Scout takes a break from the pool

I’ve been asked a lot lately, “How’s the training going?”

And I respond, “It’s going well.”

But I’m not talking about the training you may be asking about. Yes, we still plan on Scout being Harris’ Therapy Dog and Yes there are plans to train her, with a certificate and everything, in that capacity. What Scout has needed to learn first though, is how to be a Proper Dog. She has needed to learn “come” and “sit” and “stay”. She has needed to learn “shhh” and “leave it” and “down”. All those lovely commands doggies should know if they want to get on well in the bipedal human world. After all, cuteness will only take her so far.

So, her summer was spent doing just that. She can be a little rough (no pun intended) around the edges when it is not Her Boy commanding her and still prefers treats as opposed to pats on the head as her reward, but as long as rabbits and squirrels are vacated from the area she will be focused and try hard. It is clear that whatever else is in her DNA, she is a Terrier, and is rather independent minded. She likes a good reason for things and gets bored with repetition. But aren’t we all that way?

Scout is definitely living up to her namesake. No pink collars or poodle skirts for this girl. She is an avid rabbit-hunter, puddle stomper, cat chaser and pool swimmer. She dotes on Harris, whining when he leaves for school in the morning and beside herself with joy when he returns.

Two weeks ago our church had a family service where we were all asked to finish the sentence, “I knew God loved me . . . ”

Harris wrote: “I knew God loved me when He gave me Scout”.

We will continue with training and certification and making Scout a “Good Dog”, but frankly, watching my laughing, beaming social son, I know we’ve already accomplished our goals.

So, what about this weekend? It’s been gorgeous. Temps in the 70s. Gentle breezes from the West. In my childhood, days like these would cause my mom to say, “Go outside and blow the stink off you.” And we would. She wouldn’t see us again until the street lights came on. This was definitely a “stink blowing” weekend in Kansas. We started by playing the Scout, Come game – an early training exercise that involves many kisses and much bacon (turkey bacon). We humans sit on the grass in a rough circle. By turn, we call to Scout. When she comes to us she receives her treats. She was very quick on the uptake and began running to us in order without being called. Clever Puppy! So, we had to start calling randomly. Then Harris ate all the bacon.

It was a lot of fun spent OUTSIDE! With tired legs and a full belly, on both Master and Puppy, Harris pulled out his latest read (Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan), and plopped on the grass. Scout crawled into his lap and the afternoon got peaceful.

Afterword: It’s 4:30 on Sunday afternoon. There’s been much running about and frisbee today. Nice times, so we’ve told the boys they can get on computer or Wii if they’d like to. Harris’s response? “Okay, but I’m taking my girl for a walk first.”

She met Ensign, the resident Airedale, out on the front lawn. It was the most common ground we could find that was reasonable. Scout spotted Ensign first and thought: “Hey, there’s a dog. Cool.” She ran towards him. He, being a terrier, noticed a small, furry thing, rushing towards him. He lunged. Not in ferocity, just in curiousity. Scout put on the brakes and retreated to the safety of Harris.

So, moment #1 was a success. Ensign was thrilled and intrigued by her. Scout felt Harris was her champion and sanctuary.

They’ve worked it all out. Ensign is fascinated. Scout is aloof. (Please don’t fret. Ensign is receiving enormous love and validation as befits his rank as senior member.)

Scout’s introduction to the cat went a little differently. Owen (our rescued Flame Point Siamese who suffers from Mega-colon – don’t ask), has been horrified at the addition of another D-O-G. Yet, he can’t seem to stay away. There have been frequent trips to sniff her and then glare at us in rebuke, but Owen loves Ensign and we are sure he will come around. Cats need more time to adapt to change, just as Aspy kids need more time to adapt. And we are a family adjusted to patient understanding.