Walking

Our challenge lately has been walking.  And, though I will regret saying this later, things are getting SO much better.

Her biggest problem is still her desire to meet every other dog on the street, so one of the things that I have started to do is put her citronella collar on when we walk.  As soon as she tugs, I give her a warning ‘beep’.  Only twice in the past two weeks have I had to actually give her a spray of citronella.  And those were during the first two days.

Lately, she has been learning to self-correct.  If she gets to where the leash pulls, she comes right back to me, unless there is something that she really really wants to get to or get away from.

Luckily, the raccoon wandering down the middle of the street was down wind, so she didn’t smell it.  She was curious, but under control.

Unfortunately, the garbage truck heading up the street towards us yesterday was faster than we could walk, and pulled up right next to us with men jumping out towards us.  Zuzu panicked!  Luckily, she tried to run away, not towards the chaos.  Beeper and choke chain ready, I was able to get her a little bit away and have her sit, until she calmed down enough to switch walking directions.

She was prepared today though.  Anytime any vehicle passed us, she placed herself between it and me, trotting along, daring it to attack.  None of them were as big as a garbage truck, but I’m sure she would have faced anything down today, just to earn back her status as a guardian.

Then, I had to chuckle at the lady walking her dog in the rain this morning, with her pretty raincoat and umbrella.  Her tiny little terrier had a rain coat and hat too!  Zuzu and I walked by, proudly dripping.  Hey, we didn’t have our makeup or princess ballerina costumes on today, so we didn’t mind being soaking wet.  And my cute, giant puppy had a nice loose leash as she walked, unlike the well-dressed adorable creature trying unsuccessfully to pull her owner down the street!

Autumn

There are so many new experiences with new seasons.

Leaves:  Zuzu does not understand why they fall off trees, but then just lay still on the ground.  She'll bark and jump at them as they fall, then paw them on the ground and bark more, trying to get them to play.

Cooler Weather:   NOTHING wears this dog out when it's cool.  I can walk her for over an hour and she'll still come home and run and run and jump and chew her toys and toss them in the air and chase them to chew them some more.  She is so happy!

Fog:  I've never seen her walk so strangely as in fog.  She walks slower, but right next to me, tail up, nose up, ears perked, smelling everything and hopping at every noise and smell!  That walk actually did wear her out, probably because she was on high alert for an hour.  She came home and crashed as soon as she was sure we were safe.

Why?

Alright, PEOPLE....I know that Daddy spent two weeks in Las Vegas, but I don't think this was what I needed to see in my bedroom when it was time for me to go to sleep.

How am I supposed to fit on my own bed?

Again, calm puppies and children are great, but MUST nap time occur in the middle of the living room floor, right in front of my computer?

I can't even open the doors to my computer armoire this way, so how do I check e-mail?

And finally, I'm sure in a doggy mind, chewing your rawhide ON my lap is a way of sharing and showing affection, but I don't need soggy jeans.  This is close enough for me!

Back Off, Dog!

Lacrosse

On Sunday, Zuzu got to go watch two lacrosse games out in Fairfax.  It was a gorgeous, sunny day, and she behaved really well.

Hey...wait....is that TRESSA out there?  Can I go too?!!!!

Between the two games, Tressa walked her around the field to meet the team.  Jim followed closely behind....just in case there were any antics, but she did great!

Zuzu LOVES love!

Tressa is still her favorite.

Walking back to the fan section with Daddy.

Playtime with Austin, the Pomeranian puppy.  Austin had to stand on his hind legs while Zuzu was laying down, for them to touch noses.

Zuzu got a short walk during the second game, but other than that and the visit with Tressa's teammates, she just hung out with Jim and me by the chairs.  She did get a little excited anytime she saw another dog, and sometimes barked at them or at Tressa, but other than that was a perfect doggy angel.

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

As it is not too early to start planning for Christmas, I thought I would go ahead and send you a letter.

First, I would like to thank you again for last year's present. My puppy is amazing!  She is not only a giant furball of love, but is also keeping me physically fit and intellectually stimulated.

With last year's gift in mind, this year could you please bring me a Dyson DC23 Animal Canister? And a steam mop? (One for all hard surfaces, to include hard wood floors, of course.)

Much appreciated.

Now, may I offer you a suggestion?

Have you ever considered having the elves merge with the Dyson and/or Oreck Corporations so that with every gift of a pet, they could also make and include an appropriate cleaning appliance? Just a thought.

Along those same lines, my gift requests for the next few years are as follows:

- 2012:  a boyfriend to visit Zuzu and a carpet steamer
- 2013:  another kitten and a Dyson cordless
- 2014:  another Estrela and a new Dyson upright
- 2015:  a tortoise
- 2016:  another kitten and a lifetime supply of swiffer sheets


Thank you again, and enjoy the holidays!

v/r,

Penny

Zuzu saves a Pumpkin

The pumpkin thieves came back again last night.  Zuzu did a scary scary bark/howl as soon as she heard them.  She sounded sort of like a ghostly giant monster!  We turned lights on and went outside after we knew it was all clear, and they had dropped the pumpkin and the stem had fallen off it, but everything was lying right on the front porch.

We put the pumpkins inside for the night, so that the poor puppy could get some sleep.

Halloween has gone well so far tonight.  Zuzu is very alert, and barks when she hears the doorbell, but is not overreacting in any way.  Maybe next year I'll let her sit on the front porch or walk around with us.

Here she is, watching Darby, Alex, and Tressa sitting on the front porch, waiting for more kids.  It was a really slow night, so that probably helped some.

Getting Ready for Halloween

Zuzu is a beautiful princess ballerina!

Isn't she pretty?

Koshka is a scary black cat.  Oh, wait....

That's not a costume!