Yes, it’s true, I may be a super hero but even heroes have accidents and over the weekend I had a little accident myself on the farm. See I was having a grand time playing chase with my pal Trooper when something punctured my side. I’m not sure if it was Trooper’s claw, or perhaps a fence board – on account of I was running way too fast to know for sure.
Regardless it definitely hurt!
Dad brought some medical supplies from home out to the farm so I could get my boo boo doctored up (on account of it was Sunday and my vet’s office wasn’t open…not to mention it wasn’t a “medical emergency” per say….I’m a pretty tough dude).
I tried to be brave while I was bandaged up, but I was more upset that fun time with Trooper for the day was over.
I had to spend the rest of my day resting quietly in the car while mom did the farmwork without me, but upon returning home activities resumed pretty much as normal – even if I did look like I was a victim of a magician’s saw act gone wrong.
Mom says we’ll be taking a trip to the vet today, just to be sure my wound is healing properly…..my paws are crossed they still let me go to agility this afternoon. I can’t wait to tell my agility friends about my battle wound!
I’ll be sure to update all my fans on my facebook page as to the status of my Dr’s visit, but have no fear, I’m sure I’ll be back to my regular adventures in no time!
UPDATE: The vet checked me over, and I didn’t even need stitches! Apparently super heroes are super awesome at healing themselves, and I even got to attend my agility class!
Oh sweet glorious day! You’ll never guess what showed up on the farm!
You are gonna pee your pants in excitement, just like I did!
It’s a backhoe!! As in, ground hogs watch out, I’ve hit the hole-digging jackpot.
I’m totally serious when I say this (just look at my face), this is like the greatest day ever!
Only one problem, I can’t find the keys.
I asked mom for the keys, but she said that I wasn’t allowed to operate heavy machinery without my helmet – not to mention that the backhoe was for building Trooper’s new house, not for digging groundhog hunting holes. I tried to reason with her that Trooper would be thankful I used the backhoe to rid his future home-site of those pesky critters, but it was no use.
So it’s off to plan B. Does anyone know how to hot wire a backhoe?
Last weekend I got to go on a brand new adventure!
When Mom pulled up to the automatic car wash, I had no idea what was in store. There seemed to be a lot of “No” rules – but thank goodness it didn’t say “No wiener dogs”.
I watched in fascination as the swirly-ma-jigs and what-za-ma-call-its whipped around the truck.
It was very loud and noisy, but brave super heroes like me never get scared.
When the car wash was over I was a wee bit sad.
“Oh mom, can we please drive through the biggest mud puddle we can find so we can ride through the car wash again?”
You might remember a couple of months ago when I introduced my little Super Hero on the Wall – a commissioned painting of yours truly by Kim at Yellow Brick Home.
Well, as it turns out, my Painting Pony pals were a wee bit jealous – so never ones to be left out, mom ordered some custom paintings of them too.
Minnow rocked the blue canvas as he reared high into the air – such a classic Minnow pose.
Blitz and Boomerang, the inseparable brothers (who couldn’t even be separated for the painting), looked extra cute on their lime green canvas. Boomerang even flashed his famous smile.
I don’t know about you, but I think we make one big happy family!
I do have a secret to tell you though…….as much as I love ALL of the paintings…..I do have a favorite……can you guess which one it is?
You can get your own custom pet paintings from Kim @ Yellow Brick Home (make sure you tell her the cutest Super Hero EVER sent you!)
*I was not paid or perk’d to write this post – I’m just super super excited to share the ponies’ paintings!
I think out of all the places I’ve been this week the moon has been my favorite.
I love looking at the stars, and I even got to make a few wishes on the shooting ones.
I’m sure you can probably guess what I’ve been wising for – for my mom and Minnow to return home soon – because as much fun as I’ve been having with my imagination hat, I do still miss my real life adventures with mom and Minnow.
Dad says not to worry though, because they will be home TONIGHT!
I probably should prepare a welcome home party, or hang a banner, or bake a cake, but honestly I’m having way too much fun on the moon right now – and I’m pretty sure my wagging tail and kisses will be more than enough for a welcome home celebration! (I wag a mean tail).
I hope you all enjoyed coming along with me and my imagination hat – I had so much fun that I think I’ll definitely have to have some more adventures with it soon!
Since Mom is away this week in Chincoteaugue, Virginia with Minnow the Painting Pony I’m having my own little adventure with my imagination hat.
I’m glad you decided to join me, because today I’m taking a trip into outer space!
There are so many stars and planets up here – it’s really quite amazing.
Mom called last night to check on me, and suggested I pack a lunch and drink plenty of water during my trip to space. Jeeze mom, of course I wouldn’t forget to pack a lunch!
I do miss my mom, but I am having a blast on the moon! I’m on the lookout for moon martians, because I’m in desperate need of a fetch playmate – it is a bit lonely up here. I’ll keep you posted should I find any.
Ok, so maybe I won’t really be seeing my name on a star in Hollywood (a dog can dream) – but in the World of Magical Painting Ponies, I am a movie star! (and technically I have been on National Television before via Animal Planet – check it out here)
Last week my Uncle Taylor came to visit from his home in North Carolina. Taylor is an uber talented videographer and editor – shooting weddings, commercials, documentaries, training videos, and much much more. And guess what…..he brought his video equipment with him!
The name of the game was filming some brand new videos for Painting Pony.
And although my pony friends did make a shining appearance on these new videos – we all know who the real star is…
…me!
I had some big important roles, and don’t worry, I totally gave it 110%.
I even got to do some serious action shots – with multiple takes!
I also got to perform on the video with my bestest buddy Trooper.
It was aaaaamazing!
And, incase you are wondering – yes I did my own stunts!
I can hardly wait to see the finished product, and as soon as it’s done I’ll be sure to let everyone know! And if you are counting down the days to see yours truly on DVD, you can check out The Trick Ponies of Chincoteague DVD which has my happy little face on it too.
My stay-cation last week may have you thinking that all I did was go paddleboarding and flying, but this super dog never gets to relax completely – and I had to mix in a little bit of work too (if you can call it that).
My bestest pony friend Minnow the Painting Pony and I got our photoshoot on and took some promotional photos for this year’s Chincoteague Pony Penning held at the end of July.
Each year my friend Minnow (aka Super Minnow) travels to Chincoteague Island, Virginia to perform for a week during the annual Chincoteague Pony Swim and Auction.
Not only does he paint original art during his stay on the island, but he also gets to show off some of his amazing tricks by performing a skit during the nightly shows at the Chincoteague Pony Centre.
Mom and I work very hard for months in advance to help Minnow learn a new performance each year before pony penning – and I think this year’s performance is one of the best yet!
This year Minnow is going to Super Hero Bootcamp – and as you can see by his rolly polly belly that he certainly was in need of a bootcamp!
The only way to see Minnow’s new performance is to visit him on the island at the end of July, but since I knew not everyone would make it I talked mom into having a new DVD made of the performance that will be available for purchase hopefully next month. (meanwhile you can check out Minnow’s other DVD featuring yours truly HERE).
I’m a bit jealous that I won’t be able to watch Minnow’s performance live either, as dogs aren’t allowed many places on the island and I have to stay home with Dad, so I’ll just have to wish him luck from afar.
It’s a shame really, because what’s a Super Hero without his sidekick?
I’m sure Minnow knows I’m his biggest fan though, and I’ll be cheering him on from home! Go Minnow!
To see more photos of Minnow during our Super Hero Photoshoot make sure you check out the Painting Pony Blog.
Last week I took a short stay-cation in my hometown of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. While I didn’t actually travel anywhere exotic or new I did get to have a whole bunch of brand-new adventures. I hope you’ll come along for the ride with me this week, as I have lots to share!
Visiting the lake isn’t new to me, as I’ve been known to zip around on a motorized row boat with my mom and dad, but SUP was something I have never done before.
I was so excited when I saw the paddleboard come out that I couldn’t wait to hit the water, especially on this super hot day.
I did end up swimming A LOT while I was on the water, sometimes by accident because I was standing too close to the edge while some turbulent water knocked me in, and sometimes because I wanted to take a trip over to visit dad in his canoe.
Luckily I do know how to swim, and my new life vest kept me even more afloat – and made it easy for mom and dad to scoop me back onto the board.
I’m pretty sure I was the talk of the lake that day and I enjoyed waving at all the other people out enjoying the cool water.
This may have been my first time paddleboarding, but it certainly won’t be my last! Especially if this heat wave in Pennsylvania keeps up!
Tips for Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog
Before visiting a lake rental spot make sure that they allow dogs on their rental boats and boards
Make sure your dog has a properly fitted life vest – keep a leash attached to it so you can quickly grab your dog should they go overboard accidentally
If you have never been on a paddleboard yourself, practice paddling on the lake without your dog first, it will be much harder to maneuver the board with a dog on it too
Allow your dog to get used to the board near the shore first with you standing in the water
Be prepared to get wet – very wet (but that is the point isn’t it?)
Don’t bring a dog paddleboarding that doesn’t know how to swim, it is pretty likely that at some point they will go overboard especially if it is windy out
If your dog has a strong herding instinct it is best to have only one “member of the pack” out on the lake at a time, otherwise your dog will be upset when his “pack” isn’t close together, causing him to jump overboard or panic
Have as much fun as possible!
And the icing on my cupcake…..according to Shape Magazine I burned 500 – 700 calories every hour I was out paddleboarding (although mom says she’s pretty sure they mean it’s her that’s burning those calories), but regardless it’s also apparently the new “celebrity trend” – with paddleboarders like Jennifer Aniston and Kate Hudson testing them out too.
So considering I’m probably just as famous as those big celebs (right?) then it must be the super cool new thing to do! Not to mention I look awfully sexy doing it! *wink*
So what do you think? Is your next big adventure going to be paddleboarding with your dog? Or do you just enjoy living vicariously through me? Or better yet – have any suggestions of new adventures I should try?
Make sure you stop by the blog tomorrow to hear all about my adventures on my very first airplane ride!
One of the rules when taking your Therapy Dog Test through TDI is that dogs must be tested on a plain buckle collar or harness. Training collars, training harnesses, halties, or any other corrective training devices are not permitted during testing or visiting as a TDI-registered Therapy Dog. And on their website they make note that Therapy Dogs don’t wear vests, so as not to be confused with service dogs, and also for the fact that they cut down on the area where people can pet you.
Even though I ended up taking my test in a plain buckle collar, mom knew that were I to become an official Therapy Dog I would need to wear a different harness when I was making visits.
Mom ended up ordering me a custom made harness from Arja’s Art all the way in Finland!
These harnesses come in a variety of colors that all include reflective piping with each one being handmade to your own dog’s measurements. Designed to fit any breed, they are especially great for dachshunds as they put less stress on our sensitive necks and chest.
I chose the grey color in super soft sheep napa and mom helped me get my measurements sent over to Arja.
When my new harness arrived from Finland a couple weeks later Arja had even included a sweet little gift for me in the package. While I personally don’t have a use for a coin purse (being that I’m a dog and also I am not a girl) it was a super sweet gesture – and mom was happy to keep it for herself.
I suggested storing cookies inside the coin purse, but mom didn’t seem too thrilled by that.
After a week of wearing my harness out and about I’m loving it. It’s great to for the hot summer weather too as it gives me a little more breathability. I still love my custom made harnesses from Kalyxcornucopia (that I wear with my Super Hero capes), but they just won’t work as well for my therapy dog work.
If you are interested in ordering a harness from Arja, you can check out the website and Facebook page – and they are available to ship to the US.
