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The Banana is still struggling with housebreaking. She's found a spot closer to the deck that she'll use, but we have to watch her like a hawk in the house. Ledcat is pursuing the small dog obedience class so we can get some guidance.

Last night, I gave the boys and the Banana one of those giant dog treat stuffed bones ... it was almost as long as her torse. They all chowed down. She couldn't lift it, but once I set it on the ground she was ready to chow down. Xander finished his first and sat watching her. I guess he hoped she could give up and go away. Ha. Every once in awhile she would curl her lip at him and keep on chomping. He never touched it. Deus recognized a lost cause and went to sleep. Xander continued to eye her hopefully. When I took the unfinished portion off her, he licked her clean and then mopped up the crumbs from the dog bed. She enjoyed the grooming. THen all three dogs laid down near the mantle with the Holy Grail, willing it to spontaneously roll off in their direction. Hysterical.

Dog training is going well. I've been practicing my watch command and both boys have it down. They are very good on sit, down and have been doing well with "walk away" when our neighbor's dog comes out. Our trainer is right -- they do much better when we give them something interesting to follow (walk away and get a treat) than when we insist, fruitlessly, that they come to us and stop getting to look at the yummy dogs in the next yard.

We missed class this week because of babysitting duties. They did recalls on long leashes but we'll catch up next week. I'm almost ready to do some neighborhood walking with them. I'm still nervous. We'll see what happens. I might get inspired.

The Banana Sprays

My lord this little dog is a handful. She doesn't listen to us at all. :-( She'll come when she feels like it and has no response whatsoever to the command "sit" None. She just looks at you with tail a waggin or runs around in circles. Ledcat is taking her to small dog obedience classes in the fall. Good luck to us.

Yesterday, she discovered the basement. My fault. Because she promptly peed and pooped down there. Yikes. This after she's discovered how to get under the fence into our neighbor's yard. Thankfully, he's really nice.

Conclusion? Ana has no solo privileges whatsoever. The only place she can be left untended is her crate.

Sound bad? We love her! We want her to be better behaved so we are doing our best. She does know off and that she can't be on the sofa during dinner. She also knows "go lay down" means go lay with her brothers.

She loves her brothers. Especially Xander. Where he goes, she goes. They are like glue. With clickety clack little nails.

We are going to her reunion in August. She and I -- Ledcat has plans. She will be scared, but we'll stay for at least a little bit. She went to Grandma's yesterday -- her third vist -- and was only a little bit afraid. She likes Grandma and Grandpa, but Great-Grandma scares her. Plus, the cats smell a little bit like old lady. Still, there are crumbs.

Good night.

Vet Disappointment: Allegheny Veterinary Associates

I cannot describe how bummed I am by my (former) veterinary practice. I called to request an appointment for the weekend and was informed that -- once again -- they are shutting down for an entire three day weekend. To celebrate one day of holiday. Which is on a Friday.

This happens all the time. Well, all the time there is a weekendish holiday. Memorial Day Monday? Let's close on Friday AND Saturday, too.

I'm all for employee restfulness, but I can't wrap my brain around a vet practice that closes during the very times that are best for people who have pets to get services. Close on the holiday, for sure. But the day after the holiday?

It must be nice to be in such robust vet fitness that you can turn away a client.

I was pretty upset. Why? Because one of these surprise 5 day weekends came at the expense of Mona's chemotherapy appointment. She had her treatments on Fridays and I adjusted my work schedule to manage it. Then one day I get a call from the vet tech informing me that they are closing on Friday AND Saturday that week so my chemo appointment gets postponed to Tuesday.

In a post-Mona era, I can't help but wonder if she had kept her original appointment ... well, if she would have been with me for another day or another week. Would I have had the chance to hold and kiss her a little bit longer? I'll never know.

And I probably wouldn't wonder if the vet office wasn't closing for every major and minor national and state holiday. At what point does it cross a line?

My favorite is that I asked for a referral to another vet and the TECH called me to tell me that they don't know anyone well enough to make a referral. The vet never called. I spent thousands of dollars and wept millions of tears in that office and they can't even give me the name of another vet. It was like being bitch slapped. I guess once the American Express payment comes through, the personal touch isn't important.

So how do you find a new vet? I always asked John and he's dead. He's the one who told me to trust this particular vet -- she's the best is what he said to me.