Three years ago we made a seriously impulsive purchase and entered into the world of dog owners. We were sooooo not prepared for what would follow. Escapes, mischief, terrorizing the neighborhood, destruction of shoes, cell phones, delivery packages, flowerbeds, windshield wipers, furniture...the list goes on! (And it hasn't just been our possessions, either. Sorry neighbors!) I've been waiting patiently for the day everyone assured me would come...that she would calm down. I was told she'd calm down after getting spayed...that didn't happen. I've been told she'd calm down by the time she was one...that didn't happen. I've been told she'd calm down when she was eighteen months old...that didn't happen. I've been told she'd calm down if she had a playmate...that didn't happen. I was really beginning to lose my patience!
But this last week we saw a glimmer of hope! We went camping with my family in Southern Utah and brought Mesa along. We had forgotten her tie-out and we were concerned with keeping her under control, but it turns out our worries were not necessary. She was so well-behaved! She's such a curious dog, and we were worried that if we let her wander she'd wander right over to someone's camp and get into their gear, or worse-terrorize the little kids running around, but she didn't. She preferred wandering out in the fields, chasing ground squirrels and other critters, and the rest of the time she spent following Evan around. If he went into a camper, she'd plop herself down at the door and wait for him. If he went for a walk, she was right on his heels. If he was eating, she was sitting right at his feet. If I hadn't been there to witness it myself, I would never have believed it.
So this morning, I thought I'd try an experiment...walking her off the leash. Most of the Tooele canyon roads are closed for the winter, which provided me with a perfect traffic-free area away from neighborhoods to let her loose. I drove up til we reached the gates and let her run around. She ran all over those hills, sniffed out and followed deer tracks, splashed through a small stream of runoff water, and each time I whistled or called to her, she came running back to me. WHAT?? Is this really my dog? I sure hope this isn't a phase! I'm definitely going to take her back there. It must be a popular spot for dog owners, because on our way home I passed a few others walking with their dogs.
P.S. The trip up there served its purpose-she has been so worn out that she's slept most of the morning!
3 comments:
wow - dogs really ARE like kids. It's just so weird for me to read this right after coming home from taking Luke to a friends house. I just told Joey that Luke is FINALLY to the point that he can run down the sidewalk a little ways and when I call him to come back, he turns around and comes back!! Amazing. Isn't that SO funny that I was just having that same break though at the same time as you? So, turns out you are the best. That has nothing to do with your post. You are just freaking AWESOME. :-)
It's about dang time that dog calmed down! LOL! If I didn't see it for myself last weekend, I wouldn't believe you either!
A tired dog is a good dog! It's so nice when they get to the stage that you can trust them! BTW Tell Evan I'm sorry I missed him at the Aquarium the other day.
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