Long weekend at an end

My long weekend.  I don't think Reilly really noticed.  I gave an exam to three sections of lecture on Thursday, so had a lot of grading to do, on top of the grading for labs.  And prep for this week coming.  And clean my house, as company comes on Monday.  And spend time with Reilly and work on commands.  And get some specific shopping done...things I need for the dogs and for work.

So it's nearly ten pm on Sunday night.  I've done most of what I needed to do.  Reilly didn't get his bath, but it can wait until Wednesday.  I've a few dishes left to do, but they are waiting until the morning, even though I'll be mad at myself in the morning for leaving them!  I got lots of (expensive) stuffed cow hooves for The Boys.  It seems to be the current favorite.  The unstuffed ones are much cheaper, but they are the smaller more fragile hooves, and I want the big thick ones.  I have to get a bunch of them so they don't argue over them.  I've never had an argument over food in bowls or food handed from people, but chewing things can cause a ruckus.  Reilly is trying to get bossy and demanding with the other dogs.  Murphy will just give up whatever Reilly wants.  He prefers them as toys, not chewies, so they aren't important to him.  Jake, on the other hand, seriously loves his chewies.  He doesn't like to share.  He has always taken his to a different room to enjoy.  Now Reilly gets bored with his, and wants to take Jake's...even though it's the exact same thing.  And he barks at Jake.  And growls.  Jake growls back.  Not good; this could escalate if we're not careful.  We do separate Reilly when we leave, so they can't get in a conflict while we're gone.

As I typed that with Reilly at my feet under the table, Murphy went and got a hoof and brought it to Reilly.  He put it in front of him, then sat back, ears pricked, to see if it was accepted.  How interesting the doggies all are!

Reilly went to the park two days in a row this weekend.  The first day he was great.  Walked like a champ, listened to our short training sessions as we went, and was all-around a good pup.  The next day...he wasn't.  He pulled constantly, tried to go to everyone we passed, and wouldn't even listen to a basic command.  He was like a totally different dog.  I'm not sure what set him off, but I'll watch for weirdness each time we go from now on.

I'm sorry I don't have pictures.  It's been an overloaded week for me, for sure.  Despite company coming, I should have a bit more time for such things this week.  I need pictures. Reilly is huge.  He'll be five months old next week, and he's somewhere around 70 pounds.  He's still not close to growing into his ears, tail and FEET, but he's developing beautiful flews and has the most wonderful face.  Must. Get. Pictures.

Meg and Reilly