Something SEGDI encourages puppy raisers to do, is let the public pet the pups from the very beginning of their training, to ten months (sometimes younger) of age. Then all the pups are used to different people with new smells, maybe wearing sunglasses, boots, have dark or light skin, weird shaped purses... and, of course those super excited, squealing kids! :)
As soon as they hit tens months old, they are considered "working" in their coat, so they must not be pet, talked or whistled to (sometimes I've had the gut feeling that those jerk-face guys aren't whistling at Ellie...but let's not go there...). That's when I get those sad "puppy" eyes from toddlers and a "Well your touching her" from adults (yes, even adults contradict me! :o)
The dogs also have to learn that it's not play time, it's work time. It's amazing how quickly they pick up on that rule!
But I do sometimes take off her coat in order for her to "play". Some people act like it's Christmas or something, they get so excited about me taking her coat off so they can pet!
In a few circumstances, I have come across a child in a wheelchair, someone with a major disability, maybe someone with a serious case of Autism. When they can't really understand her "working" they will pet and play with her... so I take her coat off as soon as I get a chance. To see someones face light up at the sight of a dog is truly amazing.
So, without further ado, here's 10 things about Ellie...
1. Ellie is the first dog who is NOT my personal alarm clock. Molly, Clarke and Eve would all stand with their head on my bed and sniff *excessively* loud. As soon as my eyes opened, there was no way I could go back to sleep without letting them busy, much less having their breakfast.
Ellie on the other hand, would sleep all day. Haha, she's a momma's girl!
2. Ellie can now (without jumping up mind you!) see what is on the dinner table. Easy as pie. We have to keep our eye on her when we're setting the table... just in case she tries anything :)
3. Ellie is the most observant of all the dogs I have raised. She noticed ants before lizards (which, overnight, has become into a "find-a-lizard-as-fast-as-I-can-before-I-explode-needing-to-go-pee" game... yes, we are working on that... fun stuff) just goes to show she has some pretty sharp eye sight :)
4.Ellie has a "buddy" whose name is Cody. Cody is a 10 year old Golden Retriever. Cody used to be 130 pounds. Because of old age and thanks to a much needed diet, Cody is down to 90 pounds. But he's still a big boy! The reason, I'm telling you this, is because Ellie (70 pound Ellie) stands taller then Cody! So if Cody is a big boy... Ellie is a HUGE girl! :)
5. Ellie is a leaner. Mostly to my dad. She knows that if she leans on me, I'll move over and she'll have to hold her furry self up :) In the heat of summer, a furry doggy does not need to share it's fur.
6. Ellie is a people watcher. Sure, she watches dogs too, but it's people she just LOVES. Her favorite "fun walk" (no coat) outing is the park. She loves to just sit or lay down and watch people. I cannot wait until the cooler weather comes... Alderman Ford and Lettuce Lake are our favorite parks!
7. Ellie is so good with babies!! We watch a 10 month old baby a few times a week and Ellie and Evan LOVE each other! Every morning when Evan arrives, Ellie has to come and say hello and Evan squeals, kicks his feet and claps his hands.
Evan can pull Ellie's ears, pull hair out of her tail. Evan will play with Ellie's toes and Ellie just lays there. Evan has just started pulling up (a few days into mastering the pull-up skill, he's already letting go and trying to balance!) and he has tried to pull up on Ellie.... but with no success :)
8. Ellie doesn't know what to think about the small, toy breed of dogs. She acts almost lost whenever we meet one. Maybe she thinks they're chew toys? :)
9. Ellie sleeps with her tongue sticking out. But to my amazement, she HARDLY ever snores!
10. Ellie and Sadie are good buddies. I've been letting them run in the pool yard (it's more fun to run around something when playing chase!) and Sadie (being the more agile and petite of the two) is a little faster then clumsy, long-legged, floppy eared Ellie :) Sadie will get a good, two or three paces ahead of Ellie and Ellie, not being able to catch up, will whine like her hearts breaking! They'll go around and around the pool until Sadie starts getting tired and Ellie will catch up and grab Sadie's tail. I still need to get it on video.
Well, were off for some cuddle time... :)
Meagan and Ellie May
Happy 10 months Ellie!!!
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