As she often does, Lilly went shopping with me on Saturday. Many of the little stores on our “main street” allow dogs, so while I cruised for a few final gifts, Lilly came along. She
befriended a woman in one particular store, delivering a gentle POKE with her nose to the woman’s hand when offered and accepting being petted and praised. Hey, who wouldn’t want that? Then, as the
woman left the store, she said something that brought tears to my eyes. …
I like to think I’m pretty self-aware. I know why I am the way I am. And, I think I know my motivation. Yet … if I had a nickel for every time someone questions my motivation for continuing to work and hope with Lilly, I’d be a rich girl, who could quit her job and just be a full-time puppy mom. Now, I really do think about the why and how of everything I do with Lilly, but for some reason, it always catches me off guard a bit when someone suggests I give up, back off, step back, stop trying so hard.
There is something about the angle of the sun when Lilly and I walk in the morning that casts a funny shadow. You know those cartoon wolves or coyotes that are always sneaking up so
that all you see is their shadow approaching? Well, that’s what Lilly’s shadow looks like to me, at times. I like to pretend that it’s a reflection of her true, more confident self. I may have
written about this before, but this time I have photos. See what you think. …
Lilly is learning to be sweet to the mules next door. We’ve been training looking at them without barking or trying to get a rise out of them. If she looks or stays calms, then she gets
treats. I even let her race them along the fence line, as long as she’s quiet. They seem to seek her out, sometimes standing at the fence looking for her. Yesterday, I called for her outside and
found the cutest thing. I think she’s adopted them as her sheep. …
Due to weather and travel schedules, Lilly hasn’t been to class in several weeks. So, we’ve been training on our own. Lilly did snark at some dogs on a walk. It’s the first time in a
long time, so I was a little bummed about that. But, the rest of her work went pretty well. Here’s an update, along with photos, of some of our breakthroughs. …
Sing along with me — ye, of the Mr. Rogers generation. These are the contacts in our neighborhood … in our neighborhood … in our neigh-bor-hood. One of my made-up strategies for
getting Lilly used to performing agility in public settings is to use things we find on our walks (especially in town) as obstacles. I figure if I can get her to do various agility-like things while
other people and dogs are walking by, while cars are zooming past, that it may someday translate onto the training field or the competitive ring. So, here’s a photo tour of a …
Lilly awoke this morning with an oval bald spot on one of her rear legs. I’m 99.9% sure it was not there yesterday. A quick check online, and my best guess is ringworm. Tom’s going to
break out the black light when he gets home so we can see if it glows, but I’m pretty sure that’s what it is. Crap! …
As I’ve mentioned, Lilly’s recall at home has suffered of late, especially if she thinks she has to come inside. The problem got worse over the summer, but we seem to have turned a
corner. …
As suggested by frequent blog readers, I got myself a copy of Leslie McDevitt’s book, “Control Unleashed.” I read it once straight through, and now I’m going back to re-read, highlight
key things and mark sections that explain how to teach certain core behaviors to the program. On first read, I must admit that I rode quite an emotional roller coaster. Then again, it’s not not
uncommon for me to bounce from hope to despair in my work with Lilly. …
Here’s an update on my pal Don’s new border collie puppy, Indy. This week, she’s 6 months old. And … man, is she cute. …
