Ruidini Escapes

We've been bad about using the crate for Ruger at night.  When he arrived, we worried about his puppy cries keeping Erin, Chris and Baby C awake at night.

When they moved out we just didn't try.

We do use the crate when we leave the house.

Now Ruger is 7 months old.  We thought we'd give him more room for the longer stretches when he is home alone.  We set him up in the laundry room with a baby gate.

A couple weeks ago Mike left Ruger securely in the laundry room - and came home to be met at the door by the dog...  three different times.

We were completely baffled.  The tile floor and island outside the door seemed to make it unrealistic to jump over the gate - though the dog has some hops.

We were running to the store one evening and I set up my laptop to record the laundry room while we were out.  Sure enough when we got home Ruger met us the door.  We quickly put down the groceries and raced to watch our escape artist at work.

By the way it took him four minutes and 27 seconds to get over the gate.
What a stinker!

Oh and the  next day I returned the $100 bark collar.  He figured out how to bark with a pitch just low enough to avoid setting it off. 

Catching Up...

Just your average clumsy week at work.  I kept busy Thursday as our department adjusted to outside events and our new inside scrubs.   It was our Employee Appreciation BBQ but we now have new grey scrubs which are not permitted to be worn outdoors.  

Fortunately we have plenty of carts and food service was great to arrange to have the food packed up for our department - I just had to bring it up.  It took three trips at lunch but we got everyone fed.  

Since I'm around until 7pm, I repeated the trip for the evening staff but this time was a much smaller scale.  As I was getting meal preferences, I stepped into one of the OR's, holding the heavy door open with my backside.  When I realized the room was starting to open the next case I went ahead and stepped further into the room, but neglected to remove my hand from the door jam in time - and the door closed on my fingers.  

Let me tell you IT HURT!  Plus it created all kind of drama.  As ice was applied my dear sweet friend and coworker completed the accident report just before I headed down to Employee Health.  It only took an hour with a trip to x-ray, but nothing was broken and I returned to work with a neon pink wrap and a splint on my hand. 

Graceful - but not a tear nor curse shed.  Just a majorly bruised ego. 

Saturday we went to Tate's soccer game.  Afterward his dad and Papa joined BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse) for a 110 mile ride across southern Idaho.

Saluting those who served on Armed Forces Day

 

Sunday was quiet.  I worked in the yard while Mike did a special session at Birds of Prey for a group of Seniors from Canada.  The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed some time on the deck when Mike returned. 

Monday AM we were up early to take Ruger to Idaho Humane Society for his neutering.  As much as I would adore finding a female schnauzer and having our own litter of puppies, it's such a huge undertaking and responsibility.   Ruger is a fun little guy with a quirky personality.  He was out of the house all day and Lola took full advantage of  the opportunity to stroll through without having Ruger around. 

Our new screen doors were installed as well.  They were made by a woman here in town and look like they were installed with the French doors.  Very nice quality and craftsmanship.  Definitely do not have that 'added on' look.  We are so excited to have the doors.  

We've waited 8 years (when we installed the French doors) to sit here at night and enjoy the breeze coming in off the shaded deck outside.  

Our little guy came home, somewhat groggy from anesthesia but happy nonetheless.  He spent a quiet night on our laps.  Not too spoiled.  

We still have a few projects to wrap up.  The garden is planted.  The flower pots are filled.  I'm closer to finishing the fresh coat of paint on the interior trim downstairs AND Mike is doing a scrub on the deck outside.  No need for an expensive deck cleaner - simply water, vinegar, baking soda and lemon.   In a couple of days he will get it resealed.

Have a great week!

Our Little Graduate

Ruger and I have been attending Puppy Training at Petco for the past six weeks.  One of us learned quite a bit... and it wasn't always the dog.

We were in a class with one other puppy, a Havanese named Brodie.  Brodie is 3 months older and loved to play. 

Classes were an hour long and started out with letting the 'boys' romp together in the arena.  We worked on sit, down , stay and leave it.  We walked the aisles in the store, practicing all the commands with plenty of distractions. We worked on staying when people asked to pet him. He learned to ignore the glass acquariums of mice and the cage of ferrets. 

I learned little Ruger has a delicate bum, refusing to sit on the hard floor.  Michelle, our dog trainer, said it was because he slid and found him a pad to use out in the store.  What a problem child I have.

Every week I left class excited because Ruger always responded so well.  I came home to be a proud parent and show off my well trained puppy...  and he would flat out refuse to cooperate.  One night I was telling our son about my stubborn dog.  He looked at Ruger and said 'sit' and dang if he didn't squat his delicate tush to the ground.  Traitor!

With the use of a harness called The Easy Walk Ruger doesn't pull on the leash when we walk.  What a difference it makes!

Michelle is an excellent trainer.  Its clear she loves animals and her job. She also is real comfortable around the dog parents.  We called her the "Dog Whisperer".

Our last class was during Spring Break and our great-niece Froggie was visiting. She helped to provide distractions. We will definitely return for the Puppy Training II in two months, when Ruger is six months old.  Meanwhile we keep reinforcing all we've learned. 

First Haircut

Today one of us went to the Groomer... 

Ruger's before and after. 

He left a shaggy puppy and came home sporting his first 'big boy' haircut.

And a big Schnauzer attitude!



My new Sidekick

We have always shared our home with pets - whether a cat or a dog or sometimes multiples of both.  Gradually life changes and you find yourself without a fur friend.  

I knew I would one day bring a new friend home but it took my husband some convincing.  

In December I found a miniature schnauzer puppy here in town

 and went to meet his parents, his owner and him.  

It was love at first site.  

Choosing his name was a family decision. 

The list of entries grew on the chalkboard.  

We looked for something male (obviously, duh), German (he IS a schnauzer after all)

and completely unique.  

Years ago we had a miniature schnauzer named Maxx, or Maxximillian.  

Our list included Bruno, Reiner, Laki, (he is Odin's son), Finnegan, Lucas, Bogart, Gunner, Jackson, Herschel. 

I watched the movie "Footloose" and heard the characters name Ren.  

This lead to Remy (for Remington) and our son suggested Ruger.  

Everyone liked that idea. 

He was born November 15th.  And came home with us at 8 weeks.  

At 11 weeks we went in for his second round of vaccinations and weighed in at a whoppin' 7lbs. 5 oz.  

He's an energetic, lean machine.

And it wasn't until we went away for the weekend and left him with a family friend, 

did I realize how much he is growing. 

Ruger loves walking with his leash.  

He slept through the first night, albeit on our bed and not the planned crate, but still sleeps all night.   

Ruger loves to ride in the car.

He has adapted well with house training and stays in his crate when we leave the house without him.

Ruger hangs out in the office on a stack of pillows when we are in here. 

And he's even warmed the heart of the biggest skeptic...  my husband.