Hee! That's the awesome game we play called "One Dog Ball." The initial retrieval is quite enthusiastic. It's the return that seems dubious. Because sometimes I do not in fact throw the ball, but instead put it away in the toy basket! One cannot stand for that sort of risk. Even though it comes only after hours of throwing and throwing and throwing. So yeah, One Dog Ball is probably his favorite game.

We did teach the command "Give it!" which doesn't work. Instead, he gives it on the inevitable follow-up, "Hey!" so we have apparently taught that the former is the warm up command and the latter is the actual one. Oops.

At the beach, I saw perhaps the most water-safe little boy ever. He was about three years old, and he was not allowed in the water without a life vest, swimmies on his arms, and a tube around his waist. He never went in above his knees.

I think she's fetching perfectly. She runs enthusiastically after the ball and brings it back to where all the dog toys live.

(GSDs always know how to play games by the rules. And if it turns out that the rules may not be what you thought they were, they'll forgive your error because they love you THAT MUCH.)

(((((Kate))))) Much -ma for your fiancee and his family.

Hey!" so we have apparently taught that the former is the warm up command and the latter is the actual one. Oops.

O.M.G. You have no idea how often I see this! The "sit" command actually requires four iterations of sound before the behavior is expected. Oh yes. We do tend to confuse the little fur folk.

my boys were so good last night. i was home most of the evening unpacking boxes i mailed to myself from mom's basement and they were almost entirely oblivious to all the fireworks in the neighborhood. A couple times they went over to the window to look outside, but no more aggitated than when one of the neighbor's cats is in my front yard. I enjoyed watching some of the pretty explosions from my window, and they were really LOUD so i'm a little surprised that the cats were not freaking out. Perhaps the mystery of empty cardboard boxes is enough of a distraction? Who knew.

Kate, I'm so sorry. Much strength and peace to your fiance and family.

I'm very sorry, Kate. That's awful news.

Oh no, Kate, I'm so sorry. I saw the article about the accident. How horrible - all my thoughts are with you and your fiance and his family.

Which cookbook is it?

I don't have it in front of me, but Megan's Meal Memories? Something like that? It was sort of a memorial project for a woman who died suddenly, and sales went to support epilepsy. There are lists of favorite restaurants and markets and such in Melbourne included.

Damn. Byron is hiding and not eating much. Not eating is a very bad sign for him. Vet in morning.