Dogs are cunning.

With the house on the market we thought a little color from Pansies were in order. While I was out front planting Rich decided that he'd take the dogs for a walk so that I could plant in peace. Shiloh, always the mama's boy, never wants to leave me especially if I'm outside. Rich was persistent that he was going too. Shiloh was being led away, all the while looking back to where I was working. My smart boy hoisted up his leg and began to limp heavily. Rich kept going. Once I was out of sight the injury was gone. He was faking a leg injury!

The Nose Knows

The weather is turning and we’re getting back outside. Shiloh has begun his rituals of checking the fence line for any furry invaders. He may not be able to see well but his nose appears to be working fine.

Life's Lessons

Patience is not my virtue! Last year at this time I was waiting for Trekker to grow enough to join our household. Time could not move fast enough. Now it seems hard to believe that we’ve only had him a year, he has weaved his way into all of our hearts and I can’t imagine not having him.

I have decide that this time of year comes only to teach me patience. IT’S NOT WORKING!!!! We are in limbo again. Will we be putting our house on the market and moving to Arizona or will we be staying? The control is out of my hands and is in the hands of the manager in the company my husband works for that I don’t know. He doesn’t seem to care that the limbo is killing me. In the meantime, we continue to prepare for both scenarios. Each day I expect the decision and each day we wait again.

On the positive note…we’re able to get outside and Shiloh is feeling pretty good. My two boys try to teach me to live in the moment. Will I ever learn?

New Discovery

Trekker here---I'm excited. I'm so excited. I found a rabbit and I chased that rabbit through the whole yard over and over again. I had to go faster than I've ever gone, I even passed Shiloh and Mom said she didn't know I was that fast. When Shiloh got tired and rested I kept going after the rabbit. I had him cornered when Mom called me for breakfast. What was I to do? I came running for a quick breakfast and then went right back out. That rabbit didn't wait for me! I checked the whole yard and couldn't find him. I finally know why Shiloh likes rabbit so much. No more am I going to only check the yard for Shiloh, I'm going rabbit hunting for me. Mom says next time she'll have the camera little more handy. Got to go there are rabbit to find!

Seeing Eye Dog

Trekker has found a new job at our house, seeing eye dog. The vet tells us that Shiloh’s sight is getting bad and Trekker seems to feel that it is his job to assist his best buddy.

Shiloh has always believed it is his job to keep our yard clear of squirrels and rabbits. Actually he’s done a good job, but over the past months he’s begun to miss some of the invaders. Trekker, on the other hand, has never cared whether they’re in the yard or not but was aware of Shiloh’s interest. As it became apparent to all of us that Shiloh couldn’t see the distant intruder, Trekker began to sound the alarm. Trekker spots the invader and runs for Shiloh. Shiloh becomes alert and Trekker leads him to squirrel or rabbit. Then other senses seem to kick in and Shiloh is on duty. With a job well done, Trekker heads off for more interesting adventures.

The dogs were kenneled while we were in Phoenix. I was told that while gone Trekker became very protective of his older charge and did not want Shiloh out of his sight. The only way to quiet him was to place Shiloh directly across from him so that he could stand guard.

Shiloh’s aging process is sad to watch and yet it’s gratifying to watch Trekker come into his own. He doesn’t herd livestock, but instead herds his buddy so that they both fulfill their destiny.

Assistance Given

Last summer we went through phase 1 of downsizing things out of our house. I waited for remorse over loosing long loved items and none came. I have enjoyed the freedom of more space. We are now into phase 2 and more things are going. Each weekend more rooms and closets are tackled also why the blogs are fewer and farther apart. This weekend it was the basement storage rooms. Shiloh, an old hand at jobs, finds a corner to lie in and settles in for a long nap. Occasionally he'll lift his head to make sure are progressing at a steady pace and once reassured goes back to sleep.

Trekker, on the other hand, feels that cleaning is a collaborative job. As a member of our family it was his job to help. His nose is into every nook and corner. We did not need a broom. Trekker found everything that had fallen under shelves over the years. He quickly discovered that if he ran with the item we would be right behind negotiating with food for the stolen item. Our trash pile grew and grew as we cleaned, but Trekker (the little helper that he is) took it upon himself to relocate much of that too. He felt the rec room sofa was a much more comfortable spot to check out his new treasures. When night fell I have never seen him so tired. He could barely lift his head. Or maybe it was such a full stomach for a smart negotiator.

Teacher in the Making

Mom told me to use education gargon to describe my teaching Shiloh to tunnel.

It's the called the gradual release of responsibility.

I started out doing all the work.
Here I'm demonstrating how to go into the tunnel.

See Shiloh watching.

Then I show him how to come out. Nothing to it.

I then encourage Shiloh to try it.

I use all sorts of positive reinforcements.

It looks like he might go in.

Look he's heading in.

Must be my strong use of modeling.

Oops.

He chickened out.

I'll continue to learn how to be a better teacher and try again.

I'll keep you informed on our progress. Trekker out.

Young and in Love

Trekker loves weekly Saturdaydog class. He likes the work and comradery with me , but more than that he likes the after class play. He is funny to watch. Trekker's favorite playmate is the pem corgi, they just race through the room . But his favorite dog is a Tallie, a Dalmation, he has a crush on. He follows her around like a lovestruck schoolboy. Check out his tail actoin when she's around.

Odd

What does a son get his father for a gift? A book of .... The creators of this book are dog owners who felt that something good should come out of their dog's po. So they created vignettes, took photographs and made them into a book (example above). I'm not sure who would be considered odder the creators, the son who bought the book or me who is telling you about the oddity.

Where's a Lawyer?

Shiloh here--I want a lawyer and I want to present the evidence.

Picture 1--Me minding my business
Picture 2--Being attacked by a snapping corgi. Look at those teeth coming at innocent me.
Picture 3--I'm a good dog and don't react. So what does the little rug rat do, but attack my head, nip, nip and pull, pull.
Picture 4--Then, THEN that little...goes around and starts nipping my heels to get me moving.

Does he not know I DON'T LIKE IT!!!This is old dog abuse and I want to sue!