We found out this morning that one way to hasten blind Avery's departure from his crate in the morning is to have another dog wander into it and make himself at home. I posted several months ago about how Avery (in the back of the crate) likes to take his sweet time coming out of his crate; when we let everyone else out in the morning, we just open his crate door and let him saunter out on his own ... eventually. This can take an hour or two on some days.
Today, we had already taken all the dogs out and brought them back in, while Avery was still lounging in his crate. The next thing we knew, blind Willie had wandered into Avery's crate and taken up residence. He cruised into the back, sat down and chewed on himself a bit, got up, sat down in a new spot, milled around, and finally parked himself at the front of the crate.
This did not go over well with Avery, who promptly vacated the premises.
Of course, this gave us an idea -- any time we want to hurry up Avery's exit in the morning, we'll throw a couple of dog cookies into his crate and then send the Dachshund brigade in after them. That should do it.
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The new Shelter Challenge started 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. ***
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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!
You can vote in the Shelter Challenge here.
Love this shot of blind Avery and Willie! The looks on their faces are enough to make any heart melt! <3
Posted by: Kate & Luke | February 10, 2012 at 08:13 PM
Just love this---ahhh, Willie!!!!
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | February 09, 2012 at 12:54 PM
I think everyone needs to leave Avery alone! I've never liked mornings therefore felt it necessary to speak up for my beagle friend. :-)
Posted by: Lynn (in Louisiana) | February 09, 2012 at 12:06 PM
I misspoke. I'm sorry, Blind Willie. You are a Gorgeous Beagle!!! :) Oh, Heck! You are just plain Gorgeous!!!
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | February 09, 2012 at 10:19 AM
Those are 2 very handsome guys in that crate, I must say! Apparently, Avery just wants to chlll out longer...or maybe he just waits till everyone else comes in so he can have the yard to himself!
I have to say that I would love to see a video of the Dachshund brigade waking Avery up :)
Posted by: Ann | February 09, 2012 at 12:18 AM
The antics of your dogs always put a smile on my face. They each have such funny personalities, and the way they interact with each other is so funny.
Posted by: Betsy | February 08, 2012 at 08:36 PM
Avery must be nocturnal....
Willie looks like he is looking for a friend to share time with.
Posted by: Glenda | February 08, 2012 at 06:27 PM
Unleash the wiener dogs!!!!!
Posted by: Bob | February 08, 2012 at 05:59 PM
Hey, folks, congratulations on winning this week's prize from the Shelter Challenge!
What a riot, a dachshund brigade to escort Avery out of his crate! If you ever really do that, I hope you post a video.
Seriously, cheers for Willy for rousting Avery from his nest. Now if Avery would take a sweetheart from among the eligible females, he might *want* to come out every morning.
Posted by: Moon Rani | February 08, 2012 at 04:27 PM
I can just see the doxies and Wilbur all racing to see who gets in there first....Avery wont linger for long.
Posted by: Anne in FL | February 08, 2012 at 03:52 PM
Good to see Willie. He looks like "what, isn't this my crate?" Poor Avery..first Wilbur and now Willie invading his space.
Posted by: Laura, Levi & Timmy | February 08, 2012 at 03:48 PM
Dachshunds are excellent at rooting out all forms of sloth and navel-gazing (admittedly, Avery couldn't actually see his navel...)
Perhaps someone could set a few loose on all those deadlocked committees in Washington (doing my best to be non-partisan here!) And I'd send in a few beagles, border collies and rotties for good measure, too.
Posted by: Roxie | February 08, 2012 at 01:50 PM
THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING ALITTLE SLOW IN THE A.M. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR BLIND. I MEAN WHATS TO SEE AFTER ALL, THAT YOU DIDN'T SEE THE DAY BEFORE. FUNNY POST STEVE - WHAT CHARACTERS DOGS ARE - BLIND AND/OR DEAF OR NOT.
Posted by: FELICIA | February 08, 2012 at 01:28 PM
Blind Willie is Gorgeous!.....and so helpful too!! What a good boy! He looks like a basset hound.
Posted by: Kathleen Rivard | February 08, 2012 at 10:20 AM