Gus did something very strange. I woke up early and saw him sleeping soundly in his favorite spot by the fireplace. Suddenly, he sat up, flew across the room and jumped into my arms. He buried his head in my neck and cuddled up as if he couldn’t get close enough.
I’ve seen the dogs “running” in their sleep. I’ve heard them bark lightly through their snores. Elbee even howled in his sleep after Charley died. What Gus did was a first for me.
ELBEE I think it’s fairly obvious. Gus saw the trailer for Clifford the Big Red
Dog and was having a nightmare about Henry getting to be that size.
Speaking of Henry, he’s going through a puppy phase. One minute he’s calm and adorable. The next he’s all over the place. I think it’s more obvious because he’s so large.
Saturday morning he had his first obedience class. Let’s just say he was more interested in the other dogs and the activity in the park than he was in the training. I’d give him a C+ in leash walking. On the bright side, Michelle, who also trained Stanley at that age, commented to her assistant, “Ellen’s dogs start out goofy but they’re great later on.”
ELBEE I don’t think that’s a compliment.
I’ve started hiking with him too which is going better than class. He sort of stays by my side when he isn’t completely distracted by the sights and the smells. He greets the mountain regulars with tail wagging. Even better, unlike Stanley, and especially Gus, his hair isn’t like Velcro so he doesn’t bring home every twig and burr.
GUS What’s Velcro?
I also took him on his first official shopping trip to one of my favorite little neighborhood clothing stores. The women are dog lovers who have always welcomed the Doods.
Sabrina, who was working that day, fell in love with Henry
and the feeling was mutual. In between his puppy antics and talking to the dog in the mirror, he flashed her a smile and rolled over for a belly rub. When we were leaving she said, “He’s such a cool dude.” That’s exactly what my husband calls him. Maybe there’s hope.
ELBEE Let us pray.
