Thursday
My princess Ember, putting her head on my knee while watching Dog TV from the couch she has NOT yet destroyed (mainly due to Mommy's intervention with the X-Pen protection). There's something so peaceful about your dog trusting you and being your "heated and weighted blanket".
I have noticed lately that when Ember is getting a little over the top, I ask her "is it harness time"? She comes running. She loves to have her harness on. We don't always go somewhere when she has it on, but it carries that possibility or a walk, or a car ride. I'm pondering on "does that harness sort of act like a thunder shirt, calming her anxieties"?
Thursday was another day care day for Ember. And a trainer workout for me. After I got home and showered, I moved furniture around, vacuumed and washed the couch slipcover from the parlor (i.e. the couch she hasn't yet destroyed). I did poo patrol and collected the balls that had been tossed in the snow on Wednesday.
I did take time to observe some of the funeral service of Jimmy Carter. I didn't do as much housework as I might have ambition for, but, one day at a time. I did book Ember's Day care for next Tuesday and Thursday, though.
Friday morning
Friday things went unusually, to say the least. I woke after 4:30 a.m. I thought I heard a bit of whining from downstairs, so I got dressed in a hurry. I did things in a different order than normal because it is not usual for Ember to whine in the crate without having me or the cat in the vicinity. I figured it was a potty emergency, and I was right. Going to day care messes with her "schedule" a bit. I let her out, then got my hat and gloves on and followed. Sure enough when I caught up, she was taking care of business.
It was really too early to be up. I fed her early because that's about as close to a routine thing as we have. I left her outside for a quick trip upstairs to take my meds, then let her back in. She wanted to dismantle the couch in the parlor. I was having none of that, put her in the harness, and took her for a drive in the dark. I put her in the car while I went back inside to put the couch back together and the gate back up.
In the dark of 5-something I saw one neighbor out with their dog taking care of business, and one walker under the streetlights. We just circled one block, came back home, and I left her in the car long enough to dash down and feed the cat. When I brought her back into the house, I let her out into the back yard for a bit. Coming back in the house, I asked her to respect the gates. I gave her a beef kneecap to chew on and that helped to settle her down.
She polished that treat off, and we ended up back on the couch, better behaved this time. I put on the Dog TV, and she settled down to sleep on my knee, then transferred to on the couch, curled up. I left her there until nearly 7 a.m., then enticed her into her crate to finish her nap. I wasn't particularly hungry myself, so did not cook my oatmeal.
Anyway, we are on to Friday, now!
Choose to live your own life! Spark on!\
Happy Friday! 🤗💖
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday... we got really lucky with a mild and sunny afternoon, 34 degrees felt downright warm to me. Sunrise is starting to creep earlier now, which makes me happy! It was 7:50 starting yesterday, after having been 7:51 for ten days or so.
DeleteAwwwww, Ember obviously adores you!!! What a sweet picture.
ReplyDeleteWell, sounds like all in all a pretty good day in Emberville. Yeah.
Hugs and here’s to a good Friday.
Barb
1cd
We adore one another. She still gets scared and freaks out at times, which is a very puppy thing to do. I'm getting better at not escalating when she does. She had one of those scary (to me) freak outs today when I was trying to toss the rubber balls closer to the house, and she jumped for my coat hood. Ripped it pretty good, but I stood my ground, and we gradually got me across the patio, up the deck stairs and inside. She calmed down, I praised her for that, and we went on with our day.
DeleteWe practiced going out the front door, down the steps, and back up the steps, on leash this afternoon. I'm still not ready to take her on a full neighborhood leash walk, until we get a few of these manners worked out.
Oh, so good that Miss Ember woke you with her emergency ... and that even though it was a 'different' morning due to early wake up that things went well. It's interesting how Ember's coat color changes with the light-source. Seems as though the expense of the daycare days are worth it, as she enjoys them while working off energy and socializing with other pups; you then free to have time off from you 'teenager' and do things enjoyable and mundane without the stress of possible behavior.
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!!
The late afternoon Friday was super sweet with Ember leaning into me on the couch, and me petting her, letting all the cares of the world melt away. I love that "variable color" coat. There are times I swear she's a "black lab" but then the light changes and the ash tips show up her gray!
DeleteThat sounds like a lovely and relaxing time with Ember! It's wonderful that she trusts you so much and enjoys your company.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, the harness probably does have a calming effect on her, similar to a thunder shirt. The routine and the anticipation of a possible adventure can be very reassuring for dogs.
It sounds like you're doing a great job with Ember's training and providing her with a loving and stimulating environment. I especially appreciate your efforts to redirect her chewing and find alternative activities.
The photo of Ember on the deck is beautiful! She looks so content and observant.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend! (((BIG HUGS)))
It's clear from your comments that Scooter is one lucky dog to have you in his life! My world this past year has been consumed with raising Ember, thus the "Emberville Daily news" taking over the "Little Old Lady in Training" theme.
DeleteYup, Ember seems to be doing better (or you have been trained better too - LOL) and much more cuddle time too. She is looking so beautiful in her classic pose. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteTraining a dog really is a two-way street. As you understand one another better, things get smoother, especially when judgement is tempered with love and grace.
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