Wordless Wednesday: Afternoon

Monday Mischief: Sherlock's Socks

Sherlock would never, ever steal socks. #whome #theywererightthere #imissyou

A post shared by Melon (@melondious) on Feb 12, 2018 at 1:29am PST

In Which Everyone Does Something New, and Lots Is Learned

As a dogsitter, I only ever board dogs from one household at a time with me at home. More often than not, that means only one dog at home. It's easy and comfortable for me and my family.

But it doesn't make for much dogsitting, and it means I may not be available for my clients. So occasionally, if someone wants just daycare or overnight, I'll consider taking multiple dogs -- if they're a suitable match.

Yesterday, I did a trial for one such situation.

Ava and Darcy

I trust these two with almost anything, you know that. Meeting strangers, being in public, meeting dogs. But as I learned yesterday, relationship dynamics are always more complicated when there's two of them interacting with a third party together.

Darcy and Sherlock

My current boarder is 3yo cavoodle Sherlock. Tallest cavoodle I've ever seen, and quiet and gentle.

Rawr!

Well, I followed all my usual protocol -- leashed introductions outside my property, but then inside (into the yard) for off-leash as soon as possible. I needn't have worried about Sherlock, who has lived here for the past week, being territorial -- it was Darcy (and Ava?) who barked at him and he backed away, unsure.

Fortunately, things settled once we were inside. Over the day I discovered that Darcy can be pushy with other dogs, that Ava can be the fun police and that Sherlock and Ava can't share tennis balls.

Can you spot the fun police?

But I also discovered that the dogs can be mature enough to settle when separated. So with a little management -- like a lot of things in life! -- they can coexist together.

And I appreciate the joyful moments, like this one:

I loved seeing all the playful body language from Darcy and Sherlock -- and think I've worked out what Ava's behaviour is too. Any guesses?

Wordless Wednesday: Dodge

Thoughtful Thursday: Listen to Your Dog

Smudge was barking at the door, presumably to go out to play/bark at the neighbours. Now, everyone knows how hard-line I am -- no barking for attention, you can go out when I let you out, etc etc. But *I'd* called Smudge in, a little while ago (due to barking at other dogs -- too early! 🌤). She'd been out with her bone toy. Now she was shut in and bone was outside. I opened the door for her to go get it. After she'd brought it in, she settled down to chew it while I made breakfast. Sometimes, listening to your dog isn't that hard. #listentoyourdog #newyearsresolution #choices #dogtrainingthoughts #thinkythoughts

A post shared by Melon (@melondious) on Jan 10, 2018 at 1:22pm PST

Wordless Wednesday: Smudge's Favourite Thing (Christmas Edition)

In Which We Examine Smudge's Favourite Thing

In the photo of Smudge in my last post, she had a denim bone. This is a toy I hand-sewed from old jeans (stuffed with polyfill and a couple of squeakers) and is Smudge's favourite thing at Chez Melon.

She runs around squeaking it, tossing it up in the air and chasing it, barking at it and growling while she shakes it.

She takes it with her on patrol...

It may be useful on my quest.

She carries it when hanging out...

Waiting for the humans to come out and play.

She picks it up when anyone enters the room and gives you this look.

You wanna play, right?

She can run, pee and bark with the bone in her mouth, although I don't have photographic evidence of this.

She also sometimes sits in bed with it.

I'm not sleepy.

Not if you wanna go and play.

What's your dog's favourite object?