Gus Wants to Play

Sometimes Gus wants to play with the big kids and does not take their hints that they aren't interested. This morning Gus  wanted Chima to play with him so bad. He stood over the top of her as she napped, occasionally gently nudging her snout with his foot trying to get her to bite at his leg. He had been trying to get this method to work for a couple minutes and Chima valiantly ignored him. While I don't want my dogs to have to put up with constant pushing, I also want puppies to learn what "no" looks like from another dog and what happens when they don't listen. Natural consequences are the best teachers in life and as long as the other dog isn't getting hurt or overly harassed and I know the dog won't hurt the puppy I will let the situation play out as long as I am carefully supervising.

I know Chima and she will put up with a lot from puppies and I also know that she she does that long slow "look away" like she does in this video, she is giving the puppy their last chance to take a hint before she snarks at them. I tried to back Gus gracefully out of the situation but he moved back for more and learned a good lesson - when a dog tells you "no" you need to respect the "no". 

Gus said "point taken" and moved away to play and roll around by himself. Then later he decided that it would be good enough to just play next to the big girls, even if they refused to wrestle with him. Good boy, Gus! 

Playing with one of his chews while the girls nap in the sun

Last night the girls actually let him lie on the couch with him which is a sure sign that he has been learning how he needs to behave when hanging out with them.

Chima actually let him lie on the couch right next to her

And of course sidekick Sal wasn't too far away. This is her "could we put the camera away?" look

Where's a Pup to Nap?

Gus does not like it when the other dogs sniff around his crate. It's something we've been working on with him since he gets a little growly if the other dogs walk by when there are any good toys or chews in his crate.

What is funny though, when it comes time to take a nap, Gus prefers Sal's crate. In fact if he is relaxing in her crate and I go downstairs with the other dogs he doesn't follow. He'd prefer not to interrupt his comfortable nap. While he likes the Molly Mutt beds downstairs it is Sal's bed that he wants the most.

Good thing for Gus that Chima and Sal don't mind little cranky puppies sleeping in their crate.

Gus Visits Makeda and Mingus

Waiting patiently - we had to make a stop at the REI flagship store and Gus and I waited in the garage while Troy ran in to pick up his race packet

We had to run some errands in Seattle and to take Gus to meet potential adopters. Since the adopters live Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood we decided to stop in at a Rat Terrier hot spot - Makeda and Mingus Cafe.

On the "red" carpet at Makeda (photo by Prashanthi Reddy)

Waiting while the humans chat

Introductions with Mingus

Thanks to Mingus being such a superstar the Greenwood Neighborhood has become a Rat Terrier hot spot. New Rattitude has several adopters who were referred to us after meeting Mingus. In fact there is a Facebook page for the Rat Terriers of Greenwood - The Greenwood Rat Pack.

Snuggles and kisses for Prash

As usual Gus was an amazingly polite and easy going little guy, meeting the owner, Prashanthi Reddy and her Rat Terrier Mingus (a New Rattitude alum) and then just kicking back and waiting patiently while we ate.

"Hey, any of that cookie for me?"

A little bored but quiet and patient - not common traits in a Rat Terrier puppy!

Gus stopped and got his picture taken on the Makeda Red Carpet and then sat politely while we had tea and delicious cookies. Besides the great coffee, beer, wine and food another reason to stop by is that Makeda and Mingus is a dog friendly restaurant. How cool is that? They have dog treats, water bowls and your furry friend is welcome to join you inside. So if you are in the neighborhood be sure to stop in. It's located on N 78th Street at the intersection of 78th and Greenwood Ave. 153 N. 78th Street.

Dogs On Dirt

We have a summer long terracing project going on in our lower yard that includes retaining walls and lots and lots of dirt work. The dogs think this is just fabulous and think we should be creating these giant piles of loose dirt for them more often. Weirdly they aren't doing much digging in them but they love to lay on it after it's been warmed by the sun.

Tilly enjoys a nap in some freshly turned dirt

Gus came to visit so Tilly decided she was going elsewhere

"Please get me away from this whippersnapper!"

Today while I was working on digging some compost into some very bad soil the dogs all kept me company.

Chima and Gus

Chima likes to nose through the compost looking for any choice bits to eat that might not be fully composted. 

She is not happy with me interrupting her compost inspection 

Meanwhile, Gus continues his nap in the sun

For several hours Troy worked on building the stairs and wall and I worked on digging and thinning some plants. The dogs worked on catching up on their sleep.

Frodo

Frodo and Gus

Salinas during a rare moment where she chose shade over sun

Rigby Update

Rigby is doing great in his new home and according to his mom has made friends with his brother Skip the Lab mix. He has also learned that cats demand respect and his cat is not afraid to let him know when he is cramping kitty's style. :)

Catching some z's in a prime nap spot

He spends his time doing his favorite things - following sun spots around the house for prime nap locations, car rides to the farmer's market, sniffing stinky stuff on the beach and daily walks.

Snoozing in his new cozy carseat on a ride home from the farmer's market

We think this sweet boy hit the jackpot and are so happy that he finally has a great home to call his own.

Sniffing on a walk with his brother Skip

Out and About with Gus

After Gus' visit to the vet and the good news that he just had a minor sprain we decided to stop a Lowe's on the way home to pick up some gardening things. Lowes or Home Depot are great places to take puppies and expand their world.  Lots of places to wander and sniff, shopping carts, fork lifts, fountains - you just never know what you might find.

We were just in the garden section so took some time to wander around and smell the flowers and vegetable plants. Along the way he met a couple people who he sniffed for a bit and then was happy for more attention from them.

Checking out the tomato cages

Wandering through the vegetable garden section

It was another fun puppy socialization adventure - complete with tripe treats!

Gus the Klutz

Gus isn't the most coordinated of guys - he's in that awkward stage where he's growing like crazy and has more legs than he knows what to do with. Add to that the fact that he is a typical puppy who likes to jump up on everything and fling his body around, and it was a recipe for disaster.

On the way to the vet. He thinks these vet visits are sure getting old.

I was carrying Sal to the deck table so I could trim her nails and Gus was following us, jumping up and trying to bit Sal's tail. I turned sideways when he jumped and it must have thrown off his balance because when he landed he shrieked. He was putting weight on his injured leg after a few minutes so he was given crate rest for the rest of the night and then yesterday morning I took him to the vet.

The good news is she felt all over, extended and bent the leg and Gus showed no signs of any discomfort with the manipulation. She felt it was a minor sprain and for now he just needs to limit his jumping. Easier said than done!

Gus is bowlegged with a little duck-footed walk and I think that because of this structural stuff he will always need to be a bit careful about jumping too high or doing sports that put too much strain on his joints.

The vet also checked a bald spot on his back that I thought might be ringworm but it wasn't typical for ringworm - the skin was ultra smooth and pink, like new skin in an area that was burned. The vet said from the location between his shoulders and the size that it might be a burn spot from flea spot treatment he got awhile back. So bad news that he had that chemical burn, but good news that it isn't ringworm and that the skin has already healed up.