Rain, rumpuses, and Romans
Western Oregon gets a lot of rain. The native children gravitate toward puddles like so many ducklings, and while it’s less convenient to be an adult with no one to call you inside for a dry set of clothes and a mug of hot chocolate, most of us at least accept airborne water as a fact of life and the reason for our lovely green environs. People from away, however, sometimes find the persistent damp demoralizing, depressing, and downright dreadful. Turns out little dogs from away can have exactly the same reaction.
Monday evening brought our first earnest precipitation since Lark came to live with us. It was about 40 degrees, and the rain was coming down in icy slugs. The look on the pup’s face when we took her out in it said she thought this was the rottenest trick anyone had ever played on her. She pinned her ears, tucked her tail, and scuttled for the house as fast as she could. We tried again. And again. I brought her an umbrella. I threatened her with foo-foo doggie raincoats. Raincoats with rhinestones. But she wasn’t having any of it, and we ended up with three mistakes in the house. (I tell you, that pup can execute a fly-by peeing in the barest second of your inattention.) Thank goodness the weather let up later in the night.
Overall, she’s been a good girl, though. She can walk on a leash, sit, lie down (sometimes), come to her name, and charm the pants off anybody. Just now she’s doing laps around the living room, growling and snorting through her mouthful of ball. And the knitting? Still occurring whenever she’s having quiet time in her crate. And all you parents of human babies have even more of my sincerest respect. Now I’m off to nurse my cold, cast on a new Christmas present, and watch another episode of Rome (or what I like to think of as Sex in the Ancient City). I’d be lying if I said I watched it for the excellent cast, although it has exceeded my expectations. Doesn’t everyone need a little trashy TV to knit holiday gifts by on rainy nights?
Posted: November 29th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
what? no pictures of the wee one (no pun intended, well ,yeas, i do kinda’ like that pun). your lovely description of the rain made me miss portland. my s-i-l just told me it snowed recently…she is down in canby. ahhh, cold, how is long for it sometimes.
Posted: November 29th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
Aw, poor little Lark! Out of her element! I’m sure her new mama is giving her lots of warm snuggles and sweet smiles to get her through the season.
Posted: November 30th, 2007 at 6:12 am
I’d probably be shivering with Lark over in the corner if I visited (but I promise I wouldn’t pee on your carpets). Cold rain does not put me at my best, so I feel for the little one. And for YOU, with your cold! Feel better!
Posted: November 30th, 2007 at 6:42 am
🙂 I don’t blame her! Rain is icky!! sounds like she’s settling in. I feel your non-knitting pain – My little boy demands all my attention when he’s not sleeping! A Kong filled with peanut butter and some crunchy treats will keep him occupied for a little while when I really have stuff to do….
Posted: December 1st, 2007 at 8:48 am
Oh I loved Rome! Very entertaining indeed!
(Have you purchased any of those wee pads for the pup? I know several dog owners who use them indoors.)
Posted: December 2nd, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Poor puppy! At least she has the cutest name! It was so cool, I was in my lys, and I totally saw you on the new Shibui patterns they just got in!
Have you seen the Mighty Boosh or the IT Crowd? They’re perfect knitting television.
Posted: December 3rd, 2007 at 8:07 am
We have been having similar weather, and similar accidents here, though with cats I’m not sure they’re related! I hope Lark adjusts to the weather soon, and you feel better too. I’m off to purchase some Feliway. 🙂
Posted: December 3rd, 2007 at 11:29 am
We had the same issues with our little Aussie girl! She came up as a Hurricane Katrina rescue right at the start of a true Seattle September…it took us WEEKS and WEEKS to get her going outdoors reliably…but it always does happen, eventually – and probably quicker for your little darling, since she’s not afraid of being washed away! I’ve found “The Culture Clash” by Jean Donaldson to be one of the best dog books out there – not specific training, but more “dog psychology”, and very helpful. There’s a huge chapter on starting puppies off right. Learning from her experience has certainly helped with our three non-sheep-herding Aussies!
Posted: December 3rd, 2007 at 2:48 pm
i loved “rome”. what a great show. lots of D-R-A-M-A!
Posted: December 3rd, 2007 at 7:27 pm
I just finished season two of Rome (the box set was a thoughtful present from my wonderful mother), and now don’t quite know what to do with myself without my regular dose of Atia’s scheming. Good luck with your puppy though… hopefully she’ll get acclimatised soon.