Willow's Dilemma

Willow is very polite and well behaved except for one thing; he's always had a bad pawing habit, which was not helped when I boarded him with some wonderful folks who brought pitchers of carrots to the horses in the fields every day.  Truly, it was horse heaven, and his pawing in anticipation was ignored.  It's the one behavior I haven't been able to modify to my satisfaction, he knows I don't want him to paw, and he's pretty good about not doing it when tied with just a reminder, but at meal times he just can't help himself.  The hole he's dug in his turnout stall is impressive, and annoying if you forget and step or slide in to it, which inevitably happens now and then.  I tried many methods to try to stop him during my feed prep, including bringing the whole process to a halt until he'd cease and stand away from his hole, but nothing really worked.   But now I think I've got it!  If I hear him paw, I stop and run at him, yelling. At first, he'd shoot out of his stall in  bug-eyed alarm.  Now, he's come up with his own solution, which I am kind of impressed with.

He waits for me in his stall, and when I enter the barn, he purposefully leaves it.  Willow prances, then trots, then canters back and forth in front of his stall until he hears me dump the feed, then he plows to a halt and walks quickly in for his meal.   He's totally unflustered during this, but impatience radiates from every muscle.  He's found his best solution.  Keeping still, and -- God Forbid!-- not pawing is just too much to ask, so he takes his impatience and energy outside.   I'm amazed he doesn't just go outside, out of my 'reach' and paw. 

Sunday Serenity-- Come for a Walk With Us!

Today, WHS and I decided to take advantage of the  beautiful weather and remaining colors to go for a family outing.

WHS carried along Buglet the Italian Greyhound who is our current special needs dog.  

Daisy the Super Dog showed Mimi the Italian Greyhound how to root and find tasty acorns.

Soon, Mimi ventured to acorn-hunt on her own, accompanied by Pepper, the mini Dachshund.

Mimi was a little tentative about moving on out on her first woods walk,  but slowly began to fall in with the rest of the pack.   Here, Daisy leads, followed by Max, the failed crack house Pittie, Mimi and then Pepper, who was not too sure about Mimi wearing her cape, but decided to share. 

Even Buglet was happy.   Of course, I'm pretty sure that this is how she feels life should be!

My Little Mule

Such a pretty face.   Doesn't she look like someone threw a bucket of white paint at her?

Isn't she beautiful?  Compact and sturdy, but still very feminine!  More than enough chrome to stand out but not enough to need sunglasses.  *smile*

27 more days....

Daisy The Super Dog is Disappointed, and the Golden Grape Leaves

Daisy:   Okay, I'm ready to be your navigator, Mom!

Daisy:   Shoot.  Isn't there somwhere you need to go?

Now that it's getting chilly during the day WHS leaves my car door open so Daisy can hang out in it.   She'd rather be in the car than in the house if she thinks there's the remotest chance someone might need her to navigate, and she's perfectly willing and happy to spend her day guarding the vehicles, either under or inside them.

Some of the prettiest fall sights around here are the graceful -- and plentiful--  grape vines trailing the last of their yellow leaves.