Sunny Sunday

In spite of forecasts for more rain and thunder, we've had a lovely, sunny, cool day--it's only 73 right now.

The Ts are so funny. They just love having Mom-Alone Time, and then they get all snotty and prance around--I can practically hear them saying, "Nyahnyahnyah, Mom loves me best!" So since they both got Mom-Alone Time today, they're both swaggering around here.

Timber is so easy to walk. He saw the geese and goslings on the pond at work and watched very attentively, but didn't bark. He's very responsive to voice cues, like "Other way!" (translation: don't wrap yourself around that sign post, please), "This way, please!" (We are not going to go investigate that pile of trash), "Wait" (don't go charging across the road without me). I used to use "come back" with Stella, which I used when she was on the flexi and I thought she needed to be closer to me, kind an informal "come." Timber doesn't know "come back" in that sense, but if I call his name in a certain tone he'll turn around and come back to me. I try to practice when there's no one around--call him in, then let him go (he's not interested in food when he's out on leash, or I'd treat and release--in this case, the reward for coming is being released to go out again)--to get him in the habit of coming back even if something interesting is going on. He's such a good boy.

I took Taenzer when I went to do the cats that have a fenced yard. Her attention wasn't exactly stellar, but the poor dog doesn't get out enough, and once she'd investigated the yard, we ran through her repertoire--come, heel, swing, spin, twirl, circle, weave, touch, paw, sit, down (both with implied "stays"--I've never taught her a separate stay cue). We did some off-lead heeling, and she didn't do too badly, considering that we NEVER PRACTICE (geeze, Judi). Her body position is terrible, but she has the general idea that she's supposed to have her shoulder about even with my left leg, so I was pleased. And I had her look for and retrieve my wallet a couple of times. So she got treats and praise and attention, and had a good time, I think. That yard is a bit bigger than the puppy pen, so she had a little more room to stretch out and do that reaching GSD trot that's so beautiful. She's a good girl. And ever s ince we got home, she's been bringing me things, which makes me feel bad--I read it as (a) I don't pay enough attention to her and (b) I don't work with her enough, and keep in mind that she is from working lines; she *likes* training and is happy to work for praise as well as treats. I'd forgotten how her face lights up when we train. Timber, although he's extremely bright and has incredible drive, doesn't have her work ethic and is only interested in working for tennis balls--and then grudgingly, but that's because I don't work with him enough. If you could connect his brains and determination and ball drive, he could learn to do about anything, I think, but he'd be very serious about it. It would have to *mean* something.

Somebody gave me a couple of chunks of hosta--one with leaves and one that was basically roots. I almost threw it away, but in the end I plunked them both into a small bucket, and darn if the root chunk isn't putting out little leaves. But some critter in the neighborhood is using the bucket as a watering hole, because it's bone dry every morning, and I KNOW that much water isn't evaporating overnight. Which means, of course, that I should plant them. I think the root chunk would do better if it were potted for a while, so I guess that means I'd better get some potting soil.

Current book: Still John Romer's Testament; I need some lighter reading
Current soundtrack: Mike Reid's Twilight Town. Remember him? He was an All-Pro defensive lineman with the Cincinnati Bengals from 1970-74; when he had to retire because of injuries, he started writing songs and won a Grammy for "Stranger in My House." Then he put out a couple of really nice albums, including Twilight Town, which has "I Can't Make You Love Me." Bonnie Raitt had a hit with it, but Mike's version on this album is so spare and simple--just the piano and his husky voice--it's heartbreaking.