Sometime in the middle of the night, Grace again joined us in bed. She seems to be learning the area where Betsy wants her to honor on the bed. At 7:00, she sat up. I got up and took her out. We stopped and tried to play with Rumba. Rumba remained aloof despite Grace’s best efforts to encourage his play.
Morning Play with New Friend
At about 8:10, we were down in the lower dog walk area next to the adjacent townhouses. Suddenly, the carmel and black and white dogs appeared. Grace launched into action. The brown dog anxiously played with her, but the black and white dog had some physical disability with his back legs and was not interested in playing. Grace playfully raced up and down the embankment and dared through the woods alternately chasing and being chased by the neighbor dog.
Trustworthy
At 8:30, I had to call a halt to the play and take Grace home so I could get ready for church. Betsy left later—giving Grace freedom in the house. I fed her breakfast (one cup plus Vitamin E). When we returned at 1:00, I was shocked that Betsy had left the door open to the room where the big bag of food was kept. Grace didn’t touch it. I praised her for behaving and gave her a treat. I then fed her lunch (one-half cup).
We then went outside for our afternoon outing. Grace grabbed a rotten limb from the dog walk area and brought up to a sunny, grassy area. She picked it apart for about thirty minutes. It wasn’t a carcass, but it still was great fun. We walked some more and met up with Lady. She wasn’t interested in playing with Grace, so it didn’t last long. Dakota’s owner said he would try to catch up with Grace later. We returned home at 2:30.
Grace lay on the dining room floor. At 3:15 she moved out to the balcony lounge chair. While the temperature was just 45 degrees, the sun brought welcome warmth to the private perch. At 3:35, Dakota’s owner called telling me that Dakota was ready to play. Grace and Dakota played tug and chase until 4:00. Then Grace met a couple of tiny dogs and played with them for a few minutes. We returned at 4:15. Grace lay down on the chair in the sunshine. I went out. Grace acted like she wanted to go. I left her with Betsy. When I returned at 4:50, Grace was lying on her sofa.
At 5:15, I fed Grace and locked her in her cage. We went out for the evening. We returned at 8:30. Betsy took her out and returned at 8:45.
Monday (New Year’s Eve)
The alarm clock sounded at 7:05 AM. I got up, dressed, opened Grace’s cage, and took her out at 7:15. She spotted Rhino and played with him for about ten minutes. I warmed up a car for Betsy and scraped the frost off of both that car and the one I would be driving. Grace stayed withing eye-shot while I worked. We returned home at 8:05. I fed her (one cup plus Vitamin E) I left at 8:10. Betsy followed, leaving Grace free.
I returned at 9:00. Grace walked out from the office. She greeted my brother lavishly. After pulling together some papers, I directed her to the sofa. I told her we were leaving and that she should be a good girl. She understood. I returned at 11:00. Grace was good as always. I praised her and gave her a treat. We went outside. Grace spotted Dakota. They played twenty minutes before Dakota had to return inside. Grace explored—following her nose.
We walked by a gentleman who was replacing his timing belt and water pump in the parking lot. He said he replaced seals or head gaskets in the parking lot. He said it took two and one-half days. This job will be done in a matter of four hours. I was impressed. We returned home at 12:30. I gave Grace lunch. She curled up in the chair and went to sleep.
At 2:50, I left to go for a run. I told Grace I was leaving and instructed her to be good. When I returned at 3:20, she lay peacefully on her sofa. She wanted to go outside, but I had some things that I needed to do and was expecting a call telling me that Fraggle was ready to play. I told her to wait. She busied herself, eventually opting to work on a bully stick.
At 4:25, the call came. Fraggle was ready to play! We hurried down the stairs to meet her. They played chase and wrestled until 5:15 when Fraggle had to leave. We returned home and I fed her supper (three-quarter cup). She went back to her bully stick until 6:15 and then brought sock toy to me for tug and fetch. We played for ten minutes. Betsy gave her a dental chew, which lasted ten minutes.
While we ate, we could tell that Grace needed more stimulation. When we finished, we did tricks for treats. Betsy wanted to drive. Grace was conflicted. She kept looking back at me. I moved next to Betsy. Grace then responded to her. When it came to new tricks, I had to take over. She is getting good at roll, but I’m not ready to claim it yet. We worked on the verb-noun sequence “fetch ball” and “fetch Kong.” Progress is slow. It will take more work.
At 7:00, she went to the door. I really did not want to take her out again, but given the problem we had a few days earlier, I went out. We spotted Dakota as he returned from grooming. Grace and Dakota played for about thirty minutes. We returned at 7:40.
She got up on the ottoman and sofa next to us and lay down for a nap. At 10:00, I took her out for the last time before bed. When we returned at 10:15, Grace jumped back up on her sofa for the night. At 11:00, Betsy put her in her cage for the night and locked the door.
Tuesday New Years Day
Betsy heard Grace at 7:25. At 7:35, I took her out. The grounds were wet. The temperature was in the mid forties. Grace’s scent interest was heightened. We spent most of the time following her nose. She first met Sammie. Then she played briefly with Cato. At 8:45, We spotted Dakota. They played for twenty-five minutes. We returned home at 9:15. I fed her breakfast (one cup plus Vitamin E).
After breakfast, she was a bit conflicted about how to spend her morning. At 9:30, she grabbed her sock toy, took it up on the ottoman and curled up. We decided to lie down in the bedroom and listen to some Bible tapes. After about thirty minutes, I took her to visit Mom at Sunrise. Residents were pleased to see and interact with her. Grace was pretty good, considering how quiet an assisted living facility is. I rolled a wheel of Mom’s wheelchair over Grace’s paw by mistake. While we played bingo, Grace would stand her front paws up on the window sill and intently look out the window.
Nail Grinding
When we returned home, I fed her lunch (one-half cup). We tried out the new toenail grinder we got for Christmas. It’s made by Oster and has a speed adjustment. It is not cordless. It was a bit disconcerting to Grace, but we made it through. By the time we were on the last paw, Grace even yawned. The process did take two people. We gave her treats and praised her as we went. Afterward, Grace started working on her antler. Betsy gave her a bully stick and Grace gladly switched to work on that.
Afternoon Outing
At 3:30, we headed off to the park. It was still cold, wet, and drizzly, but that didn’t stop us. I ran 2.5 miles, and Grace followed me. She had a great time kicking up her heels, exploring, and keeping track of me and Betsy. When we finished we stopped and bought take-out. When we returned home at 5:00. I rinsed her off in the tub and then fed Grace (three-quarter cup). Betsy then gave Grace a dental chew while we ate. After dinner, Grace played tug and fetch with me for about ten minutes before retreating to the dining area for a nap.
Training
At 6:40, Grace finished napping and began chewing a new stick that she brought in today. Then she brought me the ball. I used the opportunity to work on tricks for treats. She is very close now on the new roll command. When I tried to work on fetch ball vs. Kong, she reverted to command tricks. It was cute. The verb/noun concept is obviously very challenging for a dog. I believe it’s worth trying though.
Dreamland
At 8:30, I took her out for the last time. We returned at 8:50. Grace proceeded into the bedroom and got in the bed. That strategy worked. She secured a place in bed rather that having Betsy put her in the cage. We listened to a Bible tape while Grace slept. The dream she was having was the most intense that we experienced. Her barks (muffled) were more intense, greater in number, and more urgent sounding. She even made a muffled growling sound. Betsy was concerned that perhaps she should comfort Grace. After a couple of minutes, she settled down.
Wednesday
Morning Outing
At 7:20 Grace made a few soft whines. I got up. She watched intently from the bed to see if I was getting ready to go out. When it was clear that I was, she jumped down off of the bed. We left at 7:30. It was pretty soggy out with light rain and a temperature in the mid forties. Grace was hyper-attentive to smells. She didn’t encounter a playmate until around 8:40. Then, Jack appeared. He was ready to play chase. Grace happily joined in the fun, chasing Jack. That lasted until about 9:00 when we returned home.
Bath and Breakfast
She was muddy, so I called her into the bathroom to rinse off. She was surprisingly compliant. I pressed my luck and asked her to get into the tub. She balked at that, so I picked her up and put her in. I rinsed her off quickly. She seemed less resistant to the whole process. After her bath, I helped her dry off, gave her a treat, and then gave her breakfast (one cup plus Vitamin E).
Morning Nap and Run
After her usual running around to get dry, Grace jumped up on her ottoman and sofa and took a nap. At 10:20, she got up and proceeded to the floor. At 11:30, I took her running with me. She made it, but with the leash, we had a number of stops and tugs along the way. After we returned home, I fed her lunch (one-half cup), and she settled in for a nap on the floor while I had some brunch.
Afternoon Boredom
I got up out of my chair at 2:00. That was enough to stir Grace from her sleep. She tried to entertain herself but by 2:15, it was time play. She came to me with the tennis ball. The message was clear. I’m bored and need to play. I had planned for this inevitable need. I decided we would go to the store when she reached this threshold. After five minutes, I paused. She settled back to work on her newest stick. I had a short reprieve.
She then moved out on the balcony to the lounge chair. I left the door open far enough for her to pass through. At 3:00, she returned inside to work on her bully stick. At 3:30, she was getting restless. I jumped into my plan. We went shopping, making five stops. None were long, but a couple were ten minutes. I told her “wait” when I left and praised her when I returned. She sat pertly and politely in the passenger’s or driver’s seat each time. After the two longer waits, I gave her a treat also.
We returned home at 4:30. Grace resumed her work on the floor with the bully stick. At 4:45, she was back to her ottoman. I fed her at 6:00 (three-quarter cup). When she finished, I gave her a dental chew. That was good for about ten minutes. She went into the office to look out the window. Betsy returned home at 7:00. Grace came out to say hello and hang out with the family.
Active Evening
At 8:00, Grace brought the sock to me to play. I told her “fetch sock” rather than just “fetch.” She was relentless. I tried to stop to adjust an electronic speaker and she barked. Perhaps it hurt her ears, but it seemed like she was upset that I had stopped playing “fetch sock.” At 8:20, Betsy found the flying disk which I call “fribzee.” They played fetch with that for five minutes. Then Grace entertained herself with it.
Lock-Up
At 8:45, we took out the trash. On the way back we met Cato for a short play time. Just as we were going in the door, Fraggle’s owner shouted that Fraggle was ready to play. They played for a half hour. We returned at 9:30. Grace jumped up on the sofa hoping to avoid a night in the cage. She had no such luck. At 10:00, Betsy picked her up, moved her to her cage and locked her in for the night.
Thursday
At 7:05, the alarm clock sounded. Betsy went to the cage, opened the door, and greeted Grace. Grace did her usual stretching routine as she slowly emerged from her prison. I took her outside at 7:10. She played briefly with Brantley and said hello to Teddy. She retrieved a piece of bark from the woods, brought it up, and chewed on it a few minutes. At 8:40, we returned for breakfast. I fed her (one cup). I forgot the Vitamin E, so I’ll try to remember at lunch.
Skin Problem Resolving
Her very slight hair loss problem seems to have resolved. Before we went out for the morning I prepared to apply the salve that the vet gave us. I couldn’t find the spot on her arm. The vet said Vitamin E, Selsun Blue, and the salve would help while we waited for her immune system to mature. I haven’t been using the Selsun Blue lately either. My guess is that the Vitamin E supplement is all we need if we even need that.
Door School
Grace enters and exits the balcony frequently during the day. I decided to try to teach her to open and shut the (unlatched) door. Opening coming inside is easiest. She normally paws the glass anyway and when she does the door swings open. On the way out, I just crack the door enough for her to use either her nose or paw to open it the rest of the way. Closing it is more of a challenge, but I’m trying to use her body to get the job done. We’ll see how long it takes for her to learn.
Home Alone
At 11:05, I took Grace outside for a quick bladder break. At 11:10, we returned, and I left to visit Mom. I told Grace bye-bye and to be a good girl. She understood. I left the doors to all interior rooms open except to the storage room which contains a monster bag of her food. When I returned at 1:10, Grace was calm and had disturbed nothing. I praised her and gave her a treat.
Afternoon Outing
I prepared to take her for a ride. I told her so. As I mentioned two weeks ago, she understands “wait.” She also understands that sometimes I have to leave and she cannot come with me. This is “bye-bye.” Grace understands “go for ride” and the process of getting into the car. These are more milestones for Grace. As usual, when the car speed reached about forty-five miles per hour, she stopped watching and curled up in the seat.
We stopped first at the park to have a run, arriving at 1:30. Grace followed my lead effortlessly, meandering and exploring before bursting ahead of me as I plodded along. It’s a joy to watch her graceful, fluid motion as she glides through the fields like a bird in flight. After about two and a half miles, I walked to a shallow point at the lake. Grace waded in and pulled out a waterlogged piece of wood. We proceeded back to the entrance and finally to the car.
We stopped next at the grocery store. Grace knew the routine, and waited patiently. After I returned in ten minutes, I praised her and gave her a treat. I marvel at the amount of saliva that she generates. It’s kind of a mess as she gently takes the kibble from my hand. She eats without chewing generally, so I suppose the extra saliva is important.
Next, I dropped off something at the drugstore. When I returned in a few minutes, I praised Grace. Our final stop was Mom’s where I dropped off a supply item for her. Ten minutes later, Grace sat patiently in the passenger seat awaiting my return. I praised her and gave her another treat.
Sweet Dreams
We returned home at 3:15, and Grace took a nap first on the floor by the balcony doors and then on the ottoman. At 4:20, Grace was dreaming while curled up on the ottoman. She let out about six muffled throat barks. It’s very cute. Usually that means she’s about done with sleep. By 4:25, she had awakened. At 4:30, she went to the office window to check out the action below. She then returned to the living room to work on one of her sticks.
Evening Stimulation
At 5:00, I fed Grace supper (three-quarter cup plus Vitamin E). Grace returned a bit miffed and wanting more. She used the silent bark to express her displeasure. It was time for tricks of treats. Grace breezed through her commands effortlessly with the exception of roll. She’s getting very close with that one. I needed no hand motion this time to make it happen but did use a little body language. I expect to claim this one learned in a few days.
Honest Account
The verb/noun sequence is still a challenge. She’s doing much better each day. I certainly could have filmed her successes only today, and she would have looked like a genius. I will not operate in that manner. This account is unique not only in its level of detail but also in its frankness. If Grace learns something new, I’m thrilled and love to share her progress with the world, but if Grace doesn’t understand something, has a failure or setback, that’s what I record. The result is an honest, genuine record of our journey together. I’m confident that Grace is uniquely gifted. As such, I’m not concerned that she will come up short.
After tricks for treats, I gave Grace a dental chew to work on. Since we had supper on time tonight, I gave her one of the thicker ones. If she still needs to chew, I’ll give her a bully stick after the dental chew. By 5:50, she had finished her dental chew, and I gave her a bully stick. At 6:00, she went out on the balcony but returned five minutes later to continue with the bully stick.
Schedule Change
At 6:45, she went to the door. I was keenly aware of the possibility of an accident. I took her out. We returned at 7:15. Grace was much better behaved than usual for this time of night. It looks like I need to include a short break for her after supper to go outside. She lounged around on the sofa until 8:45, when I took her out for the last time. I tried to find her waste to pick up, but the light was too dim to see it. I moved the bag across the grass, but couldn’t feel it. Finally, I gave up—-remembering the spot for the morning.
Bed Scheming
We came inside at 9:15. I showered and prepared for bed. In the mean time, Grace jumped up on the bed. I told Betsy she didn’t want to be locked up in prison. Betsy said she likes the protection of being in her den. Betsy relented and let her sleep on the bed with us. Grace fell asleep before I did. She had made it to dreamland as evidenced by a few of her signature muffled dream barks. We followed her there in short order.
Friday
Happy “Birthday” Grace!
Our sweet little puppy reached a new milestone. Grace is six months old! Of her short little life, Grace has lived almost two-thirds of it with us. If you consider the nursing time (three to four weeks) and the weaning time (another three to four weeks), she’s spent virtually all of her life away from her mommy in her apartment home with us.
The alarm clock sounded at 7:05. I took Grace outside at 7:10. I thought to myself how different the scenario is now. When Grace was young, I raced urgently to get dressed and get Grace down the stairs to the grass so she could relieve hersel. Now, the urgency is gone. With us getting her in early September, the weather was still temperate enough that in the early weeks, the necessary clothing often consisted of shorts, a T-shirt and some flip-flops. Now the dressing process takes about five minutes with coats, hats, gloves, and pants.
Never a Shiver
The morning temperature was twenty-seven degrees. Even that didn’t phase Grace. While little dogs wore coats, Grace must have just enough volume to her surface area and an efficient enough coat to prevent her from getting cold. I’m very surprised to have never seen her shiver. The frost-covered lawn was frozen stiff. I spotted the frozen waste bits that I had scattered the night before and easily picked them up.
Morning Play
There was no evidence of friends out, so Grace staked herself out on the high spot of the courtyard where she could still see activity down in the play area between the road an the pond. Suddenly, we saw Brantley and his owner appear there. Grace excitedly raced to meet her friend. They played for about fifteen minutes before Brantley had to go inside. We then met up with Baxter. I noted that he had grown (although he was still very tiny).
I directed Grace inside my car and turned it on to warm it up for Betsy. Grace became a little impatient as we did not drive anywhere and we encroached on her outside time for about ten minutes. As we emerged from the car, all was forgiven. The sleek white appearance of her prince was there to meet her. Grace and Dakota played for about a half hour—chasing, wrestling, hugging, and staring each other down. As bursts of steam billowed from their nostrils, at times the play would have looked fearsome to an unknowing bystander.
We stopped by the mailbox and picked up yesterday’s mail. I told Grace it’s time for breakfast. I know she understands the words breakfast, lunch, and supper because she is more eager to go inside and she often licks her chops in response. I’ll mark these additions to Grace’s vocabulary as another milestone.
At 8:40, we returned home. I fed her breakfast (one cup plus Vitamin E). When I feed her, I try to quickly load up the treat bags that I carry with me and use for tricks for treats. She completes eating so fast that usually she’s back at my side looking at me before I pack up the food bag. I give her a command like sit or paw and a little kibble to satisfy her.
After breakfast, Grace napped and entertained herself, looking out the window, lying in the sunshine, and playing with various sticks and toys. After routing through her toy box, she finally settled on the small clay flower pot. She got up and shook off in her characteristic fashion. Her floppy ears make a rather loud clapping sound in the process. Then she grabbed the pot with her nose inside and walked around the house with it before returning to the sunny spot next to her toy box.
Marathon Mid-Day Playtime
At 11:07, Fraggle called to play. We raced down to meet her. They immediately went at it—chasing each other, tugging on a rope, wrestling, and romping through the pampus grass. After an hour, I went upstairs and prepared a bowl of water for them. At 12:35, we met Dakota. The threesome played until 1:10. Grace and Fraggle continued until 1:35. At that point, they were ready for a break. I told Grace it was time for lunch. Grace came up and collapsed on the balcony. I turned on the toenail grinder (I’ve been doing that at mealtime). That brought her in. I fed her one-half cup. After inhaling her food, Grace settled in for a nap on surfing sofa.
She finally awakened from her coma at 3:00 and settled in to work on her bully stick. At 4:15, she came to me with a baseball-sized teddy bear toy. I refuse to play tug with that one, so I told her to drop it. She did obeyed and played fetch with it. After about six fetches, she tired of that game and returned to her ottoman.
Evening Struggle
At 5:15, I fed her (three-quarter cup). By 5:50, she was ready to go outside. I took her out and she ran on the track of a scent. We caught up with Dakota’s owner, as he was leaving. He said we just missed Dakota. We returned back at 6:10. I gave her a dental chew. After that we did tricks for treats. I didn’t notice much change from yesterday. Grace weighed in again at forty-one pounds.
She returned to me to play fetch. We tugged and fetched with the tennis ball and then with the sock toy. Betsy returned at 7:15. She told Grace “Happy Birthday.” I tried to eat ice cream sitting in the chair. Grace couldn’t handle that. I went to the table. That gave her the message. She finally lay down under the dining room table. When Betsy sat on the sofa, Grace joined her.
At 9:30, I took her outside. We returned at 9:45. She entertained herself, looking out the office window. At 10:15, she discovered the empty oatmeal box. It’s a fun toy, just in time for her birthday. I went to bed. Grace saw me go and soon followed behind me.
Saturday
Morning Play-a-Thon
We awoke around 6:45 to the cry of the baby in the apartment next door. She remained still until I got up at 7:10. We went outside at 7:15. The brisk morning air was around freezing with a clear sky. We spotted Brantley and Sammie playing out back. Grace raced to join the fun. Sammie left shortly thereafter. Grace has learned what moves work to evade Brantley and has gained in speed and strength. It’s no longer a one-sided battle. Brantley generally chases her, but Grace is not shy about turning and confronting him. She is even able to knock him over occasionally.
After about fifteen minutes, Lady joined them. That interaction had Brantley mauling Grace while Lady tried to divert Brantley. After about ten minutes, they went inside. At 8:30, Grace and I returned inside. Betsy fed Grace breakfast (one cup plus Vitamin E).
At 9:10, Dakota’s owner called. We came down at 9:15. Grace met Taz at the bottom of the stairs. Dakota came running. Dakota and Grace did most of the playing, but Taz did run and interact some. Grace did her best to engage Taz, but Taz was clearly intimidated by the larger and unfamiliar Dakota. After Taz went in, Grace and Dakota did their usual wrestling and chasing routine. Grace even had Dakota chase her through the pampas grass. At 9:45, Dakota had to go. We also returned inside. Grace lay on the floor next to the balcony for her morning nap.
Play Continues…
At 11:15, she got up and went out on the balcony in the sunshine. I fed her lunch (one-half cup) at noon. I turned on the nail grinder while I prepared and gave Grace her food. When she finished, she visited Betsy in the office. At 1:15, Dakota came by to play. They wrestled and chased each other until 2:00. Betsy then picked us up to go for a ride. We arrived at the park at 2:40. Grace ran with me for my two an a half mile run.
We left at 3:15 and stopped by my lot. We roamed around for about fifteen minutes before driving back home. Betsy’s laptop needed some attention. While I was in the office, I spotted Dakota out for a walk. I asked if he wanted to play. His owner said he did, but just for ten minutes. I took Grace down. They mainly wrestled. We returned home at 5:15. Betsy fed her (three-quarter cup). Grace moved on to work on her bully stick.
Settling in for the Evening
At 6:00, Betsy gave her a thick dental chew. It took her about a half hour. When she was done, Grace hopped up on her sofa and took a nap. At 7:15, I noticed her gentle snore. Grace certainly had an active day of play. At 7:45, she made a different sound—almost like she was trying to lap up water. The telltale movement of her paws told me she was in dreamland. Will she awaken within five minutes? Yes! At 7:50, her head popped up, and she looked at me. She shifted position to hang her nose beyond the seat cushion.
At 7:54, her body followed her nose as she slowly stretched and pealed herself off of the floor. She walked over and greeted me, found a cup with about a tablespoon of skim milk on the bottom. She lapped it up enthusiastically. She then moved to the office to be with Betsy. Betsy made some plain popcorn. I gave Grace a few in her dish. She enjoyed that. I noticed her water dish was empty and filled it.
I took Grace outside at 8:30. We returned at 8:45. As I prepared for bed, Grace followed Betsy into the office. She watched the outdoor action from the window there and whined occasionally as she spotted something interesting. I went to bed at 9:30. At that time Grace was lying on the floor by the office window.