Chula's Still Swinging on the Proverbial Learning Curve

Chula's going to a therapy session today; wish her well

She still has issues, but I'm doing the best I can
(and never mind Joan's foot, which you probably didn't notice until I pointed it out to you)

So, it's another beautiful day in uptown W. Babylon. That makes three beautiful days all summer. Chula is on her way to the park for Crazy Dogs Anonymous meeting. We hope it goes well and teaches her that she should never be afraid of dogs—only people are scary.

Anyway, she's a little scared of me. ME! And I don't know why because I'm so damned nice. She's not scared of Saki at all, but sometimes she just prefers to sit on her daybed with her stuffed turtle. Alas. I do what I can.

Best wishes, Juno

Rebel

See that? Kids never forget. Happy birthday, Rebel.

Rebel 22 August 1956 - 10 March 1958

Jason and All That Alpha

Chula & Saki at the lake teaching Joan some alpha moves

So, yesterday, Jason Mickalauskas, the dog genius of Best Paw Forward, came to the house with three dogs—big Ranger the Pit Bull & two little bitty dogs who love to stand in the doggie pool on a hot day. Allegedly, Jason was going to teach Chula how to chill. But, the truth is he was really trying to show Joan how to be alpha.

You wouldn’t believe it. The yard was suddenly filled with dogs—the two little ones hanging out in the doggie pool, Ranger Macho Dog being the boss of the world; tired Saki panting in the shade; rambunctious Bailey trying to steal a ball from Ranger, which isn't the best idea ever; me going in and out of the house, occasionally barking just because I can, and constantly watching this crazy party; and, through it all—well, almost it all—there was Chula acting pretty much like a regular dog.

Jason did refer to me as “the old lady.” At first, Joan took umbrage to this, but I didn't mind at all. After all, there are certain privileges that come with being the old lady in the group. First, I have the right to be grumpy; second, I can bark and complain all I want and everybody leaves me alone about it, saying, "She can't help it; she's old"; third, I get to go inside and rest in the air-conditioning while all the humans have to stay outside with sweat pouring down their back trying to impart alpha-ness on Joan's psyche.

It’s good to be the old lady in the yard (or house).

Anyway, I’ve got to say that Jason is a miracle worker. I mean, to get Chula to chill with a pack of dogs—it's nothing short of wondrous.

Ahhhhhh, air-conditioning.

Best wishes, Juno

Learning to Play & Chill

This is the day Chula learned to play

I've never known how to play, and I admit it. It seems that Chula has the same problem, but it's way worse because she WANTS to play. Now, Saki. Saki knows instinctively how to play. So, after an hour or so of learning how to get the ball without getting mad and pulling on a pull toy without attacking the world, Chula stood in the pool to cool down and then condescended to have her picture taken with me and Saki.

See? She's getting there. She'll never be chill like me, but she's trying.

Best wishes, Juno

Too Hot for Words

SAKI: Hey Chula, you want to go out?

CHULA: You're kidding. I'm not going out there. Too hot. I'm staying in the air conditioning.

SAKI: You think Juno would like to go out?

CHULA: What are you, nuts? I just moved here, and I already figured out that Juno doesn't go out unless Joan forces her out.

SAKI: So, what are we going to do today?

CHULA: We're doing it already.

SAKI: Yeah, I guess this is good.

CHULA: Nice bed. What is this, some sort of memory foam?

SAKI: Yeah. It used to be thicker, but I ate the top layer.

CHULA: Was it good?

SAKI: Yeah. I was a lot younger then. I wouldn't eat it today.

CHULA: I'm getting sleepy.

SAKI: Me too.

CHULA: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

SAKI: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

JUNO: It's about time.

She's Home

When Joan came home, I wasn't sure if she had really been gone. I remember waking up and hearing her come in the house. So, first I thought that was normal. Then, I realized, it wasn't normal since she hadn't been around for a while.

I was so happy that I sniffed mightily for maybe five minutes and even wagged my tail. Hey, I'm an old girl and can't manage much more than that.

Now, all is well. Joan's back from wherever she was; Saki's happy (that's him perched on the back step looking at the world); Chula's learning to be a dog in a dogs' world. Now, to sleep; perchance to dream.

Best wishes, Juno