Draco's New Friend

It's becoming a little more simple. It's not easy, I won't mislead you. The schedule has helped, more so than I would have imagined. It should have been a no-brainer and we should have implemented it immediately. Especially since we both read "The Art of Raising A Puppy" by The Monks of New Skete. I think we were both a little more overwhelmed than we thought we would initially be.

With the schedule in place, it's been easier to find time for ourselves which has truly helped the cause. Before the schedule, it seemed there was a constant vigil over Bella. Now, we have given her some independence and ourselves some freedom.

The best part about this whole thing is, without a doubt, playtime. Even when she is completely wound up and racing around the room, watching those little legs propel her forward makes me laugh. She still doesn't have complete control of herself, so she'll trip over her puppy paws and skid across the carpet. As she carries "Bucky the Beaver" around the room, she has a little prance to her step and will plop down wherever she feels.

We introduced the stairs to her, as Chassie mentioned previously. The first attempt she needed a little encouragement with treats the first few steps. At one point, she turned around on the third step and I thought we would have to make another attempt at another time. Chassie got her turned around and onto the next step and then before I could even praise her, she was racing up the last two-thirds of the steps. At the top awaited the fresh Christmas tree. She stopped, sniffed and proceeded to circle the tree. I thought an accident was imminent, but she walked away. The second experience with the stairs was much easier. She hesitated on the first two steps and then was off and running. A quick learner, this one?

This evening, Chassie, Bella, Draco and myself gathered in the basement for a quick play session after dinner. The past few days, Draco has sat on the couch and observed Bella from a distance as she tired herself out. At first it started with her coming up to him and attempting to draw him in. I figured that he would back up and walk away like normal. This time he engaged. They chased each other back and forth, she escaping into the smaller crevices between the couch and the coffee table or behind the exercise bike. She would then bolt out of her hiding spot, only to be overcome by the much larger Draco. Once she was stepped on or slowed down by his mouth, she would turn around and go the other way. After she ran into the sliding glass door face first it was time to end their playtime. Both were able to walk away. We attempted a second play session that was just as successful. She's a tough little squirt, or maybe just a little confused, as she ran into the glass door two more times in this session. Both are now sleeping peacefully and have been for well over an hour. Thanks Draco, hope you have found a friend.