Milestones

Bear off leash, off the long line, running free! I was going to wait until Sunday but something made me try it yesterday. He still keeps an eye on me, does not chase the deer – in fact looks back to me if I don’t tell him “leave it” …like “aren’t you going to call me off?” He is responding to “Let’s go”, “This way” and if I ask him to come to me, he does…but I only ask this once a day on walks. We did the loop yesterday, a before bed perimeter walk and this morning’s perimeter walk by lighted collar and a loop walk – all off leash. So much fun – Bear gets more exercise and so do I plus more fun for us both.

Drug the A/C back out – 90 on Sunday/Monday, almost 90 yesterday – not cooling at night – blech!

Replaced all rug pads – great sticky pads, all rugs are staying put :)!

NOAA says next Tuesday for cool weather…counting the days!

This morning on the loop.

A really nice day

Just like that, it feels like we’ve turned the corner into Fall. It is wonderfully cool in the morning – almost chilly. The light is just that much different as to seem not really Summer.

Fresh oatmeal bread, fresh fruits and vegetables, green grass and trees and the morning light…

Bob just enjoying the afternoon…

Bear enjoying an extra treat after an afternoon walk – on the long line only! He knows he is not on a leash. He is staying close to me, often looking to check where I am. Today for the first time on the long line there were deer. He did NOT chase and did not even bark. He watched for a bit and then turned away. Completely different behavior than on the leash. I am thrilled with how things are going right now. My hope is that as I can give him more freedom, he will enjoy it while staying with me and continue to respond as he is to boundary commands: this way, far enough, leave it. I am so proud of him!

We came in, had a quick game of chase the stuffed bone, a stomach rub and the extra treat.

It was a really nice day!

Montana fields and skies

Friday afternoon…squallish thunderstorms marched across the valley.

The wind was up…blowing in the wheat. It sounded like water in a rushing stream.

The light was perfect.

Montana fields and skies.

Only in Montana

Where else do they work in fields in the snow…

Bob is mystified.

The rhubarb is under that snow somewhere.

All day.

Where’s my treat?

This morning…snowing and blowing per NOAA’s forecast. And the temperature dropped from its balmy 39F to 16F overnight…scheduled to go even colder…Karl’s kind of weather :)!

The routine is our morning walk down the driveway at which point Karl peels off and circumnavigates the property while I keep an eye on the bouncing blue collar and return via the direct route back up the driveway. Meanwhile, Bob circumnavigates the garage and adjacent wood pile.

One of Karl’s “2 per day” special treats is dispensed after Karl, Bob and I return to the house.

“I’m back! I’ll take my treat now”.

“Oh, wait – invader???”

“OK, I’m in. Where’s my treat?”