Heart Like a Dog

The Good, the Bad, and the Oh My God of living with dogs!

Too Much Socialization?

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We socialized Sampson from the time he was 8 weeks old.  He went to puppy play group, beginner and intermediate obedience classes and then on to daycare twice a week.

We also socialized him with people and truth be told I can’t figure out if he loves other dogs or people more.   When he sees or hears another dog he must get to it.  But once he’s greeted the other dog, he hangs out with their person.

Today during our walk I heard a small dog, and it made me nervous, because I’ve seen a woman who walks two small dogs (I think they are Papillons) and she doesn’t pay attention.  My dogs wouldn’t intentionally hurt a small dog but as you know they are quite large and very enthusiastic. 🙂  I’m always afraid they’ll squish one during the greeting.

I don’t run with my nose to the ground so I usually see something well before the dogs.  Oh I can still miss things, but usually I see or hear it before they do.

Once I heard the small dog bark, I called Sampson over and clipped his leash on.  That’s when Sampson heard the small dog’s bark and tried to head in the direction from whence it came.

Two fools straining at the ends of their leashes.

Are your dogs like this?  Do you think there is such a thing as too much socialization?

Adventures In Daycare

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I’ve mentioned before that Sampson and Delilah go to half a day of daycare twice a week.  Yesterday I turned down the street and was greeted by this sight.

Do they teach them to park this way?

My very first thought was, “God I hope it wasn’t my dogs” which was interrupted by the second thought of “Sara would have called me.”

I walked in with wide eyes and I think my mouth might have been open in shock but I can’t say with any certainty. :-0  Sara immediately burst out laughing and said to Diane (groomer) “Did you see her face?”

Naturally all the dogs are gathered at the gates, since the lobby is filled with two police officers and an old drunk guy and now me.  I notice the partially drunk bottle of alcohol sitting on the counter and put two and two together.

And (I love starting a sentence with ‘and’) then Sara says rather quickly, “Would you like your dogs?”

I nodded my head and remembered with dread that I’d forgotten Sampson’s leash at home.

I looked at Sara and tried to be nonchalant when I said, “I’ll have to take them separately, since I forgot Sampson’s leash this morning.”

I hear the female officer say to the male officer, “After we’re done with this, I’ll be in there.  You can call me if you need me.” And I think to myself, if I’m ever some drunk old gal on a bicycle, I hope I get this officer. 🙂

So Sara clipped Delilah and I brought her out to the car and about a half a minute later Sara came out with Sampson, using one of the small slip leashes they use for tying the dogs into the tub.

Sara tells me the story of how the drunk guy rides in on a bicycle, parks it against the building, walks in and says, “I need an ambulance.”

It’s a nice way to end your work week, don’t you think?  Not sure how it ended, but I’ll follow it up next Friday.

What are you doing??   This is the Saturday morning blog hop hosted by Two Little Cavaliers, Life With Dogs and Confessions of the Plume.

Hop on.

You can get your linky code here.

 

Follow Up Friday

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For those new to the blog, my follow-up Friday provides me with an opportunity to update or revise a post from the previous week.

You know sometimes you post about something and you need an update but it doesn’t warrant a whole blog.  Or sometimes someone made a comment that really resonated with you.  Yup, Follow-Up Friday baby! :-)

She’s At It Again – Author’s Note

So far I’ve picked up a LOT of poop.  Honestly, I’m embarrassed and disgusted that there is so much poop in my yard.  I blame it on Hubby who did not remove the leaves this year.  Yes, the leaves which were not removed by Hubby have been preserving poop, either that or someone is jumping over the fence and pooping in my yard.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

I’ve been trying to get out there and pick up the fresh poop every day.  It’s hard to go outside with them and pick it up immediately, you saw the yard, it’s big!

And those dogs are fast, so very fast.  They move much quicker than I do.  Heck she can get out there and snarf down a poop faster than I can get out the door.

I don’t have to tell you that it’s not always easy with everything else going on, but I’m trying.  I admonish her too when she steps outside, “No eating poop, you hear me?”

But we all know how well she listens to me. 🙂

The Dog I Need – Author’s Note

Well really I feel like I can’t even comment on this, based upon the posts that followed less than 48 hours later.

Coconut Oil – Author’s Note

I sautéed asparagus in coconut oil the other night, with just a little bit of garlic and it was yummo!

Coconut oil, it’s not just for dogs.

Oh and I also noticed something Koly pointed out, Sampson’s breath was really fresh.  It didn’t smell nasty at all, and it was in the morning (morning breath, is there anything worse?) 🙂

Defeated and Lost, Parts 1 and 2 – Author’s Note/Update

I just want to clear the air, Part 2 was written IMMEDIATELY after Part 1, it’s not like I thought about it for days.  Or I slept on it overnight, they were originally going to be one extremely long post, so I broke it into two parts. The posts were written when the incident was really fresh and raw.  I felt discouraged, it happens.

Truthfully it wouldn’t have been nearly as traumatic for me if she hadn’t gotten stuck.  It was (for me) a mortifying experience, along with the realization that she could have really gotten hurt.

My friend Mindy gave me a pep talk, Sara gave me a pep talk and some suggestions, all of you gave me encouragement and suggestions, I’m back on track.

What these two posts showed me was what a wonderful and strong support unit I have in my blogville family.  I want to thank you all again for hanging in there with me and reassure you, I have a handle on this and I am NOT, I repeat NOT giving up on Delilah.

Delilah and I will be working tomorrow and Sunday and I will let you know what we do and how it goes.

Our week was a little rocky, but we are back on track.  How was your week?

Book update: My book has 18,346 words.

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