Daddy's Little Helper

As I mentioned recently, we're going to be taking out the pool this year. It will probably be another month or so until it actually comes out, but we've started getting ready. Yesterday, we disconnected the electrical wiring and took out the pump. Duncan helped by stealing one of the screwdrivers.

You might recognize the little corner where he took his treasure; this spot by the skimmer seems to be where he stashes his Really Good Stuff, like Mouse(?) (who is now missing the top of his head and his tail) and Cardinal (of whom only the bottom half remains). I wonder where he'll put the Really Good Stuff when the pool's gone?

One of the first things we learned, back when Duncan was just a tiny puppy in a big splint going to Level I puppy school, was the Trade command. He learned it well, and steals thing to hold for ransom trading whenever he can. He was quite willing to set down the screwdriver and see what we had to offer – but notice that it's carefully positioned so he can grab it if the offer isn't good enough! This time, it only cost us one piece of his special kangaroo meatloaf. Last week, Daddy's sock cost me four pieces. It's all relative.

Slightly Soggy

Kerry hated rainy days. If it was raining hard enough, she would decide to skip our morning walk. Kinda wish Duncan felt the same way. 

He doesn't really like rainy, and he will moan (literally – this dog has a huge repertoire of pathetic noises) if he has to pee in the rain first thing in the morning. But he doesn't like to skip a walk for any reason whatsoever. So we slogged our way around the neighbourhood this morning, stopping to shake off the water every few yards. 

But digging out my rubber boots brought back fond(?) memories of puppy days:

Or to be honest, most days. Yes, that is the fireplace mantle they're sitting on. I tried to use the floor, but Duncan wanted to chew them. (He's getting better; he did stop when I told him to "leave it", but he wouldn't move his head away, just in case I changed my mind.)

Owen Came to Play!

Duncan's friend Owen came for a visit this morning. Duncan was very excited when he saw them arrive!

Duncan likes to play with Owen, but he doesn't always understand that people play differently than puppies. So he jumped up on Owen a lot, but Owen was very good and told him to get off. Many, many times. They practiced sitting and staying, and Duncan was pretty good at doing what Owen told him (at least some of the time). Owen also made a sort of Easter egg hunt with kibble in the back yard, but he had to help Duncan find most of it.

They played with the wonderful ball-inside-another-ball toy that Owen gave Duncan a while ago. It's such a favourite that we ration it, and Duncan hadn't played with it for a few days. He had a wonderful time! Here's a video of him playing:

A New Stick Joins the Collection

Duncan's newest stick (top) and his Ultimate Stick

This morning I woke up with a bad back, so I spent the morning in bed with heating pad, tylenol, coffee, computer and book, while Megan took Duncan for his morning walk. 

When they got back, I heard Megan saying something about an "outside stick". In fact she said it several times. I heard Duncan disagreeing. Also several times. A few crashes later, he and his newest acquisition landed on the bed with me. 

He had found an excellent specimen of tree branch, and had lugged it all the way home from the park to chew. He was eventually persuaded (with some difficulty) to take it outside, where it has joined his Ultimate Stick (still a favourite).

He's Down There Somewhere

Duncan is really enjoying spring. He loves being outside, and he's rediscovered his old friends, the rabbits who live under the deck. He spent the best part of an hour trying to dig them out this afternoon.

We're planning a lot of changes to the backyard this spring. First and foremost, we're taking out the pool, which has caused Duncan a few embarrassing moments (and us a few scares!) He doesn't like swimming in it, and he doesn't like us swimming in it. It will be nicer for him to have a real yard to play in. But we're also planning to replace the deck, and I'm not sure how Duncan and the rabbits will handle that. 

Stay tuned...

Ah, Spring...

Playing in the garden? Why, yes, I was. How could you tell?

Coat Changes

Duncan's natural state is best described as "scruffy". But you may have noticed over the last few weeks that he's been scruffier than usual. We let his coat grow over the winter – it just seemed too cold for short hair – and it was in need of a bit of attention. 

Duncan's puppy/adolescent coat is very fine and soft. It's a bit like trying to groom dandelion fluff. But a few weeks ago we noticed a reddish streak down one side. Naturally, at first we assumed it was dirt! But there was a streak on the other side, too. He looked like he was developing racing stripes:

His bald patch is less noticeable now.

Last week, we finally got around to a bath and haircut day. And we discovered, once the top layer of fluff was gone, that his "racing stripes" are now spreading to around his tail, and he's also starting to go reddish-gold on the sides of his head. Adult coat coming in?