HTBAHB Lesson 1: Be your Own Dog 

Meet Zeke, Hairy Beast in Training. He joined our family last week. At 11 wks old, he already has a sweet temperament and defined personality.

And a mind of his own …  he’s got a pretty decided independent streak. Which is a good thing; he has big paw prints to fill. Farm Dog leaves a significant legacy. But Zeke isn’t Gabe, and he doesn’t have the same frame of reference (any, for that matter) for expected pattern(s) of behavior.

Zeke is definitely his own dog. He knows what he likes and doesn’t like. He likes his belly rubbed. He doesn’t like being told no. He doesn’t like going to bed when he’s overtired. He likes snow and he loves his new dog. For the first few days, Zoey wasn’t too sure about the little furball, but he’s become “her puppy.” She keeps a look out for where he is. They’ve started to play together, and it is pure entertainment to watch.

Zeke’s decided he likes toys. Soft ones (the cloth/”hairy”) kind. With squeakers. The more obnoxious the squeaker, the better.

Sunday afternoon, he braved the big scary new world of the back field. He didn’t go too far without his dog. Fuzzy Butt was in seventh heaven, making all the dog angels she could. Zeke would put his nose down, run off a few yards, then stop and sit. Like a sentinel on duty, watching Zoey roll, Zeke would sit and just survey his world and taking it all in.

He likes helping me change the hummie feeder, and skim the thin layer  of ice off the bird bath. And by helping, I mean weaving in and out of around my feet.

Speaking of birds, he kinda likes chasing birds. Which is fine with me.

Maybe he’ll finally run off the pigeons.