English Labrador

Gingerbread Dog in a Snowstorm

Posted by Barbara Techel

20150201_161548 e cIt snowed all day yesterday, though it was light and fluffy. I think all in all we got about 5-inches. But it was very windy so it blew the snow all around.

When John let Kylie out around 4 p.m. I was struck at how small she looked outside in the snow, and next to the pine tree. That tree once so very small itself when we planted it over 25-years ago.

Kylie’s coat always turns the prettiest color of ginger in the winter months – hence why I call her my gingerbread dog. Though I did tease her after she quickly did her thing and raced back to the front door for dinner. I said, “Are you a gingerbread wuss?”

But ah, perhaps in her aging years – she is now 9 1/2, she just prefers the warm indoors. I can’t say as I blame her.

Kylie and Me. A Lesson in Acceptance.

Posted by Barbara Techel

 Kylie and her polka dot pal

Kylie, my almost seven year old English Labrador Retriever was supposed to be a therapy dog. That didn’t work out due to Frankie becoming paralyzed and due to the fact Kylie was not meant to be a therapy dog.

Someone also forgot to give the Labrador Retriever list to Kylie about what “real” Labs do. For instance:

  • Play fetch.
  • Go for walks pulling your owner down the road.
  • Hop with all gusto into the back of the car.
  • Jump in any water you may see, no matter where you are.

This is the list I think she got, or err, rather made up herself:

  • Chase that little round thing and bring it back to you?  Why?  I’m perfectly comfy sitting here at the end of the driveway gawking at all the neighbors.  Look Mom, I don’t even have to pant.
  • Why would I want to pull you down the road when I can walk at my own snail’s pace  20 ft. behind you and eat disgusting things before you turn around to see where I am?
  • Ahhhh, no way, no how, am I getting into the back of that car…. It.  Is.  SCARY!  You and papa are just going to have to muster up all your muscles and heave me in as it’s the only way I’m going in.
  • Don’t you dare spray that hose on me… aim it back towards the flowers, Mom…. I mean it, or I’m outta here!
I remember being so frustrated realizing about a year into having Kylie that she had no desire what-so-ever to do all the “normal” Lab things.  But like accepting Frankie being bound to a wheelchair for the remainder of her life, I’ve also learned to accept and love Kylie for who she is.
I remember reading that the English breed of Labs are more laid back and have more of an even temperment– but geesh, this is quite laid back if you ask me. But again, it is what I asked for if I remember correctly. And I do love her dearly.  Kylie is not all that easy to connect with as I did with Frankie, but I am trying.  Our best bonding time together is when I brush her, so I try to do that often for her. Kylie is also very independent, and I suppose she has just had to get used to that because of the more than usual care I had to do for Frankie.
Now that it is just her and no other dog, I sense she may be relishing in this one on one time a bit more.  Though I have told her, “Don’t get too used to this.  There WILL be another wiener dog someday that you are going to have to put up with.” But I also promised her to continue to accept her for who she is and that we will have plenty of moments under the big tree brushing her to her hearts content.