Geoffrey | Dangerous Common Sense

Day 189: Walkies!

Despite working seven days a week, Geoffrey has taken Auroara out on 23rd Street for her first two outside walks this past Sunday and the Sunday before. Her first excursion was on her six month birthday, and we took some pictures of that event.

Today, Auroara remembered that going out front was not the end of the world. She hung back a little at first, but after just one house, she was surveying the street and deciding that the front door world at least smelled interesting.

Auroara standing in a show pose as she looks downhill on 23rd Stree — Day 189 – Surveying the Street

She did quite well walking, sniffing, and exploring… until as we approached the corner, PEOPLE appeared! A gaggle of PEOPLE, with these strange-looking and acting small PEOPLE.

Auroara on 23rd St with young neighbor girls — Day 189 – Do I Trust Them?

The human girls were very patient and interested in Auroara. Unfortunately, our girl never gave in and decided it was okay to eat the treats the humans offered her.

Day 189 - Resisting Temptation — Day 189 – Resisting Temptation

As soon as the girls and their parents gave up, Auroara pulled on her leash to follow them stealthily, watching and making sure that their backs remained turned.

We hung back, though, and let the humans go up the hill unmolested.

Once home, Auroara showed no ill effects from the experience. She rejoined the pack and restarted her enjoyment of the day.

Auroara in the sun in the backyard. — Day 189 – Auroara in the Backyard Sun
(actually photographed before the walk)

By Galen|2019-04-02T20:31:08-07:00March 31, 2019|dachshunds|0 Comments

Day 182 – The Sixth Month Birthday

Happy Six Month Birthday to Auroara!

We celebrated with lots of affection in the backyard.

Day 182 – Mutual Affection at Six Months
Day 182 – Galen holding the 6-month puppy
Day 182 – Galen and Auroara both Mugging

Click on any picture for a larger version.

We neglected to weigh her, so we’ll have to go with 11 pounds, 11 ounces… what she was at the vet’s last Monday. We’ll have to check, but this may make her our heaviest girl. But, she’s perfect, says, Dr. Chase!

After Geoffrey did her nails, he put a harness on her. The three of us went out the front door, and Auroara went for her first walk outside!

Auroara initially didn’t know what to do on the sidewalk. She hunkered down and wanted to get her bearings.

Auroara on a leash with a hang dog expression — Day 182 – The First Walk: This is Supposed to be Fun?

She really didn’t want to leave home… or the driveway!

Auroara on a leash being held by Geoffrey. She's laying down in the driveway looking stubborn — Day 182 – The First Walk: Auroara is NOT Enthused

We walked down a few houses and turned back. She was beginning to enjoy the smells and the experience. But we didn’t want to push too much!

Geoffrey Giving Auroara a Treat — Day 182 – The First Walk: Auroara Likes this Part Best

As we were about to go in, we saw a young woman coming up the street. So, we stopped and waited.

We she passed us, the woman complemented Auroara on her cuteness.

We decided to declare victory. Geoffrey carried Auroara up the stairs, and we relaxed the rest of the afternoon.

On her first outside walk, Auroara stops to wait and watch a woman walking by.

Happy Six Month Birthday, Auroara!

By Galen|2019-03-25T20:13:02-07:00March 23, 2019|dachshunds|1 Comment

Day 77 — A Family Day

The pack doesn’t take its normal daytime nap when Geoffrey is home. Instead, today was mostly constant in/out/up/down. For Aurora, of course, the motivation for all movement was PLAY!

I went to church and by the time I came home and did some stuff it was late, so no visitors today. We did discover that Aurora doesn’t seem to want lunch anymore. She’s enthusiastic about breakfast and dinner, nearly cleaning a big bowl of wet puppy food and kibble.

Aurora also has discovered that she can use the human’s fixation on bodily functions to get trips outside whenever she wants. She runs to the very back of the bricks and often to the way back. She smells and does taste testing for everything!

Fortunately we removed dangerous plants — like foxglove — when we had our first litter in 1995. Now we just have to keep patroling for foreign objects and interloping predators.

So far so good.

We wound up the afternoon posing for a family picture. Sorry that we didn’t have someone at the camera to get the girls’ attention… especially Apex’s.

But, here’s what the Ozdachs looked like this afternoon.