Nola and Chili

Are friends <3

Meerkats.

If you've never watched a documentary on Meerkats. You are missing out on one of the great joys in life.

I've been around alot of animals in my day, so finding som'thing I'll ooogle and ZOMG CUTE over is quite the task. Its been probably well over a year since I've felt the urge to squee and squeeze.

But then I saw the back of their fuzzy little heads. ZOMG CUTE I WANT ONE.

I have a thing for the backs of animals heads, I could stare at the back of Chili's head forever if he'd just sit still for a damn second. The ears need to be alert though, and that usually precedes running after som'one or things.

 Chili taught himself to "sit pretty" years ago, during my failed attempt to teach it to Kiwi. It not a very impressive trick IMO, but it is perhaps the cutest. Perhaps thats why its becoming so popular lately.

It used to be that I'd lay down and relax and Chili would permit it. Temporarily.

When my time was up and he wanted me to get up let him out, give him a chewie or just entertain his bored butt, he would paw at me. Annoying.

Then when this didn't work, he'd lay down and then vocalize at me. If this didn't work he go back to plan A and paw at me some more.

This went on for years.

Then, somehow he began to Rolodex and do other tricks. I'd generally ignore him, but apparently, more often then not, I'd get up when he'd "sit pretty".

I know this because its now his "go to" behavior for "I want something that you can't give me from where you are". He only does this in that context. Other things, opening doors, handing him this or that, do not elicit "sit pretties".


He's even learned to do it in front of the TV. Blocking the view.

"Get up hooman, lazy hooman, I want xyz. NOW."


 So I guess I got the meerkat I asked for...

 A spicy, demanding, manipulative meerkat.

Easter herps

Wanted to go herping and didnt have time, so I found some in the yard!!

These are California Slender Salamanders... The cutest legs!!

"Great dog...

shame about the handler."


Must fight the urge to steal clients dogs...

Jersey sheets

Chili makes beds out of odd items...and just looks odd in beds...

Pre-screen the insanity out, for my sanity. Thanks

I've been working 50+ hours a week, not including the long commute. Which is very draining on any person.

I listen to NPR in the car and it removes the last bit of energy out of my exhausted mind.

OR

I listen to music and MUST sing along, which exhausts me physically. Need six pack abs? That's how I get 'em.

All while my head analyzes what happened at class. This seems to be an over stimulation problem, not an anxiety problem. I have these obsessive play by play thoughts regardless of what occurred and the tone of what occurred.


I've been training A LOT of dogs, and people really. I love my clients. Honestly. I like many of them more than their dogs. Which is som'thing I feel insane saying.

Its just such an endless sea of ignorance though. I feel like I can't do enough.

I'm getting the mildest clients dog training has to offer philosophically. I mean, these people are already pre-screened for buy-in to the positive methods. I've heard the word "dominance" seriously twice, and both times it took a gesture and a sentence and they were back on board.  I'm really really lucky in this, and honestly, I don't think I could do the job otherwise, I don't know how other trainers do it.

Sooo many reactive dogs. So many. So many well meaning, confused and frustrated owners. I feel for them, truely. Even when they come in yanking on the dog, you can see the exasperation on their face and the hopelessness in their voices. The frustration in the "what have you tried" conversation. These people love their dogs but are completely lost.



Anyway, just here to write down my thoughts. So I can leave them here, instead of thinking about them in the car while I sing myself into cramps.

Pieces of me.

Never let an amateur hold a three foot frightened monitor while you clip its nails. The result bleeds like crazy, swells up, and then turns a variety of colors. Namely green. Green is pretty I guess. Of course this is all only possible after you get the thing to let go of you, and boy oh boy does it not want to let go of you.

No lizards were harmed in the making of this post. Just humans who have to type like a leper for now.