Memorial Day weekend visit and BBQ

 

Selfie magic:  who has the longest arms?  Chandler, that's who!  From left to right, we have Chandler, his dad Arlo, who is my first cousin, myself, Lydia, and Laraine.  Laraine and Arlo are the parents of the two younger folk.  Would you believe I've lived in this house for 25 years, their family lives "just down the road" by Nebraska standards, and this is their first visit?

It was a spur of the moment thing.  Chandler now lives in my town, and will be getting married next year.  Lydia is working at a bank, and currently staying with her folks while saving up for her next step in life (home ownership).  Me?  Well, y'all know all about me.

Ember is not in the photo because she was getting hot and tired, so I tucked her into the house while we said our goodbyes and did photo documentation that the visit actually happened.  Amazingly, Ember was a very good girl, and just laid on the cool tile waiting for her Mommy.

They arrived about half an hour before Ember and I were set to embark for the BBQ.  And after they left, Ember walked to the car in the garage and jumped right into the back seat.  I buckled her in, got my stuff, and off we went.

How did the car sickness go?  Well, she didn't make it to my son's house without incident, but since we'd been light on feeding, it was not severe, and it cleaned up easily.  Son took Ember in hand and escorted her to the backyard to play.  Daughter in law carried the salad and such into the house.  I cleaned up.

Over the course of the gather, Ember had two "accidents" (one of each variety).  Fortunate:  on tile and on the deck.  Fortunate:  laid back dog parents, and plenty of them, to keep the dogs from spreading the issue while others did the cleanup.  Whew!  Different house, too many distractions.

The two dogs played well, the humans made sure they took appropriate breaks in play, and they both settled into their places in the pack.  I made sure that Ember did not get any human food, and hand fed her the kibble I brought for her, and scant amounts.  So that in the end, she made it home in the car without losing her supper!  Yay!

Ember approves of Carl's new bed.

Believe it or not, they both fit, but they didn't settle down when together, at least not until they wore themselves out.

Both dogs were fully supportive of the meat on the menu.  What you are seeing on the grill are "Russian Roulette sliders", meaning that the only two he kept track of which were where were the beef ones for his mother in law.  The rest of them were some mixture of elk meat, or beef mixed with elk.

I had one of the Russian Roulette sliders, and I think I got the elk.  It was delicious, with the smoky flavor.

Among my favorite captures:  all dogs love my son.  My worst fears of Ember wearing out or the two of them not knowing when to take a break evaporated.  With five people to dote on both of them, nobody got jealous, nobody was deprived.  And they both showed off for me.  Ember has been taught "What does a good girl do?" just as Carl remembers "What does a good boy do?"  These are mealtime specific cues, that indicate it's time to sit or lay down, be quiet, and wait your turn.  After the people are done eating, you will get something really great.

Another favorite:  the joy on my face as I am covered with dogs.  This one was captured by my daughter in law, out on the deck.

Notice I'm wearing shorts.  Bare legs.  No Ember bites yesterday.  Yay!

The scars and scabs from the entire time teaching about not using the toofies?  Were a bit alarming to Donna (son's mother in law) and to my son.  At the car as I was packing up to go, he pointed at my right arm and said "This has to stop."  I assured him that these were old, and that she is getting better.  

I'm learning better how to respond, and consequently, she's learning better how to get what she needs.  Happier mom and happier puppy.  As hard as all this disruption of the yard has been, we are working our way through it, with all the lessons we need to learn in the process.

The humans here, left to right:  Bob (Lacey's dad), Lacey, and Donna (Lacey's mom).  Neither Bob nor Donna had met Ember before, and I was glad she behaved well enough to make a good first impression.  They were supportive about not feeding her human food (it really helps with puppy rearing when all the humans are on board), and about reminding her to put the paws down.  But mostly Ember wanted to spend time with Carl.  The human adoration was gravy.

I called it quits before dessert was served, so it came home in a box with me.  We got out of there before Ember could melt down... it was a big day.  When we got home, she slumped onto the cool tile floor and stayed there the whole time I was unpacking things from the car and stowing them.  Not too much later, she did not object when I carried her to her den.

She did not have any interest in going out until midnight, although I gave her opportunities at about 7, 9, and 10:30 p.m. (guess who didn't sleep continuously and who did).  Midnight we went out and she peed, then wanted to come back in.  I am coming to trust her more than the clock.  She stayed out in the parlor and I stayed up with her until about 1 a.m., when I puppy carried her back to the den, and she stayed in until I got up and came downstairs after 5.

Longer walk this Sunday morning.  Took 3 tries to get the harness on, but Mommy did not bleed.  She got tired on this longer walk, and at one point on the farthest side, I needed to pick her up like a puppy and calm her down.  Once we turned the corner toward home (remember this was new territory to her), she was fine.

Back home, she settled in to nap, I had my breakfast, and now I'm ready to join the nap.  Wish me a longish one!

Life is good!  Spark on.