I’ve been stashing these in a folder, but it’s been years since I’ve posted any! I don’t know about you, but I could sure use a break.
Continue readingTag: dogs
wmtc: simple but amazing experiences healing dogs from past trauma
Cookie recently had a fear reaction, and we’re working on desensitization. I thought I would share our experience with changing fearful behaviour. Diego Not long after we adopted Diego, we learned he had an extreme fear reaction to anything involving his ears. Neither Allan nor I can remember exactly how
Continue readingwmtc: pupdate: prison break, cookie style
I’ve been putting off the recall training. We have equipment, and we have advice, but we don’t have a plan — because we haven’t made it a priority. Honking big flashing neon note to self: make it a priority. This morning I when called in both dogs from the backyard,
Continue readingwmtc: pupdate? in which i worry about traumatizing our dog who has zero recall
Cookie does not, will not, come when called. She is just not interested. At mealtimes, “wanna eat?” will bring her running. And if she’s in the backyard or on the deck, the sound of the clicker and the treat jar will usually work. But at the beach, she has no
Continue readingwmtc: pupdate? in which i worry about traumatizing our dog who has zero recall
Cookie does not, will not, come when called. She is just not interested. At mealtimes, “wanna eat?” will bring her running. And if she’s in the backyard or the deck, the sound of the clicker and the treat jar will usually work. But at the beach, she has no intention
Continue readingwmtc: pupdate? in which i worry about traumatizing our dog who has zero recall
Cookie does not, will not, come when called. She is just not interested. At mealtimes, “wanna eat?” will bring her running. And if she’s in the backyard or on the deck, the sound of the clicker and the treat jar will usually work. But at the beach, she has no
Continue readingwmtc: pupdate: the fence, the beach, and the cuddling that melts our hearts
It’s been a while since I updated wmtc readers on the continuing adventures of Cookie and Kai. Short version: they are doing great. They are healthy, happy, and a constant source of entertainment, not to mention love and affection. But when it comes to dogs, who wants a short version?
Continue readingwmtc: pupdate: the fence, the beach, and the cuddling that melts our hearts
It’s been a while since I updated wmtc readers on the continuing adventures of Cookie and Kai. Short version: they are doing great. They are healthy, happy, and a constant source of entertainment, not to mention love and affection. But when it comes to dogs, who wants a short version?
Continue readingwmtc: pupdate: the fence, the beach, and the cuddling that melts our hearts
It’s been a while since I updated wmtc readers on the continuing adventures of Cookie and Kai. Short version: they are doing great. They are healthy, happy, and a constant source of entertainment, not to mention love and affection. But when it comes to dogs, who wants a short version?
Continue readingwmtc: picket lines, pupdates, and the 51st parallel: 10 things on my mind
It’s been a while. 1. Mom went home. My mom went home two weeks ago, after spending seven weeks here. I was sad to see her go! We had a great time, and it got better as we went along and settled into a routine. The dogs must especially miss
Continue readingwmtc: island day trip with mom: grant bay and winter harbour
As we enter the last week of my mother’s extended visit, we took one last day trip, out to Grant Bay, on the west coast. As I’ve mentioned, there are no paved roads to the Pacific coast in the North Island. In fact, only two roads on the whole island
Continue readingwmtc: pupdate: did i say progress? i spoke too soon
Remember this? Recall from canned salmon and dehydrated liver treats? Worked once. Didn’t work a second time. On our next visit to Storey’s Beach, both dogs were completely absorbed in harassing the little fish. Cookie had zero recall. And Kai regressed and had none either, no doubt learning from her little sister
Continue readingwmtc: pupdate: in which cookie decides to make a bit of progress
First there was Incident With a Fish Head. Then there was this. What is that dog doing, you may ask. She’s chasing tiny fish. She did this for two hours. Two hours!!! We brought treats to practice recall, but I didn’t remember to make them high-value treats. No way this
Continue readingwmtc: in which cookie gets hold of a fish head, is attacked by an eagle, and almost makes me cry
This weekend we took Kai and Cookie to the beach both days. The beach was Diego’s favourite place in all the world, so it was sad to be there without him. But the Littles are so entertaining; they keep us in the moment. Yesterday, however, Cookie put on a show
Continue readingwmtc: diego
We said goodbye to our Diego yesterday. We had surgery to repair a ruptured knee ligament (ACL) about six weeks ago. He recovered quickly and was doing really well. And then. Two days ago, the other knee went. The repaired leg wasn’t strong enough to hold his back end. He
Continue readingwmtc: pupdate: running on the beach, jumping over the fence, and awesomely coming back to us
Things are going really well with the new pack of five. Having three dogs isn’t that big a deal! Who knew? But I should qualify: it’s not that big a deal with this particular mix, in our current, specific circumstances. I don’t think we’ll need to have three forever —
Continue readingwmtc: pupdate: first run on the beach, and puppies in love
We had been waiting to take Cookie for a run at the beach — waiting until she was more bonded with us, until she had a bit of training, until she seemed to understand that we five are a family. There are no enclosed dog parks near us — or,
Continue readingwmtc: pupdate: two kids and a bemused senior
This action photography is brought to you by Allan. Don’t worry, we are not neglecting Diego. I just didn’t have any good shots of him, and I wanted to get this post up. Kai and Cookie are little devils. Kai has gotten out of the yard three times in the last
Continue readingwmtc: pupdate: that was fast: cookie and kai are best friends
Under a plastic chair: Cookie’s safe space It’s tough to get a photo of Kai without a toy in her mouth. I thought it would be difficult to get Cookie enough exercise…
Continue readingwmtc: you’re not going to believe this… introducing cookie!
I fell in love with Cookie the first time I saw her outside the library. I knew her current people wouldn’t keep her. Yada yada yada, today she joined our pack. Cookie is a tiny slip of a thing, smaller than Kai, and very skinny. She has not had a
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