So far, 2011 has proved to be a record-breaker for me: I have a new exercise regime for which I've gotten out of bed at 5:20 am five out of the last five mornings, a personal best of the last 30 years. This is not the result of a New Year's resolution; it's due to our new (un-housebroken) dog. And it's beating my butt.
Actually, the new regime has already had a positive effect on said body part as I'm walking briskly for about 30 minutes each morning and night. Henry is in charge of running Bindi madly up and down the street; I'm in charge of the long icy walks in the darkness. We're crate-training her in the house but have missed four accidents so far, so we've got some work to do. This was why I didn't get a puppy, I recall.
She's a very happy, loving, silly dog who hasn't grasped the house-pet concept yet. When we're not taking her out, playing with her actively or keeping her in her crate, she gazes at me expectantly with an eager confused look on her face that asks "Now what do we do? Now what? What now?" She hasn't relaxed yet and we have to watch her continuously in the house, so life has been a little hectic this week. Exhausting, really.
Tomorrow I'll start her in the outside run to see if she tries to escape before we begin to use it full-time during the day. Then eventually I'll train her to the invisible fence so she doesn't bolt out of the yard to chase deer (like yesterday at 6 am for example). She'll get there - she's very attuned to us and eager to please. Our wildlife guy at the Museum guessed that she was an outside ranch dog who got lost/abandoned, which is why she's socialized but not trained, which makes sense. She desperately wants to be a pet and a part of our family, and we love her to death already. She cuddles with Henry on his bed at night (more wrestling than cuddling, actually, but they like it) and is showing the cats due respect. The rest will come, I'm sure, and I'll get back in shape at the same time! What's not to love? Other than pitch-black, icy walks at 5:30 am?
I have no photo today as it's too damn dark. Maybe this weekend.
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