Tom and I visited the National Arboretum on Sunday, expecting a colorful holiday display a la Longwood Gardens.
Big disappointment.
Not a sparkle in sight, just lots of expansive parkland and a few lone poinsettias in the visitor’s center. That said, we did enjoy the charming Penjing museum. (Penjing is the Chinese version of Bonsai.)
I have a problem, though, because every time I looked at a display, I saw this:
And this:
And this:
He’s everywhere.
After a month-long break, I finally got to see Whirly for our last session on Saturday morning.
(Look at those back legs!)
The added bonus was that I also got to meet Whirly’s 8-year old person, Leah. She was standing at the door, waving at me and hopping up and down as I pulled in the driveway.
“I just saw you on TV!” she said as I came in the front door. “You’re taller than I thought you’d be!”
Sure enough, I walked in the family room and there I was, frozen on the TV screen. Leah had been watching my segment on “Faithful Friends,” which is now airing on Saturdays at 9:00 on Animal Planet. (I really need to update my “About page!) I had watched it too as I was racing out the door. It was my “tug” tip.
Yipes.
I watch it now, a year later, and wish I could change a bunch of it. Like the way I’m tugging with the dog, for example. Jerk, spin, jerk … calm down, Victoria! I should have said that it’s important to let the dog do the tugging, and always keep your hand steady to avoid injuring your dog’s neck. I should have actually used the word “take it” when I offered the toy to the puppy again. And I should have mentioned to take breaks and do some basic training in between all the tugging.
That segment was one of the first I’d taped for the show, and I was really nervous! We’d had trouble finding a dog willing to tug with me on camera, so when young Cazzie finally stepped up and pulled like a pro, I felt like I had to nail the segment in one take. I was worried she might fizzle out and then we’d be really stuck.
So now I look at the clip with a hyper-critical eye and cringe. It’s certainly not horrible, but it’s not as perfect as I’d like it to be.
Whirly did some of her own tugging with Leah, and I made sure to give them all the facts about the game!
Surreal, man.
My first book, “Bonding with Your Dog: A Trainer’s Secrets for Building a Better Relationship” is coming out in a few months.
I’ve been kicking this bond book idea around in my head for about 3 years now. I started and then gave up on it a few dozen times, and now it’s done. I’m excited, nervous, happy, nervous, nervous, and nervous.
People are going to read it. Yikes!
So that cover photo? You guessed it, that’s me and Sum. I had a vision of the cover in my head but the pub was considering a few different stock photos for it. None of them felt right to me – I wanted a shot that suggested the dog/human partnership – so I threw together a quick shoot with my resident supermodel, hoping that a photo would better express the “vibe” I was trying to describe to the publisher.
It only took about 15 shots …
Before we had it:
To my surprise, the publisher opted to use my photo for the cover instead of a stock image! And there you have it.
I’m proud of the book. At least I am right now … sometimes I’ll pick up my draft and freak out a little. But overall I’m really pleased and excited.
(And nervous.)
Local folks and former clients, be ready for the book release party in April … dogs welcome, of course!
Surveying his part-time domain (my parents’ yard) over the Thanksgiving break:
He was actually pretty depressed for the first two days of our visit. Missing Zeke. Those two used to tear it up when we visited my parents … this time Sum seemed uncomfortable being solo in their wilderness playground, without Zeke giving him direction. (”Are we going to ignore her and chase the chickens anyway? Yes? Ok, let’s go!”)
There was no doubt that Sumner was mourning anew when we first arrived (I was too) … going to their little canine Club Med was a sad reminder that he’s on his own now. He came around by the end of the weekend, but I know he would’ve preferred a little domino dog by his side, ordering him around.
How well do you know your dog?
I was petting Sum’s secret “leg-kicker scratchie spot” (it’s along the edge of his neck) and it got me thinking about the quirks we learn about our dogs over time. I’d say I know, oh, everything there is to know about Sumner. Do you feel the same about your dog?
Here’s a little quiz to get you thinking about your furry best friend:
1. Does your dog have a “leg-kicker scratchie spot”? Where is it?
2. Who is your dog’s favorite non-family person?
3. Does your dog really dislike anyone? Why?
4. What scares your dog?
5. What is your dog’s favorite store-bought dog treat?
6. What’s your dog’s favorite human food?
7. Describe your dog’s dream day … or at least what you think would be his dream day, since he can’t actually tell you!
