Mustang Saga

I thought I'd come back and write more today, since last night I was in a hurry. Kinderpuppy was really fun last night. There were so many cute puppies! A mastiff/Great Pyr cross (talk about drool), three German Shepherds, three lab and lab crosses, a pug, a teeny weenie Yorkie, and a choodle, which is apparently a chihuahua poodle but looks like a biggish blond Yorkie. They were all super cute.

One thing I wasn't expecting is that she asked everyone why they were there. I'm there because I want a well behaved dog, I thought that was self-evident. But I thought about it and came up with a more specific answer. Because I think this dog is going to be more challenging than any other dog I've had. Not because he's bad, but because he's so darn smart! And I want a well behaved dog. I'd love to have one of those nice quiet dogs that heels and sits under your feet and doesn't pester people or pull on the leash. It would be cool to go even farther with it, but we'll see what I have time for.

Another reason I was able to come up with, although it's more of a question that has come up than the reason I'm there, is that he is weird with strangers. He loves some people, and others he barks at in a rather alarming way. Seems like he likes the people who ignore him at first. She suggested practicing weird behavior and postures at home, so he gets over his worry about how strangers introduce themselves. John immediately rose to the occasion with that one, he's a pro at weird.

Our homework for the week is to practice "sit" (he knows that one), get them responding eagerly to their name, and practice "watch." With that one you take a treat, say "watch," and bring the treat up to your eyes. When you get eye contact you say "good watch!" and give them the treat. The name thing and the watch thing are both so you can get your dog's attention quickly in a distracting situation.

At the end we were supposed to have puppy play time, which I was really looking forward to, but we took too long so had to skip it. I can't wait to see how all the puppies interact! The poor little yorkie. Her owner will have to watch that she doesn't get smooshed.

Going through old photos I found this:

It's amazing how much the barn has gone downhill in just 5 years. I've been told by the neighbors that some idiot took out key parts of the structure inside before we moved here. I don't know why. Unless it was to make more open areas inside?

Here's a good illustration of why I was taking apart the fence yesterday. John is planning on pulling the barn down from that front corner there, and there's a decent chance it could fall all the way across the driveway. (The guys are so excited about this. My sister keeps calling every day and asking if we can do it today. Her husband is like a kid about it!)
Just for fun, here's my boy 5 years ago, in a post hole. Good times.

Oh, and back to that older barn photo, my husband is insane. I wonder how much that post weighs. I might be able to drag it with a rope around it, or roll it. How the heck did he even pick it up?

Today I am thankful for my husband. I can't even tell you all the reasons why. For his tremendous and unfailing support and his ability to think clearly on subjects I'm emotional about (horse stuff). Sometimes I really need a naysayer. Sometimes he surprises me by encouraging me to do things that make no sense, like taking on a horse to train at our own expense. I am grateful for his patience with the the kids, and how fun he is as a dad. And for all of the comic relief. He's a goofball. I think that's what I like best about him.