up for the challenge

Increasingly I am coming to believe that Henry is a Doberman mix. He has that temperament: fiercely loyal and smart, grand with children, cautious with strangers, boundless energy, forever in need of attention. My quiet dog will bark if I ignore him for too long. And yes, you can train him out of that habit, as you can train him out of exuberant leash grabbing after a potty break, and socialize him to be happier with strangers coming and going. The key word here is "train." This kind of personality requires patient, consistent work. He is not a dog for a busy person. An adult Doberman (and whatever mix is in him) can be a joy, or a headache if improperly handled in his youth. I can't do anything about his earlier months, but I can work with him now because he is supremely intelligent and very food responsive. But who are we kidding -- it will take work.

In the meantime, my pooch wakes up and gets movin' at the same time as always (right about 7:10). Remarkable how he lives by the clock, considering that the sun rises later each day.

[On the other hand, I didn't take him out for a quick pee before going to sleep last night. I thought maybe our 8:15 pm walk would be enough. It wasn't. Much later I found his first puddle: on the guest bed! All washable and a lesson for me: he's not ready for an 11 hour stretch at night.] 

(another frosty morning)

 

There is a lot of car movement at John Q Hammons Drive at 7:30 in the morning, but not much pedestrian traffic. I wish it were the opposite. As it is, Henry has his fill of grassy fields and manicured lawns of corporate headquarters, but what I think he needs more of is people contact. 

(We do encounter this man every morning, on his way to work at one of the small hotel/motels that are ubiquitous here.)

Where there is a person coming towards us, I am sure to keep Henry on a short leash, and still people give him a wide berth. He looks energetic. Like he would leap up on you and take off your nose maybe. (He has never leaped onto strangers, nor has he aggressed against anyone, but of course, you wouldn't know that.)

After a walk he is hungry, for food and attention. He gets the first, and just a little of the second. He didn't ask nicely, so I wasn't too accommodating. The CW is to completely ignore a pooch who goes nuts to get you engaged.

(his calming spot: by one of the bedroom windows)

 

My breakfast, finally.

The day is complicated, though not so much for me. My daughter and one child have doctor's visits. The other child is fine at home (school is closed today), babysitting their Goose, but since I have to drop Henry at day care for a few hours anyway, I pop in to check up on the whole lot of them. With my fruit bowls, because that is my grandmotherly trademark.

I brought along Anne of Green Gables. And I linger so that we can log in the next chapter.

(Snowdrop listens from an unusual vantage point)

 

  

Errands are followed by chores followed by Henry pickup. 

(driving past Owen Woods, I felt a little sorry that I can't take Henry to this park  -- no dogs allowed... on the other hand, the many squirrels there would drive him nuts (ha)... what is it about dogs and squirrels?!)

 

 

At doggie daycare, they tell me Henry got a little over-excited today. They have "time out to chill" quarters. He took two pauses there in his five hour visit. Yes, I do know that this dog is high energy!

Henry and I have a meet-up with the young family in the afternoon in downtown Middleton for their annual Halloween extravaganza. I figured not incorrectly that Henry would have a nice dose of human contact.

(Here comes the gang!)

 

 

There were hundreds of kids and parents picking up candies from local businesses.

 

 

 

You'd think that this would be enough "trick-or-treating" for these two!

 

 

 

But no! Tomorrow is their big night. Snowdrop goes with friends, Sparrow goes with Sandpiper and some combination of parents and dog. It will be more chilly, but at least we wont have rain or snow!

 

 

I have to say, dozens of kids wanted to pet Goose and Henry. I was watchful to see how Henry would handle the tumult, the crowds, the attention. And he did beautifully! Even with the toddlers who came up to give him a pat. Goose is a pro at being chill, but today, Henry showed his true nature as well: he is great with kids.

Are you tired yet, sweet Henry??

Are you tired yet, Nina?

(I'm not over my bug yet, so I can't just blame Henry!)

with so much love...