[PyrNet-L] CHAT: shopping trip, scarey walk, & playtime

[MagEBroD@aol.com]

    We went to PetCo the other night and I got Albert a chain leash. He'd
chewed through another leash 3 days ago!! Plus bought another N0-Pull Harness
as he'd chewed through it, too. People need to STOP leaving them on him!! (In
van.) Drives me nuts! He acted like he wanted to get the birds in the store,
but was afraid of the goldfish!!!! Such a strange dog!! How can a big dog like
him be scared of a little goldfish in a tank??? Of course he wanted to play
with every dog he saw. Then when we went outside there was a little 1 yr. old
baby/toddler that got so excited about Albert and wanted to pet and hug him.
Immediately upon seeing the baby Albert sat down and got in his "absolute
angel mode!!!" Just let baby lavish him with attention & eventually licked the
baby's arm. And ate up all the hugs and petting and baby slimes. Nothing like
a little mutual sliming among 1 yr. old's!!!  
    I'd also got him a raincoat! (As much for me, as for him! So he wouldn't
get so wet on hikes and then get floor and furniture all wet. Plus it's
hunting season and we ran into multiple pickup trucks full of hunters on our
walk and some parked right across from our house and were hunting. Scarey as
our house is not easy to see for the trees and many deer on our property,
too.) Turned out it's too small even though it's an XL size. Also got this
thing that I can use for two purposes: either to connect to bottom of leash so
you can walk two dogs at once, or you can attach both sides of it to collar
and use it as a loop that makes a tiny leash that's just right to keep dog
right by your side. Also the collar part was missing from the No-Pull Harness
box, so have to return it, too. Of course Albert won't mind another trip
there! He also got treats and I will never get that kind again as he really
cleared the house that night with the stinkiest farts in the world!!! WHEW!!! 
    On our 3-mile walk the next day with the new leash on our rural street, we
were charged by 5 big black dogs all together at one house! Scarey!! I yelled
very mean-sounding at them to "Get Home" and all but one - the biggest, of
course, turned around. This one kept following us. I removed the chain leash
and used short one that keeps him by my side and prepared to use chain leash
as a weapon, if need be and we speeded up our pace a lot. After a block the
dog stopped. I kept rushing Albert along and he didn't get to do his staring
contest with the bull like usual. I was really concerned about going past that
place again on return trip. Repeated what I'd done before with leash. Also
gave my 12 yr. old Mark Albert's water bottle to hit dog with if it came near
him. I told Mark to be very quiet and we rushed like crazy past there and
never saw a dog. That was a RELIEF!!  Sure came in handy having that new leash
attachment thing I got!  
    Albert played with the neighbour dog the other day again. Albert was on
his long cable out by where we are working on the building of my workshop when
the dog came over. Turns out that dog prefers to play with Albert when he's on
his cable. He's much smaller and Albert kinda overwhelms him sometimes and he
needs a break to catch his breath. So when he feels like that,  he's learned
that he can just go to where the cable won't reach and take a break from
Albert. Of course this drives Albert nuts! 
 
:)  &  :)```  (me grinning & Albert grinning & drooling!)

 Janice Vocke
MagEBroD@aol.com
Shelton, Washington