Lull in the action here. The puppygirls had a rip and tear session, a potty break and are now asleep. Not, really NOT, guaranteeing how long this is going to last.
Getting odds and ends done. Two, wild pups are very demanding on time. You also need the agility to get to them before you have an ‘accident’ (even though she did it on purpose!) on the carpet or an electrocuted dog.
Since I cannot see what they have, I am probably up and down more than I was 14 years ago with my last puppies. I could probably contain them better and limit what they can get, but I have a theory that dogs who are restrained more tend to run when they are not restrained. Besides, I like to have them where I am.Thus, they keep me hopping. They have found things I don’t remember seeing in years! Into everything.
My husband has more physical issues than I have and they are wearing him down. It is harder for him to respond as he should and he probably doesn’t physically intervene consistently. I housebreak by grabbing the pup and rushing her outside. No sense in just yelling.
If I could not sweep in like some sort of avenging angel and run for the door carrying a 5 pound or so pup, I would have to think twice about having one. At least one that is not penned a good part of the day.
So far, after a full week of puppy parenthood – with twins, thank you very much – I cannot say there have been too many vision-related concerns. No, I don’t always know what they have and I am frequently retrieving things from their mouths. Sometimes one or the other will disappear into my blind spot. Then I have to scan with my peripheral vision. Very often movement will give them away. The pups are chocolate labs and the house came with a burgundy-colored carpet. In low light I have already fallen over one of them. Low contrast.
Also, the poopy ‘presents’ that sometimes appear are brown on a burgundy background. That can make for a rude discovery. We are working on limiting those. Just the same, not seeing something like that because of poor contrast is a concern.
Oh well, when I was a kid and stepped in dog poop – in bare feet with it squishing between my toes – my father would tell me not to worry; it would make me grow! In our neighborhood both the dogs and the kids were free range.
Like I said, the physical limitations have been more a factor than my vision. I am able to run, stoop, snatch and grab, not to mention carry. With his back, my husband has limits in those areas. Lost a puppy? Last night I was on my hands and knees crawling around the furniture. At this size, they crawl in small spaces.
Crate? Yeah, I could, but what would I do for cross-training?
So far, those are the observations from the puppy zone. I am sure there will be more. The adventure is just beginning.
Oh, and actually talking about vision, I wanted to revisit the subject of contrast and low vision, specifically colored acetate sheets. One of my clients who happens to have a vision issue was very pleased with what a yellow overlay was able to do for her reading. Sometimes it really is the little stuff that is the most helpful. Check it out.
Written November 25th, 2017