Libby is definitely a creature of habit.
I was thinking about that as I brought her in last night. When she is outside on the cable, she always takes the same route to come to me whether she needs to or not. It’s a little difficult to explain, but I walk out the back door and go as far as I know she can reach with the cable in order to unhook her. Usually, that is in the same place so I can find the end of the cable in the dark (or snow) the next time I put her out. Her dog house sits near the end of the house furthest from the back door. It also sets out away from the house about six feet. (Because it’s very heavy, and when Kyle got it close enough for her to get into comfortably, he left it there).
Normally, when I go to get her in the evening, she is in the dog house. When I call her, instead of coming directly to me, she will go from the dog house up to the side of the house, and walk along the house, under the eaves, until she reaches me. Initially, I thought she was doing that to stay out of the weather, but remembering her behavior when she was tied in the front yard, I’m not so sure.
In order to keep her from clobbering people who came to the front door, and in order to give her the maximum running space, we tethered the cable along the fence at the far side of the yard, midrange between the house and the road. It gave her the run of half the front yard, and allowed her to get on the front porch comfortably, but not to the front door.
One of her favorite things to do was to run out barking vicously at any pedestrian, bicycle, ATV, or vehicle pulling a trailer (That was one of the reasons, I moved her to the back yard…although she couldn’t reach them, she scared people to death.) She always took the same path to the road regardless of where she was in the yard. She would go all the way back to the fence and follow the fence line down to the road. She would do the same thing when she came back toward the house. She would go back to the fence, and follow the fence line back to the house.
The whole thing just leaves me scratching my head, but a lot about her does.
She got more of Katherine’s clothes from the bathroom yesterday. Unfortunately, the bathroom door broke so we can’t keep her out. If I was to compare my life to the movies, right now it would be Marley and Me Meets The Money Pit.
I’ve got to do a little research, but I’ve got to stop her chewing. If I don’t we won’t have any clothes left!
Connie
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Odds and Ends
This will be a short post, Libby has spent a lot more time outside, so our life with her inside has been rather dull.
Friday
Ok the quiet is over. First thing this morning, I found the shirt Katherine wore to school yesterday and subsequently left in the bathroom, on the floor of my bedroom with the tell-tale round hole chewed in it. Oh well. I knew it couldn’t last.
Sunday
This was just too cute.
We had our traditional donut run this morning and once again shared with Libby, only this morning, when it was “all gone” she just quietly laid her head in Ed’s lap. He started petting her, and she just stood there, gently wagging her tail. He said, “Now, aren’t you sweet. Just when I think I should cut a hole in the ice in the river and throw you in because you won’t quit eating my clothes, you do something like this!” No we all know (Libby included) that Ed wouldn’t really do that to her, but you can’t help but understand why he might think about it.
Something else she normally does on Sunday is howl at the church bell. I hadn’t mentioned it before because Church was cancelled the last three weeks because of the weather. Anyway, every Sunday morning, at 10:30, the bell at the church is rung. After the initial peal, Libby begins to howl, and continues howling until the ringing stops. Mom thinks it may be because it hurts her ears.
Friday
Ok the quiet is over. First thing this morning, I found the shirt Katherine wore to school yesterday and subsequently left in the bathroom, on the floor of my bedroom with the tell-tale round hole chewed in it. Oh well. I knew it couldn’t last.
Sunday
This was just too cute.
We had our traditional donut run this morning and once again shared with Libby, only this morning, when it was “all gone” she just quietly laid her head in Ed’s lap. He started petting her, and she just stood there, gently wagging her tail. He said, “Now, aren’t you sweet. Just when I think I should cut a hole in the ice in the river and throw you in because you won’t quit eating my clothes, you do something like this!” No we all know (Libby included) that Ed wouldn’t really do that to her, but you can’t help but understand why he might think about it.
Something else she normally does on Sunday is howl at the church bell. I hadn’t mentioned it before because Church was cancelled the last three weeks because of the weather. Anyway, every Sunday morning, at 10:30, the bell at the church is rung. After the initial peal, Libby begins to howl, and continues howling until the ringing stops. Mom thinks it may be because it hurts her ears.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Nice and Quiet
The last few days have been rather uneventful; although that may be due to the nicer weather allowing Libby to spend more time out side. Another trip to the laundry mat found more hidden damage and once again we threw a few things away. Looking at a clothes catalog we got in the mail, I told Ed I was not buying clothes anytime soon, unless of course Libby eats all the ones I have, to which he remarked “which she is well on her way to doing.”
Yesterday I changed sheets and blankets on the bed. Since Libby is so fond of the striped comforter, I’m going to give her what is left of it. My gut tells me she won’t want it either because it is no longer on the bed or because she has pulled all the stuffing she wants from it.
Libby has been peaceful, but the cats have been a little nuts. Bookworm is pushing six months old, but Captain will still let her nurse. You can hear her sucking from across the room. It’s gross. Later in the day, Ed sent Bookworm flying accidentally, because she attacked his feet while he was sleeping. On top of that, we haven’t been able to get her fixed yet, and I think she’s coming in season which just makes her so much fun. There is nothing like trying to keep a cat indoors when she wants out.
However, I am reminded of another dog and cat that I had. Whiskey was a little black and white cat and Taran was a standard poodle. I think I’ve written about them on my hub pages. Anyway, Whiskey came in season and was driving me crazy making those terrible noises cats in that condition can make. Apparently, they were driving Taran crazy too, because he tried to help her out. Never mind that he was the wrong species and neutered. He stood over her and just went to town. Unfortunately, it didn’t have any effect on her. It was one of those times when I was desperate for a video camera. It would have been a $100,000.00 winner.
Yesterday I changed sheets and blankets on the bed. Since Libby is so fond of the striped comforter, I’m going to give her what is left of it. My gut tells me she won’t want it either because it is no longer on the bed or because she has pulled all the stuffing she wants from it.
Libby has been peaceful, but the cats have been a little nuts. Bookworm is pushing six months old, but Captain will still let her nurse. You can hear her sucking from across the room. It’s gross. Later in the day, Ed sent Bookworm flying accidentally, because she attacked his feet while he was sleeping. On top of that, we haven’t been able to get her fixed yet, and I think she’s coming in season which just makes her so much fun. There is nothing like trying to keep a cat indoors when she wants out.
However, I am reminded of another dog and cat that I had. Whiskey was a little black and white cat and Taran was a standard poodle. I think I’ve written about them on my hub pages. Anyway, Whiskey came in season and was driving me crazy making those terrible noises cats in that condition can make. Apparently, they were driving Taran crazy too, because he tried to help her out. Never mind that he was the wrong species and neutered. He stood over her and just went to town. Unfortunately, it didn’t have any effect on her. It was one of those times when I was desperate for a video camera. It would have been a $100,000.00 winner.
Monday, January 11, 2010
The Bed Isn’t Safe Either
Every time I think I might run out of Libby topics she does something else.
I was awakened by Ed turning on the light at 3 a.m.. Sadly, my very first thought was “she couldn’t have got any clothes, I took all the dirty laundry to the garage last night.” What she had done was get hold of the end of the comforter, and systematically pulled a large amount of stuffing from it. The stuffing, which was now covering the bedroom floor, was what Ed had stepped on,in the dark.
When Kyle came upstairs about three hours later, we knew it, because we could hear Libby doing what Ed calls the “Libby Dance”. Basically, it’s prancing, and jumping. She does it anytime anyone comes in, but she really loves Kyle and goes especially nuts for him, even if he’s just been downstairs. I asked him if he would put her out. He said he would, but what he didn’t tell me is that she got away from him and he didn’t have time to try to catch her, or he would be late for school. When I opened the front door in order for Katherine to catch the bus two hours later, there was Libby running around the front yard. Thankfully, she was ready to come in and ran right in the house as soon as she saw the door was open.
Later in the day, as we were getting ready to run errands, I noticed Ed had left is slippers on the floor in front of the bed. I reminded him Libby was in the house and actually sleeping under the bed. He put the slippers in the closet. Then as he was making the bed, I asked him if he really thought that would last. He said it was an experiment. When we returned home, we both went to check on the “experiment”. Yep, the neatly made bed had been unmade. The covers were all pulled back from the pillows. It gives a whole new meaning to “who’s been sleeping in my bed?” At least she didn’t ball them all up in the middle of the bed. She’s done that before too.
I was awakened by Ed turning on the light at 3 a.m.. Sadly, my very first thought was “she couldn’t have got any clothes, I took all the dirty laundry to the garage last night.” What she had done was get hold of the end of the comforter, and systematically pulled a large amount of stuffing from it. The stuffing, which was now covering the bedroom floor, was what Ed had stepped on,in the dark.
When Kyle came upstairs about three hours later, we knew it, because we could hear Libby doing what Ed calls the “Libby Dance”. Basically, it’s prancing, and jumping. She does it anytime anyone comes in, but she really loves Kyle and goes especially nuts for him, even if he’s just been downstairs. I asked him if he would put her out. He said he would, but what he didn’t tell me is that she got away from him and he didn’t have time to try to catch her, or he would be late for school. When I opened the front door in order for Katherine to catch the bus two hours later, there was Libby running around the front yard. Thankfully, she was ready to come in and ran right in the house as soon as she saw the door was open.
Later in the day, as we were getting ready to run errands, I noticed Ed had left is slippers on the floor in front of the bed. I reminded him Libby was in the house and actually sleeping under the bed. He put the slippers in the closet. Then as he was making the bed, I asked him if he really thought that would last. He said it was an experiment. When we returned home, we both went to check on the “experiment”. Yep, the neatly made bed had been unmade. The covers were all pulled back from the pillows. It gives a whole new meaning to “who’s been sleeping in my bed?” At least she didn’t ball them all up in the middle of the bed. She’s done that before too.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Libby, Sit.
It’s the one thing she can do well, and she could do it before she ever came to us. Libby can sit. She will sit when she is told to sit (staying is another matter) and she will sit on her own anytime she wants something. The things she has sat for have caused us all to shake our heads.
My favorite “sit” was over a year ago, when Tickles the cat was still with us (he disappeared last January). Libby hadn’t been with us long, I don’t think. Anyway, I was coming in the back door, Tickles riding on my shoulders as was his habit. Libby was extremely interested in the cat, who really could not have cared less. Libby was intently watching the cat and I believe she had an “aha” moment. She sat! One second she was jumping around trying to examine the cat, and the next she was sitting beautifully. I started laughing, and told her she was good dog for trying that, but the cat was not something she could sit for.
For the kids, particularly Katherine, their favorite story started as a sit story and ended as a bark story. Kyle was eating onion rings. Libby, obviously interested because it was food, sat. Kyle, not really thinking she would eat it, tossed one to her. The only problem was, it was too hot for her to pick up. She would try, and she would drop it and she would bark at it. Then she would repeat the process, which started the kids laughing so hard, they were practically crying. Finally, it did cool off and she did eat it. Then she wanted more. Unfortunately, the vet tells me onions are not good for dogs, so we can’t let her have anymore.
Sometimes, she will get tired of sitting, and will lay her head close to wherever the food is, like on the couch next to you, on your legs, or my personal favorite (not) on the table. However, the moment it looks like she might be getting something, she will go back to sit.
This morning, as is our habit on Saturday and Sunday when Ed gets off work from the Waffle House, we stop and the Casey’s in Buckner and get donuts. We get two each for ourselves and the kids, knowing we will be sharing them with Libby. She will sit between us watching to see which one of us is most likely give her a bite. When one is finished, she will turn her full attention to the other. We tried getting her own, but she just inhaled it and went back to sitting for ours.
Usually when she sees there isn’t any more, she will go lie down or do something else. I don’t know what was in her head this morning, but when we finished, she practically climbed up in Ed’s lap, sniffing as she went, as if she was thinking he had more stashed somewhere. He played with her for a few minutes (which may have been what she really wanted) and she went on her way.
She is outside right now, but it’s still cold, so she’ll probably be wanting in soon.
Connie
My favorite “sit” was over a year ago, when Tickles the cat was still with us (he disappeared last January). Libby hadn’t been with us long, I don’t think. Anyway, I was coming in the back door, Tickles riding on my shoulders as was his habit. Libby was extremely interested in the cat, who really could not have cared less. Libby was intently watching the cat and I believe she had an “aha” moment. She sat! One second she was jumping around trying to examine the cat, and the next she was sitting beautifully. I started laughing, and told her she was good dog for trying that, but the cat was not something she could sit for.
For the kids, particularly Katherine, their favorite story started as a sit story and ended as a bark story. Kyle was eating onion rings. Libby, obviously interested because it was food, sat. Kyle, not really thinking she would eat it, tossed one to her. The only problem was, it was too hot for her to pick up. She would try, and she would drop it and she would bark at it. Then she would repeat the process, which started the kids laughing so hard, they were practically crying. Finally, it did cool off and she did eat it. Then she wanted more. Unfortunately, the vet tells me onions are not good for dogs, so we can’t let her have anymore.
Sometimes, she will get tired of sitting, and will lay her head close to wherever the food is, like on the couch next to you, on your legs, or my personal favorite (not) on the table. However, the moment it looks like she might be getting something, she will go back to sit.
This morning, as is our habit on Saturday and Sunday when Ed gets off work from the Waffle House, we stop and the Casey’s in Buckner and get donuts. We get two each for ourselves and the kids, knowing we will be sharing them with Libby. She will sit between us watching to see which one of us is most likely give her a bite. When one is finished, she will turn her full attention to the other. We tried getting her own, but she just inhaled it and went back to sitting for ours.
Usually when she sees there isn’t any more, she will go lie down or do something else. I don’t know what was in her head this morning, but when we finished, she practically climbed up in Ed’s lap, sniffing as she went, as if she was thinking he had more stashed somewhere. He played with her for a few minutes (which may have been what she really wanted) and she went on her way.
She is outside right now, but it’s still cold, so she’ll probably be wanting in soon.
Connie
Friday, January 8, 2010
Libby’s “Run About”
Libby is smart; there is no doubt about it. Unfortunately sometimes I think she must be smarter than I am because of some of the stunts she has pulled on me. If she is in the house and I call her, she will come straight to me. If she is on the cable outside and I call her, she will come straight to me. If she gets outside without a leash or the cable, and I call her. She will look at me and turn and go the other way! I can almost sense something akin to the gleeful shouting of the gingerbread man in the fairy tale. “Run, run as fast as you can! You can’t catch me…I ‘m a young dog and a lot faster then you are!
Before I go any further, let me explain why I won’t just wait for her to come back. 1) I’m afraid she’ll get hit by a car, 2) She hates bikes and ATVs and I’m afraid one will come by while she’s loose and she’ll go after it, and hurt herself or someone else. 3) A loose dog can be a nuisance, and 4) One time she got loose and I didn’t know it. When she came home two hours later she was carrying a pellet just under the skin on her back. Some one had shot her. No, I’m not letting her run.
Chasing her will not work, she is just too quick. She’ll wait until you are millimeters from her and change direction. I don’t know how many times Kyle has tried to catch her only to miss at the last minute. One time, he felt and his momentum caused him to roll into the bottom of a stop sign and hit his shins. OUCH!
I have managed to trap her a few times though. Every time I discover a way to catch her, I do it with the understanding that it will only work once. The next time she won’t fall for whatever I did. Some things, however, she has never fallen for.
Every one suggests the food bribe, and yes, I have done it myself with other dogs. Most dogs are not going to pass up a hotdog or some other type of meat. Libby is not most dogs, and no matter how much she might want that food, she is not going to get close enough for me or anyone else to grab her. She will stand just out of reach and bark, but she will not come any closer.
Most dogs come right to my mother, and there have been a few times I have called her out of sheer desperation. When my sister’s beagles get loose, they just have to see Mom’s car and they come running. Not Libby. She’ll stand just out of reach, with an expression like she’s thinking. Oh, I know why you’re here and I’m not coming.
One time, I was heading out for an appointment or something and saw her run across the road. Knowing I didn’t have time to stop and catch her, I called Mom. She relayed to me later that the mechanic from the auto repair shop next door actually caught her that day, but what she tried first just proved how smart Libby is.
Mom brought hot dogs, but knew Libby couldn’t be directly bribed. So Mom started walking toward the house, dropping pieces of hot dog as she went. Libby starts following behind her, eating the bites. When mom got close to the front door, she threw the last bite inside. She turned just in time to see Libby run the other way.
Now, I don’t chase her. I kind of follow her to keep an eye on what she’s doing.
On occasion, I have been able to use reverse psychology on her. I’ve followed her around for a little while, and then told her that I’m tired and I’m going home. Then I turn around and head back home. Once or twice, she has beaten me back inside the house. It doesn’t always work though, so I’ll keep trying new things until I find something that will.
Before I go any further, let me explain why I won’t just wait for her to come back. 1) I’m afraid she’ll get hit by a car, 2) She hates bikes and ATVs and I’m afraid one will come by while she’s loose and she’ll go after it, and hurt herself or someone else. 3) A loose dog can be a nuisance, and 4) One time she got loose and I didn’t know it. When she came home two hours later she was carrying a pellet just under the skin on her back. Some one had shot her. No, I’m not letting her run.
Chasing her will not work, she is just too quick. She’ll wait until you are millimeters from her and change direction. I don’t know how many times Kyle has tried to catch her only to miss at the last minute. One time, he felt and his momentum caused him to roll into the bottom of a stop sign and hit his shins. OUCH!
I have managed to trap her a few times though. Every time I discover a way to catch her, I do it with the understanding that it will only work once. The next time she won’t fall for whatever I did. Some things, however, she has never fallen for.
Every one suggests the food bribe, and yes, I have done it myself with other dogs. Most dogs are not going to pass up a hotdog or some other type of meat. Libby is not most dogs, and no matter how much she might want that food, she is not going to get close enough for me or anyone else to grab her. She will stand just out of reach and bark, but she will not come any closer.
Most dogs come right to my mother, and there have been a few times I have called her out of sheer desperation. When my sister’s beagles get loose, they just have to see Mom’s car and they come running. Not Libby. She’ll stand just out of reach, with an expression like she’s thinking. Oh, I know why you’re here and I’m not coming.
One time, I was heading out for an appointment or something and saw her run across the road. Knowing I didn’t have time to stop and catch her, I called Mom. She relayed to me later that the mechanic from the auto repair shop next door actually caught her that day, but what she tried first just proved how smart Libby is.
Mom brought hot dogs, but knew Libby couldn’t be directly bribed. So Mom started walking toward the house, dropping pieces of hot dog as she went. Libby starts following behind her, eating the bites. When mom got close to the front door, she threw the last bite inside. She turned just in time to see Libby run the other way.
Now, I don’t chase her. I kind of follow her to keep an eye on what she’s doing.
On occasion, I have been able to use reverse psychology on her. I’ve followed her around for a little while, and then told her that I’m tired and I’m going home. Then I turn around and head back home. Once or twice, she has beaten me back inside the house. It doesn’t always work though, so I’ll keep trying new things until I find something that will.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The Belt
“CONNIE!” Ed never uses that tone with me, I was instantly awake. He was holding his work pants in his hand, the leather belt in pieces. “She got my belt, I don’t know if she got the pants, and she got Katherine’s hat” He motioned to the dresser where I could see the Dora logo had been removed from the hat leaving a round hole. “It was clear up there!” he grumbled motioning again to the dresser.
I used a few expletives to express my irritation…no irritation wasn’t quite the right world. I truly wanted to cry. Something in my face must have relayed that to Ed because he softened his tone and within a few minutes had gone back to bed, still muttering about having to get a new belt and maybe a new pair of pants, and the fact that money is tight on top of the blizzard conditions outside.
I got up, showed Katherine her hat (she just kind of took it in stride) and then saw a blanket in the hall. I couldn’t find a hole, but Ed’s waking up may have distracted her. I put it back in the linen closet. The door won’t stay closed, which is why she is able to pull things off the shelves. Picking up Ed’s pants, I removed the belt and inspected the pants: Not one mark on it. I couldn’t help but marvel at that for a second, but not any longer. I was too aggravated.
If Ed was not such a good hearted man, Libby would be permanently banished from the house or worse. I know he wanted to choke her, and I did too. I felt terrible. She is, after all, my dog and my responsibility. The thing that I don’t understand is that even though she had an enormous rawhide bone and a rope chew toy on the floor not two feet away, she took his pants off the dresser. She would have had to stand on her hind legs to even see them, let alone pull them off. Fortunately, I was able to find a black belt that belonged to number one son James that he could wear for now.
I was going to take today to expound on her not coming when called habit, but I think I’ll save it for tomorrow.
I used a few expletives to express my irritation…no irritation wasn’t quite the right world. I truly wanted to cry. Something in my face must have relayed that to Ed because he softened his tone and within a few minutes had gone back to bed, still muttering about having to get a new belt and maybe a new pair of pants, and the fact that money is tight on top of the blizzard conditions outside.
I got up, showed Katherine her hat (she just kind of took it in stride) and then saw a blanket in the hall. I couldn’t find a hole, but Ed’s waking up may have distracted her. I put it back in the linen closet. The door won’t stay closed, which is why she is able to pull things off the shelves. Picking up Ed’s pants, I removed the belt and inspected the pants: Not one mark on it. I couldn’t help but marvel at that for a second, but not any longer. I was too aggravated.
If Ed was not such a good hearted man, Libby would be permanently banished from the house or worse. I know he wanted to choke her, and I did too. I felt terrible. She is, after all, my dog and my responsibility. The thing that I don’t understand is that even though she had an enormous rawhide bone and a rope chew toy on the floor not two feet away, she took his pants off the dresser. She would have had to stand on her hind legs to even see them, let alone pull them off. Fortunately, I was able to find a black belt that belonged to number one son James that he could wear for now.
I was going to take today to expound on her not coming when called habit, but I think I’ll save it for tomorrow.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Piranha Dog
We live in a small, ranch style, 3 bedroom house. From the east wall of the living room to the west wall of the master bedroom is pretty much a straight shot, with the exception of a few pieces of furniture. It’s great for kids (and cats and dogs) running and playing. The problem usually comes from trying to stop at either end without causing a major incident, but that is another story.
As I said before, Libby came into our lives when she was four months old. Everyone knows that puppies chew, and puppies bite. As an adult, I understand that to her two things are going on. One is she’s teething, her mouth hurts and chewing makes it feel better. Two is when puppies play with each other they bite. As a puppy Libby did not understand people don’t want their things chewed beyond recognition. I don’t know how many of Katherine’s stuffed animals now are disabled; usually missing an eye and a nose. Libby also did not understand people do not have tough puppy skin and those bites hurt! The kids did not understand Libby was not trying to hurt them by either tactic. By kids, I mean my daughter and my nieces.
I don’t know how many times I would hear shrieks of dismay and then mad running up and down the hall that sounded somewhat like a stampede. The girls would come running with Libby in close pursuit, nipping at them as she went. She thought it was great fun. The girls however did not, but would not listen when I told them that if they didn’t run, she wouldn’t chase them. It was during that time the girls started calling Libby “Piranha Dog.” I have to admit, those sharp little puppy teeth might give a piranha a run for its money.
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As a rule, she doesn’t bite anymore, but as you know, the chewing is another matter.
Nothing new eaten today, but she was out most of the day. However, I did notice when I was making the bed, the beginnings of a perfectly round hole in the flat sheet on my bed. I told Ed. “Look! The one that got away!”
Libby has, after several months of indecision, decided the cats are worthy of play. The cats have not arrived at the same conclusion. Today I heard the same stampede sound coming down the hall toward me in the bedroom. I didn’t see the cat run under the bed but I knew she had because when Libby entered the room, she shoved her head under the bed, tail wagging furiously. That action was also accompanied by the sound of hissing coming from under the bed. I scolded Libby, but felt like telling the cat the same thing I told the kids. “If you don’t run, she won’t chase you.” I wonder if the cat would pay more attention.
As I said before, Libby came into our lives when she was four months old. Everyone knows that puppies chew, and puppies bite. As an adult, I understand that to her two things are going on. One is she’s teething, her mouth hurts and chewing makes it feel better. Two is when puppies play with each other they bite. As a puppy Libby did not understand people don’t want their things chewed beyond recognition. I don’t know how many of Katherine’s stuffed animals now are disabled; usually missing an eye and a nose. Libby also did not understand people do not have tough puppy skin and those bites hurt! The kids did not understand Libby was not trying to hurt them by either tactic. By kids, I mean my daughter and my nieces.
I don’t know how many times I would hear shrieks of dismay and then mad running up and down the hall that sounded somewhat like a stampede. The girls would come running with Libby in close pursuit, nipping at them as she went. She thought it was great fun. The girls however did not, but would not listen when I told them that if they didn’t run, she wouldn’t chase them. It was during that time the girls started calling Libby “Piranha Dog.” I have to admit, those sharp little puppy teeth might give a piranha a run for its money.
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As a rule, she doesn’t bite anymore, but as you know, the chewing is another matter.
Nothing new eaten today, but she was out most of the day. However, I did notice when I was making the bed, the beginnings of a perfectly round hole in the flat sheet on my bed. I told Ed. “Look! The one that got away!”
Libby has, after several months of indecision, decided the cats are worthy of play. The cats have not arrived at the same conclusion. Today I heard the same stampede sound coming down the hall toward me in the bedroom. I didn’t see the cat run under the bed but I knew she had because when Libby entered the room, she shoved her head under the bed, tail wagging furiously. That action was also accompanied by the sound of hissing coming from under the bed. I scolded Libby, but felt like telling the cat the same thing I told the kids. “If you don’t run, she won’t chase you.” I wonder if the cat would pay more attention.
Monday, January 4, 2010
House broken
To make my life easier, I bought a large dog crate and put it in my room. I would crate Libby at night and anytime we were not home in order to house break her and Libby proof the house. It worked beautifully. She housetrained quickly and all I had to say was “night-night” and she would head for the crate at least that is how it worked for the first few months. Then I guess she decided she didn’t particularly like the crate. I would say “night-night” and she would head for the crate. Only now, instead of going in, she would swerve at the last minute, bypass the crate and go under the bed, just out of reach. After a few weeks of that, the crate went to the basement. At least she was housebroken.
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The ringing phone woke me this morning. As I stumbled around the bed to get the cordless, I discovered a glove with part of the cuff missing. I asked Ed if it was his. Yes, it was.
“How did she get it? It was put up”
Obviously not well enough. I went on a search for the other glove. I found it on the love seat, along with his cap and Katherine’s coat. I had remembered seeming them all on the back of the love seat the night before. Normally, that would have been fine, but if something (like one of the cats) knocked them onto the seats, they could have been considered fair game. After all, she has eaten the cover off one of the couch cushions and chewed a large hole in the back.
Making my way down the hall, back to the bed room I noticed a fitted sheet on the floor in front of the linen closet. I picked it up and put it back, knowing there is probably a perfectly round hole chewed in it somewhere.
Reentering the bedroom, I also discovered a wash rag and one of my sweatshirts in the floor. I don’t know how I missed those on the way out, other than I was focused on the glove. I recognized the sweatshirt as the one I tossed yesterday, because she had got it then. She must have gone back for seconds. I tossed it again; a little better this time.
As I circled the end of the bed, I could the curve of a black back end sticking out from under it. Still one of her favorite places. Sound asleep, of course. I planned on being there myself shortly.
About 45 minutes later, I hear her come out and run down the hall. Then she ran back. I could feel her and then I opened my eyes to see her staring intently at me.
“You have to go out, don’t you?” She turned and ran back down the hall.
“Ok” I groaned, getting up again. By the time I got to my clothes she was back with an expression on her face that seemed to say,
“Will you hurry up? I have to go NOW!”
“Hang on, unlike you; I have to get dressed first.”
We can’t just let her out, because she has to go on “walkabout” or in her case “runabout” if we do. I put her out on a cable in the back yard. There is a nice big dog house out there that originally belonged to Mom’s hundred pound Border Collie mix, Sheba, and more recently to my hundred pound Sarge. The dog house is full of straw and normally she stays out most of the day. With the recent cold, I don’t leave her out long.
To keep myself from getting clobbered and drug all over the yard, we stop in the garage and put her on a leash to take here ten feet out the back door to the cable. When the weather is warmer, I don’t worry about getting dressed first, but when its five degrees…
So I was getting dressed and trying to explain it to her. (I know, but I did it anyway).
About that time, I had a sneezing fit. I don’t know what it is about that but it has the same effect on Libby as telling a kid they’re going to see Santa or something. She goes nuts. I braced myself to be mauled. Did I mention she weighs about 60 lbs? It was about that time that I noticed Ed was trying not to laugh. He’s usually the one who gets the sneezing fit mauling. Then she starts sneezing too. It’s actually pretty funny.
I managed to get her out side without any more mishaps, and so I went back in to make coffee and start my day.
Later, we were at the laundry mat, drying clothes (because our dryer died). As we started folding the clothes we discovered a few of Libby’s sneak attacks. A few, I didn’t even bother to fold, just threw away right there; a few others, I thought were still halfway wearable…at least she’s housebroken.
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The ringing phone woke me this morning. As I stumbled around the bed to get the cordless, I discovered a glove with part of the cuff missing. I asked Ed if it was his. Yes, it was.
“How did she get it? It was put up”
Obviously not well enough. I went on a search for the other glove. I found it on the love seat, along with his cap and Katherine’s coat. I had remembered seeming them all on the back of the love seat the night before. Normally, that would have been fine, but if something (like one of the cats) knocked them onto the seats, they could have been considered fair game. After all, she has eaten the cover off one of the couch cushions and chewed a large hole in the back.
Making my way down the hall, back to the bed room I noticed a fitted sheet on the floor in front of the linen closet. I picked it up and put it back, knowing there is probably a perfectly round hole chewed in it somewhere.
Reentering the bedroom, I also discovered a wash rag and one of my sweatshirts in the floor. I don’t know how I missed those on the way out, other than I was focused on the glove. I recognized the sweatshirt as the one I tossed yesterday, because she had got it then. She must have gone back for seconds. I tossed it again; a little better this time.
As I circled the end of the bed, I could the curve of a black back end sticking out from under it. Still one of her favorite places. Sound asleep, of course. I planned on being there myself shortly.
About 45 minutes later, I hear her come out and run down the hall. Then she ran back. I could feel her and then I opened my eyes to see her staring intently at me.
“You have to go out, don’t you?” She turned and ran back down the hall.
“Ok” I groaned, getting up again. By the time I got to my clothes she was back with an expression on her face that seemed to say,
“Will you hurry up? I have to go NOW!”
“Hang on, unlike you; I have to get dressed first.”
We can’t just let her out, because she has to go on “walkabout” or in her case “runabout” if we do. I put her out on a cable in the back yard. There is a nice big dog house out there that originally belonged to Mom’s hundred pound Border Collie mix, Sheba, and more recently to my hundred pound Sarge. The dog house is full of straw and normally she stays out most of the day. With the recent cold, I don’t leave her out long.
To keep myself from getting clobbered and drug all over the yard, we stop in the garage and put her on a leash to take here ten feet out the back door to the cable. When the weather is warmer, I don’t worry about getting dressed first, but when its five degrees…
So I was getting dressed and trying to explain it to her. (I know, but I did it anyway).
About that time, I had a sneezing fit. I don’t know what it is about that but it has the same effect on Libby as telling a kid they’re going to see Santa or something. She goes nuts. I braced myself to be mauled. Did I mention she weighs about 60 lbs? It was about that time that I noticed Ed was trying not to laugh. He’s usually the one who gets the sneezing fit mauling. Then she starts sneezing too. It’s actually pretty funny.
I managed to get her out side without any more mishaps, and so I went back in to make coffee and start my day.
Later, we were at the laundry mat, drying clothes (because our dryer died). As we started folding the clothes we discovered a few of Libby’s sneak attacks. A few, I didn’t even bother to fold, just threw away right there; a few others, I thought were still halfway wearable…at least she’s housebroken.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
She's no more purebred Lab than I am
Thats just what I thought when I first saw her a little over two years ago. My sister had called and told me her boyfriend's friend had a four month old pure bred lab female that really needed a new home. We had lost our Lab, Sarge, a few months before, so I wanted to talk it over with the kids first. Although they had both been devastated at the loss of Sarge, Sixteen year old Kyle and 7 year old Katherine both
immediately jumped at the idea of a new puppy. Big hearts, my kids.
When my sister's boyfriend brought her over the next day, and this black tangle of legs tail and tongue that they called Libby Lou, accosted me on my front porch, I thought to myself what I have already said. She's no more lab than I am. Yes, she's black and she's going to be good sized, but no way she's lab with that head. To be honest, the shape of her head and her ears suggested Jack Russell Terrier to me, but I couldn't quite grasp how that could happen. I still don't, but I'm convinced that some how it did. Libby is no prue bred Lab. The veternarian agrees, but can't quite put his finger on what she might be either. I describe her as a Jack Russell in a Lab body. Think all that energy in a big dog. Yeah, my life has never been the same.
immediately jumped at the idea of a new puppy. Big hearts, my kids.
When my sister's boyfriend brought her over the next day, and this black tangle of legs tail and tongue that they called Libby Lou, accosted me on my front porch, I thought to myself what I have already said. She's no more lab than I am. Yes, she's black and she's going to be good sized, but no way she's lab with that head. To be honest, the shape of her head and her ears suggested Jack Russell Terrier to me, but I couldn't quite grasp how that could happen. I still don't, but I'm convinced that some how it did. Libby is no prue bred Lab. The veternarian agrees, but can't quite put his finger on what she might be either. I describe her as a Jack Russell in a Lab body. Think all that energy in a big dog. Yeah, my life has never been the same.
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