Doom Dogs

[Greg]

Why stop in the mudroom (yep, we have one) when you get right to the comfy carpet?

[Drunk Monk]

Why don't all D00M dog people use these?

[Greg]

I live in the country. Poop is everywhere. (We pick up in the garden with some biodegradable bags)

[Greg]

Aoife's chances of living to see the end of the day are good, but not 100%

[Drunk Monk]

Poop is everywhere.

Way to sell Lynch Lair. Should I bag my shoes like they all did at Burning Man?

[Greg]

Just to be safe, bag your entire body.

Now is not a good time to be talking to me about saving shoes. I need a company that just sells one shoe.

Have you been to Burning Man? I talked to a friend of Scapino's about his experience. He's had a terrible/great time both times he has gone.

[Greg]

"We've lost Aoife"

Lynch Lair lies on top of a ridge. Behind the house slopes down to a seasonal creek and the back up to another ridge. Basically my property has a 'V' profile. In the afternoon, we walk down the slope behind the road where we meet up with a dirt road that runs through the Misty Ridge neighborhood. I cut the footpath from the house to the dirt road.The slopes are pretty steep with the slope opposite the house, north side, being steeper than the south side.

By this time, we let Aoife go to run at her own pace in the area behind the house. We practice recall where we call for Aoife to come back. At this point she comes back about 3 times out of ten. She is very busy racing around the property at top speed and has not time for our rules nonsense. But, by the time we get to the dirt road at the base of the hill, Aoife is so exhausted she is happy to be back under our control.

FYI: Lily is the best dog. Rarely leaves our side and comes back immediately when called.

We were at the road yesterday when I heard the coyote howl from the behind the north hill. Sadly, Aoife did as well. She race straight up the hill, about a half mile climb in seconds. We could see her white body bouncing through the tall brown grass. Aoife hit the crest and then I lost sight of her. I continued to hear the coyote howl, maybe now with a little consternation as the coyote realized something had answered its call.

The Queen and I started to call for Aoife to return. Pretty funny, I know. We stood in the road watching the hill and listening to the coyote, who kept up the song of her people. No Aoife. There wasn't a lot we could do. I figured the coyote would lead Aoife on a merry chase through the hills. At least Aoife had tags and was microchipped. At leas there were a couple of really nice australian shepherds waiting for adoption at the local SPCA.

Shockingly, after about five minutes of yelling, Aoife appeared on the top of the ridge. We called and she headed down the ridge towards us. Miracle of miracle, Aoife continued on racing towards us until she sat at our feet and awaited her chicken treat which we gladly gave her. Her tongue could not hang any further out of her mouth.

Aoife had had her conversation with the coyote and returned to us. For a few moments, Aoife was the best dog.

[The Queen]

And then, this morning, she disemboweled Greg’s favorite pillow. She has returned to “jerk” status.

[Greg]

I'm buying my third pair of hiking shoes. Aoife went through two closed doors to get to my boots. If she had eaten the left one, I still would have had a complete pair. Instead, I have two left shoes.

[Drunk Monk]

Some of Yuki's dog park pack have had success with bitter apple spray products. Have you tried that yet? You can get it from any pet store.

[Greg]

My dogs find bitter apple to be delicious. I tried diluted vinegar which was also delicious.

[Drunk Monk]

Ha. One of our pack had the same experience. Maybe try pepper sauce?

[thatguy]

I'm buying my third pair of hiking shoes. Aoife went through two closed doors to get to my boots. If she had eaten the left one, I still would have had a complete pair. Instead, I have two left shoes.

Is that a subtle comment about your dancing skills?

--tg

[Greg]

Sure.

[Greg]

I'm beginning to think Aoife believes I'm putting in chew toys for her in the garden rather than replacing the sprinkler heads and drip lines she destroys. I also just replaced some lattice she destroyed in effort to get to some late night Lair visitor.

The struggle is real and constant.