Albus is getting scared of something...

Albus does get scared of things. Especially as he is getting older (almost 6 years old).

Albus used to just jump off and on this big bed just as he wanted, but now he is having troubles. He will rarely, but still sometimes, slip when he lands because of wood floor. So, that is making him scared to get down the bed! He will cry when he wants to get off, but won't because he doesn't want to jump down.
However, Albus will usually come down for treats or food.

Albus Video - Running in the snow

Here is an Albus video of him running in the snow, "Dog Running in the Snow - German Shepherd Mix"



It is almost winter, which means snow...
So, here is Albus running in the snow with out neighbor dogs!
Albus doesn't seem to either dislike or really like the snow, it is 'just there' for him. Albus does run in the backyard a lot, and still does it in the snow.

Here is the description from YouTube:
"My dog, Albus, running in the snow!
Here he is running along the fence with other dogs while out in the snow!"

Albus Photo - Sleeping With Pillow Again

Here is another photo of Albus!....

So here is Albus sleeping on the couch with a pillow again! (See here for the him sleeping with a pillow).
Albus loves cuddling up with pillows and did it again while on camera recently.

Albus Photo - Sleeping With a Pillow

Albus often sleeps on the couch. However, he doesn't just sleep on the couch! He normally cuddles up with a pillow also.

So, in this photo, Albus is doing just that. The front/top half of his body is on the pillow, the rest on the couch. His left paw is going out from the pillow and is bent. He looks so comfortable to me, how about you?

Albus Photos - Chewing Bones

Here are some Albus photos of him chewing bones, like the one that he buried!

Albus Buries Bone and Digs it Back Up

It all started back when Albus got a bone. He did the usual and took it to his bed.

There he started to chew his bone for a very short time. He didn't even get to eat any of it! He then ran upstairs and almost immediately came running back down stairs and wanted to go outside. Albus went outside with his bone and ran to the side of the yard where he had a tiny hole and dropped it in there. He picked it back up and started running around the yard for a while with his bone. He eventually made it the other side of the yard where he used to have huge hole, it was filled back up though. So, he ran around a bit more. It looked like he was looking for something, but he finally made it to his biggest hole in the yard. Albus dug some there and dropped his bone in the hole. He then buried his bone by moving dirt over it with his nose. He kept doing that for a while and kept sniffing to make sure the bone was still there. He finally stopped and thought he was finished and went back inside.

Later that same day, Albus was lying down on the grass near where he buried his bone. He started to stand and sniff around where his bone was buried. He then started to swipe his paw at the dirt while sniffing. He then started to dig. He wanted his bone back! He kept digging until his bone was barely visible. He got really excited then and started to dig just enough so that he could pull the bone out with his mouth. So, Albus pulled the bone out with his mouth. It went flying in the air and he went racing towards it. He started to eat his bone this time, with mud covered all over it!

Here is a video from YouTube of it: "Dog Buries Bone and Digs Bone Back Up"


Here is the description from YouTube: "My dog, Albus, buries his bone, then later unburies it!
Albus loves eating his bones, he has even put them in holes he has dug before. But, he has never buried it completely before!"

Here is Albus enjoy his bone when all the burying, digging, sniffing, running, etc. was done and over with.

Albus Barks A Lot

There is no doubt at all that Albus barks a lot! If he thinks we are going somewhere, he barks to let us know he wants to go. If he really wants a treat, he will bark. When he wants inside or outside, he will bark to let us know that. If something exciting is going on, he will bark. If somebody comes over, he will bark. When somebody comes to our home, whether it be us or a guest, he will bark. When we vacuum anywhere in the house, he will bark. Albus also barks a lot when outside and wants to play, run, or he is not being played with. He gets jealous when not being played with!

All in all, Albus likes to talk a lot and wants to be heard!

Here is Albus barking because something exciting is going on

Here Albus is barking outside and wants to play

Here Albus is wanting inside

Albus barks a lot. Do we love him for that? Not everyone in the family loves that Albus barks. I love that he barks, however. It is part of what makes him Albus! 

Albus Photo - Barking Outside To Come In

Here is an Albus photo ....

It is of him barking outside! He is at the door, wanting to come inside. So when Albus is at the door outside and wants to come inside, he barks. He does the same when he wants outside.

Albus Video - Learns to Jump

Here is an Albus video. This will also show some of the progress Albus has made on "Jump"...
"Dog Learns to Jump"


So, now Albus is much better at jumping! He was able to do it about 10 times in a row.
Anyway, the video shows 2 videos of Albus jumping over this bucket lid, and a photo at the end of Albus in mid-stride! Albus gets rewarded with treats each time he jumps over.

Here is the description from YouTube: "My dog, Albus, has finally learned to jump!
I had to do this for a while. When he finally 'manned' it up and jumped over the bucket cover. Albus was rewarded with treats each time he jumped over. And then a bone for the jump with the photo :)
I'm so glad I got him to do that!
Music-- Red Barchetta by Rush (Part- Bridge)"

Albus - Learning to Jump

Albus is a dog that knows what he knows. For tricks, he knows the tricks he knows and is not open minded to new tricks. So, it is hard to get him to start doing other tricks.
Now, he knows:
Sit
Up
Stay
Paw
Albus is trying to learn a new trick though! Called, "Jump"
He has successfully completed this three now, amazingly on the first few tries. He got treats the first two, and the last one he got a small bone!
Sometimes though, Albus still doesn't jump. He will just sit and stare, or go up.
Check out the "Albus - "Jump"" Page (soon to come) for progress on this Albus trick!

Albus and His Cat 'Friends'

So... Albus has cat friends? In a way, he does.

We set out cat food for stray cats to eat! When Albus sees them, he will sometimes go bonkers, other times just stare at them. It all depends on what mood he is in. When he is hyper, is when he will usually want to run outside and play with them. When he is calm and sleepy, he normally just stares, probably wanting to be with them.

These cats do have names....

"Kitty"

This cat is called 'Kitty'. It was the first cat that started this whole feeding thing. It came in our garage and was eating....................... Albus food! We then set Albus food out for it. We then got the name Kitty and Kitty came regularly now. We bought cat food instead of feeding it the expensive Albus food. Which is smaller, and probably tastes better (Albus likes trying to steal the cat food). So, with Kitty coming regularly, Albus was getting somewhat used to it.

"Fluffy"

Here is Fluffy... Our most known visitor. She (or he, but for now she), has fluffy fur as you can see, so we called her fluffy! Fluffy is the cat that shows up most often and eats the most. She is the least likely to run away is startled. 

One time, when heading out and about to the stores, Fluffy was eating. So, we went out, and she barely went away. She only hid in the bushes near our front porch. 

"Milk Cat"

Here we have 'Milk Cat'. It got its name from being partially white, and has stuck ever since. This cat has not come around recently though. It used to come daily, but stopped showing up during the day.

"The Story of Fluffy and Kitty"

Here is Kitty eating in the morning, as usual.............

 But wait... This isn't Kitty anymore?

Yup, that is Fluffy now....

So what happened?

 Now there are both Kitty and Fluffy.

So, two cats?

Yup....... 

Here is how it started:

It was a normal day of cat eating for Kitty. She had some peace and quiet filling her hunger. Until, another cat came from under our car. This was Fluffy. Fluffy was bigger than Kitty. So, Kitty started to back away from the food as Fluffy began slowly going towards the food. Kitty started walking away, back towards the car Fluffy was under. Fluffy started eating and kept looking back at Kitty for a little bit. Fluffy had complete dominance over the food. Fluffy usually stays eating a long while, and this time wasn't different. She was eating for a long time. Kitty started to lose patience and was walking slowing towards the food. As she crept towards the food, Fluffy was staring her down. Were they going to fight? Nope, Kitty just sat there finally after edging closer. Fluffy finally left after a few more minutes and Kitty could return to eating.

Wait a minute.... Albus wasn't in this story???

No he wasn't! So here is a picture of Albus...

In this picture Albus is staring at...... One of the cats! Most likely Kitty or he usually would be standing up if it were Fluffy.

What Type of Dog is Albus?

"What type of dog is Albus?" That is a question I get asked frequently... The answer is not simple though.

When we got Albus, nobody knew exactly what type of dog he was. They did know that he was part German Shepherd though.
His tail usually does stick up (that way he gets to show us his butt, where there is an ongoing 'joke' of "Albus's Butt"). Sometimes when he barks he will carry the bark on for a few seconds, but not like a howl, similar to a Basset Hound's bark.
So, he could be part Hound, or even Husky. He may even be Hound/Husky/German Shepherd. He could possibly even be somewhat wolf, who really knows?

Now, time for you to decide what you think... What breed dog do you think Albus is?

There are some more photos already used in this blog, if you want more help deciding, you can go to the 'Albus Photos' page

Albus Video - Coughing

Here is our video of the week! "Dog Coughing"



In this video, Albus is coughing (twice), both are from two different videos. Often when he coughs, it is just to cough, it appears. Although sometimes, Albus coughs because he needs to throw up! Have your ever had to rush your dog outside so they won't throw-up on the floor? If yes then you know how annoying it can be if you don't get there in time.
Overall this video is not of my favorites, just because coughing isn't a good thing.

Here is the description from YouTube: "My funny dog, Albus, coughed twice while on camera!"

Albus Photo - On the Steps

It was a normal day of Albus picture taking, which is pretty much every day. Just taking pictures of Albus wherever he went: his bed, upstairs, couch, downstairs, basement, any bed, a room, the floor.... When Albus was on the steps for one of them!

Albus is looking right at me. His back paws are at the very top of the steps, his front paws one step down. This created a wonderful angle to take a picture. So, Albus was stopped at the top of the steps and was getting his picture taken!

Albus Photo - Sleeping on his bed

As many of the photos you have seen of Albus, it is stressed that he is not on his actual things. 

When he is sleeping, he usual is on the couch. 

When he is in the kitchen he is normally on his rug.

When he is in a room with a bed (other than his) he will go on that instead of the floor.

Sometimes, though, he actually goes on his bed. It is a very comfortable dog bed with a lot of room!

So, in this photo Albus is sleeping on his bed. If you have a dog, then you know that they love to sleep. As having a couple dogs before Albus, I knew that dogs loved to sleep. Also, many of my relatives have dogs that... love to sleep!Albus was no different, he loves to sleep. Albus normally sleeps during the day, so he has all his energy back for the evening. After he gets wiped out from that by night, he is full of energy again in the morning!

Albus has Escaped! ...

Albus is at home safely now. :-)

Anyway, one night after I had gone to sleep, Albus was making a lot of noise............. Our windows were open this whole time, with a screen on the outside. So, Albus decided it would be a great idea to just go right through the screen out to the front yard! He was gone for probably around 30 minutes until noticed. So, after driving a while, Albus was found near our home! When called, he just returned through the garage.
Now, Albus was home and safe.............
But, he had some sort of poop all over him. He must to have rolled in some sort of something! So, Albus got a bath, and he is a dog that doesn't behave in that bath! His fur is so soft after baths, though. He sheds even more after baths, though, so in the morning, there was 'Albus Hair' everywhere!

After going through the front window's screen, roaming around outside at night, getting poop on him, returning home when called, and getting a bath, Albus was all fine in the morning!

Albus Video - Comes Charging At Me

Here is our Albus video of the week! "Dog comes charging at me"
This video was taken recently, Albus kept going up and down the steps and was barking, so I started to record. He was downstairs at first and was barking. Then, he came running up the steps..... He came straight in the room, jumped up the bed, and barely stopped before hitting me! He then proceeded to bark a little bit and run back downstairs!

Here is the description from youtube: "My funny dog, Albus, came charging at me one day...
Albus was down stairs barking, then came running up the steps and jumped up on the bed right at me! He also kept barking for a little bit :)"

Albus shows how energetic he is in this video!

Albus Photo - Looking out the Window

Albus is looking out the window.

He looks out the window for many reasons... People outside, dogs, stray animals - like cats, rabbits, etc.

When he sees other dogs he normally cries and/or cry barks. He wants to be out with them!

When he sees stray animals he normally cries and wants to go play with them!

When he sees people playing he will sometimes bark, but normally just watches with his tail wagging!

Albus loves lookin' out the window!

Albus Photo - Sniffing Rug

Albus on 'his' little mat in the kitchen. It is near the sink in the kitchen and whenever something with food is going on, he will lay there! He thinks it is his, even though it is for human feet :)
In this photo, he is sniffing the rug it looks like.

Have your dogs ever made random rugs "their own"?

Albus Photo - Wanting Belly Rub

Albus is lying down on his side, with his head up and his front right paw sticking up... That could only mean one thing, he wants a belly rub!

Albus almost always wants belly rubs, he enjoys them very much. As a dog, it is hard for him to scratch his belly, so sometimes he gets an itch on his belly and can't do anything about it!

Albus Photo - Scratching eye

Albus has always had 'the itchies'. I always thought, for a dog, he gets a lot of itches. Many times, he licks or nibbles on his paws, or his arms/legs... And many other times he is scratching his head with his back paws! Sometimes he will swipe at his head with his front paws, too.

When Albus scratches with his back paw, his itches are normal in or right around his ear, his eyes, top of his head, around his snout, or a couple inches back from the ears. In this photo it seemed more like an eye itch!

Albus Photo - On Wood Floor

Albus is on the hardwood floor... lying down, with his head going over his paw! I really like this picture because of how it shows Albus with his head over his paw/arm area...

Albus the Dog - Photo

Here is the photo promised from the 1000 total pageview challenge - and remember these are related!

Albus yawning! Just a picture version of the video (click here for the video)
Albus is yawning a lot. Sometimes I am just taking pictures of him and he will yawn during one!
Though Albus is a hyper dog, he is also very sleepy sometimes - and when he is sleepy, he yawns! Whether it be when waking up or during "nap" time, he still yawns.

Albus Video - German Shepherd Mix, Dog Yawning

Here's the video promised from the "thousand view challenge" (here)
and we succeeded-- (here)

So, here's the video....................................................



This is just Albus yawning - I actually wasn't meaning to capture that during this video, I was trying to get a good angle with the lighting of him sleeping, but before I did, he yawned while it was on him! (So, that's why there is the terrible light in the back). Anyway, Albus has long yawns! Albus yawns a lot, like humans! Especially after waking up, or during the day when his normal "nap" time is!

Check out my youtube channel for more Albus videos: Louey7777
Here's the description from youtube: My funny dog, Albus, yawned while on camera!
Pretty long yawn... About :02 to :05, around 3 seconds :)

Albus Photo - Focused on a Treat

I remember this picture from when I took it around 2-3 months ago! Albus was up on the couch (as you can see) and I had a treat in my hand while on the floor. I was holding the treat, while Albus had his paws spread out and his wonderful dog face..... So I took a photo with my other hand :)

Thing I like most about this photo of Albus the Dog:

• How is paws are spread out
• How his front/upper body is straight and his back end is off the side (his left)
• How focused Albus is on the treat
• How his tongue is sticking out!

As mentioned many times, Albus is a dog that just loves treats!

Thousand view challenge - Success!

The thousand view challenge has been a success! Thank you all very much for it (I know it's not much, but it is for me :P) There will be an extra photo and video for today.


That means:
Photo of the Day
(possible Albus stories)
EXTRA photo
EXTRA video
!

These posts should be out shortly!
And the video and photo will be "in common"

Thousand View Challenge

If we can get 1,000 total page views by the evening today (10-21-2012) I will post an extra photo and video of Albus this evening!

Hint: Photo and video will be related if we get the views by then!!

Albus Photo - Focused looking

Albus... Looking at something with much focus. It is more than likely food related, like a treat! 

Albus Video - Dog Bites Camera

Here is our video for the week! (10/14 - 10/20)

This probably my favorite funny Albus video so far!

Description from youtube: "My funny dog, Albus, bit my camera!
I was just recording him and then that happened :)
I slowed down the part where he went to bite it."

So, here is probably my favorite funny Albus video on youtube :)

Albus was just sittin' there while I was recording him. Suddenly, he bit the camera lens! And after that he acted like he did nothin' at all.

Albus Photo - Through the Backdoor

Albus was outside and wanted inside......

He often goes outside and wants to come in right away-- or the other way around, wants to come in then go outside right away!

This dog is always paw lickin'

Albus is always licking his paws........

Albus is always having itches. For his most common ones, he licks his paws and won't stop for a long time! I finally got a picture of Albus licking his paws! 

Cute Dog Photos of Albus

Here are some Albus photos I would like share that I just recently took today, I was using a different file format (raw) when taking this, and organized them through Adobe Lightroom. All of these were around the same 5 minute period and Albus behaved well, for once to let me get all of these!

Albus photo - Taking Treat

First: Albus loves treats. Here, he is taking a treat from my fingers. He will do almost anything for a treat, like sitting, giving you his paw, or even waiting to take it. Here he waited to 'take it.' At least he is gentle when taking treats from your hand!

Albus Photo - Sleeping on Bed

Today's photo is....

Albus was up on the bed sleeping. Sleeping, he does it during the day, just to save all his energy for the evening! Then he will go back to sleep overnight and have lots of energy in the morning!

Albus has gone barking again!

Albus started barking a ton again!

Albus sure loves to tell me off whenever I eat and he doesn't get any of it! Albus hates not getting any food whenever someone is eating something that he likes, especially meats, cheese or crackers. He also dislikes not getting the attention while we're eating.
So, what does he do about it?
He gets up and bothers you and begs for your food. He barks to let you know he wants some. He also will try to steal your food if you leave it a lone or for him to get!

Albus Photo - Ears in the Wind

Albus's ears are being blown in the wind! It is almost winter and was very windy yesterday and is somewhat toady- so I thought I would do Albus's ears being blown in the wind. There is just one extra thing though- winter! There is snow in the pictures (See around his collar at his fur, little white specks)... 

Albus Photo - Licking Couch

Albus sticking his tongue out on the couch! Another older picture with my Canon Powershot...

Must be a tasty couch!

Going Outside Today

Our trip outside this morning!
Albus wanted to go outside real bad this morning, so we went out. It was very windy and Albus had a fun time in it!

First: Albus stayed around our deck and wanted to be petted

So, we pet him for a while... Eventually he wanted to go out to the yard. He went out to start sniffing the air, get a nice smell of what was outside. He then caught a scent in the grass. He sniffed for a long while, just staying in the same general spot.

He finally started moving more, and kept smelling...

Albus then plumped down to the ground to enjoy the outdoors. He loves it when the weather is cooler, and loves to be outside in it.

He started to relax more and just lied there for a long time. 

Finally, he started to get hyper! He started to bark and kept at it for a long time!

He barked, barked, barked and barked more!

Eventually Albus stopped with the barking and moved on to running around. He wanted to go for a run very badly. He was very excited to be outside and he just got finished with a nice long rest.

There he is standing by one his holes he dug. He knows he has been bad when we tell him about him digging.  He loves to dig, this is his current biggest hole.

 When we fill them up, he will dig them right back up!

So, overall this morning we had a great time outside. Albus got nice relaxation outside. He also got to get some energy out!