Just stuff

Fury has totally, utterly blown her coat for the spring, and it's about a half-inch long everywhere except on her belly, where the fur she lost for puppies is growing back and about 2 inches long. She looks like hell.

But isn't this a cute shot of Fury and Daca on my bed? Reminds you that they look exactly the damn same. Daca ended up with Ben's head, though. Short, adorable muzzle and higher head planes.

People were having a hard time deciding who the mother was because of the size, but Daca is the tiniest thing. Also the cutest.

We're making progress with her - lots of walks have mellowed her out - she's got her manners with the dogs and people now, and she's getting how things work. At first she was barking at strangers and dogs on sight, now she walks past them calmly, maybe checks them out. We still have barky and aggressive episodes, and it can be quite frustrating, but mainly because Yishai and I want it fixed. I was talking about just having to take time out of my day to make sure we arrange the right social visits with the right people and he goes, "I definitely want to share that responsibility with you, in fact, I would like to take her for walks, just her and me." Tara Aussies is definitely not just me anymore.

I really need to take some photos of Rippa. She's totally growing up to be the dog I wanted to breed. Beautiful, nice structure, good bone, great temperament.

Back to Daca, I decided to make up some chicken treats for her and have strangers feed her - that works pretty well, she runs straight up to them as soon as they squat and looks for the chicken. (If Rippa is with her, she's super bummed - it sucks being the "good puppy" - no chicken for you, unless Yishai insists!) The sad thing is, though, she's still terrified. When they run out of chicken, she will sit in their lap and take a nap or lie down next to them and put her head on their thighs but they can't move to pet her without her losing trust. They just have to sit and talk. But this is huge from a few days ago. I think she'll come back just fine. Fury was always reserved, but she is actually kinda outgoing so long as she trusts. Chris (my photographer friend) chickened her and in about five minutes she was rolling all over him and letting him rub her belly. I think she's actually still really a friendly dog, she just needs to get over the idea that strangers are to be scared away. It's kind of sad to watch, but I have faith. She's an awesome little house dog, though. :)

Moto also sends his regal regards from Pennsylvania (and so much for button ears!):