Farley’s Friday

Farley’s Friday: Canadian Wildlife

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 8 Comments

Farley here,

Excitement in the forest. That’s an understatement. One buck and three bears.

I woke up to a misty morning, stretched my legs and headed for the back door. Staring in at me was this buck. His silky antlers are about the size of his ears but will grow. He’s a white tail and usually hangs with two others.

IMG_2245

I’ve learned the hard way that a buck will move away if I’m in the area. A doe will stand her ground, stomp at me and warn me to head the other way. I get the shakes when I’m around a doe and am smart enough to know it’s her territory. Bears are different. I need to get them away from my humans.

IMG_2244

Yesterday, I arrived home from my morning walk with wet paws. We  climb the steps at the side of our house, blissfully unaware of what’s  lurking in the forest. Kristina grabs my towel and squats with her back to the forest. I lift my front paw for her. We’re face-to-face. I lick her nose.

I glance over her shoulder. My body stiffens. My upper lip curls. I emit a slow growl.

Kristina tenses. Her adrenaline rush is so strong, I can feel it in my bones. She looks like Sigourney Weaver in Alien. You know the scene where Weaver realizes an alien is behind her but she doesn’t look back.

Inch-by-inch Kristina turns her head. I lunge, trying to get over Kristina’s shoulder. I need to protect her. She grabs my harness and stops me. Twenty feet away, the black bear stares at us. He doesn’t move.

Kristina slowly drags me into the house, all the while saying, “Whoa Bear.”

Matt explodes out the door with and air horn. After three blasts, the bear disappears. He takes his time, meandering through our backyard, not really caring we’re there.

IMG_2231

The day before, this guy was waiting for us at the side of our house.  He was smaller but still not concerned we were so close to him.

IMG_2230

The third bear I mentioned, I saw a couple of weeks ago while we were out walking. Maybe the rest of day will be calm.

Woof woof.

Relax – It’s only a photo shoot!

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 9 Comments

Now that I’ve signed what Imajin Books I need an author photo.

I chose to work with a professional photographer local to my area. We met before the shoot and discussed the image I wanted to portray. I’ve used an image of myself with Farley for the last 6 years and love the photo, but thought it was time for an update.

My first decision was with or without Farley. Poor Farley got bumped. I liked the photo of the two of us because I thought it portrayed who I am and what my life is about. I’m sad to let this photo go, but it’s time to set a new image. I wanted my new author photo taken outdoors in a natural setting, and I wanted to come across as approachable and friendly. My novels take place in the BC wilderness, so my photo should portray the setting too.

The photographer, Kimberly Rae Sanderson, made me feel comfortable right away. I was nervous and needed to relax if the photos were to be any good.  We met at Lake Lillian, a small lake in the Purcell Mountains. We chose early evening so the lighting was soft – translate to I’d look better 🙂

When the shoot was over, Kimberly sent me 98 photos to choose from.  Here are the two I liked best.

KristinaStanley-24 KristinaStanley-75

I’ll use the portrait on the inside back cover of my novels. I plan to use the black and white photo in various places on the internet. As usual, I now have to find all the spots where Farley and I have been posted on the internet and replace the old photo with my new photo.

It’s fun, all the things that come with writing a novel.

If you haven’t read my blog before, I’ve signed on with Imajin Books and will blog about my publishing adventure. I’ll share what I learn and hope it helps someone out there get their novel published.

Thanks for reading…

 

 

Farley’s Friday: When the woman is away…

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 4 Comments

Farley here,

Kristina left me for the week, so this is how Matt walks me… Just kidding. It’s how he’s keeping himself entertained. I’m just there for the photo.

IMG_2204

I know I look sad, but I really miss Kristina. I’ve been moping for two days now. I don’t know where she went, but she better come home soon. I’m one lonely Wheaten Terrier.

Woof Woof.

 

Farley’s Friday: A Wheaten Terrier and a Bear

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 13 Comments

Farley here,

Why am I running so hard? I need to protect my humans.

IMG_1443

I catch a strong scent. I’ve not smelled this particular aroma before, but something seems wrong to me. Kristina and Matt notice I’m agitated and call me to their side. Too late. My brain has kicked into instinct mode and off I run.

Then I see the creature. It’s black. It’s coat is shiny. And it’s huge. Well compared to me anyway.

I turn back to check my humans are not following.  Kristina picks up a branch and is rapidly approaching. Matt’s faster and heads my way. Don’t they understand they need to get away? 

I bolt at the bear, he hesitates, then sees I’m one serious dog. He climbs part way up a tree and waits. Kristina and Matt come closer, talking loudly and telling me to come. The bear shimmies farther up the tree, using his giant claws to move quickly.

I circle the bottom. “Stay up there,” I bark at the bear. Then back to Kristina and Matt, “Get out of here.”

Kristina and Matt call me one more time, then do as I ask. When I think they’re far enough from the bear, I bark one last time, and follow my humans out of the forest.

Not bad for a day’s work. You can call me the protector. I’ve done my job, and I’m proud.

Woof Woof

ps. I was only a little scared.

 

Farley’s Friday: One Dirty Wheaten

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 1 Comment

Farley here.

I can’t believe my good fortune. I’m running down the street, heading for a romp on the golf course, and what do I find? You won’t believe it.

The maintenance team is preparing the golf course for opening in a few weeks. Kristina says this is bad, because it means the golfers get to use the course, and we don’t. I don’t understand why I can’t chase the balls, but that’s for another story.

Today, look what I happen upon. The maintenance team put a huge pile of dirt, right on the road, demanding I jump in, dig, roll around and make myself muddy.

IMG_2152

Now maybe you already know, but I have some genetic traits specific to my breed. I’m a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, and I’m bred to dig. I can’t help myself. My brain turns off, literally, I don’t think anything is going on in there, and my paws go wild. True happiness flows in my blood.

The trick now is to avoid a bath when I get home. Wish me luck.

Woof Woof.

Farley’s Friday: An Easter That Keeps On Giving

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 2 Comments

Farley here,

Woof Woof.

I woke up Easter morning, barked at my humans to get up and waited, anxiously wagging my tail. I couldn’t wait to get an Easter bunny.

I wagged, wiggled and waited . . . nothing. I thought everyone got an Easter Bunny. Guess I was wrong.

I lay on the floor, rested my jaw on my legs and watched Kristina. Maybe she was going to surprise me. She picked up my leash, and I knew – no Easter bunny for me.

Off we went. Every day some of the snow goes away. I don’t know where, but I miss it. I head for the golf course, running fast. I hit the fairway. No snow! This was very confusing. I ran in circles, rolled in the grass, but still no snow. Anyone now how to make snow?

Something caught my eye. I am a dog, you know, and get easily distracted. I ran for the trees and skidded to a stop. Siting at the base of a lodge-pole pine tree, I found an Easter bunny.

IMG 2131

I think Kristina hid it there for me. I heard the kids in the neighbourhood saying they had to search for their bunnies, so I had to search for mine too.

My bunny lives on the golf course. Every day I visit her, play for a while, and then leave her until next time. She likes to stay outside overnight.

Woof Woof.

Farley’s Friday: A Slip and Fall

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 7 Comments

Farley here, You all know about my winter hiking boots. Well, now that spring is here, I have a new sleek version. They are so light, my feet feel like they’re running on clouds.

Out on one of our hikes through the forest, I stop to sniff a tree – you know, because trees smell great as the snow starts to melt. From a tree behind me, a squirrel natters at me. I whip my head toward the sound and bolt in the creature’s direction … Farley slip 1 But alas, my shoes let me down. When I’m bare pawed I have grip. I forget myself for a moment and run hard. Out go my paws from under me. How embarrassing. I’m a serious kind of dog, and I like to appear regal. Farley slip 2 Instead of looking regal, I look like a snow head. Farley Slip 3 Woof Woof

Farley’s Friday: The Case of The Disappearing Ball

~ Kristina Stanley ~ 11 Comments

Farley here,

Do you know where my ball went?

Kristina lobbed it over my head and across the field. What I don’t understand is why she threw the ball when I was still on leash. I don’t think she was paying attention. She tossed it. I ran. She fell when I jerked the leash.

I looked back for a second, just to check she was okay, and then kept running. I had my eye on the bright orange ball as it flew through the air. I was concentrating hard. And then . . . in an instant it disappeared.

No matter how hard I searched, I couldn’t find it.

Lost Ball

Can someone mail me another ball? By the way, Kristina wasn’t hurt during the production of this blog.

Woof Woof.