Everybody walks

Sunday was a beautiful day right from the start, nothing but clear skies and sunshine. I hadn't logged many miles for the last couple of days and was determined to change that today.

I started off with Della and Paisley. Della is going to be greatly offended if she doesn't get to go first. We went about 2.7 miles, pleasant, uneventful walking. Della was a bit annoyed with me, however, because I would not let her stop to sniff as often or as long as she wanted. Sorry, but I've miles to go and calories to burn.

I did some work at home on the computer before setting off on the second hike of the day with Elvis and Daisy. I hadn't walked Daisy with another dog since she's been here, but they've all been out in the yard together and I figured that Elvis was the one least likely to provoke or have a problem with Daisy. They trotted along together for another 2.3 miles, bringing me to five miles for the day. 

I did some more work online after the second walk and then loaded up for my third and final hike for the day. Maya hasn't been wanting to walk with me lately and that's fine but I thought I needed her for this one because I wanted to take Fargo. I thought that Maya would model good walking behavior as she always does and I hoped that he'd be more comfortable with her going along. I used both a harness and a slip leash on Fargo and I needed them both, and more. 

He walked, but he didn't want to and I was basically pulling him along behind me for the entire two miles. I got more exercise as a result but my back paid the price. There were a few brief moments when he was walking entirely on his own power so maybe he was enjoying it then, I don't know. Even Paisley, who was scared of me in the beginning and would pull as far away from me as possible, even she supplied her own momentum when walking, unlike Fargo.

I think I'll start bringing him in the house, to a crate in my office during the day this coming week. I know he'd rather be outside with his brothers, especially in this spring weather, but he needs to learn to be a shepherd and no one out there knows anything about that either.

I didn't get Chico and Norman out today but they spent the day outside in Daneland. I had planned to take them to the pasture at least, but I was too tired for that after the last two miles with Fargo. Six out of the ten dogs living here got out for a hike today at least, that's pretty good.

Paisley

Della

Daisy and Elvis

We went to Decipher for a beer after dinner at Mockingbird Saturday evening

and people asked me where Elvis was. He has a fan club.

Daisy crossing a shallow stream.

Fargo

It's always nice to walk with Maya.

Seven miles.

Normalizing

They've been here for a week now and I just put the three shepherds to bed by myself for the second night. I went out and Fargo was already inside on a bed. He came out but with very little effort and gentle directing I got all three herded inside and closed the door. I'm able to touch them all now, even Fargo. Although he's still not crazy about it, he will make eye contact with me and that's halfway home. 

If a dog will look you in the eye, they can see who and what you truly are. If a dog is reluctant to make eye contact, it's because they are afraid to find out that the human before them is the monster they most recently knew. But if they will take the chance and look, their gaze will penetrate any human façade and see straight into the soul of the being in front of them. Your soul is laid bare before them, and yes, they will judge you. Blessed are those deemed worthy of a second look. 

The best thing that could happen for these three now would be for them to go to three separate homes, even if foster homes, and learn to bond with a decent human. That's all they need to be fully shepherd, to be fully dog. 

Fargo, Sturgis, and Dakota

Sturgis

Fargo and Sturgis

Sturgis

Fargo. I swear to dog, he will be my friend.

Dakota

Fargo (looking at me!), Dakota, and Sturgis

Dakota's vet day

I hadn't really planned on taking these three dogs to the vet until they were at least trusting me. But Green Dogs had a vet appointment open for today and with three dogs needing to be neutered, it was time to get started. 

We started with Dakota because he's the least shut down of the three. I put a harness and a slip collar on him this morning after separating him from the others. I was able to pull on the harness to keep him moving with dragging him and he actually did pretty good walking from Daneland to the van. Again, the harness helped get him into the crate in the van, I just picked him up by it and got the front free in, and the rest of the dog just sort of followed. 

He had never been to a vet before so he had no vet-based fear upon arrival, just his normal reluctance to go anywhere or do anything new. He weighed in at just under 46 pounds. He assumed a position in a corner of the exam room and tried to wish us all away. 

The surgery went well and I picked him up at 5:00 p.m., still rather groggy but able to stand and walk. Getting into the van was easier this time. It started raining and none of us wanted to get out of the van when we got home (Della had come along for the ride). Apparently he's got bad diarrhea so I put him back out with the other two, but left him in the shed with access to the doggie door.

Oh, and he was negative for heartworms and all the other tick-borne diseases! So there's that.

Getting out of the van at the vet's office.

Going inside, reluctantly.

This is a scrawny shepherd.

On the scale. This was one time it was good that he didn't want to move around.

He laid down in a corner of the exam room.

Although these guys don't like to be touched, they don't react to it badly.

He was still quite groggy when I picked him up.

A busy Thursday

It was a beautiful spring day, but it was one of those days at work so I didn't get out to enjoy it until late afternoon. But thanks to the time change and being past the equinox, Della and I still had time to get in four miles before it was completely dark. 

The first picture was taken Wednesday night when we got the shepherds into the shed for the night. They were nice enough to pose themselves for a nice family photo. They will look ten times better in six months, but they are good looking dogs even now. I'm taking Dakota to the vet Friday morning to be neutered. Wish me luck.

4 miles