LabradorRodeo

Truman and I braved monstrous and mostly unnecessary traffic (is there any other kind, here in Los Angeles?) to visit our friends today — Deborah and her lovely little girls. Deborah has a glorious back yard full of delicious plants, and two beautiful toddlers who were remarkably restrained in the presence of Flippy McBoingBoing. After some “Labrador Shuffle” time around the tree, a hearty chase involving his squeaky toy mouse, and a thorough taste test of every single leaf on the ground, Truman enjoyed some on-leash time in the house with me, watching the girls intently as they giggled and played and eventually burst into tears over the enforced sharing of storybooks (as toddlers are wont to do).

It was good practice for Truman, and also apparently for three-year-old Maggie, who is not usually a fan of the canine set. We must visit again soon…especially if Deborah once again insists on feeding us pizza and freshly baked cookies. Next time perhaps Truman will be self-controlled enough to sit still and unrestrained for a picture with the girls.

Thanks for the fun afternoon, ladies! We love you mucho!

Because I had a non-dog-friendly wedding to attend, Truman spent the weekend at my area leaders’ house, with all the usual suspects plus a few cameo appearances: their two breeder dogs, a couple of pets, a (visiting) working guide, And four other puppies in training (Paige and brother Tai, and a couple of pups from the litter born before his). Yes, there was a point at which all those dogs — all Labs — were in residence at once.

The day I dropped him off, I had the pleasure of observing his discovery of the Lixit dog waterer in their back yard.

For all the genius Truman displays in other areas, he sure did look like a doofus with the Lixit. He did figure out how to make the water come out…then he proceeded to snap at said water in an attempt to catch it before it hit the ground. I’m sure much of it was just play, but the show would certainly not have earned him any IQ test points.

Endless fun to watch for the rest of us, though.

May 7 – We had a busy weekend.

Saturday morning puppy class up at GDA was yet another adventure in dog distraction madness. It’s to be expected, of course, since the little man is still a little man, but I can tell Truman shares that exuberance and zest for life (and other dogs, and people, etc.) that Lomax had. I admit that when he’s being a spaz in public, I feel a little spazzy myself, because I know how it must look: can’t control my own dog! I’ll tell you what, though — after raising two high-energy Labs, I do *not* judge other puppy raisers who look like they’re not in control, either. Instead, I silently empathize and say a quick prayer for them.

Afterward, we burned some energy by romping with Paige and Tai. And subsequently drank lots of water with Paige and Tai:

Sunday was graduation (congratulations to Janna and Kamra!), and knowing the campus would be full of dogs and people, we came a bit late and sat behind the seating area in a shady spot, where I could keep both hands on the little dingo without disturbing people who were trying to see and hear the ceremony. He did surprisingly well; I think the key to controlling much of his distraction is proximity (or rather, the lack thereof).

Another milestone: Truman is now sixteen weeks old, and having endured the requisite rabies shot, is fully “street legal.” We have yet to take advantage of his newfound ability to go into a pet store, but it is a relief to not have to worry about where I can safely relieve him in public. We’re all smiling about that one.

At least Truman’s “doctor visits” are taken care of. My truck, not so much.

I promised him he won’t have to be flushed every three thousand miles, but I’m not sure he believed me.

April 24 – Just showin’ off my nice clean ears.

April 23 – Truman takes his first trip to Barnes & Noble, where we reserve our copy of the last book in the Hairy… er, Harry Potter series.

He refused to pose in front of the books on dog training, so we went with my favorite fantasy author instead. Truman is, after all, a little “Feist”y.

April 21 – Truman receives “The Banana,” a very silly toy that instantly becomes his favorite, from Auntie Tina and Uncle Ron. As of this writing, The Banana is miraculously still intact and very popular.

April 18 – Mom says that when I was a baby, all they had to do to get me to go to sleep was put me in the car and drive around the block.

Guess it runs in the family.