A Dog's Life

Normally my early morning routine is pretty quiet and serene. After I've gotten ready for work, I go downstairs and let the dog out of her crate and let her outside. I breathe in the morning air, test the temperature, and wait for her to finish. Then we go inside and I give her fresh water and her morning portion of food.

Ever since we adopted her from the humane society we have followed this morning routine. She seems to think that I MUST be out there with her. She won't stay unless I do. She pretends she's super dog protecting her turf.

Several weeks ago my serenity was challenged when Josie flushed a rabbit. Streaking back and forth across the dark backyard (I get up early). I could barely see them, but I could hear them. I really believed the rabbit would make it. (Josie is a Chow/Border Collie mix and doesn't do much weaving or cutting back and forth.) In the dark, perhaps the rabbit panicked and couldn't find a way under the cyclone fence. Anyway, she chased it behind the shed and I heard it squeak. I called Josie and she came out with the dead rabbit in her mouth. I called her in the house, she abondoned the rabbit to come in and eat. I convinced Mike to go out later and bury it.

He said she looked for it when he finally let her out. And I'm sure that if it ever happens again she'll make sure to eat the before I can distract her. I was worried that since she's a dry dog food eater the rabbit would make her sick (or worse, gassy).

She's fun. Her priorities are catching frisbies, playing with other dogs, and greeting people. She likes us a lot too. Mollie and Nora work with her when they are home and she'll run beside them on a short leash. She has her quirks. I've never seen a dog that likes to chew on her back. She can really manipulate her toys with her front feet.

Enjoy the pictures. It's been awhile since I posted...lost my username AND password.