TOO FUNNY

I went next door to play with the dogs this afternoon. I found 2 balls to throw to them. Duke took off with his and was playing with it atop some rolls of carpet. He was trying to hide it when it rolled through the center of the roll. Micah picked it up. Duke was trying to figure where it went. He was pawing, trying to dig a hole. Then he put his head in the roll of carpet. Sure enough, his head got stuck. Not for long but it was hysterical watching him try to shake the roll off his head.

Giving Duke a Pill

Time for the monthly Comfortis pill for flea control. In the past I've had to hide it in hamburger, cheese and other treats. Tonight he ate all the cheese off and left the pill in his dish. When I mixed it with food he left it behind. The he spit out the pill when I mixed it with turkey. The solution: cover it in gravy. Gone in seconds.

Domestic Duke

Duke's latest stunt is he likes "helping" me make the bed. He jumps up on the bed when I try to spread the sheet and plays "tent" while I'm trying to tuck in the corners. He loves trying to catch the sheet in his teeth and pulling it down. The challenge is tucking in the last corner where I have to roll him over to the part that is made. The cute part is when he is all bundled up under the sheet rather hoping I'll go away and leave him alone.

He's a star!

The photographer responsible for the pictures was asked to do an installation at Starbuck's on Buffalo and Weslayan. Here is the photo she chose. Look familiar?

STARBUCK'S/WALGREEN'S DOG WASH

Duke got extra pictures so I'm sharing. There is a difference in the 2 pictures. I like the one on the left.

Picture 2

PICTURES

IS THIS DOG PHOTOGENIC? DOES HE LOVE THE CAMERA?

KILLER

Duke took a strange interest in the dining table tonight. He was sniffing both ends of the square tubing that connects the braces. I looked and saw something so I got a broom handle to push it out. I'm not sure whether the mouse was already dead from poison or if Duke killed it when it came out the end.

This is strange

For the last 2 mornings, Duke has been reluctant to visit Micah and Mickey. He just sits down and offers his paw. He is adamant about not going through the gate. Something has spooked him and we don't know what. Yesteday I kept him at home. This morning he went through Melinda's house. He really pulls away when we approach the gate. Wish I knew why.

Obedience School + 8

The issue is to get Duke to come to me when called. I took him to the esplanade to practice. In the store he did fine. At home, he never leaves my side. My first idea, to do this in the driveway was vetoed by the bees. Duke got stung once and I got a couple.
We went to the doggie park with a 100' line so he could roam all he wanted but I could pull him in if he was having trouble responding.
"Duke, Return" was met with his fascination with the world about him. I tried it from 4 feet, 8 feet. Sometimes he'd look at me but mostly he's not. I tried pulling on the lead when I called "Return" but a single blade of grass got his attention more than a treat.
He understands "stay" when we are leaving the house, though it is not comprehensible in the morning when we go next door. Anyone on my sidewalk when it is time to visit Melinda's dogs will be run over.
Back to the trainer for ideas

Obedience School + 2

I spent a little time with Duke yesterday trying to reinforce "wait" Some sucess. Today I was trying to reinforce "Return" (Come!). I might as well have been talking to the wall. Did he once pay attention? Hell, no! All he wanted to do was see how far he could get on the 100' of rope. We went to the dog park where he decided to go after a dog not in the park and I had to go after him. He must think I'm made of money to buy him obedience sessions.

Obedience School

Duke bolted for what I hope is the last time this morning. When I got home I took him for a private lesson at Petsmart. I can see it is goin to take more than one lesson but I am not going to continue to bolt

Setting the Record Straight

My neighbor, Melinda and I want to set the record straight. Our dogs are not spoiled. Driving 2 hours round trip so they can swim is not spoiling them. We got in the water too.

Lake Livinston II

We went up to Lake Livingston on Sunday What a great day! We had a cook out with hot dogs, grilled buns and corn salad. We brought hot dogs for the dogs too. The surprise is Mickey. She is showing more Lab than anything else. She really took to the water swimming out as far as Duke. She kept running down to the water whenever she could. They ran for a long time. There is a huge grassy peninsular which makes it easy to keep track of them. After 2 hours we were all ready to come home. The dogs slept on the way back. We went by the nursing home where Melinda's parents are. The dogs were a huge hit for all the residents. Duke did all his tricks. I'm training the other 2 to sit and stand too. When the dogs were fenced, it was time for my nap.

Water dog

I'm reposting these so you can see how muscular he is

Lake Livingston State Park

Melinda and I took the dogs to Lake Livingston State Park on Labor Day. They loved it. We will be going back. Last night I took Duke to Pets mart. He got a Kong toy with treats and bought shampoo for a bath after the lake (tomorrow if the weather is nice). He started growling at something and then it was obvious he was afraid of something. What? I got down on the floor to see from his angle what it might be. A cardboard stand with a larger than life Jack Russell Terrier. One I showed him it was OK he was happy. He peed on it and we left the store

Duke Gets Sick

In 18 months Duke has been the perfect dog. Last night something did not agree with him and I awoke to find a surprise on the carpet. I was careful to feed him white meat chicken today until I was sure his tummy was OK. I think he got too many belly rubs yesterday. He loves his belly rubbed but we may have overdone. He is better tonight. The puppy next door is up to 20 pounds and is now 12 weeks old.

2 years

My neice Hannah just asked how old Duke is? He's 2. Here is a picture I took tonight with Mickey,the 11 week old puppy next door

A Very Sad Day

Hope, one of the Great Pyrenees next door died this morning. She had a toxic rreaction to meds and went into convultions. Melinda took her to the vet but she didn't make it. She was on a drug for mange control and Confortis for fleas. The two are toxic.

The Heat

If you were not aware, we have had record heat in June and July. No rain in May nor June. I haven't been able to let Duke stay ouside during the heat of the day. It has been 100 degrees or more for at least 15 days. That means when he comes in, he has lots of energy. He has gotten very god about interupting me when I'm at the computer. He'll jump up on the bed and gently put his paw on my arm to tell me he wants attention.

Catch-up

I can't believe I'm just getting around to our trip to Lake Travis. Melinda and I set off on a Saturday morning. We stopped at a rest area to let the dogs water. Duke saw light when Melinda opened her door and flew out the door. He wanted to hide and I took the practical approach. He'll come when we ignore huim. Sure enough, I opened the back door and up he runs and jumps right in. At the lake he swam across 300' cove to visit a dog he saw then swam back. The 3 of them had a great time in and out of the water. When it was time to leave, after Melinda and I were burned, they all went right to sleep all the way home.
Here's a picture of my neice Tricia's 3 dogs. Does one of them look famliliar?

Update

Duke has been going next door where there are 2 Great Pyrenees he plays with. They play all day and are wiped out by evening. They go right to sleep. Duke continues to be a problem when he takes off running. We've had a couple more incidents but the last 2 days he's fallen for the open door trick. Current plan a trip to Austin June 6My neighbor Melinda, her 2 and Duke and I are driving up to give the dogs a couple hours at the lake then overnighting before heading home Sunday. No, our dogs are not spoiled. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

One year

Its been a year year since I've had Duke!

OMG and a New Business Venture

I just noticed that the last post was December 14. The story was much like this one. 20 minutes of giving Duke a bath is a workout. Today I vacuumed the carpet. Well I got the rug downstairs done, the hall and most of my bedroom when I smelled something. The vacuum bag was FULL. Do you suppose I could sell puppy hair pillows? I have an unlimited source of raw material. I'm waiting to see how many bags it is going to take for the rest of the house. THEN we do the stairs. Everyday I gather a whole dog of fur from the stairs in my hand. Duke went to bed early New Years Eve and slept right through the fireworks. Me too!