there is a voice within me

Sun! Glorious Sun! It seems that we’ve been living in gloom much of this winter. Luckily it hasn’t dragged me down, perhaps the sunny days are frequent enough to keep me out of the doldrums, or maybe it’s the distraction of dog training that is keeping me sane. It certainly isn’t having company over as it seems last year’s rate of 2 or 3 dinners a week is unattainable.

Yesterday was an exception. Kirsten and Shenna stopped by for a quick breakfast as they were in our neck of the woods on an errand. It was lovely to see them of course - I’m not quite used to the idea that they live so close!

Christina came in the afternoon for some dog training fun. She’s a great help as she’d done a ton with her little dog. Having eyes that see what’s going on, and skills to be a good distraction is priceless. After ½ hour both Adia and I were done… leaving time for tea and a sit down visit before Christina was on her way.

Today has been another Adia centric day starting with a trip to Pet Valu for a new black leather martingale collar and matching (non leather) leash. She’s all decked out in new togs! (note: not NZ togs which is a bathing costume, but the British dress up version). She got lots of practice being a good girl, but has a long way to go when we are out and about.

or is this one better?

We had a few hours back home before getting back in the car to the village for nail clipping. She was better, and less scared than she has been, but again… more practice required. We also got out for a little walk in the village.

From there it was home again for a few more hours before getting in the car AGAIN, this time for school.

School was fun with a few challenging exercises - having the instructor run up to say hello was a test of Adia’s ability to sit still! We did some recalls across the hall, side-by-side with other dogs. She was a star :-) It is impossible to believe that next week is our last class of this series - I’m so glad we were able to get signed up for the next set.

During our times at home we got our new monitoring camera setup. Our plan is to slowly, 10 minutes at a time, start leaving Adia loose in the house when we go out… with remote supervision! She may not be ready for the freedom but it sure would be nice to let her out of her crate. 

We were able to see what Spike was up to while we were out for an hour this afternoon… he got on the futon to watch us leave, and then spent the rest of his time in the front hall. Oh how my heart broke to see the little guy worried about being alone. When we went out tonight he stayed on the futon… intermittently crying and howling. Oh my - such a change from when Bella and Kabira were around.

“I write only because

There is a voice within me

That will not be still”

~Sylvia Plath