24.......... back in training

“All clear” and “go for it”, says the surgeon, 3 months post-op.

Clearly this leaves unrealistic opportunities to do too much and restraint is definitely the name of the game.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Two weeks of performing ‘tiny’ height dog jumps could now at least progress to ‘toy’ height and we have now moved up to ‘mini’ height with the odd tunnel, curved, of course, to ensure he uses his weak leg more than the undamaged one. Weaves poles is back on the list too but they are minimal and channelled. And steps, more up than down - need to work out a plan for him to do these on his own - this is exhausting! It feels like it’s been ages but he has forgotten nothing – his “left” and “right” is still instant and works if I say it at the correct instant, his start light is still sold and he still responds with eagerness. This Boy is just so excited to be back at the club again!

Interspersed with training he still goes swimming every 10 days and joins me at the chiro every third week. His weight is still a concern and now that he’s on JD Light hopefully starts dropping; need to get an entire kilogram off him. Walking 2 km to the vet once a week for a weigh-in is an option and he’s doing the entire trip (bar crossing two Main Roads), off lead!

His “in-house” behaviour has progressed to unbelievable limits (he isn’t scared of the clothes horse and is no longer banished to the study at night but sleeps in the bedroom.

With all this exciting focus on getting Mac into ‘action’, I am forced to take a 2 week break to go on an overseas holiday. I am leaving both my wonderful dogs and an irritating-can’t-live-without-it cat, with an unknown house sitter for the first week and my almost 4-year old twin grandsons and family are moving in for the second week. My ‘house sitting journal’ is detailed and probably extreme and the twins have been rehearsed in looking after the dogs.

How am I going to relax chilling in the sun while floating down a river in France on a barge with my husband and 6 close friends? Will definitely have to chance having the odd glass of wine to dilute the stress!

I pray he doesn’t regress or that he seizes the opportunity to chase a car!

Mac and Me

C’est la vie

23.......... a normal dog

A stormy day almost exactly one year ago, Mac “shut down” on both courses so badly, it would have been futile to try and keep him moving. The wind was lashing ropes against flag poles and the trains were noisy going past the competing grounds. I was asked by a well-meaning handler if Mac would ever be "a normal dog”.

What exactly is 'a normal’ dog?

·         normal dogs bite

·         normal dogs have no standards as to appropriate elimination sites with the exception of “where I sleep is out of bounds”

·         normal dogs do not come when called if something more interesting is going on

·         normal dogs default to responding to new stimuli in their environment fearfully.

Fear is a survival adaptation and keeps a dog safe.

·         normal dogs chew, dissect, and destroy things

·         normal dogs resource guard

·         normal dogs bark and growl

·         normal dogs dig holes

·         normal dogs hump legs

·         normal dogs vocalize when left alone

·         normal dogs chase squirrels, deer, and cats

·         normal dogs kill small animals

·         normal dogs pull on the leash

·         normal dogs often like to run around as fast as they can, even if they knock over small children or grandma in the process

·         normal dogs lift their legs and pee on trees, even when we bring those trees into our houses and put lights and ornaments all over them

·         normal dogs like to sniff EVERYTHING – crotches (human and canine), fire hydrants, trees,  bushes, gopher holes

·          normal dogs eat poop

·          normal dogs tear up the garbage, counter surf, and eat expensive panties or heels

·          normal dogs roll in poop and dead things

·          normal dogs do not like every dog they meet

•   normal dogs do not want to be hugged, kissed, touched, or stared at by every person they            meet in every situation
•  normal dogs don’t like having their nails trimmed, mats removed from their coat, or grooming
•  normal dogs don’t naturally love being crated

         (http://blogs.dogster.com/dog-training/the-myth-of-normal-dogs/2010/11/)

I’m mad about Mac, my "not so normal" dog!

Mac and Me

C’est la vie