Flying through another week...

Ready... set... WEEKEND!

This week went by so quickly, I hardly had time to enjoy the new toilet paper. Another confirmation of my shear exhaustion and lack of time would be the fact that the pint of Rocky Road that I purchased last Sunday is still in the freezer... it's not full, but it's not empty. That NEVER HAPPENS. Typically, when I buy ice cream, I decline those Frozen Foods bags that are supposed to keep your arctic sundries tasting fresh for longer because I know that carton of Coffee ice cream isn't going to be around our house for more than a few days anyway. Don't get me wrong, I do intend to remedy the situation right quick, we can't have the perfectly good pint spoiling on my account, now can we?

In addition to the usual duties, my week included two full days spent in our other office about 35miles up the Island to assist with training the optical staff there. These poor folks are living and working in a military town where the turnover rate is through the roof due to such constant deployment changes. It's extremely difficult to find people to work who are not in some way attached to the Navy and thus you can only hope that when you do hire someone on, it's at the beginning of there (typically spouse's, station term) and that you get maybe two years with them before they have to leave again. If I remember correctly, I think that particular office experienced and over 50% turnover within three months time over this last Winter and that means, CHAOS. There's is much to praise about those who remain and the ways in which they've made do, but training is desperately needed and I can only hope I was/am helpful in providing just that. This is something I enjoy doing very much and feel quite at home about when I'm in the midst of it.

Driving back home this afternoon with the glorious sun on my face I daydreamed about how wonderful it would be if everyone IN THE WHOLE WORLD walked their dog at least once a day. What an incredible sight that would be. People and dogs EVERYWHERE. Happy, happy dogs getting what they need. I had been advising some women earlier who were expressing frustrations with the dogs in their households and yet, when asked what they are doing to meet their dog's needs none of them responded with "exercise" or "training" or "CHALLENGE." I then posed a challenge to each of them to change the way they operate in the evenings and to kick start a new exercise routine while it's the dry season and there's light out later at night. All of their dogs were exhibiting symptoms of boredom and frustration and one of then to the extent that he tried to bite someone. Many of the complaints had to do with dogs barging through doors or not getting off the furniture when their owners wanted. All of these are so easy to fix, but easiest if your dog is too tired to fight you and if you've established leadership and boundaries with your dog. I'm looking forward to my return next week to hear how things are going in these households and to hopefully hear that there are four or five or EIGHT or TEN much happier dogs and humans, getting daily exercise and living as a proper pack! There is so much to show and tell someone who's asking for help with dog behavior problems and my recap doesn't even begin to cover our staff's conversation from today. The fact is, if you're struggling with someone about your dog, the very first thing you should look at is if he/she is getting enough physical activity every day. It doesn't count to say that you have a big fancy fenced yard, dogs need to migrate, they need to GO OUT and COME BACK. First, think about how to implement the proper exercise routine (45min/day minimum) then start working on the other stuff... it will fall in to place.

I loved this series of Rocko photos from this evening! My little beef cake just lives for this game and I swear he'd go for days if you let him, without food, without water, just catching/chasing stuff. This is one of the newest toys I've purchased for the boys and we're all crazy about it! Purchased from Dog.com for about $6 it's easy to toss and kick and it's QUIET. The Hol-ee Roller Ball is made of really durable rubber, I mean it's SO STINK'N DURABLE! Rocko is a mammoth chewer and he's been working on this bad boy all month without any signs of Hol-ee DOOM whatsoever. Get one, try it... we think you'll like it!


Oh, and Lucca was jealous that he didn't get to do any advertising to he wants you to know that his favorite "outside toy" is the Jolly Pets Teaser Ball. These are great for water retrieval too because the float! Miles LOVES to take his to the lake for our family vacations at Hood Point.