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My new Zone

Phew!

Ma came home today and I went berzerk with all the crazy smells! I found out she went on her first real volunteering at the SPCA. She says she walked 3 dogs named Stony, Champ, & Chester. So now I have names to go with the scents. Ma is really pooped and soaking wet from sweat, even though there is still snow on the ground. If the walks were anything like mine, then no surprise.

She says that she worked so hard, that the dogs were so strong. Stony is a black Pit Bull. Very calm but bigger than most. Champ is a girl Pit Bull. She's shorter but really fat! She's energetic, as much as a fat girl can be, but really nice and affectionate. Chester is a pit mix. Tall, friendly, and walks nicely if you're going fast enough. He gets crazy and jumps when you hold him back. Very nice dog, though.

Ma said it broke her heart to take each one back to their pens because they didn't want to go. I wouldn't either! So, she gave them each a nice massage so that they would at least have something nice to associate with it. Boy, did they LOVE THAT!

There is a Pit Bull there that has a big sign on the cage BEWARE OF DOG. He seems calm unless you make eye contact or go near his pen. So, Ma decided to just sit in front of it for awhile with her back to him. All the dogs in the shelter went crazy barking. The Pit sat sideways, leaning on the front, almost like he was trying to snuggle but didn't bark. Ma sat there a few minutes until everyone calmed down. The Pit went to stand on his cot and came back when Ma said, "Come". But he got nasty when she put her hand near him. Poor thing's mouth was bleeding. It looked like he'd lost teeth! Ma is going to make him some soft doggie brownies to take to him next time. Maybe he will learn to trust someone. Ma's wish is to one day be able to take him for a nice walk, if the poor guy is allowed to stay.

Week 5

Well, Puxatawny Phil predicted an early Spring but it can't come early enough for us. Wind chills in the single digits are impossible to get used to, after such a CO2 blanketed Winter. I have no body fat and Ma hates the cold. Even when we both bundle up, it's just too much. I can hardly do my 'business' in the yard because I shiver so!

Needless to say, we haven't been out for a walk. Not in 2 days! What little I've learned these past weeks will be hard to remember, once we get going again. I get so excited! Ma hasn't been feeling well lately either, so I'm kinda taking advantage in the house, even though I was really getting the pack follower thing down pat. She tries to keep me in line but I guess sometimes it takes too much of her energy and I have so much!

Snowstorm predicted next week. Ma likes walking in the snow. Whoo hoooo!!

Week 3

Well, Mom finished "Cesar's Way" and is determined to put me in line! This is the third week we've been walking (and walking and walking) two, sometimes three, times a day. We go out in the very early morning before the sun comes up because there is less traffic. It's pretty cold but I have a nice warm anorak jacket and backpack that help keep me warm when we start out. But we walk so fast, keeping warm doesn't seem to be a problem!

I still sometimes pull at the leash, even when it's up high around my throat. Honestly, I would rather gag and cough than slow down sometimes. Mom tries to loosen it up but I just pull again, except at the very end of the walk (hee hee). That's when I wise up.

Today we went out REALLY early and walked about 3 miles to the convenience store across town. I waited patiently outside. I needed the breather. I wonder where we'll go when it gets dark again. Can't wait!

I'm getting really good at letting her go out and in the door first and even sit nicely while she dresses me and puts on my leash. And I listen more at home, although I've grown fond of hand signals. I think Mom thinks Cesar is her guru, at least that's what she says. Now she wants to start walking other dogs too! Wouldn't that be too much FUN??? A real pack! Maybe for Mother's Day, I'll get her a T-shirt that says 'Pack Leader'. I think she'd like that.