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Friday, September 28, 2012

A Better Day

Finally, a normal day. The meds that the vet gave R worked, and he didn't barf this morning. So, we could have a nice and relaxed day.

I exercised the two dogs separately. In the mornings, we try to give them each individual attention. Then, in the evenings, we all hike together.

It's amazing to see Shyla get physically stronger by the day. She sprints and leaps with such grace.
This leap didn't seem to have any particular purpose. She landed in the deep grass and then stood up looking a little confused. It made me laugh!
When we made it up to Hug Hill, we saw the result of the past two days of rain at our elevation. It was snow, and lots of it, up higher. Shyla and I hiked in the mountains behind her last week. Some years, the first snow on the high mountains will melt away, and we can sneak in one more hike. We'll have to wait and see if that happens this year. Regardless, I love the combination of the yellow and red areas in the forest and the white mountains.
Shyla is doing a sit-stay in this photo. Her traditional training (sit, down, stand, stay, come, target, leave it, etc) is going stunningly well. The harder part for her is the socialization sessions in town but we are slowly but surely seeing her become more comfortable with strangers and the bustle of a town.

One of the fun training games that I'm playing with her is teaching her to poke a person's shoe with her nose. It's a good way to teach a dog to approach a stranger without any temptation to jump on the person. We're finding that she can very rapidly transition from being afraid of someone to jumping on them but we don't want to do anything negative near a stranger since it's taken a month to convince her to approach any strangers. So, my trainer suggested the "substitute behavior" of poking a stranger's shoes so that Shyla won't become a habitual jumper.

I've never worked with an older pup like Shyla who has never navigated the real world (that's why I'm working so much with a great trainer). I'm finding it to be incredibly rewarding. She's learning so fast, and she looks to me for guidance all the time. I think that this process will make our bond very strong.

Today, after I took Shyla for her hike, I took R out for some exercise, just a short session to let him have some fun. He visited Hug Hill too!

Soon, very soon, I want to tell you more about seeing a bobcat close-up in person. He was so close that I could see his ribcage rise and fall with each breath, and I could see the details of his pupils. I was glad that he was a small bobcat (30 lbs, maybe) rather than a mountain lion!
Have a great weekend! And, thank for all the well-wishes for R. I hope that he doesn't need them anymore sometime very soon.

33 comments:

  1. Hi Y'all!

    All I want to say is "hip, hip horray for both R's health and Shyla's learning.

    Y'all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  2. What fun shots!!!

    Thanks for sharing them -

    Here's to R's feeling better -

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  3. Hope R continues to feel better! We really enjoyed the pictures!

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  4. Those are some funny photos of Shyla doing her "moutain dog dance"!
    She is like a little circus clown!
    The changing colors of Autumn are so beautiful in your world. We feel peaceful when we look at all that you share with us.
    And of course we are happy R is feeling better- he is so beautious!
    That "kitty " is spectacular- and we think you are too for capturing that close up and sharing it with all of us who cannot even imagine what its like to see the beauty in your world.
    love
    tweedles

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  5. Glad to hear R is doing better. I can't wait to hear about your "cat" story.

    Cindy

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  6. We have never heard of that way of training not to jump. What an excellent idea. You really do have an incredible trainer to work with,
    We can't wait to hear more about kitty.
    bert and My Vickie

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  7. yea....we like good days. Love the jumping shot...BOL
    Benny & Lily

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  8. Great news, and great photos, that bobcat looks so like a gentle big kitten that could live with anyone so happily!!!, hoping R keeps on keeping well. Greetings from Jean

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  9. That is one handsome kitty:)

    So good to hear that R had a good day. Enjoy the weekend.

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  10. So glad that R is feeling better. Love the photos of your pups having fun in your beautiful mountains!

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  11. I've been out of pocket for a while and didn't know R was yet again having problems. I'm glad he's doing better and responding to the meds.

    Looks like Shyla is going to be quite the partner for you. I, too, think she'll do just fine in time; she's already learned so much!

    I love bobcats, and that's such an outstanding photo. I love that you could see the animal breathe~! Just think, if it had been a month later, you may have seen its breath, too!!!

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  12. So very happy R is doing better. Woo Hoo.
    And those photos of Shyla... she is just incredible and graceful and beautiful. You really have the whole package with her. I like the touch someones shoe idea. I don't jump on people but I do bark (friendly) when I meet people.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  13. They do know how to make us laugh, don't they?

    I'm glad that R has responded well to the anti nausea meds!

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  14. Ann....from...Outer Banks of NC....said.....Glad R feels better..he's a sweet boy.....love the pictures of him and Shyla.....Their beautiful colors just blend in with the snow covered mountains in the background....And Shyla looks so at home ...she loves the outdoors .....And all the adventure that lies ahead for her and R..... is so wonderful...it makes you feel happy inside and out.....HUGS

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  15. Like everybody else, I am happy that R is better and the pill worked for him.

    Shyla is a rare one with her leaps into the grass, a real beauty that girl is!

    The Bobcat! Gorgeous is all he is!

    Jo

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  16. I'm so glad R is doing better! He looks great on Hug Hill!

    I had to laugh about Shyla's leap. You have to love puppies and their antics as they learn about the world! She's getting braver for sure!

    Now I am all shades of curious about the bobcat encounter!

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  17. Hug Hill must be a special place, love it.
    R looks great and he will recover. Shyla is doing great with you , you are very good in teaching and training dogs.
    The bobcat picture is great. Send it to a magazine...
    One day to go...Monday morning let our dogs loose for hunting/training...Tyra is the one to start. Then we let Vilja, the pup go for training. Her officially first one. She ran of in March and took a 80 minutes hunt after roe. She has a lot of hunting lines in her, will be very interesting . Trym will go on Tuesday ..his first one.
    Hugs from us all to you!

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  18. Bless, we are pleased to read R is doing well. Have a wonderful Saturday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  19. Bobcat! RUN..... You've got to tell us more of the story. Where were the dogs, what did you do, how long did the whole enounter last... Amazing!

    We're so glad to hear that R was feeling a bit better. We hope that he continues on this good healing path.

    And that Shyla, wow what a leap she is taking in that picture! You caught her with perfect timing. Glad to hear that the training is coming along nicely. Interesting that she is learning to tap a strangers foot. I can't even begin to figure out how you train her for that! Good job KB! You have a great student too.

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle & Muffin

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  20. That bobcat photo is beautiful. Almost looks lynx-like... (or what I think they look like).. :-)

    Marilyn

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  21. How do you train Shyla to poke a shoe? I have a bad habit of jumping people, and poking their shoe might be a good substitute for me to learn too!

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  22. Hey there KB,
    I've been reading back on your posts and want to compliment you on all your incredible photographs. What a privilege it is to visit your blog and be allowed time in your beautiful mountains. Those cats are incredible!(as are your dogs) (and the night-time antics of the kitties got me laughing...)
    It looks like Shyla and R are bonded now. Good thoughts continue to come your way for the health of R. Hope you are pain-free too.
    Sending lotsaluv
    MAXMOM IN SA

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  23. So glad to hear R is better. I wish I had known about the touching the shoe training. It took us forever to teach Lucy not to jump.

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  24. We are glad R is feeling better!

    Your pictures are gorgeous!

    Sam

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  25. KB, that IS a lynx. The camera trap pics are definitely bobcats, but these day time pics are lynx! Absolutely amazing the cats you get to see.

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  26. We are so happy to hear this news, R, and your picture on Hug Hill is just gorgeous! We are so proud of you, Shyla! You are one smart girl!

    Love ya lots,
    Mitch and Molly

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  27. Howdy All, we're glad to hear R is feeling better today. Paws crossed all keeps well. Gorgeous photos again. Thanks so much for sharing them. Shyla is certainly a quick learner. Bet she is loving her new life with you for sure!! No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  28. Hi there, I love reading about your training with Shyla-it helps to compare her with Hunter. Hunter is learning quickly but only walking close, watch, sit, stay, wait, loose walk etc. If I can ever remember everything, we'll be good. I hope he is gaining more confidence and will be able to be friendlier to people. The trainer says he is so attached to me, which is why she has others work with him(and vice versa)but I don't think that is a really bad thing.
    So glad R is feeling better. Have a great weekend!
    Noreen

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  29. I'm glad to read you all had a great day. Shyla leaps like a gazelle - what a fabulous photo!

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  30. What stunning pictures, and I'm always glad to read that all is well in your corner of the world--I'm hoping that today R is still feeling well and you've enjoyed a beautiful fall day!!

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  31. Well, now I'm not 100% sure, can we see a pic of that cat's tail?

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  32. Beautiful shots of the dogs as always, but that bobcat photo is incredible!

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