Laughter

Yesterday we went to see the "Pink Panther 2" movie with Steve Martin. We laughed throughout the movie probably because we are very familiar with these movies and hope that some of the past funny pieces will be repeated, and we were not disappointed at all. We came out of the theater still laughing and happy that we had generated so many endorphins. If you like to watch a funny movie that will give you a lift, go see this movie. Steve Martin is hysterical as Inspector Clouseau.

Yesterday on our walk we saw Vern and stopped to talk. Vern said to HW2, "Why are you always so damn happy?" Having only met Vern three times, this was a bit of a surprise, but I managed, "Because she lives with me!" "That makes sense," said Vern and after a bit more chit chat, we continued with our walk. One of HW2's long time friends from high school days once told me that she was like this in high school, and she decided after thirty years that was the way she was. Now, I have not known HW2 for thirty years, but it did not take me that long to realize that she is a happy lady most of the time and makes Pollyanna look like Sad Sack. I love this lady and would not want her to be any other way. So the real answer to you Vern is, "Some of us are fortunate enough to be able to be optimists and look for the best in others." Even if she is hurting because of her bad back, she is determined to be cheerful.

Last night when we got into bed, I asked her how her stiff neck was and if she wanted it to be rubbed. Then I said, "How come you are so damn happy?" How we laughed and laughed. Vern's comment was out of the blue but a very accurate observation. Think of all the endorphins we obtained. Happy travels.

Max puts on the breaks

I have been trying to get Max to walk along with me while he is his leash. From Max's point of view, there are just too many things to pay attention to, like wonderful smells, other dogs, people who might be taking a walk, and anything that comes to his small mind. At first I tried to get him to walk while the leash was connected to his collar. This did not work very well, and I ended up carrying Max when I got tired of trying to coax him along. Apparently, "Good boy, Max" or "Good job, Max" and other types of encouragement, including frequent clicks, do not work in this situation. A neighbor suggested that a harness works much better.

Off to the store for a harness, which is a trick to get on a wiggling puppy, and then especially fun when you realize that you have put it on upside down and could not connect a leash if you wanted to. So off with the harness and back on the struggling puppy, dodging teeth and whines throughout. Finally the harness was on. Now, to try to walk this puppy who has a mind of his own. I quickly learned to keep the leash quite short, and then when Max gets tired of my urging him onward, I can hoist his front legs off the ground and then his back feet follow swiftly along.

Max has now learned to put on his brakes by refusing to move any of his four feet. His other effort is to simply lie down. Both of these efforts do bring walking to a stop. However, this story is not over yet. My neighbor Byron likes to walk his dog Trixie, and Max likes to walk and sniff Trixie's bottom. Trixie does not like to have Max sniff her bottom and runs forward on her leash, and then Max cheerfully follows. We have managed to get both dogs thoroughly tired out by walking the length and breadth of the grounds. Once around is a mile or more. Age may win out over puppy stubbornness, but don't hold your breath. I am sure that Max has other clever ways to stop us from walking. Happy travels.

Max grows and grows

Several of the people who live here in the Guadalupe RV Park comment that Max is growing. I finally decided to weigh him and discovered that this puppy who came to live with us weighing four pounds has gained four more pounds in less than one month. That is doubling your weight in a month. Amazing! Also amazing is that he is not getting fat. He seems to get all the exercise that he needs and as we walk in our neighborhood he bounds about to sniff, sample leaves, chew on twigs, and generally do puppy things. He has the idea of doing his business outside although more training is necessary before he can be left loose here in the motor home.

Max has certainly changed my life and the best part is that everyone we meet seems to want to pet and play with him. So I get into many conversations and meet interesting people, which if I did not have a puppy with me, might otherwise not happen. Max you are enriching my life.

We go back to see the vet for his monthly checkup this next week and we shall see what the vet thinks of all of this weight gain. I think that I had better get another bag of puppy chow so that we can make it through another week or so. Happy travels.

Who reads this blog?

If you write a blog on a regular basis, sooner or later you will get some comments on what you have written. I appreciate these comments and often wonder who might be the willing commentator. Actually, since I respect your right to privacy, I have just come to wonder where you might live. In this age of world-wide access through the internet, the commentator might live anywhere. So I thought it would be interesting, if you are willing to leave me a comment, would you also be willing to state your country or state of residence.

I recognize several who comment on a regular basis and really appreciate their feedback and willingness to read my words. Frequently, as I reflect on the passing scene, I wonder if others agree or disagree with my observations. So your comments keep me grounded.

If you are a loyal reader, I can only say thank you for giving my musings a few minutes of your busy day. Happy travels.

Can puppies be trained to walk while on a leash?

Maybe this entry should be, "Can puppies be trained?" Last night I took Max out for his evening stroll, and he literally ran me all over the place. He just bounded here and there like he was the energizer bunny. The good part was when he got put into his crate for the night, he slept through the night. This I appreciated for sure.

This morning, even though the temperature was about 32 degrees, Max and I went for the paper. I put his harness on and shortened his leash enough so that he could not wander but had to tend to the business of walking. Of course he rebelled. However, not wishing to be outdone by a puppy, I lifted his front feet off the ground, and he had to go along with me by running on his back feet. This system worked, sort of. Finally in desperation, I picked him up and moved quickly on to get the paper. With a repeat performance on the way back, we arrived with cold hands/feet and absolutely no success in making a puppy walk while on a leash. Any suggestions?

Windows

I am on the down hill side of making some leaded and beveled glass windows. I hope to finish them today once it warms up so that I can work outside. These windows match a pattern that Sandy and Ed have in their front door and will go up over the top of that door. Hopefully, all will fit correctly, and no further adjustment will be needed. This will make five windows that I have made for them.

My next project is a window for the River Rock Saloon which will mostly be letters but should prove to be fun to make. After that, I may try to repair an old window that was broken. I still have to visit this one and see what challenges might be ahead. Then, if all goes well, I will try to enter an arts and crafts show here in May. This should keep me busy in the stained glass business.

Who Is Getting Trained

I have set out to train Max. He is pretty good at doing his business outside, since I have learned to take him out when he begins to whine while in his crate. I have finally learned to quit the food and water at about 7:00 pm so that he can go out one more time and then maybe sleep through the night (The last two nights we made it through the night). Then there is going for a walk. I have to remember to take trash bags for the occasional business. Max has a mind of his own when it is taking a walk. There is so much to sniff, and it is always better to go the opposite way and to resist going the way someone else might want to go. Who is being trained? Me, I think!

Max continues to grow at a rapid pace and loves to play chase the ball, chews everything in sight, and wants to meet everyone and their dogs too. He is a delight but is also a bit of work. I have less free time to read or goof off, but that is good.

In my spare time, I have been finishing several windows for Sandy and Ed. They are almost completed and should get installed this week. Then I can begin to make a window for the new addition of the River Rock Saloon. I have even sold a few small items here in Kerrville at the Sunrise Antique Mall and in Weems Gallery in Albuquerque. I think that as I find the spare time, I will begin to make items for an arts and crafts show here in Kerrville held in May.

We have managed to go to Fredericksburg for lunch yesterday and hurried home to let Max out of his crate for a long potty break. He did well. But, we do not like to leave him too long.

Today there is a Super Bowl Party which we plan to attend but really do not care who wins since we do not follow professional football at all. We just go to party. Snacks anyone? Happy travels.