and thousands more in the previous contests. The Shelter Challenge really does bring in a lot of money for the animals here!
Beginning on Monday, you can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.
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It looks like we're out of the running for the grand prize in the Firefox Challenge but we're over the $20,000 mark -- woo hoo! Thank you so much! The contest ends on January 11, so there are still a couple of days left.
Willie was adopted several years ago, but was returned when his people, who were military, had to go overseas. Will they take Willie back when they return?
Still miss the Ranch being here in Montana. But understand.
Posted by: Leatrice Lily in Helena | January 10, 2012 at 11:13 PM
Willie is so CUTE, and apparently gets just the right view down there. I would love to see him drag a big fleece blanket down there, and happy to send more!- M
Posted by: Margaret | January 09, 2012 at 12:25 PM
Yes, so cute!
Of all the charties to think you were in the running and at least $20k has been raised is amazing! A positive way to start the New Year for RDF who goes to such lengths to give these animals a second chance when nobody else will.
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | January 09, 2012 at 12:23 PM
Who knows what goes on in the mind of a dog? Only Willie knows!
Posted by: Reta Davis | January 08, 2012 at 10:56 PM
Willie is so cute! I always wonder what is going through the minds of the dogs when they do things like this...they have their own agenda, for sure!
And even though RDF won't get the main prize, $20,000 is fabulous...what a blessing for all of you! I hope that we can get you to first place in the Shelter Challenge!
Posted by: Ann | January 08, 2012 at 10:41 PM
Apparently Willie is a regular little he-man wanting to camp out in the elements. Maybe he's trying to impress a lady?
Posted by: Miranda | January 08, 2012 at 09:30 PM
Cute! Cute! Cute!.....And can you believe that $20,000 big ones!!! I check on it so many times a day that my system just automatically goes there! I wish we could have won but 20K should buy some shots for the dogs and a few more blankets. It seems the 3 of you should get some little thing for all the work you do!
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | January 08, 2012 at 05:48 PM