How was I named, Daddy?

Well, pup, in essence, you named yourself. After you arrived here from Georgia, you were a little disoriented. So, we just called you "puppy" or "here boy". After you got over the trip trauma and realized you were going to be watered and fed on a regular basis, you began to settle in. About the third or forth night, at two-thirty in the morning, I took you out for a potty break. Your tail started wagging quickly and you were dancing around on the grass; something had gotten your attention.

I kept an eye on you at the end of your tiny "puppy" leash and just watched and waited. You gave out with a few yelps and sniffed at the ground. But there wasn't anything there. You kept working it and I finally got an idea of what you were so interested in: your shadow from the moon. That was pretty funny, It was quite possible that you had never seen a shadow at night before, but it was a full moon that night and you were intrigued with your own shadow. Hmmmm, an idea was forming in my mind.

Now, if this had been the 60's or 70's, you might have ended up with the handle "Moon Shadow", but I couldn't call you that. Remembrances of Woodstock notwithstanding, I just wouldn't do that to you. So, from that night forward, you became "Shadow".

Word spread quickly, my friends had all suggested names for you but I held off until you did something specific (like chasing your night shadow). I had tentatively thought "BLUE STEEL" might become your name. In the pictures Donna sent, you were a dark gray "blue" and your stance was so strong, Blue Steel might have worked. I would NOT have named you "Wiggles", you can rest assured. When I look back at your first pictures, you were a tired little guy and I tried to assure you you would like your new home. When I look at you now, you are a happy dog, Shadow!

How now, Big gray Dog?

Where did Shadow come from? Well, it was quite an odyssey. My former Weimaraner was named Chance and he was big and healthy. He hovered between 110 pounds and 120 and even the vet would say, "No, he's not overweight, he's just BIG" I like big dogs and I love the Weimaraner breed. When it was time to find a new dog, I decided I wanted to raise a puppy to maturity because I didn't have the opportunity with Chance.

I began contacting Weimaraner breeders all over the United States. I was looking for a "blue" male from big stock. I wanted to see pictures of the pair that had my puppy to hopefully get any idea of how big he might become. There were quite a number of responses from everywhere.

The was a breeder in South Dakota and another in Idaho that caught my eye. There wasn't any breeder that was due with new pups in Florida. As a matter of fact, I was rudely rebuffed by a lady in the Miami area. When I asked about a "blue", she got all excited and said. "Nobody wants blues, they don't conform (to show standards). They are a worthless dog". Well, to my way of thinking, every dog has a purpose, large or small, gray, brown, white, black and every variation. She and I didn't agree so I ended that call as gently as I could and kept looking.

In Georgia, I found a delightful lady, Donna, of Donna's Darlings. She was great to work with and had just what I was looking for. The puppy was eight weeks old at the time and ready to go to a new home. His sire and dam were big dogs and "blues". He already seemed large in the puppy pictures she sent. Actually, she sent me a number of pictures of several dogs, but mine communicated directly to me by his gaze in his photo.

The next task was to get the dog from Georgia to Florida. I had a friend who was going to be returning to Florida from North Carolina and agreed to pick up my new puppy and drive him to me. I did not want to put the puppy on an airplane and subject him to additional stress. It was going to be tough enough to be separated from the only home he had known up to that point.

The problem started snarling up trying to pin my friend down as to when he would actually leave. It was one thing after another for almost three and a half weeks. Donna was very good about keeping my dog while we waited for transportation. Finally my friend tore himself away and started south. I had already paid for the puppy so it was a matter of picking up the paperwork and driving him to me. I guess puppy was expected to be really tiny; when you say "puppy", you imagine this tiny ball of fur and my buddy had brought a very small animal carrier for the dog to travel in.

Low and behold, the puppy was twelve weeks old when my friend showed up. The little crate was too small by far. Maybe a shoehorn (probably a crowbar) would have crammed the dog in, but that idea was quickly forgotten. The dog was placed in a nice travel van and the first thing he did was throw up all over my friend. What a great beginning! So my friend cleaned up the mess as well as he could and off they went.

It was a ten hour trip down to my place in Florida and the duo arrived at six in the morning. My buddy went to bed right away; he was tired. My pooch was mostly thirsty so I laid out food and water. I was surprised how big he was. Of course, I had to document his arrival so I'm afraid I took quite a few "Welcome home" pictures. Finally he curled up on his dog bed and was fast asleep. He began snoring, but was such a cute puppy, he was forgiven at once. (My buddy snored out on the porch where he was sleeping and I've NEVER forgiven him).

One of the stipulations of the health guarantee for the puppy was to get him checked at a vet within a week of his arrival. We did that a couple of days later and puppy was quite a hit with all the vet technicians. He weighed in at nineteen pounds and was pronounced healthy.

At this point, the dog had no name. I let my animals name themselves. How he got his name is a story for another time.

If you have any interest in a Weimaraner, here is a phone number to Donna's Darlings: 706-376-4315. They are located in Canon, Georgia. About six months after I had gotten Shadow, a phone call came out of nowhere asking me if I would comment on the transaction of buying my dog from Donna's Darlings. I'm afraid I talked that poor man's ear off. I went on and on extolling the virtues of the breeder. I hope he realized I was NOT a shill and was honest in my accolades.

Dog ate my homework

We all remember the old cliche excuse "The dog ate my homework". Well, Shadow has taken it a step further, "The dog ate my church pew". He could not have munched on it BEFORE I painted it, no, it had to be fixed and painted to be extra tasty. Now, don't get the idea he is starved for chew toys. He has bones, real and fabricated, a frog chew toy with TWO different squeakers in it.

And not just the pew, Shadow figures if it is within reach, it is meant to be chewed. He's also chewed the end of a sawhorse and an umbrella stand I've made. So, I went and found a product you spray on things you don't want chewed. At first, I thought he was attracted to the bitter taste, but then I watched him pull away with the bad taste in his mouth. But since we have been enjoying torrential rain here in Central Florida, the bitter apple taste gets washed off and a new application is necessary.

Another fun application of a dog's life is to DIG! Whether it is the scent of long lost bones, or just wanting to dig down to the cool, damp sand, Shadow loves to dig. And it does NOT matter where. He has dug his way under the fence to visit the neighbor dogs ( and half strangled himself in the process.) Neighbor had to come over and alert me to the attempted escape. He had just enough leash to turn around and dig his way back. I have been thinking about burying 18 inches of chicken wire below the fence to ward off traffic from either direction; but that chore will have to wait until the summer heat has abated. But since TO DOG IS TO DIG! I'll just accept it.

Visiting Neighbors

This morning I was in the middle of house work when I could hear Shadow and some other dogs barking in my back yard. There is a fence at the edge of our property and on the other side of it live three dogs. Once in a while, they bark hello to Shadow and of course he answers back. The sounds of their barks were closer than usual so I looked out my window to see the third guy digging his way under that fence to join his fellow escapees.

I like it when Shadow interacts with other dogs. He seemed happy for their company. They took turns sniffing and of course while one of them was sniffing, the others had to go sample Shadow's food. Hmmmmm, pretty good! They are older, long haired dogs and their temperment was friendly. They were slow either because they were all three, older dogs or because the morning was very warm. The dogs' owner was looking over the fence at his buddies playing with my dog. I just waved and yelled over to him, it was alright with me but he wanted his pooches back.

He called out to them and one at a time, they went to the fence and wiggled their way back under the fence into their own yard. The guy then spread several bags of mulch through the open spaces. On my side, I had raked leaves to the bottom of the fence, but that was hardly an impediment to their freedom.

The yard quieted down and Shadow trotted back up onto the cool cement in the shade where he could maintain his vigil over the back yard. Good Dog!

Tenderfoot

Yesterday, as we were getting ready for pool time, I noticed Shadow limping on his right front paw. I looked closely at it and it was pink, puffy and swollen. Ouch!

We did our water work and the cool water helped the swelling a little. I called my friend Lee and she jumped on the internet and diagnosed fungus. Yikes! I took Shadow into the bathroom and he gingerly got into the tub. He knows bath time in the tub and he likes it. But this wasn't a bath, it was a foot soak in Betadyne, a concentrated iodine solution. The water in the plastic pan was not warm because I wanted to help the swelling, not make it worse. If I had a swelling on some part of me, I'd use an ice pack, dog wouldn't really care for that.

I thoroughly cleaned all four paws and saw a pinkness starting on the other three as well. Shadow was very patient and allowed me to clean his feet. I gently dried them and let him out of the tub to stand on a clean, dry towel.

I had bought an aerosol powered spray. I sprayed each foot in turn and then massaged the powder in between his toes. He never winced or showed discomfort (and he didn't bite me, either). Thank you, dog. I did not want him to lick the powder off the paws but he didn't start doing that. I didn't have a "conehead" to put over his head to prevent the licking, but maybe the stuff tasted so awful, he desisted.

This morning, as I took him out, He must have felt some relief, he was bounding around the grass and running through the yard. Upon examination of his tender feet, the swelling was noticeably down and I have to thank Dr. Lee for her suggestions. I applied more spray and he took the application without flinching. Good Dog!

WATER WAYS 3 Vest Test

We finally got to go back to Jeanie's pool and try out the new swim vest. After a few minutes to get used to the added floatation, I could tell how much calmer Shadow was in the water. Yes, this was only his third session, but I could tell when he entered the water it was not a reluctant dog stepping into the pool. I was so glad to see him willingly swim around. He would swim to the side of the pool and then push off and turn to come towards me. He did this multiple times without any voice command from me. He also came towards me with me using only hand signals. Shadow swam over to the steps while I was fooling around with my dive mask. He climbed a few steps and I guess he thought we we finished. No, Dog, we have a few more things to learn. I called him back into the water. He made a short leap and DOVE into the pool. I'd like to see more of this in the future. We have all sorts of things he's got to learn, but I am patient and happy with his progress. He's doing fine.

Shadow looks great in his new, yellow life west. One of the buckles came unfastened and I had to call him over to the steps while I adjusted it. I thought it was sort of odd that he cruised through the water at an angle. Once the buckle was fastened and snugged up, Shadow floated horizontally and was much more at ease. The vest did its job. I even got him to just float there without moving his paws and he looked over at me as if to say. "Hey, this is neat!" (What he was really thinking is anybody's guess)

I thought I'd get away with wearing only a tee shirt instead of my wet suit top. Within two minutes, Shadow had scratched me on my right fore arm and a good welt across my lower chest. I think I'll go back to the wet suit just for the protection from his claws. He's not hurting me on purpose; he has no knowledge of his claws as a weapon.

Jeanie shot an overview of Shadow and I working but I need to learn video editing on the computer before I post more than the most elementary video bits. I hope you enjoy watching the puppy learn his water ways. I'm sure enjoying it; he is eager and willing (and he waits patiently while I dry off first; humans get the first use of the towel).

THE DOG PARK

Spring Hill, Florida recently opened a dog park where dogs may run free without a leash and meet other dogs (and owners). There are three areas for the dogs - a Big dog area, a Small dog area and a Working dog area. A wise degree of separation, in my opinion. I recently came to Florida from Los Angeles and I visited four different dog parks there in the Los Angeles basin out of ten that I had heard of. We frequented the one off Laurel Canyon, the most. By contrast, Ventura County, California had NO leash law and dogs were allowed to run and swim at the beaches. It was an hour drive north but the joy of seeing the dogs running and playing in the surf was worth it.

Here in Hernando County, Florida, the choices are much fewer. However, I am quite happy there is a place where Shadow can run free. He needs to run. He is a growing dog and I want him to exercise as often as possible. He has encountered the same Golden Retriever, Digby on several occasions and they play quite fiercely. Some of the owners watch in dismay as these two go at it, but its all in fun. Digby is bigger, but Shadow is quite capable and takes the initiative to instigate the rough housing. Then, as they tire out, they will scratch in the cool sand and rest right next together like the greatest of friends.

I'm glad Shadow gets some social interaction with other canines, sometimes, we humans must seem SO boring with our puny ability to smell and hear. Sometimes, I think the major advantage a human has over a dog is the ability to manipulate a can opener.

Bones, BIG BONES

When "Uncle"Terry visited here last November, he and I visited the pet section of a store and they had what looked like dinosaur bones for dogs. Terry said, "I'm gonna get that one for Shadow". The bone was BIGGER than the dog!

The bone was presented to this furry little creature and he wasn't sure what to do with it. It sure smelled good to him cause he pounced on it, but it was too big to carry. Shadow would drag it all over the yard then gnaw on it for hours. It was his favorite chew toy by far. It was fun to watch the puppy as he grew. He actually grew into the bone. Two months later, he was able to carry the bone a little easier. It still needed to be carried all around the house. I imagined back to caveman days with the first domesticated wolves deriving food and shelter, such as it was, from the early humans. Now, obviously, I am several steps ahead of a caveman (depending on who you ask) but I am able to provide creature comforts for my puppy like a digital camera, air conditioning, a roof from the rain and several varieties of food. Yes, Shadow is nothing more than an ancient creature who enjoys modern comforts.

Every now and again, when we're out on a walk, he will stop and "nose" the air. He is a thousand times more aware of whats around us. He has no fear at all, Weimaraners are intrepid. I like a dog by my side because he extends my range. Humans are at the top of the food chain by intellect alone. Naked and without tools or weapons, we aren't all that much of a challenge to tigers, for example. My little dog inspires fear in the largest of lions. I do have to balance his puppy curiosity against the known dangers. My dog has never seen an alligator (yet). I don't know if he would have an instinctual fear of them. Because we will be going where harmful creatures exist, I hope my brain and his nose and hearing will make us a team.

There was a story I'm following online about Florida. Recently its been discovered that python (snakes) have been breeding rapidly in the swamps. It is estimated that perhaps hundreds of thousands of the Burmese pythons are around. It is theorized that some escaped from pet stores or were released by owners that couldn't handle their huge pets. Open season has been declared and several have been caught, but several caught against an exploding population is something to consider. So far, the stories are from several hundred miles away. There was a sidebar of a python eating an alligator. That would have been a sight to see (from a distance, thru binoculars).

Rainy Day

I put Shadow on his line so he could go run around the yard this morning; standard daily procedure. He pokes his nose into all the good sniffing places and does his business. I went back inside and did the breakfast dishes. Mom is nocturnal and goes back to bed right after each meal.

Since I had a few minutes to myself before I took Shadow for a run along side my bike, I jumped on the computer and caught up with the email traffic. Its like going fishing online, you never know what will turn up.

I was concentrating pretty hard when I heard this very low whining. It was puppy down underneath my window asking to come in. There was a torrential down pour I was completely oblivious to and the poor little dog was getting wet, not drenched, but just wanted out of the rain. I couldn't think of where my umbrella was so I went out the garage door to fetch the pooch ignoring the deluge. He was hugging the house under the eaves to stay out of the most of it, but when I appeared, he quit whining and started jumping up and down in joy at being rescued from the rain.

I brought him into the garage, grabbed a doggy towel and began a rubdown. he immediately went into "statue mode". This dog loves attention, whether he is being dried after a bath, medicine is being applied or any activity that involves grooming. This guy is a short haired dog and needs little more than a bath and flea treatment. I usually inspect his claws and invariably they are smooth. Running on the concrete keeps them trimmed. He likes the attention and is very accommodating; he lifts his legs to be dried or inspected. He will take a quick sniff to see if there are any stray crumbs hanging about my face, but no, dog, I use a napkin; but thanks for checking.

Once he is dry we go back into my room and he curls up in his crate, his eyes watching my every move. He knows as soon as it is dry we'll be out and about and he'll nap until then.

Water Ways 2

At Jeanie's pool, Shadow got the introduction to water as something other than to drink. He wore a harness so i could assist him in learning. Twice during the process, his head went under the water and I pulled him back up at once. He seemed neither terrified or elated, just determined. He'd cheat though. He stand up on his back legs and splash around with his front ones. I cured him of that by leading him into deeper water. I have had friends encourage me to just toss a dog into deep water and let them "sink or swim". Well, dogs could probably figure out what to do and doggy paddle, but I don't teach that way. I don't want the process to be traumatic.

We spent a while in the water until he seemed confident then left the water. I determined that since we will be boating a lot together, I'll get him a swim vest for his birthday.

Water Ways

Shadow has been gradually introduced to water. We have one beach in Hernando County, Florida. It is called Pine Island; it is nothing like the beaches in California where there were ferocious waves and currents. No, Pine Island is rather docile.

On the first Saturday of the month, Pine Island changes its name to "BARK ISLAND" and for five American dollars, my dog may romp in the sand and water for two hours, from eight AM until ten AM. This process only is allowed from September to April. This year, 2009 in October, Bark Island will be the first and third Saturdays, again from eight to ten.

Last September, I introduced Shadow to the Ocean (well, to the Gulf of Mexico) and the first thing he did was take a drink. The water is slightly brackish as an underground spring flows into many rivers and subsequently into the gulf. So the water isn't full on salty or completely fresh. I watched to see if Shadow would follow the other dogs into deeper water and swim. Nope he went in about three inches deep. Didn't seem to care one way or the other. He was only five months old at the time and everything was new to him. Month by month, I'd take him to Bark Island but he didn't turn aquatic.

He loved the freedom on the beach. He and all the other dogs could run free of leashes for two hours. I'd watch as he'd gallop up and down the beach and meet and greet all the other pooches. He liked the time we spent.

Recently I decided it was time to begin formal water training. I took Shadow to Jeanie's pool a few minutes from the house. He wore a harness but no floatation.
Florida is very warm, but I wore a wetsuit to keep his claws from scratching me. Although I was very hot, all I'd have to do was dunk under the water and cool off.
Our first water trial was photographed and videoed. I was trying out a new underwater camera the size of a cell phone (in a plexiglass housing). The results were interesting. I'll post both the pictures and the videos from time to time.

Beginning water ways

Weimaraners have webbed feet so in theory they are water dogs. The last weim I had needed to be introduced to water and so it goes with Shadow. He has been in a swimming pool once and in a very clear river once. He did well both times but I want him conversant and even eager when we get to water. He did well on the little jon boat we went out on. He did not show any fear and did seem curious at all the new "river smells". He sat in a manner that suggested he was cool and comfortable. He is a trusting soul and I hope he knows that I won't endanger him. Is that an alligator over there? (Just kidding!)

I was told by the locals here in Florida that right now is Alligator Mating Season. How special. But gators don't tend to hang out in fast moving rivers. They want to be in the back waters. I shall apply the same rule about gators that I do as a diver about sharks: The only rule about ferocious creatures is THERE ARE NO RULES! So we shall keep a vigilant eye for anything that could be harmful. Don't want Shadow to become gator bait. So then the question arises - why did I buy Shadow a bright yellow swim vest? Easy answer - so he'll look good in pictures. Everybody knows that alligators don't see bright yellow all that well. What? That's their favorite color? Ladies and gentlemen, I have been misinformed!

Next time we get to water, either pool or river, we are going to try out his swim vest. I hope it helps him, but at least, he'll be stylin'!

As the second year begins

Our yard is not totally enclosed by fence, so Shadow runs on a retractable lease attached to a pulley which rolls along a rope tied between two trees ninety feet apart. I hate seeing him tied to any thing but for now, its how it has to be. We have had a lot of rain in central Florida and the grass grows quickly. This morning it was a good ten inches high. It is fun to watch Shadow bound through the deep grass like a rabbit as we inspect the grounds. There are frogs and lizards galore. A turtle keeps coming by to eat the fallen grapefruit and Shadow goes over and barks hello. Mr. Turtle just hisses and keeps eating.

What concerns me are snakes. So far, I've managed to keep him away from them. But the other day a black snake (small, about twenty four inches) wouldn't give ground. I walked up on it in the deep grass and was glad I saw it before I stepped on it. I stamped my shoe on the ground and the vibration told him to move along. That species snake is not poisonous but its bite isn't welcome. Black snakes are good to have around to keep the vermin in check; but I don't want them biting us.

This afternoon, Barrys Lawn Service came and did the lawn. Barry and Madelyn are so cute with their matching riding mowers; they are quick and do a wonderful job. I think they have been cutting the grass here at the house for six or seven years. Shadow loves the new mowed grass. It smells and feels good. Some areas look as lush as a golf green. He sniffed most of the yard. It doesn't affect him quite as much as catnip does a cat, but he does frolic.

We spent a little time teaching him the difference between bone, ball and stick. We worked for about thirty minutes continuosly but made little progress. We will keep at it. He will learn the spoken command and the same thing by a hand signal. When he goes to work on movie sets, he may sometimes only get a visual cue.
One thing I like is he understands "training time and is intensely focused. We have play time where we just goof around, go for walks, runs, bicycling or scoots and he communicates his joy with his enthusiasm. But training time he is serious. I know he is still young (a year and a day) but I'm pleased with him and he knows I love him.

Then the afternoon sun got a little too warm for the both of us and we came back inside.

Earlier this morning, Shadow got another third of his birthday "cake" from last evening. I haven't fed his wet food since he moved here so he is enjoying the change. I can't believe how fast he scarfs down his food; his mealtimes are fun to watch. One of these times, I'll shoot some video of him gorging, I think you'll love watching a happy dog make a pig out of himself.

Birthday dinner

He could smell me putting his cake together 2 rooms away. I could hear little yelps of anticipation. Shadow is a quiet dog, doesn't say much, doesn't bark except at the proper moments. He is definetly not a yapper. So it did my heart good to hear him getting eager for what he was smelling.

Ruth called and canceled, she is 84 and another excursion would have tuckered her out. I understood. Mom is 89, herself, and sitting up for a dog's birthday was tiring for her too (but she could see the cake that was coming for her, so she kept going.

Shadow sat there while I took a quick picture and when I set the platter down, he wasn't sure where to begin but it didn't take long. He licked the whipped cream off one of the ends and started to chow down. I like watching him eat. I annoyed him taking pictures but it hardly slowed him down. He'd look over every now and then wondering if he could eat the whole thing; I let him keep going.

Mom cut OUR cake and we shared in his moment. Mom offered his present to him, a 12" rawhide and he knew exactly what that was about. His "Uncle Terry" (Terry Hallmark) had given him a humungeous bone about 20" 5 months ago and he was familiar with the concept. I had given him the present of a life vest so he could swim easier with a little support. I put it on him and adjusted the straps and buckles and he was patient with me. We go through the same drill when we put on and take off his harnesses.

I finally picked up the platter so he wouldn't eat too much and burst. He is outside on his line right now digesting his birthday meal. Will this become a ritual and get larger each year as friends and dogs get to know Shadow? Time will tell.

Happy Birthday Shadow!

Today is the official beginning of your blog, dog. We will be spreading word of you far and wide starting today, July 15th 2009. You've made it thru a whole year, the first of many. I know you were surprised at noon to get your 1st birthday present, but we've a few more for you as well.

Mom is finally warming up to you and she comments every time she sees you how big you've gotten. You have gone from 19lbs to over 70 lbs. Keep growing, puppy, the bigger the better!

We'll do another post after your birthday dinner.

Dog Birthday Cake

A girl I knew, Kathy Norkunas, threw a birthday party for her 2 year old monster Irish wolf hound, Shadowfax. She invited everyone she knew with a dog. My dog, at the time was a 3 year old Weimaraner named Chance. He and Shadowfax were great buddies. Come to think of it, Kathy and I were great buddies, too.

The dog birthday was a hit; there had to be 20 creatures of all sizes having a ball, tearing through the house, garden and yards. The humans had all kinds of barbeque on several grills and we ate well that day, Kathy was a great hostess. The "moment" arrived and she brought out a huge cake made of wet dog food, pate and covered with whipped cream. The cake was at least 2 feet wide and had Happy Birthday Shadowfax in green on the white "icing" There was a shamrock there as well. The cake design was a huge dog bone.

She put it on the ground and led Shadowfax to it and encouraged the dog to go for it.
The pooch was confused and didn't know quite what to do. I came over and put my hand on her head and pushed her snout into the concoction. When she licked her nose and tasted all the good stuff, she went into "gobble mode" and had a go at the cake. My dog, Chance was next and he did well, too. Shadowfax was huge, Chance was probably the next biggest dog and the next dog up to bat was the next smallest.

The dogs and their owners had a wonderful time. It was the first and only doggie birthday I'd ever attended.

Tomorrow's celebration of Shadow's ascension won't be as full. I am new to Florida and don't know all that many people with dogs (or without, for that matter). But whether he is aware of it or not, I'll be glad to acknowledge his year of puppy hood.

Tuesday's child

Tomorrow, Shadow turns one year old. It is so interesting to have watched his intelligence level mature over the past 9 months that he's been with me. From a bewildered little puppy who arrived after a 10 hour van ride, to a self assured and joyous creature, Shadow is the embodiment of a loving pet. Tomorrow he begins the next phase of his life. He will begin to learn. Although animals don't measure life's moments by a clock. He will accelerate his life. He has a lot of energy and enthusiasm and if any dog could be said to have fun, this little guy milks each moment.

second prieview 7-13-09

Dog is resting in his crate, saving up his energy, gee, seems to do that a lot. He knows something is coming and is restless in anticipation. Dogs don't do time, but Shadow NOSE something is up. He is eager to participate.

Yesterday when I was sitting in the little jon boat, measuring the oars for oarlocks, the dog jumped in the boat and looked at me, "lets GO!" Well, see, dog, boat doesn't float on the grass, so we're just gonna sit here.

Because there are a lot of snakes in Florida, I am thinking of looking into "Snake Aversion Training". It was popular in the high desert of California as snakes were plentiful there also. Don't know where to look to find a dog/snake charmer, but I'll find one.