Thursday, May 27, 2010

harness!


Every once in a while you've got to shake things up a bit. Zuzu goes for her big walk around the block every day at 11am - that's not going to change, don't worry Zuuz!  Today, as I pulled out her collar and her leash I remembered that I had picked up a little purple spotted harness for her a few months ago.  It's been sitting in the closet mostly because it seemed a bit tight over her sweaters.  Now that we're done with sweaters, I thought it might be fun to take it for a test walk.


She did quite a funny little jump when I tried to put it on her.  And of course it's not so easy to figure out HOW to put it on.  I hope the ring goes toward the rear (please correct me if I'm wrong!).  Once snapped in she seemed to forget all about it.


Zuzu is most definitely not in it to win any races.  She's very curious and she has a lot of sniffing to do on her walks.  It can take 15 minutes to get to the end of the block - and we live in the middle!  We let her take her time when we can, but there are times when we just have to move it along and we need to pull her to get going again.   One advantage of a harness, especially if you've got a challenged walker like we do, is that rather than pulling her every 2 ft by her sweet little neck, the pressure is distributed around her front legs. I'd certainly prefer to be pulled around by my shirt than a necklace.   Wouldn't you?

Sunday, May 23, 2010

ancient enemy: blue ball


With the warm weather Zuzu has been spending a lot of time outside.  Although she has a fenced in yard, we humans have to keep an eye on her.  She's quite the explorer.  Ever since she was a puppy she has had her nose to the ground.  Because she's a bulldog (of short snout) her whole face is down there with it.


Like a little vacuum cleaner she will suck up all matter of sticks and clovers and fungii that she finds hidden in the grass - even the plants in the garden bed are fair game.  There are quite a number of ways she can get into trouble if left unattended.  So far so good for Zuzu, although some of the plants are a looking a bit ragtag about 10 inches from the ground.


A dead flower is just as enticing as a moth (or worm - ugh).  I hate to think what we've missed.   If she finds something that smells just wonderful (mmmm...like rotting flesh) she just lays down and rolls in it.


But the biggest excitement is Blue Ball  -  seemingly, the ancient enemy of Zuzu.


It's always the same.  First there's the barking...


then, the chasing... 


until she is able to trap it in a corner where she barks it into submission.


It can be a very dirty job.  But some dog has to do it.


So comforting really, to know that Zuzu is protecting us from the big blue evil.