The three of us went to the park yesterday afternoon. It's always anyone's guess as to how many dogs will be there on any given day, and added to that, one would prefer dogs that are friendly and approachable. Not so with yesterday's adventure.
There were two dogs there when we got to the park, both about Savannah's size, but both dogs were way out of control, with even their owners having a hard time keeping them close. When we got near the entrance to the park, the two dogs went nuts, jumping up against the fence and pulling at their owners when they tried to restrain them. We let those owners get the leashes on their dogs before we went into the park, and then we brought Savannah to the far end of the big-dog area and we walked around there with her.
Savannah must know by instinct which dogs to approach and which to stay away from. She made no attempt to get too close to those two dogs yesterday. Gary and I walked the entire perimeter of the park with her, and she happily followed us, looking back every once in a while to either see where the other two dogs were, or possibly to see if any new dogs came into the park.
Thankfully, the owner of the two hard-to-control dogs brought them into the obstacle course area, and then closed the gate, successfully keeping her dogs away from us and Savannah. One would think that owners with dogs like those would just keep them at home in their own yard and not even bring them to a public dog park. My husband said that out-of-control pets usually have out-of-control owners, so he wasn't surprised at the owner's lack of good dog-park manners.
Savannah didn't seem to mind having the park to herself yesterday... other than those two crazy dogs, no one else showed up. Savannah stayed near us in the gazebo, venturing out into the grass every once in a while to inspect a leaf or a stray tree limb. When we thought she had enough, we just put her on the leash and walked back to the car.
This morning on our walk, I tried a new leash on Savannah. Rather than the soft pink velvet leash that she's been used to, I bought a 20-foot-long nylon leash that's the color of a rich sapphire. I thought the longer leash would let Savannah roam around more, without my having to walk in the tall grass with her. This puppy is like a cat in certain ways--- she notices every blessed little thing and she doesn't take well to change. When Savannah first saw that bright blue leash, she ran away from it. Not only wouldn't she go near it, but I had to put the pink leash on her first, and then switch to the blue one when she was busy looking out the back door at Mickey and Gatsby on the porch.
As soon as Savannah looked back towards me, however, she saw that blue leash again and she turned to stone. "I'm not moving!" is what she seemed to be telling me. Well, give me a blessed break. I decided not to give in on that one. I rolled up the new leash into a tight little swirl of blue... and then put it right in front of Savannah's nose so she could inspect it, which she did. Then I put the bundled-up leash on the kitchen floor and I sat down in the breakfast room. When Savannah tried to follow me, the blue leash followed her. When she stopped, the leash would stop unraveling. She would try again to follow me, and the blue leash followed her. This went on for about fifteen minutes before Savannah once again smelled and inspected every inch of that leash... and only then did she come to me and sit down and give me that "Are we going out?" look of hers.
So we did.... and both Savannah and the blue leash were fine. Because of that 20-foot length, you have to be very aware of every inch of that leash, otherwise you'll be tripping over it and landing head-first on the road, which is something I'm not willing to do. I think the longer leash gave Savannah a different sense of freedom during our walk... she doesn't have to stay within six feet of me, and I don't have to follow her into the grass as she goes along on her daily explorations. I wish I could have found that longer leash in pink, but with the limited number of shopping options up here in the hills, sometimes you have to take what you can get.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Saturday, February 27, 2016
A Spoiled Country Puppy
As I watched Savannah sleeping on the sofa in the TV room this afternoon, I had to laugh at how she has adapted to her new life over these last five months. Has it just been five months since we brought her home? How can that be.... it seems like Savannah has been here forever.
Considering that the first five months of Savannah's puppy life was spent in an outdoor kennel, she has surely made herself more than comfortable here after those first weeks of anxiousness over her new surroundings and her new people.
Princess Savannah has learned that living inside a house rather than outside in the yard isn't so bad after all. That first day we brought her home, poor Savannah didn't even know how to walk in the back door. Her first weeks with us were a test of "first times" --- a car ride, the porch steps, the back door, the puppy-crate, the cats, a leash and collar, even a simple walk up and down the road... she hadn't been exposed to any of those things before she came here. Even a name! Her previous owners had not even given her a name... she was Puppy #2 and the other puppy in the kennel with her was Puppy #1.
And now, five months later... Savannah's favorite place to sleep is in her plush and comfy bed in the corner of the breakfast room, and if our cat Sweet Pea happens to be curled up in there, she just walks into the TV room and stretches out on the sofa (from end to end). This puppy loves car rides, especially to the dog park... and she's well-behaved when she sits on the back seat and looks out the window--- a big step up from her previous transportation in her other life, which was in a metal crate in the back of a pick-up truck. (Why people do that to dogs is just beyond me.)
We were worried about Savannah being unfriendly or too aggressive with our cats, but that has never been a problem. From her first day with us, she was as curious about the cats as they were with her, and even our old gentleman cat Gatsby quickly accepted Savannah as one of the family.
Early yesterday morning, my husband and I had to take Gatsby to the vet's office. Poor Gatsby clearly wasn't feeling well and we didn't know what to do for him to make him more comfortable.... what he needed was antibiotics and medication from the vet, which worked wonders. Gatsby had to stay in the garage for the first 24 hours, and then Savannah gently nuzzled Gatsby's neck when we let him on the porch again. Savannah smelled that cat from his whiskers to his tail, most likely recognizing that vet-office odor, and she was probably asking Gatsby "So what did they bring you in for?"
For a puppy who was Miss Independent when we first brought her home, Savannah has changed that tune over the past five months. She follows me from room to room, she lays up against my husband when he's in the TV room, she will nuzzle and snuggle and clearly want to be held and petted... everything you could possibly want in a puppy is in this puppy.
My husband has said that Savannah 'hit the puppy lottery' when we brought her home, but I think that works both ways. We clearly have a very good puppy who just needed some time to get used to us and to her new surroundings. Savannah still has some adjustments to make... hearing gun-shots from the surrounding properties still scares her, and she insists on trying to protect me from vehicles that drive along our road here.
I do miss the squeaky sounds of her blue monkey toys, but we can't give those to her anymore because her puppy teeth have turned into big-dog teeth and the last blue monkey she had lasted about twenty minutes before being torn to shreds. There was a time when my husband was buying every blue monkey dog-toy in this town so we would always have extra monkeys in the house for Savannah. I have one blue monkey left, which Savannah isn't aware of... I've got it hidden in the cabinet where her treats are kept. I don't really know why I'm saving it... maybe I should just give it to her and let her chew it and play with it and when it gets torn up, I'll just throw it away.
I just can't seem to do that. The blue monkey is not only cute, but it's a distinct reminder of Savannah's first puppy days and months with us and I can't bear to have that last remnant of her puppy-hood destroyed. I may take that last blue monkey out of the cabinet and bring it upstairs to the library... I can put it on one of the shelves with the vintage children's books.... and just let it sit there, looking totally blue and cute.
Considering that the first five months of Savannah's puppy life was spent in an outdoor kennel, she has surely made herself more than comfortable here after those first weeks of anxiousness over her new surroundings and her new people.
Princess Savannah has learned that living inside a house rather than outside in the yard isn't so bad after all. That first day we brought her home, poor Savannah didn't even know how to walk in the back door. Her first weeks with us were a test of "first times" --- a car ride, the porch steps, the back door, the puppy-crate, the cats, a leash and collar, even a simple walk up and down the road... she hadn't been exposed to any of those things before she came here. Even a name! Her previous owners had not even given her a name... she was Puppy #2 and the other puppy in the kennel with her was Puppy #1.
And now, five months later... Savannah's favorite place to sleep is in her plush and comfy bed in the corner of the breakfast room, and if our cat Sweet Pea happens to be curled up in there, she just walks into the TV room and stretches out on the sofa (from end to end). This puppy loves car rides, especially to the dog park... and she's well-behaved when she sits on the back seat and looks out the window--- a big step up from her previous transportation in her other life, which was in a metal crate in the back of a pick-up truck. (Why people do that to dogs is just beyond me.)
We were worried about Savannah being unfriendly or too aggressive with our cats, but that has never been a problem. From her first day with us, she was as curious about the cats as they were with her, and even our old gentleman cat Gatsby quickly accepted Savannah as one of the family.
Early yesterday morning, my husband and I had to take Gatsby to the vet's office. Poor Gatsby clearly wasn't feeling well and we didn't know what to do for him to make him more comfortable.... what he needed was antibiotics and medication from the vet, which worked wonders. Gatsby had to stay in the garage for the first 24 hours, and then Savannah gently nuzzled Gatsby's neck when we let him on the porch again. Savannah smelled that cat from his whiskers to his tail, most likely recognizing that vet-office odor, and she was probably asking Gatsby "So what did they bring you in for?"
For a puppy who was Miss Independent when we first brought her home, Savannah has changed that tune over the past five months. She follows me from room to room, she lays up against my husband when he's in the TV room, she will nuzzle and snuggle and clearly want to be held and petted... everything you could possibly want in a puppy is in this puppy.
My husband has said that Savannah 'hit the puppy lottery' when we brought her home, but I think that works both ways. We clearly have a very good puppy who just needed some time to get used to us and to her new surroundings. Savannah still has some adjustments to make... hearing gun-shots from the surrounding properties still scares her, and she insists on trying to protect me from vehicles that drive along our road here.
I do miss the squeaky sounds of her blue monkey toys, but we can't give those to her anymore because her puppy teeth have turned into big-dog teeth and the last blue monkey she had lasted about twenty minutes before being torn to shreds. There was a time when my husband was buying every blue monkey dog-toy in this town so we would always have extra monkeys in the house for Savannah. I have one blue monkey left, which Savannah isn't aware of... I've got it hidden in the cabinet where her treats are kept. I don't really know why I'm saving it... maybe I should just give it to her and let her chew it and play with it and when it gets torn up, I'll just throw it away.
I just can't seem to do that. The blue monkey is not only cute, but it's a distinct reminder of Savannah's first puppy days and months with us and I can't bear to have that last remnant of her puppy-hood destroyed. I may take that last blue monkey out of the cabinet and bring it upstairs to the library... I can put it on one of the shelves with the vintage children's books.... and just let it sit there, looking totally blue and cute.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Savannah's Puppy Diary
Today was Tea Day With My Ladies. Momma says that I Sure Have Changed My Tune About The Tea Parties. I know Just When the Ladies are Coming Here because Momma puts Sweet Pea in the TV Room and Shuts The Door and then Sets the Dining Room Table For The Ladies and sets up the Kitchen Counter With Tea and Cups and Milk and Sugar. Momma says that Sweet Pea Touches Everything so he's Not Allowed to Come Out of the TV Room until Tea Time is Over and the Ladies have Gone Home.
Sometimes I can hear Sweet Pea meowing by the TV Room door after the Ladies get here but I just Ignore him and walk into The Dining Room and listen to the Ladies talking. I tried to tell Sweet Pea that if he would Just Sit Quietly by the Table like I do then Momma might Let Him Stay For Tea but Momma says A Cat Is A Cat And That's That which I think means that Sweet Pea wouldn't Sit Still like I do when the Ladies are Having Tea.
I said Hello to Cindy today when she Came Into The House and I said Hello to some of the Other Ladies too and I even Let Them Pet Me and all of them said What A Good Girl Savannah Such A Good Girl and I saw Momma smile when they said that so I know that was a Good Thing. Then I walked into the Dining Room and sat myself Right Down by the Table while the Ladies had their Tea and Cookies and they Played with Their Crafts today and I was waiting for Someone to Spill Their Tea because everyone was Talking and Laughing and Crafting all at the Same Time and I thought for sure that Someone Would Drop A Cookie but No One did and I even Tried Both Sides of the Table just to Make Sure I didn't Miss Anything that Might Have Fallen on The Floor. Those Tea Ladies are Just Too Neat and Too Careful with those Cookies.
After the Tea Ladies said Goodbye Savannah See You Next Week my Momma went to the Garage to check on Gatsby. Momma said That Cat Isn't Feeling Very Well today because he was Walking Funny and Couldn't Walk Up The Steps Without Tripping but he was Eating and Sleeping just like he Always Does. Momma called The Vet and he said Gatsby could have an Ear Infection and she should Bring Him Into The Office in the Morning if he isn't Better by then.
When I went into the Garage with Momma to see Gatsby I tried to tell that Cat if he goes to The Vet he might Get Fixed there like I did and if he didn't want to Get Fixed then he needed to Stay Out Of Momma's Car tomorrow morning. Gatsby has learned how to Speak Puppy so he told me that they already took him to Get Fixed a Long Time ago and he Hasn't Been in Momma's Car since. I asked Gatsby why he Didn't Warn Me about Getting Fixed and he told me that he Couldn't Say Anything To Me a few Months Ago because he didn't know how to Speak Puppy back then.
Being that Gatsby wasn't Feeling Too Well today I didn't tell him that Cats Must Be Slower Learners Than Dogs because it only took me A Couple Of Months to learn how to Speak Cat after Momma and Daddy brought me Home.
I'm learning that Everything Can Change So Fast around here. In less than One Week Momma has Seen Barry Manilow and I have Let The Tea Ladies Pet Me and Gatsby has Gotten Sick and Tiny Little Flowers have Started to Bloom in the Yard. Momma said that Everything Changes Fast When You Get Older. If that's true then Maybe we'd all Be Better Off if we Just Kept On Being Puppies Forever.
Sometimes I can hear Sweet Pea meowing by the TV Room door after the Ladies get here but I just Ignore him and walk into The Dining Room and listen to the Ladies talking. I tried to tell Sweet Pea that if he would Just Sit Quietly by the Table like I do then Momma might Let Him Stay For Tea but Momma says A Cat Is A Cat And That's That which I think means that Sweet Pea wouldn't Sit Still like I do when the Ladies are Having Tea.
I said Hello to Cindy today when she Came Into The House and I said Hello to some of the Other Ladies too and I even Let Them Pet Me and all of them said What A Good Girl Savannah Such A Good Girl and I saw Momma smile when they said that so I know that was a Good Thing. Then I walked into the Dining Room and sat myself Right Down by the Table while the Ladies had their Tea and Cookies and they Played with Their Crafts today and I was waiting for Someone to Spill Their Tea because everyone was Talking and Laughing and Crafting all at the Same Time and I thought for sure that Someone Would Drop A Cookie but No One did and I even Tried Both Sides of the Table just to Make Sure I didn't Miss Anything that Might Have Fallen on The Floor. Those Tea Ladies are Just Too Neat and Too Careful with those Cookies.
After the Tea Ladies said Goodbye Savannah See You Next Week my Momma went to the Garage to check on Gatsby. Momma said That Cat Isn't Feeling Very Well today because he was Walking Funny and Couldn't Walk Up The Steps Without Tripping but he was Eating and Sleeping just like he Always Does. Momma called The Vet and he said Gatsby could have an Ear Infection and she should Bring Him Into The Office in the Morning if he isn't Better by then.
When I went into the Garage with Momma to see Gatsby I tried to tell that Cat if he goes to The Vet he might Get Fixed there like I did and if he didn't want to Get Fixed then he needed to Stay Out Of Momma's Car tomorrow morning. Gatsby has learned how to Speak Puppy so he told me that they already took him to Get Fixed a Long Time ago and he Hasn't Been in Momma's Car since. I asked Gatsby why he Didn't Warn Me about Getting Fixed and he told me that he Couldn't Say Anything To Me a few Months Ago because he didn't know how to Speak Puppy back then.
Being that Gatsby wasn't Feeling Too Well today I didn't tell him that Cats Must Be Slower Learners Than Dogs because it only took me A Couple Of Months to learn how to Speak Cat after Momma and Daddy brought me Home.
I'm learning that Everything Can Change So Fast around here. In less than One Week Momma has Seen Barry Manilow and I have Let The Tea Ladies Pet Me and Gatsby has Gotten Sick and Tiny Little Flowers have Started to Bloom in the Yard. Momma said that Everything Changes Fast When You Get Older. If that's true then Maybe we'd all Be Better Off if we Just Kept On Being Puppies Forever.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Rainy Days and Puppies
And thankfully we have just one puppy... one very large puppy who likes to splash in puddles and jump into the pool at the dog park. When I walk Savannah down our hill every day I just know she would take a flying leap into our pond given half a chance. And that's just not going to happen, given the population of snakes, ducks, turtles, frogs, and egrets that are always in and around that pond.
When it rains out here, all the ponds fill up and the fields are covered with massive puddles wherever the ground is not quite level. And the pastures have lots of 'not quite level' areas which are very tempting to Savannah because of those puddles. But, unlike the big pool at the dog park, the puddles here are filled with grass and mud, and Savannah's white fur would quickly turn into a glossy brown if she had her way. And I just refuse to let her have her way with the puddles after a rain here, which makes for a very tiring walk. Not tiring for Savannah, but tiring for me. As I type this, however, the Puppy Princess is stretched out on the sofa in the TV room, filling up that piece of furniture from end to end, and I can hear her snoring from where I sit in the breakfast room.
We didn't get to the dog park this weekend because the weather was either cloudy, rainy, or both. On a perfect day at that park, the sun is shining, it isn't too windy, and the temperature is not hot enough to be sweltering but just balmy enough for a light sweater. It will be interesting to see how much Savannah enjoys that park when the summer weather rolls in. So far, I've learned that Savannah doesn't mind the cold, likes to play in the rain, but she's not too fond of the heat. Her coat has grown thick and long (daily brushing required) and I would imagine that such a glorious coat keeps her very warm when the weather is cool, but I'm wondering if she'll feel as if she's wearing too many layers of puppy fur once the summer gets here. My guess is that summer at the dog park for Savannah will translate into more pool time and less grass time.
Savannah has been trying to play with Sweet Pea as if that cat is a puppy. Far from it, at a slim 14 pounds. Sweet Pea is a very long cat, and he's svelte and limber and his ability to jump still amazes me. Savannah tries to engage Sweet Pea into a rough-and-tumble roll on the carpeting in the TV room, but Sweet Pea is not interested. When Savannah gets a bit too demanding, Sweet Pea sits down in front of that puppy, waits for just the right moment, and then lifts his paw and bops Savannah right on her nose. No claws involved in that movement, but the smack on Savannah's nose is so loud that I can hear the slapping sound of Sweet Pea's paw. When that happens, Savannah immediately lays down on the floor as if I've given her the 'Down!' command, and then she looks at Sweet Pea with innocent eyes and her tails starts wagging, but that cat stands his ground and doesn't move until he is certain that Savannah is down for the count and won't get up. One good smack on Savannah's nose is usually all it takes for her to leave Sweet Pea alone. What follows is Sweet Pea's announcement that he is in charge here, not Savannah... and he makes that known by walking calmly to Savannah's bed and curling up right in the center of it.
I don't know how the thought processes of cats and dogs work... are they analyzing events and problems in their minds and trying to come up with a reasonable solution which ultimately results in their definition of happiness? Or do they just act and react solely by instinct and let the chips fall where they may? I have no idea how that all works, but at this very minute, there's a sleeping puppy taking up all the space on the TV room sofa, and a sleeping cat in a very big dog bed with lots of room to spare.
And me? I was going to vacuum this morning, but I haven't done that yet because I don't want to disturb the nap time for either Savannah or Sweet Pea. This may be my house, but I am not in charge.
When it rains out here, all the ponds fill up and the fields are covered with massive puddles wherever the ground is not quite level. And the pastures have lots of 'not quite level' areas which are very tempting to Savannah because of those puddles. But, unlike the big pool at the dog park, the puddles here are filled with grass and mud, and Savannah's white fur would quickly turn into a glossy brown if she had her way. And I just refuse to let her have her way with the puddles after a rain here, which makes for a very tiring walk. Not tiring for Savannah, but tiring for me. As I type this, however, the Puppy Princess is stretched out on the sofa in the TV room, filling up that piece of furniture from end to end, and I can hear her snoring from where I sit in the breakfast room.
We didn't get to the dog park this weekend because the weather was either cloudy, rainy, or both. On a perfect day at that park, the sun is shining, it isn't too windy, and the temperature is not hot enough to be sweltering but just balmy enough for a light sweater. It will be interesting to see how much Savannah enjoys that park when the summer weather rolls in. So far, I've learned that Savannah doesn't mind the cold, likes to play in the rain, but she's not too fond of the heat. Her coat has grown thick and long (daily brushing required) and I would imagine that such a glorious coat keeps her very warm when the weather is cool, but I'm wondering if she'll feel as if she's wearing too many layers of puppy fur once the summer gets here. My guess is that summer at the dog park for Savannah will translate into more pool time and less grass time.
Savannah has been trying to play with Sweet Pea as if that cat is a puppy. Far from it, at a slim 14 pounds. Sweet Pea is a very long cat, and he's svelte and limber and his ability to jump still amazes me. Savannah tries to engage Sweet Pea into a rough-and-tumble roll on the carpeting in the TV room, but Sweet Pea is not interested. When Savannah gets a bit too demanding, Sweet Pea sits down in front of that puppy, waits for just the right moment, and then lifts his paw and bops Savannah right on her nose. No claws involved in that movement, but the smack on Savannah's nose is so loud that I can hear the slapping sound of Sweet Pea's paw. When that happens, Savannah immediately lays down on the floor as if I've given her the 'Down!' command, and then she looks at Sweet Pea with innocent eyes and her tails starts wagging, but that cat stands his ground and doesn't move until he is certain that Savannah is down for the count and won't get up. One good smack on Savannah's nose is usually all it takes for her to leave Sweet Pea alone. What follows is Sweet Pea's announcement that he is in charge here, not Savannah... and he makes that known by walking calmly to Savannah's bed and curling up right in the center of it.
I don't know how the thought processes of cats and dogs work... are they analyzing events and problems in their minds and trying to come up with a reasonable solution which ultimately results in their definition of happiness? Or do they just act and react solely by instinct and let the chips fall where they may? I have no idea how that all works, but at this very minute, there's a sleeping puppy taking up all the space on the TV room sofa, and a sleeping cat in a very big dog bed with lots of room to spare.
And me? I was going to vacuum this morning, but I haven't done that yet because I don't want to disturb the nap time for either Savannah or Sweet Pea. This may be my house, but I am not in charge.
Thursday, February 18, 2016
What a great puppy...
My husband and I drove into Houston yesterday, leaving Savannah at home alone for nearly eight hours. (We are two hours away from the city.) We had tickets to see Barry Manilow last night (his last concert in this area before his up-coming retirement) and being that we didn't buy Savannah a ticket, she just could not come with us and that was that.
We took Savannah to the dog park right after lunch yesterday so she had a good time running around and playing in the pool before it was time for us to come home and get ready for the concert. As we were going out the door, she was in her bed in the breakfast room and when she sees the both of us leaving, I think she knows that she'll be on her own for a while. I had left her treats and biscuits and a chew-bone, but when we got home after midnight, she hadn't even touched them.
Actually, when we walked in the back door, it looked as if Savannah hadn't even left her bed in all that time because her treats weren't even touched and the water level in her bowl was right near the top where I had filled it. I had put Sweet Pea into the TV room before we left the house, thinking that it was just way too long a time to keep both of them together, and if Savannah were to have an 'accident' it was better for that to happen on the tile of the kitchen rather than the carpeting of the TV room.
Nothing in the breakfast room or the kitchen was touched... not a pillow, not a towel, not a book or magazine... not a thing. Savannah got up from her bed when we walked in and just stretched and yawned and her tail started wagging and all I kept saying was "What a great puppy... what a great puppy you are..."
This morning, when friend Cindy came over, Savannah was extra-friendly with her and didn't growl when she came to the door, didn't run away from her, and seemed to want to stay near Cindy when she was in the kitchen. And that behavior also goes into the 'great puppy' category because Cindy has taken care of our cats when we go out of town, and I thought it would be nice for her to also take care of Savannah as well... but Savannah's past behavior with Cindy wasn't so stellar. Until this morning, and then again this afternoon when the ladies all came over for tea and crafts... Savannah put herself underneath the dining room table near Cindy's chair and JAS's chair... and that puppy just quietly slept there listening to all of us until she got tired of the conversation and then Savannah went into her bed in the breakfast room and went to sleep till everyone left.
Good puppy, great puppy, spectacular puppy. Considering Savannah is just ten months old now, I'm just as happy as can be. Not only has Savannah become more trusting of us and our friends, she also has learned how to give and receive affection. For weeks now, Savannah will walk up to either my husband or myself and stand by our legs, sort of leaning herself against either one of us... and she will stay there till we bend down and hug her, literally hug her with both arms, with one hand on her chest and the other around her front legs.
What's important about this posture is that when Gary and I took Savannah into town for the Christmas Parade back in December, she became very frightened of the crowds there and my husband knelt down on the sidewalk and hugged Savannah in the way I just described... and she calmed down immediately. And now, for whatever puppy reason in her puppy mind, Savannah has associated that particular hug with the showing of love and the receiving of love... and when she wants or needs to be hugged, she lets you know it, and she will stay there wrapped in your arms for as much or as little time as you're willing to give.
As every week goes by with Savannah, she is not only learning how to be a good puppy, but she's teaching us that she can be a spectacular puppy. I think mostly all puppies can be spectacular, if given the chance. When I think of how touch-and-go it was in September when we first brought Savannah home and she didn't bond with my husband right away... and now, Gary gets down on the floor with her and she literally folds herself into his body and just leans up against his chest as if they're one entire being, half man/half dog... such a difference. Such a spectacular puppy.
We took Savannah to the dog park right after lunch yesterday so she had a good time running around and playing in the pool before it was time for us to come home and get ready for the concert. As we were going out the door, she was in her bed in the breakfast room and when she sees the both of us leaving, I think she knows that she'll be on her own for a while. I had left her treats and biscuits and a chew-bone, but when we got home after midnight, she hadn't even touched them.
Actually, when we walked in the back door, it looked as if Savannah hadn't even left her bed in all that time because her treats weren't even touched and the water level in her bowl was right near the top where I had filled it. I had put Sweet Pea into the TV room before we left the house, thinking that it was just way too long a time to keep both of them together, and if Savannah were to have an 'accident' it was better for that to happen on the tile of the kitchen rather than the carpeting of the TV room.
Nothing in the breakfast room or the kitchen was touched... not a pillow, not a towel, not a book or magazine... not a thing. Savannah got up from her bed when we walked in and just stretched and yawned and her tail started wagging and all I kept saying was "What a great puppy... what a great puppy you are..."
This morning, when friend Cindy came over, Savannah was extra-friendly with her and didn't growl when she came to the door, didn't run away from her, and seemed to want to stay near Cindy when she was in the kitchen. And that behavior also goes into the 'great puppy' category because Cindy has taken care of our cats when we go out of town, and I thought it would be nice for her to also take care of Savannah as well... but Savannah's past behavior with Cindy wasn't so stellar. Until this morning, and then again this afternoon when the ladies all came over for tea and crafts... Savannah put herself underneath the dining room table near Cindy's chair and JAS's chair... and that puppy just quietly slept there listening to all of us until she got tired of the conversation and then Savannah went into her bed in the breakfast room and went to sleep till everyone left.
Good puppy, great puppy, spectacular puppy. Considering Savannah is just ten months old now, I'm just as happy as can be. Not only has Savannah become more trusting of us and our friends, she also has learned how to give and receive affection. For weeks now, Savannah will walk up to either my husband or myself and stand by our legs, sort of leaning herself against either one of us... and she will stay there till we bend down and hug her, literally hug her with both arms, with one hand on her chest and the other around her front legs.
What's important about this posture is that when Gary and I took Savannah into town for the Christmas Parade back in December, she became very frightened of the crowds there and my husband knelt down on the sidewalk and hugged Savannah in the way I just described... and she calmed down immediately. And now, for whatever puppy reason in her puppy mind, Savannah has associated that particular hug with the showing of love and the receiving of love... and when she wants or needs to be hugged, she lets you know it, and she will stay there wrapped in your arms for as much or as little time as you're willing to give.
As every week goes by with Savannah, she is not only learning how to be a good puppy, but she's teaching us that she can be a spectacular puppy. I think mostly all puppies can be spectacular, if given the chance. When I think of how touch-and-go it was in September when we first brought Savannah home and she didn't bond with my husband right away... and now, Gary gets down on the floor with her and she literally folds herself into his body and just leans up against his chest as if they're one entire being, half man/half dog... such a difference. Such a spectacular puppy.
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Savannah's Puppy Diary
We went to the Dog Park today but Momma said we Couldn't Stay Too Long because she had to Get Ready For Barry Manilow. I think that's the Music that Momma plays in Her Car all the time. And I mean All The Time. For my First Ride in Momma's Car when I was a Small Puppy she told me that I Had Better Get To Like Manilow Because He Was All I'd Be Hearing In That Car.
I tried to Tell Momma that I was Just A Puppy and Didn't Know Much About Music but Momma was Too Busy Singing With Manilow and I don't think she even Heard me. So I just Stayed Quiet and listened to Both Momma and Manilow singing in her Car. Manilow sounded Better than Momma but I didn't think I needed to Say That.
There were No Dogs today when we got to the Dog Park so I followed Momma and Daddy around the Park not Once but Twice and they thought I Was Tired when we Stopped Walking. Well I fooled them because Another Dog named Ruby came into the Park and then I ran to the Gate to Say Hello and then I Ran and Ran and Ran around the Pool with Ruby and then We Both Jumped In and Got All Wet and then I Plopped Right Down To The Bottom Of The Pool and just My Head was Sticking Up and I heard Momma saying Savannah You Are All Wet Now Really Really Wet. Well isn't that why They Bring Me To The Park in the First Place. What's the Sense of Going To The Park if you Don't Jump In The Pool and it makes No Sense to me why Momma and Daddy don't Jump In The Pool with me. I don't think Momma likes to Get Wet because when I Get Close to Momma and Shake the Water off me the First Thing Momma says is You Got Me Again Savannah It's A Good Thing I'm Wearing My Dog Park Clothes.
Since we Got Home from the Park Momma has been Trying On Clothes and More Clothes. Momma keeps saying she Can't Decide What To Wear To See Manilow. First she had on Blue but she said it Looked Too Country and then she switched to Black and said it Looked Too City and then she tried the Green but said it Looked Too Saint Patty's Day so she put the Black on again and said I'm A City Girl No Matter Where We Live And That's That.
I don't know What Any Of That Means but I do know that Momma was Just Wearing Me Out with all those Clothes Going On and Clothes Coming Off and just when I thought she was All Done she started with Shoes and Purses and Jackets and I tried to Tell Momma that if she didn't Have So Many Choices it wouldn't be So Hard to Pick Something Out.
I tried to Explain to Momma that all I have is a Pink Leash for Sunny Days and a Black Leash for Rainy Days plus One Blue Collar for All The Days and if That isn't Good Enough for Manilow then she can Leave Me Home and I can Just Listen To Manilow when I'm in Momma's Car and That's That.
I don't think I'm Going To See Manilow anyway because All I've Heard All Day Long is Please Be Good Tonight Savannah Please Be Extra Special Good-Puppy Good. Well I know what Good means and I know what Very Good means and I hope by tonight I will figure out what Extra Special Good-Puppy Good means. What I really think is that I Will Go To Sleep as Soon as Momma Walks Out The Door because after the Dog Park and after Momma Trying On So Many Clothes and After Momma talking about Manilow all day long I don't think I'll Have Any Energy Left because Momma has just Worn Me Out Today.
I tried to Tell Momma that I was Just A Puppy and Didn't Know Much About Music but Momma was Too Busy Singing With Manilow and I don't think she even Heard me. So I just Stayed Quiet and listened to Both Momma and Manilow singing in her Car. Manilow sounded Better than Momma but I didn't think I needed to Say That.
There were No Dogs today when we got to the Dog Park so I followed Momma and Daddy around the Park not Once but Twice and they thought I Was Tired when we Stopped Walking. Well I fooled them because Another Dog named Ruby came into the Park and then I ran to the Gate to Say Hello and then I Ran and Ran and Ran around the Pool with Ruby and then We Both Jumped In and Got All Wet and then I Plopped Right Down To The Bottom Of The Pool and just My Head was Sticking Up and I heard Momma saying Savannah You Are All Wet Now Really Really Wet. Well isn't that why They Bring Me To The Park in the First Place. What's the Sense of Going To The Park if you Don't Jump In The Pool and it makes No Sense to me why Momma and Daddy don't Jump In The Pool with me. I don't think Momma likes to Get Wet because when I Get Close to Momma and Shake the Water off me the First Thing Momma says is You Got Me Again Savannah It's A Good Thing I'm Wearing My Dog Park Clothes.
Since we Got Home from the Park Momma has been Trying On Clothes and More Clothes. Momma keeps saying she Can't Decide What To Wear To See Manilow. First she had on Blue but she said it Looked Too Country and then she switched to Black and said it Looked Too City and then she tried the Green but said it Looked Too Saint Patty's Day so she put the Black on again and said I'm A City Girl No Matter Where We Live And That's That.
I don't know What Any Of That Means but I do know that Momma was Just Wearing Me Out with all those Clothes Going On and Clothes Coming Off and just when I thought she was All Done she started with Shoes and Purses and Jackets and I tried to Tell Momma that if she didn't Have So Many Choices it wouldn't be So Hard to Pick Something Out.
I tried to Explain to Momma that all I have is a Pink Leash for Sunny Days and a Black Leash for Rainy Days plus One Blue Collar for All The Days and if That isn't Good Enough for Manilow then she can Leave Me Home and I can Just Listen To Manilow when I'm in Momma's Car and That's That.
I don't think I'm Going To See Manilow anyway because All I've Heard All Day Long is Please Be Good Tonight Savannah Please Be Extra Special Good-Puppy Good. Well I know what Good means and I know what Very Good means and I hope by tonight I will figure out what Extra Special Good-Puppy Good means. What I really think is that I Will Go To Sleep as Soon as Momma Walks Out The Door because after the Dog Park and after Momma Trying On So Many Clothes and After Momma talking about Manilow all day long I don't think I'll Have Any Energy Left because Momma has just Worn Me Out Today.
Monday, February 15, 2016
Savannah's Puppy Diary
I have no idea what Camp means but it Doesn't Matter because Momma says I am Not Going There and That's That. We got in the Car the other day and I thought we were all Going To The Dog Park but Daddy drove Right Past It and even though I Turned All Around In My Seat to Look Out The Back Window at the Park Daddy kept Driving and Driving. Momma said I Wonder If Savannah Knows We Just Passed The Park and I tried to tell Momma that Of Course I Knew We Passed The Park Did She Really Think I Was That Much Of A Puppy Not To Notice. I'm Ten Months Old now and I've Learned a Thing Or Two since they brought me Home.
When Daddy finally Stopped Driving Momma said we were at a Doggie Camp and I needed to Behave Like A Big Girl and Be Friendly to the People and the Dogs at the Camp. Daddy walked me into a Building and before I could Smell Where I Was there was a Girl right on the Floor in front of me and she kept saying Hello Savannah Hello So Nice To Meet You. The Girl sounded like Momma's friend Corey so I Walked Right Up to her and let her Pet Me but then I saw that she Wasn't Corey After All so I went back to Momma.
Daddy told the Girl that we Just Came For A Tour to see what the Camp was like in case they had to Leave Savannah for an Over-Night. I have no idea what A Tour was and I didn't know what an Over-Night was but I did know what a Leave Savannah was and I Didn't Like The Sound Of That. So the Girl walked us All Around The Camp and we saw Little Dogs in Little Crates and Big Dogs in Big Kennels and when we walked by Every Dog Started Barking and Momma and Daddy said they Didn't Like That At All and the Girl said They're Only Barking Because We're Walking In Here and I Didn't Believe That For A Minute and I don't think Daddy did Either because I saw him Shaking His Head at Momma and I think I know what That means.
Another Girl was giving a Bath to a Big Dog and I didn't like that Big Tub they had him in and why couldn't they just let the Big Dog jump into a Pool like I do at the Park. Momma asked the Girl if Every Dog Gets A Bath and the Girl said only if They Get Too Dirty Outside In The Yard. So then we went Outside so Momma and Daddy could see The Yard and Momma said Where's The Grass There's Only Dirt and I tried to tell Momma No Wonder The Dogs Need A Bath If All They Get To Play On Is Nasty Old Dirt Instead of Soft Grass. Momma wasn't Too Happy with the looks of that Yard and Daddy was still Shaking His Head.
The Girl kept saying You'll Have Such A Good Time Here Savannah And You Won't Even Want To Go Home. Well I tried to Tell That Girl that Momma doesn't let me Play In The Dirt and Our House isn't filled with Dogs In Crates and Kennels and I don't have to Get into a Tub for a Bath because I never Get Dirty and We Live In A Quiet House except when I Bark In The Middle Of The Night and did that Girl really think I'd be able to Sleep In A Kennel with All Those Dogs Barking Barking Barking.
Daddy said Thank You to the Girl for giving us The Tour and Momma said she would Call To Make A Reservation if they Ever Had To Leave Savannah For An Over-Night and the Girl gave Momma some Papers To Fill Out and Everyone said Good-Bye Savannah We Hope To See You Real Soon. Daddy put me in the Back Seat of the Car and Momma got in the Front Seat and Before we Got To The Gate Momma took those Papers and Ripped Them Right Down The Middle and said Over My Dead Body.
Daddy said Let's Take Savannah To The Park and I tried to tell them We Should Have Just Gone To The Park In The First Place. Then Momma and Daddy kept talking about The Camp and how it was All Dirt In The Yard and The Kennels were Too Close Together and even though the Girls were Very Friendly some of those Big Dogs sounded Too Vicious to be in the Same Building as Savannah and with All That Dirt in the Yard Savannah would need a Bath Every Day and I didn't like The Sound of That. And Momma said that there Must Be Zillions of Fleas and Ticks in the Dirt in that Yard and I don't know what a Flea or a Tick is but they don't Sound Good.
Momma kept saying Over My Dead Body after each Bad Thing Daddy said about the Camp so at least that was One Good Thing about going there. Now I Know For Sure what Momma is talking about when she says Over My Dead Body and I also Know For Sure that I'll Never See That Camp again.
When Daddy finally Stopped Driving Momma said we were at a Doggie Camp and I needed to Behave Like A Big Girl and Be Friendly to the People and the Dogs at the Camp. Daddy walked me into a Building and before I could Smell Where I Was there was a Girl right on the Floor in front of me and she kept saying Hello Savannah Hello So Nice To Meet You. The Girl sounded like Momma's friend Corey so I Walked Right Up to her and let her Pet Me but then I saw that she Wasn't Corey After All so I went back to Momma.
Daddy told the Girl that we Just Came For A Tour to see what the Camp was like in case they had to Leave Savannah for an Over-Night. I have no idea what A Tour was and I didn't know what an Over-Night was but I did know what a Leave Savannah was and I Didn't Like The Sound Of That. So the Girl walked us All Around The Camp and we saw Little Dogs in Little Crates and Big Dogs in Big Kennels and when we walked by Every Dog Started Barking and Momma and Daddy said they Didn't Like That At All and the Girl said They're Only Barking Because We're Walking In Here and I Didn't Believe That For A Minute and I don't think Daddy did Either because I saw him Shaking His Head at Momma and I think I know what That means.
Another Girl was giving a Bath to a Big Dog and I didn't like that Big Tub they had him in and why couldn't they just let the Big Dog jump into a Pool like I do at the Park. Momma asked the Girl if Every Dog Gets A Bath and the Girl said only if They Get Too Dirty Outside In The Yard. So then we went Outside so Momma and Daddy could see The Yard and Momma said Where's The Grass There's Only Dirt and I tried to tell Momma No Wonder The Dogs Need A Bath If All They Get To Play On Is Nasty Old Dirt Instead of Soft Grass. Momma wasn't Too Happy with the looks of that Yard and Daddy was still Shaking His Head.
The Girl kept saying You'll Have Such A Good Time Here Savannah And You Won't Even Want To Go Home. Well I tried to Tell That Girl that Momma doesn't let me Play In The Dirt and Our House isn't filled with Dogs In Crates and Kennels and I don't have to Get into a Tub for a Bath because I never Get Dirty and We Live In A Quiet House except when I Bark In The Middle Of The Night and did that Girl really think I'd be able to Sleep In A Kennel with All Those Dogs Barking Barking Barking.
Daddy said Thank You to the Girl for giving us The Tour and Momma said she would Call To Make A Reservation if they Ever Had To Leave Savannah For An Over-Night and the Girl gave Momma some Papers To Fill Out and Everyone said Good-Bye Savannah We Hope To See You Real Soon. Daddy put me in the Back Seat of the Car and Momma got in the Front Seat and Before we Got To The Gate Momma took those Papers and Ripped Them Right Down The Middle and said Over My Dead Body.
Daddy said Let's Take Savannah To The Park and I tried to tell them We Should Have Just Gone To The Park In The First Place. Then Momma and Daddy kept talking about The Camp and how it was All Dirt In The Yard and The Kennels were Too Close Together and even though the Girls were Very Friendly some of those Big Dogs sounded Too Vicious to be in the Same Building as Savannah and with All That Dirt in the Yard Savannah would need a Bath Every Day and I didn't like The Sound of That. And Momma said that there Must Be Zillions of Fleas and Ticks in the Dirt in that Yard and I don't know what a Flea or a Tick is but they don't Sound Good.
Momma kept saying Over My Dead Body after each Bad Thing Daddy said about the Camp so at least that was One Good Thing about going there. Now I Know For Sure what Momma is talking about when she says Over My Dead Body and I also Know For Sure that I'll Never See That Camp again.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Doggie Day-Care
We went for a drive yesterday... the three of us... my husband, myself, and Savannah. I'm sure that Savannah thought we were going to the dog park because we drove along the same highway where the dog park is located, and as we drove past the park, Savannah turned completely around in the back seat and stared at the park's entrance gate. I'm sure she was wondering why we didn't make that right turn into the park like we usually do, and when she realized we were going to keep on driving, she just stretched out on the back seat and put her head down.
I had made arrangements yesterday to tour a day-care/boarding facility for dogs. At some point this year, we will probably take a trip... and we thought that a good boarding kennel would be fine for Savannah. As it is now, she's very wary of our friends who come into the house, and sometimes she even barks at them if I don't get to the door before they ring the bell. Savannah's bark is very ferocious and intimidating to most of our friends, and she is not at all thrilled to see strangers when I walk her. To say that Savannah is protective is an understatement. I don't know yet if she will let anyone in here to take care of her when we go away, even our friend C who has taken care of the cats for us for more than a year now.
So we thought we'd have a look-see at the boarding kennel, and they suggested that we bring Savannah with us. We thought we were off to a good start when we walked into the building because the girl that greeted us got right down on the floor next to Savannah, and wonder of wonders, Savannah allowed the girl to pet her. Considering that Savannah had never set her puppy-eyes on that girl, my husband and I were both very surprised.
This particular boarding place is way out in the country... further out than we are here, and we had to following a winding country road to get to it, and we nearly drove past it because the only marking on the entrance was a big metal paw-print of a dog. The facility was on more than just a few acres, but the building containing the individual kennels wasn't all that large. They had the small dogs in one room, and the larger dogs in another room.... everything seemed as clean as it could be with dogs in the crates, but those small-dog crates and the big-dog kennels didn't seem all that large to me. Plus, the dogs had no access to the outside unless someone put a leash on them and brought them out into the yard for play-time.
And the yard.... I expected lots of green grass and some trees and lots of dog-toys. Very disappointed with that... the yard was all dirt, there were no trees for shade, and I didn't see many dog-toys at all. The best part about the facility were the three girls that we met there... very dog-friendly, very patient and understanding with the different personalities of each dog, and they all seemed to really love their jobs.
But.... if we kept Savannah there, she'd be in a dark indoor kennel for most of the day until they brought her outside to play, and in the heat of a summer day there would be no shade in that yard. And no grass.... we would have to ask the staff to bathe her before we picked her up because I know that Savannah's white fur would be as dark as her copper-colored fur after just a few hours of being in that dirt.
The worst part was all the barking of the dogs.... the sounds made Savannah cringe as we walked through there, and we got her out of the kennel area as quickly as we could. She was more comfortable outside on the patio of the building, and the more we talked to the girls about the play and rest schedules for the dogs, the more uncomfortable my husband and I were getting. Even if Savannah is inside our house for most of the day, she's very comfortable because she can walk around the rooms, and the interior of our home isn't dark during daylight hours. If kept in one of those kennels, Savannah's choices would be to stretch out on a camping-type of cot or try and get comfy on the concrete floor next to the cot--- and there's precious little floor-space around that cot.
Between now and the summer, I'm hoping that Savannah gets to trust our friend C more and more. In a perfect world, we'd be able to just leave Savannah right here at home and let C take care of her and the cats when we travel. C has been as wonderful with our cats as our pet-sitting friend back in Clear Lake. We never worried about Gracie and the cats when that pet-sitter was there... he took care of "our gang" as if they were his own, and C has done the same thing for us here. I don't want to just drop Savannah off at a boarding kennel if we're not completely sure that we'll be coming back to a happy dog.
Doggie day-care. I don't even like the concept of day-care for kids.... if one is going to have children, then no one except the parents and family members should be taking care of those children. And with Savannah being so sensitive to people and sounds and places, I just couldn't bring her to that boarding kennel with a clear conscience and walk away for a week. If we did that, then all the successful progress Savannah has made since September will go right down the doggie-drain.
I had made arrangements yesterday to tour a day-care/boarding facility for dogs. At some point this year, we will probably take a trip... and we thought that a good boarding kennel would be fine for Savannah. As it is now, she's very wary of our friends who come into the house, and sometimes she even barks at them if I don't get to the door before they ring the bell. Savannah's bark is very ferocious and intimidating to most of our friends, and she is not at all thrilled to see strangers when I walk her. To say that Savannah is protective is an understatement. I don't know yet if she will let anyone in here to take care of her when we go away, even our friend C who has taken care of the cats for us for more than a year now.
So we thought we'd have a look-see at the boarding kennel, and they suggested that we bring Savannah with us. We thought we were off to a good start when we walked into the building because the girl that greeted us got right down on the floor next to Savannah, and wonder of wonders, Savannah allowed the girl to pet her. Considering that Savannah had never set her puppy-eyes on that girl, my husband and I were both very surprised.
This particular boarding place is way out in the country... further out than we are here, and we had to following a winding country road to get to it, and we nearly drove past it because the only marking on the entrance was a big metal paw-print of a dog. The facility was on more than just a few acres, but the building containing the individual kennels wasn't all that large. They had the small dogs in one room, and the larger dogs in another room.... everything seemed as clean as it could be with dogs in the crates, but those small-dog crates and the big-dog kennels didn't seem all that large to me. Plus, the dogs had no access to the outside unless someone put a leash on them and brought them out into the yard for play-time.
And the yard.... I expected lots of green grass and some trees and lots of dog-toys. Very disappointed with that... the yard was all dirt, there were no trees for shade, and I didn't see many dog-toys at all. The best part about the facility were the three girls that we met there... very dog-friendly, very patient and understanding with the different personalities of each dog, and they all seemed to really love their jobs.
But.... if we kept Savannah there, she'd be in a dark indoor kennel for most of the day until they brought her outside to play, and in the heat of a summer day there would be no shade in that yard. And no grass.... we would have to ask the staff to bathe her before we picked her up because I know that Savannah's white fur would be as dark as her copper-colored fur after just a few hours of being in that dirt.
The worst part was all the barking of the dogs.... the sounds made Savannah cringe as we walked through there, and we got her out of the kennel area as quickly as we could. She was more comfortable outside on the patio of the building, and the more we talked to the girls about the play and rest schedules for the dogs, the more uncomfortable my husband and I were getting. Even if Savannah is inside our house for most of the day, she's very comfortable because she can walk around the rooms, and the interior of our home isn't dark during daylight hours. If kept in one of those kennels, Savannah's choices would be to stretch out on a camping-type of cot or try and get comfy on the concrete floor next to the cot--- and there's precious little floor-space around that cot.
Between now and the summer, I'm hoping that Savannah gets to trust our friend C more and more. In a perfect world, we'd be able to just leave Savannah right here at home and let C take care of her and the cats when we travel. C has been as wonderful with our cats as our pet-sitting friend back in Clear Lake. We never worried about Gracie and the cats when that pet-sitter was there... he took care of "our gang" as if they were his own, and C has done the same thing for us here. I don't want to just drop Savannah off at a boarding kennel if we're not completely sure that we'll be coming back to a happy dog.
Doggie day-care. I don't even like the concept of day-care for kids.... if one is going to have children, then no one except the parents and family members should be taking care of those children. And with Savannah being so sensitive to people and sounds and places, I just couldn't bring her to that boarding kennel with a clear conscience and walk away for a week. If we did that, then all the successful progress Savannah has made since September will go right down the doggie-drain.
Thursday, February 11, 2016
I. Must. Be. Patient.
I need to write that line 500 times, as we had to do decades ago in elementary school when the nuns wanted us never to forget something important. "You will all write that sentence 500 times on loose-leaf paper and turn it in tomorrow...."
"I must be patient. Savannah is still a puppy."
And believe me, there are days when even if I wrote that sentence five thousand times, I would still lose patience with this very stubborn puppy.
I have no idea what had been on the road last night, but when I walked Savannah this morning she put her nose to the ground and didn't lift it up till we were way across the hill and past our barn and nearly to the very end of our property. (And that's a good long way because we have 23 acres.)
When Savannah finally lifted her head up and realized that she was outside to do something, she peed in the grass and I said out loud "Finally, Savannah, finally!" She looked at me with puppy eyes and of course didn't know what my problem was. Well, the problem was that it was very windy this morning up at the top of that hill and I had gone outside without so much as a little glass of orange juice and between walking into the wind and then trying to walk without being pulled into the grass face-first by a 65-pound puppy whose only intention was to track down the wildlife that had walked on that grass before her was, at that moment, indeed a problem.
Needless to say, we didn't have a "big girl walk" this morning. What we had was a crazy puppy walk which featured a wildlife-focused puppy whose only intent was to drive me nuts for half an hour as the wind whipped so hard that my hair was hurting my face.
That was how the morning started. Before we got back to the house, I was talking out loud to Savannah, asking her to remind me again why I wanted to get another dog. I think I asked her that question three times between the top of the hill and the steps of our back porch.
And then, this afternoon.... Thursday is the day when the neighbor ladies come for tea and crafts. It used to be mostly tea and sweets, but now the focus is on the crafts. What began last year as a gossip-filled afternoon with laughter so loud you would think I had thirty women here instead of eight has turned into a very quiet and creative couple of hours when one can hear a pin drop in the dining room. Instead of chattering about local gossip and the best recipe for brownies, the only spoken words are now "Can you please pass the scissors" or "Do you have any extra glitter?"
We were all very busy this afternoon with paper crafts and glass ornaments to fill with tiny keepsakes... and all of a sudden I realized that it was way too quiet... where on earth was this morning's crazy puppy? I looked in the dog-bed in the breakfast room. No Savannah. She wasn't in the dining room with us (which is where she started out when the ladies arrived at three o'clock), and she wasn't in the kitchen. Into the living room I went, thinking the worst because that room is filled with lots of things that a puppy shouldn't touch.... and there was Savannah... sleeping right in the middle of the room near the fireplace, curled up into a comma-shape and snoring as softly as a cat would purr.
"What a good girl you are, Savannah."-- that's what I said out loud when I saw her there. Savannah opened one eye just a little bit and the snoring stopped as she looked at me. She was probably thinking "Well of course I'm a good girl... you tend to forget that sometimes." And then she closed her eyes and curled up into a tighter ball and went back to sleep... and that's where she stayed until all the ladies went home at 5:30.
As I said at the beginning: I must be patient. We have a good dog here, who just happens to still be a puppy... and from time to time will do very puppy-ish things.
"I must be patient. Savannah is still a puppy."
And believe me, there are days when even if I wrote that sentence five thousand times, I would still lose patience with this very stubborn puppy.
I have no idea what had been on the road last night, but when I walked Savannah this morning she put her nose to the ground and didn't lift it up till we were way across the hill and past our barn and nearly to the very end of our property. (And that's a good long way because we have 23 acres.)
When Savannah finally lifted her head up and realized that she was outside to do something, she peed in the grass and I said out loud "Finally, Savannah, finally!" She looked at me with puppy eyes and of course didn't know what my problem was. Well, the problem was that it was very windy this morning up at the top of that hill and I had gone outside without so much as a little glass of orange juice and between walking into the wind and then trying to walk without being pulled into the grass face-first by a 65-pound puppy whose only intention was to track down the wildlife that had walked on that grass before her was, at that moment, indeed a problem.
Needless to say, we didn't have a "big girl walk" this morning. What we had was a crazy puppy walk which featured a wildlife-focused puppy whose only intent was to drive me nuts for half an hour as the wind whipped so hard that my hair was hurting my face.
That was how the morning started. Before we got back to the house, I was talking out loud to Savannah, asking her to remind me again why I wanted to get another dog. I think I asked her that question three times between the top of the hill and the steps of our back porch.
And then, this afternoon.... Thursday is the day when the neighbor ladies come for tea and crafts. It used to be mostly tea and sweets, but now the focus is on the crafts. What began last year as a gossip-filled afternoon with laughter so loud you would think I had thirty women here instead of eight has turned into a very quiet and creative couple of hours when one can hear a pin drop in the dining room. Instead of chattering about local gossip and the best recipe for brownies, the only spoken words are now "Can you please pass the scissors" or "Do you have any extra glitter?"
We were all very busy this afternoon with paper crafts and glass ornaments to fill with tiny keepsakes... and all of a sudden I realized that it was way too quiet... where on earth was this morning's crazy puppy? I looked in the dog-bed in the breakfast room. No Savannah. She wasn't in the dining room with us (which is where she started out when the ladies arrived at three o'clock), and she wasn't in the kitchen. Into the living room I went, thinking the worst because that room is filled with lots of things that a puppy shouldn't touch.... and there was Savannah... sleeping right in the middle of the room near the fireplace, curled up into a comma-shape and snoring as softly as a cat would purr.
"What a good girl you are, Savannah."-- that's what I said out loud when I saw her there. Savannah opened one eye just a little bit and the snoring stopped as she looked at me. She was probably thinking "Well of course I'm a good girl... you tend to forget that sometimes." And then she closed her eyes and curled up into a tighter ball and went back to sleep... and that's where she stayed until all the ladies went home at 5:30.
As I said at the beginning: I must be patient. We have a good dog here, who just happens to still be a puppy... and from time to time will do very puppy-ish things.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
One Puppy + One Cat
I've been testing Savannah and Sweet Pea lately, leaving them both together in the kitchen, breakfast room, and TV room when I have errands to do in town that don't take most of the day. When we first brought Savannah home, I kept puppy and cat separated for a few days, with Sweet Pea in the TV room all of the time, and giving Savannah the run of the kitchen and breakfast room. I'm sure that Sweet Pea knew there was a dog in this house but not until his curiosity got the better of him and he started to meow by the TV room door did I open it up to let them meet nose-to-nose. When Sweet Pea started that meowing by the closed door, Savannah would sit in front of the door with her head tilted to the side as she studied the wood door. Savannah had not been exposed to cats before and I didn't know what to expect.
From the very beginning, Savannah was fine with Sweet Pea, wanting to play but being gentle with that cat. I'm sure that Sweet Pea must have thought that we'd lost our minds, but he's a very accommodating cat and doesn't seem to be upset that much with changes of any kind, which is very un-cat-like. Our two outside cats, Gatsby and Mickey, have not come into the house since Savannah entered our pet family. I figured that one puppy and one cat was enough to deal with in the house. I was looking to make it easier on me, the care-giver, rather than make it comfortable for the four-legged 'kids' that need all the care.
So far, so good, with all three cats and Savannah. Gatsby and Mickey are content to sit in the sun or curl up on the porch furniture during the day, and then into the garage they go at night, with access to the fenced-in chicken coop if they want some fresh air or star-gazing after dark. Sweet Pea has always been an inside cat since we found him in the barn a few years ago, and he's a well-behaved cat who deserves to be pampered in the house. Gatsby was always a street-wise outside cat, coming in just when the weather got too cold, and Mickey was an inside cat from Day One until he started thinking outside his litter box... then he got demoted to the porch and the garage.
Savannah has been showing her patience with Sweet Pea lately, who sometimes naps in a corner of that big plush dog bed. Sweet Pea has a small pillow-bed of his own, equally as plush but more cat-sized, but I guess sometimes he wants to stretch out and play King Of The Doggie Bed, which doesn't sit well with Savannah. Try as she might, Savannah's nose-nudges aren't enough to move Sweet Pea when he's sleeping in her dog bed. Savannah tends to just walk away but then goes back to her bed every five minutes or so until she's convinced that Sweet Pea is just not going to move and that's that.
There was an afternoon when I gave Savannah one of those extra-large Milk Bone dog biscuits and she took it over to her bed, put her two front paws in the middle of the bed and then proceeded to crunch down on that biscuit. All the crumbs and pieces fell right on top of Sweet Pea, who very quickly and most indignantly jumped out of that bed. Savannah watched him leaving, then calmly ate up the pieces of her biscuit, and then just as calmly curled up in her bed and went to sleep. As much as Savannah seems to like Sweet Pea, she doesn't necessarily want to share her bed with him, and that's fine. I've decided to just let the two of them work things out for themselves, and I don't get into their puppy-cat squabbles.
I've gone into town quite a few times these past few weeks and left the door to the TV room open, with both Sweet Pea and Savannah having run of that room and the breakfast room and kitchen. The first time I did that, Savannah was sleeping on the sofa in the TV room and Sweet Pea was curled up and sound asleep in his bed in the kitchen. Both of them looked too settled and too cute to disturb, so I took a chance and just left them where they were, not even calling attention to my leaving. I literally held my keys quietly in my hand and closed the back door softly, hoping they wouldn't even wake up till I got home. They were still sleeping quietly when I walked in the back door three hours later, and that was a nice surprise.
As puppy-ish as Savannah can be at times, she has proven herself to be a thoughtful and respectful little dog. (Little? She's 65+ pounds now. Not so little anymore.) On Thursdays when the ladies come for tea, Savannah usually stays in her bed in the breakfast room till everyone has arrived. Then as the tea is poured and the craft supplies come out of their boxes, Savannah quietly walks into the dining room, looks at all of us sitting around the table, and then she goes into the living room which is usually closed off to both puppy and cat. On those afternoons, I keep myself focused on everyone and everything in the dining room, but keep one ear towards the living room so if Savannah does bother something that she shouldn't touch (i.e.: everything in that room) I can get up quickly and either correct her or take her out of that room.
For as many times as Savannah has been in the living room now, she hasn't touched one thing. Last Thursday when I was too intent on the day's craft-making, I noticed that it was too quiet in the living room and I got up quickly to investigate.... and there was Savannah, sound asleep in the middle of the living room carpet. Pretty as a picture she was, right in the center of the area rug, and I just left her right there and went back to the dining room.
As I type this now, Savannah is sleeping in her bed, which is in the corner of the breakfast room. She is snoring... a very un-lady-like snore which brings to mind an uncle of mine who used to fall asleep watching the late-night news. Savannah sounds quite like Uncle Mino at the moment, which is very comforting to hear after all these yeas.
From the very beginning, Savannah was fine with Sweet Pea, wanting to play but being gentle with that cat. I'm sure that Sweet Pea must have thought that we'd lost our minds, but he's a very accommodating cat and doesn't seem to be upset that much with changes of any kind, which is very un-cat-like. Our two outside cats, Gatsby and Mickey, have not come into the house since Savannah entered our pet family. I figured that one puppy and one cat was enough to deal with in the house. I was looking to make it easier on me, the care-giver, rather than make it comfortable for the four-legged 'kids' that need all the care.
So far, so good, with all three cats and Savannah. Gatsby and Mickey are content to sit in the sun or curl up on the porch furniture during the day, and then into the garage they go at night, with access to the fenced-in chicken coop if they want some fresh air or star-gazing after dark. Sweet Pea has always been an inside cat since we found him in the barn a few years ago, and he's a well-behaved cat who deserves to be pampered in the house. Gatsby was always a street-wise outside cat, coming in just when the weather got too cold, and Mickey was an inside cat from Day One until he started thinking outside his litter box... then he got demoted to the porch and the garage.
Savannah has been showing her patience with Sweet Pea lately, who sometimes naps in a corner of that big plush dog bed. Sweet Pea has a small pillow-bed of his own, equally as plush but more cat-sized, but I guess sometimes he wants to stretch out and play King Of The Doggie Bed, which doesn't sit well with Savannah. Try as she might, Savannah's nose-nudges aren't enough to move Sweet Pea when he's sleeping in her dog bed. Savannah tends to just walk away but then goes back to her bed every five minutes or so until she's convinced that Sweet Pea is just not going to move and that's that.
There was an afternoon when I gave Savannah one of those extra-large Milk Bone dog biscuits and she took it over to her bed, put her two front paws in the middle of the bed and then proceeded to crunch down on that biscuit. All the crumbs and pieces fell right on top of Sweet Pea, who very quickly and most indignantly jumped out of that bed. Savannah watched him leaving, then calmly ate up the pieces of her biscuit, and then just as calmly curled up in her bed and went to sleep. As much as Savannah seems to like Sweet Pea, she doesn't necessarily want to share her bed with him, and that's fine. I've decided to just let the two of them work things out for themselves, and I don't get into their puppy-cat squabbles.
I've gone into town quite a few times these past few weeks and left the door to the TV room open, with both Sweet Pea and Savannah having run of that room and the breakfast room and kitchen. The first time I did that, Savannah was sleeping on the sofa in the TV room and Sweet Pea was curled up and sound asleep in his bed in the kitchen. Both of them looked too settled and too cute to disturb, so I took a chance and just left them where they were, not even calling attention to my leaving. I literally held my keys quietly in my hand and closed the back door softly, hoping they wouldn't even wake up till I got home. They were still sleeping quietly when I walked in the back door three hours later, and that was a nice surprise.
As puppy-ish as Savannah can be at times, she has proven herself to be a thoughtful and respectful little dog. (Little? She's 65+ pounds now. Not so little anymore.) On Thursdays when the ladies come for tea, Savannah usually stays in her bed in the breakfast room till everyone has arrived. Then as the tea is poured and the craft supplies come out of their boxes, Savannah quietly walks into the dining room, looks at all of us sitting around the table, and then she goes into the living room which is usually closed off to both puppy and cat. On those afternoons, I keep myself focused on everyone and everything in the dining room, but keep one ear towards the living room so if Savannah does bother something that she shouldn't touch (i.e.: everything in that room) I can get up quickly and either correct her or take her out of that room.
For as many times as Savannah has been in the living room now, she hasn't touched one thing. Last Thursday when I was too intent on the day's craft-making, I noticed that it was too quiet in the living room and I got up quickly to investigate.... and there was Savannah, sound asleep in the middle of the living room carpet. Pretty as a picture she was, right in the center of the area rug, and I just left her right there and went back to the dining room.
As I type this now, Savannah is sleeping in her bed, which is in the corner of the breakfast room. She is snoring... a very un-lady-like snore which brings to mind an uncle of mine who used to fall asleep watching the late-night news. Savannah sounds quite like Uncle Mino at the moment, which is very comforting to hear after all these yeas.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Savannah's Puppy Diary
Yesterday Daddy said Let's Bring Savannah To The Park and I got My Puppy Self to the Back Door before Momma could put her Boots on. Momma said I Wonder If This Dog Knows What We're Talking About and I tried to Just Look Like A Puppy and Not Let On that I have learned how to Speak People so I can Understand Most of What They Say.
When we got to The Park there was only One Dog there and Daddy said We've Seen This Dog Before And All He's Interested In Is That Green Ball. I ran up to that Dog anyway but he just Sniffed a Little bit and then Went Back To Chase The Ball. I tried to tell the Dog that if he Keeps Bringing That Ball Back his Person is just going To Keep Throwing It and What's The Sense Of That but I think that Dog just wants to Chase The Ball instead of Playing and Jumping In The Pool.
Momma and Daddy started to Walk around the Edges of the Park by the Fence so I had to Follow Them. I think they keep doing that in the park To Teach Me Who I Belong To and I have tried to Tell them that I Knew That the First Week I Was Here.
Daddy has been Taking Me For A Walk in the Mornings now but I usually Don't Do Too Much in the Grass because Daddy keeps the Leash too short and Still Wants me to Walk in a Straight Line. Well where's the Fun in That. If I really Have To Go then I will Pee in the Grass when I'm with Daddy but if I can Hold It then I wait for Daddy to bring me Back In The House and then he Tells Momma Savannah Didn't Have To Go and Momma Rolls Her Eyes and puts her Boots and Coat on and says Come On Savannah Let's Make This Quick. Then I go Back Outside with Momma and I don't really Make It Very Quick because there's always So Much To Smell Out There but then Momma starts saying Remind Me Again Why I Wanted To Get A Puppy Savannah and then that's My Cue to Do What I Have To Do so Momma will say Good Girl Savannah Good Girl instead of Finally Savannah Finally.
Sweet Pea has been Sleeping In My Bed every afternoon for Weeks now and I can't Make That Cat Understand that he has His Own Bed which Fits him Better than my Big Bed. I keep Nudging Sweet Pea with my Nose but he just Meows at me so I guess he doesn't Speak Puppy. I don't even think Sweet Pea speaks People because Momma has to tell That Cat the Same Thing at least Ten Times before he Listens and then Momma says A Cat Is A Cat And That's That.
Momma got upset with me Tonight because when she sat on the Sofa with Daddy I got right up there in The Middle and started pulling on Momma's Sweater and I wouldn't Stop It even though Momma said Stop It Savannah Stop It about six times. Momma finally Got Up and went to Sit On The Chair and then I got real Comfy with Daddy and we Sat There and Watched TV while Momma stayed in the Chair and Rolled Her Eyes. She does a lot of That lately and I don't know what it means but I don't think it's a Good Thing.
Daddy and Momma went to The Store today and they didn't put Sweet Pea in the TV Room with the Door Closed. And the other day when Momma went into Town she left Sweet Pea sleeping in My Bed and left me sleeping On The Sofa in the TV Room. Momma didn't even say Goodbye Savannah Be Good Now when she left and I think Momma was Sneaking Out The Door so I would Just Stay Sleeping and Not Bother Sweet Pea. Momma doesn't know that I was looking Out The Window and I saw her Go Out The Back Door and Get Into Her Car. I was Really Tempted to go into the Breakfast Room and Bark Real Loud at Sweet Pea so that Cat would Get Out of My Bed and Stay Out but then I just got Back Up On The Sofa and Went to Sleep till Momma came Home.
When Momma got back in the House Sweet Pea was still Sleeping in My Bed and I was on The Sofa and Momma said Well Now Looks Like Both Of You Were Good While I Was Gone Isn't That Nice That I Don't Have To Separate You Two When I Go Out. Sweet Pea just yawned at Momma and Went Back To Sleep but I got up from The Sofa and Wagged My Tail and put My Head on Momma's Leg and Momma said You're Such A Good Girl Savannah How Did We Get So Lucky To Find You.
I looked up at Momma and tried to Roll My Eyes but that Didn't Work at All. So I tried to tell Momma that I Am The Puppy And That's That but I don't know if she Understood Me but I did get a Biscuit for being a Good Girl. While Momma was putting the Groceries away I took the Biscuit to My Bed and started Crunching On It and the Crumbs were Going All Over Sweet Pea and he Finally Got out of My Bed.
When we got to The Park there was only One Dog there and Daddy said We've Seen This Dog Before And All He's Interested In Is That Green Ball. I ran up to that Dog anyway but he just Sniffed a Little bit and then Went Back To Chase The Ball. I tried to tell the Dog that if he Keeps Bringing That Ball Back his Person is just going To Keep Throwing It and What's The Sense Of That but I think that Dog just wants to Chase The Ball instead of Playing and Jumping In The Pool.
Momma and Daddy started to Walk around the Edges of the Park by the Fence so I had to Follow Them. I think they keep doing that in the park To Teach Me Who I Belong To and I have tried to Tell them that I Knew That the First Week I Was Here.
Daddy has been Taking Me For A Walk in the Mornings now but I usually Don't Do Too Much in the Grass because Daddy keeps the Leash too short and Still Wants me to Walk in a Straight Line. Well where's the Fun in That. If I really Have To Go then I will Pee in the Grass when I'm with Daddy but if I can Hold It then I wait for Daddy to bring me Back In The House and then he Tells Momma Savannah Didn't Have To Go and Momma Rolls Her Eyes and puts her Boots and Coat on and says Come On Savannah Let's Make This Quick. Then I go Back Outside with Momma and I don't really Make It Very Quick because there's always So Much To Smell Out There but then Momma starts saying Remind Me Again Why I Wanted To Get A Puppy Savannah and then that's My Cue to Do What I Have To Do so Momma will say Good Girl Savannah Good Girl instead of Finally Savannah Finally.
Sweet Pea has been Sleeping In My Bed every afternoon for Weeks now and I can't Make That Cat Understand that he has His Own Bed which Fits him Better than my Big Bed. I keep Nudging Sweet Pea with my Nose but he just Meows at me so I guess he doesn't Speak Puppy. I don't even think Sweet Pea speaks People because Momma has to tell That Cat the Same Thing at least Ten Times before he Listens and then Momma says A Cat Is A Cat And That's That.
Momma got upset with me Tonight because when she sat on the Sofa with Daddy I got right up there in The Middle and started pulling on Momma's Sweater and I wouldn't Stop It even though Momma said Stop It Savannah Stop It about six times. Momma finally Got Up and went to Sit On The Chair and then I got real Comfy with Daddy and we Sat There and Watched TV while Momma stayed in the Chair and Rolled Her Eyes. She does a lot of That lately and I don't know what it means but I don't think it's a Good Thing.
Daddy and Momma went to The Store today and they didn't put Sweet Pea in the TV Room with the Door Closed. And the other day when Momma went into Town she left Sweet Pea sleeping in My Bed and left me sleeping On The Sofa in the TV Room. Momma didn't even say Goodbye Savannah Be Good Now when she left and I think Momma was Sneaking Out The Door so I would Just Stay Sleeping and Not Bother Sweet Pea. Momma doesn't know that I was looking Out The Window and I saw her Go Out The Back Door and Get Into Her Car. I was Really Tempted to go into the Breakfast Room and Bark Real Loud at Sweet Pea so that Cat would Get Out of My Bed and Stay Out but then I just got Back Up On The Sofa and Went to Sleep till Momma came Home.
When Momma got back in the House Sweet Pea was still Sleeping in My Bed and I was on The Sofa and Momma said Well Now Looks Like Both Of You Were Good While I Was Gone Isn't That Nice That I Don't Have To Separate You Two When I Go Out. Sweet Pea just yawned at Momma and Went Back To Sleep but I got up from The Sofa and Wagged My Tail and put My Head on Momma's Leg and Momma said You're Such A Good Girl Savannah How Did We Get So Lucky To Find You.
I looked up at Momma and tried to Roll My Eyes but that Didn't Work at All. So I tried to tell Momma that I Am The Puppy And That's That but I don't know if she Understood Me but I did get a Biscuit for being a Good Girl. While Momma was putting the Groceries away I took the Biscuit to My Bed and started Crunching On It and the Crumbs were Going All Over Sweet Pea and he Finally Got out of My Bed.
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Big Girl Walking
Every once in a while, Savannah has a 'big girl walk,' which is how I describe her daily walks when she doesn't pull me along like a pony pulling a cart. Savannah really does know how to walk nicely (like a big girl) but there are so many night-time animals who have walked along the road and in the grass after dark that their smells must be overwhelmingly exciting to a young dog. And that's when she does pull me for all she's worth, as if the very next patch of grass will yield not only the critter's smell but the critter itself. I start to walk slower when she's pulling at the leash, in an attempt to get her attention as the choker collar gets tighter around her neck. She does get the message, but if that smell out there is extra-special, she'll start pulling again.
But yesterday and today, I told Savannah that she was giving me big girl walks and I thanked her when we got back to our porch. I have no idea if she knows what I'm talking about, but she does indeed seem to know when she's being praised.
In these past five months since bringing Savannah home, she has never once barked when she had to go outside. When we first got her, I just kept taking her out at regular intervals, each time telling her "Let's go out!" when I put her collar and leash on her. I do think she knows the word "Out!" because her serious face breaks into a puppy grin when she hears that word.
When Savannah wants to go outside before our normal walking time, she will put her paws on my knees and look right into my eyes... the expression on her face is very serious when she does that. If I happen to be standing up, she will gently lift herself up and put her paws on my arms or my waist. The first time she did that, I was turned towards the kitchen sink and her paws landed in the middle of my back... had I not been able to grab hold of the kitchen counter, I would have been flat out on the floor.
It's funny that she will very rarely give the same "Out!" signals to my husband. He does walk her in the mornings, and sometimes when he needs a break from work in the afternoon, but usually, it's myself and Savannah out there on the road... so maybe that's why she comes to me first.
This past week, I've been walking Savannah around our backyard and a short ways into the pasture behind our house. I want her to learn more about her property than just the path from the porch and the driveway, so if she ever does get off the leash she will know by her smells out there that this is where she belongs. I'm sure she must recognize the house and the porch by now, but I'm wondering if she's doing that purely by smell and not by the looks of things.
I've been up and awake since four o'clock this morning. Not because Savannah started barking-- she was quiet when I woke up and just couldn't get back to sleep. I stayed upstairs and read a book until the sun started coming up. I didn't want to come downstairs and wake Savannah up from what seemed to be a very sound sleep for her. Now... if I can just teach Savannah not to wake us up.... which I know is ridiculous. We wanted a dog who barked. And she does. What's that old saying-- be careful what you wish for.
But yesterday and today, I told Savannah that she was giving me big girl walks and I thanked her when we got back to our porch. I have no idea if she knows what I'm talking about, but she does indeed seem to know when she's being praised.
In these past five months since bringing Savannah home, she has never once barked when she had to go outside. When we first got her, I just kept taking her out at regular intervals, each time telling her "Let's go out!" when I put her collar and leash on her. I do think she knows the word "Out!" because her serious face breaks into a puppy grin when she hears that word.
When Savannah wants to go outside before our normal walking time, she will put her paws on my knees and look right into my eyes... the expression on her face is very serious when she does that. If I happen to be standing up, she will gently lift herself up and put her paws on my arms or my waist. The first time she did that, I was turned towards the kitchen sink and her paws landed in the middle of my back... had I not been able to grab hold of the kitchen counter, I would have been flat out on the floor.
It's funny that she will very rarely give the same "Out!" signals to my husband. He does walk her in the mornings, and sometimes when he needs a break from work in the afternoon, but usually, it's myself and Savannah out there on the road... so maybe that's why she comes to me first.
This past week, I've been walking Savannah around our backyard and a short ways into the pasture behind our house. I want her to learn more about her property than just the path from the porch and the driveway, so if she ever does get off the leash she will know by her smells out there that this is where she belongs. I'm sure she must recognize the house and the porch by now, but I'm wondering if she's doing that purely by smell and not by the looks of things.
I've been up and awake since four o'clock this morning. Not because Savannah started barking-- she was quiet when I woke up and just couldn't get back to sleep. I stayed upstairs and read a book until the sun started coming up. I didn't want to come downstairs and wake Savannah up from what seemed to be a very sound sleep for her. Now... if I can just teach Savannah not to wake us up.... which I know is ridiculous. We wanted a dog who barked. And she does. What's that old saying-- be careful what you wish for.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Air Horns Are Us...
Gary and I took Savannah back to the dog park on Sunday... we thought of bringing a can of mace with us in case those two pit-bulls were there again, but we compromised on an air horn. I told my husband that if he sprayed mace towards an aggressive dog then Savannah would most likely be affected by the spray as well.
I thought Savannah would hesitate when we got to the park the other day, but she walked up to the gate just like always, the memory of those two pit-bulls forgotten. Or so I thought. There were other dogs there for her to play with, and between running around chasing tennis balls and then jumping into the pool, Savannah was fine. Both my husband and I kept watching the entrance gate to the park, with an eye out for that car with the two pit-bulls and their clueless owner. Thankfully, they didn't show up and Savannah was able to enjoy the dogs and the park as she always does.
When we were almost ready to leave the park, one of the dogs Savannah had been playing with started barking at a little dog in the adjacent small-dog park. Savannah heard those barks and instead of going over there to investigate (as she always did before the pit-bull incident) she walked over to where my husband and I were sitting and she sat herself down next to Gary. She kept looking over towards the small-dog park but she made no attempt to get up and go over there. We thought it was a good time to leave, so we put Savannah's leash on and walked towards the gate. I think that particular barking dog made Savannah remember the aggressive pit-bulls and she felt safer just staying near us. Which of course made us feel very good, but I wish she had never set eyes on those pit-bulls.
On Sunday night, Savannah started barking in the middle of the night... one o'clock, then again at two-thirty... and by then I was wide awake so I just stayed up. I took her outside, which I hate to do in the middle of the night but with all that barking, I thought she might have to pee. Which she did, but I'm sure she could have held that till the sun came up. There were train noises that night, and coyotes howling, and heaven only knows what else is out there after midnight. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary, but that doesn't mean there wasn't something out there to get her to barking.
I get so frustrated with Savannah when she barks like that. I don't want to be up reading a book in the middle of the night, no matter how much I love my books. But I also don't want her down here just barking constantly because if I'm upstairs and hearing all of that, I can't sleep anyway. My husband puts his head under the pillow, but I just can't do that and ignore this puppy's frantic barking. I come down the stairs and put lights on, then look out on the porch and never see anything, but as I said, that doesn't mean there wasn't something out there to get Savannah to disrupt her own sleep, and mine.
I keep telling myself that Savannah is a very good dog (still a puppy, actually) and I can't let myself be mad at her when she keeps me up at night. We got another dog so there would be barking if anything out of the ordinary was happening outside on the property. There was a night not long ago when a strange car was out on the road, just sitting there with the headlights on and not moving. We live on a long and winding country road and when the night is dark without moonlight, cars can and do make wrong turns now and then. Everyone who lives here knows the vehicles belonging to the neighbors, so when an unfamiliar car or truck is on our road, we all take note.
And it's possible that Savannah has 'taken note' of the neighbors' vehicles as well... their sounds and their speed, and if a car stops out on the road, she wants to know why... and she will bark. And bark. And if it's the middle of the night, she will keep on barking till she gets me to come down those stairs and see what's happening out there. Honestly, there are nights when she sits there looking at me as if she's damn proud of herself for waking me up.
Life with a big dog. A big dog whose hearing is a thousand times more sensitive than mine. Thankfully, Savannah doesn't wake me up in the middle of the blessed night every night. I have to remember that when she does, it's not because she wants to, it's because she believes that she has to. She barked some last night, and when I came down the stairs and put on the porch lights, I saw absolutely nothing. By the time I had finished looking out the windows, Savannah had gone back into her bed. When I went outside this morning to walk her, I saw that three of the lawn ornaments were knocked over into the grass... either a raccoon or an armadillo had been by during the night. So once again, Savannah hadn't been barking just for the sake of barking.
There is no way to teach Savannah that a raccoon knocking over a gnome or an armadillo digging up a ceramic frog is not a threat to our lives. Whatever noise this puppy hears outside is a noise that she feels shouldn't be there, especially after dark.
As I type this, Savannah is all curled up in her comfy bed, and she's sound asleep. There are days when I wake up tired and wish I could just curl up and go back to sleep as well. Oh well.
I thought Savannah would hesitate when we got to the park the other day, but she walked up to the gate just like always, the memory of those two pit-bulls forgotten. Or so I thought. There were other dogs there for her to play with, and between running around chasing tennis balls and then jumping into the pool, Savannah was fine. Both my husband and I kept watching the entrance gate to the park, with an eye out for that car with the two pit-bulls and their clueless owner. Thankfully, they didn't show up and Savannah was able to enjoy the dogs and the park as she always does.
When we were almost ready to leave the park, one of the dogs Savannah had been playing with started barking at a little dog in the adjacent small-dog park. Savannah heard those barks and instead of going over there to investigate (as she always did before the pit-bull incident) she walked over to where my husband and I were sitting and she sat herself down next to Gary. She kept looking over towards the small-dog park but she made no attempt to get up and go over there. We thought it was a good time to leave, so we put Savannah's leash on and walked towards the gate. I think that particular barking dog made Savannah remember the aggressive pit-bulls and she felt safer just staying near us. Which of course made us feel very good, but I wish she had never set eyes on those pit-bulls.
On Sunday night, Savannah started barking in the middle of the night... one o'clock, then again at two-thirty... and by then I was wide awake so I just stayed up. I took her outside, which I hate to do in the middle of the night but with all that barking, I thought she might have to pee. Which she did, but I'm sure she could have held that till the sun came up. There were train noises that night, and coyotes howling, and heaven only knows what else is out there after midnight. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary, but that doesn't mean there wasn't something out there to get her to barking.
I get so frustrated with Savannah when she barks like that. I don't want to be up reading a book in the middle of the night, no matter how much I love my books. But I also don't want her down here just barking constantly because if I'm upstairs and hearing all of that, I can't sleep anyway. My husband puts his head under the pillow, but I just can't do that and ignore this puppy's frantic barking. I come down the stairs and put lights on, then look out on the porch and never see anything, but as I said, that doesn't mean there wasn't something out there to get Savannah to disrupt her own sleep, and mine.
I keep telling myself that Savannah is a very good dog (still a puppy, actually) and I can't let myself be mad at her when she keeps me up at night. We got another dog so there would be barking if anything out of the ordinary was happening outside on the property. There was a night not long ago when a strange car was out on the road, just sitting there with the headlights on and not moving. We live on a long and winding country road and when the night is dark without moonlight, cars can and do make wrong turns now and then. Everyone who lives here knows the vehicles belonging to the neighbors, so when an unfamiliar car or truck is on our road, we all take note.
And it's possible that Savannah has 'taken note' of the neighbors' vehicles as well... their sounds and their speed, and if a car stops out on the road, she wants to know why... and she will bark. And bark. And if it's the middle of the night, she will keep on barking till she gets me to come down those stairs and see what's happening out there. Honestly, there are nights when she sits there looking at me as if she's damn proud of herself for waking me up.
Life with a big dog. A big dog whose hearing is a thousand times more sensitive than mine. Thankfully, Savannah doesn't wake me up in the middle of the blessed night every night. I have to remember that when she does, it's not because she wants to, it's because she believes that she has to. She barked some last night, and when I came down the stairs and put on the porch lights, I saw absolutely nothing. By the time I had finished looking out the windows, Savannah had gone back into her bed. When I went outside this morning to walk her, I saw that three of the lawn ornaments were knocked over into the grass... either a raccoon or an armadillo had been by during the night. So once again, Savannah hadn't been barking just for the sake of barking.
There is no way to teach Savannah that a raccoon knocking over a gnome or an armadillo digging up a ceramic frog is not a threat to our lives. Whatever noise this puppy hears outside is a noise that she feels shouldn't be there, especially after dark.
As I type this, Savannah is all curled up in her comfy bed, and she's sound asleep. There are days when I wake up tired and wish I could just curl up and go back to sleep as well. Oh well.
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