Pet Pride - ooops, I ate it!

JD - Hi everyone! We're very excited because it's the start of Pet Pride today and we LOVE Pet Pride!

JD and Max - "Ooh, is it Pet Pride yet? Is it? Is it???!"

Max - It's a great meme, wonderfully hosted by Bozo, where pets can boast about how great they are - or owners can boast about how great their pets are! If you haven't joined in the fun yet why don't you swing on by and have a go!

JD - Anyway, we've been saving this post ESPECIALLY for Pet Pride as we're VERY proud of it!

Max - Yup! We would like to show off an award we got - it's the 'Oops - I ate it!' award and it's given to pups (or kitties!) who have expertly and cleverly obtained snacks that might not have been intended for them....

JD - Um, don't you mean pups (or kitties!) who were a bit naughty and - erm - stole some food?

Max - Hey, I know what I mean JD! He he he! Well, the reason we wanted to keep this award for Pet Pride is because we think that sneaking food - as well as maybe having a slightly messy house....

"Now, where did we leave our favourite stuffie?!" (Note from JD and Max's female human - although I'm proud to have dog beds and treat jars and water bowls all over our house I would still like to comment that this is NOT a photo of our house! In fact, none of the following 3 photos are from our house, they're just being used to prove a point!!)

JD - ....or scratched furniture....

"Mmmmm, mahogany - our favourite!"

JD - ....or chewed rugs....

"Yum - slight undertones of wool with a hint of fluff - delicious!"

Max - ....or clothes that always seem to have a splodge of mud or puppy spit on them....

Dog - "Whaddayou mean 'arghhh - don't jump up!' Sheesh - humans!"

JD - ....or ALL OF THE ABOVE!! - are all part of having a pet that should be CELEBRATED!! So, we were quite delighted to be offered this award by our very good bloggie pals Bruce the super-cool cat, Frodo - the super-cute Shih Tzu puppy and Pluto the super-clever GSD!

Max - Hmmm - our pals obviously expect the worst from us JD, he he he!!

JD and Max - "We LOVE it when thoughtful human simply drop their food on the floor - it makes our walks a gastronomic delight!! (Our humans have different words to describe these people though....!)"

JD - Well, we are proud of our canine heritage, he he he! We must admit that we weren't sure what story to tell everyone about at first. Should it be the time our female human forgot to move her curry from the arm of the chair when she went to answer the door? It was yummy, but rather an elementary food steal....

Max - Or how about the time we joined forces with our pal Otto the miniature daschund and between the three of us managed to acquire the packed lunch (foil and all!) of Otto's human, who had come round to do some work in our garden.

Otto - our partner in crime!

JD - Oh yes, that was a particularly good one! But the story we decided upon in the end is how we have acquired several peanut butter muffins by utilising our partnership and training our humans! Listen and learn everyone - we feel that this story proves that even the slowest of humans can be trained, all you need is patience and perseverance!

Max - We've only just been busted for this one - sigh! It was our male human who figured it out - he's a lot smarter than our female human, but don't tell her we said that!!

JD - In the morning, before she goes to work and just after our morning constitutional, our female human likes to toast an English muffin and spread it with peanut butter.

Peanut butter yumminess!

Max - She then goes to the sofa and has an enjoyable munch - oooh, it always smells so good! So between us we figured out what to do.

JD - We utilised Max's open naughty trait and combined it with my more covert naughtiness....

Max - As soon as female human sat down on the sofa I would go and select a shoe from by the back door and then trot across the lounge in front of her looking everso pleased with myself!

JD - Female human would immediately leave her breakfast and go to wrestle the shoe out of Max's mouth and then give him a lecture about how he wasn't to eat shoes or some such blah, blah, blah nonsense! This was when I would strike! With the peanut butter muffin now left unprotected and me with my reputation for always being a good puppy the conditions were perfect! I would sneak up onto the sofa, acquire the muffin and go hide it in our doggie bed!

Max - I always made sure I let go of the shoe whenever I noticed JD had made it to our bed. Whilst female human was busy taking the shoe back out I would reconvene with JD and we would snarffle our booty together - mmmm, yummy!

JD - Female human really initially did not understand that we were training her to leave her breakfast. We've noticed that she is very responsive to shoe training, we urge all puppies to give it a try!

Max - Yeah - it was male human who rumbled us! He's far too smart - he thinks like a dog, us puppies don't stand a chance with him around, humph!

JD - So, that's our 'Oops - I ate it' award! We know that it's been doing the rounds recently so we'd like to offer it to anyone who doesn't yet have it as we'd love to know about some of the food that you've 'acquired' recently....he he he!

Max - We'll leave you with this photo of us posing with some food that is actually meant for us! It's some yummy food that's been specially designed just for us Miniature Schnauzers - and we can report that it is very yummy indeed!

"We heart Royal Canin Schnauzer food!! Yummy!"

JD - We wish you all an enjoyable Sunday!!

Join in the fun at Pet Pride....

JD and Max try agility for Pet Pride!

JD - Pet Pride is a great meme that is wonderfully hosted by Bozo from Kuala Lumpur.

Max - It's a fun place for proud owners to show off their pets - and if you own a pet why wouldn't you be proud of that fact?!

JD - So, for today's Pet Pride post our female human asked us to post some photos of our very first try at doggie agility as she said she was SO proud of how we did!

Max - Our humans went to 'Pets at Home' (a fabulous pet superstore) on Friday evening - we love it when they go there as they always bring really fun things back for us.

JD - This time they came in with lots of items - female human especially seemed to be extra excited and started babbling on to us about 'jumping' and 'running' and 'tunnels' ....

Max - ....she does get herself quite worked up sometimes. We tried to distract her by asking for a tummy tickles and then we had to step it up a bit and ask for a biscuit because she really was getting quite squeaky, but in the end we had to give her a 'time out' on the sofa until she was calm enough to interact with us again.

JD - So, when she had finally calmed down we were able to inspect what had been brought back for us.

Max - It was exciting! There was a pop-up tunnel....

JD - ....some weaving poles....

Max - and a lovely hurdle jump!

JD - Our humans want us to get used to agility training in a place we feel comfortable as they really want us to have fun with it.

Max - So yesterday they set it all up in the garden - and we were off!

JD - Some of these photos are not the best we're afraid - I was SO fast over the hurdle that I became a schnauzer blur!! Max had a bit of trouble with the hurdle....

Max - Humph - show off! It was HIGH - unlike you I'm only short!

JD - Anyway, here are a few photos of how it all went....

"You want us to do WHAT for that treat? Are you SERIOUS??!!"

"Oh, come on human! We thought you were joking about having to jump....!"

JD - "Oh, go on then, if it's the ONLY way I'm going to get that treat....!"
Max - "Look at me! Look at me! Have you ever before seen such great 'run-around-the-jump' agility and skill....?!!"

JD - "Hey - I like this! Did you see how happy our human looked in the last photo when I jumped over? I want her to look at me like that again......!
Max - "Wow - you're just a blur JD!"


"Okay - we're bored of the hurdle now, what's next? You want us to do WHAT NOW for a treat? Again we ask - are you SERIOUS?!!"


JD - "Sigh - okay human, if it keeps you amused I'll give it a go. Now, where's my treat?!"


JD and female human encourage Max to come down the tunnel too....!


Max looks really proud whilst JD runs hopefully at the photographer for a pat on the head....


Close up of Max looking pleased with himself after completing his first tunnel run!


Not one of us managed to completely master the weave poles!! Oh well, it was our first try....!

JD - We really enjoyed the training session. After all, I'm really good at jumping so hey - if my humans want me to jump on a more formal basis and then give me a treat for doing this I'm not complaining!

Max - And I LOVED the tunnel! In fact, I was sooooo good at the tunnel that I managed to go both ways down it!

JD - Um, Max - I don't think that was really the point of the tunnel....

Max - Eh? Whassat?

Female Human - Hi! I just wanted to add a little post here myself. We don't seem to have any dog agility training classes close to where I live so I thought I'd try it out myself - I was therefore delighted to find a 'cheap and cheerful' set at the pet store. The boys loved it! I was pretty rubbish as showing them what to do so was amazed and delighted at how quickly they picked it up. I'm pretty sure they tell each other to "take it slow so that the dumb human gets it....!" We were all rather bad at the weave poles, but Max excelled at the tunnel and JD couldn't get enough of the hurdle!

Even though it was a home lesson I was thrilled at how this sort of training quickly builds a bond between human and dog - it's great to watch them figuring it all out and you can actually see the moment it 'clicks' into place for them! The photos above were taken when they were being introduced to the circuit - they feel more comfortable checking out new things when they're together. They did complete the course several times on their own as it's obviously easier to train them on an individual basis, but I think we had more fun when we were all doing it together!! We're definitely going to continue with it. I don't want to overdo it as I really want the boys to continue to find it fun, but it's certainly going to help with their obedience training and I'm hoping to add a few more items to our circuit - ooh, you know what, a see-saw would be fun.....!

JD and Max - Oh dear - female human is getting over-excited again! Sigh.....! Bye for now dear readers, we have to leave now to try to calm her down again - you know how these humans can get if you're not consistent with their training.....! Don't forget to join in with all the fun at Pet Pride - we've made some great friends there!

Join in the fun at Pet Pride....

The creation of Adam - cannine version!!

JD - We're having an artistic moment....

Max - ....and we'd like to bring to you our version of this rather famous painting....

JD - ....of course, if you wanted to view the amazing 'Creation of Adam' by Michelangelo you'd have to visit the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican!

Max - Being the clever pups that we are we realise this might not be possible for some of you, so we would like to show you our version....

JD - What do you think? Have we interpreted it correctly?

Max - We tried to stay true to the essence of the painting....

JD - ....as they say "it's all in the detail"!!

Max - We're thinking of trying our paws at a Picasso next....

JD - ....um, you might be on your own for that one Max!

Find out what all the critters are up to at....

Max's guide to the credit crunch

Hi - I'm Max. And I'd like to talk to you about something important.....


....namely, this credit munch thingy that we've all been hearing so much about. Apparently it's a worry. It's the hot topic of debate amongst humans. We've all heard them going on about it - "When will it end?" - "What can we do about it?" - "How will we cope?" Well, because it could possibly influence the supply of doggie biscuits that we get I've done some serious thinking on this subject. And I'm pleased to tell you that I have devised a fail-safe way of making it through these hard times.

Now, we realise that humans are always worrying about how they're going to acquire things. Food, petrol, real estate - they like to own things, to make things theirs. So during these tough times I feel that we need to go back to our roots, to uphold that proud canine tradition - "you pee - you own!"

Take me and JD for example - we are now doggies of considerable wealth. Our real-estate boundaries stretch far and wide, and I'm not just talking about the detached summer house that we have had sited within our humans garden either....


....I'm talking serious real estate. I have utilised this ancient 'you pee - you own!' tradition many times and I now own an impressive range of beach huts. At my last count at least 50 of these cute beach-side settings are now mine....


By the same process I have also staked my claim on several businesses. The Royal Mail I though seemed as good a place as any to start my business empire- it is now mine!


Of course, to uphold this proud canine tradition you need to realise that boundaries are important. We can't all just pee willy-nilly! You need to sniff out your boundaries and ensure that other doggies have not already applied for planning permission or any form of consent before you. Walk the areas you are interested in many times before you stake your claim. For example, the edge of our domain starts here, at this rather pretty tree on the seafront....


....and ends about 3 miles later at this rather convenient post!


These boundaries are always honoured amongst doggies - the owner of the seafront from this post onwards is one of our best friends, a lovely yellow lab called Yoshi. He staked his claim several months ago so now this land belongs to him , it's as simple as that! So, our land boundaries stretch along the seafront from here....


....right up to the pier at the other end of the seafront!


Further, the beauty of this ancient 'you pee - you own!' law is that you can also use it to pick out any bits and bobs that might take your fancy whilst you're out on your walk. For example, we decided that this wheelie bin that's situated just before one of the entrances to the beach would be a lovely little gift for our humans. It's a very convenient poo-bag depositing receptacle you see - you see what thoughtful pups we are?! [Message from female human - gee, thanks Max, you really SHOULDN'T have....!]


We also own a few cars too - I rather liked this dark grey sporty number so applied the pee method, now it's mine!


....whilst JD preferred this lighter grey car.


So, there you have it - the ancient 'you pee - you own!' rule. I think you'll find that it's the secret to getting through the credit munch. Please feel free to use it - you'll thank me later!!

We're 'under construction'....

JD - Hi everyone! We hope you're having a peaceful Good Friday!

Max - Our humans are helping us improve and refine our blog - we've added some extra pages for easy navigation, we're very excited about it!


JD - Yup! It's all 'under construction' right now so please bear with us..... But hey - if you'd like to be included on our 'great blogs' page please let us know and we'll add you to our list, we love making new blog friends!

Max - So whilst all the 'behind the scenes' work is being done we'll leave you with a photo of us having a bit of a snuggle to be going on with.....!


JD - Oooh - and please sign our guestbook - click on the link at the top of the page....

Schnauzer is as Schnauzer does.....

JD - We started the day early and saw a lovely sunrise over the North sea when we went for our morning walk.

Max - I like the beach! We ran up and down the pebbles and made sure the tide stayed back.

JD - We take our coast guard duties very seriously. Unfortunately we got a bit wet so our female human wrapped us up all warm and snug in blankets when we got back home.

Max - It was warm and snugly and we had a lovely cosy snooze for a while.

JD - Then a bit later on we went to puppy school - it was good fun!

Max - Yeah - I'm a really clever puppy! I was great at the 'say hello to all the other puppies' exercise.....

JD - Um - that was the 'come' exercise Max and you were supposed to go directly to your male human when he asked you to.

Max - Really? Was I? But why? Once the lead was off I thought that meant I could go play with all the others.....

JD - Nope!

Max - Well, I was definately the best at the 'which puppy can run the fastest' exercise.....!

JD - ...... Er, you mean the 'walk to heel' exercise.

Max - Oh......! But I was really good at the 'lie down for the yummy treat' exercise.

JD - That you were Max! But you need to realise that the yummy treat isn't always going to be there, the humans will expect you to lie down simply because they tell you to.

Max - Will they? Seriously? That's a bit daft of them don't you think?!

JD - You'll still get a pat on the head though if you give them your cute look....

Max - Well, that's okay then!

A place for everything.....and everything in its place!

Max - I am an obedient, clever dog!

JD - Hey! I usually start the blogs.....

Max - Well, today I've started the blog because I am an obedient, clever dog! I know this becuase my human keeps on telling me!

JD - That's not fair - she hasn't told ME that I'm an obedient, clever dog. And I'm the mature one!

Max - She MUST be impressed with me then! She KEEPS on telling me this you see. There I was, re-arranging my toys in pairs just the way I like them....

JD - In the lounge?

Max - Yup! I don't know why our human keeps on putting them back into the kitchen when I go to all that trouble to bring them out into the lounge every evening.

JD - She's persistant - but I'm sure you'll train her over time....

Max - Hope so! Anyway, every time I line up my toys my human gives me a funny look and tells me that I'm an OCD puppy - which obviously stands for obedient, clever dog....

JD - I'm jealous - she hasn't said this to me yet.....

Max - Never mind - I'm sure if you keep on moving your things around just like I do she'll start to tell you the same.....!

How we saved Clacton from flooding

JD - We were soooo sleepy last night that we actually forgot to get up and have our usual wee in the middle of the night!

Max - It was nice not having to leave our nice comfy bed though....

JD - I couldn't believe it when our human suddenly appeared out of the darkness and told me it was morning....


Max - But it was! So we went for walkies! I like walkies!

JD - The tide was out this morning so our human took us down on the beach. We like to run across all the pebbles at the top of the beach!

Max - Yeah! The pebbles make exciting noises when we chase each other!

JD - But the sea kept on trying to claim our beach space......


Max - It washed over my paws!


JD - So we pounced on it - ha! - and it retreated! As it should!


Max - Yeah! We showed it!

JD - Seriously - if we hadn't been there to pounce on it and show it who's boss it would probably have kept coming in and Clacton would probably have been flooded!


Max - All our toys would have been swept away! And our treats!


JD - Exactly Max! It could have been a complete disaster!


Max - So - do you think the humans realise how lucky they are to have two such brave and clever puppies around?

JD - Sigh......I doubt it Max, I doubt it......!

Special presents!

JD - Because we're both such clever puppies we've noticed that our female human gets really, really excited every time we go to the toilet outside.

Max - Yeah! She tells us what good boys we are when we do that and we get treats and head rubs and she puts on her 'happy face' - we like 'happy face!'. It makes us both feel all smiley and good!

JD - So we thought - seeing as we're such clever puppies and all - that we'd make a special effort to go to the toilet in the kitchen every single night so that our human can feel really excited every single morning when she sees what we've done!

Max - Yeah! Night time toileting!

JD - And it's hard you know.... I really don't think she appreciates just HOW hard it is for us to make sure we both wake up to do this special thing for her when we're both so, so sleepy....

Max - Yeah! I have to get up from my lovely, warm and comfy cushion just to do a wee when I'm really sleepy......

JD - But you see the thing is, by the time she has FINALLY come down to see us (after abandoning the two of us to bravely cope all on our own throughout the night until the incredibly late hour of six am every day by the way) she's obviously far too sleepy to notice our continued diligent nightly efforts. All she does is quietly clear it all up without ANY fuss or excitement whatsoever.

Max - So no 'happy face' - it makes me feel all sad....

JD - But when we go into the garden with her to have our morning wee the cold must wake her up because she suddenly gets all happy again and we both get a treat and loads and loads of fuss. Go figure!!

Max - Yeah! I like my morning treat - it's yummy!

JD - I do think we need to keep trying the night time toileting for a little while longer though. I know our human's a bit slow, but even she's bound to notice it soon, surely? And when she does she's bound to be really pleased by what clever puppies we are!

Max - Yup - and then we're sure to get an extra special treat for being the cleverest puppies in the whole world!