Sunday 13 March 2011

Cool runnings

As usual, I probably shouldn't bring misfortune upon myself by saying this, but I think Sam has become a rather good off-leash dog. I can take him places I wouldn't earlier -- the walk by the river, for instance, knowing that he won't disappear into it, or onto the bike path. He actually does come when I call. He may scare some ducks, but he doesn't chase them -- and so far, he hasn't been chased by a swan, either.

Of course, I'm not trusting my own voice entirely. When I panic, so does the voice. So I always bring my little whistle with me, and Sam faithfully responds to both.
(well, that, and the lure of treats)

Thursday 6 January 2011

Twinkle, twinkle

Christmas brought a tiny blinking light for Sam. A useful gadget, I thought, for keeping track of him in the dark. With his white, light tan, grey and black coat, he has a habit of merging with the landscape, especially when he's running in the darkness amongst yellowed grass, black trees, white snow and grey mud.

So on the first walk of the new year, I turned on the blink, attached it to his collar, and let him go on a test run. The light lasted for about 30 seconds. Then half of it got bounced off by Sam's enthusiastic running, and was lost somewhere in the undergrowth and darkness. It was a cheap gadget, but I don't think I'd be able to afford it at such a replacement rate.

Today, I went back to my old tricks instead: Sam has a red harness with reflective trim. Amazingly, although in a way it's darker than him, it made it easier to see him running in the dark. Perhaps it broke his camouflage, although it did make him look a little bit like a zebra.

The harness and the jangling of his collar and tag lasted the whole walk. I would have been better off using that blinking light as an ornament on my Christmas tree.

Wednesday 5 January 2011

All white

well... almost all white. perhaps next year he'll manage the art of camouflage completely?