The toy fell down the step. All she could do was lay there and whine.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Zuzu's question for me
Mom,
I understand (sort of) that I'm not allowed on the new furniture.
What I don't understand, is why that rule has to start now. Your bed didn't fit up the stairs, so the mean men are going to take it back to the store and bring you a different one. You didn't even put your new quilt on the bed, and the mattress is laying on the floor just waiting for me to jump on it!
Why, oh why, can't I jump on it? You are a mean mommy.
I understand (sort of) that I'm not allowed on the new furniture.
What I don't understand, is why that rule has to start now. Your bed didn't fit up the stairs, so the mean men are going to take it back to the store and bring you a different one. You didn't even put your new quilt on the bed, and the mattress is laying on the floor just waiting for me to jump on it!
Why, oh why, can't I jump on it? You are a mean mommy.
Questions
I left this weekend's schedule wide open for a dog show that we didn't go to. So, when we found out I wouldn't be traveling, I decided to fill our long weekend up with a giant to-do list!
We had a super busy, home maintenance type of a four-day weekend. We got furniture delivered, had some picked up for donations, painted some rooms, and had a handyman and other visitors come over.
With that in mind, here are a few questions:
She actually did really well this weekend. The one handyman that came over loved her and she was wonderful meeting him. She didn't even jump. We did have to put her in the kitchen so that she would stop trying to sniff his drill as he was using it, but she was very nice to him. He has a three month old pit bull puppy at home, so he even grinned at my chewed up carpet.
And I have one final question from this morning to add to the list....
We had a super busy, home maintenance type of a four-day weekend. We got furniture delivered, had some picked up for donations, painted some rooms, and had a handyman and other visitors come over.
With that in mind, here are a few questions:
- Zuzu really needs practice greeting people at our door. Why did almost every delivery guy/team this weekend take one look at the door and the first thing out of their mouths (even before hello) was, "You're gonna lock him up, right?" Sure. I'll put HER out back before you come in.
- If you don't want to meet my dog, why do you stand at the back door, looking at her, and say, "That's a cool dog. What kind is he?" Yes, she is a cool dog, now please stop teasing her if you don't want to meet her.
- Can a dog really guard you from a can of paint? And does leaning on you while you edge help the line get any straighter? I didn't think so.
- Zu, why do you beg to go outside, until we need you outside, then you decide to cry to come in?
- Why on the day that we don't let you outside after you cried the day before, do you beg and plead to go play outside? The grass is not greener. It's brown, mushy, and a little snow covered.
She actually did really well this weekend. The one handyman that came over loved her and she was wonderful meeting him. She didn't even jump. We did have to put her in the kitchen so that she would stop trying to sniff his drill as he was using it, but she was very nice to him. He has a three month old pit bull puppy at home, so he even grinned at my chewed up carpet.
And I have one final question from this morning to add to the list....
- Why do you pick the 20 degree day to decide that a nice, super slow, leisurely walk is what you want? Brrrr!!!!! Pick up the pace, girl!!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Death of (another) Toy
We had a trash can funeral for one of Zu's favorite toys today. It was a plastic ball that lost its bounce. Super sharp teeth bit right through it and made it quite un-ball-shaped. Many tennis balls have suffered the same fate.
I have decided that whoever makes dog toys, has never owned an Estrela.
"Plush Toys"
Hmmm....and the point is? I love the ones that look like ducks and squirrels. If I wanted to feed duck or squirrel to my dog, I'd buy her a real one to shred, not a stuffed one.
"Martha Stewart toys"
Doesn't she own Chows? Aren't Chows big dogs? Hers must have excellent manners and only cuddle with their toys, not actually play with them.
"Rope Tug toys"
Zuzu loves these! But, pay attention to the "don't leave pet unattended" instructions, unless you want to be picking up poop with multi-colored string in it for a couple of days. The same string will also speedily break a vacuum as it wraps around the spinning brush attachment. Luckily I learned that one before Santa brought me my Dyson.
"Designed for the toughest chewers"
This must not mean what I originally thought that it meant. I kind of thought it meant that my dog could chew on it, for a while, and it wouldn't break into tiny rubber pieces. And "double stitching" only means it will last maybe five extra minutes.
"PetStages Orka and Nylabone Durachews" actually last for quite a while, as long as there are no rope attatchments. Zu has one blue orka ball that she has had since we first got her. One orka bone has been replaced twice, but she really likes it and it lasts a few months, so it was worth it. The Durachew has lasted almost six months. You have to watch out for the Durachews though. You can't toss them without denting the floor when they land, and if you accidentally kick it as you walk by, you could break a toe!
I'm starting to think that hiring a policeman with pads and installing my own agility ramps in the backyard might be the best toys for her. Unless anyone wants to step up and volunteer (other than Tressa, who has already managed to put her bedroom door through the drywall wrestling with the dog). Any takers?
I have decided that whoever makes dog toys, has never owned an Estrela.
"Plush Toys"
Hmmm....and the point is? I love the ones that look like ducks and squirrels. If I wanted to feed duck or squirrel to my dog, I'd buy her a real one to shred, not a stuffed one.
"Martha Stewart toys"
Doesn't she own Chows? Aren't Chows big dogs? Hers must have excellent manners and only cuddle with their toys, not actually play with them.
"Rope Tug toys"
Zuzu loves these! But, pay attention to the "don't leave pet unattended" instructions, unless you want to be picking up poop with multi-colored string in it for a couple of days. The same string will also speedily break a vacuum as it wraps around the spinning brush attachment. Luckily I learned that one before Santa brought me my Dyson.
"Designed for the toughest chewers"
This must not mean what I originally thought that it meant. I kind of thought it meant that my dog could chew on it, for a while, and it wouldn't break into tiny rubber pieces. And "double stitching" only means it will last maybe five extra minutes.
"PetStages Orka and Nylabone Durachews" actually last for quite a while, as long as there are no rope attatchments. Zu has one blue orka ball that she has had since we first got her. One orka bone has been replaced twice, but she really likes it and it lasts a few months, so it was worth it. The Durachew has lasted almost six months. You have to watch out for the Durachews though. You can't toss them without denting the floor when they land, and if you accidentally kick it as you walk by, you could break a toe!
I'm starting to think that hiring a policeman with pads and installing my own agility ramps in the backyard might be the best toys for her. Unless anyone wants to step up and volunteer (other than Tressa, who has already managed to put her bedroom door through the drywall wrestling with the dog). Any takers?
Monday, February 13, 2012
Her own bed
Before...
After...
After...
She still looks at the couch longingly, but hopefully her new bed will be an acceptable alternative.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Bed and Couch
The Bed
So, when I told Jim that I wanted to get a big dog this time, his one requirement was that the big dog would not be allowed on the bed.
Oops.
I'm not sure if it's the weather or her new love of cuddles making her want the bed. (Or maybe her new love of cuddles is related to the weather.) But whatever the reason, I can't keep her off it.
In my defense, Jim started it. He called her up first. Honest. Then he remembered that she is too big and he made her leave. The damage was done.
As soon as we head upstairs at night and into the bathroom to brush our teeth, she's on the bed. Waiting. Getting comfortable. Sleeping.
When she's 'sleeping', she's very good at pretending she's deaf. It's like trying to wake up a teenager. "GET OFF MY BED!" I holler, as I tug and push and pull the dead weight that is an unwilling dog.
She gets down. And then she pouts. And then I feel guilty and sorry for her as we settle down for the night and she walks over and puts her head on the bed next to me. And as I scratch her head, one paw ends up on my shoulder. Then two in a sort of bear hug. "Mommy? Please?"
And then I quietly pat the bed. KerBLAM! Giant dog...on the bed again!
If we're tired enough, three of us do actually fit.
The Couch
Again, Jim called her up once, but then decided that it's not a good idea. Poor puppy!
She doesn't try to sleep on the couch by herself like she does on the bed, but as soon as we're all settled in front of the TV, she stares at us longingly. If I give her rubs, she'll do the sneaky crawling into my lap thing that she gets away with on the bed.
We don't, however, all fit on the couch.
If it's just Jim and I on the couch, she knows that she can fit and she won't even try to sneak onto my lap on my side of the sectional. She'll just eye the empty side and give a giant leap! It's a really old couch that will be making a trip to the Salvation Army soon, so I'm tempted to let her stay. I know that when we get rid of the couch though, I won't want her on the new one, so down she goes.
I've started to recognize the expression on her face when she's about to pounce. A well timed "NO!" is effective and actually quite funny. If I wait just before the impending jump, the front paws come off the ground, the eyes get wide, and there's some slipping/sliding going on on the floor as she tries to pretend she wasn't actually going for the couch. hee hee!
Maybe I should just buy a couch cover when we get the new couch and let her cuddle. I'm sure Jim would LOVE that!
So, when I told Jim that I wanted to get a big dog this time, his one requirement was that the big dog would not be allowed on the bed.
Oops.
I'm not sure if it's the weather or her new love of cuddles making her want the bed. (Or maybe her new love of cuddles is related to the weather.) But whatever the reason, I can't keep her off it.
In my defense, Jim started it. He called her up first. Honest. Then he remembered that she is too big and he made her leave. The damage was done.
As soon as we head upstairs at night and into the bathroom to brush our teeth, she's on the bed. Waiting. Getting comfortable. Sleeping.
When she's 'sleeping', she's very good at pretending she's deaf. It's like trying to wake up a teenager. "GET OFF MY BED!" I holler, as I tug and push and pull the dead weight that is an unwilling dog.
She gets down. And then she pouts. And then I feel guilty and sorry for her as we settle down for the night and she walks over and puts her head on the bed next to me. And as I scratch her head, one paw ends up on my shoulder. Then two in a sort of bear hug. "Mommy? Please?"
And then I quietly pat the bed. KerBLAM! Giant dog...on the bed again!
If we're tired enough, three of us do actually fit.
The Couch
Again, Jim called her up once, but then decided that it's not a good idea. Poor puppy!
She doesn't try to sleep on the couch by herself like she does on the bed, but as soon as we're all settled in front of the TV, she stares at us longingly. If I give her rubs, she'll do the sneaky crawling into my lap thing that she gets away with on the bed.
We don't, however, all fit on the couch.
If it's just Jim and I on the couch, she knows that she can fit and she won't even try to sneak onto my lap on my side of the sectional. She'll just eye the empty side and give a giant leap! It's a really old couch that will be making a trip to the Salvation Army soon, so I'm tempted to let her stay. I know that when we get rid of the couch though, I won't want her on the new one, so down she goes.
I've started to recognize the expression on her face when she's about to pounce. A well timed "NO!" is effective and actually quite funny. If I wait just before the impending jump, the front paws come off the ground, the eyes get wide, and there's some slipping/sliding going on on the floor as she tries to pretend she wasn't actually going for the couch. hee hee!
Maybe I should just buy a couch cover when we get the new couch and let her cuddle. I'm sure Jim would LOVE that!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Where's the snow?
We're supposed to get snow today.
Zuzu got tired of waiting for it and decided to go out and play this morning. It's cold and hazy, but there are logs and sticks and balls, oh my!
Zuzu got tired of waiting for it and decided to go out and play this morning. It's cold and hazy, but there are logs and sticks and balls, oh my!
LOOK! I found a STICK!
What?
Another stick! Another stick!
WHAT?!!
Why do I feel like I'm being watched?
What is that I see? It looks like Mommy, with a really long black nose sticking out of her face.
Play, Mommy?
C'mon! I'm ready! Throw it already!!
A ball! A ball!
Comin' atcha!
I'll get it! Don't worry!
All done. Good night.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Boredom
This is my final week of no morning walks alone with the dog. Heat or no heat, neither of us can take it any longer! The night walks are nice, but we miss our morning walks.
A lack of exercise makes for lethargy and boredom. A lethargic dog is okay. Kind of strange, but okay. A bored dog is not!
The day began with her deciding that I was not allowed on the computer. She has a very strong nose! She bumped my hands off the keyboard and pushed the keyboard drawer in any time I tried to sit down. Then she jumped into my lap with the top half of her body. This was only made more amusing by the fact that I sit in a chair with wheels, which she then progressed to push me around in in my living room.
Eventually she gave up, and went to guard the cat door to the basement. She played whack-a-mole for a while with the cat, then took a nap.
When she woke up, she was ready to go! We played catch with a rawhide for a while, then just wrestled for it on the floor. Because what I have always wanted was a slimy, soggy rawhide, but it kept her from smacking the cat's head for a while.
Then, Koshka came upstairs.
A lack of exercise makes for lethargy and boredom. A lethargic dog is okay. Kind of strange, but okay. A bored dog is not!
The day began with her deciding that I was not allowed on the computer. She has a very strong nose! She bumped my hands off the keyboard and pushed the keyboard drawer in any time I tried to sit down. Then she jumped into my lap with the top half of her body. This was only made more amusing by the fact that I sit in a chair with wheels, which she then progressed to push me around in in my living room.
Eventually she gave up, and went to guard the cat door to the basement. She played whack-a-mole for a while with the cat, then took a nap.
When she woke up, she was ready to go! We played catch with a rawhide for a while, then just wrestled for it on the floor. Because what I have always wanted was a slimy, soggy rawhide, but it kept her from smacking the cat's head for a while.
Then, Koshka came upstairs.
"She's touching me!!!"
"Am NOT!!!!"
I filled out the form today to begin the application process to volunteer for my county. I want to see if Zuzu can become a therapy dog. I have to be screened, then interviewed, then go to an orientation meeting, then Zuzu begins her testing and screening.
If she tries to play whack-a-mole with one of the elderly, do you think we'll be disqualified?
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