*grumble*

Some days I seriously wonder if the people at the library have ever seen dogs be anything but pets. The number of *gasp* "AWWWW!" reactions was ridiculous. The lady sitting at a table sticking her hand out and calling to Keeper as we went by... She was almost close enough for me to low five. If Keeper had gone to the person calling her, she would have crossed in front of me, and then I would have faceplanted.

Bad enough they act like we're a traveling zoo exhibit, but then they unthinkingly, casually put me in jeopardy because they saw something they wanted and thought not one iota more. No thought as to why the dog is in a place where they don't usually see dogs, no impulse control on their part. Not even asking me if the dog is friendly or if they can pet the dog. (This is why I don't say things to people, because it would be a multi-minute tirade. They wouldn't learn anything other I'm angry, and I wouldn't feel any better.)

Keeper, for her part, ignored the people, other than to give the lady who stuck her hand out a "HELL no! Can't fool me!" look. In her mind there is to be NO touching while working- which is how Keeper has interpreted several thousand "leave it" cues, not my actual rule. My rule is the human has to be aware enough to ask me before making any move toward the dog, or any loud exclamation- I want to reward the polite people.

Keeper, however, is not on board with this plan. She works, no one touches her. People get invited to our house, she tries to be a Bernerful lap-puppy. My wake-up call this morning was a Berner elbow to the sternum as she tried to snuggle, so I can tell you Berner-as-blanket is not always a good thing.

Big Visits Sunday

Today started with going to the McDonald's with the play area so we could visit with my cousins with small kids. Keeper had a lot of thinking to do with the kids running by and laughing or screaming. She picked up and handed me a dropped pacifier, and was doing well tucked under the booth. Unfortunately, my body hated the seating, so she also did some alerting to my pain levels coming up, or me holding my breath because of the pain. She was polite with Mel petting her (on a "go say hi" cue) just before I bailed. Keeper doesn't do that well with adults she knows when she's working. (Still not sure how she decided that she had to avoid all petting while in gear, but she does.)

We got home, and I stripped her gear but dropped it in the kitchen to let her out in the yard to potty. She was back in as I moved her gear to the proper storage hook, and for the first time I remember, she didn't rush forward to get dressed and go to work.

We took a nap/laid down to rest/for the pain killers to kick in. By the time I was ready to go to work, she'd recharged and was peppy and ready to go. Did well at work, though she kept close tabs on me.

Came home, and the neighbors came over to deliver Girl Scout cookies. Keeper had way too much fun sniffing those little girls, and laid down to get petted by them both.

Then it was Walking Dead night and long stays and not being a lap dog. Basically a 9 to 9 day, she should sleep very well tonight.

Valentine's Weekend goings-on

Couple of big days in Keeperland. Valentine's Day was another work day and the return of The Walking Dead. She did some really nice work in the library, then got to schmooze when a couple of friends came over for pizza and the mid-season premiere of TWD. Did some lovely long sit/stays, did a couple good down stays, and then when released, dorked out and tried to be an all-the-way-in-the-lap lapdog. Hundred plus pounds of happy.

Today we had a furnace service man come out, so I worked Keeper on leash, asking for attention and ignoring instead of investigating his shoes. If anything, I think that particular workman was a bit disappointed that Keeper hardly glanced at him.

It was also Garden Club prep day. Picked up Donna, went to the church, and set up flowers for tomorrow's meeting. Keeper was a bit weirded out by the big, dark building that smelled of hundreds of people when we were the only ones there. While Donna was getting things for Doranne, I knotted up Keeper's leash and sent her to fetch it all around the Fellowship hall/the work area where we have a lot of our Garden Club stuff. That helped work off the nervous energy, and when I asked her to lay down next, she rolled on a hip.

Took Doranne the flowers, and left Keeper in the car since it would be a quick walk up to the door with my hands full. Which was fine, until I had to navigate some steps on my own. I managed, but there was a wobble on my way back down. As I got back to the car, I could see Keeper watching me with concern. I teased her that I didn't know her neck could get that long.

We got home in good order with the flowers I need for my part of tomorrow's shenanigans. Keeper promptly took a nap.

Just a normal day

I swear Keeper's now as aware as I am that "does she bite?" is code for "can I pet?" She looked up at me when a young (5?ish) kid asked. I'm getting better about saying "No, but she's working, so leave her alone, please." My co-workers joked about if I'd ever teach Keeper to bite. Nope, but there are days I'd love to have free use of a cattle prod....

Keeper rocked it on heading to the shrink, pottying before work, then our usual work. She's still having trouble with her left and right (foot and shake respectively), but she's very, very willing to offer her feet now.

After dinner, we did a bit of heel work, just to see, and somewhere in the last *mumblety* since we worked on it, she got a really fancy prancy heel going. Positioning is a crapshoot (lag and forge), but she's nice and tight, and really snaps into a sit on the halts. Don't think I'll sign us up for the obedience show next month, but fingers crossed we'll eventually get into the ring and she'll strut her stuff sometime.

Recheck great news

Duncan's x-rays are exactly the same, so it's just a weird spot on his bone. The vet told Duncan that now I can stop worrying, and I laughed. She corrected herself to me worrying about something else. That's a lot more likely.

I had the vet redo the drawer test (a check for a torn CCL). Last January it was a positive test (she was guessing a partial tear.) She suggested surgery at that time as "these things don't heal on their own." We had done conservative management and trying to strengthen the muscles to support the knee. I thought I was seeing improvement, but at least it didn't look any worse. This year, the drawer test was negative. If it had gone/ever goes to a full tear, I'll get him a custom brace, but for now, I can breathe a little easier when he and Keeper play bump and tackle in the yard.

He's doing well with his hemp CBD oil treats (Treatibles), and they seem to help his arthritis pain. They smell really good, and he scarfs them down, so they taste good to him. I am tempted to contact the company and see if they sell non-CBD treats, because the other dogs are jealous.

That's good news on all fronts- fecal, blood, x-ray, pain management. Other than my anxiety and panic attacks leading up to the recheck x-rays, it's a great way to start the year.