Yoshi's new friends...

I seem to be in a bit of a dry spell right now as it relates to my art, but I'm having a lot of fun with Yoshi, our current Future Dog Guide puppy.

I just had to share a video with you.  My husband and I often hand feed the chipmunks at our cottage, so the chipmunks in this video are very used to us, but surprisingly they were okay meeting Yoshi, only 8 weeks old in these shots!

Click here to see video.

Doodling with a Friend...

One of the things I love about doodling and sketching on the deck at the cottage is that I've always got company!

We call this little guy "Out Back Jack"...'cause he lives out back.  He loves to visit for black sunflower seeds or peanuts, but even if I don't have any he comes up and sits on my knee or sketchbook and just visits.  He's so tame I can pat him!

 I'm working on lesson #4 for Doodle Arts and Letters, another Joanne Sharpe online class.

I used my Marvy II markers to colour this because I forgot to pack my twinks!

Not Your Average Chipmunk...

I don't often take video, but in the summer, when my little friend Charlie was coming to visit for peanut treats, I decided to document it by using the video camera on my iPhone.  You may be getting sick of hearing this, but Lightroom is amazing!  Today in Round Trip, I learned that you can very easily capture jpeg images from video you've shot.  That's how I got this wonderful series of me feeding and patting my little chipmunk friend.  

You might also enjoy an older post in which I've included a short video of my giving one of the chipmunks a bit of a back rub.  This particular chipmunk would come up on my lap to be patted even if I didn't have any peanuts for it.

It's quite amazing, but we've taught our Golden Retriever, Casey, to leave the chipmunks alone.  All I have to say if one comes up on the deck is, "Leave it Casey.  That's mom's friend." and Casey will just watch it and not bother it at all.  They have become so used to one another that the chipmunks will sometimes go up and sniff her paws while she's sleeping.  If she notices she just lifts her head and looks at them.

And it would seem that she can tell the difference between chipmunks and red squirrels (which can be very annoying and destructive) because she'll chase them away if they come on the deck.  She's one smart dog!

My Friend Jack

I'd like to introduce you to my little buddy, 'Outback Jack'.  He got his name because he lives outback, behind the cottage. :o)  I have been feeding Jack peanuts all summer, and unlike Tim, the timid chipmunk (naming these little guys is a little obvious LOL), Jack has become very comfortable about sitting on my lap and visiting.  He allows me to stroke him while he takes peanuts from my hand, and sometimes he lingers and just enjoys the attention.

Yesterday while sitting out on the deck Jack, came for a visit.  Unfortunately, I had no peanuts left, but I did have my iPhone so while Jack enjoyed a back rub, I decided to catch the moment on film. 

 I hope you enjoy this short video clip of Jack getting his back rub!

Today's post is being linked to Photo Show Off, Texture Tuesday, Sweet Shot Tuesday, Our World Tuesday, This or That Thursdays, Shoot, Edit, Submit, Fabulous Friday and Photo Friday Link Party.

Meet Nikki

I'm up at the cottage and I've met a new friend.  His name is Nikki and he's the friendliest little chipmunk!  As you can see, he comes up on my lap to get peanuts when I'm sitting out on the deck.  My dog Casey has learned to leave him alone because he's "Mom's friend".  She just watches but doesn't bother Nikki at all!