After having a dalmatian that could not be trusted loose in the house alone until she was about 8 years old, I’ve alwasy been a little leery of leaving the dogs to run free when we’re
gone (which isn’t very often since we both work at home so much of the time). But, I had to be out of the office all day yesterday, and Tom was gone in the afternoon. He decided to leave both Ginko
and Lilly loose in the house. …
Another border collie gal I know here in CO sent me a link to this photo slideshow from a recent herding trial. Since it has been l-o-n-g day, and I’d better spend time with Lilly
rather than write about her today. I’ll simply share photos of other very hard working dogs, amazing dogs. Enjoy! …
It’s probably still too early to tell if the meds are making a difference. But, other than Lilly showing some disinterest in playing this week, here’s a report on how she did in
different settings. …
There’s a whole community of people who train and run rescued dogs in agility and other sports. It’s a proud accomplishment for any dog once deemed unwanted (or unloved, or whatever).
Many of these dogs, just like Lilly, have some challenges, but for so many people that’s just fine. And, yet, sometimes when you talk about it with handlers of non-rescue dogs, there’s a sense that
they think we use “rescue” as an excuse … that we allow our dogs to get away with things we shouldn’t, for example. …
I’m trying not to worry too much, but as Lilly heads into her second full week on medication, I may be seeing some unexpected shifts in her behavior. It’s just now hitting me — what
if solving Lilly’s anxiety in public, in agility, means giving up some of what I love about her at home? …
Because I live in the boonies, my copy hasn’t come in the mail yet, but for those of you who get Clean Run, check out my article in the Sept 07 issue on help for the spatially inept.
It’s my first (of I hope many) pieces for the magazine. If you’re checking out the blog for the first time after reading that article, welcome. …
Just now, Lilly came and pressed her narrow chin into my thigh. I’m madly typing away on a note for an editor, but Lilly persisted. Then, almost like she sent me a message, my head went
BING, and I realized that I didn’t give her medicine when we got back from our walk. I guess that shows I’m not yet fully in the habit. …
It started last winter, when I regularly enjoyed a cup of hot cocoa with whipped cream at night. In front of the fire, I’d hunker down with Tom and the pups to relax. Lilly began
showing interest in the whipped cream in my cup. So, I gave her some. Now, just like the sound of stainless steel bowls means dinner, Lilly learned that the sound of the spray can meant whipped
cream. It’s the accidental dairy version of click/treat. …
Our big dog, Ginko, loves Tom’s mom. L-O-V-E-S her. If we tell him she’s coming to visit, he’ll sit by the front door and wait. When she arrives, he mills around with excitement. As soon
as she sits down, he tries to kiss her. Not in a crazy way, but a sweet, deliberate smooch. At bedtime, we let her get settled, when we ask Ginko if he wants to “snuggle with Grandma,” and he blasts
upstairs to join her in bed. He’s very careful and very gentle. So, when Grandma comes, Lilly sleeps with us. …
Last Thursday, I drove to my local big-name pharmacy to pick up Lilly’s anti-depressants. I had a long list of errands, so I swung through the drive-through. One of the 3 pharmacy people I could see through the huge window approached. She picked up the phone on her side so that she could speak to and hear me. I gave her Lilly’s name and the name of the veterinary hospital that called in the prescription. She disappeared to pull the bag from the shelves, then approached the two other women, said something, and all three laughed.
