I allow my dogs up on the furniture. I know some people don’t, but
I do. Strategies for preventing too much dogification include
putting comforters bought at garage sales on the sofas and using
extra flat sheets as a top sheet over the duvet on the bed. Still,
I buy dog beds. I cannot help myself. …
Now that the wild meadow grasses have gone to seed, it’s time to trim the pastures. It’s both a fire mitigation as well as a see-the-snakes-better tactic. This year, Tom decided to do reverse crop circles. The strategy lets us keep areas natural with wildflowers and so that the wildlife have a place to bed down come winter. But, it’s apparently causing quite a stir in our rural valley. …
I’ve given up taking Lilly for long walks in our rural neighborhood. It’s a safety issue, and I simply cannot take it anymore. Too many unsocialized, untrained, territorial dogs wander unsupervised from nearby homes. Then again, there’s wandering and pursuing. …
A few weeks ago, Lilly rolled in some foul smelling something or other. Her neck and shoulders were completely encrusted. A bath was beyond necessary. Lilly has never been a big fan of baths, but this one … for some reason … caused a total panic attack. Unfortunately, for me, the experience has ruined her recall at home. …
Last week, we made a mad dash to the veterinarian. Lilly suffered from both tapeworms (as a result of catching and eating things in the pasture) and a fly larva under the skin. Eeew … on both accounts. …
Lilly now has her own business cards to help promote the blog. The plan is to hand them out to people we meet on the street to help build readership. My husband says people will (and do) think I’m nuts, but I think it’s kind of cute. And, I think it will help people remember our blog. Here’s what they look like:
Last Sunday, Lilly had her best training day in months. She was spot on PERFECT. She worked hard at her advanced obedience class (not agility). She interacted nicely with a couple of strange dogs (through the fence at the dog park, but still!). She did not snark at one single dog.
I’m finally ready to try medications for Lilly’s anxiety. So, my big-picture trainer recommended a veterinary-behaviorist nearby. Scheduling put our appointment 3 weeks out, which was a bummer, but it’s a good thing I couldn’t get in right away because it turns out the cost is too high.
Yesterday afternoon, I sat out on the back deck to re-read the final Harry Potter book. (I read it cover to cover on Saturday, but I always immediately re-read them.) Anyway, Ginko hung out with me in the shade since temps crept toward 100. Lilly, however, stayed in her usual spot out front, where she can see the entire valley. At one point, she made a noise, and Ginko sprinted to see what was up. But, he did not get far.
There’s been a recent crackdown in Denver on restaurants (including coffee shops) that allow dogs in their outdoor patio spaces, which in many cases are just tables and chairs on a sidewalk out front. I guess it’s a health code thing, but it’s not like the dogs are in the kitchen. Such bunk hasn’t made it’s way into my town yet, but I suspect it’s only time. And, that makes me crabby.
