A Different Life II

[DIR1]

I wanna come play at the beach!!!!

[Lily&Me]

Sunrise thru my window....

[Lily&Me]

That rig is in one of the sites that parallel the dunes....they have a view of the beach all the time.

Those sites are a bit too exposed to suite me. I like the partial shelter of the palmettos that are back here just a few feet.


Maggie

[Paddledipper]

Love the photos Maggie and the Price is Right models can't hold a candle to Lily. Enjoy!

[Lily&Me]

Second cup of coffee, on the beach....pour, step into sandals, and 10 seconds later, there you are.

Lily took care of business, while I sipped and walked.

It's why we're here.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Three long walks yesterday, two of them on the beach in spite of serious winds that made being outside anywhere very unpleasant.

Supposed to be 69, sunny and calm today, and I will sit outside on my little patio area I have created.

I got online to make reservations here for next year and, with SC taking reservations 13 months in advance, my favorite sites are already gone.

Being a compact Class B , I decided to go with one of the smaller ones tucked into the dunes next year, near the bathhouse but more quiet and secluded than the larger sites....and where opening out onto the dunes will allow me to leave street side windows uncovered at night.

I love seeing the moon thru my windows when I wake in the night, with surf sounds lulling me to sleep.

Sun is just starting to come up....it's going to be a beautiful day.


Maggie

[paiceman]

As more and more "baby boomers" retire, 10,000 a day, reservations at any nice place become more and more difficult. I am guessing this will continue for longer than we will be camping.

Enjoy

Bud

[Lily&Me]

I'm sure that's true, Bud.

I want to tell you that I have been following your suggestions when walking Lily and coming across another dog, tho being pocketless most of the time makes carrying small treats more difficult....if they are in my hand, she wants them.

I watch the Today show every morning, and the yellow lab (Wrangler) they have on-air is being trained with small treats in the manner you described. Keeps him close and not at all attentive to the audience when outside.

I do pull her up short and high, placing a bit of pressure on her neck while telling her "no", and that is very effective. It doesn't take much, then she knows what I'm doing and goes right along.

She does not self-regulate, however. I have to watch her every minute, and initiate something pre-emptive when another dog approaches, or she's off.

Still a work in progress, but we're better every day.

Speaking of which, I am training myself to speak of "my late husband".....past tense, rather than present, as if he is just in the restroom or the Interstate, and will be out after awhile. It's time.

The words do not roll easily off my tongue, I must say.... it takes a conscious effort, and brings emotion with it.

It is the first of March, so a soft mental countdown has begun, which I feel will likely happen every year at this time for the rest of my life. Better this year than last, however. Life.


It was so warm walking on the beach this morning that I had to take my jacket off and tie it around my waist, also small flying things were out when we got back and so I have my screen in the side door.

It's going to be a beautiful day.


Maggie

[paiceman]

I want to tell you that I have been following your suggestions when walking Lily and coming across another dog, tho being pocketless most of the time makes carrying small treats more difficult....if they are in my hand, she wants them.

I watch the Today show every morning, and the yellow lab (Wrangler) they have on-air is being trained with small treats in the manner you described. Keeps him close and not at all attentive to the audience when outside.

I do pull her up short and high, placing a bit of pressure on her neck while telling her "no", and that is very effective. It doesn't take much, then she knows what I'm doing and goes right along.

She does not self-regulate, however. I have to watch her every minute, and initiate something pre-emptive when another dog approaches, or she's off.

Still a work in progress, but we're better every day.

Great to hear. Couple of suggestions: I always have treats, either in shorts or pants pockets or jacket pockets. There are also "treat bags" available on Amazon, Petco, Petsmart etc that can be worn on the waist and carry the treats. My wife uses a "fanny pack" for treats. Once Lily gets the big picture that treats are better than growling and lunging at another dog she will focus on you and will also focus on wherever you normally keep the treats. I am training a Border Collie now to be a Emotional Support dog for a neighbors son who came home from college in deep depression. I use treats with this dog and he in only four lessons has down just about what I want and looks to my right hand, which is great. I give the treats now sporadically, so he never knows when he does what I want if he will get his treat reward or a praise reward, both of which he loves.

The collar should be very high on Lily's neck, right behind her ears. This is were her Mom used to grab her and scold her or move her, so it's an imprint that I did something and I'm being corrected.

Lily will never be 100%, she will based on what you've told me get to about 85% or maybe 90% and will in time correct herself most of the time, but should not be left to make these decisions on her own. The lack of proper socialization between 8-16 weeks, is usually the cause of her "fear aggression".

Congratulations on the progress, keep it up as I know you will. The rewards of their companionship far outweigh any faults they may have.

Thanks for letting me know. I love to hear progress reports.

Bud

[mimiandrews]

The next time you're in a place that sells hardware, buy a cheap canvas nail apron. Two pockets and long strings to tie around your waist. Perfect for dog treats and/or equipment.

[paiceman]

I am enclosing a picture of the little guy I'm training to be a PTSD and Emotional Support Dog for a neighbors son I mentioned, pro bono, I don't charge friends. He was a rescue and has some issues but we are working through them. This is his second day with me, and I often use my two as examples for training dogs. He picks up on their attitude pretty quickly and watches. Like most dogs he only wants to please. He is in the middle. Looking right at me, which is the first thing we almost always work on,

I'd steal him if I could.

Bud

[Lily&Me]

I do exactly that with her collar, Bud, and she gets it. )

Lots of people have been here the entire, discounted month of February, and are pulling out today. I found the same thing at Huntington Beach.

I love this place, but think that a month even here would be too long....but, I may change my mind at some point. A woman's prerogative.

Pan bread a-baking for breakfast. I'm on beach time.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by paiceman

I am enclosing a picture of the little guy I'm training to be a PTSD and Emotional Support Dog for a neighbors son I mentioned, pro bono, I don't charge friends. He was a rescue and has some issues but we are working through them. This is his second day with me, and I often use my two as examples for training dogs. He picks up on their attitude pretty quickly and watches. Like most dogs he only wants to please. He is in the middle. Looking right at me, which is the first thing we almost always work on,

I'd steal him if I could.

Bud

Sweet pups, Bud.

That black lab and Lily could be siblings, tho I say that about most every black lab I see.

Maggie

[mimiandrews]

Beach time.
I love that idea!
For me, next year, maybe.