Grace got up at 6:20. We went outside at 6:30. It wasn’t raining but had been so things were pretty wet. I let Grace take me to the south vacant lot. It has a steep hill. As I tried to climb it, the mud gave way, and I went down. My right elbow and right lower leg clothing were plastered in orange mud. At 7:35, as we headed back, we saw Olive. Grace and Olive wrestled a little and then walked around the grounds together. We decided to go play at the park together. We returned home at 7:50.
Hospital Adventure
Grace ate her breakfast at 8:00 (one cup). I left for church at 9:10. Betsy left 20 minutes later. We returned at 10:30. Grace happily greeted us. Mom was in the emergency room at the hospital, so I prepared a bowl for her lunch. I left for the hospital at 10:55. Betsy brought Grace shortly thereafter. They do not allow any dogs except guide dogs in the hospital, so Betsy waited outside with Grace. When Betsy came inside, she left Grace in the car.
At 12:00, I swapped with Betsy and went back to the car to get Grace. I gave Grace her lunch (one-half cup) followed by a bottle of water that I poured into the same dish. Grace was a little reticent to eat and drink out of the glass bowl. I don’t know if it was because it was made from clear glass or if it was because I fed her from the parking lot. She did eat and drink after a little coaxing but did stop and look up several times as she did it.
We walked the hospital grounds for a half hour. Betsy called me from the parking lot by her car. We were about five minutes away at the time. At 12:30, Betsy took Grace home. We had made tentative plans to have Olive and Grace play together at the park. Olive’s owner was supposed to call us by 1:00, so that should work out pretty well.
Parking
At 2:00, Betsy took Grace to both Salem Pond and Bond parks. Grace played in both ponds. Betsy said that Grace ran along the long high bank of the pond without responding to her call to come. She ended up having to chase her. They returned at 4:30. Grace played with Fraggle from 5:00 to 5:30. When I returned from the hospital at 5:40, Grace greeted me.
Evening Business
Betsy fed Grace supper (three-quarter cup). After supper, Betsy gave her a dental chew. After finishing that, Grace Shredding Company proceeded to perform more work on that thick cardboard box she started on yesterday. A began eating some cod around 6:00. At 6:20, I finished and took a piece to give to Grace. We worked on tricks with small morsels of it.
At 7:25, I spotted Olive. Grace went downstairs and played with her until 8:00. They wrestled and played tug-of-war with Grace’s leash. When we returned home, Grace went back to the office to watch out the window. At 9:45, Grace went outside for the last time. We returned at 10:00. I went to be shortly thereafter. Grace did not follow.
Monday
Around 3:30, Grace came in to join us in bed. I awoke at about 4:00 and never went back to sleep. I notice Grace went into one dream session with her cute sleep bark and jerking motion. At 6:20, she stretched off of the bed. Betsy asked me to weigh Grace. I picked her up and took her to the scale. She came in at 45 pounds. As I crafted a new leash for her, Grace whined impatiently. I told her to “Wait.” We left at 6:30. we explored all wooded areas except part of the east woods. She found an old ball in the south woods and ran with it to a grassy area. I could not call her back. She playfully tossed and batted the ball around for a few minutes before we headed home.
At 8:00, Grace had her breakfast (one cup). After breakfast, she went back to her office window. I told her I was going bye-bye. She understood. At 8:50, I finished up. As I walked out, Grace lay curled up on the chair.
I returned home at 12:35 and fed Grace lunch (one-half cup). We stopped at the gas station for a few minutes. Then we headed to the park for our run. Grace raced across the meadow to chase the geese and immediately turned and raced to catch up to me. She enjoyed her run. After we finished, she returned to the car promptly. We went straight back to the house and I left her home alone again.
Grace greeted me at 7:30 with lavish welcome of tail wags and kisses. I played tug and fetch with her. Afterward, we did tricks for treats. Grace did well with the tricks and enjoyed the stimulation. Grace then got up on the ottoman as Betsy and I sat and relaxed. Grace got up in the chair with me. She missed being close to me. Betsy made some popcorn. Grace and I shared a bowl. She stayed out of the bowl, waiting for me to give her a piece.
At 9:00, we went outside for the last time. When we came in, Grace jumped up on her sofa and rested her head on her pillow.
Tuesday
Some time early in the morning Grace joined us in bed. She stretched her way out of bed at 6:20. At 6:30, we went outside. After about a half hour, the rain intensity had increased. We went back to the apartment to get an umbrella. We then went back out into the rain. Grace was not deterred by it. I limited how jumbled the of woods I would allow. She was confused by it, but she adapted. We walked the railroad tracks over to Maynard Road. After making it to Maynard, we cut back in to the adjacent townhouses.
At 8:00, we returned home. Grace had breakfast (one cup). Grace relaxed on the floor while I worked on the computer. At 9:10, I left for the hospital and told Grace goodbye. When I returned at 12:30, Grace happily greeted me. She had lunch (one-half cup). After lunch, I took her outside. The weather was still wet, but after about twenty minutes the rain seemed to be letting up. I decided to give the park trip a try.
We arrived at 1:15, and the rain began picking up again. Although the walking path is paved, the drainage is not right in a few area. It was tricky sloshing through the puddles without getting my socks wet. I did pretty well. About half way through the run, the rain let up some. When we returned at 2:00, Fraggle came to meet grace. They played for about fifteen minutes before we had to leave. We went back to the apartment at 2:30. I gave her a shower and left at 2:35. I returned at 6:00 and fed Grace (three-quarter cup).
At 9:00, Grace went outside for the last time. We came back at 9:15. I went to bed at 9:30. Grace went to the office.
Wednesday
I took Grace out at 7:10. She was particularly interested in exploring new territory across the street. First, she started to bolt after a near squirrel. I let the leash go. After she was free, she took off running for other squirrels and birds. After a few minutes, I caught up with her and grabbed the leash. She went through a lot of brush in overgrown woods areas. There I could let the leash go temporarily and grab it back without her taking off. After exploring there for about forty minutes, we crossed the street and headed for the south vacant lot area.
Going Nuts
Grace saw a cardinal and raced after it, ripping the leash from my hands. After a minute I got it back. Near the end of the morning exercise break, Grace went nuts. She dug up a two-foot long two-by-four and frantically tossed it around. She found an empty water bottle and did the same with it. She then dug up a log about the size of her head and body and dragged it around. Finally, she went to a down tree and dug rotted wood and the dirt ball. I had never seen her dig that much and that frantically. She was also the dirtiest I’ve ever seen her.
Going Out
When we returned home at 8:40, Grace had breakfast (one cup). After breakfast, she curled up by the balcony doors and snoozed. An hour later, I left her home with Betsy. At 11:00, Betsy took Grace to Sunrise. When I called at 12:15, I could hear Grace whining in the background. I came by and picked her up at 12:45. We went to the park to go running. As soon as we got there, another dog came running up to meet Grace. They had a great time running in the meadow. Grace was faster and more agile than the other dog, but Grace still enjoyed being chased by the other dog.
Come When Called
When I finished running. Grace was nowhere to be found. I whistled and called, but Grace did not come. I backtracked. About half way around the path, there was Grace trotting along with her new-found friend. When she saw me, she came running. We made it back at 1:45. I left Grace alone at 1:55. At 4:30, I returned. Grace came out from the office to meet me. Betsy returned home at 6:00. She fed Grace supper (three-quarter cup). As we were eating, Grace became impatient. I told her to wait. Betsy gave her a dental chew.
Sundowning
We ate chicken. I pulled the joints off of the drumstick and gave pieces of that to her and went through her tricks with her. At 7:00, Betsy made some popcorn. Grace sat next to me as we shared a bowl. After the popcorn, relentless Grace worked on me for about a half hour playing tug and fetch with her sock toy. At 8:30, she finally gave up and curled up on her sofa with Betsy.
At 9:45, Grace went outside for the last time. We returned at 10:00. She came in, went to the office, and curled up for the night.
Thursday
Grace joined us in bed some time during the morning. She stretched her way out of bed as usual at about 6:30. At 6:46, we began our daily morning exploring routine. She crossed over the main road for a short time, staying close to the road. After we crossed back, she spotted some squirrels and would have darted across the road, but the leash stopped her. Grace met a dapple grey large dog that has problems socializing. Grace worked her magic with him though–being very non-threatening as she approached him and they ended up playing for about five minutes. When Rumba approached however, that was more than the other dog could take. Playtime ended abruptly.
Poison Ivy Scrape
Grace went down to the lower east woods. She walked under a poison ivy vine. I’m very sensitive to the stuff. The leash dragged against it. I had to grab her leash down by the collar and bring her straight home. We returned at 7:45. At 8:00, Grace had her breakfast (one cup).
Shortly thereafter, she wanted to play. It’s hard to turn her down, but I had too much to do. She played by herself for about fifteen minutes and then resigned herself to napping on her sofa.
At 11:00, my brother called to let me know he was coming to help move some furniture. As I was about to leave, I noticed that Grace was waiting at the door. I took her out and got her to relieve herself after a couple of minutes. I then rushed her back upstairs. We returned at 12:20 and finished moving things upstairs by 12:40. Grace was a bit put off that she had to wait for lunch. She let me know with her chomping routine.
At 2:30, we left to go to the park. Grace did her usually running and chasing birds. She found a sheet of paper as the toy of the day and played with that. When we returned at 3:30, Grace had her shower.
Driving
At 4:10, we left on a frantic run to meet with the Town of Cary, fill up with gas, and do some banking. Grace stayed in the car most of the time. She wanted to get out and explore after we got gas, but I told her to wait. As we stopped at a light, in a van next to us I noticed a big friendly Golden Retriever. It took quite a while for Grace to see him. When she did, Grace barked repeatedly with her “woof” bark. Grace was much more upset than usual.
When we made it to the second bank, they had just closed. They have a sticker on the door that they were open until 7:00PM, but I figured it must be at the drive-in window. I finally located the secret door and pulled up the car facing the window. It took about fifteen minutes to get an approval. In the mean time, I could see Grace sitting there behind the wheel watching me. Sometimes, she even had her paw on the steering wheel. It was very cute.
After I finished at about 5:50, we went out to explore in a small shopping center. Grace went after a miniature cigar holder. As she started to chew it, I to told her to drop it, but I think she may have swallowed a piece. Grace met two ladies and a young girl. They asked if they could pet Grace. I told them “Of course. ” One asked if Grace was a Labrador Retriever. I said she was a mix. She couldn’t figure out the Boarder Collie part. Betsy had called so we headed back to the car. Just before we got in, Grace found a discarded corner of a sandwich, which she happily inhaled. We then proceeded to Sunrise to assist with emptying out the room.
As usual, she reluctantly passed through the area where she was attacked by the house (attack) dog pepper. Thankfully, the attack fear did not ruin Grace with all dogs. Instead, it’s just localized to the area where that dog hangs out. Once we made it to Mom’s room, Grace was fine. She got loose a couple times and ran down the hall to greet residents. Betsy said that the previous day when Grace was with her there, she tore down the hall in one of her frantic bursts of energy. Betsy didn’t bother chasing her. A couple minutes later, she came trotting back to be with Betsy. This time, I went after her and retrieved her. After spending about an hour there, we headed back home.
When we returned, Betsy fed her (three-quarter cup). Grace then gave her a thick dental chew which she worked on as we ate. Thankfully, Grace didn’t do her usual sundowning routine looking for extended play time. She did do the “tricks for treats” scenario. She performed all of her tricks well except she still has not caught on to the task of distinguishing between Kong and ball. This is a hard one. We’ll keep working on it.
We went out the last time before bed at 9:15 and returned at 9:30. Grace curled up on her sofa and went to sleep.
Friday
Grace came into bed at 2:00AM. She got up at 6:00. Betsy called her back to bed. She got up a second time at 6:30. We left to go outside at 6:40. She scavenged a few pieces of cracker. We stopped by my car for about ten minutes to warm it up for Betsy.
We crossed the road briefly. Grace wanted to bolt after squirrels, but I held her firm. After about ten minutes, she found a choice stick, and we crossed the road to home territory where she lay down with it and worked on it for a while. Then we moved on.
Grace noticed Teddy’s owner arranging something in the back seat of her car. When the lady turned around, Grace startled her, but she was happy to see her. Grace met up with Tucker and Isabella. They greeted one another for about five minutes.
At 9:00, Grace emerged from the office with Betsy’s good tennis shoe—sort of like a morning snack. I told her “No” and put it up. I noticed that the shoe lace had been carefully severed in multiple places. She then went out on the balcony. At 10:00, Grace came in. She was getting restless and started to bring me toys to play with her, but I told her “No.” She whimpered a bit played on her own. Grace finally resigned herself to lying on her sofa.
At 11:00, she went to the office and napped on the floor. The ottoman was in her normal spot, so she moved to another month.
12:20 gave Grace lunch (one-half) cup. She did not come. I faced her and called. She just stood there. She didn’t whine. After observing her carefully, I saw her front leg caught in the blind cord. We left for running at 1:00. The car blocked half of Grace’s seat. I decided to stop off at storage and unload some things first. Grace wanted to come so I obliged her. She was well behaved and came when she was called. She even found a door stop and brought it to me.
After loading some things in storage, we headed off for our run. It was pretty typical. Grace tore off across the meadow chasing birds. She lagged behind me and darted forward ahead of me. We finished in a half hour and returned home at 2:00. Grace had a quick shower and then stretched out on her sofa for an afternoon nap. At 3:50, I left for a meeting. When I returned at 5:00, Grace was on her sofa where I had left her. She had her supper and then jumped back up on the ottoman to await Betsy’s return.
Betsy came in at 5:30. Grace became impatient. I gave her a small dental chew. She then grabbed a small bag from the drugstore and shredded that. While we ate, she wanted something else. I gave her a second dental chew. At 6:45, we left for doggie class. Grace was excited to get a chance to wrestle with some friends. She practiced staying focused on me while other distractions walked along the hall. She did very well even when I did not stand to block her view and even when I stopped rewarding with treats. She also did well with stay and come during distractions. The trainer said to practice getting between her and distractions while on the leash.
I stopped at the store for about thirty minutes. Grace waited patiently. We returned home at 9:00. Grace went to her sofa. I took her out at 10:00. We returned at 10:10. Grace went into the office and curled up on the ottoman.
Saturday
When I got up at 6:20, Grace was lying on the ottoman in the office watching the new day dawn. Apparently, she decided not to join us in bed. This appears to be the first time she has slept alone since she started sleeping with us. At 6:30, we went outside. Grace stayed away from the thickest woods making my job easier. She also was less aggressive in pulling the leash. I switched to my left hand to hold the leash to see if the problem with my right forearm is from overuse pulling the leash.
When we returned at 8:00, Grace’s food bag needed refilling. I let Grace watch me as I dipped about twenty times into the big food bag to fill her more manageable sized bag. She behaved herself and waited for a few morsels to drop to the floor. She was so good, I gave her some while I worked. After filling the smaller bag, I gave Grace her breakfast (one cup). She then proceeded to lie on her new ottoman in the office.
At noon, Betsy fed Grace lunch (one-half cup). At 12:30, I took Grace to the park for a run. We returned at 1:10. I then took Grace with me to wash my car. I tied her to a fire hydrant within 20 feet of the car wash. After a few minutes, she had wound leash around it leaving her no room to move. I directed her back around. From then on, Grace did not wind around it. At 3:00, I finished up. Grace went out on the balcony and took a nap. At 4:00, she returned inside, lay down in her spot on the office floor and slept again. This is unusual for Grace. Normally, she needs more activity than this.
At 5:00, I took Grace outside. We returned at 5:10 and left for a spur-of-the-moment dinner date. We returned at 8:00. At 8:30, Grace went out for the last time. We returned at 8:45, and Grace went straight to bed. My theory was that Grace was missing being near us. Shortly thereafter, I went to bed also. Grace stayed right there through the night.