esrosedotblog

PROGRESS REPORT

Booker continues to become more of himself. John says that his spirit is expanding.

Today there was a lot of "boxing" play with me in the back yard. False bites and jumping in and out. He also thinks that my brushing patio water back into the pool is a game designed just for him. He is emerging as a fun guy.

He takes his toys away to the living room and hoards them. I put some back yesterday and he came and got them to go back into the living room. He is also holding on to one of them rather closely. He gave me that look they have. "What is UP with you"?

More assertive. Things moved rather slowly when we went for the walk last night and he sassed me with a new bark. A sort of nagging light bark. Nice. He stands up for himself. "Time to go Dad"!

The first incident of "trouble" with another dog and, amazingly, the same dog that Franklin used to love to hate. The owner is an asshole for starters and he "lost his leash" just as we passed by. The dog went for Booker. Booker dodged and did a growl that would make me think again which the nasty little yap did. It stopped him. We walked on. There is more to the story but it is old stuff between us and the guy. I really liked how Booker both kept calm and cool and defended. A nice balance. I think it is his nature. Of course being at Airedale camp for a month probably helped out a lot.

He and Franklin's very best friend Bruno are spending some time together. Not just a passing sniff. I think that Bruno, the boxer, is confused. Booker looks like his friend Franklin but isn't and Bruno seems to want to provoke games which Booker isn't really too interested in. But they are learning about each other and tolerant and they have the backup of four dads who are kind and loving to the other dog and they are getting it. Booker does let Bruno know when the boundary is reached.

This morning, he waded into the pool on the steps. One step and tried to drink. It is OK to drink but not tasty as it is a saline system and a bit salty. Maybe he likes it. He is very agile in all situations and well coordinated. But the top step is narrow and his back half slipped to the second step as he turned to get out. A wet ass. Embarrassment hell for a proud Airedale. But he got through it. And we are now putting the towel, his towel, outside to dry him off. I am sure that he is bound for the pool one of these days. He loves to run around and caper while we dive in and is all about licking our faces. He likes the water sloshing around too. When the pool is calm and smooth he looks puzzled and tries to figure it out. I caught him sticking a paw in to roil the waters. We are ready if he becomes a pool dog and will support him in the effort. Especially in knowing where the steps are. But then he does know that already. Wet ass.

He has continued to lose weight. His little chubby butt cheeks are almost gone. The flanks are showing and his hips are beginning to be bony.

He is more aggressive about people outside in the drive. A sign of taking the territory. He gets several barks and then a "no talk". I think that I mentioned the routine. He barks and stands on guard until we come and tell him that "it" is OK whatever "it" is.

He is clearly relaxing more and more. Yesterday was a big sleep day. He is over one eyed sleeping and can go down and out quickly and stay there without being all nervous about where we are or what we are doing. I imagine he also has a lot of deep sleep to catch up on.

Labels: Booker