It's been several weeks since I've read Bop's blog--what a great way to catch up on the news. I was so sorry to read of Joe's dad's death. I remember Bop relaying Sid and Sandra's news that his wake was wonderful, full of stories. My sympathy to Joe and family for their loss.
Also, great news regarding the Beavers. It seems as though every time I talk with Bopcha, they've had another win. Gulp is right!! Is it too soon to think "Rose Bowl??"
And of course Sandra knew she'd have our attention with that list of "intelligent" dogs. I think Dee was right in that the list is based upon "trainability"--or what I think is even better put: bidability. If Sandra's vet had labled the list as measuring bidability--which it probably actually does, no one would argue because no one questions that Border collies really are the most biddable. But Sandra's vet calling it "intelligence" makes the list automatically pejorative for folks that love their dog, love their breed. Our dogs are intelligent--but nowhere as bidable as a Border collie--thank goodness!! I'd never be able to tell Kazan fast enough "now RUN!!" "now TURN RIGHT!" to make him competitive with others that figure out the chase strategy for themselves. Since breeders selected borzoi and Afghans to find the hunter's dinner using their own wits, biddability wouldn't keep the owner very fat. Since breeders selected Chihuahuas, Pekinese, and other tiny breeds to love to cuddle and be happy to sit on an owners lap, bidability wasn't necessary. They don't wait to be told --now you can snuggle in my lap, now you can crawl under the covers-etc. Doesn't make sense--that wasn't how the breeder shaped the genetics nor what the breeder was interested in achieving. My opinion--the good Lord gave us a species that could be easily shaped to serve mankind in as many ways as man could imagine. The dog is the only species that can be found with such extremes of variety (Irish wolfhound) to Chihuahua and still be fully compatible in terms of interbreeding.
Meanwhile all else goes well at the Zoiboyz. We had a delightful two weeks with Dagmar, Herbert, and Uschi. We took them to the straight racing and oval racing championships in Oklahoma, up to Wyoming for some fun, down to New Mexico for regional championships in coursing, plus some other fun things here at the ranch. Their visit was followed by us hosting racing competitions here at the ranch last weekend. And today I'm off to work--Tom and I are a little tired, but happpy. Plus we had the pleasure of winning everyone of the national as well as the local competitions--so much fun.
Well today to avoid all the painting, scraping, and other construction projects that we need to be doing, we are going to look at cars. Yes cars! I should probably get a new car at this point, but I love NOT having car payments. Oh did I mention we are also able to avoid cleaning by visiting car dealerships. Of course I am not ready to get another car, but we just have to go today. It is imperative. Wouldn't it be great to have a maid? Is there anything more annoying than household chores?
Diana, your comments are really funny - that is the one about your cats. I agree with you that the list is probably based on trainability. Although it does seem out of sorts. It was very surprising to see Borzois listed so far down because they seem to be highly trainable.
Well I guess we are off to our very important business - avoiding household projects.
We have an OSU game on Saturday and a Redhawk bb game on Saturday and one on Sunday.
Sports are a great way to avoid cleaning the garage, raking the leaves etc. etc.
The doggie intelligence list was really surprising! Chihuahua's ahead of Borzoi???? I guess the list is sort of about which breeds train well, in which case I suppose Poodles deserve to be high on the list - they do look good in circus acts. Border collies are all out working real jobs, I suspect.
I think our cats would be really really far down on the list. They run the household and refuse to be trained. JB got a harness and a leash for Ella. Well, you can imagine how well THAT worked out!
I think I may have given you all the impression that I thought Storm was the smartest dog because I thought he was a border collie. I actually know that Storm is not a border collie, I was just saying that Storm himself (regardless of his breed) is really smart. But I am just a biased aunt.
And of course KC's dogs are the second smartest
Bopcha, I like your little description of the weather in Oregon the other day. You said it was frsh and balmy. It made me think of the wonderful Northwest air.
"In Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock."
One of our Veterinarians just did a special report on the local news channel about intelligence in dogs. Of course "Storm" is the most intelligent dog there is. Just kidding. That is the funny thing, most owners think their dogs are the most intelligent. Anyway, I thought you might enjoy the following list of where dogs rank in intelligence.
The Veterinarian said that intelligence is just secondary, the most important factor is training the dog. Something we all knew I suppose.
Ranking of Dogs for Obedience and Working Intelligence:
1. Border Collie
2. Poodle
3. German Shepherd
4. Golden Retriever
5. Doberman Pinscher
6. Shetland Sheepdog
7. Labrador Retriever
8. Papillon
9. Rottweiler
10. Australian cattle dog
11. Pembroke Welsh corgi
12. Miniature schnauzer
13. English springer spaniel
14. Belgian Tervuren
15. Schipperke Belgian sheepdog
16. Collie Keeshond
17. German short-haired pointer
18. Flat-coated retriever; English cocker spaniel; Standard schnauzer
19. Brittany spaniel
20. Cocker spaniel; Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever*
21. Weimaraner
22. Belgian Malinois; Bernese Mountain dog
23. Pomeranian
24. Irish water spaniel
25. Vizsla
26. Cardigan Welsh corgi
27. Chesapeake Bay retriever; Puli; Yorkshire terrier
28. Giant schnauzer; Portuguese water dog
29. Airedale; Bouvier des Flandres
30. Border terrier; Briard
31. Welsh springer spaniel
32. Manchester terrier
33. Samoyed
34. Field spaniel; Newfoundland; Australian terrier; American Staffordshire terrier; Gordon setter; Bearded collie
35. American Eskimo dog*; Cairn terrier; Kerry blue terrier; Irish setter
Joe, you and your family are very much in our thoughts and prayers.
Our church dinner went well. We were exhausted!!!! It makes me appreciate what Judi does all the more.
Went to see "Soul Men" with JB and Noah on Sunday. It was funny if you could get past the horrible language and gross jokes. A bit over the top for me.
The Beavers won on Saturday. Gulp! We play Cal at home on the 15th. I'm getting nervous already. Our starting QB is still out as is our main pass receiver. We do OK without them, but it would be nice to have them healed and ready to go for the last few games of the season.
My heart feels sad for the passing of Joe's father. The loss of a family member is always tough, and I feel as if I had an acquaintance with him because of the delicious sausages that Sid sent to me.
The sun was shining this morning, and then big black and gray clouds rolled over Marys Peak and settled down on D street. It is raining and the puddle across the road is getting bigger each hour.
I 'worked' at the Gleaners yesterday and met a new young man with an implant in his neck. He explained to me that it was a device to control seizures. I had not known there were implants for such problems.
The temperature is 57° and the air is so fresh and balmy.
Sid got an e-mail today saying that Joe Bonamico's father passed away last night. I think it may be a heart attack but we are not sure. We just saw Joe's dad in early September and he looked okay although I think he was suffering some health problems already. He was a very sweet man and I am sure he will really be missed by his family. Sid wanted to make sure you all knew.
Well, it is that time of year. We are getting a lot of wet, wet weather ... No surprise, I guess.
Jess has the day off, so I will go into work for a couple of hours and then come home to help Jess make a diabetic friendly dessert for our church group dinner Saturday night. One of the 6 guests has diabetes, so we are going to make the dessert something she can eat. We hope it tastes good, too! Our electrician is coming to install our new fixtures, too. Hooray!
Noah's team won its game on Wednesday pretty easily. Gavin's shot was really falling (he's a 3 point shooter) and Noah did not get into any tussels. Haley came to watch - she arrived with Noah and his roomate, Sam. She got a great score on her Law School Admissions Test and is busy applying to law schools. Since she is no longer playing volleyball, she has lost weight and looks less athletic but just as beautiful. Boo Hoo! I would have had such beautiful big grandchildren had she and Noah stayed together! Well, at least they remain friends.
Have a good weekend everybody! Kay and Bill and I plan on going to a movie on Sunday. I think we are going to see something called "The boy with striped pajamas" (or something resembling that title).
"People have been congratulating me all day about the Presidential election. I guess they think I'm related to him!"
We are going shopping for light fixtures. The electricians pronounced three out of the four lights DOA. I want to get them up and functioning again before the church people who are coming to dinner Saturday fall and sue me.
All is quiet. I am so glad all the election stuff has subsided.
