Working for the dogs

It's not exciting, dramatic, or even particularly scenic. I've been doing the same two mile walk through Pleasant Grove on the roadway because I'm a major tick magnet and can't venture into the woods without spraying myself down thoroughly with insect repellant. 

The dogs don't seem to mind taking the same walk all the time, it's an adventure for them just being out and there's always the possibility of seeing something or someone new and interesting. It's an outing, away from home and their usual routine. And there's always squirrels, bunnies, and sometimes deer. No one ever declines a walk due to lack of interest. I don't get bored either because I listen to music while I walk, and it's nice to just be out with the possibility of seeing something new and interesting, away from home and my usual routine. 

Wednesday evening as a solo walk with Bailey. This is supposed to be a training walk. I used her halter and a short leash so she can't pull me so much. We practice her "up" (which really needs no practice), and a couple of other commands, but mostly this is about bonding with my baby girl. 

Thursday evening it was Bailey and Ford. I had them both wearing matching rope harnesses, which I like, but it does invite pulling. Bailey was really the one who did most of the pulling. Ford wouldn't have except he wanted to get close to her. By himself he's actually pretty good and easy on a leash.

Bailey has spotted a rabbit here.

This is another bunny spotting. Ford has no idea what's going on.

Friday morning I was up by 6:00 a.m. and had everyone fed and put into daytime positions by 6:30. The day started out very cool so it was the perfect time to take Della on a walk, this time with Elvis. They are a good walking pair.

Our biggest and smallest together make a cute couple.

This pair walks well together but they also like to stop and sniff together.

I need to get back to doing early morning walks with Della

 because it's too hot in the afternoon and evenings.

I had to work during the day on Friday in spite of the nice weather, but late afternoon I went out for another walk, this time with Norman. I used the halter on him again for ease of control, but also kept a short slip lead around his neck for my sense of security. He was really quite good although when he spotted a squirrel he sort of bolted and I stumbled a bit before regaining my control and composure. Norman loved the walk and he's really loving late evening, after dark, pasture time. 

Norman also does a nice "up" when you ask for it.

He's a big dog and he's half Saint Bernard, so we stopped in the shade when we could.

Friday evening I got out for a third walk, this time with Bailey and Mercy. It was my third two mile walk of the day so I wasn't up for a lot of pulling. I had Bailey on her halter to minimize that but just used a rope harness on Mercy because she's not a puller at all. There were two rabbit spottings so Bailey was happy.

I sometimes feel like I'm just working for the dogs around here, getting them fed, exercised, and entertained. The pay sucks but it's still a great job. 

Sweet Mercy

Mercy is a female, spayed, German Shepherd Dog, about a year old. She is current on vaccines and heartworm preventative. She's been living with about eight or nine other dogs and gets along with everyone. She's a bit shy about new people, which isn't unusual for a German Shepherd who tend to be interested only in "their" people. Although she's not out-going with strangers, she's not aggressive and will take treats nicely from them. 

I've taken Mercy on walks and she's actually quite good on a leash. She's also crate trained and house trained. Being young, she still has some puppy tendencies, like getting into stuff she shouldn't, carrying shoes around the house, and general mischief but she's not destructive. Mercy will benefit from some training and further socialization. Some shepherds can be difficult, and particularly female shepherds often exhibit possessive and dominant characteristics. Mercy isn't that dog. Her temperament seems solid, she's amenable to training, and I'd cautiously characterize her as an "easy" dog, if that can be said of any German Shepherd. She has certainly been an easy foster dog but I'd like to get her into a permanent home situation so she can bond and grow with her own person. 

Mercy is available for adoption through Green Dogs Unleashed, greendogsunleashed.org, and she's being fostered near Charlottesville, VA. You can contact her foster home at vadogrescue@gmail.com with any questions or if you'd like to meet her. Preference will be given to adopters with prior shepherd experience and a fenced yard. A history of good vet care is a must. I've tagged many of the people on my friends list that I know as shepherd owners/adopters. Please feel free to share this with others, and to untag yourself if the notices become annoying.

He's back

Ford must like it here because he keeps coming back. We like him here too, so that's ok. We will keep him until can find someone with enough commitment to stick it out beyond the first 24 hours. Help me Jesus. 

He came back on one of the most beautiful days we've had around here too. He and Bailey played together for a while in the house and then I put them both out in Daneland to play with Norman and Mercy later in the afternoon. The evening was just gorgeous, you could almost describe it as cool, and we all had a good run in the pasture and puttering around the yard before dark.

Welcome back, Ford. You've got a home here as long as you need it.

We may need to change his name to Boomerang.

Mercy and the mower. I ran out of gas in the lower pasture.

Pouncing queen

You know it's cool when Della is in a playful mood.

Norman came around after the mower ran out of gas. 

He does not like the mower monster.