Plans versus actuals

 

This is one that could have been predicted:  I got out the hose and filled the kiddie pool while Ember was finishing one of her puppy naps.

Then I let her out to go explore.  Her focus immediately went not to the pool, but to the hose.  The game we ended up playing was "tug" with the bullet hose.  We shall find out tomorrow if she broke it.  I don't know how many who read here already use a bullet hose, but you've probably seen the commercials where it shrinks when you turn the water off?

Well, that feature results in the hose "pulling back" when puppy grabs hold of it.  An automatic tug buddy!  We did a number of remote "surprises" with turning the water on or off in the process of getting to the hose being put away.

In the process, the puppy got hosed off.  A hosed off puppy is also cooled down!  We soaked three towels (and mommy, and puppy) and mommy laughed a lot!  And it exercised the puppy enough to take care of her business outside, although the poo ended up on the deck.  I'll take it.  Easy to find and easy cleanup!

I would call Saturday a bonding day.  Ember has taken over the wingback chair that was The Prisoner's.  Before it was the Prisoner's, 13 years ago, it had been Diamond's chair.  Hard to argue with inheritance rules where pet's chairs are concerned.  But Ember only knew it as "Mommy's chair" so wanting to sleep in it is a sign of trust in Mommy.  At least that's how I shall interpret it.  I slide into the chair and shift her onto my lap, or onto the floor next to me if I need to sit there.  But when she's so totally peaceful...?

For our afternoon snack, Ember got about half a slice of apple (no core or seeds) and about 1/4 ounce of Mozzarella cheese.  Mommy got the rest of the apple and about an ounce of the cheese, plus her biocoffee.

Bunny finished air drying and Ember welcomed him back.  Mommy thinks maybe an evening walk, to avoid the heat of the afternoon, to round out our day!

Happy Mother's Day Sunday

My mother-of-a-puppy day began sleep deprived.  I tried a new strategy... if she doesn't poo on her outing, stay up with her, uncrated until she indicates ready to go out and does the deed.  Then she went nicely.  And I thought I could set my alarm for a few hours later, and I'd catch her in time.  WRONG.  Third night in a row waking at 3 something to a befouled crate.  And each time this happens it takes more effort to rehabilitate the crate (to the puppy) as a safe place to chill.

Sigh.  So, more time out of the crate, which is fine when she has a high energy absorbing morning but will not fly for times when I go to the gym or to a medical appointment.  Overnight?  It's not working NOW.  So... creative solutions are in order.  I still have portions of the house blocked off to her.  Doors are a wonderful thing!

Puppy Preschool:  Ember's litter mate did not come this morning, which resulted in a better class for her.  She excelled at her commands, but not so much at walking on leash in the distracting environment.  She was just a bit too big and rambunctious for the two much younger puppies who were in class with her, and "calm down" methods were used.  The second episode of puppy play time, I just kept her chilling on her mat, as she was content to do so.

After class, the Little One collapsed in a cooling pose by the dining room table.  She stayed there as I dealt with the laundry from cleanup this morning, cooked my breakfast and even when I headed upstairs to bring a laptop down to the family for the first time since I removed the laptop from the dining room table due to a power cord interest, in an earlier phase of puppy proofing.

Speaking of Diamond, in this photo she hag found a nest with a baby bunny in it.  She did not attack, she just froze on it, like the pointer she was.

We have been promised a visit from Carl this afternoon.  I hope we figure that part of the equation out, too.  Meantime, I think I need a nap!

Life is good!  Spark on!