Rabbit Season!

We've started walking Jenny in the morning. The hope is if we burn off energy then, she won't be so amped up the next night when we want to sleep. Thus far it isn't working.

This morning was my first go of walking her. She has had a tendency to run away from me when I try to attach the leash to her collar in the house. I decided I would let her outside first, then get her on leash.


The plan was working. I had closed the door and was preparing the leash when we saw it: down by the sidewalk was a small rabbit. BOOM! off like a shot, Jenny gave chase. The rabbit sprinted toward the neighbor's yard. I reasoned I would never catch Jenny, so I waited to see if she would return. After about 30 seconds, back she came, sniffing the ground and looking energized. My guess is the rabbit went under a fence.

I attached the leash and began our walk. She pulled at first, but we found our stride and enjoyed our ten-minute adventure. No other rabbits dared show themselves, for which I was grateful.

I love you, Jenny, but please be careful when chasing rabbits.

Playing ball at night

One thing we've learned about having a Golden: it's always time to chase a ball. First thing in the morning? Check! When you get home from work? Check! Five minutes after you finished? Check! Before you go to bed? Check!

Given the tendency for the ball to go over the fence, we acquired several balls so the games wouldn't have to stop in case the neighbor wasn't available to toss it back. Among the varieties, there was a glow-in-the dark ball. Sandy likes to hold it near a light bulb till it's glowing as bright as the moon! When you throw a glowing ball into the darkness, you see it bounce all around, and then suddenly disappear. This is the moment that Jenny catches the ball in her mouth.

The next moment is even better; you see this sort of half-moon, glowing object make it's way to you and the light. Only when it enters the lit area do you see that the shape is formed from being held in Jenny's mouth! (I tried to get a picture or video of this, but I don't have a good night time camera lens to detect this.)

The glowing balls also make it easier to know where Jenny is once she catches them. Before their arrival, we could only hear the rustling of grass and the banging of the ball against a fence. Now we can track her return to the porch, or see when she gets distracted in the yard. It has added a new dimension to playing ball at night.

Jenny, I love you. Thanks for playing ball all the time, even in the dark.

Where are you?

The other day, I was enjoying a relaxing time watching TV. I hadn't noticed just how relaxing it was until Sandy came out and asked, "Where's Jenny?" I assumed she was in our closet, one of her favorite places. But she wasn't there.

We called her, whistled for her. Doors flew open. We scanned the entire house. Nothing. We looked in the backyard, nothing. Sandy started to worry. "Could she have gotten out?" She was especially concerned because we'd taken Jenny's collar off the night before and hadn't put it back on.

As emotions and tensions rose, I thought to check one more place: the garage. We had been in there earlier, but I was sure she had come out with me. I opened the door, and joy flooded in - whining, tail wagging, ball in her mouth. Several minutes of playing ensued followed by a brisk trot outside.

All was well, emotions tempered. Life got back to normal. We were amazed there had been no barking, no scratching. Nothing to belie her secret location until I opened the door on a hunch.

Jenny, I love you! Please let us know when you're playing hide and seek so you don't play alone.