Sunday, November 6, 2011

Well, we have moved on into fall. The autumn leaves are turning colors, with each rain pour more leaves are falling to the ground. Halloween is over and Thanksgiving is upon us. I have taken Capone for walks in this mild weather, so glad summer is over - that means no more walks in just early morning or at dusk. Today is the date to turn back the clocks (Spring Forward, fall back) due to the changes in Daylight savings time. It is a glorious time for gorgeous weather, changes in time and light will mess around with the dogs schedules. Best thing to do is rise early today, take them for a walk and let them ease into the new schedule.

I also make a point to walk my dogs before I leave to run my errands. Found it is best to exercise them before I leave them alone for any length of time. They act better when they have been exercised and the place I live is not as messed up versus when they have NOT been exercised. Capone is getting much better now that I have laid down the law of living with my husband and me. He is usually asleep when I return from my errands, he is not awakened by the sound of my entering through the door but by the flicker of the light turning on. He sleeps late sometimes, provided I don't waken him when I get up off the bed. I have also learned to flick the light on and off when I want him to leave a room. I also have noticed that using a flashlight to signal to him when he is the in another room will make him turn around and look at me. In order to get his attention I wave my arms as he sees me out of his peripheral vision. I have noticed also that since he is so visual and is also oral (out of necessity I) must keep the blinds partially open as he has chewed more blinds up and I have re-strung the blinds so many times I am becoming really good at mending the blinds quickly.

Capone is fascinated by the fact that I cook. Below you will find a photo of him laying in the hallway/entrance to the kitchen. He loves to watch me cook, he also loves to see what I am doing when I am chopping fruits or vegetables. He loves spaghetti, carrots, tomatoes and pieces of apple.  He is perfect gentleman when waiting for his turn for snacks, and for his dinner or breakfast. He loves to play, to smell flowers along his walks and to sit in the sun.

Capone is not allowed to go to the bathroom in the apartment we live in in Alabama, nor is he allowed to do so at the house in New Mexico. The house training which was rough in summer has made it easier for him to ease into fall with minimal mistakes. The challenge will be winter. So, I am stocking up on sweaters for Capone so I can take him out!

The good news is that walks with him are causing me to lose weight. I have lost 17 lbs walking him more. So, having a deaf dog makes you get up, play with them more, walk them more and as he is younger -- also play with him more.