Friday, August 8, 2008

Our four footed friends in our home

You might remember me mentioning that we have a few family members of the hairy, feathered, and fin persuasion.

Skipper was just four in March we have him since he was 2 months old though. He is a Bichon Frise of the pet quality, but registered, which is just fine with us. The name Bichon Frise literally translates to curly haired lap dog. He is all white with lamb’s wool type hair, weighs about 15 pounds, solidly built and does not shed and that does makes him hypoallergenic, and so he must get his hair cut at a groomer about every three months, every six weeks if you can afford it.

I did do a bit of research on the breed before we found him. Bichon's are a very old breed from the 16th century where they belonged to Spanish nobility, but in the latter years fell out of favor with them and ended up becoming circus dogs. They traveled throughout Europe including France where they received their name. The Island of Tenerife is where this family of dogs came from, which includes the Havanese from Cuba, Bichon Frise, as well as the Poodle. They are all known to be very lovable to all people/children as well as other pets, and are happy and considered extremely intelligent.

He stole our hearts from day one, but we did make him pass two tests prior to naming him. Skipper had to prove he was sea worthy so on his very first day we took him out on our boat, and he fell asleep! That was great, no seasickness there. The next test was to see if he could swim, contrary to public opinion some dogs can't, another test that he passed with flying colors!
And the best thing is he won't go into our pool unless we are in it. But he does know how to get out by way of the ladder and the steps, safety first so I taught him!

As a young pup 5 1/2 months old we put him puppy classes but they were canceled after the hurricane destroyed the building that it was held in. Those were special classes for the purpose of socialization with other dogs, and a little bit of agility which Skipper loved and excelled at! No fear was shown going over a grate through a tunnel, and over a low hurdle.
Unfortunately, although the classes were started again six months later at a new location they were pure obedience and Skipper is a free spirit, but he did retain some of that training when it counts. He doesn't run away through the front door or out of our outside gate, he stays then and he can sit, lie down, dance and come.
Boring to him at times and he doesn't always do everything when he should, his idea to do these things is when it's necessary, which I suppose, is a good thing.
He can be laid back, easy going, but at times wild.
We call him a greyhound because at times he will race around the house or yard several times like on a race track; odd behavior we thought until we spoke with some other Bichon parents who said theirs did the same thing, interesting with though, and unique to the breed?

Previously, we had Yorkies that lived to the old ages of nearly 14 and sixteen years old. A mixed collie Sheppard till he was nine, liver cancer got him.

Tomorrow, I will tell you the story of cats! and I don't mean the Broadway show.
See ya! You come back, you hear.

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