The Sunday Schnauzer – Toys

On November 19, 2023November 8, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer33 Comments

Some days it’s not fit for woman nor beast to be outside (for too long). For those days, I have a stash of toys to keep a certain someone ~~outta my hair~~ interested and amused. However I need to replenish the stash from time to time as that same certain someone is very hard on toys.

Unfortunately while I was unpacking the latest haul of toys, I accidentally made one of them squeak.

Bowser: *I’d recognize that sound anywhere! Gimmee gimmee!!!*

And this short video gives you an indication of why the toys never last too long.

Bowser demonstrates with his favourite toy.

The toy: an inside-out deflated soccer ball, that first appeared in this post. In Bowser’s defense (and heaven knows he needs one), he did not deflate the ball. *That happened when a truck delivering materials for my garden backed over it.*

Bowser guarding another ball so I can’t steal it from him.

After toy time, comes *Rest with Oma* time. 😁

We hope you have plenty of play and rest time heading your way!

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – First Frost

On November 12, 2023October 31, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer31 Comments

Believe it or not, the rain turned to snow I featured in the last post did not include a frost. That (our first frost of the season) happened the day after the snow fall (October 26). Only on Vancouver Island, you say? 😉 Yes! At least in my little corner of the world.

The heavy rain followed by wet snow followed by frost meant that a lot of trees and tree branches now littered where we used to walk so freely.

Yesterday’s puddles now covered in a thin layer of ice.

All of that rain and snow means the creek is now almost back to the size and ferocity it was in the spring.

And our formerly dry summer crossings now involve wet feet, again.

But we don’t care. (These puddles are no longer icy because the sun was shining on them.)

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Rain Turns to Snow

On November 5, 2023October 31, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer33 Comments

On October 25, we woke up to snow. We had experienced an atmospheric river event the day before and as the temperatures dropped, the rain turned to the white stuff.

The morning’s walk looked like this.

Hey Bowser, do you remember snow from last year?

Between heavily laden tree branches bent down low and the deep ruts turning into mini-ponds, it was a tough slog at times on our normally open trail.

Bowser of course was up to any challenge.

We hope you are having adventurous weather too (but not too adventurous!).

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Fall Colours #walktober

On October 29, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer43 Comments

Nature has a more limited colour palette here in the west, than it does in the eastern part of Canada. But Bowser and I are appreciating every day, just the same.

I believe this is called toadflax. One of the few plants flowering at this time of year.

The odd bit of red comes from dying salal leaves.

It’s hard to get close-ups of Bowser as he is eager to trot ahead and explore.

Oh, looks like he finally remembered I am on this walk too 🤣.

Brilliant blue skies provide a great backdrop for the changing colours.

The rains mean return of puddles in all the ruts.

We hope you are having a great and colourful weekend! This is my post for Change is Hard’s Walktober Challenge.

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Bowser Has A Houseguest

On October 22, 2023October 19, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer39 Comments

Meet Poppy:

A 14 year old Chihuahua, Poppy stayed with Bowser and Mommy and Daddy last week while *his* mommy was out of the country.

Poppy, showing off his BDE (Big Dog Energy). It is usually short-lived 🤣, but we love his enthusiasm.

Bowser is not a fan of the new, slower pace to our walks.

He also wonders why Poppy must pee all over the places he, Bowser, has just peed upon.

Partway through each shortened walk, Poppy starts flagging and gets zipped into Mommy’s jacket. He likes being treated like the king that he is 👑.

Bowser usually wants to play more than Poppy, which leads to Poppy becoming even more of a grumbly old man than he already is. But at least they are very good at napping together.

We have nicknamed Poppy “the coffee pot”, as he makes noises like a percolating coffee machine. A LOT. It gives us anxiety as we try to figure out what is bothering him, if in fact he is bothered. Is this a Chihuahua thing? Anyways, I like him best when he is at rest. Then I *know* he is relaxed.

Bowser has been spending even more time at my house this past week, to give each dog a break from the other. I can’t say that I am mad about that 😉.

Bowser and I, chillin’ like villains in front of the fire after a rainy walk.

It’s been an interesting week! Who knew Bowser could appear to be practically zen-like, in comparison? 🤣

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Beach Blanket Bowser

On October 15, 2023October 14, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer23 Comments

Bowser’s Mommy is taking over ye olde blogge this week! Last weekend, Bowser went with Mommy and Daddy for an overnight camping trip to Ucluelet and to visit the beaches of Tofino. All pictures and captions courtesy of ~~Mommy~~ Bowser.

*Mommy and Daddy took me to a place called Tofino for the first time. I’d never been to a big sandy beach before and I had SO. MUCH. FUN!*

*Mommy brought toys for me to play with. I keep her and Daddy on their toes by making last minute decisions about which toy I want to run away with. Come catch me!*
*(Mommy promptly lost my red ball, which I think upset her more than me.*)

*Look at me go! I ran into the water to catch this one! All the way up to my belly! Mommy was proud of me. The water was salty, but I drank it anyway – YOLO!*
(This did not sit well with Bowser at 12:30 am – Mommy, whose head was almost vomited on – YOLO, I guess 🙄)

*Mommy said I have “Kenergy” and my job is “Beach”. I live for Mommy’s gaze (and cleaning Daddy’s beard).*

*Daddy found me this awesome smelly thing called a Mermaid Purse. I also found smelly mussels and tried to roll in them. Daddy stopped me.*

*Look! Daddy found me a new ballie since Mommy lost my red one. He said “take a penny leave a penny” or something, whatever that means. Are pennies as fun as ballies?*

I hope you find something that tastes great this weekend!

Rock on,

The Bowz 🐾 (and Mommy!)

The Sunday Schnauzer – The Rains Are Here Again

On October 8, 2023September 29, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer, See the Beauty30 Comments

After being in extreme drought conditions since July, the island is once again experiencing the rainy weather it is known for. And we couldn’t be happier.

This is my “happy to be out in the rain face”. (My hair is not wet from the rain, but still damp from the shower I took just before heading out.)

Bowser was excited to be out on the trail again. Not sure if he thought the rain was all that exciting, though. Not like he gets when it snows, that’s for sure 🤣. He matches the scenery nicely, doesn’t he?

As usual, Bowser has to trot ahead and scout things out.

And, as usual he checks back from time to time to see where I am at.

Bright leaves litter the trail, making a beautiful contrast to the rocks and soil.

Found this beautiful little mushroom. Some sort of *Amanita*, I think. I was hoping to see more, but this was the only one I found on this walk.

Bowser, coming back from checking on the creek – that we were happy to notice is rapidly reclaiming the dry creek bed.

We hope you are enjoying whatever the weather brings you. Happy Thanksgiving weekend to my fellow Canadians!

Rock on,

The WB

The Sunday Schnauzer – Dream On

On October 1, 2023September 30, 2023 By Widow BadassIn Adventures with dogs, Bowser the Schnauzer35 Comments

I had some lovely company (my childhood-and-STILL friend and her sister) come to visit me recently, so I gave up my bed and the day bed to them and headed next door to sleep at my daughter and son-in-law’s place. Bowser was so excited that this was happening that he wouldn’t settle any longer in their bedroom, so his dog bed and his little self moved into the room I was occupying. He stayed in his bed all night, but in the morning it was a different story!

*How can you get up and leave me Oma? I am irresistible, after all.*

*So, you’re really gonna leave me?!?! The nerve!*

Once Bowser determined I was absolutely not going to rejoin him in the bed, he quickly changed tactics and followed me over to my house…no doubt hoping some of our breakfast would be dropped in his general direction. Dream on, Bowser. Dream on.

Rock and dream on,

The WB