Sunday adventures with kitty and puppy

The morning started well.  Mommy fed the cat first, before even getting the puppy out to "take care of business".  I think this was an element in a smoother morning routine.  The kitty was content, so not asking to come in while the puppy needed to get out.  

The puppy got her breakfast and some play time before going back into the safe space for Mommy to cook and have her own breakfast.

We are gradually getting better about "off" and "let go" (in lieu of "drop it").  Mom did have to scruff remove the puppy from behind the A/C unit once this morning (and once this afternoon, too), but then she behaved once distracted.  We're far from perfect, but we're doing OK.

Ember:  The bunny is my favorite comfort toy.  Mommy even put him in the sling backseat while we drove to puppy class Sunday morning.  Mommy 'splained to me about how the driver needs to pay attention, so the puppy has to stay in the backseat.

And she did!  After the engine started and we started to move, a few little whimpers, then she pretty much laid down and chill for the short drive to puppy class.  No upset tummy, at least not to the point of upchuck.  The current plan is to take some shorter car trips to hopefully get her adjusted.  Her sister Paisley doesn't have the tummy troubles, and is in the car a lot, per her hu-mom.  She's even been on a couple of trips back to their birthplace (about a 3-hour drive each way).

Puppy class had only two puppies this week.  Ember and Paisley.  Consequently, they got a lot more individual attention for the instruction.  They also got extra puppy play time.  Puppy Play time was particularly boisterous, with just the two of them.  We had to calm them down a couple of times in their rough and tumble play.

Once again, the poo schedule was not ideal. Ember went when she got up before breakfast at about 5:30 a.m. and then did not poo again until almost the end of the puppy class.  Yeah, almost.

I tried to get her to go before we went to class, but nope.  I tried to get her to go mid-class when they offered a potty break.  No dice.  And finally, just as we're supposed to have mat calming time... sigh.  

Home again, she was definitely ready for a long puppy nap.  Bunny is now the favorite calming toy, going in the den as well as in the car with her.

Plenty of fresh water puddling during Saturday afternoon's rain.  Ember loves rainwater, in preference to tap water, when she can get it.

An online friend pointed out that leptospirosis is carried through water sourced outside.  Yeah, that's why she's being vaccinated for it.  Because there are enough things to keep her away from!

When Ember got up from her nap she played some, but still seemed tired.  Puppy Class certainly exercises both puppy brain and body.  They had the tunnel out today and the ball pit.  They pretty much combined play time with the stations.  

When not napping this afternoon, Ember followed mommy around, and mostly found a spot in whatever room Mommy was in to curl up on the cat tree or lay on the floor.    

While Mommy was cooking her lunch, Ember tried a small bit of broccoli, first a raw bit, and then a bit after it cooked.  She liked it better (or was better able to manipulate it for eating) once it was cooked.  We also tried a "licki mat" with a bit of ricotta smeared on it.  She really liked that.  There were also two blueberries reserved from Mom's breakfast for Ember.  Little by little we are testing what "safe" human foods she like and seeing if her tummy tolerates them.  

The thunder and heavy rain descended, flooding the backyard again. But before the big deluge, Ember went to the front door, and gave signs that it would be a good idea to let her out.  We put on her "big girl" leash as we do when exiting through the front door.  She pulled toward the grass at once. She relieved herself to great praise and joy from me, especially for asking to go out.  Rain started with big drops while we were scanning for a poo spot, so we hurried inside.  

Later during a break in the showers, we went out to see the stream in the backyard, and it started raining again, so we hurried back in again.  I think it's me driving the "lets go back inside" rather than her, but I may be inadvertently training her to dislike rain.

But also she loves her "paw check" towel!  

I kept giving her treats just for being a calm girl, and eventually she was sleeping at my feet, and I offered to put bunny in the den, and she just followed right on in, where she's sleeping now, and I'm finishing up the blog of the day!

I'm going to call this a good day, with The Prisoner safe in his luxury suite in the laundry room, Ember sleeping in the crate, and me with my supper in the oven.

Life is good.  Spark on!