G’day mates!

I’ve been in a strange mood the last couple days. I’m starting to boycott going for walks but I refuse to reveal my reasons. Ok, well I will give you a few things I don’t like lately that are taking place.  For starters, only mom has been around to take me for my evening walk which has just totally thrown off my groove. Dad has had other plans the last two days and I just find this totally unacceptable. Plus I HATE the harness they always make me wear once we get past our front gate. The thing helps them control me (as if I really need to be controlled –I’m a model dog-izen!) and I just detest the process of it going over my head. So for the last couple days, every time someone makes me sit and wait for them to put on the harness, I dash off just before they get close enough to put it on. It’s a delightful game. You really should try it.

Unfortunately, mom has started putting her foot down after I do this 3 times and she just hangs up my leash, takes the baby out of the stroller and goes back inside. And let me tell you, this is not good news. I love my walks, even if I don’t get to run with any of my dog friends. Not being able to read all my pee-mail and keep up on the latest doggy gossip is horrible–and I really like to poop on sloping ground which just isn’t possible at home (sorry, was that too much information? I guess missing my walks is not the worst thing that could happen…that would be if they take away my food when I’m really starved (which is, like, ALWAYS!) Or if they forget to give me a treat at night when they’re having dinner. That’s just plain mean. I sit there for over an hour usually, reminding them that it’s time for the treat –but their dinner schedule changed after the baby arrived so I have to wait a lot longer for satisfaction.

I’m not really sure what to do about mom’s new stubbornness about not chasing me around before the walk. I even tried to show her that I can be trusted 2 days ago when she was bringing in the trash can from the curb. I followed her outside, off leash and just stood there waiting for her. I was a bit difficult when she wanted me to come back in and insisted that I get treats as a reward –but not once did I try to dash into traffic on the busy street where we live. I’ve seen other dogs in the neighborhood walking without leashes on the street and I’m totally ready for it. I promise I most likely will not even try to run across the street when I see something interesting or one of my puppy pals (even though I can hardly even restrain myself when I’m actually on the leash.)

Perhaps you guys have some suggestions for me about getting what I want? Or do you think I might actually have to break down and just do what mom wants to get my walking privileges restored?Either way I think I can hold out a while longer and see if she caves in first. There were a few times when she was giving me treats to sit still and put the harness on –maybe she’ll start that again with something really good like meat!

Hope you’re having a stellar week and I’ll bark at you later!

Sloppy Newfie kisses,

Ayla