My sister and I took Tug to our favorite paw park this weekend. It's deadly hot outside so we only planned to stay a little while. There's a word for dogs with smushed noses as it means they're more affected by heat and cold than other dogs due to breathing issues.
We've always stayed in the small dog section as it was plenty big for him and lots of shade and benches for us to sit on...but the July Boston group was held in the large section- with big dogs and lots of people (including the smaller sized hyper versions). So, we decided to take him into that bigger section again to see what would happen. We sat at a bench in the shade near the small dog section and Tug raced around like a lunatic. He didn't go far but he was sprinting back and forth. He ran up to greet every dog that came by and even the smaller sized people (he doesn't know many of them so he's always hesitant). We finally had to lure him to sit with us so he could stop panting. We left in less than half the time we normally spend but it's horribly hot in the summer. Mama's been sick and hasn't been able to take him on walks. I have bad knees and when I take him on walks they hurt something fierce so I haven't walked him, either. He had a little cabin fever.
We now take ice cubes in the car when we go somewhere. He doesn't seem to want to drink at the parks but he needs hydrating and cooling so the ice works great. He licks it and then crunches it when it gets small enough. Why we never thought of that sooner is beyond me!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Sunday, July 23, 2006
The Great Escape
When Tug sees me pick up my lunchbag, water jug and purse he doesn't even accompany me to the door anymore. If it's just my purse, though, he's hoping to go along. I seriously doubt he understands the concept of leaving for work versus errands but he knows the paraphenalia means different things.
Last week Mama wasn't feeling well and, as I was leaving for work, saw one of our neighbors and asked me to tell him something for her. I was at the bottom of the stairs talking to him when I realized Mama was standing in the condo doorway upstairs to add a word or two. Suddenly, a little black streak crosses the cat walk and barrels down the stairs towards me (and our neighbor whom Tug likes). I drop the lunch bag, water jug, purse and keys to grab Tug and take him back up the stairs to Mama.
He's never tried to run out before (though he has tried to get out of the door to jump up and greet us as we enter). Tug goes "au natural" in the house- no collar with tags. So, if the little nudist had gotten past me on the stairs and not stayed to be petted we would have had a serious incident on our hands. It's just a sign of how badly Mama felt that she didn't pull the door to behind her. (Also, she wasn't properly dressed as she was sick so she didn't want to appear in front of our neighbor.)
Last week Mama wasn't feeling well and, as I was leaving for work, saw one of our neighbors and asked me to tell him something for her. I was at the bottom of the stairs talking to him when I realized Mama was standing in the condo doorway upstairs to add a word or two. Suddenly, a little black streak crosses the cat walk and barrels down the stairs towards me (and our neighbor whom Tug likes). I drop the lunch bag, water jug, purse and keys to grab Tug and take him back up the stairs to Mama.
He's never tried to run out before (though he has tried to get out of the door to jump up and greet us as we enter). Tug goes "au natural" in the house- no collar with tags. So, if the little nudist had gotten past me on the stairs and not stayed to be petted we would have had a serious incident on our hands. It's just a sign of how badly Mama felt that she didn't pull the door to behind her. (Also, she wasn't properly dressed as she was sick so she didn't want to appear in front of our neighbor.)
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Tug, the graduate
I wouldn't say the obedience classes were a complete success but he's done pretty well. We're going to continue working on some of the things we learned but I think the "stand" has to go...he still gets confused and his little butt just sits on the ground while he tries to determine if he should be in "sit" or "lie down" mode...
Mama isn't feeling good and wasn't well enough to accompany us to the last lesson. I took Tug in my car which is a real rarity since I'm a little allergic to him. He enjoyed sniffing the backseat on the way to class since my car smells different than Mama's- primarily because I eat in mine so there's lots more food aromas.
It was definitely a good thing that we'd gone together this whole time since it's hard to lure a BT into a position while holding the leash, treat bag and treat. I needed another hand to make it run smoothly and he barked a few times when he had to wait too long (in his opinion) for his treat. I'm glad the class is over and I don't think we're going on to the next level- primarily because he doesn't have this stuff down yet.
Mama isn't feeling good and wasn't well enough to accompany us to the last lesson. I took Tug in my car which is a real rarity since I'm a little allergic to him. He enjoyed sniffing the backseat on the way to class since my car smells different than Mama's- primarily because I eat in mine so there's lots more food aromas.
It was definitely a good thing that we'd gone together this whole time since it's hard to lure a BT into a position while holding the leash, treat bag and treat. I needed another hand to make it run smoothly and he barked a few times when he had to wait too long (in his opinion) for his treat. I'm glad the class is over and I don't think we're going on to the next level- primarily because he doesn't have this stuff down yet.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Another "in poor taste" entry
Late last week poor little Tug had a loud and grumbly tummy. It sounded like he was either about to have an alien bust from inside or a serious "blow out." Unfortunately, Mama and I were rushing around to get something done before I left for work. His rumbling sounds only made it more urgent to finish so Mama could get him down the stairs and outdoors- we couldn't image his "papers" being able to handle what we expected. (He's a very good boy and uses his "papers" in the house when he hasn't gone out for a walk.)
Poor Tug was put into his living room crate while we ran around and, even when we both were out of sight in my room, he never barked- but his stomach kept grumbling. We finished and Mama lets him out, snaps on the collar and leash and heads towards the door- Tug leading her! He wanted out of there quickly!
Happy ending: it was just a lot of gas and the baby was just fine after his walk.
Poor Tug was put into his living room crate while we ran around and, even when we both were out of sight in my room, he never barked- but his stomach kept grumbling. We finished and Mama lets him out, snaps on the collar and leash and heads towards the door- Tug leading her! He wanted out of there quickly!
Happy ending: it was just a lot of gas and the baby was just fine after his walk.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Happy Fourth of July from an American Original
Bostons are very patriotic!
Have a safe and happy
holiday!
