Chaos reigns around here as the pups take over life day to day. I've been reveling in early morning strolls around the backyard muttering, "hurry up!" and waiting for two pees and two poops. And that is just self defense. If I’m not patient, they don't learn to potty outside and I have to clean it up inside.
If you missed my post about getting two dogs last month, you can read that HERE.
To be honest, the time wandering around my own backyard, watching the finches at the feeder and the puppy chase butterflies has been good for my soul. I’m in the middle of a couple big projects, one is personal and the other is a course, and the pups have the ability to remind me that taking a moment to relax is important. (And they do that by the pee pee on the floor reminder… I didn’t pay attention and the puppy couldn’t hold it any longer.)
Beau’s metamorphosis continues. He is barking more now. I think this might be a good sign. He was so scared of everything when he first got here that he didn’t bark, growl, or whimper at all even though he was clearly scared of just about everything. He is still not cool with the dark but little by little will venture out at dusk. The other triumph yesterday was a walk of over a mile on a leash in the neighborhood. This is a stretch and we go when the neighborhood is very quiet. But he clearly enjoyed sniffing everything and he walked on grass and dirt in addition to pavement! Way to go Beau!
Sal thinks this tapestry needs to come off the loom now!
There are new stories every day with these two, but last weekend Sal felt it necessary to assist me with one of the sample tapestries for a workshop I’m teaching in Taos this fall. I have not been able to let the dogs in the studio because they love yarn! Beau found a ball of yarn behind a basket in the living room last night and came prancing out with it in his mouth, disappearing into his crate to enjoy it. He was not amused when I traded the yarn for a dog chew.
We’ve had some adventures including a few long drives and a hike in the woods. Mostly they were carried as Beau is pretty afraid but confident when being carried and Sal doesn’t have her parvo vaccine yet. But they seemed to enjoy the outing.
CSU’s veterinary teaching hospital in Fort Collins, CO
We had another outing to this place. One of the very best veterinary teaching hospitals in the nation is just a couple miles from our house and apparently Sal wanted to make sure I got to see the inside of it. She had some weird respiratory event on Sunday, but was fine by the time we got to the hospital. She got lots of treats so I’m hoping this doesn’t become a habit.
Another day I was sitting on the deck and Beau kept looking at me with concern and then looking to his left at the window well. Lassie was trying to tell me that Sal had fallen into the 4 foot deep window well while they were playing and maybe I would do something about that? She seemed a little confused as to why she couldn’t get herself out of this predicament, but she also seemed unhurt. That incident did not require a trip to the hospital.
As we all learn to build routines, learn basic skills, and let go of fear, we’re having a good time most days. Beau has found a new spot to sleep and seemed quite pleased with himself when I couldn’t find him!
And Sal is less of a wallflower and more of a “I’d like to be involved” kind of gal. Besides helping with the weaving, she also likes to assist with anything involving a computer. Her nose can operate a track pad and a smartphone, so watch out world!
Sal helping with the computer.
Conquering the world one day at a time… I’ll take the chaos and the backyard musing any day.
Sal is ready to take on the world and she is going to bring her friend Beau along with her every step of the way.