New addition to the pack

During the xmas hols I found a local ad for an adult border terrier. We've talked about maybe getting another dog but didn't feel ready to commit however as it was 15 mins down the road I figured I owed it to myself to check it out.

Long story short Benji now has a new friend Bella.  She's a nervous little thing but I think once she settles in she'll be giving Benji a run for his money on the mischievous stakes.

I took them both for a walk today.  As usual it was raining so we all got back happy but wet.  Got back home and did the usual routine of entering the house first.  Old hat Benji knowing the routine sat on the mat, waited to be towelled and then ate his treats and trotted off.  I then focused on Bella who was still standing by the door wearing her lead.  I told her to sit and she ... well she just stood there.

Now I know she knows the command as she was following it yesterday.  So I figured that she didn't want to sit and as she couldn't see anything in it for her was refusing to do so.  And so the battle commenced.  She stood there, I stood in front of her.  I occasionally repeated the sit command but with no affect.  Each time she tried to move I tightened her lead to keep her on the spot then relaxed it.  After about 15 mins her back legs started shaking.  Poor thing was tired and wet but still refused to sit.  I felt like a bitch but have seen enough It's Me Or The Dog to know that I had to hold strong and not back down.

All this time Benji was hovering around, intermittently sitting and lying down in different spots but always in my line of sight.  I hoped Bella would get the picture but no such luck.  For me though the sight of him working so hard to please me kept my resolve strong and reminded me of the amount of work needed to train a dog.

Ten minutes later she finally sat down.  I immediately made a big fuss over her and got her towelled dry.

Success.  And it only took 25 mins!  Let's see what happens tomorrow.

Wag the dog

I just watched It's Me Or The Dog USA and Victoria mentioned that a wagging tail, especially a rapid movement, doesn't always indicate a happy dog.  It can also mean that the dog is aroused.  Now I'm choosing to use the ready for action interpretation of the word but you can make up your own mind.

I now understand his reaction at the vets earlier today.  Also explains those dogs with super fast wagging tails that look like they want to attack.  You know, those dogs that come running up, stop dead inches away and stand there with their tales wagging a mile a minute.  I thought I was being overly cautious and a killjoy by not letting Benji off the lead to play but I am now glad that I didn't succumb.

Spring boost

I took Benji to the vets today to get his booster vaccinations.  That means it's been a year since he padded into our lives.   One year in which he's completely and utterly become part of our way of life.

He was the most well behaved dog leaving the house, in the car, in the waiting room (well a little excited playing with the other dogs but pretty tame compared to his past self).  Then his usual vet walked into the waiting room and he went ... well crazy.  Jumping, barking, hiding behind me but still curiously wagging his tail.  I think he now has a love/hate relationship with him so I'm going to have to be careful about his visits.  Like any sentient being he's losing his innocence and naivete through experience.  I'm not sure exactly how that makes me feel.

I don't know if it's the border terrier breed or just his great nature but he was wonderful with the vaccinations.  The kennel cough is a syringe that's squirted up the nose and he didn't make a peep.  Then with the injection he didn't even flinch.  I only wish I was that well behaved with the nurse.

Only reason he got the KC shot was so he can go to doggy daycare.  There was a bout of it going round a few months ago and most of his friends had it but not him.  Hardy little terrier.  So now it's daycare centres research.  Long live the internet.

Going to give it a few weeks then give him the rabies vaccination to complete his pet passport.  Not sure if we'll ever get away but I'm sure that the dogs paperwork won't be the cause.

Sun bunny

Nothing better than lazing in the sun.  At times like this I wish I was a dog.  Politics, computing, heck even keeping your home clean are alien concepts.  There is no thinking just pure instincts.  Much like The Fool it's a simple world full of delights.

Monday morning

It's the Monday after another crazy DIY-filled weekend and we're all feeling a little hazy

Damn those trumpets

The little fella is curled up by my side.  Since the cold weather has set in he's gotten a lot more "affectionate" and likes to curl up in my lap and go to sleep.

He was fast asleep and completely relaxed when he then farted.  In his typical 0-60 in 1ms he was up like a shot looking around for the intruder.  Seeing nothing suspicious he gave me an affronted look and then settled back down again.  One minute later he farted again and did the whole thing again.

He's still next to me but now his butt is pushed into me and his head is stretched out down the couch, with this face buried in the couch cushions.  Little stinker.

Mmmm ... peanut butter

Yesterday I cooked up another batch of peanut butter cookies.  Used my bone shaped cookie cutter which means they look great but take forever to cut out.  Cooked them at a higher temperature (190C) for longer (30mins) and kept them in the oven for over 12 hours to dry out.  Seems to have done the trick as they've turned out really hard and crunchy.  Benji loves, loves, loves them but then again I could put peanut butter on cardboard and he'd wolf it down.