Recently, I decided I would attempt taking Eska on runs again. The last time I tried was January, before the mountains of snow fell, and it went disastrously: she pulled and dragged and still managed to get distracted and I more than once almost lost my footing (and, by association, my face). Saturday, I tried again, and Little Miss Eats-Everything-in-Sight (the Second -- she takes after her mommy) couldn't keep up. We had to keep stopping because dragging her along was becoming a nuisance. I mean, ok. I have been "training," if yu will, while she hasn't. Still, it simply cannot be the case that my mediocre regimen is so effective that I have become Miss Fitness USA in 3 months. No. my girl is just fat and out of shape.
I am putting her on a diet.
Today, we tried again and she fared better: she only petered out toward the end, right before the cooldown (conveniently right after my hot neighbour with the killer legs in his little shorts sprinted by us, leaving us to eat his dust. Most of me wishes she'd just given up before, so our pitiful pace could more easily be attributed to her weakness and not mine).
No more peanut-butter for three weeks. Grandpa will surely spoil her soon enough, anyway.
Eska and I participated in the Maryland SPCA fundraising March for the Animals this past Sunday (yesterday) and there got acquainted with what I think is a brilliant spin on an age-old crowd-pleaser: musical chairs ... for dogs!
Step 1: play music Step 2: stop music Step 3: get your dog to sit
Last dog to sit gets OUSTED! Ha!
I am going to play this with Eska every day. And then I am going to practice other commands like "down all the way" or "give a kesh" or "ZITTA!" What are the chances any of this will take?
Today, Eska and I added a third game to our usual repertoire to complete the set. We call it "Howareyougonnageddit?" -- the logical third part to a trio begun with "Gooandgeddit" and followed up with "Immunnageddit."
This is what it looks like (pictured): I leave you to imagine the basic premise and execution.
She is not so good at this game, but she is learning.
Because I feel the need to post this EVERYWHERE (for maximum exposure) and because the Montreal SPCA may or may not be reading, subsequent to Michel's passive-aggressive e-mail about the status of his (problem) dog:
http://www.marchfortheanimals.kintera.org/eska
Please lend (us) your support today! The walk is April 18, 2010, and we hope you can join us in spirit if not in person or in bills.
Nap-time
