Drove back from the mountains was quiet. Ellie had thrown up a couple of times before we left and slept most of the way back. Good thing as we got behind an accident on the interstate and it took several hours to get around it. She is a good traveler and calms down quickly. She did however work her way up into my wife’s lap for a little sympathy. Ellie is closing in on 50 pounds so that’s one big baby. She got lots of loving and even crawled up in my lap, when we were stopped of course. She made a speedy recover once home.
The harness I bought took a couple of days to get used to but is working real well. It puts the lead on her back where she doesn’t pay it much attention although sometimes she tries to get at it very clumsily.
Some buddies called up on Sunday and had their children and their dogs down below the house. Ellie and I went to join them and got to meet Hazel and Grace. We cut them loose in a field and Ellie did real good off lead. She stuck around and played a bit. It was very hot so we did not stay out long. Grace is a two year old yellow Labrador, just as sweet as she can be. Ellie took up with her right off and got on Grace’s nerves just a little. Hazel is just a bit older than Ellie and ran around a bunch before pooping out.
It was very good to get her out around some other dogs and kids. She is jumping up on people too much and I want to break her of it. It is a shame she is so cute everyone wants to say hello but she’s 45 pounds of kicking lab. The Kids all want to pet her and I have to hold her down. I am hoping some socialization will help.
Another outing or two with Grace might cure that. I find it fascinating how older dogs correct pups. Lighting fast and then it’s over and they are off doing something else. Nobody gets hurt, the message gets across and the pup learns.