Let me introduce you to Russ, the miniature schnauzer who brings
a joy to our home like no other. A sweet little dog that is happy and
content with life, still looks like a puppy, and makes us laugh every day.
This is an extremely formal portrait. Russ rarely looks this dapper.
His lifestyle just doesn't match the look and would be extremely difficult to maintain.
He's an amazing guard dog and always knows where we are. He hangs out
in the gardens with me when I'm working. He'll find himself a nice shade spot
and watch over me. It reminds me of Sam and Ralph from the Looney Tunes fame.
You know, the employed sheep dog and coyote who punch in and out of work.
I guess that makes me the coyote. T.Hee
Russ has many looks, doesn't especially like being groomed, but never
gives us a hard time when it's happening. If he sees you take out
one of his grooming tools he starts to sneek away.
When you call him back he walks really really slow with his head down.
After grooming is done, if it's a full haircut, he's as happy as a pup,
he runs around wildly for days.
If it's just combing out the beard, well, a cold shoulder is what transpires
the next time you want him to come over and play.
Russ loves to hunt. He's obsessed with the frogs in our pond, and spends
a tremendous amount of time chasing them. He doesn't catch them mind you,
so it's funny. Where on earth would he get such an obsession you wonder.
Well, I think he learned it from me. I spend a tremendous amount of time
hunting frogs as well. Yep, we are in direct competition in the frog hunt, and
Russ learned everything he knows from me.
Mind you, Russ and I hunt in different ways. I capture
my little froggies in pixels. I have thousands of frog photos, and
they're one of my favorite photographic subjects. Here's a few samples.
Russ is amazing about the frog hunting. He listens to me and will not chase them
when I ask him not to. We've learned to work together. He helped me
capture this next shot. Hopefully we can perfect the technique and get alot more of these.
Our mission is to capture them in mid-air.
Russ is very intelligent. He always does what he is told,
has never needed to be tied, comes when he is called and would do anything
required of him to protect us and our property.
He's not very happy about practising his piano, and will bark about it,
but will do it anyway because of his obedient nature.
He loves to play Monopoly with Teddy, and never misses
the opportunity to collect the rent money.
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