Getting Ready for Christmas

It's been way too long since we had any Duncan updates here. And I have a nice big backlog of photos and a video or two. So let's try for a post a day for the rest of 2013, shall we? 

Duncan has been very puzzled by all the Christmas preparations that have been going on around here. This time last year, of course, he was just a tiny puppy with a broken leg, so he didn't understand much about Christmas. But this year, he's into everything.

A couple of weeks ago, Duncan spotted something strange happening outside.

He moved to the other window to see better, but it still looked pretty suspicious.

It turned out that Daddy had taken leave of his senses – again! – and was stringing coloured things on Duncan's trees and bushes. Well, a guy can't allow that, can he? Duncan barked and barked, but Daddy just laughed at him and kept on. Embarrassing. But Duncan has finally decided that Christmas lights are okay.

Icing

This is part of the reason the pool's coming out in spring.

And wasn't that kid who's taking the video instead of dealing with the critter the one who didn't want to take it out??

PS - If you have trouble seeing the video here, it's also on Megan's Facebook page.

Duncan Does Daycare

Sleeping off a busy day

Today was a big day for Duncan – he passed the entrance exam for doggy daycare!

This morning I took him to Country Haven Kennel. It's a bit of a drive, but it was highly recommended by his teachers at school. Before they accept a new dog, they do a 5-hour assessment, to make sure that he'll fit in. I wasn't actually sure Duncan would even make it to the door, let alone manage to get through 5 hours, he was so excited about all the wonderful country smells. They even have horses! But he loved playing and running with his new friends. His only complaint was that the dogs all go into crates for a quiet time at lunch time. Apparently he explained quite loudly that he wasn't tired and didn't want to rest, but he had to anyway.

He's a tired little boy now, and he's curled up sleeping it off. He's going to go back again next Friday for more fun with his friends.

Duncan's Diet

This is how he stares at me while I eat. I hate food trials 

Since Megan posted this picture on Facebook, I should probably explain that we're not actually starving Duncan. He gets plenty of food to eat. The problem is that he's on a special diet, to see if a food allergy is making him so itchy. He's only allowed one special kibble, with only two ingredients – kangaroo and oatmeal. 

Think about it. No cheese. No carrots. No rawhides or bullwrinkles. Not even a chicken-flavoured chewy toy. Life is rough. Even making Megan feel guilty doesn't work.

Luckily, he thinks his kibble is wonderful. And that makes life easier for us, because it's the only thing  he's allowed as a training treat. (This morning we started working on Sound Effects 101: How Not to Bark at YouTube Doorbells. He caught on after only two tries, despite my attempts to fool him with a different doorbell sound effect. Have I mentioned that he's smart? Hopefully he will apply this new skill to real life quickly.)

We're just over halfway through the 10-week diet, and the 30-pound bag isn't going to make it. So far, he's eaten his way through 20 pounds of kibble. That's 2/3 of Duncan's weight!

Happy Halloween!

Megan carved an artistic masterpiece of a pumpkin this year, and Duncan met it in the garage before we lit it for the festivities. He found it a bit puzzling, but quite interesting:

Since Duncan worries about strange-looking people ringing his doorbell (and since he gets very loud when he's worried) we set up a candy station in the garage while he spent a peaceful evening watching TV.

By the way, here's what it looked like lit. For the uninitiated, it's a Minion, which is ironic because that's what a certain sibling wanted to name Duncan.

A Visit to Grandma's House

Duncan first met both his Grandmas last Christmas at our house, when he was just a tiny puppy with a broken leg. But a little while ago, he had an exciting visit to Grandma's condo. 

This was a real honour; we never took Kerry to visit. Because Grandma's cat, Poppy lives there. She doesn't like dogs (well, to be honest, she doesn't actually like anyone but Grandma), and Kerry liked to chase her. But Duncan is less of a chaser, and Poppy always hides in the closet, so we gave it a try

Hug - or restraint?

Duncan felt right at home. He was as well-behaved as a very excited one-year-old wheaten can reasonably be expected to be. Grandma gave him a spare toy of Poppy's to chew:

And she slipped him lots of treats:

He can hardly wait to go back. Poppy is just glad he's gone.

What's Duncan Been Up To?

Inquiring minds, I am told, want to know. Especially Duncan's friend Owen.

Well, it's a bit embarrassing, but Duncan has turned to a life of crime. He's become an underwear thief.

Of course, he'll steal socks if underwear's not available. Or newpapers, or sticks. Anything, really. But unmentionables seem to be his favourite, since he learned to open the laundry hamper. He's snagged something from all of us at some point, so we won't identify the owner of this particular garment:

It's a game. He'll stand in the hall, or across the room, and make tiny little "wuff" noises until we notice him. The dog equivalent of clearing his throat. Then he jumps back a few feet, inviting us to join the game. The chase is on! And it's very difficult for a single human to win. It usually takes two, and sometimes three, to catch him.

Note to self - must stop leaving sliding door open.
Good thing winter's coming!

We need to get a new laundry hamper. One with a padlock. But then, that wouldn't solve the problem. Because at the side of the house (where Megan finally cornered him) are all those stealable stones!