Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Since our last update...

The Vet -  No issues in the waiting room.  No issues on the table.  Chipped, nails clipped, etc.  As a testament to Barbara and Al, the vet said that he would normally have to muzzle most Schips that he's seen for all this.  He said that Sibber had been "socialized" extremely well.

People -  We continue to socialize Sibber whenever possible by eating at dog-friendly restaurants, walking him  among a lot of people, etc.  For the most part he's fine with most people.  But, every once in a while,  a person will approach him  that really seems to get him a little anxious.  

The Confrontation - I was sitting on the deck in our backyard smoking a cigar the other night..  Sibber was in the far corner of the yard chewing on a rawhide bone.  Suddently he starting barking like crazy at the little shed we have in that back corner.   I went over to check it out but couldn't see anything.  I went back to smoking my cigar.  The next thing I know, Sibber is barking and yelping wildly, running at full speed to the back door and scratching to get in.  I thought that maybe a rat might have jumped on him .  We have rats due to the fruit trees in the neighborhood.  

Inside the house, both Karen and I checked Sibber over thoroughly.  We couldn't find a single scratch on him.  Oddly, he went directly into his crate, on his own and wouldn't come out for the rest of the night.

I went back outside to finish my cigar.  I heard something at the fence line and shined my flashlight on it.  It was a raccoon that was at least as big as Sibber, probably bigger.

I'm pretty sure that the raccoon must have taken a swipe at Sibber but luckily didn't hit him..  

The good news is that Sibber was back in the yard the next night without a single problem or the slightest concern.

Christtmas Boat Parade - Annual night time boat parade around Island Estates (we came in third in the sail boat division).  Had most of the Desimine's onboard.  Sibber was, once again,the perfect boat dog.

Swimming - Last night Sibber and Iwent down to the marina to finish cleaning up some things on the boat.  We hung out a little while.  When it was time to go I started to put the leash on Sibber's collar.  Sibber took a couple of steps back which was one step too many and fell off the dock and into the water.  I'm happy to report that Sibber is an excellent swimmer.  He has the dog-paddle stroke down.  It only took me a couple of seconds to scoop him out of the water.  

After a nice towel dry, we were back walking the docks and headed home

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