June 12, 2007. It’s another day of firsts and surprises. We went for coffee as usual and I did not bark the whole way there. It really is hard for Tom and Renee to figure me out. Last night on the way to guitar lessons, I did not bark for the entire trip there. On the way back was a different story. Same as on the way back from coffee today to drop Renee off at work, I barked.
After Tom and I got home, we were going to go straight out to the park, but couldn’t because the grass cutter was out there. As soon as he left, we started over to the park, but by the time we got out the door and across the street a work crew had moved in to pressure wash the kids wading pool area.
Of course with them working there, it displaced the whole crew of Chicken Wing Dancers. They moved out onto the baseball field where we usually run. Since they were all over the place, Tom didn’t want to risk me running amongst them. So we moved to the lower area. That didn’t work both as it was rush hour on the busy street below and there were bicycles going past.
So, we moved again, this time to the area below the kids play center. That worked fine and we ran for 45 minutes, well at least I did. It was great, with all sorts of cedar trees to run around and through and new things to sniff. I was really good too, coming when I was called and bringing the ball back. There was even the distraction of the pressure washers, which I ignored.
One incident of note, and if we didn’t need any more proof that Helicopter Man is an idiot, he confirmed it today. He arrived late and saw his crew out on the park. He walked over to the pool area and stood with his arms folded over his chest and glared at the work crew. Finally, one of the guys came over to him and
Helicopter Man started screaming at him. What a moron, I swear this guy thinks he owns the park or something.
After we got back, Tom started doing things to the boat. I’m not quite sure what he means when he says it has to be de-winterized. I guess I will find out. He took off the plywood shields that he built to keep me away from it. Then he lowered the front and lifted the motor part, called “the leg”.
Then he said lets go for a car ride and I jumped into the truck. Then he backed into the yard and hooked the boat up. Then we started driving and I noticed that the boat was following us. After watching it for a bit, I got bored and went to sleep in the front seat. I didn’t wake up, or bark or make any noise the whole trip. When I woke up I was in a big yard surrounded by hundreds of boats.
A short time later, Tom jumped back in the truck and we headed out. The boat stayed there. When I got home, again I was completely quiet on the whole drive, I jumped out and went into the yard and things looked very different. The boat was gone and I had all sorts more room to run around. All in all a strange and different day.
Then we went for our usual walk to meet Renee for lunch and walked around the neighbourhood. Renee walked us back to the crossing light and then Tom and I continued on. I know I won’t get to see Renee now for another few days, but, I was in for at least one more surprise. When Tom and I got within one block of home, he allowed me to go off-leash.
This is the first time I have been off-leash while walking up a street. I do it when we are coming back from the park, but that is only on the park and only just to cross the street. This was a full city block of me free. I rewarded Tom by walking on heel all the way home. He didn’t even have to command me to stay when we got to the cross street. I stopped and sat until he gave me the release command. I was very proud of myself.
After Tom and I got home, we were going to go straight out to the park, but couldn’t because the grass cutter was out there. As soon as he left, we started over to the park, but by the time we got out the door and across the street a work crew had moved in to pressure wash the kids wading pool area.
Of course with them working there, it displaced the whole crew of Chicken Wing Dancers. They moved out onto the baseball field where we usually run. Since they were all over the place, Tom didn’t want to risk me running amongst them. So we moved to the lower area. That didn’t work both as it was rush hour on the busy street below and there were bicycles going past.
So, we moved again, this time to the area below the kids play center. That worked fine and we ran for 45 minutes, well at least I did. It was great, with all sorts of cedar trees to run around and through and new things to sniff. I was really good too, coming when I was called and bringing the ball back. There was even the distraction of the pressure washers, which I ignored.
One incident of note, and if we didn’t need any more proof that Helicopter Man is an idiot, he confirmed it today. He arrived late and saw his crew out on the park. He walked over to the pool area and stood with his arms folded over his chest and glared at the work crew. Finally, one of the guys came over to him and
Helicopter Man started screaming at him. What a moron, I swear this guy thinks he owns the park or something.After we got back, Tom started doing things to the boat. I’m not quite sure what he means when he says it has to be de-winterized. I guess I will find out. He took off the plywood shields that he built to keep me away from it. Then he lowered the front and lifted the motor part, called “the leg”.
Then he said lets go for a car ride and I jumped into the truck. Then he backed into the yard and hooked the boat up. Then we started driving and I noticed that the boat was following us. After watching it for a bit, I got bored and went to sleep in the front seat. I didn’t wake up, or bark or make any noise the whole trip. When I woke up I was in a big yard surrounded by hundreds of boats.
A short time later, Tom jumped back in the truck and we headed out. The boat stayed there. When I got home, again I was completely quiet on the whole drive, I jumped out and went into the yard and things looked very different. The boat was gone and I had all sorts more room to run around. All in all a strange and different day.
Then we went for our usual walk to meet Renee for lunch and walked around the neighbourhood. Renee walked us back to the crossing light and then Tom and I continued on. I know I won’t get to see Renee now for another few days, but, I was in for at least one more surprise. When Tom and I got within one block of home, he allowed me to go off-leash.
This is the first time I have been off-leash while walking up a street. I do it when we are coming back from the park, but that is only on the park and only just to cross the street. This was a full city block of me free. I rewarded Tom by walking on heel all the way home. He didn’t even have to command me to stay when we got to the cross street. I stopped and sat until he gave me the release command. I was very proud of myself.
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