11 and 1/2 Weeks

We are over halfway done with this week, each one seems to go by faster than the previous.  Work has been extremely busy!  Some days I can't seem to find the time to take 20 minutes at lunch to play with Remus, never mind actually being able to eat.

Which brings us to today, it was much better at work, not nearly as busy as it had been!  Remus and I had lunch together, went outside to run around and play fetch and have a good time!  We came home from work early, let Clara and Ry out then I had some quiet time on the couch after I ate dinner.  At 7, Re and I drove to the elementary school for a walk and to my (happy) surprise there was a baseball game going on!!  A super great opportunity for socialization- I really was delighted.  While we walked behind the school, we met several moms, dads and a 2 year old while a baseball game was being played down the hill from where we were.  Re was super happy to meet them (I was feeding him his dinner during all of this); we also practiced sit, down and walking on leash.  I realized that Re can perform obedience behaviors with distractions, he does need higher value rewards to though, usually at work and home when it's quiet Re will work for praise and toys.  We walked past the front of the school to leave (we need to walk the reverse route the next time we go), through the parking lot and in front of the gym.  There was a basketball game playing in the gym, the outside doors were open, and we could hear the sound of the sneakers squealing on the floor and the basketball bouncing.  At first, Remus was a little worried (not nearly as noise sensitive as I had previously noted) but when I started praising him he started wagging his tail, his facial expression relaxed and he acted more curious.  I offered to him for us to walk away which we did.  After a few seconds, I asked Remus if he wanted to check out the gym again, which we did, and he was interested to watch again.  Yes, I "asked" Remus; I took a few steps towards the gym and waited to see what Re's reaction was:  he started walking with me towards the gym so we went together.

Katrin has asked me if I have been leaving Remus home alone, which I have been.  It's difficult during the week to leave him home alone; sometimes after work I just want to wind down and do something with the dogs or watch t.v..  Tonight after our walk, my nephew and I went to Wal-Mart and the grocery store.  Remus was exhausted and stayed in his crate in my room while Clara and Ry were downstairs.  I had to wake him up when we got home to take him outside to go to the bathroom, sleepy head.

And, no pictures tonight.  I'll have to remember to ask Katrin if she has gotten any nice photos of Re during puppy class (she has a mentor student who takes photos during class).