The Great Escape

February 6, 2007. Today started out as probably my worst day behavior wise since my adoption. We got up at the usual time to take Renee to Starbucks before work. After we dropped her off, Tom and I came back to the house. Looking out on the park there was probably 6 puffball dogs out there, so that meant no play for awhile. No problem as it was only 8:00 AM and we don’t go out until 9:30 AM. Every time Tom looked out, there was another set of dogs out there. Then helicopter man and his gang of chicken wing wavers were out. Finally at 9:30 we started out. The park was deserted.

Unfortunately, by the time we got out the door, there were a couple of dogs on the park. Not too big a problem as they were bigger. On the sidewalk though, a couple came up behind us with another big dog. We were allowed to say hello and were sniffing when I had my first meltdown. Suddenly I started growling then barking and I wanted to fight. I was straining hard to get to this guy. I don’t know why, because he was at least my size and tougher. Tom pulled me away and we went for breakfast instead.

When we came back, the park was finally empty and we went out for a run. It was raining and those seagulls and crows needed to be chased. I kept on jumping up at the ball launcher and was not obeying the stay command. I bit down hard on Tom’s hand and really crunched his finger. I was not listening to Tom very well at all. We still got in a good 45 minute run. Then it was time to go home. I was dragging my butt big time. As soon as we got in the yard, Tom let me off the leash.

Well, imagine my surprise when I saw a big, black cat sitting in the neighbour’s yard, just staring at me. He was challenging me and I can’t have that. He kept daring me to come and get him, so despite how tired I was, with a big charge and a mighty leap, I was over the fence and gone. We went around the house and out the front. Then he charged across the street and I followed right on his heels, and Tom followed right on mine. I ran right across the road without stopping and into another neighbour’s yard and so on. Tom finally corralled me in the pathway between two houses and he was not happy at all. Tom does not like running one little bit, and he likes it even less when I ignore him.

He took me back to the house and I could tell I was in trouble, so I stayed in the kitchen, banished. After about twenty minutes, Tom called me over and all was forgiven. Later we went to meet Renee for lunch, and I got my sanity back. I walked on “heel” for the entire walk and obeyed all my commands from Tom and Renee.

After we got back to the house, I let Tom give me a good long brushing and not once did I resist or try and play by biting the brush. Oh, it felt soooo good. Tom and I watched TV and then watched the Canucks vs. Edmonton hockey game together. I lay by his side the whole time and only moved when he took me out to pee. We went out on the leash though, so I know I’m not fully trusted to be in the yard alone yet.

After the game, Tom took me out for another 1 hour walk and then I flaked right out. What started out as a bad day, finished out being pretty good.