Negative Zero

Yes it is cold...and the first thing everyone comments on when I see them. My own little doggies continue to shiver in the kitchen, even though they have heated dog beds and a space heater. I don't mind the cold so much when I am outside walking a dog. I took a little Cairn out this morning, and he relieved himself in record time!

Yesterday I took Henry out for a short walk and played with him inside. I picked up Heidi & Wyatt and brought them to a nice little area to run. There is a pond there, and even though I am sure it is frozen solid...I don't want to go on any ice alone. Heidi wanted to go right out, but I don't want her on the news with the fire department rescuing her. Wyatt recently got quite a haircut, but the cold does not seem to bother him. I headed over to Tucker's house and he greeted me in an argyle sweater...all he needs now is a pipe. Tucker enthusiastically zipped around his yard retrieving the ball, and seemed disappointed when it was time to go in.

Today the temperature gauge in my van said it was -2 degrees out. I wear two coats and a lot of chapstick. It is always in January that I start thinking about whether or not I want to always live here in New England, but every year I stay.

It's Already Wednesday?

Monday was a very busy day. I had all my usual Middays, met a new customer, and started with two new dogs.

Henry slipped on his front steps and bonked his chin on the ice. He seemed ok, but later was limping. Henry seems lonely to me, and I suggested to his owners that he may be happier in a doggy play group. I will feel very sad to lose Henry as I have been visiting him since he was little, but I want him to enjoy his life. So I may not have Henry as a daily much longer.

I met another very nice customer with 3 cats and a fish tank. She seemed sheepish about asking if she can call me while she was away. I always tell new customers that they can call me anytime or I will call them if they like. After all I would want to know things like, did the pet sitter get in, are my pets OK, etc..

Tucker rushed the glass door at me as usual, but he took a little longer to settle and let me in. I wonder how his eye sight is, but then again he can really nab the ball when I chuck it across the yard. This dog could go on and on retrieving the ball. I threw it straight up a few times and he leaps straight up to get it!

I brought Wyatt over to Montana's house just for the ride. Montana was unusually rough last Friday. I took him out without a Frisbee in hopes that he would relieve himself before playing, but he foiled my plan. Montana just kind of harasses me to play with him no matter what I do. I walked around with my hands in my pockets, as he leaped around me.

After I brought Montana in, I walked Wyatt around the yard. Wyatt bursts from the back of my van, and after a long struggle I clip him to my lead. He bounded around the new yard, bull dozing his mustache through the snow and looking up at me as if to say, "This is GREAT! Have you smelled this yard?!" I am hoping that Wyatt & Montana will get used to each other's scents, and one day they can play together.

My last call was for 2 very sweet Shih Tzus, Jake & Carter. They live on the second floor of a very pleasant apartment building. When I entered the apartment, the pups bounced off the couch and wiggled up to the door. They already had their harnesses on, so out we went. Now the Shih Tzu is not always a friendly dog, so these two were a very fun surprise. We picked out way around the snow & ice until they were shivering, and Carter's paws were freezing. I carried them back in. I am looking forward to visiting them again!

Yesterday was much more manageable as Henry & Montana cancelled, so all I had to do was Heidi & Wyatt. Heidi & Wyatt play together so it can't get any easier! I picked up Heidi first and headed up to Wyatt's house. Wyatt's "nanny" let him out as we pulled in, and he bounced into the van. I took them both for a nice walk in the snow. Heidi can go off leash, but Wyatt has to be leashed. I skipped using the Gentle Leader, so I went for a jerk-walk as he can really hit the end of the Flexi hard. I am always sorry when I skip using the head collar! Even though Wyatt can be a handful, I think he would make a great obedience dog with the right trainer. I might suggest the remote collar to Wyatt's owners.

Today I have the 4 regulars at Midday; Henry, Montana, Wyatt & Heidi.

The Midday Crew

Henry is a big floppy Bassett Hound puppy, about 8 months old now. Henry likes to lounge. He likes belly rubs. He likes to eat...and that's about it! Taking him for a walk is like being an Olympic coach, "C'mon Henry let's go! C'mon you can DO IT!"

Duke is a huge 7 year old Rottie/Shepherd cross that lives in an apartment. He is gentle, and needs encouragement to leave the bed. He is very devoted to his owner and seems to want to stay home in case she returns. Once we are outside he enjoys poking around the woods. He is a very strong dog, and if he sees a squirrel - I will suddenly look like Gilligan holding a palm tree in an island hurricane.

Heidi is a very sweet 5 year old Golden. She is just the perfect dog for anyone. She is very obedient and loves to get in the van to go for a run. She stays with me off leash and comes when called. I wish my own dogs were as saintly!

Wyatt is an exuberant 2 year old Bouvier. He has deep brown intelligent eyes and deep down he really wants to please. He is loaded with energy and a love of life. He is a big dog that can run by me and jump as high as my head. He will cooperate for most commands for a cookie. He means well, but he is like a bull in a china shop and I always walk him with a Gentle Leader as he easily out powers me.

Montana is a young male black lab. He's full of love and eager to please (so unlike a lab!) He is a beautiful dog with shiny blue-black fur, dark eyes and a blocky head. He is obsessed with the frisbee and cookies. His family just welcomed a baby so we will see how he adapts.

Tucker is a rescued Belgian Malinois. He is just not sure what is what in his world. He lived in a foster home before my client adopted him a month or so ago. Tucker can really charge the glass door when I arrive, barking with his teeth flashing. When I open the door and talk to him, he stops suddenly and crouches to the floor with his eyes wide. He races out the back door and chases balls like a machine.