Catch up with Taxdog

The summer has been quiet so I haven't had much to write about Lizzy. Our biggest problem is schedule.
While I was directing a show (The Odd Couple), our schedule was fairly set. Up and to the park by 7:45am. Then to the office. Another walk after the mail came. Then she took a long nap followed by another walk. At 5pm, we would walk again and I would take her home. When I got back from rehearsal, the last walk of the day. Even after the show closed, our schedule stayed about the same even though I was generally home in the evening with her.
But the end of daylight saving time messed her up and she is still not totally liking the new routine. The morning isn't too bad. For a few days, her walk was moved up and and quickie walk was added in the morning. The problem is in the afternoon. At 4pm (the DST 5pm), she is ready to go home. It doesn't help that her view is completely blocked by cars going to the gym across the street and the papergirl generally doesn't make it before we leave. So she is bored. She really liked everyone coming in during the extension rush so I don't think tax season will be a problem. And by then I should have her accepting staying later.

Taxdog Problem

The problem is not with Lizzy, it is a client (and possibly others).
This guy showed up with receipts for me to look. He wants to know if it will be worth it to itemize. Of course, he's bored on a day off and I can't get rid of him. Lizzy had greeted him as usual and I had gotten her back under the desk when a new target arrived and then a 2nd. I thought he had left while I helped the new people, but he was still there petting Lizzy when I got done. I called Lizzy to come back to me and he stopped her from coming. He told me it was okay, she was not bothering him so she could stay there. Here I am, trying to train her to greet and then come back to me, and this bozo wants to play. I finally got Lizzy back to me but he was still hard to get out the door.
Why do people think it is okay to counter a Mom or Dad? Not just dogs but with kids too. I have seen parents trying to discipline their kids (not beat or abuse) and some joker actually encourages the child to misbehave because the child is not bothering them. And this are the people who would, if the child even slightly bothered them, complain how badly disciplined children are today.

Ignored a Client

Lizzy actually ignored a client today. He came in, she acknowledged him and then went to lay down under the table. No sniffing or bothering him. When he left, she checked out where he sat then went back to her hidy hole.
She has been a good sport about how her schedule has been torn to shreds. Since it is finally acting like summer, we have been staying later here (no AC at home). She has also decided she likes going outside at night. It's cooler. Since the backyard is fenced in, I know she is safe until she wants to come in. The challenge will be in a few weeks when rehearsals start and I leave her alone for several hours at a time 3 days a week.

Bald TaxDog

Ok, Lizzy is not bald but from the way she has been shedding I am amazed that she isn't. With it getting hotter she had decided to get cooler by getting rid of part of her undercoat. While she is loosing top coat too it is nothing like the chucks that are coming out from underneath. You can see the light clumps peeking out of her dark fur. Then she shakes like she is wet and the fur literally flies. Brushing helps and Lizzy seems to like being brushed but I can't follow her with a brush waiting to see the first appearance of the offending clumps. I have to get some work done.
The blond fur really shows up on my dark office carpet too. My new exercise is picking up the larger chunks of fur. It would also help to find a paint roller type holder for the sticky lint tape to help with quick pickups. Ideally, a Romba vacuum would be the best solution but those are not cheap. I guess I'll have to stay with picking up the chunks, sweeping with a broom then running the vacuum until this shed is finished.

Fireworks

Last night was interesting. In fact, the last few weeks have been interesting. South Central Kansas has had much more rain than usual. While it has kept the temperatures down, there has been flooding and crop problems. And since this is Kansas, the rain has come in the form of thunderstorms. Thunder is a noise Lizzy does not like. It doesn't have to be loud or sharp, a distant roar is enough. Nor does she like the sound of fireworks. And last night she had both at the same time. Just as the city fireworks started the thunder started. Luckily the rain held off until after the fireworks were done. It wouldn't be a problem if she just hid. No she paces, then hides for a minute, then comes to me wanting petted, then she paces again. She reminded me of an old cartoon of an expectant father who had worn a knee deep trench in the labor waiting room floor with his pacing. So last night she went from her place in the window, to me, then she circled to the fireplace (maybe sitting for a minute), then through the bottom level of an end table to her closet after circling the coffee table a couple of times. Then she comes back to me and starts the process over. It is exhausting to watch her. And if it starts in the middle of the night, she will let me know. I'm from Kansas, I can sleep through a thunderstorm but not with Lizzy. At office she found a hidy hole under a peninsula I have attached to my desk. The only problem is the way in is behind my computer tower. I am waiting for the day her in/out routine knocks something loose.

Expensive

Lizzy is working out well. She is a very calm, friendly animal who wants to meet everyone. The big problem at the office is getting her away from clients. She loves to smell them. And true to her Chow blood (independent), she has selective hearing (and eating/playing). She can't hear me call her away from someone she wants to meet but she can hear me shake the box of treats. Her independence has made outfitting her more expensive than I expected.
There is a Tractor Supply commercial I see from time to time. A daughter has just been give a puppy and her father is outlining all the purchases they have made for the puppy; food, bedding, toys, leash, treats, etc. Then he quotes his father, "There is no such thing as a free puppy." Let me say that adopting an adult dog is not cheap either.
Lizzy is old enough to know what food and treats she will eat. After the first week, I got her the mildest food I could at the grocery store to stop the throwing up. It would be several days before I could get to a pet store. Lucky she liked the Benefil and the throwing up stopped. But that left me with a bag and 1/2 of regular Science Diet she won't touch. I thought it was just the flavor and tried the lamb/rice-nope. In fact, she does not like their treats (left from Mo) either. The only good thing is that the food and treats she does like are moderately priced. But then there are toys. Lizzy does not play with her toys. With the exception of her Kongs (if they have food). The only thing I have seen her really want to play with is my lambswool duster. I have 3 crates (2 sizes) she doesn't use. The office bed has been used a few times but not the one at home. And she has eaten through an inch wide cotton web leash. She wasn't tied up so I can only assume that she had drug it through something tasty. And don't get me started on vet bills; shots, fleas, heartworm.
I knew that I would spend money on Lizzy. Especially since I have to have things for both the house and office. I just wish I did have so much unused sitting around. A trip to the shelter with the extras is in order.

The Difference!

Sorry, still no new pictures. I am in a melodrama that is opening on Thursday. Once that is done, I will have time to take, and if necessary, Photoshop some new pictures.
Lizzy is settling into the office routine quite well. She has decided that the area under my desk is her favorite place to sleep and she has her outdoor spots picked out. I still keep he on her lease at the office since she loves greeting people who come in but then she won't leave them alone. Lizzy is an attention hound. Very little barking and no growling. What a nice change.
Training will start next week. No fancy tricks. I need her to sit and stay and come. And how do you teach a dog to play with a ball or rope toy? That is the next challenge.