Monday morning, about 9 a.m. pinned to the couch by Ember's sleeping head. I ended up apologizing to her because I needed to go upstairs and take a shower. I needed to do that because she was already whimpering when I got up, so I had deferred the shower to get up and let her outside.
Well, that was about 5:15 a.m. The underground sprinklers were not done running yet. I loved watching her explore them in her own back yard and not freaking out. I swear, every bit of progress in her maturing and training makes me more in love with my dog. I cherish the puppy pictures from "1 year ago" that are popping up in my FB memories, but I'm so relieved those days are behind us!
Link to Ember practicing her retrieve with a sand-filled hunting dummy.
I apologize in advance for the shifting orientation on the video above. I had the camera propped, then I picked it up to capture the retrieve, and it saved the whole thing in portrait mode. Consider it part of my videographer education.
Ember, chilling on the deck, Sunday afternoon, May 4th.
Tuesday I got to my trainer appointment. Yay! Ember got to her day care.
Wednesday Ember and I went around 1.3 miles in the morning, and we joined Frank for the puppy parade at 4:30 p.m. Ember entered the crate for her "until last call" time without my prompting.
The woodpecker damage repairs have now been rescheduled four, count 'em, four times! Current appointment is for May 12th, next Monday!
The day care days have floated around because of this.
Meantime, Scott is still nursing his shoulder, so he took the week off. I have continued to do "dummy fetch" games with Ember. She weighed in at 87 pounds Friday morning at day care. I do not know what her optimal weight would be, but she's been sort of maintaining in the mid-80's for three weeks now, so I'm thinking this is what her current diet supports. I am down to the last can of wet food in the pantry, and in between the last can and this one, I put in a couple days where both meals were kibble. But I have increased the treats a bit, too. Conditioning continues!
I found myself on a Friday that felt like a Monday, deciding to tackle loading Brenda Starr Trek into the back hatch of Dexter. It was a challenge, but I managed.
Brenda (the bike I rode in my first triathlon) is now on her way to a new life with hopefully someone who needs and will love her as I did, by way of The Bike Kitchen that takes in used bikes and donates them to children in need.
I felt kind of emotional, letting her go. I haven't ridden in probably over five years, though, so it's time to let the bikes go on to another life.
Which I anticipate will be good. Because Life is Good. Spark on!
Sounds like all is well with you and Miss Ember, and as she's maturing you're both hitting your stride with each other.
ReplyDeleteDang, the rescheduling of the woodpecker repairs!!! That would be an annoyance ... feeling tethered to the phone until it happens.
It is hard getting rid of things we have loved but will no longer use. The memories attached...the good thing is, although we age and give up some things, we find others to take their place and keep us engaged and fulfilled. :)
Happy Friday!
Yes, finding those new to us things is one of the joys of "later in life"! Happy Friday to you as well, and a good weekend to come!
DeleteOh my. Yes, this week has been definitely a whirlwind for us here, too. Dr. appts. for Jason post hospitalization (2 of them), 2 PT and 2 OT visits during the week, and 2 visits from a Home Health Nurse. I am ready for a no appointment day. Lots to catch up on!
ReplyDeleteAwwww, nothing as sweet as a sleeping Ember. Such a beautiful girl.
Hope you have a relaxing weekend.
hugs
barb
1cd
Those appointments can eat up your week in a great hurry! A no appointment day sometimes results in the highest priority being a nap!
DeleteNice video. Follows directions like a champ. Just think of all the money saved had you only started with sticks instead of toys. 😉
ReplyDeleteKudos for donating the bike. Every kid needs a bike. It's a childhood rite of passage. Good luck with the woodpeckers!
Happy weekend!! 🤗💖
LOL! I mostly used sticks with Carl, when he was a puppy, but I only had him one day a week. I thought about writing the bicycle version of "Black Beauty" for Brenda's adventures...
DeleteI sure need that luck for the woodpeckers. Persistent little buggars! So are the carpenter bees... which have Ember fascinated at the moment.
Nice that you donated the bike that provided you with so many happy memories. So many kids go without bikes, and with Mr T's tariffs, it's less likely some folks will be able to afford them for their children.
ReplyDeleteGood point. And she's a good bike, deserving of being used by someone!
DeletePHOENIX1949
DeleteAs I watched the video the song "me and Mrs. Jones we have a thing going on" became a new version for you "me and Miss Emma have a thing going on".
Susan
Wow, good girl on the retrieve! She IS shaping up. I sigh in relief for you that the puppy days are winding down.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I know I worried a few of y'all with my blogs during her first months with me! Between the intensity and my literary license...
DeleteThey do grow up so fast!
I know what you mean about the bike. We let ours go a few years back because we just were not riding them nor enjoying the ride when we did go. I know they went to a good home but I did miss them for a time. Ember is doing so good and I can see all the progress with every blog post. Have a wonderful weekend and hopefully that work will get done on the 12th.
ReplyDeleteThere's a twinge of nostalgia when "letting go" for sure. After a good sleep, though, the twinge turns to happy memories and the hope of more of the same for someone else.
Delete