ADD dog

Typically Wolfey loves to be brushed (although getting to this point was a process, too.  More on that later) but this morning he just couldn't focus.  As soon as I picked up his brush he stared dancing and couldn't get out the front door fast enough, but the neighbor's cat was outside and apparently barking at the cat was more exciting than getting brushed.  I had to call him back I don't know how many times and I'm sure my neighbors must have thought I'd lost it.  I kept yelling, "If you want your cookie you better get back here and let me finish!"  Wolfey would come running, I'd brush him for a minute, then he'd be off like a light again.  After about four times of this, I finally said, "If you run off again you won't get your cookie!"  I'm not sure I've ever seen him sit so nicely!  And they say dogs don't understand English.  Ha!

The upside of working six days a week

I'm learning to really make the most of my days off. Today I slept until my body was ready to get up (7:50. I usually get up at 7:40) and had a relaxed but super productive morning. I made two crockpot meals, ran the vacuum, did the dishes, did a couple loads of laundry and some general tidying. Then I met my mom for lunch, kept an appointment at the bank to discuss refinancing my house, visited my grandparents, did some shopping (I had a $10 Kohl's card that was about to expire!) and had dinner and snuggle time with BBS and the monkeys (okay, I didn't snuggle with BBS!). Now, at 9:30, I've just arrived home from a busy and exhausting but productive and incredibly enjoyable day! Working so much overtime is really wearing me out, but if the past two weeks are any indication, it's also making my days off really incredible!

PSA

If you happen to be home on the day the neighbor boy is coming over to mow, make sure you put a bra on as soon as you wake up. You may get busy doing chores and/or he may show up earlier than you anticipated and it can make for an awkward encounter!

Behavior modification

I've mentioned before that Wolfey used to flip out if I left my hand resting on him when I was done petting him, but never really explained what was going on there.  When dogs put their paws on each other, it is a show of dominance.  It's not always the same with people; for example, I visited a friend last night whose dog stands on her and it really is just a display of affection, but I do wonder if Wolfey was just so terrified of what I might do to him (after all, at that point his experience with people had been pretty negative) that he couldn't bear for me to show any dominance.  It was a long process to get him to allow me to linger after petting him.  I started by petting him super slowly, but always having my hand moving, progressing to leaving my hand still just at the end of a pet, but still touching him very lightly.  With time, I increased the pressure and duration, but always paid attention to Wolfey's reaction and as soon as he seemed uncomfortable, I would move my hand and continue petting.  This process took many weeks and lots of patience, but Wolfey is now to the point where I could use him as a pillow if I really wanted to.  In fact, the other night I woke up to find that I was half laying on top of him.  It wasn't very comfortable, and I can't imagine that he was really comfortable either, but he certainly didn't seem to mind.  I love that we've come such a long way, and I'm so lucky that we were both patient enough to make such progress!

Doggy radar

Me: (hearing a dog howling) "I hear an upset puppy."

Employee: "It's probably five miles away and you can still hear it!"

She's right, it's pretty unlikely that I would hear it.  We have the doors closed and the radio on, but hey, I'm in tune with dogs and I hate to know of one who is hurting or upset.  For the record, I checked it out and I legitimately did hear it.  There's a husky in an SUV parked a few spots out from our store.  So, there!

Multiple personalities

I sit here at work and there are so many thoughts swarming my head I don't even know where to start.  Half of me wants to complain about how exhausted I am from working so much overtime but the other half is thrilled that I can overpay my bills and still have money left over.  Half of me is frustrated beyond belief with The Girl and the situations she puts herself in but the other half is just so happy she's safe and healthy that I don't even care how she behaves.  Half of me hates going home to an empty house every night but the other half is thankful I have a comfortable home and space for "me time".  Through all of this, all of me knows that I am lucky to have awesome friends and family to support and love the many halves of me!

Conversation with BBS

BBS: "My sister-in-law's dog is really active and playful.  He loves to chase a tennis ball."

Me: "Wolfey gets bored with a tennis ball pretty quickly but he'll play soccer for a long time.  He even carries his soccer ball around and curls up with it."

BBS: "Does that make you a soccer mom?"

Be warned, darling sister - BBS could just as easily stand for Brat Big Sister!