Not much new

Howdy blogaroos. Squirmy here on a super Sunday! Guests have not yet arrived- but cleaning continues in full swing. I don’t know if you can tell, but I’m holding a vacuum attachment in the photo. I stole it. And I was pretty proud of myself doing laps around the dining room table as the Warden repeatedly instructed me to “drop it.” I wouldn’t. I ran and ran. Then she firmly (in her totally exasperated voice) said “SIT!” So I did. And she grabbed the brushy thing immediately after she snapped the photo. Honestly- I was just trying to help!

Not much new around here other than vacuuming and lawn mowing. Yawn. I did go to class on Friday and I was positively mediocre. Again. Now I wasn’t BAD with my recalls and my heelwork. But I now have decided that during sit or down stay practice, that I really should try to get to know the other dogs in my class. I mean up until now, I stayed in my place. Like I’m apparently supposed to. But on Friday, I was feeling a bit bored, so I got up and wandered over to see my buddy Ranger. Ever want to see the Warden move quickly? Break your stay. It’s not like I was mean or growly or pushy – I simply wanted to say “hey – what’s waggin?” But noooooo. Socializing is not in the “rules.” I get it. Maybe. Ranger didn’t care. He’s a well behaved dog. A VERY well behaved dog. He stayed in place. I think he rolled his eyes at me and continued to look at his human. He couldn’t be tempted by the shaggy distraction next to him. He stayed. But I was quickly returned to my spot. I think we need to look at my whole breaking stays thing as a way to HELP my classmates. Distraction dog. That will be my new role. Up until now, I’ve been PRETTY good with my stays. WELL- at least I stayed in place – I may not have always stayed in the desired position (like doing a down when you’re supposed to sit), but I never went wandering. The Warden says just when you THINK I’ve learned one thing, another thing she THOUGHT I knew, goes to pot. Hello? It’s called intermittent reinforcement. HOW many times do I have to tell her that?’ Talk about a challenge to train!

Here’s a funny story I found in the news. TOTALLY sounds like something that could happen in our house:

https://people.com/human-interest/couple-gets-8-from-oregon-lottery-after-dogs-ate-winning-ticket/

Imagine if the ticket had been for like a million dollars. And imagine if they couldn’t put it all back together. That would happen in our house. For sure. That’s why the Warden doesn’t buy tickets.

OK. Time for walks. I’m going to look at the sunflower on our road. It’s at the end of a neighbor’s driveway. All by itself. Looking perky and sunny and happy. The Warden and I saw it yesterday. She thought it was fake- but it’s not. I wasn’t allowed to get too close – for fear I would attempt to “water” it. Wouldn’t THAT just ruin the scenario?’

Anyway – I hope your day is full of sunny moments!

Have a good one, Peace and paws up. Stay safe.