Ham Bone and Sundae

Easter Sunday was a beautiful day - literally.  We all went walking and playinng with Monty in the sunshine.  I gave Monty a bone for Easter Sundae.  He was thrilled.  Then he wanted to bury it.  He kept circling the house looking for a spot to bury it.  Around and around, with the bone in his mouth, not stop, just seeking.  He dropped it behind the sofa and tried to dig - didn't work.  Went behind the love seat, dropped it.  I soothed him and it was "covered" a bit by the drapes so thought he was done.  Nope.  He went back, got it and circled the house.  Amy by this time had gone into my studio and the closet was open. On the ground was some old scrape material.  When I came in , the dog had pulled out a good section of the material, placed his bone in it.  I watched as he carefully wrapped his bone and then pushed the material back in.  It was amazing - and very funny.  So now I have a ham bone in the studio!

That evening our timid cat Sundae decided she'd exiled herself long enough.  Monty was very curious and interested but kept his distance.  We had all three animals (2 cats, one dog) peacefully in the living room for the first time.  It was a wonderful breakthrough - all on Sundae's timing.

Monty in the yard

The End of Week One

It's hard to believe our first week is over already.  It flew buy.  Monty is learning not weave in front of me while we walk.  He's getting very good at going to the door when he needs to go to the bathroom.  (what a relief). He is loved by all and a member of the family.  I can't imagine not having him by my side.  There are so many people to thank.  NBRAN - for rescuing these wonderful dogs, Anna his foster Mom who took good care of him for three months before we adopted him, Anne - my  NBRAN coordinator is who is always there to answer questions - even now, all of the volunteer drivers who brought Monty from Tennessee to New Hampshire.  During my search Jeff, another foster parent, was kind enough to let us visit his pack, Above and Beyond Rescue - an amazing group of people- guided me through the world of English Setters, and there were numerous other foster parents that talked to me about their dogs, let us visit etc.  All of which led to us adopting this amazing, sweet, smart, funny dog that has captured all of our hearts.

Long Walks and Other Joys

So far its been an interesting and fun day.  Monty and I did at least 7 miles this morning to start our day.  Monty is getting better and better about staying to the side and not getting in between my feet.  We meet  two unleashed dogs.  He did great with both - which I expected.  Does make me wonder why people lets dogs out.  The traffic wasn't heavy, but it was steady on this little side street.  One dog could not have been any bigger than my shoe.  How he doesn't get hit by a car is beyond me. (okay- that was my rant for the day)

Monty recognized home and was happy to return but he wasn't worn out in the least. He had his first bath - at least with us.  He wasn't too sure about getting into the tub at first but was aces with the water, shampooing, and rinsing.  As we get ready for Easter , the house has had more activity.  He follows the vacuum cleaner around but does not fear it nor does it make him anxious (yeah on both counts). He was left outside (with a long line) which he enjoyed.  Lisa brought him in when she realized he wanted to create a tunnel - probably to China. Yes, he dug AFTER his bath.  Could it be any other way? 

Just when you think....

Monty is a great dog.  He rides well in the car, sits for his dinner, goes into his crate and we thought he was learning the invisible fence.  He shies back into the yard and the sound of the first chirp and tries to stay away from the flags, we were soooo proud.  So tonight we put him on a super long lead and let him run and play.  He never tried to break.  So then, we took off the lead.  He was great until he got to the front yard, saw the street and bolted.  I didn't know I could run that fast.  He followed our daily walk which thankfully goes down to the cul de sac first and not the street.   He took a right turn up our neighbors drive - the one with the very steep uphill drive.  Thankfully he saw birds, stopped and pointed as I got next to him.  He doesn't know it but he's failed that test.  Back to step one with the training, with more work at the front of the house. 

On a much brighter note, one of Monty's favorite toys is a squeaky plastic thing in the shape of cheese.  This afternoon he was tossing it, stepping on it etc.  Pharaoh, our cat, went by.  He picked up the "cheese" walked it into the kitchen and "gave" it to Pharaoh!  Literally put it right next to the cat who was at his food dish.  Very funny, very cool.  

Sunshine makes for a great day

Thursday was our first full day of sunshine.  Monty got in two good walks and some training in the backyard.  Invisible fence training went well.  He enjoyed playing catch with all three of us as we called come.  He is so good at coming when called in the house.... outside where there are birds?  Well that's another matter.  It was also his first day when he was home alone with rotating people.   He was with Jay in the morning, then just me in the afternoon, then all of us and then just Amy at night.  He did great for everyone and there doesn't seem to be any anxiety about any one of us leaving!!! yeah.  On our afternoon walk, he met a lot of the neighborhood dogs.  The lack of rain brought them all out.  Most were behind their own invisible fences so it was a long distance hello, but he met Cassie, a wonderful Golden Retriever, who had just come back from playing in a stream.  They got along great and Monty got to meet a new person.  He then met our neighbors and their cat.   He's so good.  I really will be able to take this dog anywhere with me!