Fancy Meeting Dagan Here!

Since part of our trip's purpose was to take a tour of CalPoly in San Luis Obispo, I had wondered what we should do with Cabana during that time. She probably wouldn't be allowed on the tour, so I figured we'd take along her pop-up crate and leave her at the ranch.

But in a random conversation two days before our trip, we found out that Cassie and Dagan would be on vacation just 15 minutes away from CalPoly! Cassie graciously offered to keep Cabana for us while we were on the tour. Hmmm, should we let Cabana have a puppy playdate or sit home in the crate? Talk about a no-brainer!


Cabana had a GREAT time with Dagan, and with little puppy-in-training Hestia, plus two pet goldens. You can read about Cabana's fun day here and here and here!

Cassie said Cabana got a little nervous on the pier and was a bit surprised at her reaction. I guess Cabana has gotten too used to being with just me, so it was a good opportunity for her to get exposure to other handlers. I don't want Cabana to develop separation anxiety, so it was a timely reminder that I should build in some stayover situations.

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Goodbye, Mr. Monty

Montego's raiser picked him up this morning. We had a great time with the little boy. Cabana is sure going to miss having a built-in playmate.

I was so proud of Cabana's behavior during Montego's stay with us. After the first day of frenzy, I never had to separate them again. Montego liked to steal toys right out of Cabana's mouth and block her access to the water bowl with his thirsty head. She never once got jealous or testy or upset. She'd just let him do it. Even at night when I brought Montego into our room and shut the door with Cabana on the outside (I didn't want them both in the bedroom where they might decide it was playtime at 2:00 in the morning), she didn't protest.

VERDICT: I think Cabana is capable of having another puppy in the house! She proved herself to be a great big sis. BUT I don't think the two-leggeds in our house are ready yet. In terms of temperament, Montego was a great fit for Cabana--but being only 3 months old and not happy in the crate brought some challenges. Sure, that stage only lasts a short while, but I'm not ready yet. There's no rush, after all, and there will always be puppies to raise. So we'll enjoy our one and only dog and lavish her with all our attention for the time being. But I told Montego's raiser that we'd be happy to watch him again anytime, as well as any other puppies in our group that need to be puppy sat. That seems like plenty of puppy for right now.

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Tug-of-Montego

What's that, Cabana? You say you'll LET me win at tug-of-war??? I don't NEED you to LET me win.
Ha, see? Look who's got most of the rope!! Sheesh, you girls don't even know the rules.
Well...I guess maybe they do....Hey, you said you were going to let me win!

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Controlled Chaos

A semblance of sanity has returned to our household. Today, the dogs' play has changed quite a bit. Instead of constant frenzied hysteria, it's sort of like watching TV--a little action, then a station break, then a bit of drama, then another break.

Montego even slept in his crate last night! Woo hoo! I put him in at 10pm, and he didn't utter a single bark or whine. At 3am, I heard him whimper, so I got up and took him outside to relieve. Afterwards, he was rather "displeased" about going back inside the crate. I knew my sleeping family members were probably displeased at his displeasure--so I didn't push it. He slept the rest of the night on tie down.

Montego is so funny. He's rather large for his age (I think), but his movements are still so puppy-ish. He'll be walking around, and then suddenly, Plunk! He just flops down wherever he is, like, "Agh, I couldn't possibly take another step."

Huh, are you lying down AGAIN?!

C'mon, pipsqueak, let's run around some more, okay? I'll even let you win at tug-of-war sometimes.

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Let's Go, Montego!

Coming next week: Montego! We will be puppy sitting this 3-month old, 3/4 golden, 1/4 Lab. Montego is so fluffy, he seems like a stuffed animal. He is one of Fame's puppies. Fame is the breeder dog living with Captain "Sully" Sullenberger and his family.

This is the first time we have gotten to puppy sit since Cabana was career changed. I'm excited and interested to see what it will be like to have both Cabana and Montego. Hopefully, it will give me a good indication of whether we are ready (or not) to raise again for Guide Dogs.

Update on Cabana: She is 100% back to her usual spunky self. Thanks for the good wishes, everyone!

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Poppy Sitting

Cabana had a very special day today because we got to Poppy-sit! Poppy is being raised by my puppy group leader, who had a packed schedule today and tonight. So we got to have Poppy for an all-day play date. Have you seen happier-looking dogs? (Although in reality, it's exhaustion--but they do say a tired puppy is a happy puppy!)

I was interested in seeing how Cabana would do with another dog in the house. Let's just say she was VERY VERY VERY excited. I picked Poppy up and brought her home where Cabana was waiting, thinking that I might try to take both Poppy and Cabana for a walk sometime today. I thought I'd let them get used to being with each other, calm down a bit, and then we'd try the walk. Ha! Yeah, right. After letting them "get used to each other" for HOURS, they still NEVER calmed down! (Honestly, these photos are the ONLY few seconds when they weren't thrashing about with each other, when not separated by a barrier.)

Throughout the course of the morning, whenever things threatened to get out of hand, I'd give the dogs a time out. One would go in the crate until things calmed down, or I'd put up the baby gate and keep them on opposite sides.

Finally, I brought out the ex-pen (metal folding gate that can be configured in many ways, sort of like a baby playpen) and put it all the way across the living room. With this set-up, both dogs were able to fall asleep--for about an hour. Then I had to wake them up so I could pick my daughters up at school. After my daughters got home, though, there was too much general commotion in the house for anymore naps before Poppy went home. No doubt, she'll sleep well this evening!!

To top it all off, we bought and decorated our Christmas tree tonight! Cabana was so wiped out that she could barely even participate. Our activities kept her awake, but I know that ordinarily, she'd have been much more excited and curious about all the ornaments, tissue paper, and evergreen aromas. After the tree was all decorated, Cabana could finally get all snug in her bed, while visions of her playdate with Poppy dance in her head!

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What's with the Poodles?

Cabana is at a puppy sitter's house this weekend. To be a GDB puppy sitter, you must attend half the puppy meetings (or something like that). Our group had a puppy sitter for a while, but then she stopped coming, most likely because no one ever used her services. Not as a reflection of her abilities, but more because no one needed their puppy to be puppy sat. So earlier this summer during my week of alone time, I would have loved to take Cabana to the puppy sitter's, rather than the GDB kennels--but she hadn't been coming to the meetings and wasn't eligible to puppy sit. Last week, she started coming back to the meetings, and I felt that it would be nice to utilize her services. It would be encouraging to her, a respite for me and my family, and good practice for Cabana.

So today, being puppy-less, we decided to spend the day in San Francisco. First, we went to the Renegade Craft Fair, where my daughters and I drooled over all the fun items (and my husband patiently humored us). We stopped at Emily Martin's booth, The Black Apple. For anyone familiar with Etsy, Emily is one of Etsy's top sellers with over 23,000 sales! She's what every Etsian aspires to be. She's even been on Martha Stewart's show. And when I asked if I could take a photo of her and her booth, she gave me the sweetest pose! I felt so privileged to meet her.


Then, we went to SFMoMA (Museum of Modern Art). I personally enjoy abstract art and the way its message is left open to the beholder's interpretation. The exhibit that attracted me most was a pristinely white baby doll, lying on an 8-pointed gold star, and surrounded by hundreds of black poodles.

It was so interesting! I asked each of my family members to tell me what they thought the artist was trying to convey. And I'd like to ask you all the same thing. WHAT does it mean--the white baby, the black poodles, the star, the concentric circles?

In a few days, I'll post what my family members said. Of course, there's no right answer, and I'm not sure what the artist herself meant by it. Please don't do any online research--just post from your own gut feelings!! I'm curious to hear what you think!

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