Country Dog To City Dog

August 28, 2007. Well, it sure did not take me long to readjust from cabin life to city life. I am right back into the swing of things. I’m still eating heartily though, now that Tom discovered the magic recipe for my food. Everyone seems to think I have filled out some, so we will have to go down to Petcetera and get weighed.

We did go there yesterday, but, I had to wait in the truck because Tom couldn’t hold me and carry a 50 pound bag of food at the same time. Maybe we will walk down there later.

I am back patrolling my territory and yard and greeting passersby. I have been lounging in my favourite spots and soaking up the sun and feeling the breeze ruffle my fur as I sleep. The park has sure changed because of the city strike and it is more like running in a meadow. It makes fetch more fun though, because I have to search and find my ball.

This morning I ate my breakfast and then after a two hour wait, Tom and I went out to the park for a run. Today we did a full 45 minutes out in the park and there were lots of new smells for me to explore. One thing I have noticed during our first two days home is that both days we have gone to the park; there has been no Helicopter Man and no Chicken Wing Dancers.

My reaction to commands has improved just since yesterday and I had plenty of distractions today. There was a lady pushing a stroller with a young child across the park. Richard rode by on his bicycle. There were all sorts of crows on the field and flying. A man walked right across the park in front of me and there were three different people with three different dogs.

Not once did I wander away from Tom and when my concentration wavered a quick command brought me back on task. At the end of our run, Tom allowed me to walk home off-leash (we didn’t do this yesterday). While we were walking, a car pulling a trailer went by. I made no attempt to chase it, even though they drove me crazy up at the lake. Up there I even chased and caught two of them.

I still have to rework my stay command when I get to an intersection, but with a little practice, I think it will come back quickly. It is difficult though because I had two full months of almost total freedom up at the lake. I did love it up there very much, but I am still happy to be home. I can’t wait until next year though.