Episode #28: WATER WARRIORS

Bonnie

Clyde

What started off as a normal walk, became a new adventure. Bradley is known for his long walks and the puppies are the latest recipients of this endeavor. But it didn’t take long in their walk to discover the smell of a nearby stream. They had been walking for a little while and were ready for a drink. Bonnie crept close to the bank and stretched far enough to barely touch her tongue to the water. Clyde reacted the same way but as he was drinking, his paw slipped, and he went into the water. OOF. He caught himself but accidentally showed that the water was safe, so they both jumped in. They walked around, got a real drink, and got out on the other side of the bank. Bradley, unwilling to scale the water himself, made the pups come back.

Another day after going to the other side of the stream and being called back; Clyde trotted through the water with no problem. Bonnie waited. (I like to think she was thinking through all her options and plotting) With out running, she took a bound into the air and hurled her body through the air over the stream. She came within inches of clearing it completely. She shook of her back side, then turned and looked at Bradley with a “did you see what I just did” look!

The pups like to plat tug-o-war and will sometimes pull each other across the floor during their play. Bradley laid on the floor (which is dog territory) and Hanna grabbed his arms and started pulling him. She was actually scooting him across the floor, pulling him to another room. He laughed at the sensation. The pups heard the laughter and came running. “Oh, look, he is in the floor playing our game,” I imagined they said right before they joined in. They licked Bradley’s hair, licked him, and Bonnie tried to catch a ride on his belly. The whole sight was hilarious for him, the pups, and for those of us who witnessed it.

Bradley and I went on a date night. We decided on dinner and a movie, but we wanted to come home and watch a movie, so we did. During the movie, Bonnie decided, even thought the couch is OFF LIMITS, that she wanted to be on it with us. She tried to make her way onto the couch, eventually making it awkwardly. Clyde, refusing to be outdone, continues the same awkward routine. By the time they both chilled from the wagging and the climbing, ignoring my screams (because my laughter took over); they were sitting on our heads, or as close as they could get to it. Oh jealous things!

Bradley and I were trying to have a rare moment of sweetness. Bonnie, (sensing whatever???), walks over and sticks her head in between us; then continues to push her body until she is completely in the middle of us getting ALL the attention. Like I said, jealous thang!

Clyde always seems to pee on his feet. I’ve watched him squat and hike but he still gets his feet wet either way about 50% of the time!

Kiss

Every time one of the pups lick me (or… every time I remember), I say “kiss” and praise them. Sometimes I point to my cheek and say “kiss” and they always go for the lick! Praise, praise, praise! They don’t do it on command yet, but it is sure cute.

It’s not Bonnie or Clyde but it was too cute to pass up. Carson was lying in the floor, half laughing, half moaning. Penny, the substitute mom for anyone in need, sensed that Carson was hurt and walked over and hovered over her head. This is a form of protection in the dog world and Penny was ready and stepped in.

Brady, who popped Carson’s back a little too forceful received daggers from Penny after watching him do it. As if that wasn’t enough, she Penny started petting Carson on the head. And by petting, I mean six or seven strokes in a row on the head, then on her back several times. She stayed with Carson until Carson got up and physically showed that it was okay “not” to be mad at Brady. If you are around Penny for any length of time, you will fall in love with her!

I watched in amazement as this “nanny dog” proved why pitts were received that nickname. Carson has officially been added to the pack!

Both dogs are a lot bigger than they used to be but getting them to understand that proves to be a challenge. Bonnie still thinks she fits in your lap. Clyde doesn’t realize that when he jumps up on you, he can easily knock you over, and my personal favorite, they both used to fit under the desk.

Now when they get under the desk, they take turns or stay in a seated position (not enough room for both of them to lie down). I watch them as they decide if they are going to share the space or let the other one lie down in front of the desk. This day they both figured out how to lie down at the same time. They turned town the seat and laid parallel of each other. But somehow during the course of a few minutes, Clyde managed to slide under the drawers of the desk. He seemed comfortable but then he started whining. I tried to help him but eventually had to call for back up. Bradley came a lifted the desk for Clyde. So funny but why Clyde…just why?