Daisy's Spot

Daisy's Spot

Image by garlandcannon (on hiatus)
Daisy, our bluetick coonhound puppy (almost 8 months old), is very energetic, but even she needs a rest now and then.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetick_Coonhound

From thebreedingofdogs.com:
"Gascony Province lies on the southwestern coast of France, near the Pyrenees Mountains and the Spanish border. Their hounds are of the classic French type, descending directly from the original scenting dogs of Gaul and the Phoenician hound trade. The Gascony stands beside the ancient French griffons as the two types from which most of the modern breeds developed. The Grand is one of the few modern breeds left from the Grand Chiens Courants of the past.

The Grand Bleu originally was used to hunt wolf and, like so many breeds for that purpose, nearly worked himself out of existence with his efficiency in making the European wolf extinct. France's King Henry IV, who reigned in the late 1500s and early 1600s, owned a renowned pack of this breed.

The Grand Bleu is one of the world's largest scent hounds. Only of moderate speed, he is known for his great ability to raise game by his tremendous endurance, his marvelous nose, and a strong and sonorous voice heard at great distance. A reputation as the "coldest nosed" dog is well earned, giving voice long after the "hot" scent has faded. He is built leggy and square, and is aristocratic looking, with no ponderance or heaviness. Many packs remain in France today, and are used on hare, deer and boar.

Many of this breed were brought to America and used in the development of American coon-hound breeds. The Gascony probably first arrived in the late 17th century with French explorers. In 1785, General Lafayette gave seven purebred Grand Bleu Gasconies to General George Washington. Washington was known as a hound fancier and breeder, and he noted in his diary that, in October of that first year, one of the French Gascony bitches gave birth to 15 purebred puppies! He also remarked that their melodious voices were like the bells of Moscow. Gasconies were imported to America in the late 1800s and again during the mid-1900s. Because they lacked the trailing speed and the ability to locate quickly that was so desired for American coon hunting, they never gained a foothold as a pure breed in the Western World. But crossed with native hounds, they increased coldtrailing ability and endurance"

Aug. 28, 2009 - Lights on! The game is on!

Image by Carol VanHook
Chalenge - Join in the fun!
Join the group!
Join the discussion!
Share your game pics!

See: Sept. Theme

The game is on…I have been tagged by bobsd46 (Flickr member, Bob Cotter!

The game is on…September brings a change in the air. Where I live in Iowa, a chill is beginning to drift down from the North. On the good side of this, it’s a bit more comfortable to be outside and play.

The game is on…Football, soccer, school hopscotch, jump rope, horsehoes, fall festivals offer so many opportunities to come together for play. In other parts of the world, there are more likely to be very hot summer games starting!

As educator, I asked my high school students what “the game” might represent. Of course, I heard football this and that…the cleats, the ball. I especially liked what one girl responded, “ a picture of a grandfather and grandchild playing cards.” Another student thought the classroom was a game! I visualize a tug of war between two puppies.

So the game is on…. I challenge you in September to find and share pictures of the game. Michael Jordan once said, “Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.”

Lights please! The game is on…

Tech Support

Image by CapnGimp
hardcore gamer has fragged out

99/365: Occupuppy-ing is hard!

Image by riekhavoc (caught up?)
The occupation continues. Today, the city (or maybe not) got a projector, internet, and a sound system so we could all watch the Phillies (lose in) game 5 of the National League Division Series. This was part of Occupy Philadelphia!

Max and I brought Orent, and Max's friend Rachel, and we enjoyed the game with friends and fellow people who think the rich have a bit too much going for them right now. Great night, even though the Phillies lost.

Orent enjoyed it too, but got quite sleepy by the end and fell asleep in the cutest way.

This time last year, I was panning!.

You're not so tuff

Image by priorgal
Shadow give Scout a lesson in the game of tug-o-war