Another Digger Milestone

I adopted a puppy when we moved to Florida. I missed my grandson so badly it was a physical pain. I adopted a puppy to give me something to tend to. He was indulged and adored, as was my grandson. One of the things he would do is wake up very early and want to get up and play. We negotiated a time when I would get up and start my day. It had to be daylight. If he woke up before daylight & needed to go out, we went and then he was back to bed. No playing, no food, no talk, no toys. Period. Then we got another dog. She was held to the same rule. Daylight. Period.

Over time dogs have come and gone. My day starts at daylight. Not before. Period. Up until a few months ago I was getting to sleep in until almost 8am. For me, it was luxury. I was able to wake up by myself without a dog in my face trying to convince me it was time. Then one morning I heard this one big WOOF at not quite 6:30. Digger had decided it was time to get up. He woke us all up. But it was daylight. Since the sun was up, the girls knew it was okay to start talking and playing. So now we all get up as soon as Digger wakes up. One WOOF does it. Another sign of confidence from the big guy.

This morning Molly and Candy were playing after breakfast. I called Digger over to me to try and keep him from barking at them because Burt was still asleep. I wasn't as interesting as they were and he wanted to play. I picked up a toy he's played with and started shaking it just below his nose. He took it. I kept shaking it and he held on. We were playing tug for the first time. His pupils were highly dilated like he wasn't sure if I was going to hit him for pulling.

Then Molly grabbed it and I let go. She and Digger were tugging it. Several minutes later all four of us repeated the process. Then all 3 dogs were playing tug with it. The third time he and I played tug his pupils were normal and he was really into it, bracing and pulling hard. Another milestone for Digger.

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