Patty and I started off on what was to be a bright sunny day with the usual morning walk, which had been freshened up with a crisp clean new blanket of snow, as a result of the heavy snow storm of the day before.  There were allot of fresh trails in the snow, and we both had a very pleasant walk.  After the morning meal, while Patty was taking a nap, and I had gone online, Patty's guardian dropped in for a visit.  Patty was absolutely delighted, and we all went for a short walk down through the woods, and then back up to the resort along the top of the ridge (Visitors walk).  Then suddenly, it was time to say goodbye, which is often the most difficult and confusing moment for most guests.  However, Patty soon got over her guardian's sudden departure, when she was introduced to the new treats that had been brought out for her, or more specifically a jumbo peanut butter flavored dog biscuit.  :-) Things have been very quiet here since the ever talkative Macha had departed late last Sunday night after a very wild and rapturous reunion with her long lost guardians!  There are no new confirmed guests scheduled to arrive until mid February, when the ever playful Freddie returns.  There has though been several inquiries of late, with Josie a senior French bulldog having shown some interest concerning a possible vacation starting at about the same time that Freddie will be here.  In other news, and as some may have noticed, I have reduced the fees for cats by half.  This had been requested earlier, and after I had been informed that the Luxury Inn for Cats "The Cat's Meow" ( http://www.catsmeowinn.com/ ) now had daily rates of $9.00.  Of course a Luxury Inn for cats isn't nearly as sophisticated and charming as a 180 acre Resort for both Cats and Dogs, which explains why the daily rate for Cats is still 1 dollar more here!  :^) The afternoon walk was uneventful, but Patty had plenty of fascinating scent diversions that kept her constantly occupied for the entire duration of the walk.  Patty having had an absolutely delightful gourmet meal of dry dog food flavored with canned dog food, which had been provided by her guardian, is now having a quiet after dinner chew on a new rawhide bone on the upstairs bed!  You will definitely not get this kind of service and luxury at a mere Inn for cats!!  ;-)

Global warming started off the morning walk with yet another mild dreary slushy day, which made walking very awkward, what with every step causing one's feet to sink down into the snowy mush of what had once been a hard smooth path through the woods and across the meadows only a few days before.  Patty having four on the floor wasn't having as much difficulty, but nevertheless her scent diversions never wandered far off from the trails.  Last Saturday we had had the only cold day so far this winter, with a cold very brisk morning walk at -20C, but unbelievably by the next day it was raining yet again!  :-( Shortly after we arrived back from the morning walk, we were greeted by a ray of sunshine, better known to some as Abby!  :-) She had dropped in for yet another of her usual supercharged day visits.  She was warmly welcomed by Patty, who having now been here for just over a month, had been recently granted the title of 'Deputy Concierge' (She is in charge of supervising the daily walks, and greeting the new guests).  I spent the rest of the day keeping a low profile, as Patty and Abby played and chased each other all over the house and around and around outside, with me only having to throw the ball once or twice when ever their was a infrequent pause in the action.  There was no need for an afternoon walk, what with both guests being totally exhausted.  I am told that when Abby gets home, she goes straight to the nearest bed, gets comfortable on a pillow, and falls dead asleep for the next 12 hours.  In other news, we might have 2 guests dropping in for the weekend tomorrow, but that hasn't yet been confirmed.  However, Kendra and Sport who are regular guests at the resort will be dropping in for a 5 day visit next Thursday.  Meanwhile Jack and Vera (cat) have confirmed for late June, and Freckles and Mr.  Mike are considering for August.  Of course the big event for February being Freddie's much anticipated visit, and the yet unconfirmed visit by the new guest named Josie.  :-)

We are halfway through the winter period, with this being the quietest time of year at the resort.  It is certainly understandable why most distinguished dogs and cats do not consider this to be an optimal time of the year to take a vacation, but fortunately for me there are a few regular guests who enjoy the snow, long frozen walks, and the often wild and unpredictable weather.  :-) Patty and I started off on the morning walk in relatively mild weather conditions, but by the time the afternoon walk came around, it had become bitterly cold, the trails rock hard and icy, and the little amount of snow still remaining had frozen solid.  Solid enough for Patty to walk across it effortlessly, but not solid enough for me.  There has not been much to distinguish the walks one from the other over the last few weeks, but we have had a few wild turkeys rushing off with a large flapping of wings in the woods, and the usual deer or two racing across the corn fields far off in front of us.  These events always get Patty very excited, but she never rushes off in hot pursuit, as would have happened say if Dana were still here.  She being quite content to just carefully sniff the tracks left behind once we had arrived at where the prey had been.  Patty being a long-term guest just got the resort's complimentary all over grooming, that first started off with a manicure (Toe nails clipped), ears cleaned, and an all over brushing.  Needless to say she is now looking particularly radiant!  Clipping a guests toe nails can often be a very wild experience, but with Patty I had no problems, nor did I make any mistakes.  :-) With some previous long-term guests you would have thought that I was trying to amputate their legs, what with all the thrashing about and mournful howls of doom and gloom, and all this happening before I had even picked up the nail clippers!  It has been years since I have had bloody foot prints all over the house, as a result of having clipped a toe nail a tad to close.  But obviously some guests are not to be convinced of this fact, no matter how many reassuring sweet words of nothing that I might whisper into their ears as I.... :o( Talking of guests, the 2 guests who were to arrive for the weekend never showed up.  It seems that more often than not, guests who make a reservation without having first visited the resort never show up!  :( However since the resort first went online, all the guests who have made a reservation after having first visited the resort have shown up!  :) Patty started her second bag of dog food yesterday, so it seems that 1 bag is enough for 5 weeks.  She certainly enjoys her meals much more now that all her meals are flavoured with a spoonful or so of delectable canned dog food.  She was also very well behaved and friendly with my replacement, when I went into town for a few hours on my monthly trip away from the resort.  What she likes best of all though is when other guests arrive, and we are both looking forward to the arrival of Kendra and Sport on Thursday!!  :-)

Patty woke me up as usual with a quick face wash before bounding off the bed in eager anticipation of starting off on the morning walk.  I should of stayed in bed, it being the coldest day so far this year, not because the temperature was the lowest, but because of the biting wind chill factor, which made walking into the wind a backward walking experience.  Patty was oblivious to the cold though, and went off on her many usual scent diversions.  I had just defrosted myself when Kendra and Sport arrived, and it was a great pleasure to see and hear them again.  Patty was absolutely delighted, and after quickly checking out the guardians went off after the new guests, who were already busily checking out the resort for interesting scents.  Sport a rather rotund fox hound with his usual deep hound Aaarooo, grumpy manner, and absolute obsession for chasing squirrels, had vanished off into the nearest cedar hedge after...  Kendra a ever demure yet cheerful border collie with a delightful manner, and an amazing talent for snatching Frisbees high out of the sky with effortless skill, was off sniffing out the open tool shed, and...  To break the ice we all went off on a short icy walk, and there was much extensive sniffing of each other's rear ends and marking out of the territory, as Sport clearly established the fact that he was the top dog.  Patty did not seem to mind though, she being far to busy playing with Kendra, and carefully sniffing out all the newly marked out positions.  :-) After the walk everyone had one of Patty's jumbo dog biscuits, after which Sport then took a short nap, while Patty and Kendra played about or watched the birds from the floor to ceiling window.  The squirrels had wisely all vanished when news of Sport's arrival had been noisily announced!  By the time of the afternoon walk it was snowing hard and the wind had picked up, making things even colder than they had been during the morning walk!  Nevertheless the walk was a rather wild uncontrolled affair that lasted far longer than the usual walks do.  Sport determined to always be out in front, was constantly baying out excited comments in his usual colourful manner as he bounced off the path those who dared to get out in front of him when ever he stopped to go off on one of his many scent diversion (Nothing like a hound dog to drive a concierge nuts)!  Meanwhile Patty and Kendra were playing about constantly and going off on their own scent diversions, which as always were in the opposite direction from where Sport had taken off from...  Back at the resort all the guests had dinner served with the dry food being flavoured with canned dog food much to everyone's satisfaction.  As I write all the guests are spaced out on the various beds fast asleep.  In other news Rummy will be dropping in for a 2 day visit on Saturday, and Rusty and Skylar are contemplating a 7 day vacation in mid March.  :)

Yesterday morning I was awoken by friendly licks from both Kendra and Patty, and given a huge yawn from Sport who was cosily ensconced at the end of my bed.  After much stretching and snuffling about, the guests got off the bed fully expecting me to promptly do likewise!  The sound of ice pellets and sleet hammering on the windows though made me decide to delay the morning walk as much as possible, but the guests were having none of it!!  A parade of wagging tails would keep coming around the bed, with Patty giving me a face wash, Sport pushing aside the covers, and Kendra giving me a lopsided look of deep concern as if.  Eventually I relented and we went off on a thoroughly miserable walk, with stinging ice pellets and a howling wind making visibility nearly non existent.  The rest of the day was just more of the same, with the only difference being that it got milder, and then started to rain as the afternoon walk was ending.  The guests though were seemingly oblivious to all this, except for Kendra who had to make several stops to remove frozen ice ball from between her fluffy paws.  Today dawned brilliantly icy with the sun glittering off everything that had been covered with ice the night before.  This was great for the guests who could walk on top of the ice without breaking through, but rather awkward for me who kept breaking through if I attempted to wander much off the beaten path.  Patty though was doing an excellent job of supervising the walks, and preventing the various scent diversions from going to far off into the bush.  She and Kendra would always return when called, and then eventually a reluctant Sport would come crashing back out of the bush.  There is certainly nothing subtle about Sport, who literally just throws himself into what ever he is doing.  Unlike the previous 2 days this was also great weather for tossing the purple ball for Patty, and the Frisbee for Kendra.  Sport let it be known though that he was far to busy chasing squirrels to have any time for such mindless pastimes!  Rummy a very playful and mellow guest arrived shortly after mid day to a vociferous welcome from Sport, and a raucous welcome from both Patty and Kendra who accepted happily his joyous offers to play, after of course all the usually arrival scenarios, marking out of territory, and various sniffing protocols had been performed.  In honour of Rummy's arrival the afternoon walk was started early and greatly extended, with a wide detour that took us down by the river, and then back through the bush on what was supposed to be a short cut!  Sport as usual led out in front with Patty, Kendra, and Rummy playing about all over the place far behind, but catching up rapidly when ever I went off in a new direction, which would then cause Sport to come racing back, so as to pick up the lead position yet again.  However, by the time we arrived back at the resort everyone was in single file, and just trudging along in slow motion, the shortcut having been anything but short.  Dinner went off without any complications, with Rummy being very delighted at having canned dog food added to her dry stuff.  For the last 2 nights having 3 dogs on the bed was a comfortable arrangement, there just being enough space for everyone, despite a few low growls as the several necessary redeployments took place during the course of the night.  However, now that Rummy a 100+ pound Mastiff/Lab has arrived it looks like 1 or more of the guests will be sleeping on a lowly dog bed tonight.  As I write all the guests are flopped out on the various beds upstairs and down, with the only sound being Sport's gentle snoring.

Could Sport be the perfect gentleman?  Last night he let the 3 ladies Patty, Kendra, and Rummy sleep on my bed, while he slept on Rummy's spacious bed.  Patty as usual slept at the top of the bed, with Kendra flopped out on her back beside her with her feet sticking up in the air as was her custom, and then her royal highness Rummy took up the rest of the bed.  It took her forever to find that absolutely perfect position, but once this was accomplished, we all then had a quiet night, except for the occasional moment, when Rummy in an eventful moment in her dreams, would suddenly kick out one of her legs, and almost knock me or one of the other guests off or out of the bed!  Then only after a few low growls, much repositioning, and a visit from Sport who would come over to check things out, would the situation then quiet down yet again.  In the morning I was awakened by Rummy, who in her usual puppy manner just flopped down on top of me, and then proceeded to give me a face wash.  When I vanished under the covers, she then challenged a now alarmed Patty to play with her, while at the same time almost smothering a hapless Kendra in the process.  Needless to say there would be no sleeping in this Sunday morning!  It was cold and snowing lightly when we started of on the morning walk, which was not unpleasant, due mostly to the fact that there was no wind!  I also avoided making any extended diversions as I had the day before, and stuck firmly to the standard morning trail.  Sport though would patiently wait at each fork in the trail, just to make sure that I would not get lost, as I had so obviously done in his exasperated opinion the day before!  Meanwhile Rummy was dashing about playing with either Patty who would always join in, or Kendra who being slightly overwhelmed by Rummy's size would go dancing off into the bush in a vain attempt at escape.  These 3 must have covered 4 times the distance that both Sport and I had covered during the walk!!  Mealtimes when there are several guests at the resort is often the most dangerous time, other than arrivals and departures when gates and doors might be left open, or...  However, with these 4 guests no one needed to be confined in a separate room, and there were no attempts to steal someone else's food.  The tricky part only being how to get all 4 bowls in the 4 corners of the kitchen at the same time with the correct dog eating from the correct bowl?  My solution is to know in what order guests should be served, which is often their perceived position of authority in the pack (It is often the smaller dogs and/or the cats who get me fooled).  With this delightful group it was first Sport, followed by Patty, then Rummy followed by Kendra.  Kendra being the most casual of the 4, and the only 1 to occasionally leave food behind in her bowl, which as always is promptly thrown out before any of the other guests could start world war 3 over these tasty remains.  The snowy afternoon walk and the playtimes/squirrel patrols were uneventful other than that the Frisbee was trashed, and Kendra then had to make do with a stick.  Basically I just have to throw the purple ball once, and everyone would then spend the next 10 minutes or so chasing Patty (Always the first one to retrieve the ball!) around and around the Coach House.  As to the squirrels, Sport spent all his time standing up with his front paws on a tree looking high up into the branches as if mesmerized.  Of course as usual he accomplished nothing much for all this effort, other than providing the birds with a squirrel free dinning experience at the resort's 2 bird feeders.  :-)

After much stretching, tail waving, morning grooming, and some rough housing by the ever exuberant Rummy, we all set off on a perfect morning walk under a pink sunrise.  It was moderately cold, crisp, crystal clear, and everything was covered in a soft pristine blanket of new snow from the night before.  The guests were all super charged, and shot out of the rear entrance even before I had the gate fully open!  I finally caught up with them in the woods, where all the new tracks crisscrossing the trail had them totally captivated.  I was thus able to continue the walk at the usual more leisurely manner and enjoy the scenery, knowing that Sport would be taking us on the correct trail, and that Patty would be closely supervising the various scent diversions and Rummy's endless playful antics behind me, with her usual unflappable sophistication!  :o) The morning meal was uneventful, and was followed by the usual 1 hour morning nap, with Rummy going back to bed, Sport and Kendra taking up their squirrel observation post in front of the floor to ceiling window, and Patty flopping out on the upstairs bed, so that she could keep a close eye on me, as I went online to check my e-mail and surf the world wide web.  Kendra later came up to let me know it was time to go outside.  She did so by sitting up on her rear end, and then gently placing her right paw on my mouse pad.  This time I forgot to put on my boots before opening the front door, and as a result had Rummy walking all over my toes in the mad rush to get out, which was an eye opening experience for me to say the least!!  This time even Sport joined in the playing about, and the endless pursuits.  He did so mostly by giving a blow by blow commentary in his usual gruff vociferous manner, as Rummy went barging about in wild abandon in her vain attempts to catch the ever elusive Patty and 'her' purple ball.  Shortly after high noon Rummy's guardian returned, and poof she was gone, after having had a fond barking and baying farewell from her many new friends.  The afternoon walk was less lively without Rummy, but was nevertheless a gloriously invigorating walk with Kendra, Patty and even Sport having a sniffing good time, with many forays far out into the fields, where Sport even found a huge bone much to his delight.  When he wasn't looking I tossed it off into the bush, but then Kendra went off to find it...  When we arrived back at the resort, we all discovered that Kendra and Sport's guardians had returned early, and were waiting for us.  After a joyous reunion, Patty and I found our selves yet again at the front gate, watching guests driving off into the sunset.  I then tossed the purple ball for a while, and then a very satisfied but tired Patty and I decided to call it a day.  Patty is now fast asleep obviously looking forward as I am to our next visitors and/or guests who could just drop in at any time.  :-)

Patty woke me up this morning with her usual greetings, before doing her morning stretches across the bed, as she waited impatiently for me to get up out of the bed.  It looked like a great day, sunny and bright, but it was surprisingly windy, which made the wind chill unbearable before we had even done half of the morning walk.  It was howling right out of the north.  In the woods it hadn't been much of a problem, the only indication being the sighing of the wind high up in the trees, but once we were out in the open fields, it was clearly time for a hasty retreat.  Patty even indicated her agreement, by first holding up one paw then the next, a clear sign that we would have to end the morning walk early, for only the 2nd time this year.  :-( Since Kendra Sport and Rummy had departed a week ago today, not much has happened, other than the totally unpredictable weather.  For example only yesterday it had been raining!  This probably being the one reason why all those who said they were going to come out and sniff out the resort last week and on the weekend never showed up?  Patty is doing great, has completely settled in, and knows the daily routine now even better than I do.  She often reminds me if the daily walks are delayed by even a few minutes!  She also has the most expressive ears and head movements of any guest who has ever stayed here.  I just have to say her name, her ears pop up, swivel around, and she then slightly shifts her head to one side as if giving my every word deep consideration and thought, as she is doing right now.  Obviously it is now time to end the after morning meal nap, all this boring computer stuff, and go out and check up on the squirrels, play with her purple ball, and...  With Freddy coming out on Friday, she will certainly have someone far more lively to play with, seeing that she does tend to find rather slow on my feet, and far less inclined to run around in circles all day, as do some of the regular ever delightful younger guests.  Guests such as Freddy and Abby to name just a few.  :-)

Another gray day at the resort, but unlike every other day so far this week, today was mild but windy.  Patty and I had a very pleasant walk, with Patty finding many new tracks in the light drifting of snow that had covered the trails the night before.  Tracks which of course required extensive evaluation, but never so extensive that I would get to far out in front of her!  She would always make a racing recovery when ever this happened.  Shortly after the morning nap for guests, the ever turbo charged Freddie arrived!  :-) Patty, who was greatly overjoyed at the prospect of having someone to play with other than the ever slow and oh so boring concierge, greeted him with overwhelming rapturous attention!!  I was also delighted to see Freddie again, and much relieved that the guests would now be entertaining each other endlessly with little input from myself.  :) As I write Freddie and Patty are racing up and down the stairs, rough housing in the upstairs bedroom over who should have possession of Rummy's yellow 3 banana toy that no one could find when Rummy checked out just a few weeks ago, playing a lopsided game of tug of war with Freddie's rope toy, or!  Earlier in the day the outdoor toy of choice had been Freddie's 'Flexi Flyer' fabric frisbee.  These frisbees are so much more long lasting and reliable than the plastic ones, which never seem to last for more than a day or 2, especially when the guests use them to play tug of war with or chew to pieces...  For snacks Freddie brought a endless variety of treats, which are being much admired and appreciated by Patty.  Patty just recently having exchanged one of her jumbo biscuits for several treats that Freddie's guardian had said that he had turned his nose up at.  Patty found these cheese and liver dog training treats scrumptiously delicious, but then there is probably nothing that a guest would not eat when there is more than 1 guest here!  Treats are served first thing in the morning, midday, before going to bed, and occasionally during the longer walks, with my always being very careful to avoid any conflicts, what with 'Food' and especially 'Bones' having always been the greatest source of conflict between guests here at the resort in the past.  However, with Freddie and Patty there are no such concerns, what with both being very well behaved when food is being served.  As a rule bones are only served if there are only 1 or 2 guests staying here at the resort.  When there are 2 guests; one will get his or her bone outside, and the other guest getting it served inside.  Needless to say I always later find the slobbery inside bone buried under my pillow...  The afternoon walk was longer than usual, and all over the place, as is to be expected when a new guest/s arrive.  Despite my best efforts though, I failed to tire out the ever playful Freddie even in the slightest.  Seeing that Patty is a long term guest, and Freddie a regular guest, the next update should not be until next Monday, when Tessa and Sunny also regular guests arrive for yet another of their standard 5 day visits.  :-) Meanwhile first time guests Maisie, Spencer, and their anxiously concerned guardians might be all coming out to sniff out the resort in advance of a possible short vacation later next week?

The sleeping arrangements have been rather cozy the last 3 nights, with both guests sleeping at the head of the bed, after Freddie had finally been exhausted by the evening indoor tennis ball tournament.  These tourneys consist of my tossing a tennis ball out into the kitchen, so that it bounces off the walls, while I am trying to watch television.  Freddie definitely gets the Gold medal every time for technical merit, and persistence.  Patty after a few artistic yet spectacular crashes on the corners, soon decides that it would be best if she make these events for her a spectator sport only, as long of course as the ever rambunctious Freddie refrains from bouncing all over her when bringing me back the ball.  When I awake in the morning Freddie is always under the covers, with Patty having had to move to the foot of the bed, so as to avoid the undercover mole.  Freddie obviously being a guest with epicurean tastes, who takes full advantage of the resort's many amenities, and expects nothing but 5 star service at all times as far as food, accommodations, entertainment, and walks are concerned!  :o) Saturday was rather bland and very mild, which made for very slow foot sinking walks for myself, but not the guests, who could still race about effortlessly on the slushy ice covered fields once we were safely out of the woods.  Sunday we awoke to a blinding snow storm, and heaven forbid, I was even foolish enough to have momentarily considered canceling the morning walk!  :( But the guests were having none of it, what with Freddie prancing about barking excitedly, and Patty repeatedly bouncing him out of the way so as to be the first out the door, I was left with no other choice than to set off out into the swirling snow drifts all bundled up for the worst.  But surprisingly the snow was very light and fluffy and the winds not bitingly cold as they had been earlier that week, which made walking fairly easy, especially considering that the frozen slush could now fully support my weight.  The fresh snow also seemed to make the guests even more playful, what with endless mock pursuits all around me, which would every once in a while see Freddie vanish into the depths of a snow filled ditch.  After a moment or two he would always come exploding back out, shake off the snow, eat some of it, and then look around as he contemplated his new situation.  Meanwhile Patty would be lying down in the snow nearby pretending to be invisible, as she waited to pounce on him once he resumed the assault, or tried to catch up to me.  The afternoon walk for that day being more of the same, with the only difference being that we had brilliant sunshine, and Patty and I were quite content to let the indomitable Freddie break trail through the snow drifts for us, on the long tiring home stretch part of the walk!  :o) Monday being the best day of the last 3 was bright, sunny, no wind, and fairly cold.  In short perfect weather for long walks, extended scent diversions, and lengthy play periods outdoors!  :) Patty and I even spent an hour or so crashed out on the lawn chairs in the tool shed soaking up a few rays, with the only activity being the drip drip of melting snow off the roof, and my having to toss the frisbee every few minutes or so for 'Never Stop Freddie'.  In other news Rocky a chocolate Lab confirmed his reservation for March 10nth with his only comment being 'Need exercise'.  I think Patty and Freddie might agree that he should find no shortage of that out here!  :) Patty should also be getting a visit anytime this week (except Friday) or on the weekend, with her only requirements being the same as last time and a bag of dog food.  Then just as the we were finishing the afternoon walk, Sunny and Tessa arrived to be greeted with a tumultuous welcome from both Patty and Freddie, who must clearly remember them having been here over Christmas!  As I write, the introductions, sniffovers, food bowls being kicked about, and disputes over sleeping arrangements toys and so on are still ongoing between the guests, which is as always a good time for the concierge to be keeping a very low profile.

It dawned icy cold and sunny today, but there being no wind made it an enjoyable first morning walk for both Sunny and Tessa.  Tessa went off excitedly on many long scent diversions, closely followed by Freddie and Patty, while Sunny was just content to make the occasional short foray off the beaten path, and then only do so whenever I paused while waiting for the others to return.  The previous night had been uneventful, with Tessa thankfully sleeping on Patty's bed, which had been placed beside my bed.  As is her custom she sleeps sprawled out over the often-undersized dog bed, with her head then resting on the floor under my bed.  This always results in a loud bang, as she whacks her head on the bottom of the metal frame of the bed every time I get up out of the bed (She does this every time she visits)!  Tessa having opted for the dog bed provided plenty of room on my bed for Patty, Freddie and the ever-unflappable Sunny, who likes nothing better than a nice snooze comfortably snuggled up beside the concierge, who if he has a hand free is expected to gently rub behind him behind the ears.  Tessa has a nice big orange ball that only she can pick up, much to the frustration of the other guests, who can only snuffle it around in the snow with their noses.  Sunny would as usual have nothing to do with all this mindless play stuff, but would however grudgingly consent to watch the events as a spectator from the side lines.  Freddie being on turbo boost the whole time, even has the temerity on occasion to snatch his frisbee from just under the noses of both Tessa and Patty, but this often requires perfect timing, otherwise he gets rolled over and over in a cloud of snow and low growls.  These low growls of course coming from fearless Freddie, I had at first thought that these menacing growls were coming from Patty!  :o) It never ceases to amaze me how a large group (Seems you need to have 3 or more to have a group) of guests can get along so well together regardless of size, after having only known each other for a few hours, once the initial formalities and order of seniority had been determined.  With this group on the afternoon walk in order of rank it was Tessa, Patty, and Freddie out in front, with Sunny and I doggedly bringing up the rear.  By this time it had become much milder and overcast, but as usual the guests were oblivious to the weather, and more often than not had their noses sniffing about in the snow when not playing about with each other.  The only exception being of course Sunny, who is really just a person who just happens to be wearing a dog suit!  The rest of the week looks like it is going to be very mild, wet and uneventful, and seeing how well the guests are getting on together, this is just fine with me!  The guests having just had the resort's sumptuous 5 star dinner are now taking a nap, and that even much to my amazement includes Freddie, who is not standing beside me as usual with a ball in his mouth, but is instead fast asleep on the upstairs bed.  This obviously having been the most active day of his vacation thus far.  :-)

Yesterday freezing rain and today mostly rain, and the walks cold gloomy and wet, but the guests are undaunted as ever in their enthusiasm to continue these walks nevertheless!  :-) Once these soggy walks had been concluded, they then all got a brisk toweling off all over, which has become quite a game for Freddie, who as always wants to play tug of war with absolutely everything.  The most lively and talkative 2 guests being Freddie and Patty, who are always playing together inside and out almost continuously.  Tessa being slightly more reserved joins in with Patty and Freddie on occasion, but her primary focus of interest outdoors always being her large bright orange ball.  Indoors she likes to bounce her empty food bowl around the house, which is her subtle but effective way of letting me know that it is almost time for the afternoon walk!  Sunny as always is to be found spaced out comfortably on my bed, and is a rather reluctant participant in all outdoor events.  However, his level of interest does pick up considerably when a new scent diversion has been uncovered by either Tessa Patty or Freddie, when out on the daily sloshing slush about walks of the last few days.  Other than the walks, the next most popular event is the 2 meals served daily directly after the walks have concluded.  Much to everyone's delight these have been flavored with some canned dog food provided from Patty's private reserve, but we are now down to the last can.  :( Because of the rain, most of the play periods have been indoors, but we have had a few boisterous outdoor events, which as always are sparked when a squirrel runs across the porch in front of the floor to ceiling window.  This results in a mad rush to the door, and once the tardy concierge has opened the door, a wild non event of a chase ensues, with as usual the squirrel having long vanished up a tree!  In other news, Jersey and Molly have made a tentative reservation for the last weekend in March, and with both being Beagles, this reminds me that the previous summer's guests Klink and Hogan might also be visiting again next month?  :-)

Patty and Freddie enjoyed your visit, and both found the afternoon walk on Friday to have been a rather gloomy non-event without your being there to enlighten the proceedings with your ever inestimable charms, and the weather being so miserable.  You would have greatly enjoyed the walks on Saturday though, it being cold clear and sunny, with lots of tracks in the light dusting of sparkling new snow we had the night before, which resulted in many long delightful scent diversions for both Patty and Freddie.  Freddie departed on Sunday, which was yet another gray day, and Patty was left feeling rather confused and concerned.  She often finds it difficult to watch all these joyous reunions with long lost guardians, and...  But with every departure she gets a little more relaxed and considerably less agitated.  She was greatly cheered up today though by a day visit from the ever turbo boosted Abby, and news that Freddie will now be making a short return visit towards the end of March.  :) Things at the resort should be fairly quiet now until the 10nth/11nth when several new guests should be arriving for 7 day vacations.  There is of course the delightful possibility of guests just dropping in at any time for a visit or a short vacation.  All guests being warmly welcomed to do so at any time.  :-)

This cold weather after the heavy rains on the weekend has delayed the slush and mud for a few more days, and has also been great for long walks, what with the snow being rock hard and easy to walk on!  The Monday walks being mostly uneventful as a result, except when we surprised a deer in the woods, and Patty went charging off on a wild chase.  The deer quickly outdistanced her with amazing speed, and thankfully Patty knew when it was time to give up the chase.  Lucky for me no beagles had yet arrived, or I would probably still be out in the bush!!  :o) Patty much to her delight had a surprise visit on Tuesday, when Jack and his guardian dropped in for a short visit to sniff out the resort, and then make a reservation for him and Vera (his cat) for later this month (17 - 20), and then also re-confirm their longer summer vacation that would be starting in June.  Then late on Wednesday the awesome duo of Klink and Hogan arrived for a return visit of 10 days!  Patty was absolutely overjoyed, having had nothing but endless fun with the other beagle (Abby) she has met previously here at the resort.  After the guardians had departed, Hogan went directly to the rear gate clearly indicating it was time for a walk.  I wasn't sure that this was such a great idea, but Klink gave me a reassuring look, as if to say: "Don't worry, we'll make it real short"!?!  It wasn't a walk though but a run, and every where I looked there seemed to be beagles flying about in all directions, but they did tend to follow the general direction of the trail, and Patty was having a great time chasing first Klink and then Hogan in ever wider circles through the bush, and then out across the open fields.  Then just as we were returning to the resort, Klink picked up a hot scent, and went racing off barking excitedly, as Hogan quickly joined in.  Patty and I promptly took the short cut, and were eventually able to divert them back to the resort before it got completely dark out.  :) When I went to sleep Klink and Hogan were still rough housing around the house or chewing bones, but when I awoke in the morning all 3 guests were quietly sleeping on my bed.  After greeting me, and much stretching and yawning, we all set off on the morning walk.  It was dawning a brilliant sunny day as we started, and much to my relief it was a much more relaxed event, what with both new guests now clearly knowing that they were really truly on vacation, and thus had all the time in the world to carefully sniff out all the scents and go off on any number of short exploratory diversions.  The rest of the day was mostly spent outdoors, with all guests playing about, chewing old bones on the sunny porch, chasing squirrels, or...  The afternoon walk was a repeat of the morning walk, with the only difference being that a few more scent diversions were sniffed out, but thankfully for me there were no further hot pursuits!  :-) The meals have also been uneventful, with everyone enjoying the dry stuff being served up with a dab or 2 of Klink's delectably delicious canned dog food, which now of course has become the 'spécialité de la maison'!  :o) In other news Daisuke and Hime made a reservation (17 - 19), Athena and her 3 cats made preliminary inquiries concerning a 10 day vacation in July/August, and Polo and Bisou (his cat) confirmed a vacation in April (1-5 and 8-12).  The rest of March is certainly going to be fairly busy if all guest arrive as scheduled, what with Freddie, Rocky, Rusty, Skyler, Jersey, Molly, Indy, and Boomer all having or starting vacations this month.  :-) As I write a exhausted Klink and Hogan are sleeping on a upstairs bed, while Patty sleeps nearby on a jumbled up pile of K&H's bedding.

Friday was overcast and very blustery, and the morning walk started off as usual, but when coming around a bend in the trail in the woods we came almost face to face with a deer, probably the same confused deer that Patty had chased off last Monday.  :( It was hard to say who was more surprised, but the chase was on in a blink of an eye, leaving me no chance to grab Hogan.  The nice thing about beagles, bassets and other hounds is that they always bark continuously when chasing, and I was able to follow their progress while taking a short cut in a futile effort to cut them off (In my book on dogs they have this for beagles:

"The breed is often known as the "singing beagle" but is not noisy indoors, reserving its voice for the chase...  It is not renowned for obedience and, in common with other hounds, will take advantage of an open gate, possibly ending up some distance away").

Eventually though after an hour or so Patty and I caught up with the bedraggled lead singer Klink, and shortly thereafter we ran into a rather sheepish Hogan returning covered in mud from nose to tail!  We were in a part of the forest that I had never been in before, huge trees, fairly open understory, and very little ice storm damage.  I guess being surrounded by swamps it is rarely visited, and we were certainly fortunate we could all walk on the frozen snow, at least everyone but Hogan, who must have fallen into a muddy creek.  After the long walk back to the resort, he had the rare privilege of getting a bath (During the summer months I just hose them off outside), while Patty and Klink hid upstairs, obviously thinking that they would be next!  :o) Needless to say during the afternoon walk that day I was in a rather jumpy state, but we made it safely through the woods without any of the guests bursting into song!  I bet there wasn't any wildlife to be found within 10 miles of the resort at that time.  Just after that walk it started to rain, and by the following morning's walk everything was one big skating rink, which had everyone slip sliding all over the place, and walking beside the trail not on it.  By midday it had become very mild and the guests spent most of the day puttering about within the 4 acres of puddles and slushy snow in the enclosed area around the house, or chasing after the ever uncatchable Patty and her purple ball.  The afternoon walk was uneventful, seeing that whenever the awesome duo wandered much off the trail into the scent terrific woods, they kept sinking into the wet snow with every other step, and thus never got very far out of my or Patty's line of sight.  :) After dinner was served, all the guests retired for a nap, where they are currently sleeping soundly.

'Windy' best describes Sunday, with the guests being almost blown sideways across the icy patches on the little snow remaining out on the open fields.  Other than the wind it wasn't cold, and Klink only sang out once, but it was only for a fat groundhog who quickly vanished down his or her hole.  We also had Canadian geese flying low overhead for the first time this year, which is hopefully a sign that Spring will be arriving early this year?!  :-) Athena arrived later in the morning for a short visit, and was rather aggressively concerned at first, as she exchanged raucous greetings with the resort's welcoming committee that had gathered on the other side of the front gate from her.  However, once she had entered with her guardians safely in tow, and the obligatory sniffing scenarios had been dutifully performed, everyone then had a great time chasing each other around and around outside and then inside the house.  Then just after everyone was walking away from the front gate after seeing Athena drive off in her car, Rocky arrived much to Patty's amazement!  2 Dogs in 1 day!!  :-) Rocky having been away from home before, gave everyone a warm welcome, and then settled in quickly, as everyone admiringly checked out his toys!  Patty promptly went off with the big squeaky toy bone, Hogan the oversized rawhide bone, and Klink opted for a smaller rubber toy as she enviously watched Hogan chewing away rapturously on 'his' bone!  Finally it was time for the afternoon walk, which was extended considerably in honor of Rocky's arrival.  At the start while in the woods, he was all over the place, wanting to be six places at once, as is often the case with new arrivals.  Once out of the woods though, he took up the lead position with Patty, and on occasion even went off on a few of the longer scent diversions with Klink and Hogan.  I had Klink and Hogan's leash with me for just in case, but there were no hot pursuits this time, mostly because of the wind and the endless playing about with the new guest.  By the time we finally made it back to the resort, the wind was howling across the fields, and it had even started to snow!!  So much for an early Spring.  :-( I certainly do not have to worry about Rocky not eating his meals!  I served him his evening meal in the bathroom, and then closed the door, so that the other guests could enjoy their meals in a more leisurely manner.  Obviously it will take Rocky a few more days before he realizes that he is staying at a resort, and not a lowly kennel!  We all had a quiet night until Rocky who was sleeping on his bed beside mine got up and gave me a wet slobbery ear wash!  He then hoisted his front end up onto the bed and flopped down on top of me so that he could better greet and exchange pleasantries with the other guests, who were all sleeping on the other side of my bed in regal splendor as usual.  Let's just say that Rocky is no featherweight.  :o) Today it was back into the icy wind chills of mid winter, and as a result we had very fast morning and afternoon walks, with not even Hogan spending much time on any overly long scent diversions, much to my relief.  During the play periods outdoors, Rocky's favorite game was tug of war.  I would start the event off, pass my end off to the nearest other guest, and then just walk away not having to do anything further for at least another ten minutes or so.  By the end of the day, all the guests and especially Rocky were so tired that they were out for the count moments after the evening meal had been served! 

Grey, mild and more like Spring on Tuesday, with the sun coming out from behind the clouds on occasion.  The slippery morning walk had a short but very exciting chase near the end of it across an open corn field.  Fortunately though Rocky, Patty, and I were soon able to cut Hogan off before things got to far out of hand.  I then put a leash on him until things had quieted down somewhat.  Also eventually the ever affable and demure Klink nonchalantly returned, wondering what all the fuss was about?  She does not like going off very far on her own for very long, unlike her cohort the ever relentless doggedly determined Hogan!  :) The rest of that day followed the usual daily routine, with Patty chasing her purple ball, the concierge playing tug of war with Rocky, and Klink and Hogan off somewhere digging in the snow, plotting their next great hot pursuit, or relaxing quietly on the front porch with a good bone or 2.  The awesome duo had brought a whole big bag of soup bones, much to everyone's satisfaction!  I hand them out to each guest in a different area of the resort, and then act as a bone referee for the next hour or so.  Invariably everyone would hastily bury their bone under a pile of old leaves or in a snow bank, and then looking about cautiously would sneak off to see if they could steal any of the other guest's bones!  When I went to bed last night, I had all 4 dogs on my bed, and had to do some careful repositioning of the guests so that there was room enough for me!  However once that was accomplished after a few low growls and much wagging of tails, we all had a very quiet night.  Of course when I awoke in the morning, everyone was sleeping in a different position, not to mention Klink being under the covers with only her tail showing, and myself half off the bed getting a face wash from Rocky!  It was yet another gray overcast day today, and being rather frosty in the early morning, we all had a slush free and mostly uneventful morning walk.  Klink and Hogan however did still take every possible opportunity to suddenly vanish, much to my consternation?  But Patty would always sniff them out, and chase them back towards the trail, with Rocky bounding along beside her providing close vocal support.  Patty and Rocky being the best of friends, and both being constantly by my side inside or out.  The afternoon walk was held early, and I kept Hogan on a leash so that we could keep it short and be back at the resort without any of his wild endless Klink singing hot pursuits through the back woods.  The reason being that we had to be back at the resort to greet 2 new arrivals.  Hogan was not amused!  Molly and Jersey arrived shortly after 3 to a joyous welcome from all, but Patty did give me a secret look later as if to say: "Yikes, 2 more Beagles!??!".  The 2 new arrivals were off exploring the enclosed area closely escorted by Klink and Hogan until it was almost dark out.  Knowing that taking 4 Beagles for a walk in the woods is just 1 sniff away from total world chaos, I have decided that until Klink and Hogan depart on Saturday, all walks will be going around and around within the 4 acres of the enclosed area!  I am prepared to take some risks, but nothing that crazy!  Earlier it was pandemonium, with everyone playing with the many new toys, racing up and down the stairs, and...  But now as I write all is quiet, the guests sleeping or chewing on a rawhide bone.

It did not take long for Molly and Jersey to make themselves completely at home.  For the last 2 nights I've had all 4 beagles and Patty sleeping on my bed, which has made for a very cozy yet not uncomfortable situation.  Rocky thankfully being the ever gracious guest opted to sleep on his own bed, which had been placed on the floor directly next to mine.  Little Molly is the most independent of the guests, she just shoots out the door in the morning and goes off exploring, while Patty Rocky and I walk around and around doing the morning walk within the enclosed area, which rapidly degenerates into an extended play period.  Then Klink, Hogan, and, Jersey after having chased and been chased around in circles by the ever tireless Molly, eventually just wander off to do what beagles do best, which is cause the concierge endless concern as to what they might be doing??  :o) Breakfast is prepared while all the guests are still outside, so as to avoid any big brouhahas.  Then everyone is allowed inside in a mad rush, with Rocky and Patty being served first in separate rooms with the doors closed, and the beagle quartet being then served in the kitchen, with me supervising.  Rocky also supervises my meals, and you would almost think that he was taking notes considering how carefully he watches my every move, and heaven forbid if I were to accidentally drop something, or look away for just a moment!  We really were having wonderful Spring weather on Thursday, and I had thought then that Spring had finally arrived!?  The sure sign of this being that all the guests needed to have their wet undersides toweled off whenever they came into the house, after having splashed about in puddles, puddles everywhere all that day!  Winter however returned overnight with an icy vengeance that made for a very miserable day today, a day that was even topped off with freezing rain and ice pellets, and which saw the time spent outside being kept to a bare minimum, and the walks reduced to just 1 hour each or less.  :-( The guests instead spent most of their time either clustered around the floor to ceiling window doing squirrel surveillance, or playing around with the many toys, even chewing some all to pieces, which then had me picking up toy stuffing stuff all over the house upstairs and down.  Other than the meals and the abbreviated walks, the other big attraction was the between meal snacks!  Currently these include natural pig ears, marrow bone biscuits, gourmet dog treats, chicken flavored jerky treats, chew-eez beef hide treats, a variety of soup bones or simulated bones, and some special treats reserved only for Rocky.  Rocky and Molly being the consummate food freaks, who will eat anything and everything in a flash, if given half a chance!  Then at the other end would be Jersey and Klink, who will often turn their noses up for certain treats, and then leisurely chew or eat only those treats that they have considered worthy of their undivided attention.  The favorite treats at this time being the pig ears and the soup bones.  Everyone gets a treat of one sort or another at least 2 or 3 times daily.  Rocky checked out in the early afternoon, and was gone before anyone really noticed, but I and all the other guests greatly enjoyed his companionship!  :-) As I write the guests are all taking a nap, except Jersey who is chewing on an old bone, while curled up beside Molly who for once isn't racing up and down the stairs, or.

The morning walk Saturday was bright, sunny, and cold, but there being no wind made it a very pleasant experience for all, even if it was just a walk around and around within the enclosed area of the resort.  Molly and Jersey as usual had no idea that this was supposed to be a walk, having never been on a walk in the big beyond yet.  So, as a result were off chasing squirrels before we had even started it!  The rest of that day was uneventful, until Monty and Maliboo dropped in with their guardians for a short visit to sniff out the resort, and in turn be sniffed over from nose to tail by all the guests, who were also delighted to have some new dogs to chase around and play with if only briefly.  :-) Later in the evening after Monty, Maliboo, and their entourage had departed, Klink and Hogan's guardians made a glorious return, having apparently survived without their care and guidance for almost 10 days!  Once Klink and Hogan were reassured about this, and after having exchanged barkingly fond farewells with all the other resort guests, they then drove off into the cold starry night.  It was a rather subdued evening after that, as is often the case with most departures.  Later though all the remaining guests spent a comfortable night sleeping on my bed, there now be more than enough space on the bed for all the guests, and then some!  :) Sunday's weather was an exact copy of the weather we had had on Saturday, and both Molly and Jersey took great delight in the big frosty world beyond the rear gate.  This being their first real morning walk, a walk that was closely escorted by both Patty and I!  It went off without any hot pursuits or extended scent diversions, though Molly did have to be picked up on occasion, and put back on the correct trail once or twice.  Daisuke and Hime two Shiba Inu guests arrived just after the morning nap, and promptly went running off to sniff and play with the other guests, carefully check out the perimeter fence for any non existent weak points, and chase after the ever elusive Patty and her purple ball.  Shiba Inu are not unlike Chow Chows in that Daisuke was rather aloof at times with me, but Hime on the other hand was everyone's best friend, and like Molly was non stop all day.  They also have soft lovely coats and a very smart appearance.  A hour or so after the Shiba Inu arrived, Jack and Vera arrived.  Jack being a distinguished Lhasa Apso, and Vera a very concerned calico cat who spent the first several hours on top of the fridge evaluating her new surroundings, after having first given Jersey a harmless swipe across the nose.  Most of the dog guests spent the remaining part of the day outside enjoying the sunshine, chasing each other around and around the trees, and sniffing about in the open areas behind the coach house.  Molly and Hime were the 2 most adventurous and relentlessly determined squirrel pursuers in the group.  As a result these 2 also spent a considerable amount of time looking up into the trees.  Jack though was far more reserved than most, and more often than not spent most of the day as a bemused spectator, but on occasion he did also find himself a reluctant participant in some of the more relaxed sniffing about events.  In the house the dog guests surprisingly showed little other than polite interest in the still cautiously concerned Vera, as she slunk lithely from one hiding place to the next, as she did a detailed exploration of the house from top to bottom.  The evening meal took some organizing, but went off without any problems, with all the dog guests eating their meals.  Some guests doing so with gusto, and others doing so in a more leisurely manner!  Everyone though because of the aromatically divine smell were very envious of Jack's gourmet dinner, which he polished off with stylish elegance!  Vera's dinner was served to her in her latest hiding place, but has yet to be eaten.  Everyone other than Vera is now taking a nap or playing with or chewing the now countless number of new toys.  Patty of course playing with the one that makes the most squeakily strange noise!

Winter returned yet again on Monday morning shortly after a very adventurous walk, where I kept several of the guests on leashes for various parts of the walk.  It was barely controlled mayhem from start to finish, but other than getting all tangled up in leashes on occasion, the new guests other than Jack were absolutely thrilled by the experience!  :-) As we returned it started to snow, and it continued to do so for the rest of the day, but that didn't prevent most of the guests from spending most of the day outside chasing squirrels, which has now become the number one preoccupation for Hime, Jersey, and Molly.  Daisuke and Patty, preferring to chase each other around, or go in pursuit of the ever elusive purple ball.  Meanwhile Jack's favorite place is being curled up in the 'official' cat chair in front of the floor to ceiling window watching the action from a very safe distance.  Vera is also still enjoying her favorite pastime of playing hide and seek with the concierge.  Currently she is sleeping behind the laundry machine, after having spent what must have been a very active night on the prowl around the house as those big scary dogs were sleeping!  The last 2 nights have been fairly quiet, with only Daisuke or Hime not sleeping on the bed for certain parts of the night.  Also until I had removed Vera's collar late Sunday night, Daisuke would constantly be barking out battle stations every time Vera wandered by with the bell on her collar tinkling ever so slightly.  Now she is just the guest the other guests never see or hear, which is obviously just the way she likes it to be.  The bathroom has now also been blocked off and become her private sanctuary, where she makes a hasty retreat whenever those pesky dogs other than Jack re-enters the house.  She always has a purrrringly warm welcome for both Jack and myself, whenever our paths do cross!  However, everyone else gets a menacingly arched back and a fierce warning hiss that doesn't really scare any of the bemused other guests even in the slightest!  =^..^= Tuesday was clear and cool with a hot Spring sun coming out from behind the scattered clouds every few minutes or so.  It quickly started melting away the new blanket of snow of yesterday in which the guests have been having a great time frolicking about in.  As these games were ongoing someone noticed an arrival, which was barkingly announced with great joy from all.  It was of course the ever charming 'Dynamo Freddie', who is as everyone should surely know by now one of the resort's most renowned and highly distinguished guests!!  :-) Patty gave him her usual assertive yet playfully warm welcome, as did the other guests, who promptly started chasing him around in ever wider circles with snow flying everywhere as guests got rolled over in the sudden turns and inevitable harmless yet spectacularly impressive crashes.  It being Molly and Hime who were Freddie's most relentless pursuers, until he took a time out for a late breakfast in the house, and also then got the pleasure of a hissingly alarmed welcome from Vera, as Jack aloofly watched from the comfort of 'his' chair with complete disdain.  In the early afternoon Nico a chocolate Lab dropped in for a short visit, and she having had such a great time playing about with the other guests, was rather reluctant to depart.  The appearance of a treat though worked it's usual Lab magic, and had her back in her guardian's car in a flash.  :o) What has been a busy day ended when Daisuke and Hime departed after a joyous reunion with their guardians, a departure that even had Daisuke going of for a short run across an open field before getting in the car much to everyone's relief.  When I am online after the evening meal has been served is when the guests are usually taking their late afternoon nap, but not today!!  Freddie, Jersey, and Molly are still racing up and down the stairs and playing about all over the upstairs bed in a wild game for possession of Jack's stuffed toy frog.  Patty of course after having trounced Freddie in several earlier tug of war competitions, has now gone off and adopted Freddie's large squeaky turtle as her prize, and Vera who is hiding behind my monitor is now giving me a look of wide eyed disbelief!

Wednesday was yet another snowy wet and very dreary sort of day, which started off with a morning walk with only 1 of the beagles on a leash.  Molly being on the leash for the first half of the walk, and Jersey for the second half.  I only had to tie up the beagle on a leash to a tree twice, so that I could go off and chase the other through the bush.  Patty and Freddie thought that this was a great new game.  Meanwhile Jack would at every turn in the trail suddenly decide that it was time to go back to the resort, and would promptly attempt to do so.  Jack despite his size can put on quite a burst of speed when he wants to!  Also he did not need to be carried for parts of the walk, as was the case in earlier walks when he had first arrived.  Later during the morning play period Patty's guardians visited, much to her surprise and joy, and we then all went off for a walk in the middle of a wet snow storm, with one of Patty's guardians walking Molly on a leash, and myself walking Jersey.  Jack chose to stay in the house and look after his side kick Vera, and also watch the birds at the bird feeder, which is his favorite pastime.  The rest of the day was uneventful until Jack and Vera's guardians arrived to pick them up in the early evening.  Needless to say both Jack and Vera were overwhelmed with unbelievable happiness to be finally reunited with their long lost guardians!  Vera who had in just the last day or so become very playful with the other guests (except Patty who she still considers to be the big bad wolf) gave the remaining guests a few parting hisses from the safety of her transporter.  All the guests were exhausted after a very busy day, and were all flopped out on my bed sleeping shortly after the evening meal was served, but not Freddie of course who insisted on playing a couple more hours of indoor tennis before I got bored with this pastime and went to bed.  :( Who should then greet me first thing in the morning with a tennis ball in his mouth??  :o) Thursday was cold, but sunny and a big improvement on the previous day, or so at least it started!  The morning walk was uneventful what with the blanket of new snow slowing down the beagles just enough that I did not need to keep either on a leash.  Molly and Jersey then spent the remainder of the day on squirrel patrol, while Patty and Freddie chased either the purple ball, Freddie's Frisbee, or the tug of war favorite Freddie's rope toy.  These tug of war events are often fairly wild, with even Molly and Jersey joining in.  Every once in a while Freddie would emerge victorious from the fray being hotly pursued by Molly, but more often than not it was Patty who would emerge triumphant.  I would then have a short tug of war with her, and after I had swung her around on the rope a few times she would then let go, and I would then toss the rope as far as I could, and then this whole event would start all over again!  By the afternoon it had started to snow yet again, with the afternoon events just being a repeat of the morning's events but in reverse order.  The only difference being that one of the more elaborate scent diversions during the afternoon walk nearly went out of control and became a hot pursuit.  :-( Fortunately though at the last moment I was able to catch Molly and put her on a leash.  Patty was also able to chase Jersey in a wide circle back to the trail, as Freddie barked out play by play commentary of this exciting new game!  :o) As the blizzard continues outside, Jersey has just discovered much to her amazement that Freddie's turtle has 2 stuffed toy eggs inside, and has now adopted both.  Molly and Freddie are still playing tug of war with what must be Molly's toy frog, and Patty has discovered yet another squeaky toy, this time it being a fat hedgehog that she is gleefully tormenting to death.

Well, so much for Spring!  :-( The morning walk on Friday was bitingly cold with a wind chill factor that had the guests standing about holding first 1 paw and then the other up in the air.  We had barely gone a few hundred yards in the deep layer of new snow, when it was mutually agreed that we should all make a hasty retreat back to the resort!  Freddie was delighted seeing that the walk was replaced with a few more rounds of indoor tennis.  Around midday Molly and Jersey's guardians returned to receive a barkingly rapturous warm welcome from all the guests.  Patty and Freddie barked their farewells from the comfort of the house, as I saw them drive off from the front gate.  They will not be gone for long though, seeing that they will be returning next week for the very busy long Easter weekend, which should be quite an exciting weekend for all.  It had warmed up considerably for the long afternoon walk, which was pleasant and relaxing.  I could even look around and admire the scenery, knowing that Freddie and Patty would never wander far, and always return when called!  All this new snow had transformed everything into what things had looked like 2 months ago, what with all the mud and slush of just a few days ago having vanished.  The long walk and the playing about in the deep snow had tired out both remaining guests.  Yes, even Freddie had spent that evening sleeping on the upstairs bed, but of course he did have time later that night for a short round of indoor tennis.  Saturday being moderately cold sunny and windy, with lots of drifting snow, made for a hard slogging morning walk through numerous mounds of deep snow, with Freddie and Patty often vanishing into snow filled ditches that they had failed to notice.  Back at the resort though the play periods were pleasantly sunny and warm with even a hint of Spring thrown in, what with this area being sheltered from the howling winds by the house.  Freddie and Patty doing the usual tug of war routines, and chases about in the snow.  For once the squirrels were virtually ignored, except when viewed from the floor to ceiling window in the house, a place where Freddie likes to spend allot of time when not chasing his tennis ball.  Currently there are crowds of red wing blackbirds visiting the bird feeder, and Freddie enjoys barking at them once they have all settled in, which then causes them all to vanish in a frantic flapping of wings much to his satisfaction.  :o) Rosco (Boxer and senior citizen), and Angel (Husky) dropped in for a preliminary sniff out the resort visit in the early afternoon with 3 of their friends and several guardians!  Patty was absolutely delighted, as was Freddie even though he was a little overwhelmed at first.  After all the greeting scenarios had been dutifully carried out, everyone then took a short but very exciting walk around within the enclosed area, before entering the house for a rather wild exploration of it's every corner!  Once the dust had settled, we then went off on the afternoon walk, which was uneventful other than both guests being exhausted after having broken a new trail through the heavy snow.  Freddie who departs tomorrow is presently curled up with Patty, and both sleeping soundly as it snows yet again outside.  And so ends a very Beagle busy 2 weeks of almost continuous activity, that almost got out of hand once or twice, but which was allot of fun for all!!  :-)

If there is one thing Patty loves above all else, it is when new guests arrive!  On Monday she had a day visit from Abby, who kept Patty going around in circles all day, as would be expected seeing that she is a Beagle.  It is Abby's guardian who is my replacement when I make my monthly trip away from the resort, and he has nothing but praise for how well behaved Patty is.  On Tuesday the intrepid team of Kendra and Sport returned for a short 4 day visit, which has had the squirrels earning every sunflower seed they are able to steal from the bird feeders!  I can not say that I have ever seen a pair of dogs more obsessed by squirrels than these 2!!  Sport being a robust Fox Hound who will eat anything and everything, and Kendra being a very demure Border Collie who often turns her nose up at most treats, and who will only eat her meals if served in front of the floor to ceiling window.  She does so, so that she can keep a constant lookout for any wayward squirrels crazy enough to still be in the vicinity, as she leisurely eats her meal 1 delectable morsel at a time.  Shortly after they arrived it started to snow, and by the time of the afternoon walk it had become a blinding blizzard.  That did not stop the guests in the slightest though, nor did it prevent them from going off on numerous scent diversions.  Who needs to see anything when you have got your nose turned on, as obviously had these guests (All hounds seem to turn off their ears when using their noses)!?!  :o) Wednesday was a drab day, mostly spent clearing away what was the heaviest snowfall of the winter thus far.  The walks were also much abbreviated as a result, it just being to much work breaking new trails through the deep heavy snow.  Hopefully it will all just melt away over the next few days.  It was a beautiful sunny day today as the first of the Easter guests arrived.  First Nico a friendly very playful chocolate Labrador arrived around midday, to be followed in the late afternoon by a return visit from the indefatigable duo of Molly and Jersey.  Molly being absolutely thrilled to meet other dogs who were even more obsessed than she is by the endless pursuit of those pesky ever elusive "fluffy tailed rodents"!  This being how squirrels are described by 2 Jack Russell Terriers, who made a reservation today for a visit later in April.  The rest of the schedule for what is to be a very busy weekend is as follows: The much anticipated arrival of Indy and Boomer takes place on Friday, which means that the resort will be very crowded for that 1 night, until Kendra and Sport depart early on Saturday morning.  Then Monty and Maliboo arrive on Sunday morning, and Nico, Jersey, and Molly all depart later that afternoon.  The delayed afternoon walk was a short romp through the woods and melting snow with both Molly and Jersey dragging me about on a leash, Nico dashing about every which way and being hotly pursued by both Patty and Kendra, and Sport far out in front determining which scents were worthy of our attention, and totally oblivious to all advise I might direct in his general direction.  The evening meal also went off without incident, with Nico Molly and Sport all showing no reluctance in polishing off their meals in only a few moments after having been served!  After the meal Sport spent an hour or so serenading the squirrels with his deep hound barks of relentless pursuit, as Molly and Kendra sat transfixed nearby looking up into the trees.  Meanwhile Patty, Jersey and Nico were off chasing each other about in circles, or exploring at the far end of the enclosed area.  As I write everyone is admiring Nico's selection of new toys, with Sport and Patty having quickly adopted the chew bones, Molly and Jersey chasing each other up and down the stairs with a bone shaped stuffed toy of many colors, Kendra has taken possession of the magnificent sheepskin bed which is to die for, and finally Nico is beside me chewing on an old bone she had found outside.

I thought last night would be mass confusion when it came to the sleeping arrangements, but all the guests being so tired after a very exciting and confusing day, just crashed and went to sleep in no time at all.  Patty, Nico, Jersey and Molly sleeping on my bed, Sport being spaced out in glorious comfort on Nico's divinely cozy bed, and Kendra flopped out on her back on Molly and Jersey's bed, with her feet sticking up in the air.  Nico was the first to wakeup early in the morning, and she gave me and all the other guests on my bed a very warm friendly and boisterous welcome.  A welcome that nearly caused a riot, what with guests stepping all over each other, or falling off the bed onto a still grumpy Sport or a rather flustered Kendra, who was not amused to say the least.  I quickly put them all outside, and a mass pursuit instantly ensued, as 2 squirrels were spotted gorging themselves at one of the bird feeders!  Later as the sun was rising, the morning walk started off to a very speedy start, with the guests being able to race across the thin layer of ice covering the snow, but not I.  Molly and Jersey were constantly getting tangled up in their leashes, Kendra and Sport were going off on ever longer scent diversions in one direction, while Nico and Patty would go off on a wild chase in the opposite, and...  :( As a result the walk rapidly descended into total chaos, but eventually we all staggered back into the resort for a very late morning breakfast.  As a result I have decided to cancel all further walks outside the enclosed area until Monday, just as a cautionary measure to preserve my sanity!  :o) Once back from the walk and breakfast had been served, the brilliant sunshine of earlier had been replaced with a gray overcast haze, that made the rest of the day into a rather mundane squirrel obsessed sort of day for the guests.  There were however a few sunny interludes, and everything became slushy and wet by the late afternoon, including even a few of the guests.  As to the guests, I did not have to do much of anything to keep them occupied, except toss Patty's purple ball once or twice, they being totally occupied for the entire day in endless chases of each other, or frequent yet brief skirmishes with the resort's tree hopping squirrel desperadoes!!  Late in the afternoon 2 energetic and distinguished Vizslas (Indy and Boomer) arrived to be greeted by one of the largest welcoming committees ever established for such an auspicious event!  They were slightly overwhelmed by the extensive welcoming scenarios and secret hand shakes, but soon got into the swing of things, and in particular the ongoing squirrel offensive.  The guests were later served the evening meal with Boomer and Indy remaining outside, seeing that they had already had dinner, but to compensate they each got a few treats, which vanished in a blink of an eye.  I then stepped back inside to referee the conclusion of the meals being consumed indoors.  Then until the sun had vanished beyond the trees, the guests remained outside getting up to all kinds of nefarious undertakings at the far end of the enclosed area, with Sport bad mouthing those insolent squirrels in his usual loud and raucous manner!  Once in the house the games continued as I attempted to write this update, but eventually everything quieted down.  Nico after having carefully verified the contents of this update, was the last guest to curl up for a snooze, with she doing so on one of the many vacant dog beds that are scattered about the house.  Of course most of the more discerning guests had gone off and found a real bed to sleep on, including both Boomer and Indy!