Just Go... Gone to the dogs

Teslin is my son's dog. She is somewhat of a miracle as she suffered a potentially life ending incident a few years ago and spent time in a dog ICU. The vets saved her life and she continues to be the little wonder dog we have all grown so fond of. 

Charlie understands Tes's rather aloof attitude towards him. He is fine with her ignoring his presence. He learned that she was an elder to be respected and not to get in her private dog space.

He could learn a few things from his elderly friend though. Like...don't walk out onto the road!

Saturday's plan was to take the dogs to Petrified Springs Park and take a walk then visit the Biergarten where we could relax with a pint and the dogs could be with us.

Charlie got to meet a LOT of other dogs. And those dogs did not offer to chew his head off or even growl at him. He was in doggy heaven. So many folks also stopped to ask about him. Tes remained her wonderful aloof self and ignored most people and their pets.

My son would politely let folks know that Tes was "A Grumpy Dog."

I was surprised at all of the attention Charlie got. Of course he had gotten a new Bling Collar and a Bow Tie to wear on his Big Day Out.

At the Biergarten, Charlie eventually got mobbed by little girls. [Yes they asked politely if they could pet Charlie!]

To say that Charlie was in heaven is an understatement. He wiggled and behaved SO well! I am glad he had all of that experience at the Nursing Home when he was so young. 

When returning my mug, I stopped and conversed with a couple that had a huge Black Great Dane. That dog had more manners than most people I've ever met.

I think this might speak volumes without any words....

I think it is obvious where my son's heart is. 

Now don't think I don't like cats! I grew up with cats as pets so yes, I do love those aloof creatures that let you know when it is okay to pet them. Tes is like that. She is catlike in her movements and attitude. 

My son says he will do a DNA test on her as he is curious as to what mixed breeds are in her heritage.

Charlie?

He was happy to get home after another day of meandering about the state but in a more direct way. 

He went 'to bed' when we got home and crashed until the next morning.

Our trip was fun. And even Rich enjoyed the time I was away. 

Whistling Dixie...

How do you teach a dog to come when called?

I really did know this answer when I'd gotten Charlie. I'd just forgotten that I did this. I mean, I'd been calling dogs with a whistle from my own lips for so many years I've never even thought about it.
The year I married my husband, he had hound puppies that he wanted me to train for handling. The pups didn't have names and I couldn't help but want to play with them.
I found that a whistle got their attention.

Years later with Morris and other hounds that I raised, I'd do the same.

Dixie excels at coming to a whistle. She has never ignored it. Not ever.

I left the cord at home, but took a rope anyway [in case I have to put one of the rascals on a leash].
I let Dixie loose and Charlie followed. The idea is to let the big dog help the little dog figure out how to come when I called or whistled. Unconsciously I used the whistle anyway. When Charlie isn't paying attention, a sharp whistle brings his head up to find the source.

Charlie was learning two things. Come on the whistle and pay attention to where Dixie was and what she was doing.

Charlie could learn by example. After all, Dixie learned by following my jack russell, Morris.

Rich had a huge concern about Charlie being so small and Dixie being so huge.
Dixie has a very gentle temperament. She is also good with commands and will 'leave it be' if I ask her to.

Here Dixie is with Charlie after he tumbled. He squeaked and she came over to investigate. Finding nothing wrong with the wee one, she trotted off and Charlie followed.

I spent most of my time letting the dogs explore. When they got so far away, I'd simply whistle.

Dixie would turn around and trot to me then sit. Charlie would come on the run. Dixie's 'treat' for this simple command is lots of petting and cooing about how good she is. Charlie got his 'loving up' too. He wagged and wiggled and tried to avoid getting stepped on by Dixie.

Charlie learned a bit more about the creek. He seems to be saying to Dixie, "It is so unfair for you to have such long legs! That water would be up to my chest!"

Here is an example of calling the dogs with a whistle. Both dogs had been sniffing the interesting leaves and rocks when I whistled.

Charlie has to run while Dixie only ambles. But it is a fine sight to see. Both dogs coming without hesitation.

We will have many more short hikes where Dixie teaches Charlie to come and follow. Charlie's confidence is growing like he is.

He is adventurous and has a huge heart.

The whistle really does work. It works so much better than shouting a name at a dog all of the time.
And Dixie is a good training tool to have. She enjoys the outings too. No one loses this way.

Big Dog
Little Dog

Can I pass the Flame? ~by Morris

I don't like exuberance any more. I used to have all of that and more. I used to jump and play and chase like a wild man.
Now I prefer the couch.

On nice days She let's me out with Dixie to hike or play in the yard.
What a nincompoop that young dog is!

Dixie races towards me and leaps over me. "Hey, you wacko, stop that!" I growl.
She shakes her jowls and slobber gobber flies.

"What? What? Hey, wanna play?"
"No, I just want to walk around with some dignity." I snap back. "And don't smell my butt!"
However when she gets close enough I do try and sniff hers.

"How come you don't want to walk anymore? Huh?" Dixie trots around me with those long legs of hers, I duck her tail.

"I can't. I don't want to." Tail wagging, who gave these dogs such long dangerous tails?

Things sort of get a bit serious. I need to train Dixie to watch over Her. I mean, now that I can't do those long hikes, She needs to have company.

"You know you have a new important job now that I can't go," I tell her, "She needs watching over. She needs to be taken care of. She needs A LOT of help in the woods you know."

I explain carefully to Dixie what her new duties will be.
Make sure she can find home.
Make sure not to leave her alone too long.
Help her find the right trails.
Dixie listens. I think.
We walk along and I hope Dixie is getting this. It is important I tell her.

She can lose track of time when she is out walking and hiking.

Dixie looks at me. "How come you won't go anymore?"

I sigh, "I am old Dixie. Very old. I can't hike. My teeth are bad, my ears don't hear well, I can't see hardly any more, and I am so tired all of the time."

"Oh." Dixie sits down. She thinks for a bit and then says, "Do I get your house when you leave? Can I have the couch?

"No Dixie, the year you spent in the house? It kind of was a disaster. I mean you never could get it through your head that you didn't just pee at the kitchen door whenever. You need to ask to go out. And believe me, I recall that She said you damn near flooded the place...a LOT!"

Dixie thought about this. "So I can't pee just whenever?"

I take a big breath. She is a big dog, but Dixie is a smart do too. After all she has learned all the sit, stay, heel, and come commands and excels at doing them. I refuse to do that stuff. Humans are to worship me, not the other way around.

"No you can't just pee whenever or where ever. Especially since the house is remodeled. Besides you have a nice house and you can go potty whenever! You don't have to wake up Her to go potty. That is a big bonus." I'm trying to convince her that a yard dog has its advantages.

"If you live inside, they pet you all of the time. Nag, nag, nag. They expect you to play with toys and entertain them with silly things. Then when they don't want to play any more you just are supposed to be quiet." I shake my head. "It is very complicated, Dixie. So many rules."

Dixie smells where I just marked a tree. "Oh that is interesting Morris, but I wouldn't mine the extra petting at all or being silly. Nope, not at all."

I roll my eyes. As Dixie starts to walk away I holler. "BATHS! She would give you lots of baths!"

"Oh, I wouldn't mind. She gave me baths when I was a pup."

I try again. "Um, I doubt you'd get the couch to lay on anyway. You are absolutely Humongous!"

Dixie ignores me and trots towards Her.

"Dixie. When you are out hiking with Her you have to be more patient. MORE patient. She says you come up and whine in her face a lot. You have to just watch her, okay?"

"I do watch her. I also lean into her and try to gobber smack her with slobber. That way she knows I am not running off after scents." Dixie stops what she is sniffing for a moment. "Morris, I can't be you. I am a different kind of dog."

I shake my head. Dixie is different, she is loyal to a fault, she will love with all of her heart. She will do anything she can to please. She will never growl at Her for disturbing her sleep. I take comfort in that because when my time comes SHE will need exactly that. A big dog she can hug and not one that dislikes that. She will need undying love and unbounded energy. She will need the laughs Dixie's flopping ears and jowls make when she runs.
She will need to Dixie to be a distraction from her broken heart. Ick, even if that big stinky dog needs a bath, She won't care.

Whew. All that done, Dixie and I go to the summer garden and hunt mice together. I don't see very well, but she finds a mouse and I grab it. I am happy for us things may just work out eventually.
I may be able to pass on the flame to Dixie.
She would be a good candidate for Her next full time hiking pal.

I get tired and go in the house to sleep on the coveted couch. I could see Dixie sprawled across the couch here...or perhaps at Her feet.
Yes, that could work.