My Elsie girl is a girl of routine. Every night around 10.30pm she will start circling the coffee table, sit in front of you or nudge you to indicate that it is bedtime and she needs her beauty sleep. Sometimes she will hover in the hallway as if to indicate that she's ready for you to open her bedroom door and let her go to sleep.
The last few mornings I have woken up early. I usually open the laundry door and Fred will trot out to say good morning. However if it's before 7am Elsie will remain in bed. After 7am she will trot out of her own accord. One morning I actually went into the laundry to cuddle her, and there she was, curled up in a ball in the corner making soft mewling noises as if to say, "gerrof, I'm trying to sleep." I ended up leaving her alone, and like clockwork after it turned 7, she trotted out to say good morning.
So you can imagine my surprise when the other morning I opened the laundry door to see both dogs trot out pronto. Oh! I cried in excitement. You both want to say good morning to me and start the day early!
Unfortunately I was wrong.
I opened the door wider to discover that *someone* had had an emergency the night before and there was a little arc of what looked suspiciously like dog poo. Smooshed and small, but the smell...
So at least that explained why Elsie was so willing to get up. In a small laundry, despite the window being open the smell would have been pretty bad. And what with their sensitive noses and such...
Upon walking into the laundry I also discovered some more mess behind the door. Obviously she had tried her best to minimise the mess and keep it as far away from their bed as possible. I guess I should be grateful she did it in the far corner and not in the laundry hamper.
Suffice to say I was a very grumpy person that morning, and perhaps she'll learn a lesson about holding it in.
I can imagine the conversation that would've ensued after everything had happened.
Fred: You're an idiot Elsie. You do realise that we now have to suffer your smells for the rest of the night? Mum's not going to come in and let us out you know. Now we both have to suffer. You should've listened to mum and not eat all that kangaroo poo.
Elsie: Look, I'm sorry ok? I couldn't help it! I *had* to go!
Will looking cute and adorable help?
Elsie: No? Ok, what about some bedroom eyes then?
Fred: *sigh* We'll just have to wait until Mum comes in the morning and lets us out. Let's just hope she wakes up early again.
Elsie: sorry...........
Most evenings the puppies are getting a walk when I get home.
They also get a bit of time to tussle.
Here's Fred gleefully running up the hill to catch Elsie:
And Elsie mapping a route of escape:
They tend to try and play chasies and hide and seek.
Elsie: Uh-oh. Where did he go??
Fred: Hrmm.. I swore I saw her just a minute ago...
He snifs the air to try and catch her scent..
Fred: Els?
Elsie: Better keep moving in case he finds me.
Elsie: Now let's see where I can hide.
Fred: Ah-ha! There she is!
Elsie: Oh, crap, he's found me..
Fred: I'm coming to get you!!!!
SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here are some more shots of them in their quieter moments.
Often the pups work as a team
Fred and Elsie: What was THAT???
Fred will do the sniffing.
Then Elsie will pick up the trail.
Sometimes if they're lucky one of them will find something to eat.
Fred: mMMmm.. wombat poo!
Elsie: Dammit! I can't believe he got to it before me!!!
Elsie: Oh, wait! What's that???
Elsie: ssSSSluurrrp! Yuumm... kangaroo poo. Even better!!!
Better check to make sure he didn't spot that. Don't want him eating up my stash..
Fred: Huh?
What was that?
I'm chewing on some really good wombat poo Els. You should try some of this stuff. Really tasty!
Elsie: Wombat poo? That's so junky Fred. Think of the calories!!!
Fred: Are you sure? It looks pretty ok to me...
Elsie: Fred, what are we going to do with you?
Speaking of calories, Elsie's getting fitter by the day.
Fred's not looking to bad either, but he's still got a bit to lose.
But he seems to disagree with me.
Fred: I'm just big boned ok?
They both enjoy their walks and always come back smiling.
And by the time they come back inside they're absolutely exhausted.
Here's a typical shot of them in the evening after dinner.
Two little croissants...
awww...
Let's take a closer look...
Hrrnn.. Elsie's not too impressed that I'm taking photos while she's trying to rest.
eeeps! maybe I'll just go and take photos of Fred instead...
Fred: Yes? Is there something you wanted?
eeps! Close up of Fred's missing tooth. Scary!
Our two wolfies are basically cuddle moochers. Here is Fred trying to convince dad that it's time for another cuddle. Dad doesn't look too convinced.....
Elsie already knows the score and settles for lying at his feet.
Every once in a while she'll let a big long sigh to remind him that she's there.
Sometimes at night I'll turn around see this:
Elsie: You sure you don't want to give me a tickle and a scratch? You know you want to...
Here's a few shots of the girl in the morning before I head off to work. She's either wishing me a good day at work or telling me she's doing a great job of taking care of her teeth from chewing bones all day long.
Whoops. I misunderstood? Let's change subject shall we?
Here's a nice shot of the boy drinking out of his water bowl. It's been quite hot the last few days and we always need to remember to keep the bowl full.
The orange blur in the bottom corner is the electric fence.
Fred: What's so fascinating about taking a photo of me drinking out the water bowl anyway?
Elsie: *sigh* you should know better than to ask her silly questions like that.
The other morning came out rainy and yucky. Fred and I went up the hill so he could do his morning poo and sniff around.
Although Fred sniffs by sticking out his tongue...
When I turned around to look for Elsie this is what I saw:
Elsie: Don't be ridiculous. I'm not going out there in the wet!!! My bottom is way too precious to be sitting on the muddy ground.
And when I laughed at her this is what I got in response.
Elsie: You think I'm joking, but I'm not.
Fred and I just looked at each other.
Fred: She's such a princess.
Elsie: Yeah, well, someone's gotta keep up appearances in this household!
Uhuh.. appearances eh Els? And I wonder who this might be?
Elsie: I don't know what you're talking about. You just photoshopped that up!
Fred: Haha Elsie. You are soooo busted.
Elsie: Oh, just shut up Fred.
Fred: Ah... what??
Fred: Muuuuum... did you hear what she called me??? I'm so hurt.
There, there, Fred. There, there.
Elsie?? Do you have anything to say?
Elsie: *sigh* I can't work with you people.
Fred: hrmpff..
Luckily despite the tiffs the puppies still get along.
Here's some more happy snaps of the pups.
Here's a lovely arty shot of the girl. Accidently overexposed the shot, but surprisingly it was still in focus, so I just upped the contrast.
Not sure what Elsie thinks of it though.
A bit of an enigmatic look really.
Ah well, at least I got a good snap of the boy!
