I've been almost completely out of touch this weekend. I had a two-bar cell signal, and using that for Internet access wasn't worth it.
I took a book with me, but never got a chance to read it. The timber, the smells, time where it's just my wife and I was too precious.
Otto had a great time out camping. We stayed in Ponderosa State Park, and all pets must be on leashes. He's never been on one, and this posed a tiny problem. What kind of leash to you buy for a puppy with no neck?
We opted for a harness and one of those retractable leashes. I expected crying and rolling on the ground, accompanied by chewing on the harness.
Otto likes it. He wore it proudly even when I called it a bra.
The leash is another matter. It falls into the category of something he can get into his mouth. A bit of scolding, and he behaved himself with it too.
This little doe visited camp on Friday night, and Otto didn't even see her.
There were plenty of dogs around, and since they were leashed, the deer never had a problem at all.
Otto was pretty popular. We had people coming to our camp all weekend to see the puppy. It seems like everyone had a bulldog, wants one, or knew someone. He was excited to meet a bunch of new friends.
Our mushrooming trip was a flop. Summer is too far along this year. This is traditionally a great week, but the season is different. Otto enjoyed splashing around in the stream. He'll be getting a bath in a few minutes.
We had a bit of an issue when the leash reached the end. He didn't care about the harness, or the leash, but when the leash limited how far he could go, he pouted.
This is his pout face, and he refuses to look at me.
The deer came back this morning, and this time she came right into our campsite.
Otto saw her this time, but he kind of froze in place. He has no idea whether deer feed on Bulldogs or not.
The gigantic boxer next door had no reservations. He barked at her, so she left. He was nearly as big as she was, and I've never seen one that big. He was a nice, well behaved, dog.
The trip home was pretty boring for Otto. He knew the fun was over, and it was snooze time. I only wish it was for me too.
This was my view for over three hours today. There was a three car pileup, with a fatality. So we sat. I had to idle and keep the air conditioner going the whole time.
Otto can be kind of heat sensitive, but I'd be lying if I said my wife and I enjoyed it too.
I am pretty sure traffic backed up for over thirty miles.
I need to get back to all the stuff I neglected this weekend. I know I've missed some of your posts, and I'll try to catch up.
I've also sworn a vow that I will not attempt any new writing until I finish reading that book.
Age has pulled a cruel trick on me and my concentration. I caught myself reading the same page, even the same paragraph over and over again. It doesn't take much to cause this. The Raven two trees over, the dog in the next camp, a kid petting Otto. My concentration is shot.
I used to read while the television ran. Radio was no problem, and I liked some background music. I could read and carry on a conversation with my wife. Those days are over. If I have to backtrack that much, I need to find a better time to read. I will, but I won't set any other goals until I finish. This I swear.
Welcome back and glad to see the puppy had fun. Trying to imagine a bulldog the size of the doe. Keep thinking of Lockjaw from Marvel comics, but I might have the breed wrong. Good luck finding focus. Seems to be harder to do in the summer for some reason.
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It was the boxer next door that was that big. It was a yearling doe, so she wasn’t fully grown either.
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Got it. She looked bigger in the picture.
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I’m glad you had a good time and that Otto had fun! I am the same way in my reading habits but always thought it was more because I have an increased amount of things on my mind rather than from aging…although one has a lot to do with the other anyway!
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I don’t know, but I was one way and now I am the other way.
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I’m same exact…all the way to used to be able to read when the TV was on and all that. I started losing concentration most when I started blogging so that’s why I kind of think that was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me as far as just too much going on as opposed to the aging factor…but who knows??
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Who knows indeed, but it’s a real thing.
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For sure!
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I struggle to read when there’s much else going on.
I was going to recommend a harness. I one time put our puppy’s leash in a pot of onions and chiles to keep him from chewing it. It worked. But then, you know, they get older and stop chewing anyway.
I’m glad you got some R&R 🙂
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He’s pretty good about “no.” Maybe after he gets adult teeth it will tone down a little.
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What a lovely trip. Shame about the traffic on the way back. This sort of thing happens frequently on our motorways, especially in the South and it’s usually just the sheer weight of traffic. I sympathise.
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That highway is a frequent site of wrecks. I heard it was a fatality this time. I hope they will look at some modifications or something.
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Welcome to the (lack of concentration) club, Craig! I do all my intense reading in bed now, where I know I’m getting no interruptions of any kind (living on your own does have an upside) so I can have quality time with the current book 😀
Otto sounds adorable – getting him to accept a harness and lead is a good sign that he’s settled, even if there’s a degree of pouting for now 😉
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Thanks, Jan.
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Otto looks so adorable. His little bed looks comfy as well. Too bad about the traffic but sounds like an enjoyable weekend.
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We had a good time. Old trees, fresh air, camping food. Otto is a good camper, and that’s a good thing too. You should have seen that boxer. He was huge. Very well behaved though.
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I’m glad he was well behaved. Not too many big ones left.
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Picture of health, beautiful dog.
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🙂
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Welcome back and thanks for a cool look at your trip. I loved Otto’s pout face and that he refused to look at you 🙂 It sounds like he had such a fun time and was zonked on the way home from all that enjoyment. How sad about the backup and the reason that caused it. Otherwise it sounds like a splendid time to recharge!
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It’s one of those times when you can bask in nature, or be so distraught about the traffic and the need to get home an clean things up. I choose to enjoy the time we had up there.
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Good to see you had some time off. No internet access can be a good thing sometimes. I prefer the harness to the neck collar. Seems more humane than snatching them around by the throat. These dogs are a bit near-sighted. Poor Captain can’t see two feet in front of him, but his smeller is real good.
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The choker makes it easier to teach them to walk on leash. Somehow, Otto doesn’t seem to need it though. He liked the smell of the deer in camp.
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It’s good that you kept him on the lead. So many people figure it doesn’t matter and let their pets run. Never too soon to teach a pet how to behave on a lead.
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I agree completely. There are plenty of things that could hurt him out there, and theft isn’t impossible either.
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Bless Otto’s little soul! 😁
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Thanks.
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Otto looks like he had a lot of fun: sounds like a wonderful trip for all.
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It was great, and we’re going again soon. Otto always seems to have fun, and he makes his own fun rather than get bored.
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oooh, he’s so cute! I love English Bulldogs! Ours is Thor!
Tamara
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Read the post that just went live a minute ago. Otto has grown up a bit, and will have a birthday on April 1st. We’re getting another one in a few weeks.
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Oh!! I love them so much!! They are the cutest dogs in the world 🐶🐶🐶🐶
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They really are. We took him to a dog park yesterday, and he met an eleven year old white English Bulldog who rode in a bicycle wagon.
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How cute! I love it when they sleep with their tongues hanging out of their mouths, or how they groan all the time…haha. Thor is such an entertainer. He can be very obnoxious, too. https://hubpages.com/animals/The-Bullying-English-Bulldog
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This is the baby: https://hubpages.com/animals/The-Bullying-English-Bulldog
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Adorable.
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Oh, I am sorry. I did not mean to leave the link twice. Sorry! I just love English Bulldogs sooooo much.
Tamara
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No problem.
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When you get a chance, I just put up more pics of Thor on my new post. Your bulldog inspired me 🤗🤗🤗
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