Snapshot: Gentle Leader Headcollars

Oh my goodness, I wish we'd have been using Gentle Leaders before now. It would have saved so much wear and tear on my arm and our Boxers' necks as we struggled vainly to get them to stop lunging, heel, and not yank us off our feet every time a squirrel ran by. The Gentle Leader really does make them behave. Even when Wash lunged after a jogging woman the other morning, his lunges were so consciously gentle that tugging him back was almost effortless.

This isn't our Boxer, but you can see how it fits easily around the nose. This photo doesn't show it but they can pant, drink, carry a ball (or in our dogs' cases, sticks).

Simply amazing.

Snapshot: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds

Male

A few nights ago we were eating dinner and Hannah suddenly said, "Look! Next to the Christmas lights!"

(We leave our tiny, colored Christmas lights lining our patio roof and windows year-round, lending a festive, Mexican-restaurant feel, especially when they go on after dark.)

Hovering and darting around the unlit lights were two Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. They were a male and female, looking like flying jewels. The male came close enough to the patio window that I got a vivid impression of his ruby throat. Soon enough, they headed off to check out the Crepe Myrtles. I don't know if they could feed on them but at least Crepe Myrtles have the virtue of being real flowering plants.

Female

Then this morning, I stopped on my morning walk to see what some squawking Blue Jays were going on about. I never figured it out, but out of that same tree there zipped a hummingbird which darted over my head to join two others in mid-air. They buzzed out of sight, I assume in the direction of Mexico which is where most of them are migrating to at this time of year.

It was a real treat both times because I never think to put a feeder out and most of them must stick to other wayfares than our yard and street.

Both images are from Wikipedia.