Another beautiful day

Days are always nice when there's a puppy around.  Even when you're tired, didn't sleep, the house needs cleaning and you don't feel up to it, you need to go to work, your to-do list is growing by leaps and bounds...a puppy makes everything less worrisome somehow. 

This morning we again went for a walk around the ball field at the park.  Reilly started off fine, then decided he would rather roll on the ground and attack his leash than listen to a thing I had to say.  I finally had to gather all my little muscle strength, grab him by his halter and give him a good shake, like his mama would have.  After that, he was a perfect gentleman.  It's a good thing.  I didn't have enough left to do a second shake.  And within another couple weeks I won't be able to roll him, so he needs to learn to mind me early on.  I can not use physical power on him; I don't have any.

After the puppy-shake, he walked along with us like he'd done it every day for his life.  The occasional pause to smell the morning doggy newspaper, of course, but not once did he try to pick up a piece of trash.  When we returned to the parking lot, after he recognized my car he was ready to load up and go.  For the first time, he jumped up and put his forefeet on the step-up, and I boosted him in.  I thought when we got home he'd want to go back to sleep, but he wanted his breakfast.  He ate kibble while Chris and I went and fed the livestock.  Then I came back and cooked breakfast for the big guys.  When they ate, Reilly got another carrot, which pleased him completely. 

He's also figured out the rattle of the treat bags/tins.  There are two low shelves in the kitchen where we store such things.  They are fully within reach of small puppies, much less big dogs, and all dogs must learn not to take for themselves...but they are allowed to choose for themselves when it's treat time.  Murphy, in particular, knows what is in each container, and will ask for what he wants at treat time.  Jake really doesn't care, as long as it's edible.  Reilly already seems to understand that he can't get anything on his own, but if he hears the rattle, he comes running with the big boys.  He's got his own chicken-and-grain-free treats down there, too.

See my nice new bed?  I'll either outgrow it or destroy it.  My big brothers each ate a bed, but they don't do that anymore.

Murphy makes a great pillow.  He's very tolerant of puppies.  Jake still likes me best outside,  but in a couple more months I'll be able to play better and he'll be a good friend.