CATS

May 29, 2008

We’ve been back in town since the 27^th. Yesterday Kruiser had a busy day—we walked to the end of Clear Creek path (about 2.8 miles round trip) and he learned that not all dogs on the path are friendly (with a little nick in his nose from another dog’s tooth). And then we went to the post office and friend’s house to drop off some things where we stayed for tea. After lunch we went to Echter’s for some potting soil and to a friend’s house to pick up a manuscript and visit. There Kruiser smelled CATS. He managed bulldoze through the one part of the garden with delicate plants (some recently planted zinnias--now 2 or 3 fewer than before) and then fell asleep on my lap.

Last night at training we worked on sit, down, stand, come, and heel. Kruiser did well but was more interested in wrestling with his sister Kira than working. Deborah said next time to bring the dogs unfed so they are more attentive. He barely played with Kookie at all—she’s a black lab from the same litter—and Deborah said the puppies in the litter separated themselves right away into yellow and black. Weird. Incipient racism?!

Today I crated Kruiser while I worked in the garden. It would have been too hot and both dogs are eating too much grass so decided this would be best. He was an unhappy puppy when I got back. Deborah suggested letting him chew on a bone in the crate—a perfect way for him to have one and not Pat, or at least not Pat for so long that he swallows big chunks.