PET TRAINING

Trudy and I are trying dog training -- again.  We first went when she was 10 months old and we failed miserably.  She was so shy and afraid, she would hide under my chair and bark.  So, we tried socializing with doggie day camp.  Again, we failed.  She would hide in the corner with her head hanging.  The best it ever got was she would hide in the corner with her head held up. I have no grandiose idea of her ever collecting the newspaper.  But, I would like to see less barking, less jumping up on people as they come into the house, and not pulling like a galloping horse while on a leash.

Trudy will be four in June and what a difference a few years make.  This time she is engaged.  Interested in all the dogs that are there.  No barking, and no head hanging.  Wahoo!  This training is all about the "clicker" and "treats".  So I made this cute little fabric lanyard to hold the clicker so it will always be with me hands free during training.  

And, so far, so good.

As a side benefit,  Gracie is learning very quickly that when the clicker makes that noise a treat can't be too far away.  But, Gracie is 10 and much better behaved.

We have only had one session out of six.  I'll let you know how it goes.  In the meantime

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

WHAT'S OUT THERE?

I'm quilting today.  Poor Trudy must spend her day looking out the guest-room window.  What do you think?  Is she hoping to see a cat?

Quilt happy.

Marilyn

PETS ON QUILTS SHOW

Sew Cal Gal is hosting a Pets On Quilts Show from August 7th through August 21st. It really is a fun event. To learn more about it and how to enter yourself, go here.

Here is my entry for the Pets On Quilts Show. This is my Schnauzer, Trudy. Not only does she like to lie on the quilts, she places all her favorite toys and chewies on the quit. There is her lambie, her rawhide bone, her monkey and another rawhide stick. One never knows what may happen to thing if they are not properly guarded.

The quilt was an exercise that my friendship group did. Quite a while ago, Quilter's Home talked about using paint chip family colors to create a quilt. So, Robin grabbed a handful of color families, turned them upside down and had everyone choose one. Actually, this wasn't my pick. I think Patti picked it and declared she didn't think she could do it using that color choice. So, I traded with her. After all, our group is called Wednesday Wackos. I did add the dark brown because the colors were on the bland side. And I think the dark brown makes it all work.

I took it over to Terri's, another member of the Wednesday Wackos, to quilt on her long arm and she named it Sterling. I'm not sure why. But, Sterling it is. Trudy and Sterling look good together, don't you think?

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

MY MOM HAS MOVED

This is one of my favorite pictures of my mom. She often napped with all three dogs. As you can see, she did the adjusting to fit in the group. That is Gracie between her legs, and Charlie (who is no longer with us) at her left. and laying across her is Trudy, the terror, at 5 months. Mom is 90 and took a fall in December that left her with a broken hip. It was clear that she needed constant care and because I often travel, my brother and his wife have moved her in with them. They live in Arizona.

Here is how the room looks now. Pretty empty. I made that Garden Twist quilt for her. Robin's sister, Melinda, did the quilting. You can see more of Melinda's gorgeous work here http://melinful.blogspot.com/. My brother is coming this month to pick up Mom's furniture and that will be a very strange feeling for me, as I can almost still see Mom napping from time to time. But, I am glad she will have her furniture; I'm sure it will be more comfortable for her.

Here is Trudy, now 11 months old, and if you look carefully, you can tell she is looking ashamed. More on that another time.

Trudy Update

She is a nine-month old terror. But, she is so cute and so sweet.

Trudy Update

Trudy has quickly become a part of our lives. And, just look at that face. How can anyone resist it? It is her teeth we can resist. I have not had a puppy for at least 30 years. Only adult, potty-trained dogs have been a part of my family. No whining, no training, and no teething on hands, magazines, and anything that can fit into a very small puppy mouth. My cousins Carroll and Don spent some time with me this week; and they too quickly fell under the Trudy spell. They are officially in love with her. Don, however, left with a few extra pucture wounds on his hand. It is poor Charlie who gets the brunt of all things Trudy. His poodle tail is very enticing. If my back is turned, Trudy grabs his tail, stuffs the pom-pom in her mouth and drags him across the floor. Now before you shriek, he is smart enough to move with her and I carry him or put him up high enough to keep away from the little darling. Charlie is getting even by eating her food. I think he is trying to starve her. Then there is the Alpha-Dog, Gracie. Trudy thought she might try her tail stub once, only once. She also tried to take a treat out of her mouth once, only once. Gracie also will break up any Trudy nonsense directed at Charlie. She just gets right in between them. Good for Gracie. Yes, life with a puppy is a challenge and a joy all at once. Did I mention she is sleeping until 6:30 AM now? ***sigh***

Introducing Trudy

It's a long story about how Trudy came to join our home; howver, it is my daughter, Jolene's, fault. She got the ball rolling on the Schnauzer. Most of you know, I am a Poodle person. A dedicated Poodle lover. But, this little girl is so cute, don't you think? Just look at that face. And way back in her history, a Schnauzer is a cross with a Pincher and Poodle. So it grows hair not fur and is considered hypo-allergenic and seldom sheds. Today is her first day in her new home, and fingers crossed) not a whimper one. And only one accident so far. Unlike my Bichon/Poodle, Gracie, who was a real struggle to train. Jolene will be taking one of Trudy's sisters. She has a friend who is visiting family here in Southern California and is leaving for home (also in Niceville, Florida) this Friday. Looks like I will have her sister here tomorrow night or at least until they pick her up either Thursday night or Friday early A.M. All in all she is fitting in quite nicely. Can you hear the big sigh of relief.................