"What Was I Thinkin' ???"

 Dierks Bentley - What Was I Thinkin' ?
(The dog in this video is Dierks' own dog, Jake)

Well, this is definitely a learning experience for me. 

Last night we didn't go for the night walk. She just wasn't into it and I am trying not to force the night walk if I don't have to. When it was time to go to bed, I noticed she was much more active than usual. Normally, she goes to bed. But not tonight. She was going up and down the stairs, playing with her toys, and basically acting like a little kid who didn't want to go to sleep. I chalked it up to her personality coming out and ignored it. (Certainly I don't want to start playing at 11pm each night....maybe if I ignore it, she will get the hint that 11pm is not the best time for playtime, especially once I go back to work.)

I heard her bark once.

The only other time she barked was when she had to go to the bathroom one morning.

BUT, stubborn me at midnight was thinking, "No, I'm not going to come play with you...time for bed."

Stupid me.

What was I thinkin' ???

The bark DID mean "I need to go to the bathroom."

How did I NOT realize that???!!!!

She didn't pee on her last trip outside before bed...only pooped.

Why didn't I think of that when I heard her bark?

I assumed she wanted to play, that's why.

Luckily, she chose a spot downstairs that was super easy to clean - the kitchen rug. None seeped through to the kitchen floor thanks to the rubber backing on the rug.
To the trash it went....
But that's ok...it was the brown rug from the old apartment...I wanted a blue one for the new place anyway! ;)

Lessons definitely learned

When she barks, take her out.

I need to try to get her to pee before bedtime.

I need to learn her signs and not assume anything.

Oh....and when she barks, take her out.

I wasn't mad at her at all.

I was mad at myself for not figuring that one out.

Thankfully, my husband wasn't upset when he got home this morning. He understood.

I am not sure he will be as understanding when I tell him that she took a few chomps out of the wall by her bed in our room. WTF?! The wall? Time go shopping for even more chew toys.

Wall update: my husband said, "No big deal...I can fix that...things will happen..." :)

Big Bad Scary Leaves

Such progress yesterday with this!!! I was outside reading a book. I left the back door open so that she could come out if she wanted to. At one point, she came out, looked up at the big scary leaves blowing, then scurried back in. A few minutes later she came back out....and STAYED!

"Hey, it's actually fun out here!"

I was such a super proud momma!

New People
Our 2 friends came over today bearing gifts for Gracie (how sweet!!!!!) She decided to go upstairs and hide in the corner of our bedroom curled up. That's ok. I totally expected her to do something like that. The only thing I did was have my friend come up and sit on the floor by the bedroom door with me. She didn't look at Grace...we just sat facing each other talking. I also gave her a hug to try to show Gracie she was safe. We sat there for awhile and that was it. I didn't have my friend try to pet her or anything. She just left a tasty bone near her as a peace offering. They might be over again tomorrow. I plan to do the same thing. No forcing. She will come around on her own with our friends in time I am sure...

Hats
She hasn't been a fan of hats. The adoption group said that sometimes greys don't like hats because the handlers at the track always wore them. Today I let her sniff mine then I put it on and placed a treat on the brim. She took it right away! I did that a few more times to try to associate hats with good. We shall see how this hat thing goes....so far so good!

Random Thoughts
When a greyhound farts and you hear it, you might giggle...until you smell it!

Comfort
Well, take a look at this......

Kisses!!!!

I guess you could say she is starting to really trust and love me. :)