LUCKYS NEW CAGE

Following the behaviorist's advice, Lucky's cage arrived today.  She was so excited she got right in it.  It helped that I threw some treats inside.  Right now she is asleep in the cage and she is so calm.  It is nice to have a non-growling night.  No growling when I get up.  No problems when Happi moves around.  The tension is gone. Now I have to get her out of the cage.  That is going to be fun!

Until tomorrow...

DIG

 I started watching this new television show titled DIG.  I wasn't sure I was going to like it at first.  The first episode was a bit slow (as most are) but I kind of got hooked.  It is about an FBI detective that is stationed in Jerusalem who has gone there to get away from a family tragedy.  He tumbles into a mystery and no one believes his theories.  Mostly because they sound farfetched.  I am about 3 episodes in now and I am dying to know what is going to happen.  I guess the show is working!

Until tomorrow...

GARDENS

Today I went to the park and took some photos.  I packed a lunch and sat in the herb garden in the park.  Then I walked around and took a bunch of photos.  It was a lot of fun.  Okay, fun for me.

Just some pictures I took.

Until tomorrow... 

ONE DAY

Here is a quote I liked:

One day you will wake up, and there won't be any more time to do the things you've always wanted.  Do them now.

It is all about doing things now and not waiting.  Check off that bucket list while you can.  I am starting to do that.

Until tomorrow...

MAKE UP YOUR OWN HOLIDAY DAY

According to the Wacky Holiday Calendar, today is Make Up Your Own Holiday Day.  This makes me wonder, what holiday I would want to make up.

Would it be a holiday like Christmas where you get presents?  A holiday like the Fourth of July where there are fireworks?  Or a holiday like Thanksgiving where families get together and there is tons of cooking? 

I don't know.  I think it would be a holiday where people would just relax.  No stressful family gatherings.  No present giving (although I love to give a good present!).  No cooking.  No long drives or flights to get to your families homes. 

Just a day off where everyone gets to relax.  Sit around and read a book or watch a movie. Go to the beach or take a walk.  Stores and government agencies are closed.  Doesn't that sound great!?  That would be my holiday.

Until tomorrow...

THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY

I just finished a book titled “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry,” by Rachel Joyce.  I had read a review about it and thought it sounded like a fun book to read.  I wanted a light and easy book to read.  This book is referred to a as a cousin to "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society".

Harold Fry has something happen in his predictable life and he decides to go for a walk.  A long walk.  It is fun to read about the characters Harold runs into during his adventure.  

The book was a fun read.  I recommend it if you want a really fun and light read.

Until tomorrow...

EXPECTATIONS

Isn't it funny when you have an expectation about something but then it happens another way?  Here's what happened.  I was in charge of a meeting and I had an expectation that it was going to end badly.  There were four people and they had met before and disagreed on a decision.  Last night they were meeting again to make the ultimate decision on the same subject.  I was sure it was going to end badly with two of the people on each side of the decision. 

That didn't happen.  They all acted like adults and discussed the topic like responsible people.  Even though they didn't agree, they ended the meeting agreeing to disagree. 

Until tomorrow...

UPDATE ON LUCKY BEHAVIOR APPOINTMENT

Today was Lucky's behavior appointment.  Turns out it should be called Adrienne's behavior appointment.  They told me I have been doing many things wrong with Lucky.  So we made a plan.

I needed to get some items.  I needed to get Lucky a new small cage for her to sleep in.  No more bed downstairs.  She is too anxious in the morning and is guarding her area so she needs to be sleeping in a pen with a new cushion.

I bought a new bed for her to use upstairs (the old one was falling apart) that is hers.  It is too small for Happi.  This way each dog has their own bed, no arguing.  Lucky has not gotten out of it from the minute I put it on the floor.

I bought a movable pen for her to be put in when I am home.  She wants to guard me from, well, everything so she can do it from a pen.  The new bed will go in the pen.  This way she will not be charging after anyone or anything. 

I needed to get over my feelings of putting her in her cage for long periods.  She is cage-trained but I was feeling guilty about putting her in her cage for longer than 15-30 minutes when we were home.  We put the dogs in cages when we go out and sometimes they are in their cages for 3-4 hours at a time but that is different.  Both dogs are in cages and we are not home.   The docs explained that she needs to be in confined areas right now to feel secure. 

Now that we have a plan, I think the situation will get better.  Nothing in life is free is the mantra in our house.  Treats when things are done right and nothing when it is done incorrectly. 

The cage and pen will be arriving in about 5 days.  Meanwhile I bought some high value treats (treats that a dog will do almost anything for) and boy do they stink!  Roasted Chicken.  Ugh. 

Until tomorrow...

CLEANED THE HOUSE

Today I cleaned up the house.  I went through that pile of junk mail.  I put away the table that I did my taxes on.  I vacuumed and dusted.  The house looks all sparkly.  I even cleaned the bird cage.

Then I took a rest.

Until tomorrow...

MADE A NEW DISH: GRAINS AND ASPARAGUS

Today I made a dish called Spring Grain Salad with Asparagus and Meyer Lemon.  It is really good.

It is very tasty.  I put the asparagus in the oven instead of cooking on the stove top.  I used wheatberries and pearl couscous as my grain. 

Delicious!

Until tomorrow...