...and how is your day going Rio ?"

[pschlute]

There is lots wrong technically with this photo but it gives me a basis to work on for next week.

I had to post it though !

[Geoff F]

I can't see much wrong with that image. Maybe the odd small bright spot could be toned down or removed but certainly a worthwhile shot.

[lovelife65]

Glad you posted it, just adorable!! Love the connection seen.
Such a unique looking pup, thank you very much for sharing Peter.

[rpcrowe]

My wife doesn't like images from the rear of my doodle. Holly but, sometime an image from the rear really portrays a dog - like in this case of Holly surveying her yard...



And the image of Rio really portrays the bond between dog and human...

[pschlute]

Thanks Richard. Holly looks like she is never "off duty"

[rpcrowe]

She is the guardian but, actually. it's our smaller dogs that give the first signal of an intruder (be it human or the occasional aggressive bunny rabbit) and then Holly joins in on the warning which begins as squeaks and ends with Holly's booming bark!

[pschlute]

She is the guardian but, actually. it's our smaller dogs that give the first signal of an intruder (be it human or the occasional aggressive bunny rabbit) and then Holly joins in on the warning which begins as squeaks and ends with Holly's booming bark!

We get foxes in the garden most nights (and often daytime too). Rio's first job in the morning is "Fox Patrol", which involves checking all the boundaries and barking at the long gone foxes. "Fox Patrol" usually ends with chasing and barking at little Ripley who I suspect Rio considers a collaborator with the pesky foxes.

[rpcrowe]

Although my Holly will bark at an intruder, she is certainly not a guardian dog.

However, my last big dog, Sara Lee, was quite a guardian.

She was a German Shepherd, Golden Retriever and Wolf hybrid. Eight-five pounds of pure muscle with an attitude that people (and other animals) found frightening. She had a heavy coat which made her look twice her weight especially when her hackles were raised.



Although she was generally a very gentle giant, she could be very formidable in her guard dog mode. When walking with me alone, she was like a puppy, happy and carefree, However, when walking with my wife, she changed into her protective mode and I think she would have taken the arm off anyone who was a danger to my wife. She also patrolled our fenceline with due diligence.

When walking with me and a Maltese, she would not let any man come close to her little friend. She would simply get between the guy and the Maltese and bump him out of the way with her hip. I don't know what would have happened if the guy disregarded that warning because no one ever did.

The difference in walking down the street with Sara Lee and with Holly is that people would consciously get out of Sara's way while people congregate to pet Holly....