Jeff and Wrenny: Speed Doggy Unleashed

When Jeff opened the gate and invited Wrenny out into the "Meadow"...



consequences were inevitable.

A Chapter Ends; Turn the Page

No matter how much fun we have had, enjoying each other's company, exploring new territory,

there was never any doubt who Wrenny really belongs to:

and with Emily back in Wrenny's life...
new tricks come easily:

....and there's always time for more cuddling (such a pointy dog, yet so conducive to it)!

After a last ride with the grandhumans...

...to a civilized place that allows dogs at breakfast....

...we consider the road ahead. Will we keep blogging, sans Dog? Maybe -- we'll have a bit of summer music, our annual trek to Duffy's in Coconut Grove, visits to Wrenny's Great-Grandmom, plenty of home and garden projects, and a couple of nights on Cabbage Key to occupy us.

And Wrenny? It's all good -- rediscovering her home and basking in the "unconditional interspecies love" of her family.

How to Act at a Dinner Party

Make small talk when you arrive.

Pay attention to the cook.

Say "Please" and "Thank you."

Pace yourself.

And be friendly, but not TOO friendly, with your host.

Wrenny's Roots

It is my own modest opinion, NOT just “Grandmom Syndrome,” that Wrenny is, as dogs go, a beauty.
People stop their cars to compliment her. They approach at the outdoor café asking to pet her. They offer their guesses about her ancestry: “Looks like a Basenji.” “That is a very hound-like face.” “Maybe some Corgi in there.” Two vets have seen Border Collie in her, and in fact Emily found her by Googling “Border Collie Mix;” which certain high-spirited behavior seems to confirm.

Succumbing to curiosity and a very persuasive website, we sent for a dna kit and followed the instructions: “Insert sterile swab into dog’s mouth between cheek and gum. Press firmly on outside of cheek while twirling swab for at least 10 seconds.” This would have been documented with a photo but it was, not surprisingly, a four-hands operation. With the sample collected, we dropped it in the mail and waited for the results.

Soooo. The envelope, please…….

After the required disclaimers, the report reads:

Level 3 (20 – 36%): Border Collie
Level 3 (20 – 36%): Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Level 4 (10 – 19%): Bull Terrier

Level 4 (10 – 19%): Dachshund

Level 4 (10 – 19%): Great Pyrenees
Level 4 (10 – 19%): Parson Russell Terrier

Very interesting!

Most of all, she is a lovely Multi-dog, unique in all the world.
With the time for re-uniting with her “real” mom approaching, we are now searching for websites on cloning.

Wrenny Goes to the Reunion

When three friends reunited after more than forty years apart, Wrenny came along too. After all, if an awkward lull in conversation should occur, one can always talk about THE DOG.

Case in point

But, no worries. There was so much to say and rediscover about each other
that the friends can hardly wait for next time.

There are Some Things that Wrenny Won't Allow
(But we're gonna keep doing them anyhow)

No napping on the couch

No frisbee-playing

No sit-ups

Graduation!

After a grueling eight sessions and lots of studying at home, Wrenny received a certificate stating that she had completed "Intermediate Education." To become an Intermediate Dog, she underwent a final exam that included "standing" on command from a sitting position, then a "down" position; "heeling" for a looong walk around the PetSmart aisles, speeding up, slowing down, turning when directed, and ignoring (well...) distractions such as other four-legged shoppers, good-smelling items on shelves, and attractive toys; "staying" when her person went far away (the width of the store) and returned; and the most exciting, "staying" for the same distance, followed by the much anticipated command "come!" which activated an enthusiastic gallop to the person. Here it must be admitted that Wrenny is still a mercenary. None of the above could have been accomplished without the assurance of tasty treats.
Almost as difficult as the exam was the photo shoot. What IS this crazy thing on my head?

Wrenny's back yard

Drought + Dog = Desert

But things still bloom in shady corners

And in the martin house: can we finally have tenants? Is this a homesteader, or a loveless loser? Time will tell.

Wrenny helps out around the house

Ready for computer work

Supervising the installation of the doggie duvet cover

Tidying up whatever-that-was that fell on the kitchen floor

Rocky and Other Subjects

Rocky (self-confident pughuahua) visited with his family, to get details about a future Wrenny-sitting occasion. Unfortunately, something about Rocky (his vaguely sheeplike size and shape?) triggered an instinct that included a frenzy of high-speed circling, and caused poor Rocky untold annoyance.

Momentary truce at the watering hole

She's Not Really a Person, After All

After the squeaky duck lost its head, the next victim was the bed-skirt.

On the lookout for Low Things of Interest

Which Ptilotus Exaltatus (left or right?) was NOT cruelly yanked by snapping dog jaws from its new place in the garden ?

Flamenco Doggy: rapid foot-stomping flushes out those lizards

Doggy Day Care

Wrenny tried out a really nice Doggy Day Care place.

Her report card said her favorite camp counselor was Melanie.

The dogs had supervised play outside in the big play area until the tornado watch,
then moved to an indoor play area to continue the fun.

Along with her report card she brought us this snapshot of herself and some of her new friends
(see the "activities director" at the rear)

After all that fun, you just need a nap.

In which we visit St. Petersburg for business and fun

Getting better acquainted with "Great-Grandmom"

We left Emily's car in Grandmom's garage for awhile.
We went shopping (at Petsmart, Wrenny's favorite store!)
We had dinner at the Chattaway (Wrenny lay patiently under the table)

We contemplated, and then took, a very nice walk.

Friends and Good Stuff

Freyr

Bernard

The Dog Party: anticipation

Greeting one's guests

Playing frisbee

Sharing one's toys

Friendly moments

Refreshments

Good Stuff

Product evaluation: new nylabone

Mmmm: Original Flavor

Ohhh, yesss!

I give it two paws up!