First paddle of the season plus Ember's working dog photo op

Ember stayed home in her den while her mommy went out on the water for the first time this season.

The wind was gusty and from the Northwest.  They have new boats at the rental place I use.  These are "sit on" kayaks, with nice seats, where you are pretty much upright.  They do not perform like the sit-in kayaks I have been using the past couple of years.  

 

I parked about half a mile away because of the busy baseball fields, and walked.  Turns out I only paddled about half a mile.  The map tells the tale.  I paddled a workout, for sure, but didn't get anywhere, much.  I took the above photo and the waves turned me completely around while I did.

Anyway, I opted out of the lunch they were providing, to get home to my little one.  She was still sleepy when I let her out, but she went out to do her business, then settled down on the leather couch to continue napping.  She has become conditioned to about 3 hours of crate time in the morning, because that's what I do... put her "away" while I go to the trainer, the grocery, etc.

The Prisoner is credited with waking Ember.  He wanted to come in, and got as far as the door to the stairs, and hesitated there long enough for Ember to notice.  When she started coming toward him, he finally darted through, and I shut the door.

But then Ember was in need of a distraction.  She went to the front door so I suggested a "big girl walk", and she did not break the skin resisting the harness and leash.

Have I mentioned it's a warm and sunny day?

We went around the neighborhood.  I vary the direction and path when I take her out.  About a block from home, on the way back, she found this HUGE stick, which she insisted on bringing home.  But it was almost as big as she is, and it's hot in a dark fur coat.  I had to help her the last half a yard, and when she was distracted, toss the stick over the fence.  Don't tell her, but I'm going to try to get it into the trash before she goes into the back yard again.

It reminded me of nothing so much as an old clip from a children's show (can't remember which one)... but it had a catchy tune with the lyrics "I'm a dog, I'm a working dog, I'm a hard working dog!"

Sunday morning update

We had a peaceful overnight with no accidents in or outside the "den", with one potty break about 12:30 a.m.  The morning started between 4:30 and 5 a.m. with Mommy moving the laundry hamper down to the laundry room, and taking care of the kitty's needs.  Then Ember went out, and was fed her breakfast.  

We've had indoor playtime for the most part.  The weather is starting in.  It is going to be a rainy day.  We got some very small hail as the front moved through.  Ember had some zoomies, racing around the backyard in the rain, but decided she'd come in after just one circuit.

That is hail, Ember.  Yes, something new to jumble your puppy little world.

Paw check time!  But somebody skipped it, and then picked an issue with her mommy over mommy's breakfast peace.  Somebody lost the battle and was put in time-out while mommy cleaned the floor (well, sort of cleaned).

After a while, mommy let her out to get her harness on and go on a big girl leash walk.  Oh, what a challenge on a rainy day when every dog keeper is trying to get their fur-friends out during breaks in the weather!

Anyway, we went a little further than our normal "round the block" partly due to detouring around other canines.  But down in the park, Ember decided she wanted to play with the poo bag I was carrying (full of her own poo, mind you).  Anyway, the toothies came out, mom had to grab the scruff, and resorted to tossing the poo bag a few feet ahead to distract the puppy while we got her calmed down and under control.  We turned for home at that point and still had to negotiate around Husker and Gucci, Chad's two dogs, coming out of their house for walkies, then the grandchild from the house across the street from them (toddler age), and the attraction of Barnaby and Bill out for their morning constitutional.

We got home in one piece (me) and without being carried (Ember)!  Whew!

Now it's a little under half an hour from time to leave for puppy class, and I have an already tired puppy, napping on the couch.  Sigh.  This could go badly, but we're already committed.  And at least this morning, Ember has done her business in advance!  

To be continued, of course!

Life is good, here in Emberville!  Spark on!