"Damned if you do and damned if you do"(George Bush)

Yesterday I reported how Duke had stolen my steak. It was delicious(the 2 bites I had). Had he not dragged it on the floor more than 5 seconds, it was tempting. So he got the BAD DOG and newspaper swack and he was forced to stay downstairs. Wrong! When he needs his walk, he nibbles on my toes and we go out. Today there was no nibbling so I was late getting up and he was piddling on the floor. I got him out the door for some of it. He wound up getting the steak for dinner tonight.
I have a new flea treatment so he gets a bath tomorrow. I only hope he doesn't find a way to get revenge.

Frustration

Duke has been full of energy. I thought the "fix" would slow him down. Wrong! Tonight after he finished his own dinner he went after mine while I was upstairs. NO! Bad dog! I was not happy with him and he knew it. In fact he was already trying to hide from the newspaper after the first NO!
I was tempted to give him a bath tonight and was trying to lure him into the bedroom. Duke might be on to me. Each time I threw his chew toy into the spare bedroom he lost interest. Perhaps as punishment he'll get one tomorrow.

The Patient Recovers

Duke was ready to be picked up at 2PM yesterday. He was a little groggy and picky about which door he would exit from. He staggered up the stairs and fell asleep. Today he was back to his old self. Running and jumping, both big no-no's for a dog recovering from surgery. Then as I was going to the store, he escaped to the dog park. More running and leaping. Hauled home somehow he got out the door without me seeing him. This time he didn't go far(who knows? and Melinda next door brought him home. We are getting a lot of rain from Dolly and he has shown no interest in a walk.

The Big Fix

Duke was so well behaved today. There were a lot of dogs at the clinic but he behaved very well. Of course he didn't know what was about to take place. The clinic just called (11:30) and he is out of surgery and doing well.

Update on the Bath

Duke is getting smarter. He knows my tricks. Luring him into the bathroom doesn't work. Luring into the guest bedroom is just as hard because he escapes before I can shut the door. He will drop the treat and escape across the bed before I can reach the door. So I had to resort to picking him up, kicking and screaming, all 4 feet braced against the door jams and lower him into the water. The sight of him using all 4 legs to try to stay out of the bathroom was hysterical.The last couple days have been scorchers and he is not getting enough exercize. We didn't go to Austin today for the memeorial service. It would have cost $100 and I just don't have it. I sent Kate a message.

To Bathe or not to Bathe

Believe it or not, my precious puppy needs a bath today. Now the question is do I go through the "fun" of giving him the bath or wait until we go to Austin on Monday and let lake do the work. It is very hot today. We went to SBUX again but it was even too hot for him. He was resting in the shade of the tables outside, close to the door and it's occassional blast of airconditioning.

Bad Dog

We went to Starbuck's today because it was raining and I took the car. Duke was a star. Everyone asking permission to pet him. We drove back to the dog park where he was fine, then wandered across the street. I do not know how many blocks I chased that dog and eventually he made it back to the park. We came home immediately. He was not eager to leave the back seat.

Change in Plans

I had to make a change in plans on Thursday and was going to Austin but then learned the man I was to visit had died. Duke's operation has been put off to the 23rd. I am going up to Austin on the 15th for the memorial service and want to take Duke out to the lake. Not sure what I can do with him between 4 and 7. The service was going to be at a friends ranch where he could have the run of the place. It's fenced. Maybe a Dogie daycare that is open late

Oh What a Relief It Is

Duke got the triple whammy today. I put him in the car, set off 3 flea bombs in the house and he went to the grooming place where he was dipped for fleas. When I picked him up, I was told he had been a good boy (Duke? Bath?) except he wasn't crazy about the blow dryer. Understandable since he's never seen one. They gave him a wonderful rainbow bandana to wear which is just precious. Later I sprayed the front and back yard with a flea killer . He is sooo much better today. We went to Starbuck's because we had a couple hours to kill while the house was filled with spray and he played with an adorable 8 week puppy. I need to post a more recent picture as Duke has really gotten BIG. And Thursday he is going to be F-I-X-E-D. I doubt he'll be happy about that.