Liquorice and I sat together in the breezeway this morning when I let her out to do what a girl must do first thing of a morning but as I often sit and give her a nurse she prefers that to her other morning pleasures. She is getting to big to nurse now. That does not stop me from trying. <vbg> Eventually we went down to the Choko vine, I picked a few for our evening meal tonight, Liquorice had an enormous leak and as I was still occupied she placed a “land mine” strategically on the lawn. Next we picked some climbing beans. Liquorice picked a few low ones, chewed each one and thought that a useless exercise and wandered off to a Plumbago bush. Plumbagos always look good with their blue (or white) flowers blooming all year but the base of each of the thousands of small flowers is sticky and hairy, not designed for easy removal from a baby Newf’s coat! Each time I called Liquorice away from that bush she would return to me and pull the bucket of beans over with her massive paw. She would help pick up the beans but rather liked to bite as many as she could, just to ensure that they were still fresh! Such a helpful puppy! As I moved along the garden Liquorice would revisit the Plumbago, return and spill the beans again, and again.
When that task was done and with somewhat fewer beans than anticipated we went for a walk around the front paddock. After a few minutes I put a collar and lead on her. I have been somewhat remiss giving her irregular lessons on the lead. The only real problem I have is she will occasionally throw herself down and wrap her “wrists” around the leash and will not budge. I rouse at her and have to lift her up and hold her till she decides to stay up, but a few minutes later a repeat performance. Most annoying! 🙁 But most times she is quite good. Today I walked around the trunks of some trees. I led her through some figure eights around two trees, circled one tree trunk twice and then did it the other way, more figure eights, and did a circle of each tree we came across. I do believe that Liquorice thought I had become lost and could not find my way home! <vbg> So she stayed with me to lead me back home should I need her assistance in that matter.
Next we walked to the front gate and as we approached we met Katie who was walking her black and white Border Collie, Bill. Katie and I exchanged pleasantries as did Bill and Liquorice. Then Katie and Liquorice greeted each other enthusiastically as did Bill and myself. Bill is normally extremely clean and well groomed but today he was wet and sticky from running through paspallum. He looked a mess, seed stuck to his wet coat, muddy paws and a high water mark up to his chest. I didn’t fancy Katie’s job of grooming him but Bill looked like he had a ball! <vbg>
Liquorice and I returned to the house but not before I got “lost” in the trees again! Liquorice then had her breakfast and play on the office floor while I had my morning caffeine fix and visited my regular internet sites, checked my overnight e-mails and played with Liquorice.
That was our early morning together.
Arthur Witten
Liquorice