Archive for the 'My Pet' Category

This is a Wordle  about dogs I was fooling around with the other day. Wordle was a big hit on Valentines Day too!

I finally figured out how to use my expensive new Handycam video camera, and after a slow start I am now able to film such earth shattering events as my dog chasing a frisbee in slow motion, my dog taking a swim in his favorite swimming hole, my dog napping, well, you get the idea.

Once I got the operation of the camera figured out the next step was to learn how to shoot video. This is basically a trial and error process so I'm glad I got the hard drive version of video camera, I end up deleting a lot of video clips, either because I was shaking too much or getting useless video of my feet. I really like the camera but one of it's major flaws is not having a viewfinder. Outdoors, especially in bright sun, the screen display will wash out, leaving you guessing at whether the camera is on record or standby.

Next was to tackle downloading my video from the camera to my PC, find some basic (free) video editing software, create clips, add transitions, dialog, special effects, music, text and credits, which ends up taking hours to do if you want the finished video to resemble anything even semi-respectable so you can put it on YouTube. Why you would do that is a whole other topic.

It wasn't easy, especially the editing part but thankfully I have no desire to make professional videos so the pros can rest easy. My dog in slow motion is enough for now but watch out YouTubers, I plan on getting much better at this!

I have the greatest respect for the Marine Corps and all our armed forces, I am a marine veteran of the Vietnam war but when I was searching for a Christmas card where I could include a picture of my lab "Duke" I ran across this Pets In Uniform website. I just couldn't resist.

I submitted a digital picture of Duke, made a $19.95 payment on PayPal and in just a couple of days I got back as a download. It's a very high quality image.  "General" Duke is suitable for framing and will make a great gift for the family.

Here is their video on YouTube, some of these like the bird astronaut are hilarious!

Refresh Your Dog's Water Frequently

Especially during the summer months.

My dog is a chocolate lab and not only does he like to swim in it but he loves to drink it in great sucking gulps, especially after a session of frisbee chasing. After he has drank his fill from his special water dish and has left the kitchen in search of the nearest pillow, you can track him by the trail of leaking jowl water. What had been clean, cool water a moment ago was now filled with floaties and sunken, unidentifiable STUFF. And as usual it's right after I had just refreshed his water!

I don't know where he picks them up but I refer to these little pieces of yard dirt/cookie crumbs/dog food/floor mung, etc, as;  Jowl Bits and Muzzle Dust.

We call him Duke, "The Wonder Dog." Not because he can fly, although he is fleet of feet, but because that is what our Vet called him after surviving a battle with "kennel cough" that very nearly took his life. He is pictured here in the early stages of treatment with the Vet that saved his life, Dr.Tom Flack and his wife, Janice, a very caring lady who works with her husband in his Scottsdale, Arizona Veterinary Clinic.  Had it not been for them this story would have had a very sad ending. (more…)