The Harness

     On the way to a pet store yesterday, we stopped off at a laundromat. Janelle dropped off the laundry and for as long as she was out of the car Henry pined for her, staring at the laundromat and doing his whispered whimper. He was very exited inside the store. Once he heard the birds squawking a few aisles away, he was on heightened alert. But he held still long enough to be fitted with a front-attaching harness, and as soon as it was on him it was clear that this would help with his pulling. Then we headed to the park for Henry's first 4-mile run with me in the snow. He seemed so happy to be running! Happy yet relaxed at the same time. Zico was off-leash as we ran and Janelle did not join us in the run. So at times Zico was with with us, other times he was out of site. The harness made Henry much easier to walk and run with. After the first mile, if there were no distractions, Henry settled in right behind me and kept pace, heeling perfectly. But if Zico was running ahead of us, or if he saw a human or dog, he would pull. At one point I saw a beaver and stopped to look at it. Henry and Z were busy staring at a nearby dog and never noticed the beaver. We passed several dogs. Henry seems eager to greet them but I kept him moving. None of them bared their teeth.
     After the run Henry received a squeaky toy. He had so much fun with that, shaking it around and chomping on it! He kept it in his mouth whenever he moved around the house. Maybe because Zico was dying to take it from him. Both dogs are slightly possessive with toys. Zico growls if he has a toy and Henry approaches. Henry growls if Z tries to steal a toy. (Both dogs allow me to take their toys and food with no protest.)
     On the morning walk today, Henry met one of Zico's favorite people: the crossing guard. As usual, Zico wagged himself in half when we stopped to say good morning to her. Henry did a great imitation and was very happy to meet the nice lady. Fortunately Zico did not howl, if Henry had imitated Zico's happy-howl the noise would be unbearable. At the park Zico played with a 4 month old spaniel named Sparky. When Henry approached, Sparky was terrified of him. Sparky bared his teeth and snapped and when Henry tried to play Sparky yowled, went belly-up and ran away. I held Henry facing away from Sparky so Sparky could sniff his behind, but as soon as I let him go Sparky ran away. Henry started barking as only a hound can, so I led him away. Poor Henry, his only canine playmate is Zico, but Z is barely interested in interacting with him anymore.
     Indoors, Henry's confidence is improving. He walks around the house more sure-footedly. Originally I thought his claws might be too long for the hardwood floors but he has adapted nicely. Except he peed once in the house with no warning prancy dance.