Surviving the Heat Wave

The worst thing about a heat wave is talking about how hot it is, and, in the interest of focusing of the positive I try to avoid talking about the temperature. Just for the record it was 33 degrees C, in the shade, 43 with the humid ex and 50 in the sun. That's far too hot for anyone who likes snow. And unfortunately the temperature has become a bit of a problem for those of us who own fury little ones. Cadie likes a good chew, so yesterday I took her to the park, and she chased the ball and then dropped to the ground and proceeded to chew on it until she was warn out. We had met Salt at the park, but she didn't find an alternative way to wear herself out, and she had a very bad night. Salt and her mother came over tonight for an indoor dog park, but it was pretty obvious that she needed more than just a ball to chase, but it was so hot, we couldn't ask the dogs to walk today. In the end we decided to take them down to the parking garage. We started with sled dogs, pulling and straining at the end of their leashes, and after only 5 or 6 trips up and down the parking garage we had tired dogs. By this time a nice breeze had blown up and the shade was very enjoyable, so the dogs also had a chance to sit in the grass.

Uter, being a tropical sort of turtle is loving the heat. The water in her tank is up at 28 degrees C, a nice hot bath really. She is watching me as I type this. That's the problem with prey animals they never really love or trust you. Oh well, I can't complain, happy turtle in "the bath" exhausted dog passed out on the cool floor. Off I go to cool off myself.

Planning session

I had to work late tonight, trying to close one of my books, poor Cadie had to wait an extra hour for her walk. She had a good time though. We headed to the park to chase the ball around for about 30 minutes--there has to be some benefit for a girl who waited an extra hour.

I'm currently rethinking my career. I'm wondering if I shouldn't recareer. As I've hinted, I've been struggling at work, sitting at my desk, hating my life. I have been wondering lately if I should become a dog walker. I'm wondering if it's just my imagination or if it would be too perfect for words to spend my day, and earn my keep doing the something that seems almost ridiculous.

In the mean time, I'm going to focus on walking Cadie

Reality Check

So I’ve now had a taste of what it would be like to have 2 dogs. I’ve always thought I would love to have a second dog, but it’s kind of like watching the Cosby Show and coming to the conclusion that having 5 kids and 2 professional careers is easy, peasy and anyone can do it. Until yesterday I had totally bought into this thinking, but now I see that I am better to only have one dog.

Cadie played host last night to her friend, a cute little Westie, nick named Salt. Cadie and Salt are good friends, they look forward to seeing each other, and they play well together, so when my friend asked if I could keep Salt overnight I answered yes without hesitation. My friend often keeps Cadie, if I need to work late, or if I have to go out of town for the day. So obviously I was more than happy to return the favour. Salt arrived yesterday about midday, and stayed only about 24 hours.

I have to preface what I am about to write by saying that Salt is a fantastic dog! I honestly don’t think it would be possible to find a better dog house guest. Still I’m exhausted. I had decided to take the dogs out for a bathroom break at about 3:30, this was uneventful, but that’s because it didn’t involve coats, paw protector or egos. We went outside, they did their business and I brought them both in, feeling like I could certainly handle 2 dogs, no sweat!

We all had a nice little nap, but then at 5:30 the dogs were looking pretty bored, so I suited up and took them to the trail for a good long outing. This is where the fantasy came crashing down.

Suiting up was so tiresome. It involved 3 coats, Cadie, Salt and of course, myself. Then the boots, then the leashes, and the community grooming equipment (poop bags). We headed out, and we hit our first real snag as soon as we hit the sidewalk. Salt and Cadie often walk together, but never by the same person, and so they don’t have a rhythm, first one would stop then the other. Then one coat would come off then the other. By the time I was finished fixing the second coat the first one would be off again, and I think you get the idea. After only 15 minutes Salt had completely removed her coat and I was carrying it.

Juggling leashes was my next challenge. Although they walk really well for my friend, they know that I’m not the alpha, so they were zig zagging all over the trail, stopping and starting jutting back and forth in front of me each one trying to lead the pack. Now before you think I’m a total pansy who can’t manage the dogs I had prepared, I done some research. My friend had given me some tips, keep the leashes short, being the most important, and just for the record, I did all of these things. I think the dogs were able to sense my mounting frustration, and they struck while the iron was hot.

We did get a decent walk, and another one again this morning. Salt and Cadie get along really well, and there was nothing acrimonious about our visit. They helped me pack; they hung out on the couch and tried to steal each other’s breakfasts. All in all it was a good morning with Salt, but she was tired, and was so happy to go home. My friend called 30 minutes before coming to collect her which was a hilarious moment. It’s just so funny how intuitive dogs are. The phone rang, and before I could even spit out the words “Salt it’s your mom calling” Salt was off the couch and standing by the door. I laughed, it’s just so funny.

The other issue that I was not expecting to have to deal with was Cadie’s jealousy. As I say, she and Salt are good friends, and so it wasn’t acrimonious, but Cadie was not herself. I think she felt that she had been replaced, which of course was not true, but you can’t really reason with an animal. Salt headed for home, Cadie and I watched her get into the car from our dinning room window, and I think that Cadie was genuinely upset to see Salt leave, but we’ll see her tomorrow morning at the park.

Doggie see, doggie do

A surprising good day, it started out on a pretty rocky note, Cadie refused to get up, slowing me down quite a bit. I was standing at the side of the bed trying to coax her into getting up, but Cadie would only lift her head up off the bed, give me a huge yawn and lay back down. The good news is that she isn’t huge s I was able to force the issue without too much of a delay.

I had been hoping to get to the office early to try to wrap my head around a potential problem. As it turned out my problem didn’t really exist, so I started to feel better before 9 am. From there the day just sort of trickled away and I soon found myself back at home, a little late, but Cadie didn’t hold it against me. We headed out and had a great walk.

I know that I have lead you to believe that we are super urban, but we spend very little time on the sidewalk during the winter because of the snow. My neighborhood has a great walking trail, and that’s where we go every evening after work. In the summer when we get more light we’ll also do our evening walk on this trail, but it isn’t super well lit, so we stay clear during the winter months. It was a fantastic walk, the sunset was warmish, and the temperature fairly mild for a winter day, and there was a nice light dusting of snow. We were with good friends, and then we even made it into the park where Cadie got a great treasure, and found the biggest, and best stick she could handle.

I threw the stick for Cadie several times, and she did her best to run with it, but it was just a little too big for her to manage. Then my friend called for her dog and we headed home. Cadie has an uncanny ability to watch one dog do something, get rewarded and then copy this movement. When my friend calls for her dog to come, she, the dog, always gives my friend’s legs a tap with her two front feet before sitting. Afterwards my friend gives her dog a treat, and we laugh about how her dog treats her like she’s a Pez dispenser. Cadie has always come to my friend when she calls for her dog, but today, Cadie watch the other dog “press the Pez dispenser” and get a treat, and decided that this might work for her too. So she too pressed her luck and was rewarded with a yummy liver treat.

We walked out friends to the cutoff spot, and said good bye to them, so it was a good day for both of us.