Stop and smell the roses... and everything else.

So once again it is Tuesday and Chris is off from work. Emmie has been a little needy today.

Steph and Chris took her for a walk first thing in the morning but that didn't wear her out for long. Chris and Emmie went outside a few times but it was very soggy in the yard because of all the rain recently. Emmie really wanted to see the Coal and Pooh Bear next door but they did not come out to play. Emmie took a sock while Chris was getting laundry together and then later she grabbed one of Chris' shoes. Emmie got her puzzle ball with a treat in it twice today because she is getting too good at getting the treat out and it only keeps her busy for 10-15 minutes.

Emmie and Chris went for a walk this afternoon. It was right about the same time that the near by Elm. School was dismissing. Emmie got a little excited and started by some of the children, especially those on bikes or skateboards. Along the walk Emmie was not bad about pulling but she kept stopping to sniff and she did was very stubborn about continuing. We made it home and Emmie seems quite tired out now.

More homework for Chris.

Sunday Muddy Sunday

So Sunday was a total wash as far as the weather. Steph and Chris took Emmie outside early for a potty break but no one was that interesting in standing around in the rain. Chris had to work most of the day away. Steph found a great way to keep Emmie entertained. They went into Steph's office so Steph could get some work done and Emmie got to have free run of the long carpeted hallways. Turns out she really really likes running after her ball there. Emmie even worked up the courage to do some adventuring away from Steph. Luckily all that running wore Emmie out so Steph was able to get some work done.

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night...

and Saturday day.
This morning Steph and Chris took Emmie for a walk down to Falls Township park. We didn't get to see much of the park because we had to get back so Chris could go to work. Emmie met two very nice doggies on her walk. The first dog Emmie met on our way home was named Charlie. They were both really well behaved. There was lots of sniffing and tail wagging, but no barking or signs of aggression. When we were just about home she met another dog named Chloe, who is a gorgeous black lab mix. Once again they were both fairly well behaved. Emmie was a little more excited this time, jumpy but not aggressive.

Now that Chris is home from work we are getting psyched up for some Penn State Football. Steph and Michelle even got Emmie a nifty PSU bandanna so she can fit in with the people.

Friday, post day commentary.

So we didn't get around to posting any Emmie updates Friday night but it was another fun day. Friday morning Steph and Emmie went for a walk before work as is becoming the routine. Emmie was a little naughty while Steph got ready for work. She likes to take things that are not hers, such as shoes or socks and try to trick you into playing with her. She is getting better, but we still have more work to do on that front.
When Chris got home from work Emmie was once again very well behaved in her crate. Chris and Emmie went on a nice long walk through the neighbor hood. When we got home Emmie wasn't tired out enough so after a brief pause and some ice cubes to munch on Chris and Emmie went out to the yard to play. Emmie was so cute, she kept looking over to the yard next door looking for Coal and Pooh Bear, but they did not come out to play. Chris and Emmie did some training. They practiced the "Come" command. Emmie is getting very good even from the other side of the yard. Later that night Emmie showed Steph how much she hard learned and came to Steph on the very first try.
There were also some shenanigans that went on inside but I don't know who to describe the silliness so here is a picture.

Another good day.

Emmie did great on her second day home alone. Once again she started the day with a nice walk with Steph while Chris got ready for work. After Emmie had calmed down a bit she got breakfast which she ate all of.

Steph came home at lunch for some play and outside time. Emmie took care of some business and had fun playing with a new puzzle ball that dispenses treats. Steph said she really really likes that. She went back into her crate like a champ and was waiting patiently when Chris got home around 4.

Chris and Emmie went on a nice long walk. Emmie took care of some more business during the walk. Emmie seems plumb tuckered out which is good because she is going to have a few more hours alone in her crate.

Chris-

Big Girl Stays Home

Today was Emmie's first day with extended time alone. The day started of great with a nice walk around the neighborhood with Steph and then some time to relax before breakfast. Emmie decided to be a little mischievous and tried to tempt Steph into playing with her instead of going to work.

With the house empty for the morning Emmie was placed in her crate, which Steph says she did very well and without hesitation. Emmie relaxed in her crate for a few several hours until she got a great surprise. Steph and Michelle came home on lunch to take her out for some play time. Once again our well behaved lady entered her crate without complaint when the girls reluctantly left her to return to work.

After about 3 hours Chris got home from work to find a very patient young lab lady. She sat up as Chris came in but did not park, whimper or get overly excited. She was patient while Chris changed out of his work clothes and got ready to take her out in the yard.

When Chris let her out she stretched a bit and sat before Chris opened the door and then she was patient while Chris attached her long lead. Emmie took care of some important business and then it was play time. Emmie and Chris had fun playing some ball in the yard, sniffing lots of good smells and even did some training. Emmie is a big fan of Pupcorn, BTW.

Emmie was very excited when Michelle came home from work and they played on the floor for a bit. Emmie kept trying to trick Michelle into playing tug, but that Michelle is a smart cookie and she didn't fall for it. After Steph came home from work Emmie even helped supervise some yard work in the back. She is not that good at raking leaves so it was decided that she should do something she was good at, so she went in and had some dinner.

Now Emmie is out for a walk with Steph and Michelle, while Chris is stuck inside doing homework.

Break ups and Make ups.

Michelle cleaned Emmie's ears tonight. Emmie was not pleased, and she avoided Michelle for a bit, but Michelle knew just what to do. Frosty Paws, all is peaceful in the Polleywood house now.

Field Trip

Emmie and I took a little study break today. We visited Steph and Michelle at work. Emmie did great in the car. She rode in the back like a big girl, all by herself. She was very calm and didn't bark or anything. We got to Steph's work and Emmie was very excited. We tried to sit before we went in but there was just to many things to smell. Emmie was very polite when greeting Steph's coworkers. Luckily they have frequent K-9 visitors so they were not alarmed. Emmie did not jump up on anyone and got lots of compliments on how pretty she is. She had a very good time walking up and down the halls meeting new people.

I left Emmie for a bit to pick up our building permit so we can get our fence replaced. So that should be in the next week or two now. Then we will feel much better about letting her play in the yard.

Homework time for me.

Chris-

Lazy Tuesday

I am off from work today so I get to do some relaxing but mostly homework. Yahoo for going back to school. (Kids finish college right after High School, it gets more difficult when you work full time and have a house and a dog.) Hopefully Emmie is good at Labor Relations so she can help me with my assignments.

First thing this morning Steph, Emmie, and I went for a nice 30 minute walk around the neighborhood. It was pretty quiet and Emmie walked pretty well. We met a nice young boy on his way to school and Emmie got a little excited to meet him. She is a little hard to refocus when she is very excited but we are getting better.

When we got home from the walk Steph had to get ready for work so I kept Emmie occupied. She got an ice cube while she calmed down from her walk and after she had calmed down a bit she got her breakfast. She really likes her breakfast.

Now it is time for my breakfast, and it looks like a little nap for Emmie.

Chris-

Typical teenager.

Steph and Michelle gave Emmie some green beans with her dinner as many labs are fond of. Emmie apparently is not one of them. She would not eat her vegetables. Steph also tried feeding her some apple, she wouldn't even eat it with peanut butter on it. Just licked the peanut butter off and spit out the apple.

While Chris was at school Emmie was a little barky, she just had to let those passing cars know she was here.

Emmie is loving her new toys. She was very energetic tonight and that was even after 3 walks.

walkies

We just got back from our second walk in the neighborhood. Emmie loved it. There are a lot of dogs in our neighborhood, but Emmie behaved like a lady. She did very good on the leash using a harness. We also tried out a new trick. We had her sit before we crossed any streets. She did very good with that.

She must be very excited because even after our walk she still wants to walk all around the house.

Homecoming

We had a bit of an adventure today. Less than 3 months after getting our house we now have the dog.
Today we brought Emmie home. Emmie is a 15 month old yellow lab and she is the cutest dog in the world. We are in the process of adopting Emmie through Brookline Lab Rescue. http://www.brooklinelabrescue.org

We met with a volunteer from Brookline at a cute little park in Quakertown. We signed a lot of paper work and then we got to meet Emmie. It was love at first sight. We walked her around a bit and then we all hopped in the car and headed home. We had to take a detour to Ikea to pick up a missing piece for a dresser we had bought Saturday. Emmie was a little nervous in the car but she settled down, until we hit the rumble strips at the turnpike toll. She did not like those.
After a brief rest stop at Ikea we hopped back in the car and headed home. We made a stop at Petsmart to get a walking harness for Emmie, she likes to pull a little on the leash.

We got home and Emmie met the neighbor dogs, Coal and Pooh Bear. Emmie had a very good time investigating our house and yard. She really likes to lay down on the wood and vinyl floors.

After a light human lunch we took Emmie on a walk over to the Elementary School she pulled a bit at first but by about halfway through she calmed down and was walking very well.
Now we are back home and plum tuckered out. Movie time.