Diesel and Other Questionable Decisions

Last weekend, we allowed Kate to stay with a friend. Throughout the weekend, both girls managed to have minor accidents. Under the category of "you live and you learn" we are grateful they both walked away without injury and only superficial damage to the vehicles. Neither required police involvement but our girl bravely knocked on the door of the home where she took out a mailbox and was met with grace and a lesson learned. We are thankful for the lot of it.

We laughed about our preferred method of relaxation so clearly noted on the same Saturday. 

My mom reserved the guest room for a night to break up her drive to Indianapolis for the annual Indy 500 with her aunt. Those ladies have ventured into that speedway for decades together. We fed her well and let her in on the secret we'd slipped over to the shelter without the kids that morning to meet a potential new member for our family.

Greg's new workout partner can't hang

He loves laying at our feet and wishes we'd all stay still when he is ready to relax because if we move, he has to find out why. Every time.

We are working on manners because everyone gets kisses whether they want them or not. Also, "down" is my most used word now.

He loves this game where he jumps on my couch and I tell him to get down . He does and then he jumps on the chair and I tell him to get down. He does but then he jumps back on the couch. And we do this until I convince him he is going to lay on his bed and not my furniture. And then he pouts. 

Greg left his protein shake unattended. 

When we prevent him from crossing our property line, he lays down and refuses to walk. If you wait patiently long enough, he stretches his body and nose just far enough to succeed in crossing that line after all. Did I mention the stubborn streak? Oh boy, we have our hands full.

Dozer, as in bulldozer, would have been a great name option. He has barreled through all barriers and overcome all obstacles designed to keep him safe. He is a beast.

He plays dead when he doesn't want to do something. Not only did he throw himself down but he yelped as if he was being hurt. It was quite dramatic and gathered several laughs from neighbors as we attempted his first walk.
P.S. I was absolutely no help as I doubled over laughing with tears streaming down my face while my husband, who is used to maintaining total control of our dogs was bewildered by this display.

He is so curious about our other animals. So far, he is showing determination in meeting them despite how they may feel about our excited new friend. Keeping him out of their food is proving difficult too. He actually brought me the empty cat food bowl today. 

Obviously, his sweet face won us over. We have learned he is much younger than we previously believed and his behavior indicates he has had very little training. But he is highly intelligent and quite energetic too. He is trainable, mastering sit, stay and lay down while we eat on his first day. Our relationship is new but the way he pushes boundaries assures me he will fit right in around here. Lord help me. 

Kate wrapped her sophomore year on Thursday and has mixed feelings about the entire experience. She will be graduating early so she is combining her junior and senior year in the fall. Whereas she is ready for life outside high school, she does have a great relationship with her teachers and has made some valuable friendships as well.  I am anticipating a lot of big feelings throughout the next twelve months.