Dogs of Italy

This video is a slide show of photos I took while we were visiting Italy in March, April 2011.  The music is performed by the street group Virtuosi di Oltenia.  At the time of our trip, Birdy was at a homestay in Tumalo.

Muddy Paws DIY Dogwash

Birdy has a bath in spring, 2010.

Miss Birdy (or Admiral Byrd, if you want to be formal) is not a big fan of grooming, but she is VERY patient.  I've tried out many grooming options -- I've taken her to professionals operating out of their homes; to Pets (-Co and -Smart); and bathed her myself (see the picture to the right).  Today I decided to try out a new Westside do-it-yourself dogwash:  Muddy Paws Bathhouse.  Though we started our day at the Old Mill dog park, the Bird Girl did not get as dirty as she usually does in that venue.  Nevertheless, I decided that I'd still take the time to check out the new DIY prettifying site.  After couple of hours of shared learning at the park, we got to the Bathhouse around 10:00 a.m.

Admiral Josephine Byrd being brave.

What a great experience!  I made some mistakes but overall it was a super experience.  U of O business major Cody Moulton took my money (after dealing with a phone call from someone who had lots of questions) and showed me how to work the equipment.  (Should I have left him a tip?  I didn't.  Maybe next time.)  He also came over and chatted with me as I was shampooing the pup.  I fear I lectured his ear off on the problematics of poodle-drying.  (I noted he was not taking notes as I explained that first you need to wring her out like a washcloth, then  dry with a towel, and finally blow dry.)

Cody complimented Birdy on her calmness.  Certainly she was far  calmer than the dog I heard howling in the professional area.  Actually, that dog wasn't as annoying in its cowardice as was its person, who kept telling it to be quiet.  After what seemed a long period of blow drying, I asked Cody to get Miss birdy a treat to help her enjoy the experience more.  After her treat, she was calm for awhile and then got more and more wiggly.  Finally, I just gave up (that was my biggest mistake) even though she wasn't completely dry (just mostly de-moistified).

Birdy 12:15 pm 3/12/2011

As I was leaving, I chatted with John Legg, the handsome co-owner (with wife Jane) of Muddy Paws.  Did I ask him about his dogs or his business?  No.  That's what a REAL blogger would do.  Nope, I just talked about how wonderful my princess is and how I was planning to buy a steak at the Newport Market for the two of us (Birdy and myself) to share when we got home.  Which we did. (She did not get to taste my bloody mary, however, made with V8 and Crater Lake Vodka.) After our lunch I spent another hour combing and brushing her (while listening to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me) until she looked like she does in the picture to the right.

But let me back up.  When I left the story, Cody came out to my car.  I rolled down the window.  He told me to find them on Facebook and give the link to this blog.  So, that's the final step in today's blogging fun.

Meeting Up Accidentally

Is it better to meet accidentally or on purpose?  I've been wondering whether or not to make cards for Birdy with my cell # on them so that, if people and their dogs so choose, they can make play dates with Birdy. 

Or should I just TALK with the owners of the dogs I like? 

No way.  Nah.   I am WAY too shy for that.  Need to connect only with people I through other, non-dog associations.

Well, there is at least one person I know from a non-dog lifetime -- that's this talented and way outspoken East Coast gal who was part of 135 UP.  (An art association I was part of.  I always felt like I was the most outside of the outsider artists in that group.  [I have no ambition and my muse is desultory.])  This gal sometimes scared me with her directness -- I would take on her criticisms of others as criticisms of myself. (To the extent that I am like those people who are being criticized, to that same extent I feel the criticism.  Can anyone say "boundary issues"?)

[lack of transition]  Birdy really gets along with this gal's dog:  Nela.  They played this morning in the small patch of grass near the U of O site.  (I still call it "the silvaculture lab").  Nela has a strong background in herding.  She's part dingo, part European cow-dog.  She snapped at Birdy's rump, bit too much teeth.  But Birdy does look like a sheep.

So, I know where they live.  Maybe I should just forget the whole electronic messaging thing and just go leave a note on their door.  

[lack of transition] I'd love to do a whole little Animoto of Birdy being the herdee.  (See on the front page the most recent Animoto of old Facebook "Dog Album" photos.  I think I need to buy the $30 a year update so that I can make so called "full length" videos.  In Animoto terms, I believe this means the length of a song.  You don't get to be "unbranded" until you go "pro."  I can't find a suitable definition for"unbranded:"  I'm guessing it means not having the "Animoto" mark at the top of the screen.  Well, at least it's not like a tv network crawl ad with little people running around promoting an upcoming show.)