Howling Hounds

We we first watched the movie Hot Fuzz a couple years ago. It was shortly after we had gotten Xena and we discovered that the sirens in the opening scene made her howl. It was so cute seeing her lift her head and howl away. Every so often, maybe once a month as to not over due it, we'd put the DVD in, turn up the volume and play the opening scene so we could hear Xena howl. Of course we had to try it with Halo too. It took a few times before she finally started howling. Of course the first time Matt tried it, I was gone so only him and his brother got to witness it. When we put it in that night hoping she'd howl again for Mama (that's me) we had no luck. She refused to howl again. I think it was because the guys had laughed at her earlier in the day.

Needless to say, we have not played the DVD for well over a year. Tonight we decided to see how Lyra would react to the noise. After all she goes crazy when it comes to the laser pointers so why not the loud sirens. As I sat there with the video camera directed toward Matt's little 'Princess', I heard kennels coming from the kennels behind me. To my utter delight, Halo was the one howling, not Xena. I was so excited! Halo howled away and Xena joined in. Matt and I were both cracking up. Halo sounds so weird when she starts to kind of talk while howling.

Here is the VIDEO of our howling hounds! Sorry if the sirens are loud and there is a bit shakiness to the video. I was laughing so you know how that goes :) As always our girls bring joy and laughter into our lives just the same as human children do to their parents. Love our girls!!!

Red Dot!

Most of you whom have dogs, or have friends with dogs, know that many of them love to chase laser pointers. Not all dogs; Halo wants nothing to do with them. She'd rather chew on Xena's ear while Xena chases the laser all over the house. We started the Red Dot with Xena a couple years ago. She's absolutely obsessed with it. If any one mentions the words "Red Dot" Xena immediately starts to look for it. On the floor, furniture, even up on the ceiling, as she searches, sniffs and barks in anticipation.

Since Halo and Xena act completely different toward the little red dot, our inquiring minds wanted to know how Lyra would react. Of course we had to put the other two dogs into their kennels. Otherwise Lyra would have had a Halo attached to her and Xena would probably trample her to death. Take a look below...



Lyra's head movements crack me up! At times she looks like a robot. We don't get the laser pointer out often, once a month if the dogs are lucky, but we enjoy watching their reactions. So now that we know how Lyra reacts to the laser pointer, I wonder what she'll think of the Clicker?!

Multiple Personalities

Our Halo is always a blast to watch when she gets into one of her little moods. Whether she is tormenting Xena (which is often) or using her as a chew toy (Xena is VERY tolerant), having a running fit through the house or talking to us in a low whiny tone, she makes us laugh on a daily basis. Usually at night Halo spends a good 15 minutes pawing & growling at Xena trying to get her to play. However, Xena is too lazy and just lays there on her side sounding like a walrus most of the time. Halo also stands on her head often, butt in the air, talking and spinning in circles (looks similar to a break dance move).

Just Before Halo Starts to Chew on Xena's Head

Well today Halo decided to chase Hailey around the house. She trotted just behind Hailey, with a smile on her face. Every once in a while she'd stop in the living room and wait for Hailey to come around the corner, then Halo would take off fast hoping Hailey would follow her instead. It is interesting to watch her many different personalities from day to day. I'm not sure I have a favorite one, because they are all unique and funny, but watching Halo playing with the kids is priceless. You can see how happy they make her and how much she loves them just by the look in her eyes.

When we adopted Halo over two years ago, we didn't know we were getting a dog with such a crazy personality... or should I say personalities?! As we have watched her grow we are absolutely thrilled that we didn't pass her up that Saturday when we went to just go look at the animals at the shelter. We sure do love our Halo! And Xena too! We lucked out getting two dogs with great temperaments which makes our little family complete :)

Halo the Chicken

Our fearless rabbit killing dog demonstrated today just why she is NOT fearless at all. Halo is all bark and no bite, unless you're a rabbit. We are talking about a dog who is scared of the kennel door slamming, a little pink Barbie car that Matt's niece pushes around on the floor, soda cans/bottles cracking, whistles, and as we just found out today . . . a basketball dribbling. As Xena lunged for the ball and would slap it back to the kids, Halo crawled up into Lonnie's lap on the bench to get as far away from the basketball as possible. The kids even stopped dribbling it and brought it within inches of her, and I'll be darn that scared-e-pants tried to climb over Lonnie and Matt's shoulders. That is what the little chicken does every time she gets scared. She comes running, for my lap most of the time, shaking like crazy. For a 45 lb dog she acts all tough, belting out the silliest bark you will ever hear, yet she gets spooked over the silliest things. Since Halo has displayed characteristics of a dog, cat and chicken . . . our question is, what breed combination is this little mutt of ours really?!

Silence of the . . . Rabbits?!

It turns out our angelic little Halo is a beastly hunter!

Peter Cotton Tail has inhabited our back yard for a few months now, escaping both our four legged children time and again. However, last night as I lay in bed nearly asleep I heard the most dreadful sound . . . the screams of a rabbit. As usual, Matt was letting the dogs out for the last time Thursday evening (11:30pm) before putting them to bed. Somehow our little girl squeezed her way through the fence where we have the electrical box isolated. Xena (she's a tank) got her head caught in the fence; unable to help Halo with the rabbit's demise. Long story short, I was able to help Matt get the girls inside so he could go put the poor creature out of its misery and end the screams we were sure the whole neighborhood could hear. Although it saddens me, I am glad we no longer have to worry about the rabbit having babies under the deck this summer. Furthermore, I hope I never have to hear the screams of a rabbit again!!