Living

 Our household includes four canine members.  All of our dogs live happily under our roof with us.  Without anthropomorphizing them, we do consider them part of the family.  Our dogs are a major part of our life.  Always have been.

Because they live in the house with us, they must all be well-trained and get along well with each other.  It’s not easy training several dogs at once, I’ll admit.  I can’t ever remember a time, though, when I’ve had only one dog in the house needing training.  Always at least two at once.  Usually, I have one or two older dogs that help with the teaching.  The young dogs naturally follow the behavior of the older trained dogs.  This makes housebreaking easier and manners-training easier.  Our routines of mealtime in their kennels, sitting for a treat or at the door to go outside are all mimicked  by the younger dogs.  They even seem to catch onto the no-jumping-up-on-people-when-they-come-to-the-door by taking their cue from their elders.

That said, it’s a challenge making time for each dog to have some private one-on-one time with the human training them.  It takes careful planning.  I find it best for my schedule to do my one-on-one with the dogs first thing in the morning.  Each of the young dogs gets a separate workout that focuses on skills they need to learn – the basics:  Sit, Down, Stay, Come, Heel – along with a short working walk, meaning that they walk heeling at my side.  The trained older dogs get a walk for pleasure.  Pleasure walking refers to walking with a slack leash.  They know how to Heel.  They Heel on command – so don’t need the practice.  They know the difference and will do what is asked of them.  Aside from the one-on-one’s, training is just part of everyday life around here – from morning ’til night.  Training need not be dreaded or boring or considered a chore.  Training always, always should be perceived as being FUN.

I will be the first to admit that some dogs are easier to train than others.  Some breeds of dogs are easier to train than others – and some dogs are easier to train than others within the same breed.  Violet, our Australian Labradoodle, is an extremely quick learner.  At 10 months, she passed her Canine Good Citizen Test and she is scheduled to have her Therapy Dog Evaluation on her first birthday in September.  That’s quick!  I’ve had several Australian Labradoodles in my therapy dog training classes and they, too, have picked up skills very quickly.  My English Setters take longer to train.  However, that said, some of them have trained almost immediately and others have taken a good year.  Dogs are individuals, just like people!

Basically, we want our dogs to be Canine Good Citizens – in our home and out in public.  They are happy being trained and knowing what is expected of them.  A well-trained dog is a happy dog!  Yes – there are days when I think to myself, Wow, this would be so much easier with just one dog to deal with…  But, the challenge presented by having a pack is well-worth the effort!

Oh, when will I learn?  It’s happened before…  the young dog no longer seeming like a puppy.  She’s learned good manners inside the house and out.  She’s learned her basic obedience commands.  And, she’s soooo sweet and cute.  That’s Violet!  Really, she’s such a quick learner – always a star in her training classes – and she’s fun to take places because she’s so well behaved.  So, it’s little wonder that I become complacent about keeping an eye on her in the house.

Here’s the scenario:  I was busy working at my desk while the dogs were all hanging out on our porch getting cooled off by a nice breeze coming in through the screens and lying on the slate floor.  As I wrote along on my computer, I was conscious of a soft gnawing sound coming from the porch.  I looked out (from my desk I can look right out on the porch) and could see the three setters lying flat out  on the slates.  Violet was moving around a bit.  Knowing that she had several toys out there with her, I simply thought that she was having fun playing with one of them.  Such a good puppy, I mused, and just kept right on working.  After about an hour, I decided to take a break and sit out on the porch with the dogs.

Gotcha!  Caught in the act…  Sweet, quiet Violet had been sharpening her new adult teeth on a little side table handmade by an old Swiss craftsman friend of ours up at the lake (prized for its sentimental value).  She had pretty much redesigned all four corners and sides.  I removed it from the porch before further damage occurred.  Once a dog starts chewing on an item, they keep going back.  Unfortunately, with the table removed, Violet started on the caned seat of an old rocker we used to have on the porch of our Maine cottage…  once again, a piece holding precious memories.  But, I told myself, it’s just stuff.  And, truth be had, it was my fault.  Violet is still a puppy at ten months old and clearly needs more close supervision.  Fortunately, I had another porch rocker in the  attic to bring down so I could remove the damaged one.

Actually, this incident isn’t as bad as the time Annabelle, at nine months, chewed the underside of the sofa skirt on our BRAND NEW couch (literally, it had been delivered that week)  as I stood a mere 15 feet away from her in the same room talking to a client on the phone.  She was blocked from my view by the back side of the couch.  I had just given all the dogs marrow bones to chew on and all were so quiet as they chewed away.  Well…  !!!

A word to the wise:  Beware the quiet puppy!  I hope I’ve now learned my lesson.

For the past four years, my sister and I have head to a rustic 1920’s bungalow-style cottage on the east shore of Lake Sebago.  The cottage has one of those large front porches with three steps down to a gorgeous private sandy beach.  It reminds me of the cottage my parents had when we were kids and spent every summer on Long Lake, just up from Sebago.

We head out for a week and do nothing but kayak around the Dingley Islands, swim, hike, and read.  We start the day with morning coffee out on the porch and end the day with a glass of wine on the beach watching the sun set over Mt. Washington.  So very relaxing and peaceful.

No internet.  No phones.  And, no dogs… yes, I love my dogs, but not on this special week. It’s just me and my sister.  The dogs are well taken care of by my husband back home.  He’s been preparing them all week, saying:  Better get ready…  It’s boot camp for you guys next week!  (In all reality, he loves the chance to take complete care of the troops.  There’s no shortage of attention given to them.  Believe me!)

So, the blog will be quiet for a week…  then we’ll be back at it, training for Violet’s upcoming CGC Test, getting ready for our appearance on Ch 5 Mass Appeal on August 16th at 11:00.  Lily will keep training hard for her upcoming therapy dog evaluation, Violet and Rowan will resume their adventures in the hills of western Massachusetts exploring more terrific off-leash hikes in the woods, and James will make cameo appearances at the nursing home as he enjoys his semi-retirement.  I’ve heard from lots of people interested in taking my Therapy Dog Training Workshops.  The September schedule will be posted on our Bright Spot website by mid-August.  We look forward to a very busy and exciting autumn season.  Hope you’ll join us as the journey continues.

This has been our summer of adventure and discovery…  Violet is a natural off-leash hiker (no training involved on my part, just instinct coming in to play), which makes exploring trails with a dog a lot more fun.  She alway heads out – once given the OKAY- GO command – about 10 yards, then turns, looks back, and either waits for us to catch up or runs back to us and walks by my side awhile.  Then, she’s out in front ago.

The weather has turned cooler, down by 10-15 degrees with almost no humidity.  A welcome relief.  Still no rain, though….  All the dogs are happy to hang outside now after weeks of staying inside lying in front of a fan to keep cool.  And, it’s perfect weather for a new discovery.    I had learned about an old discontinued road just 5 miles west of our house and was itching to go explore it with Violet.  My sister had come over to visit and was up for the adventure, so the two of us – plus Violet – popped in the car for the short ride up the road.

Violet seems to just know the difference between heading out to training class (which she also loves to do) and going for a hiking adventure…  (she is very smart – I do say Go-for-a-Hike and Go-to-Class…  who says dogs don’t understand what humans are saying?).  She’s very good about following our protocol.  Her leash must remain on until we are well into the trail and safely off main roads.  It’s then that the leash is removed and she’s given her release command.  Occasionally, I have a need for calling her back and leashing her up – like coming upon a murky swamp.  She comes immediately into a SIT when called.  For safety, her leash is put on again when our hike is about to end, well before we return to the main road.

The newly discovered old road goes on and on.  I can’t remember what the person told me…  I think he said it runs from the town of Chesterfield (where we started), south to the town of Huntington.  We walked for about an hour.  It’s a well-packed dirt road, rocky in some spots, narrower in others.  But, on the whole it makes for a very pleasant walk…  shaded most of the way in the woodlands.  Lots of beautiful old stonewalls.  I always wonder, when I walk on an old road like this, what the life on this road was like 100s of years ago.

This was a good discovery.  One we must take Violet’s hiking buddy Rowan on when he returns from vacation.  I’m sure there are many more discontinued roads out in the hills waiting to be discovered…

A friend of mine asked me what kind of present I was giving Annie  on her birthday.  My reply:  Lots of one-on-one attention from me.  Our dogs have plenty of toys, treats, and other stuff.  But, because they spend a lot of their time together – as a pack of four – they all relish their time alone with me.

Annie and I started her special day off with an early morning pleasure walk.  I call it a pleasure walk because there’s no training involved.  Both James and Annie are extremely well trained and walk leisurely along at the end of a 6′ lead, not pulling, a little slack in the lead.  On a pleasure walk we take our time, enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.  Once back home and fed, Annie headed to the Bridgvale Farm Spa for the full treatment:  trim, pedicure, ear and teeth cleaning, and a cool, soothing bathe.  Annie loves this one-on-one time.  She’s quite a little princess – a bit vain…  she loves to look good!  Throughout her time at the Spa, she was served birthday treats of broccoli rosettes.  This is her very favorite treat.  Our old girl Trudi, who passed last summer, used to get cupcakes on her birthday… yes – it was my excuse to make the famous cupcake recipe from the Magnolia Bakery in NYC…  the ones people stand in line for – as long as two city blocks – and I’ve done it!!!!  before I got the recipe, that is.  So, Trudi loved her cupcake on her birthday – and she deserved whatever she desired, having lived to be 16 years, 2 months when she passed.  But, Annie, her great, great granddaughter, prefers a healthy birthday treat – raw broccoli rosettes.  She actually comes running when she hears me rustling in the refrigerator to get them.

Once her beauty treatment was completed, she headed out for an afternoon of hunting in the back field on the wooded hillside.  I didn’t see her until dinnertime.  This five year old girl had a very Happy Birthday – designed just for her.

Truly, in this oppressive heat and humidity, the best place for our canine buddies is home in a cool house.  So, I’m not feeling guilty about leaving them all behind…

Morning walks with the dogs need to be taken super early…  but that leaves the gang content for the day, pretty much.  None of the dogs want to spend much time hanging out in the back field – even up on the wooded hillside (this usually being Annie’s and Lily’s favorite activity – hunting on the hill).  They LOVE the cool slate floor on our porch…  their very favorite place to hang out these days.  In our farmhouse, built c. 1792, central air isn’t available to them.  They also love to lie in front of one of our large floor fans that has been running all too much lately.  (Tomorrow promises to be cooler.)  I’m not complaining, though.  My eldest daughter and her family live in Boulder, CO, where the fires are still smoldering in the mountains surrounding them.  Lightning is a huge threat there since it’s been 100 degrees for days on end with no rain.  I’ll take what we’ve got…  and, once again,  head to the coolness of the Connecticut River.

My daughter who lives in the Boston area read my post the other day about going kayaking and surprised me by calling and saying she’d like to visit for a long weekend (staring on Thursday!) and go kayaking with me…  Yippee!  She and I mounted the kayaks early Friday morning and headed for the boat launch in Hatfield, MA.  Arriving early helps with a quick launch – no waiting for others ahead of you to unload their large motor boats.  Off we went – with the River to ourselves.

a stop at the island

As we peacefully guided along, nature provided a spectacular show.  On our way up River, we saw two magnificent Blue Herons.  I always carry binoculars, so we stopped paddling and handed the binos back and forth between our kayaks to get a good look.  It’s amazing how close you can get to them in a kayak…  they don’t seem to mind.  We continued on up River…  approaching the large island, we stopped for a stretch and snack, then decided to start heading back.  The current had been running pretty strong – and I, for one, was feeling the extra work involved.  We both were looking forward to the fun of being carried by the fast-moving current back down river…  but, of course, the current changed and we had but a slight bit of help…  nonetheless, we just leaned back, paddles on deck, and let the subtle glide carry us slowly back toward the launch.  Just as we left the island, we spotted a striking Egret, its pure white feathering standing out distinctly against the green of the River bank.  And then….  my daughter spotted the regal Bald Eagle fly overhead… WHAT A SPECTACULAR SIGHT!

photo source: en.wikipedia.org

At first, we thought we might be mistaken…  but he perched himself up in a high tree in clear view.  And, there he stayed on display for us to view with the binoculars.  No mistaking…  he was the real thing!

By now, it was past noon and the River was getting active…  a couple of colorful sailboats (really something like kayaks with sails!), a pontoon boat, and 10 canoes with campers passed us by as we continued to glide our way slowly back….  Nature’s Extravaganza had headed and the River was livening up with pre-weekend activity.

Back home, we were greeted – as always – by our faithful canines who were happy to see us, and definitely content to be left at home.

In honor of Independence Day, the explorers headed out on an off-leash adventure in the hills of Westhampton.  Yesterday was our chance to have fun on the water kayaking, today was Violet’s and her friend Rowan’s turn for their favorite activity of romping together in the woodlands of Western Massachusetts.  Diane leaves on vacation (Rowan goes, too) in a couple of days, so we wanted the two buddies to have one more get-together.

I’ve discovered a great well-worn path that runs along a cool, sparkling stream just above our farm up in the hill.  A quick short drive gets us there in the car.  It can, though, be accessed at the bottom end point by walking on the road about a 1/4 mile.  I haven’t done it yet, but this would give me another opportunity to practice Violet’s heeling exercises she needs to perfect for working as a therapy dog.  We’ll definitely plan on doing that as part of our routine soon…  a nice combination to do leash heeling, and off-leash walking in the woods, then leash up again for the walk home.  The pathway runs about 3/4 mile – so we’d get 1 1/2 miles in the woods and 1/2 mile total leashed on the paved road.  An excellent workout to incorporate in Violet’s day.

Today, it was the stream that captured the attention of this energetic duo.  And, who wouldn’t be drawn to the cool, flowing waters of a mountain stream on a hot, humid summer’s day.  Violet was in her element – leaping in and out of the water; splashing on Diane and me standing along the bank.  Little Rowan, about 4 months old now, got his paws wet – but wasn’t sure about getting completely drenched.  He watched on as his companion proceeded to get completely soaked.  Violet is such a joyous dog…  her doggie smile is huge – her mouth open in a wide, clownish grin…  her eyes dancing with excitement.  What fun for both canines and humans…  Diane and I just stood there watching these two bouncing and leaping around.

We decided to move the pair along…  and with a simple command of Let’s Go…  out of the water the two sprang – following us up the bank and continuing on the path to the end.  We turned and headed back.  The pair ran ahead and when they reached the opening to the access to the stream, they stood… waiting to be told whether or not they would be given permission for a second round of dunks.  Once given the okay – off they sprang down the bank and into the refreshing cool water.  This final dunk left Violet’s light cream hair completely clean again (all mad picked up along the way removed).  Giving a mighty shake, up the bank they flew – heaping over the tree limp fallen over the path and sitting once again waiting at attention for the command to head back to the car.  I get as much joy out of watching them have such a grand time as they do having it.                                             (URrrrr… my camera setting was off…  disappointing images – put you get the point: the human-canine bond at work…  HAPPY 4th of JULY…  also my eldest daughter and her husband are celebrating their third wedding anniversary today… I love that they chose Independence Day for their wedding day.)

Summertime…  There are days when I just have to leave the dogs behind and head out on the water.  The Connecticut River has been calling me…  now down considerably from its previously high levels during the constant rains of May and most of June – it is high time I got out there.  My kayaking partner Diane is heading out on a Maine vacation in a few days, so we wanted to get out there before she left.  She’ll soon be paddling on the coast of Maine, then later this month, I’ll be out on Big Sebago – a small ocean-like lake capable of some mighty huge waves when stirred up by a sudden incoming storm (I take my 14 footer with me to Sebago – handles the waves a lot better than my regular 12 footer which is put to use around here).  In past years, Diane and I have been out on the water in early May…  making as much of the kayaking season as possible.  With luck, we keep going through the end of October.

During the week is the time to go.  We have the river pretty much to ourselves.  Today was the perfect day:  mid 80 degrees, clear blue skies, and low humidity.  As we peacefully floated along the serene water, we spotted three regal herons along the shoreline.  So quiet.  Peaceful.  Not another boat in sight.

We always pack a light lunch and paddle as far as an island in the middle of the River.  Here, we  pull up along the bank.  Good to get out and stretch after paddling for about an hour and have our lunch break.  By the time we headed back to the boat launch, several large, powerful motorboats were heading out on the water.  Our timing was perfect.  Tomorrow – 4th of July – the River will explode with activity.  No thanks!  I like the River to myself…  to float, ponder, and relax.

I‘m moaning and groaning a bit now as my muscles are aching from the very different type of activity – along with the shoulder, arm, and upper torso workout from paddling, there’s loading and unloading, then reloading and re-unloading… man – those muscles really got a workout today.  All my dog walking exercise doesn’t help with this.  Ugh…  I’m feeling so out-of-shape!

As much as I love spending most of my time with my dogs…  time out in a kayak, with a subtle breeze in the air…  is pure heaven.  When I got home, I received a hearty welcome from the canine crew…  They didn’t scold, like a person might do for being left behind.  No, they all just wagged their tails and wiggled with excitement at seeing me walk through the door.  After a romp out in the back field, we’re all relaxing on the porch…  the end of a perfect day.

I love watching Lily in the library.  She’s relaxed, happy, and soaking up the attention from people who walk in the door and pet her.  Some tell her how pretty she is.  She looks up into their faces, listening to every word they speak to her.  She feels at home here.  It’s her special place.

Lily needs to get away from the excitement of the pack back home where four dogs vie for attention.  Here, it’s all her.  I’m so happy for this dog – who, 11 months ago, flew from Wisconsin to join us here at Bridgvale farm.  My dear friend, Judi Hunter, who gave me James and his sister Julia, knew that Lily had the soft heart of a therapy dog.  She wanted her to be here with us and bring comfort to those in need as a Bright Spot Therapy Dog.

Lily has needed a lot of training – and as with all of our dogs, training is continuous, lifelong,  a part of our daily routine.  Lily was 2 years old when she came here – and that’s young for an English Setter.  She needed lots of patient training…  never rushing the process…  baby steps all the way.  In addition, Lily’s immediate attachment to me led to some pretty strong separation anxiety.  In the beginning, I couldn’t be more then a few feet away from her, let alone out of her sight.  For this, I called in my friend and expert dog trainer, Susan Miller, the Canine Counselor.  Susan has a solution for everything – and can work miracles.  Today, after three months of following Susan’s suggestions, Lily is fine with me being out of sight in another part of the house or outside gardening.  When I leave the house in the car, she settles into her crate, as do the other three dogs, and takes a nap.  This came with a lot of perseverance on my part…  and I’ve never given up on Lily.  She has an endearing soulfulness that makes for a wonderful therapy dog.  I believe in her and this is what gives me such a feeling of delight in watching her blossom in the library environment.

At the library today, after a bit of practice heeling up and down the stacks, Lily and I went over to spend time relaxing over in the Children’s Corner.  Soon, a young girl and boy – sister and brother – came over and lay down beside her.  The two had been at camp all day – their first day of a 2-week session.  They talked about swimming and kayaking.  Lily was totally relaxed and absorbed in their chatter.  The girl asked if Lily liked to be hugged.  Lily, of course, was in her element…  receiving the hugs – and reciprocating with gentle kisses on the little girl’s cheek.  Oh, said the little girl, Lily is so much more friendly than my dog.  I can tell she likes it when I pet her.  And, she’s so pretty.  I like her long floppy ears.  Dogs don’t know the meaning of the words we speak – but Lily sure was happy with the attention she received.

We’re now making 2-3 visits a week to the library and lengthening the duration of our stay.  We spend lots of time together relaxing on the colorful rug over in the children’s area…  I hold up books for Lily to look at…  simulating the reading-to-dog environment.  This dog was meant to do this, I can tell…  A good therapy dog loves working.  Lily you’re going to be great!

At our house, we all embrace the gorgeous days of summer with the myriad of outdoor activities such weather provides – but when the temperatures are in the 90’s and humidity is high, the dogs stay plastered to the cool slate floors on the porch.

I love taking walks with each of my dogs…  each one getting special time all their own.  But, I’ve had to shorten our time out, much to the chagrin of both human and canine!  Last Friday, Annie and I made it all the way down to the end of our road (our usual destination) – but as I made the turn to start us back toward home, she abruptly stopped short under the shade of a large maple tree, lying flat out in frog-like position.  And, she wouldn’t budge.  Okay, Annie, cool off in the shade a few minutes, I told her, then I prompted her along – but within a tenth of a mile, she was flattened out on the ground again.  I thought about the time I had to carry my 13 year old Irish Setter back home from a walk.  She had injured the pad of a front paw and couldn’t bear any weight on it.  This was in cooler weather, but a long, heavy haul home.  I knew I wasn’t going to be able to make it home in the heat carrying 54 lbs. Annie the rest of the distance.  We slowly plodded along…  she stopping 6 more times to cool off in the shade.

This morning, I tried heading out earlier then usual to beat the beat.  James was leashed up and excitedly ready to head out the door.  The humidity hit us immediately as we ventured outside.  James, of course, wanted his walk.  So, we compromised by walking about half the distance – all in the shade.  Frankly, that was enough for both of us…  and the other dogs had to go without.

Aside from missing out on this special human-canine bonding time, I NEED my exercise…    my usual 2 miles x 3 dogs giving me a good 6-mile workout.  Violet is the lucky one.  Australian Labradoodles are great off-leash dogs….  so, she and I (and my sister Melissa joined us, too), headed for the path in the woods up in the hills behind our house later in the day….  a nice cool walk along a stream that runs beside the abandoned lumber road.  Even Violet was hot and panting by the time we returned home.  So – not fighting it…  just hanging out… reading a good book.