Back to walking

This morning we slept in until about 6:30, did our chores, got doggie breakfast, and then went back to the park for a walk around the ball field.  Since Reilly was on limited exercise he hasn't had enough leash time, which I'd already figured out, but it did show on this walk.  He was trying to walk in front of me with leash taut, and was crowding me from the side with his hips.  So, we'll be doing more leash work, as planned.  A bit of practice around here and our planned three days a week at the park, and he'll be back to loose-leash walking soon.  Plus, puppy class starts September 6th.  Which reminds me, I haven't gotten any paperwork or anything from them other than an email confirmation.  I'd best check in this week and make sure we're still on the list.

I also need to put his socks back on.  I had stopped so I didn't pull his legs around, but he can have them back now.  I do need to find something easier for one person to do, as I can't put his socks on by myself.  Well, if he'd hold his foot out I could, but it's like trying to put socks on a wiggly two-year-old.  Two people is better.

I haven't had time to work on a training schedule.  the Charlotte trip yesterday meant all the weekend chores had to be done today.  So I re-bedded the chicken houses, cleaned out nest boxes, canned the last of the grape juice, and still had errands to run downtown.  I forgot the stores close earlier on Sunday so didn't get all the errands done, but I'll finish tomorrow.  I also need to figure out when I can write this out each day.  At the moment I'm managing every other day, but it'll be better for me to do daily.  I'll also remember pictures better if I'm doing this daily.

I did pick up three black Kongs, and one red one, all shaped nicely for peanut butter.  Reilly will get the red one and one black one, and the other two black ones will be left out for Jake and Murphy.  I'm hoping they will help on my working days, and help with teething on Reilly.  We shall see.  I know mastiffs can eat the red ones, but it should give us a bit of time before he's able to do so.  If I see signs of wear, I'll confiscate it and pass it on to someone else.

Since I've ordered a vest for him, I won't be needing to continue using a harness on him.  That was mostly for him to be used to having something on his body.  The vest will cover that.  So, I have a couple harnesses, and lots of collars (including old ones I found from Jake and Murphy) that I need to find homes for.  I'm guessing a rescue facility could use them.  I'll have to check.  We don't need to keep them all.  And since they aren't in them long everything is in good shape.  After his vest comes, I'll see what I need to keep and what can go.  And I thought I was done passing on things the kids outgrew!

Hopefully I'll have something new in pictures tomorrow.  I'll try!

Meg and Reilly