Welcome to this week’s edition of Follow-Up Friday, the post where I highlight reader’s comments, answer questions and generally just wrap up my week.

You Make Me Smile – May 1, 2016

Emma said, “That is one advantage to just walking one dog, photos. It is so easy walking one dog and using the camera is much easier as well. Mom says one dog is almost boring, but then again the one on one time makes for a special kind of walk.”

Mom is right, although I like to call it peaceful vs boring. 🙂 But getting one dog to pose, is WAY easier than trying to get two!

These comments all suggested using food.

Meagan and Merlin said, “I hold treats up to my eye to get Merlin to look at me.”

I couldn’t coordinate the camera and the treat. 🙂

Monika and Sam said, “Well done, D-dog! I have/hold a small training treat in the middle of my face to catch Sam’s attention and say “watch me” other wise the dimmest dog in North America would be all over the place…”ooh, look, a stroller”… “aaaah, there’s butterfly” … “wait, shiny object!” 🙂”

LOL that is Sampson! Anytime there is movement, he looks away. I have used “Look” based upon a trainer’s suggestion, UNTIL I realized what I was doing making an “L” with my thumb and pointer finger and holding it up to my face. 😀

Mary Ann said, “I try to use a treat to get Lila’s attention, but that makes her give me too much attention and doesn’t make for a very good photo.”

THAT is Delilah and one of the key reasons I DON’T use treats. She gets too excited and cannot focus.

Misty Shores Chesapeakes said, “I do use treats or a toy to draw their attention towards me and get their ears up so they don’t look like I am torturing them…I don’t know about you but when I am actually making them pose I probably shoot about 100 photos just to get that one good one.”

I’m not as patient as you. There are times when I do take a number of photos, but for the most part, it’s just one or two.

Callie, Shadow and Ducky’s Mom said, “Usually, when I take Shadow for walks at the park, I take “Shadow and Mom time” selfies.”

I love those selfies of yours Sue, but we have to get you to smile more. 🙂

Beth said, “I wish I had tips for you, but Barley just loves to be in front of the camera and I usually have very little involvement in getting her to pose. I do joke that she turns on America’s Next Top Model reruns while I’m at work–so maybe just leave the remote in Delilah’s reach when you leave the house 😉”

I’m afraid to leave her in charge. 🙂 Knowing Delilah, she’d probably find some food porn network. 😉

Sand Spring Chesapeakes said, “I love a good poser.”

Hahaha

Jan K said, “Luke is way more cooperative than the girls are, but I think it’s just his personality. They’re either born to it or not, maybe? 🙂”

You might be right on that one. Maybe it’s just in their DNA.

A New Normal

Genevieve said, “Sounds like a delicate balance, but it also sounds like you’re doing OK with it and so is he. Saying no is tough, but when you know it’ll help in the long run, it gets a little easier. It’s just like saying, “Come and put your cone on…” Ugh. Thankfully, Cupcake thinks the cone and baby sock are an outfit, so she’s fine with it.”

Thank you, I think we ARE doing OK. I think I feel worse for Delilah, because she doesn’t understand that he’s hurt.

Emma asked, “Have you tried ToeGrips to keep him from slipping? They work really well! Katie has been wearing them since last August.”

I have a pair, but I haven’t tried them. Sampson’s physical therapist wasn’t keen on using them. But I may consider them, if we decide say to go to my sister’s where there are no rugs.

Beth asked, “The Aladdin comment made me smile–I’m glad you’re still able to keep your sense of humor despite all of these challenges. Have you tried any noseworks or focus games with him? I know there are plenty of variations of both where he wouldn’t have to get up at all, but it might wear him out mentally at least 🙂”

I’m glad it made you smile, for me, I need to find the humor, it’s what keeps me going. No, I haven’t tried nose work or focus games with him, he is not a dog that really loves the nose work. But you have reminded me of something I wanted to work with him on, so thank you. Hopefully, I will get motivated to do that and be able to share it in the future.

Sue said, “Love the humor. Sometimes you just gotta laugh, right? I think the worst part of Jeffie’s ACL injury was keeping he and Rudy apart. No more rowdy games.”

Thank you Sue, yes, you absolutely have to laugh. Laughter cures so many things. I feel you with the keeping them apart, their world has already changed and I feel so mean imposing more restrictions.

Two French Bulldogs said, “Yep. Our new normal started after my knee surgery and two back surgeries. It’s an adjustment.”

It sure is. I hope you are recovering well.

2 Brown Dawgs said, “Poor Sampson. I know what a tough time I have had keeping Storm from overdoing and she is not as limited as Sampson.”

It’s tough, because they are stoic and without our intervention would be doing it anyway.

Julie asked, “So many things to think about. And like the vet said as far as Sampson is concerned he is the same. The walks are really good though to sniff and get out. Can he go swimming??”

Sampson is not a swimmer. He will do it, but it’s usually brief, just enough for him to cool off. 

Dachshund Nola said, “Maybe food puzzles or modified nose work, to help keep him engaged?”

He’s not big on those kinds of things. 

Lauranne said, “Sending a hug xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx…(and an awful lot of kisses as I wasn’t allowed to post the comment unless I upped the characters. Sorry I should have had something more useful to say but my mind is a blur today)”.

LOL sorry you had issues. I hope it was just a plug in needing an update. 🙁

Misty Shores Chesapeakes said, “I thought at first poor Sampson but then I thought he doesn’t know it’s poor Sampson, he thinks he is still that young pup. So I am going to look at him like that too.

Thank you for the reminder. I am trying to look at him the same way too. And I am trying my best to make sure things stay as normal as possible for him, because in his mind, nothing HAS changed. 🙂

Put Me In Coach

Misty Shores Chesapeakes said, “That’s too bad they are parking like that, won’t take long to mess up the grass 🙁”

It’s already messed up because we’ve been having rain almost every day and the ground is very soft. I was just up there yesterday and there are ruts 8 inches deep. 🙁

Callie, Shadow and Ducky’s Mom said, ” But using the field as a parking lot? Nooooooo! There oughta be a law!! And litter on the trails? Some people are lazy slobs. I hate that your beautiful field and woods are being abused!”

Ugh, I hate it too. It’s bad enough the kids go up there and drink and break glass all over the place, now I have to watch for food. Last week I had to keep Delilah from scarfing down apple CORES! I’m thinking of calling the Rec department and nicely requesting they not park in the park. After all, they are the ones who posted “NO Wheeled Vehicles.”

Beth said, “I don’t know that I’ve ever been to a field/ballpark where people didn’t park on the grass, so I probably wouldn’t have even been phased by that sight!”

I hear you, but this isn’t your typical field/ballpark. Here is a picture of the park entrance. As you can see, the field is quite some distance in.

Jan said, “Delilah is quite the little athlete in the pictures. Maybe you can time the walks so she gets to try out for the team.”

LOL we have been up there during a game, AND that was challenging! 

Well that’s it for me folks, have a FANTASTIC weekend!