Oxidation Blues

(he's wondering if you have food)

So yesterday, when I was at the office bragging about how great Rusty did all weekend, seeming as though we had the potty training down to a science, he pooped at home twice yesterday! So much for my perfect dog. What we've realized is he does go to the door to let us know he needs to go out, but if we're busy doing something else, working or cooking, he then walks over to the carpet and poops there. I just don't think he has the control yet to wait for someone to notice him standing, impatiently, by the back door. That will come in time and accidents will happen. We just continue to praise him and give him treats whenever he goes outside. I think he thinks peeing outside is a trick.

His latest place to pee is in the Virginia Creeper, shown below. He is almost buried in it, so maybe he thinks it is more private.



Ryan asked me yesterday, when we were out running errands, if I missed Rusty when I was at work. He was missing him just being out for a few hours. His reasoning is that he is with him all day long, and feels odd when he is not there with him. His reasoning is sound, and completely normal, I would venture. I do miss Rusty AND the Cat when I'm at work, at various times of the day when I'm letting my brain relax. Who wouldn't miss these handsome men? But I know Ryan is taking care of them or they are sleeping soundly, resting up for some adventure when we get home.



I am still struggling with feelings of betrayal for the Cat. He is definitely annoyed with this turn of events, although he is pretty darn good and patient with the dog, which is far more than I ever expected. I try to make sure I give him as much attention as possible, but it is difficult during the nice weather, because he wants to be outside all day. At least he has moved out from under the overturned wheelbarrow, where he sat all day the first two or three days of Rusty's residence.

I have had several moments of pure joy, when all four of us have been cuddled up in the morning on the bed, or when the Cat hops on my lap and the dog is sleeping on my feet. That's pretty cool. The Cat is adjusting, I'm just doing that thing I said I wouldn't do to my dog, anthropomorphizing him. I think it's becuase the Cat really does seem to have some grumpy old man tendencies, and seems less like an animal and more like a loner. I need to just get over it. The animals certainly have.