Judy:

My email reply to you bounced. The following is good news about today's
events:

Muttley and I had a wonderful day. We started out with a walk, during which
we mostly achieved LLW, and a very respectable heel. I took him to the
vet's, where he was still hard to manage, but better. He weighed 75 lb and
should lose a few. Me too! He peed on the floor. Not me! Then I took him to
Bonnie's place (www.batw.com), where he met Lucky for the first time.
Muttley was very non-reactive, and there was only a brief instant where
Lucky growled or barked, and Muttley stared her down. They were allowed to
do
the usual butt-sniffing, and eventually they became comfortable enough that
Lucky was able to paw at Muttley and bark and play-bow, while he was a bit
more reserved, and then both dogs settled down to lay on the grass,
ignoring
each other, while Bonnie and I talked. I am confident that they will become
pals.

Then I came home, and after a break I dragged my tools, and Muttley, up the
hill to work on the fence. As we got near, I saw a young deer on the far
side of the fence. I had Muttley sit, and told him to look. He tensed up a
little, but sat there as I waved to the beautiful creature. When the deer
ran off, I told Muttley he was a "good boy", and he just got up and
continued with me to the fence. I built the gate and stapled some fencing
on
it, and finally was able to let Muttley

*** run free! ***

He was happy to zoom around the periphery, checking out his 32' x 68'
playground, and it was fun watching him run, taking several full speed
shoulder rolls, and just enjoying the outdoors in the twilight. I tried to
teach him to fetch a stick, but he mostly wanted to chew on it. Now he is
quietly snoozing on the bed behind me, head on my pillow, and I am so happy
that things seem to be working out well for my animals and me.

I should sleep well tonight, then I work tomorrow, and set up volleyball in
the evening. I'm looking forward to seeing Diddy's tricky Norwegian
Elkhounds Thursday. Lucky's spay is scheduled for Monday, and then she will
probably come home with me, unless we can find a better option. It would be
fun to have two big mutts, but not easy.

P, M & L

Paul,
I am so glad to hear that you got a fence up and fortified. I hope it
is holding. I guess by now you will know. I was reading a post of
yours and it made me recall that you are a first time dog owner, so when
I offer a suggestion it is not because I think Muttley is a holy terror
and that you are senseless it is because I try to remember things that I
just naturally take into account because I am a long time dog owner. I
am getting around to escape! I don't know why but I have played that
game with almost every dog I have had. It does not seem to matter how
large the fenced area is. They just seem to try me. Over, under, or
through it. Once I get it shored up, all is well. Just an FYI.
I think it would be great to bring Lucky home. I am sure you know
that she has to be contained until she recovers from surgery. I think I
would reconsider bringing her home until she has time to recover, unless
you plan to keep them seperated.
I have always been of the opinion that two dogs are better than one.
In my case it is due to my own selfish reasons. I can't bear to be
without a dog.
I hope you enjoy Tuck's performance.
Run Muttley Run!!!!


Be Free.....Judy

"Judith Althouse" wrote in message
...
Paul,
I am so glad to hear that you got a fence up and fortified. I hope it
is holding. I guess by now you will know. I was reading a post of
yours and it made me recall that you are a first time dog owner, so when
I offer a suggestion it is not because I think Muttley is a holy terror
and that you are senseless it is because I try to remember things that I
just naturally take into account because I am a long time dog owner. I
am getting around to escape! I don't know why but I have played that
game with almost every dog I have had. It does not seem to matter how
large the fenced area is. They just seem to try me. Over, under, or
through it. Once I get it shored up, all is well. Just an FYI.
I think it would be great to bring Lucky home. I am sure you know
that she has to be contained until she recovers from surgery. I think I
would reconsider bringing her home until she has time to recover, unless
you plan to keep them seperated.
I have always been of the opinion that two dogs are better than one.
In my case it is due to my own selfish reasons. I can't bear to be
without a dog.
I hope you enjoy Tuck's performance.
Run Muttley Run!!!!


Be Free.....Judy


I do not plan to leave Muttley unattended in this fenced area. It is much
too difficult to secure it well enough, and I saw what he did to work his
way out of a chain link kennel, even while wearing his cone collar. But he
did enjoy running around, and he didn't try to escape, although he did take
special notice of some weak areas. I will put more clips on the T-posts and
close the gaps under the wire fencing in some spots, but he (and Lucky)
should be fine while I watch them.

My friend may have found someone who can care for Lucky for a while after
her surgery. I think she is hoping they might like her well enough to adopt
her. She also knows a retired couple who recently lost their last dog, and
are now happy to be able to travel and do things that might be more
difficult with a dog. But they might be willing to adopt her if they would
be able to leave her with me when they go away. I have not fully bonded
with Lucky as I have with Muttley, so rehoming her, especially with
possible visiting rights, would be fine with me.

Two large dogs might be difficult. They would both need to be well trained
not to pull on the leash to give chase, if I walked them together. I can
restrain one 75 lb beast, but not two. And Muttley sits perfectly riding
shotgun in my pickup truck or car, but two big dogs would make it crowded
and more dangerous.

I'll re-send my previous email.

Love Life!

Paul, Muttley and Lucky