Spring Weather

[nightdog_barks]

It seems like spring, anyway, although it's cooled down a bit. Last night we got a good round of thundershowers (Layla remains oddly unaffected/unconcerned about thunder) and tonight into tomorrow we are supposed to have more rain.

Speaking of Layla, here is a shot of her that I took this afternoon:



Also, here is a picture of our garden (such as it is) ...


Left to right, clockwise:
Early Girls
Romas
In the wooden bucket, a young fig tree that LAYLA HAS PARTIALLY EATEN BAD DOG NO BISCUIT
Santa Fe Grande peppers
Poblano peppers
Sweet banana peppers



In the past couple of weeks, we've seen more night-time wildlife than we have in MONTHS -- screech owls, cottontail rabbits, even a teeny-tiny baby garter snake (that wriggled quickly away from Layla's inquisitive nose). :D

Comments

[silverjackal]

Your photo isn't quite what I was asking for (which is the standard "standing from the side showing breed characteristics") but it's close enough that I can say I don't see anything apart from Labrador in Layla. She's likely just working bred. She's also in very nice condition. :)

[nightdog_barks]

Heh. I know it's not the side-view you were asking for. I haven't taken that one yet. :D

♥ ♥ ♥

[silverjackal]

O.K., I will look forward to seeing it then. :) (I made an erroneous assumption because someone once asked me to identify the breed(s) of their dog from a photo which essentially showed the dog's head -- from a distance! -- peering out from around someone's knees. :D I could identify Labrador and something that was either APBT or Rottie, but that was a struggle. I am therefore very clear about telling people what type of photo is suitable since then.)

[nightdog_barks]

:D

I will try and snap one in the next couple of days. One thing I have been meaning to ask, though ... I had always assumed a Labrador held their tail (mostly) straight out. Layla often holds hers either up or arced over her back. Never arced enough for the tip to actually touch her back, but there's a definite curve. Plus, at the curve, there's a small amount of fluff, or feathering.

I'll work to get a good photo of her curvy tail. :-)

[silverjackal]

The mostly straight tail is the breed standard, and if a dog has a full "otter" tail it can't do anything but hold it out because it's too short and thick to do otherwise. That tail is a show characteristic, however. Many Labradors have a much longer, thinner tail which is often held over the back and/or curved when the dog is engaged and excited. My friend C_s oldest Labrador usually carries his tail like that if there's anything going on. Her middle dog has a bit of fringe and curl on the end of his tail (which is shorter). Both are purebreds.

To prove my point:

"The tail is what distinguishes the Labrador Retriever. It is very thick at the base, tapering to the tip, gently rounded, reaching about to the top of the hock. It is described as an “otter tail.” However, many AKC Labrador Retrievers have a long narrow tail which may be set high or low, may be carried straight off the back or slightly curled." (From LabradorNet)

Here is a good visual example of a curling tail (on the chocolate dog), this is how my friend's dog usually carries his tail (which is even thinner than that of the dog in the photo and just as long), and here is a great example of a purebred with a longer curled tail where it is very pronounced because the dog is excited and holding it high (which is what that raised-tail posture betokens: OMG! BALL!). TL:DR the otter tail is a desirable show characteristic but a lot of purebred dogs have tails which are quite divergent. I'm accustomed to seeing the longer, thinner tail on field bred dogs which makes sense -- that long tail acts as a counterbalance and lets the dog turn quickly.

^That said Layla may indeed be a cross, but if she's not purebred whatever else might be in her is essentially insignificant. Functionally you have a Labrador.

[sabra_n]

Ooooh fiiiigs. I will be so jealous if Layla hasn't killed the tree.

[nightdog_barks]

Oh my god Sabra I couldn't believe it. We have a little Satsuma tree and a Meyer lemon tree and she'd left THEM alone, so I thought it would be safe to move the fig tree out from behind the tomato fence. AND IT WASN'T. // headdesk //

But anyway! This is the fig tree -- a dwarf Ficus carica, and that's actually the nursery I ordered it from. They are awesome. :D

[silverjackal]

Hee, pardon me for intruding into the conversation please, but I have to point out that the first two trees are citrus and therefore not delicious to dogs. Figs on the other hand? Entirely palatable. You will have to guard the fig tree until it is considerably larger, because until that time it will remain a very tasty "stick".

[nightdog_barks]

JACKAL YOU ARE NEVER INTRUDING

Seriously, your conversations are always welcome. :D

The ironic/funny thing is, Layla loves slices of orange and grapefruit! And although it's not a fruit, she thinks LEMONGRASS is DELICIOUS. She only nibbles at the leaves, but afterward her breath smells like lemons.

// uses my limes icon because I think that's the only citrus icon I have // :D