She named you Tru. You are a member of the smartest dog breed on the planet, one that performs in sheepherding trials, one that needs to work every day because you are so intelligent. You are happy to get into a golf cart and ride around the Crow Canyon County Club golf course, looking for… Continue reading Border Collies 2, Geese 0
Category: dog training
The Dog Crate Disaster
When my pup was just over a year old, the Ghost Ship Fire happened in Oakland. 36 people died in a warehouse that had been converted into artist co-op with an illegal dance club on the second floor. When the fire started, the young people dancing upstairs were trapped, and they died. Tragedy. Every night… Continue reading The Dog Crate Disaster
Dog Training, the $100 Secret
When I got a ten-week-old puppy the Monday before Christmas two+ years ago, I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be. I’d trained many a dog, but I did it within the context of my family, with my children at the ready to wear out the new pet. This time I was living… Continue reading Dog Training, the $100 Secret
Daisy, Daisy, Give Me Your Answer Do, Month # 4
The rescue dog and I are entering our fourth month together. I’d like to say that all is well, and it is, if you disregard her climbing on the kitchen table when no one is looking, or peeing on the rug when it’s raining outside. Oh, and let’s not forget the day I gave her… Continue reading Daisy, Daisy, Give Me Your Answer Do, Month # 4
Best Dog, Worst Dog
She was under a rusted-out Ford pick-up truck that looked as though it had been parked there for decades. Her sister was an ugly black and white Australian blue heeler/Brittany spaniel mix. She wasn’t much prettier. “Are you sure you want that one?” my future husband asked. I looked at the black spot on top… Continue reading Best Dog, Worst Dog
A Good Dog Neighbor
Yesterday my son and I had lunch together at the local sandwich shop. He brought his little dog, half Chihuahua, half terrier. I fed Violet scraps of lettuce under the table while we ate. She thinks she’s a vegetarian. Afterward, we followed the usual routine and came back to my house, where Violet could run… Continue reading A Good Dog Neighbor
Crazy Daisy
Now in my second month with the crazy rescue dog (she has lots of issues), I realized that my other dog acts worse when on a walk with the rescue girl. It didn’t dawn on me until one day my right hand wouldn’t grip anything. I had sprained it while walking the two dogs together.… Continue reading Crazy Daisy
What the Fluff? Rescue Dog Anniversary
I brought Daisy home the day after Christmas, just one month ago. She was shy at the rescue place, but my bigger dog, Pepper, liked her right off the bat. Pepper and Daisy hit it off and didn’t growl at each other. Yeah. They saved that for the drive home. Pepper didn’t like the strange… Continue reading What the Fluff? Rescue Dog Anniversary
The Nuts in My Batter
I have judge-y friends. Two years ago: “Why’d you go and get a puppy?” Last year: “Why don’t you ever travel? I’d die if I didn’t get to travel.” Last month: “Why did you get another dog? As though you don’t have enough to do!” Last week: “Why did you take your sister? You have… Continue reading The Nuts in My Batter
What Happened to Daisy?
Eighteen days ago, I got a rescue dog. I’d wanted to get another dog ever since I gave away Pepper’s buddy last summer to make room for my sister. No, the dog I gave away did not go to the pound. He is sixteen, incontinent, and blind. I gave him to my ex, where he… Continue reading What Happened to Daisy?
FIRST DATE, WORST DATE EVER! 