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Archive for January, 2009

Wouldn’t you know it, as soon as I get mine they come out with a new version that has more range and HSM. I have to say, it’s a tiny bit disappointing, but I can’t say I’m not happy with the lens I already have. Keeping up with lens upgrades is as costly as keeping up with computer upgrades.

Sigma has confirmed the launch of a new 18-250mm Optical Stabilisation (OS) lens designed for Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony and Sigma digital SLR cameras.

Camera lens news: Sigma 18-250mm launched news

If you recall, the dog on the left is Addie, the wayward minstrel that Donna brought home on New Year’s Eve. Clearly the hair growing process has not hit full speed and she still has that dazed and confused look about her. But not to be outdone is our other dog “Ping”, an odd little Japanese Chin, Chihuahua mix. Strangely enough this little bite sized morsel is queen of the roost and spends a great deal of her time and energy bossing Addie around, stealing her rawhide treats and being indignant. She isn’t much better at growing hair as both dogs are sporting a lot of pink belly in this photo.

This was taken at the top of the stairs as both dogs contemplated their next great caper since the baby gate foiled their plans at some great adventure in our bedroom. Looking like two sad-eyed hillbillies, Addie sits on one step but props herself up on the other and Ping gives a wayward look of confusion at her predicament.

There is almost the sense of “shotgun wedding” to this picture. I just want to draw a straw hat on their heads and blades of straw in their mouths to complete the look. I’m not sure what the heck I’m looking at, but it makes me laugh.

I knew Donna had a soft spot for small children and old VW’s, but now it seems she’s added dogs with the mange to that list. This sad sack is “Addie”, an Australian Sheppard who has obviously seen better days. She’s lost a significant amount of her fur as well as weight. She kind of has that “prime rib” look going, brown on the outside and pink underneath. She also has quite a few nicks and cuts over her. Perhaps she’s got a bad case of the itchies or maybe she got roughed up.

Did I mention she smells like a barn?

We didn’t have grand New Year’s plans to begin with, but after our dinner out we can home to check on our little girl and do our best to wash the stink out. Our first attempt yielded lots of dirt, but the funk remained. The standard smell of wet dog would be a vast improvement over what we have here.

In our latest attempt we armed ourselves with medicated shampoos and skin conditioners. More dirt came off and I think we broke loose some of the stink. She might end up in the chemical bath a few more before all is said and done, but at least she smells somewhat respectable.

I’m not sure how she got into this sad state of affairs, but despite all this she has a really good personality. She is very friendly, wants to play with our other dogs and has a tendency to climb into your lap and see what you’re doing on the computer. The toilet training is pretty good so far. A few accidents, but considering what we’re dealing with I think that’s OK.

Addie needs to work on her coordination, she’s like a young gazelle that’s all leg with a tendency to run into things and fall down. Her “jump and miss” technique may soon be the stuff of legend. She’s really just a baby at about 5 months so as she gets older she should get steadier.

With a little fur and a little weight I think she’ll be a really good dog. She still has high spirits and plenty of affection. I’m not sure what the whole future plan is, but she’s here for now, so hopefully we can get her sorted out and on the right track again.

So say hello to our New Year’s Baby