Thrills, chills & spills with Ruffy!

[sanford]

Ruffy & I spent the weekend in rural northern Connecticut. It was a real treat for a city dog... Swimming in the lake, exploring interesting smells, rolling in the cool grass, etc. I finally got a camera, so I'll be sending a few pix later on.

As we were leaving for our return trip to the city, Ruffy jerked the leash from my hand & took off after a rabbit, chasing him through a swamp and a pasture, with me running & calling after him. The rabbit escaped, and as I was starting to panic, Ruffy spotted Rufus, his very large Bull Mastiff friend, across the pasture, so his chase was abandoned in favor of a play-wrestling match between the two of them, which gave me time to finally catch up and rein in my panting, soaking wet, mud covered dog. The huge size difference between these two dog pals is quite a sight, and would have made for a hilarious photo, but under the circumstances, photography was the last thing on my mind. We went back to the house so Ruffy could be hosed down and bathed. I took a shower and changed out of my wet & muddy clothes. We missed the train we had been scheduled to take, so we had to catch a later one. Thank you, Ruffy!

It was late by the time we arrived back in the city and we both slept very well that night. Ruffy probably dreamed about all the squirrels he still has to chase, and the raccoon he treed last week, and of course, the rabbit that got away. I dreamed about what it might be like to serenely live with a dog who heard me when I called and who came back when I told him to!

[bradl]

Oh my.

For some reason, I could not get that chorus from The Battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton out of my head as I read this tale...

Yeah, they ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles

And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go.

They ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch 'em

Down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.

Wheee. Glad you made it home eventually. I like to believe that they do dream of their adventures.

[Lynn in TN]

Brad that is so funny I sing that song on mine and Kelly's walks all the time.

Sanford it sounds like you and Ruffy had a great weekend! I can't wait to get to do something like that with the hubby kids and Kelly!

[hheldorfer]

Despite your misadventure it sounds like a perfect weekend. Isn't it amazing that Cairns can hold their own while playing with huge, lumbering dogs like the Mastiff? Gosh, I wish you had a photo of that . . . but I understand why you didn't take one. Happy dreams to both of you!

[sanford]

Yeah, they ran through the briars and they ran through the brambles

And they ran through the bushes where a rabbit couldn't go.

Bradl!... You've been doing this gig too long!... How in the world could you have known about the "briars & brambles"? I didn't even get around to mentioning them in my first post. During the entire 2.5 hour train ride back home, I must have picked 300 - 500 tiny seed-like brambles out of Ruffy's coat - and this was after I had hosed and bathed all the muck & mud off him! Ruffy looked like someone had rubbed ground peppercorns all over him. I was sure he'd have to go to the groomers for a shave and a haircut, but the train ride was just long enough for me to get those little things off of him one by one. If I tried to remove several at once they'd tangle & imbed themselves further into his coat. Do you know what the heck those things/seeds are?

[Dempsy's Mom]

That was a great trip for Ruffy - fun, adventure and a great work out ... for you both. Can't wait to see the pics.

[bradl]

I don't really know what plant they come from, but I've plucked hundreds of them from coats. They remind me very much of peppercorns in size and shape. They can be teased out just as you say ... one or two at a time, s-l-o-w-l-y or they tangle too much coat and the dog objects. A long ride is actually a good time to do it ... working fingers through the coat to find the little balls and teasing them out is almost meditative. Last weekend I only had to pull maybe a dozen from Stella and half that from Echo. Dundee was mercifully free of them.

[josie&holly]

Sounds as if you had a great weekend in the country and obviously Ruffy enjoyed himself enormously!!

[hheldorfer]

I don't really know what plant they come from, but I've plucked hundreds of them from coats. They remind me very much of peppercorns in size and shape. They can be teased out just as you say ... one or two at a time, s-l-o-w-l-y or they tangle too much coat and the dog objects. A long ride is actually a good time to do it ... working fingers through the coat to find the little balls and teasing them out is almost meditative. Last weekend I only had to pull maybe a dozen from Stella and half that from Echo. Dundee was mercifully free of them.

We went to a party last summer and Buffy spent a good deal of time in a fenced area playing with a Lab. She was full of these same seeds and I spent the rest of the party picking them out of her. Horrible little things!

[Marty & Sherry]

Way to go Ruffy. Cairness at it's most basic level I think.

[pindrop]

Having grown up in a large city, I try never to take for granted that I now live in "rural" USA. I imagine you and Ruffy must have been looking forward to such an adventurous weekend. I'm glad you enjoyed it for the most part and Ruffy even more so. Nothing better than seeing a dog enjoying the fresh air, freedom and just having a great time. I hope you get to do this more often.

Yesterday morning, I decided to take Layla over to a nature trail which is actually quite lovely. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes were more than I could stand and we headed back out of there within five minutes. As soon as the weather cools down and those pesky insects have disappeared, Layla and I will be spending a lot of time in there.

[Hawkeye]

Hey Sanford and Ruffy welcome to Connecticut!! Glad to hear your visit was so much fun even inspite of the briars & brambles. I was going to ask you how Ruffy did on the train ride, but I think you answered my question. Sounds as thou he sat still for you while you tried to clean him up. I've seen dogs on the train when we go into the city but never attempted it myself.

I look forward to seeing some pictures of his country outing. Sweet dreams Ruffy!

[Liz in PA]

Those little peppercorn things...

If they are on his chest or legs, Hogan gets them himself. He acts Really ANNOYED, TOO! iF HE COULD SPIT, THEY'D GO FLYING ACROSS THE ROOM! (sorry, cap lock...) As it is, he tosses them with great agitation. Keep meaning to get a vdeo of that.

[bradl]

I don't know why I couldn't think of the term "burrs" for the life of me yesterday.

[cairnsby3]

I don't think I realized dogs were allowed on trains?

[dinib]

I don't think I realized dogs were allowed on trains?

Same here. What train did you take him on?

[josie&holly]

I have had what we call "sticky burrs" on Holly here and they have been a real pain to get off - not just for me but for Holly - she goes frantic if she has anything like that on her so struggles/wriggles and is generally difficult to get her to stay still whilst you remove them!

[sanford]

I don't think I realized dogs were allowed on trains?

The train I use is a local commuter railroad: Metro North. It serves New York City, CT., and the Hudson Valley in NY State. For some (wonderful) reason, dogs are permitted and don't even have to be in crates, as long as they are on a leash, it's OK. No extra charge.

Amtrak, however doesn't even allow crated dogs, the last time I checked.!

[oscar's mom]

I agree didn't know train system here let you take a dog. What area were you in CT? I would love to take my dog to a water area.

[sanford]

What area were you in CT? I would love to take my dog to a water area.

Litchfield county in the northwest corner of CT, bordering Mass. & NY State. The railroad from NYC only goes as far north as Wassaic, NY. I don't know about water access in that vicinity. From Wassaic station, we drive north to Sharon, CT. Down the road from the house in Sharon is Mudge Pond, (named after Ebeneezer Mudge), and the town beach. Adjoining towns have waterfront areas: Lakeville, CT on Indian Lake, and Salisbury CT, as well. In addition to the Appalachian Trail for hiking, (There's a train stop for that, south of Dover Plains, NY), the area is crisscrossed with excellent bike trails, if your terrier will fit in a basket, Like Toto.