2017 -October – Reactive Classes, Gardening, Offspring, Off Road & Independence

Reactive Classes

This is a picture of me looking most fabulous and alert.

As always.

Today on my walk with the other dogs, there were 2 new dogs.  One was a bit of a ‘starer’ and I don’t like being stared at.  The other was a miniature daschund who, apparently, had been picked up and shaken by a Golden Retriever sort of thing and was scared of dogs now.

Obviously it doesn’t like large yellow Labrador / Retriever  looking dogs.

Can’t say I blame it.

I don’t like them either.

Because of all of this new activity, Mum kept me at a very safe distance from them.

This was all lovely until at the end of the walk I overheard a conversation where there is apparently going to be a new dog class (as well as a walk) for reactive dogs.  I’ve been asked if I want to come along.

Initially it didn’t sound great but now I think about it, I would actually be pretty good at teaching other dogs how to be reactive.

And there might be extra chicken for that.

 

Gardening

These are pictures of me helping in the garden.

+

I am sure I have made all the difference.

The humans don’t really seem to know what they are doing.  They are planting bulbs (whatever those are). It all seems a bit experimental if you ask me.   Mum isn’t sure why this is a problem.

I might plant my tennis ball.

Do you think it will grow into  tennis ball tree?

You never know.  Mum says the soil is quite fertile round here.

 

Offspring

There are quite a few offspring around at the moment which is nice.  They all need looking after of course, which is keeping me busy.

Here is me having a bit of a rest after some games.

 

And much later here is me having a proper rest.

I am totally exhausted.

These offspring are hard work.

Mum says I have no idea.

 

Off-Road

Here is a picture of me off-road in the woods today.

We went into completely uncharted territory.  We really should have brought a machete.  It was very overgrown.

I don’t know what it is with Mum, she has to try something difficult when everyone else just sticks to the tracks.  She says she likes a challenge and staying on the tracks is just boring.

Why be boring Saffron?

It took ages to fight our way through the woods and we were both out of breath and covered in twigs and stuff at the end.  Mum was triumphant though.

Honestly, I wonder if I should book Mum in for therapy or something.

I’m quite sure this isn’t normal.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that it’s not me that needs a behaviourist.

 

 

Independence

Interviewer: Would you say you’re independent?

Me: (looks at Mum)

(Mum nods)

Me: I’d say yes.

 

 

Saffron’s recommendations this month:

Music: The Beautiful South  (formed by 2 of The Housemartins and named as a sarcastic comment on their northern roots).  

Song for Whoever

Let Love Speak up Itself

You keep it all in

Prettiest Eyes

I’ll Sail this Ship Alone

Old Red Eyes is Back

One Last Love Song

A Little Time

 

 

Reading:

Madness, Deception, Cruelty and Lust (actually four separate books) by Roald Dahl, published by Penguin. 

The darker side of human nature brilliantly written by RD.  Surprising, unsettling and sometimes sinister.