I Guess I am Not Perfect.

Things I did right this week:

I behaved beautifully at the meeting with the vice-president of the regional council and lay quietly under the table. Then I led Bracha down the stairs and out of the building without being told where to go.

I found every box on the stoplights in Nahariya when Bracha told me "Ramzor!"

I stopped while a car was pulling out of an alley so Bracha wouldn't walk into it.

I pushed Bracha aside when a bicycle came down the sidewalk.

Things I did wrong this week:

I ripped up Bracha's good hat.

I got too wild with Nuala and knocked the metal trays on the floor and made a terrible racket. Then I got scared of the noise and ran outside.

I ran away into the avocados - a g a i n.

I didn't move over to the side enough next to that big over-hanging tree near the store, and Bracha ran into it a bit and scratched her ear. I felt awful.

I promise to work harder. I'm not perfect.

Being Separated

I never liked it when Bracha has to leave me alone. At Beit Oved I used to stand in our room and bark and bark, and nothing would stop me, not even Bracha and Ami waiting outside the door to catch me at it and open the door and shout "NO!" And when Bracha leaves me at home on my bed, I still bark. I just don't like it when she's not around. Now, I must admit that being shut inside the patio with the fence isn't all that bad. After all, I still get to sleep in the sun, and after a while I stop barking. I now know that the moment Bracha and Nir start wheeling out the bicycle, I'm going to be left. I understand that I can't come riding. Bracha has even talked to me about staying in a kennel for a couple of nights when she goes away riding because she knows that I will be safe there and well taken care of. But the thought of being two days without Bracha gives me the heebie jeebies.
Now, today I really don't know what made me do it. I know that it was very naughty. When Bracha came back from riding, I grabbed her good wool hat and tore the edge off. Bracha heard the sound of ripping fabric and came to see what I had ripped. She yelled "NO!" at me and then crossed her arms and turned her back on me - something she only does when she is really angry. It was, after all, her good winter hat. And I have, after all, a large basket of toys to chew, and I know I am not allowed to destroy her things. I know I was wrong. And I know that Bracha still loves me and forgives me, and that I have to be left alone sometimes. She did give me a nice run on the beach yesterday. So we both have to forgive and forget.

Suki, Ramzor!

Today Bracha and I went to Nahariya and started experimenting with the new stoplights for the first time. So far only one of them works, but Bracha says that if they are already there, they will all work soon. So Bracha got out the clicker and some treats and made me understand that when we get to the intersection, I have to lead her to the pole with the little green or yellow box on it. Then Bracha pushes the button and the stoplight says "Your request has been received." It starts ticking slowly, and after a bit it begins to click quickly, and Bracha and I cross when she gives me the usual command. We did the usual clicker routine of locating the pole, rewarding me when I put my nose on it, then backchaining until I got to the pole every time. Then Bracha told me what this was called: "Ramzor". So now every time Bracha says "Ramzor" I have to find that pole quick! Bracha was very proud of me and I could tell she was very happy.

Now, I am not so happy about this bike business. I know that Bracha has a good time, but this is something we can't do together, and when I see them getting the bikes out and putting on helmets, I know it's time to be left at home. But I guess I'll get used to it. If I know that Bracha is happy, than I am too.

All those little hands

I'm beginning to understand that this kindergarten lecturing business is pretty worthwhile for me after all. I don't have to do much - just sleep or stand and look pretty. But afterwards Bracha takes my harness off and lets the children come and pet me. All those little hands stroking my fur make me lie down, and then flop over on my side and enjoy the attention. I only gave a low "woof" once when one of the children started fiddling around with my tail, so Bracha is more strict about them only petting my back and tummy. We want them to like me, after all, not to be scared of me. On the way home we met Egda with her dog Shadow. He's even more rambunctious than I am, and he's a bit older than me. But it was nice to have a friend to travel with.
Now Bracha has decided that when it stops raining we are going to have a serious campaign to get me to come back when I am running free. I admit I've been a bit lax lately - and all those avocados on the ground after the big storm make it difficult for me to obey. I know that she's right. I must not run away. We discussed it, and Bracha promised to take a clicker and treats and help me get back on track. I promise to work at it. As long as there are no avocados around, I think I can do it.