June 24th, 2011

How goes it everybody?  This is Wilbur the #1 bastard in all the land, once again coming at you from the sunny Lawrence, Kansas, where the weather has been absolutely stunning the past few days!!  All last week it was hot, sticky, muggy, and lots of storms and rain.  This week has been a 180 degree flip, it’s been cooler, no humidity, and pleasant to be outside.

Like the past few weeks I’ll start out with Tim’s landscaping adventure.  It is slowly drawing to a close!!  The grass in the backyard is coming in, and the sod in the front yard is sucking up all the water Tim puts on it.  The tree that was slowly dying has been cut out, which means my backyard seems a lot bigger than it used to be!!  The only issue we have been having, (I don’t think it’s that much of an issue) is the fence where they had to drive the loader through keeps falling down with all the storms that have been coming through.  Tim keeps fixing it, but I prefer it to be on the ground, make my escaping quite a bit easier!!

With the cooler weather Taylor has been taking me downtown, and to the dog park for longer periods of time, which you don’t see me complaining about at all!!  Just yesterday Taylor and Kt took all of us (Kimo, Moose, and I) on a long walk downtown.  It was a bit rough at first, I mean I had to be the top dog and walk in front of everybody, but after a little bit of walking, and some strict words from both Kt and Taylor, we all settled down and had a nice walk!!  This walk downtown turned out to be of epic proportions!!  Most everybody we came across made a comment about the pack of dogs downtown, then every so often we had to stop, because somebody wanted to put us.  I didn’t complain about any of it, because I’m a sucker for all the attention anybody wants to give to me.  I got the chance to be the dinner entertainment for one family that was having a nice dinner outside.  I’m not sure what is so special about a bloodhound baying, but every time Taylor asked me to bay it was met with applause and laughter.  By the time it was all said and done we had quite the crowd around us, and Moose and Kimo were soaking up all the attention we brought upon ourselves. 

The trips to the dog park have been all kinds of fun this week!!  There have been so many different friends to meet out there.  I guess all this nice weather has brought out everybody from their nice comfy air conditioned houses.  On average Taylor has been letting me say there for 2-3 hours, which this hound dog will never complain about.  We did attempt to go to the North Lawrence dog park on Monday, and after being there for only 10 minutes, Taylor and Kt each received about 20 mosquito bites, so we promptly left the area, and Taylor took me to the normal park across town.

If anybody recalls from last week, I blogged about how Kimo was not feeling well.  I’m happy to say that he has made a recovery, not quite 100% but he is better, and he was able to join Moose and I on all of our adventures this week!!

That’s all I got for everybody this week.  I think this weekend I’m going to be taking it easy, and laughing at the fact that Taylor is going to be using a lot of his energy trying to push that kayak around a lake.  Until next time, take care!!

Wilbur

June 17th, 2011 Father's Day is soon

Hello everybody!!  This is the Wilburnator coming at you from the always wonderful Lawrence, Kansas!!  Sorry I didn’t write a blog last week, Taylor got me excited for a trip to Iowa, in which I spent my free time (that I usually use to write my blog) trying to find different ways that I could annoy everybody on the drive, but I’ll talk more about this later.

I first wanted to give everybody an update on the landscaping project that Tim has going on in the back yard.  It is all done for the most part, all the annoying rocks, and plants have been taken out, and new grass planted.  Now there is more room for me to run around, and I am able to continue playing the game “everything in the house looks better outdoors.”  I have also been doing some of my own landscaping on the side, digging various holes, and burying bones in the backyard.  Tim is less fond of these actions, but I think it really pulls the whole backyard together, and there is nothing better than a hounds touch!!

This last weekend I was able to take a drive to Iowa with Taylor.  He has decided to get into the sport of kayaking, and through the wonderful site of Craigslist he was able to locate a good deal on one in Des Moines.  I first wanted to state that I am a fan of Craigslist, this site is how Taylor found me, and was able to give me a new home!!  I am indifferent about this whole “kayak” thing, it did score me a free car ride to Des Moines, which was VERY long, and I was able to have maximum floppage by hanging my head out the window.  Then on the other hand, when Taylor goes to take this kayak out, I get left behind at home, because he does not trust me to run around the lake without his supervision.  Then to top it all off Taylor and Kt are going on a trip to Colorado to use these kayaks the first part of July.  I’m really not sure about this one, because that means I gotta stay at home for a week, don’t get me wrong I enjoy hanging with Tim and Ash, but c’mon we are talking about Colorado here, mountains, rivers, animals, smells, and more smells, and I’m going to be left at home.  NOT FAIR!! 

Yesterday we had a bit of a scare, the “little man” Kimo is not feeling so hot.  He has a rash which has caused him to not be able to hold down water, shiver, and be in enough pain to cry when anybody picks him up.  Kt and the vet think it could be poison ivy that he picked up from the dog park since he is so low to the ground.  She almost had to rush him to an emergency vet last night, but luckily his symptoms calmed down, and that was not needed.  It’s scary when a good friend get sick, because we don’t want to lose any numbers in our wolf-pack, to sum it up I’m trying to say get well soon Kimo!!

Welp, that’s about all that I have for everybody this week.  This weekend is father’s day, so everybody be nice to your dad.  I know I plan on giving Taylor every bit of attention I can, until he is annoyed and tells me to leave him alone!!  Have a good week, and I’ll catch everybody on the flip side!

Wilbur

June 3rd, 2011 DA FLOOD IS COMING!!!

Hello everybody!!  This is the Wilburto coming at you from the flood lands of North Lawrence.  You heard me right, I said flood.  I’ll divulge more about this as you read on, but we might have a longer blog on our hands today, because there is quite a bit to talk about.  This bloodhound has been busy, or rather Taylor has been keeping me that way!

Where do I start on this week…..  The best place might be what is going on right now.  Tim has decided to do some landscaping in our backyard.  Now I’m not sure why he is doing this, that backyard has been a work in progress of mine for awhile.  I was just getting it looking the way it should, when Tim has this dude come in with a bobcat and he started tearing up everything.  Now I have mounds of dirt in my backyard, which I have been doing my best to dig up, and move, but when the mound is about 10’ tall, this is a chore that might take awhile.

 Remember the last blog or so when I talked about my new friend Walter?  If not, go back and read, he’s my English Bulldog friend!!  Well his summer camp has officially ended, and  Kt’s father came and picked him up this week.  It was sad to see him go, but Kt’s dad has promised to bring him back to visit from time to time.

Now for the BIG news, dun dUN DUN!!!  I want to introduce everybody to Moose!!  She is a Great Dane mix, Taylor and Kt rescued her from Emporia on Memorial Day.  She is a very sweet girl, and still a puppy, 8 months to be exact.   She is a great replacement for Walter, many of you didn’t know, but Walter’s skin allergies prevented him from ever going to the dog park, which made our visits limited to only Kimo and I.  Now that we have this young pup running around, all three of us are able to start whatever riot we want!!

Now let’s get to this flooding issue I mentioned earlier.  Yesterday Taylor and Kt decided to take all three of us to the North Lawrence dog park.  I have mentioned this one in the past, it’s where Ash and Taylor usually play disc golf, and cart me around.  We get there and the Kansas River is really high, I mean like over the banks high.  The water was rushing, and the current seemed pretty strong.  I did test this current every chance that I got, but never got to crazy, because let’s face it, if my ears get wet, not only am I really upset, but I’m done trying as well.  We splashed around the dog park for awhile, but when Kt and Taylor noticed that the water levels were rising, and even the places that should not be filled with water, were full, they decided it was time to leave.  We all know how us dogs can react when we are being pulled away from our fun, and it’s not a pleasant sight.  While walking back to the car Moose decided to test the waters a bit, and fell into the raging river!!  To her luck Kt happened to be paying close attention, and helped pull her out of the water.  It sure was a scare to us all, and even more with her being a pup, and so new to our pack.  The rest of the evening was spent in the back yard, where it was dry, and nobody was able to scare Kt and Taylor anymore.

This weekend should be fun Taylor and Kt are planning a camping trip, which means this hound gets to sleep outside!!  They are not quite sure where we are going yet, but that does not matter to me.  Welp, until next week, this is Wilbur signing out, everybody have a good week!!

Wilbur

May 27th, 2011

Good afternoon/evening/morning (depending on when you read this) to everybody!  This is Wilbur coming at you for my weekly blog, in which I inform everybody about how my week has been. 

I’ll start off with the weather, and just how much it’s irking me off.  All these storms have been cramping my plans of going for walks, and visits to the dog park.  Even today it’s raining, or at least it looks like it could start at any minute.  So I’ll go ahead and apologize in advanced because this is another blog that might be short and boring.  Also I’ll apologize for all the photos of me sleeping, but what else is a hound to do when it’s raining and nasty out?

I want to express my concerns and sorrows for all the people in the Joplin area that went through that tragic tornado last weekend.  Though I love Mother Nature (in fact the new game I have been playing with Tim is called “This looks better outside,” in which I take items from inside the house and place them outdoors, because everything is better outside!), but hearing any news about destruction of this magnitude is never welcome, and even though I usually enjoy my fair share of destruction (I do enough of it myself) my thoughts go out to everybody involved.   I know there are many hounds out there that have been displaced from their human friends (notice that I don’t say owner, nobody owns us), and I really send my best regards in the cleaning/recouping/repairing process for everybody in the area.   I want to thank everybody that has helped in rescue/relief efforts, but if anybody can find it in their hearts to help a pooch out here is a link to a list of the animals that have suffered from this tragic event: http://www.joplinhumane.org/

This week I was able to make a new friend!!  His name is Walter and he is an English Bulldog.  He usually lives with Kt’s father, but has been sent to summer camp at Kimo’s house!!  It’s great to have another floppy dog that we can add to our pack!  I’m quite certain that as the summer progresses that Walter, Kimo, and I will become the Three Amigos that are the bane to everybody’s existence.

Yesterday happened to be the highlight to my week, Kt was finally able to swing by my new pad, and she, Taylor, Grant, Burden, and all the roommates grilled out!!   Then it was finally dry enough that Taylor and Kt were able to take Kimo and myself to the dog park!  My only complaint is we had to stay away from the river area, for some reason Taylor and Kt thought it would be too muddy, and Kimo and I would make the car even messier.  I’m not sure where they have gotten the idea that I’m messy??  Well maybe I do, it could have something to do with all the drool that I fling when I shake off, the constant wet floor around my water bowl, or maybe it’s all the muddy paw tracks that are on the carpet……

That’s all I got for you this week, if you have hit the fast-forward button on reading this, first off I would say shame on you, and second go back and read the little bit about Joplin, and see if you can help all my friends in that area that have been displaced.  Until next week , I hope everybody has a great Memorial Day weekend!!

Wilbur

05/20/2011 the Rapture is coming.....

This is Wilbur coming at you from wet and soggy Lawrence, Kansas!!  These past few days have been full of dark clouds and rain, which has really put a damper on my walking schedule, and dog park visits.  Who is the moron that came up with the saying “April showers, brings May flowers,” because they really need to be shot.  Yes there are flowers in May, I know because I have relieved myself on quite a few, but so far we have had more rain in May than we did in April, thus rendering the phrase null and void.

I will apologize in advance, this blog might be a little short, and less pictures, because with all this rain my week has not been as eventful.  So where to start…..

This last weekend Taylor decided to go visit friends in Manhattan, to congratulate them in their graduation.  I’m not quite sure what a graduation is, or why people have to celebrate it.  I have asked Taylor several times to explain it to me, but I guess the concept of school has to make sense before I can fully understand what a graduation is.  With Taylor going to Manhattan I got the chance to spend the weekend with Jake and Cooper at my grandparent’s house!!  I did not waste any time enjoying myself, first thing I did was hijack Cooper, and we headed out for a nice three hour adventure.  I was able to see a few cows, chase some ducks, take a swim, and see a freaking llama!!  That’s right a dang llama!!  Cooper and I had a good time, only issue is we have a little bit of a dominancy issue, but soon enough he’ll learn that I’m the top dog, he’s still a pup, so for the time being he is forgiven.

Tim has switched to second shift at his job, meaning he is home during the day when everybody is usually at work.  Normally I could care less about these types of things, but this has translated into me getting let out of my kennel during the days!  Rumor is he will go back to his regular schedule very soon, but until then I will not do any complaining.

That’s all that I have for the week, I hope this rain stops sometime soon and I am able to have a more eventful week.  Until next week stay dry!!

Wilbur

Friday the 13th (05/13/2011)

What is going on everybody?  This is Wilbs coming at you for my weekly blog, all about what has happened in my world.  I’ll start off with the obvious, it’s Friday the 13^th, which means I gotta find a way to give Taylor the heebie-jeebies.  I have yet to accomplish this task, since I only briefly saw him right before he headed out the door for work.  So you guys have something to look forward to next week already!

After living for a few weeks in my new place I have to admit, I REALLY enjoy it.  What is making it even better are my new roommates.  Tim and Ash are pretty nice guys, and are willing to do what my last roommates never did, and that’s take care of me, and let me out of my crate when Taylor is not home.   Then to go even further, not only does Tim enjoy giving me treats, but he has been known to feed me when Taylor is not home.  Now if I can only train both of them into taking me to the dog park, and for walks.

Another great thing about the new roomies is Ash likes to play disc golf, and Taylor happens to enjoy the game as well.  This is a game I could care less about, I like the concept of throwing a disc, but really, trying  to aim at a basket, seems like a waste of time for me.  Now you might be asking yourself what is so great about Taylor and Ash playing this pointless game?  The answer is quite easy, the course is located at the dog park, so they bring me along and I get to root around and smell the smells, and enjoy myself!!

This Monday was quite an interesting walk, to put it lightly.  Taylor decided he wanted to go downtown, and while there  we came across this rather odd looking fellow.  He was searching around in his jacket looking for something, not even paying attention to Taylor or me.  We get close, and must have startled him, cuz he let out a scream, and proceeded to throw a book at me!  Honestly who throws a book??  Needless to say I decided it was time to evacuate the area, and never looked back.  Next on this very same walk we came to the Granada Theater where they were hosting Mudstomp Mondays.  This is a weekly event where local bluegrass artist come together and play whatever they like.  Being a hound I’m instantly drawn to this style of music, so we hung around for awhile, and I got the chance to bay along with some music!  Then (I know this was quite the entertaining walk) we ended up sitting outside of Henry’s on 8^th, where I helped people enjoy a cup of coffee.  One of the guys hanging out there happened to have a quite epic beard growing on his face, and I have never had the pleasure of tasting a beard.  This is where I got to clarify what happened, I simply tasted his beard, it was not good, and now I know better, but don’t believe what people say when claims were made that I was trying to bit him.  The good news is this fellow was not at all upset, and figured I confused his beard for an animal; I was going to argue with him that I was just sampling, but didn’t think it was worth the argument.   Needless to say it was an eventful walk, and I’m sure this is just the tip of the ice berg as to what I can expect this summer.

Well that is all I got for you this week, I’m sure there is quite a bit more that’s going to happen next week, because it’s going  to start out with a visit to see Jake and Cooper!!  I’ll catch everybody on the flip side!!

Wilbur

Cinco de Mayo (05/05/2011)

What’s happening everybody?  Wilbur here again, finally found the time to sit down and do my weekly blog update.  The life of a hound is busy, and between watching the squirrels, baying, and being a bastard, finding time to write this can be taxing.  But people got to know what I have been up to, so alas the blog must go on!!

This week has been very busy, and has also been a lot of new experiences.  My human (he believes he owns me) Taylor has been in the process of moving.  It’s a slow process, but good thing I’m a light packer, he was able to bring all my things over the first day, and since then I have been attempting to help him by keeping his bed warm as much as I am able to.

I will be the first to say that I have become a fan of my new place!!  Tim and Ash are pretty swell guys, and let me out of the kennel every chance they get.  Of course I did have to show each of them, on different occasions, how much of a bastard I can be….  While under the supervision of Tim I was able to escape a few nights ago.  Tim called Taylor, who informed him that I probably didn’t go too far, in which he was right, Tim located me in no time.  Now we go to the Ash story….  He let me out, and I escaped from the unlocked gate.  The story gets better because Ash got animal control involved, and was stressing because he thought he lost his new roommates dog (still with this ownership stuff, Taylor has everybody brainwashed into the idea that he owns me).  Ash looked for over an hour to find me, just when he gave up, and went home; there I was waiting on him.  So with this I say welcome to my world Tim and Ash, and expect many more experiences where you want to call me a bastard!!

Now let me try to list all the new things for the week.  I got a new room, though I sleep in the same place, at the foot of Taylor’s bed, it is a little bigger.   My kennel is now facing not one, but two windows!!  Tim is nice enough to keep a bird feeder in the back yard, right outside the door, where I am able to watch the squirrels, and birds!  I was also introduced to a new dog park, which is really close to where I now live!!  The only downfall is I’m usually the only dog there, and my old one is always filled with lots of canines to meet.  I met a new friend who I was told would be visiting from time to time, her name is Burden, or maybe it’s Birden, I’m not sure of the spelling there.   She is a Burmese Mountain Dog, we did get the chance to play in my new back yard, and so far we have got along great! 

The last two days Taylor has felt bad about me not getting enough attention because of the move, so I was treated with trips to the dog park!  Not only the new one, but also my old one out by Clinton Lake!  After getting to run wherever I wanted, and baying the whole time, I can say that last night I was for once worn out. 

Well that’s me week wrapped up into a few paragraphs!  Make sure you check back next week for updates about how I was able to be the loving bastards in everybody’s life!