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I live in Lancaster, PA and today, Saturday, there has been a "wind advisory" all day. Even the meterologists laughed about that term, saying that, "there used to be a time when we just said it was going to be very windy" 'Tis true . . . I heard "wind advisory" and thought, geez, it's going to be very windy. Well, no shit, Sherlock!!!! I can tell you that no "wind advisory" could even touch upon how incredibly windy it is here -- it's the noisiest I've ever heard the outdoors be (without being in a thunderstorm, hurricane, tornado). The sun is shining brightly, but whew! is it windy! This morning when I came home from work, I had to take the birdfeeders down for fear that the feeders would fly off in the winds. I laughed to think about watching the birds trying to catch the flying birdfeeders. Despite the sound, I needed to sleep (after working all night and going to work tonight) and it's amazing, but not only did I sleep through the massive winds, but I also slept through Harry helping himself to the trash can that sits next to my computer desk. (My "office" is situated in a loft off of my bedroom). Now, Harry has been known to do some dumpster diving in the past. I must say that he's been very good about not doing it these days, but I think today, he was awfully bored while I slept for a few hours. So, he managed to pull out trash, one by one, never tipping the waste can and decorated my entire office/bedroom with lots of little scrap papers that were in the waste can. Fortunately, it is just that sort of waste can, full of scrap papers, gum wrappers, etc., no food or anything like that (whew! what a mess that would have been). I awoke a bit ago so we can go outside for our walk -- although I think today we'll just "fly" around a bit. Harry just looks at me when I go off and say, "What did you do?!!!" (Just the first two words, "What did" used to send Dustdog scrambling to another room -- not Harry!). Harry has no sense whatsoever of right from wrong; he truly doesn't get it. I can change the tone of my voice, I can act angry with him, he just doesn't get it. As far as Harry is concerned, he just knows that everything he does is done with love and everyone loves him -- I'm worried that he's a bit of a narcissist and may end up a sociopath aren't these signs of that? Not knowing/caring about right from wrong? Nah, seriously, Harry's wonderful and I don't know what I'd do without him, honestly -- to think that I wouldn't have any housework to do, no vacuuming of dog hairs, no picking up of "stuffing" from one of the many de-stuffed toys, no sorting through the trash -- I'm glad he's here and helps me to keep it real. Okay, not a creative, fantastic topic, but I felt like writing about a few things today, so there you have it. BTW -- Today, February 25th is my great-niece Rachael's birthday. Sweet 16! I'm sad that I can't be with her and my family on her birthday (this is the one major, major flaw I have with living in Lancaster and working weekends), but I can remember her birth as if it were only yesterday. Rachael and I had some great times together when she was young. I used to pick her up from daycare and then drive to pick up my niece Melissa (her mom) from work. I was also back-up babysitter during that time, so we had lots of times together. One day, before Rachael's 3rd birthday, I picked her up from daycare. She was cranky (which really wasn't her style) and overly tired, I suppose. Everything and anything I tried to do to entertain her while driving to pick up her mom just had no effect on her. Nearly every response was, "Ugh!" In an effort to make her smile and be happy, I said, "Oh, Rachael, your birthday's coming up. You're going to be 3! Aren't you happy about your birthday?! Rachael: "Ugh!!" Pat: "Rachael, surely you must be happy about your birthday. You're going to have fun at your birthday party. I bet you can't wait to be 3 years old." Rachael: "Ugh! Ugh!" Pat: You don't want to be 3 years old? Okay, can I have your birthday, I love being 3 years old. I'm going to take your birthday okay so that I can have fun and be 3." Rachael: "Uggggggggghhhhhh!" When Melissa got into the car, Rachael blurted out: "Mom, Aunt Pat's taking my birthday!!!!" (Of course, Melissa looked at me so confused and then laughed when I told her about it). I still laugh when I think about it and can remember the seriousness of a soon-to-be 3 year old -- come to think about it, not much has changed now that she's 16 years old -- just different things that make her go, "Ugh!" Happy Sweet 16, Rachael!

LOL Pat Love the Harry stories and I can just imagine the scowl on that 3 year old's face when she thought you were stealing her birthday It's been real windy in Colorado the past few days, I could certainly do without it.

Thanks, Jen! You know me -- always a storyteller -- and that is very true in every sense of the word. My family has had many storytellers and my favorite was my Aunt Rebe (short for Rebecca). She told the most splendid stories and I could (and would) sit and listen to her stories for hours and hours. She truly had a gift and I do think that I've gotten a little bit of it from her. Regarding Harry -- he really "makes" the story because of his charming personality. I'm still sometimes taken back by how quickly this little guy took over my affection, but I can feel better about loving him, knowing that Dustydog would not mind -- I'm using all that Dustydog taught me to learn about Harry, so it all works out in the wash. Well, here's another Harry story for you. One which just came to mind after our walk this afternoon. As you may/may not know, Harry has not yet been to basic training classes (the good dog behavior classes, etc.). We did attend one and I was not happy with it so we're now going to attend another, much more reputable one and that will begin in mid-March. However, when Harry was rescued, the shelter provides a professional trainer for their dogs. Wendy has the dogs for @ 1 week and she is able to test them for various things (tolerance of dogs, cats, children, people, food aggression, etc.). She, of course, also does some basic training with them to get them started and then the foster parents are encouraged to continue it -- which Harry's fosters did for him. So, when I adopted Harry, he already knew how to "sit" (but still has a problem staying -- he sits for an instant but if you blink, you've missed it and he's ready to do whatever it is he wants to do). I'm not sure how much else was taught to him, but he does seem to know when to behave calmly. While we're walking outside, whenever Harry sees another dog, he will usually stop and look -- no aggression, no barking, sometimes tail wagging. If he thinks there is a chance that the dog will come over to meet him, Harry will sit very nicely -- I think this was taught to him and it's nice to know that he still remembers it. I do all I can to encourage the behavior. Lately, while walking Harry, he will sit whenever he sees another dog, or if a person comes over to speak with us (and of course, meet n greet Harry). But as soon as Harry sits, he turns to me, looking for a treat (he knows I carry them for him). It's as if he has taught himself to sit nicely when meeting other people/animals and get a treat for it -- I did not teach him this at all, yet, he seems to have taught "me" to do this -- talk about savvy! As much as he is very treat-oriented, he is not food aggressive and if I don't give him a treat, he just moves on, but I just find it funny that this dog is teaching me tricks -- I think he's been getting lessons and helpful hints on line while I'm not at home! I'll have to paw-proof my pc!

(but still has a problem staying -- he sits for an instant but if you blink, you've missed it and he's ready to do whatever it is he wants to do). That cracks me up, Scruffy used to do the same exact thing.

Scurffy also used to sit next to me at dinner time, he would rest his chin on my knee looking so pitiful he knew I would give in and give him something. If I took too long though he would let out a little growl, nothing bad but it was so cute my mom and I would just laugh and laugh. He was so entertaining.

Harry and Otis must meet one day! I can see them as fast friends, just like their human Ladies would be. We enjoying coffee maybe, them a bone or toy.

Harry has been the most mischievous I've ever experienced this weekend. While I am asleep, he's completely happy with destroying things that are not his (despite the fact that he has several toys to chew on while I'm sleeping). Today, for the first time, I think Harry understood -- only for a few minutes -- that I was seriously upset with him after he chewed/ripped apart yet one more pair of slippers -- brand new this time. The worst of it was that he did it all on my bed, while I was fast asleep. I awoke to my find my bed covered with all of the torn, scattered pieces of the slippers -- not a happy camper, I can tell you that. Of course, by the time we went outside for a walk, Harry had no recollection of having been in trouble -- gotta love a dog's mentality when it comes to that.

I wonder if there is some sort of spray you could use for things you don't want to get chewed up. Something that will be unpleasant to him while not hurting him.