Author: Robin

Gracie-Bayside Out&Back:  65 minutes, 3.7 miles, 17:47/3.4, HR=107.  This morning’s decision to hit the road instead of the trail in hopes of avoiding the deer flies was a good one. 

I let Gracie drag her leash around the yard this morning.  Hanna scared up the Heron.  When Gracie made a move toward the beach, I said; “Gracie Careful” and she stopped in her tracks, turned around and came to me.  So, later this morning, I figured I could let her off the leash completely.  Wrong!  She chased a squirrel into the woods.  I chased her.  Not one of my more brilliant ideas.  There’s barbed wire and all sorts of nasty stuff in that tall grass.  I must have gotten into some sort of weed that I reacted to.  My legs got all bubbly and itched like crazy.  Gracie does not come when she’s called.  We’ve GOT to work on that!  But, when I got close to her, she did sit on command.  We’ve been working on that.  Once I got the dogs in the house, I stood in the tub and scrubbed my legs, then applied Vani-Cream mixed with Benadryl.  I put on a fresh skirt and shoes just in case there was sap or something on what I had been wearing.  I seem to have suffered no long term ill effects!  I have ordered a long cable and a whistle.  I will be working with Gracie on coming when she’s called!  The woods are going to be an issue.  The Trainer and I discussed adding a few more flags as well as working with Gracie on a leash in that area.  I’ve got my own car back!  We had dinner with John and Diane at Spasso. 

Gracie-LuceLine West Out&Back: 74 minutes, 4.49 miles, 16:39/3.6, HR=128.  The deer flies were vicious!  I am beyond pleased with how well Gracie has done with just one training session on the Invisible Fence!  The Trainer worked with her for most of an hour this morning.  Gracie perceives me as “safe” and I wish there were a way to give Hanna that role for her as well.  I can unconditionally guarantee Gracie that Hanna will NEVER cross the Invisible Fence.  I suspect every bit of Gracie’s respect for the fence may fly out her left ear when she sees a squirrel, deer or neighbor dog.

Early Mass.  On Monday I dropped my BMW 540i Wagon off for service.  It needed an oil change, the “Check Engine” light was on and the rear wiper didn’t work.  I told them I needed the car back on Thursday.  All week long it’s been one snafu after another.  Friday afternoon it was determined I wouldn’t be getting my car back before Tuesday.  Since my BMW mCoupe is not an appropriate vehicle for Avery to ride in, they gave me a BMW X5 35d.  Cars have come a long way since 2002/2003 when mine were built!  It’s nice to have this extended opportunity to drive an SUV as this is a vehicle I would consider when the time comes to replace my Wagon.

I thought I would let Gracie off the leash to chase a tennis ball for a bit.  Bad idea.  She took off.  She didn’t go far, just into the creek.

We had a much more restful night last night.  I’m not sure who’s going to be happier when she can finally be loose in the yard; Gracie or me.  Though, all this perimeter patrol is good for my Gruve!  I put the dogs in the outdoor kennel so the Crew could clean the house while I went and got Avery.  Hanna has a nasty bite on her back.  I hope they’ve got whatever that was about settled and that’s the end of that.  I bought a stake and 30’ cable for Gracie today.  She’s very content to sit/lay in the yard and watch the world go by.

The lake is a great place for a city dog to visit.  But, it’s not home.  That became painfully clear to Gracie at bedtime last night.  The neighbor’s fireworks didn’t help.  She paced and she “sang”.  Hanna assumed her spot on the corner of the bed and about midnight I actually reached down to make sure she was breathing because she seemed unaffected by Gracie’s distress.  While I would have let that dog sleep under the covers with her head on my pillow if that would have made her happy, tonight we’ll make a kennel available, since that’s what she’s used to.  I’ll get over it.  WOW!  “YellowPants” is featured on the Courage Center’s website as an “extremely generous philanthropist”. 

I forgot to wear my Gruve today!  Am I going to regret using UStreamTV with my Verizon MiFi?  Gracie joined our household this evening!  I’m not sure who is more confused, Gracie or Hanna.  If Hanna happens to get Gracie cornered, there’s a bit of half hearted snarling.  Gracie has taken a liking to a bunch of dried sweet potatoes on a rope that she found in Hanna’s toy box.  We’ve been taking Gracie out on a leash, walking the perimeter of the yard.  So far, so good.  Both dogs are obviously stressed – there’s much pacing and panting.  As much as it’s a hassle keeping Gracie on a leash until we can trust her on the Invisible Fence, I think that confinement will foster the bonding process.