THE OTHER END OF THE LEASH

Thanks to all the kind readers who sent their best wishes to Lassie. Good news: she seems fine. I’m hoping it was just one of those “dietary indiscretions” that come and go into all of our lives. Fed her tiny meals, low fat, gave her Pepsid as instruction by Dr. John for acid stomach (common if kidney problems). I am taking her in to the clinic though next week, just to get a chem panel and check on her kidney function. Assume all is well if you don’t hear anything, no news being good news and all. Ah these old dogs. Thanks for your stories about your own, I love hearing them.

Speaking of news, I promised my staff I’d say something about the Professional Trainer Special we have on right now for people who use the Family Friendly Dog Training book for classes or clients. I don’t like to mix the “making a living” part of my life with the blog, but I have been gently reminded that there really are people out there who would like to know about an “end of the year” special. And our Email Alert Newsletter-y thing is on the fritz, so okay, good Trisha, I’m doing it: If you buy 10 Family Friendly at the usual half price for 10 or more, you can get 10 behavior booklets free. Check out the Professional Corner on the website. Whew. I did it. Good girl.

I’m halfway through Made for Each Other, will post a full review on the next blog. Very interesting stuff… I have kudos and a few complaints, but will write details when all done. Would love to hear your thoughts if you’ve read it.

Meanwhile, back on the farm: Yesterday was a good day to read (and write). 16 inches of snow in 24 hours, fat, wet, heavy frosting-like stuff that coated the satellite dishes that connect my little farm to the world. No TV, no internet, no email. But hey, the phone worked and most importantly, I didn’t lose power. That was huge to me, because I could spend the day writing. I’m working on a chapter for a book from NIH about children and dogs, due next week. Eeeeps! Also rewriting the Puppy Primer, so the terminal at my computer was smoking.

Spent the day writing, reading, wrapping Christmas presents, talking on the phone. Heard about the 23 inches of snow in Flagstaff in a phone call with CAAB, CPDT Karen London. Snow shoe-ed up the hill with Willie. (Much too hard for Lassie girl.) Stomped down paths to the barn and bird feeders with snow shoes, after an unsuccessful attempt to get new snow blower carving through the snow (too much, too heavy). They’ll be lots of shoveling tonight, is still awfully hard to get around.

2 below this morning. Windy. Too cold for Lassie, she pees in the snow one foot from the edge of the garage door. Took some photos yesterday, before the bitter cold settled in: Here’s the scene from my front door.

Gotta love those red barns. And to think my barn was almost torn down, before I bought the farm. Granted, if I told you how much I’ve spent on keeping the barn standing I’d have to shoot you, but lordy I love my barn!