First and last

First time Reilly wanted on the sofa was today.  He's watched the big dogs get up there, but he hasn't shown an interest.  I haven't encouraged him, as it's a puppy-tooth-free safe-haven for Murphy and Jake.  Particularly Jake.  But I was sitting there, and he wanted to join me, so I boosted him up.  He loved it.  First, he tried to do the big dog thing, and use the arm of the sofa as a pillow:

He just couldn't get comfortable like that, though.  His neck was all stretched out.  So he decided to curl up like a puppy.  I gave him a friend.

He got up again later, on request and with help.  Woe unto Jake!  He'd best go get in bed!

As far as "last" things, I think today is his last bath in the sink.  He's grown a lot since his first one!

He stands so nicely for his bath.  And his toothbrush.  That's the red thing on the counter.  Nobody wants stinky mastiff breath rolling in from the next table over in the restaurant!  He got his nails trimmed today too.  I don't have the hand strength to squeeze the clippers anymore, so I asked hubby to do it. He's not used to doing such things.  He ended up quicking one hind toenail, which made Reilly yip, and made Chris feel bad.  It wasn't by much and the bleeding stopped quickly, but it'll be a bit sore for a day or two.  It didn't upset him though.  After the initial yip, he was past it and made no objection to the rest of his nails being clipped.

The temps today were only in the high 80's!  Murphy and Jake wanted to spend more time outside, and Reilly wanted to go too.  I watched him through the window, as he went further from the house than he's gone by himself before.  Maybe thirty feet!  Getting braver all the time.

Today we did have one pee and one poop accident in the house, both in his room.  Not bad at all for his age.  Not bad at all.  He'll be house trained in no time!

He's been acting his age today.  He's been harassing Murphy and attempting total destruction on unsuspecting stuffed animals, on which he pounces in a very catlike manner with both front feet.  Then he grabs them and shakes them, growling fiercely.  In between those, he's been begging.  For carrots.  Vocally.  He will whine and even bark for carrots, but not to go outside.  Go figure.  "MOM!  You know they're in that big box!  Get one for me while you're in there!"  "WAIT!  You forgot the carrot!"  He's so funny with them.  I don't care what kind of treat the Boys are getting, or what they have for breakfast.  Give Reilly a carrot and he is thrilled to death. 

I have mostly remembered today to make him sit and wait for permission to exit an open door.  I forgot once or twice, but mostly we're doing it. It confused him to start, but by days end he's in less of a hurry to get through the door.

Tomorrow Reilly and I will go for our walk in the park without Chris.  That'll give us more time to work on walking beside me on the same side instead of switching.  Our current plan is to walk every other day, so as not to strain little puppy legs.  Chris will join us on days he can.  His work schedule varies.  Once classes start back, we'll see what schedule works best.  Although my earliest class is only 9:00 am, I'll have long days to be there.  I'm only teaching three days a week, with several sections a day, plus office hours and prep.  It's a lot of time on my feet for lectures and labs, although I have a break between classes, which is where I put my office hours.  So I do alternate standing and sitting.  (No, I will not teach sitting down.  Boring.)  Starting off getting tired may not work well.  And I still have livestock to feed.  I think I'll end up walking on non-teaching days.  That'll be Wednesday, Friday and the weekend.  We can either walk W/F/Sunday, or walk all four of them, as Reilly gets older and stronger.

Reilly is spending more and more time awake, and more and more time wanting attention, which is good and as it should be.  He is quite vocal still, and demonstrates it more and more.  This will be our biggest hurdle to overcome.  (So far, anyway.)  He can't be so vocal out in public.  If he doesn't outgrow it, we'll have to cue it and not give the cues in public.

Tomorrow we'll be going to pick up that next size harness he needs.  And maybe to Tractor Supply for some rabbit food.  I want him to have his third set of shots before he goes into PetsMart.  It's always full of dogs and unvaccinated puppies.  The store that carries the harnesses I like is pet friendly, but I've only seen one dog in there, so we're less likely to run into one, especially during the day.  And Tractor Supply is dog-friendly, but you rarely see one in there, either.  We can buy a new toy there.  I'll let him pick it out.

Another positive day.  Life is good.
Meg and Reilly