#eeeeears

[doomspaniels]

melted

[doomspaniels]

Tristan got a Big Surprise today!

He hasn't been allowed out near the Big Doggies, because if he smacked their legs with the cone, they might kick first and ask questions later. Buuuut he is healed enough not to be laser-focused on the stitches if the cone comes off briefly, and "Helping" to Feed the Big Doggies takes all his concentration.

So today we took the cone off for just long enough for the Spaniels to accompany us to the barn and back. Both of them were very happy.

Just 5 more days!

[doomspaniels]

Fly free, little bird!

(well, as "free" as several fenced acres will allow, anyway)

[doomspaniels]

Good morning! Feel the welcoming sun on your face and leap into the day!

[doomspaniels]

*POUNCE*

*RUN*

*FLEEEEEEE*

Spaniel ears are a continuous delight.

[doomspaniels]

The Spaniels take turns when wrestling. One pounces, the other runs (headwings fly everywhere!) One rolls upside-down and taunts, the other dashes around grabbing legs and ears. Then they swap, the chased becomes the chaser, the tussled becomes the tussler.

A few days ago I saw Tristan lean his shoulder on Yvaine's and thought he was trying a new trick to knock her upside-down--but instead he kept leaning, then collapsed all his joints so he ended up upside-down underneath her. Tussling ensued.

It's all very silly, very noisy, and a lot of fun to watch.

[doomspaniels]

~Taming the Ears~

So, if your gloriously-eared American Cocker Spaniel doesn't want to drink from a narrow dish, how do you keep him from dipping his ears in water every time he drinks (without a snood)?

That's a 2-gallon bucket (~8 liters). It comes up to Tristan's chest, and we keep it at least 2/3 full. When he drinks, his ears hang outside the rim.

Tristan still picks up dew in his ears sniffing outside, but he's no longer mopping the floor with his ears all day.