I bought a long lunge whip at the feed store and tied a strip of rabbit fur to the end. I don't want Terra running in circles because it will put extra pressure on her joints, so when we play with it, we both sprint across the yard together. It's good exercise for me, too! And it's preparing her for lure coursing! We only play for a few minutes max per day, and only when she really need to get some excess energy out.
My parents and aunt and uncle came by to see the new digs and celebrate my birthday. I told them that Terra is shy with new people. I gave instructions for my parents to come in first, and my aunt and uncle to wait for my signal. I opened my front door as their car pulled up, and called out to my mom. So Terra heard her coming and was not at all startled. She immediately went up to the baby gate at the front door and started licking my mom's offered hand. My mom came in and squatted down, and Terra pushed into her for cuddles. Unfortunately my dad then popped into the doorway without warning, and Terra spooked. I had him come in and squat down and gave him liver treats. She ended up being willing to approach him within sniffing range, but didn't want him to touch her. Damn it.
When my aunt and uncle approached I called out to them so she wasn't as surprised, but she was already stressed because of my dad's entrance. She was a little more comfortable with my aunt. My uncle tried really hard to do the right thing - not stare, get low, turn sideways, and mimic the way that I had been petting her. It was still too much for her, though. The silver lining is that it was obvious that she really wanted to check everyone out and was just too overwhelmed. She does have an inner curiosity and desire to greet and get cuddles from people.
We had plans to go mini golfing and then eat dinner. I brought Terra in the car so that she could get a potty break in between rather than being crated the entire time. My sister Agnes joined us at the golfery, and her husband Laurence. Terra approached Agnes but more slowly than usual, and she backed away from Laurence. Again it was just too much at once. She slept well in the car though.
Back at home, we practiced the hand touch, stand-stay, mat, fly, and taking turns getting treats with Chimera.
She tried to play with Cai by pawing at him, which he hates, but he didn't correct her as strongly as he usually does. I guess he's bonded with her. He did some slow hip checks by her head while she was lying down. I don't know if they'll figure it out or if this is the start of constantly interrupting Terra from bugging Cai to play. (Which was what I expected when I brought a puppy home.)
In the evening it was extremely windy and there were a lot of banging noises outside. Terra startled here and there, but overall handled it better than I expected. The goats were up against the fence and Terra approached them calmly three different times!!! Yay!!!
She's decided that she likes the big orthopedic foam bed I put in the kitchen. Previously she had always chosen to lie on the tile or linoleum.
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