Steve came by this morning and wanted to see the phone that I was going to return tomorrow if I could find a way to the post office. Within a few minutes he had it working. I don't know what he did that I didn't, or how I missed what I should have done, but in case I forget how wonderful it is to be young and in my 40's, this was a reminder. Then I could do just about anything and rarely needed instructions how to do it!
To be truthful, I have gone without having an accessible phone for a week and I really didn't miss it much. If something had happened to my computer however, I would have missed the phone. All in all I'm glad to have a working phone and feel much safer when I go to sleep at night.
I need to start making lists of everything in my house and marking what I can get rid of. This is going to be a whole lot of work, but I'd rather do it myself than for my kids to have to do it all when I'm gone. I recently heard from a cousin who wrote me about genealogy, which she is evidently starting to get in to. She maybe expects a few emails, but little does she know she is going to get a shipment of 3 ring binders with info and documentation, by family!
Steve fixed a couple of other things for me, and told me about the mom of a friend of his who might be interested in my house. She is 70 and still working because she still has to make a mortgage payment. I hope we can make a deal somehow - I have no idea what I might expect to get if I go through a real estate agent, but it no doubt all washes out in the end. If I could just do a quick sale it would be worth the peace of mind to me. There are still several things I need to do before I could sell to anyone, and having a dog underfoot doesn't help matters.
Jeannie and Autumn took me to Costco yesterday and we were gone approximately 2 hours. When I returned the house was trashed worse than I'd ever seen it before. Rocky really did a number, so from now on he will be in the crate with the door closed and locked whenever I have to leave him. I normally leave a few papers or something where he can reach them so he doesn't damage more important things. I also don't have much of anything low enough to be in his reach. But when he stands up on his back legs he can reach just about everything.
I was so frustrated I did a google search on how long labrador puppies chew everything in sight. I didn't expect the answer - 2 to 4 years! The reason is something that makes perfect sense, and has to do with their breeding and training to retrieve things in their mouths. They are very much prompted to "mouth" everything and everyone they see, as that is their instinct when retrieving birds and it's in their breeding. The only thing I don't understand is why he is so intent on destroying things. I don't care much what he carries in his mouth but I don't like him ruining everything. I let him get by with a lot, but I raised my kids the same way and they turned out great! They sure put me through some trying times though. So here I am again with a pre-adolescent who wants to constantly test my authority.
I wish everyone a good week ahead.
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I was in my 70's when I retired. Got fed up with customers wanting stuff done NOW. It was OK when I was younger, but when got older the rush stuff got old, too, if you know what I mean. So I know what it is like to be 70 and still working.
ReplyDeleteI took an "early out" when I was 55, and have never regretted a day of it. My pension was reduced a bit and will always be behind what I might have gotten had I kept working for a few years longer. I've loved every minute of retirement
DeleteOur Black Lab at one point during "puppyhood" at 1 1/2 of my husband's leather driving gloves he used in our motorhome while we were out one afternoon. Then one night while we were sleeping she chewed a hole about 4" in diameter in the side of the leather driver's seat in the motorhome. We survived, she survived and of our three labs turned out to be the best behaved of the lot. There's hope ahead if you can get through "puppyhood."
ReplyDeleteThank you for your affirmation that a black lab puppy can grow into a good dog. I think if I was younger it might be easier for me, but I'll get through it somehow
DeleteWhen our daughter got her Red Lab every day she went to work he would get into her closet and chew one shoe and never the mate to the one he had already destroyed. Nobody else's shoes were affected but her's. The Vet told her it was Separation Anxiety. It took a year for him to grow out of it.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
My experience with vets over the years is that they may be good pet doctors, but they sure aren't pet psychlogists. Rocky sees one or more of several vets in the practice and they all tell me something different. But your daughter's dog sounds like it might have had separation anxiety. I'm usually with mine so I don't think it could be that - who knows.
DeleteMy grandon has a black lab she wasn't to bad as a puppy but she is very strong and for some reason she took off running and dragged his girlfriend to the ground and took off running. My granddaughter was with her and luckily she was able to run Chloe down. These are younger adults so I can see how you struggle. But I would never let Rocky free in the house while you are gone,
ReplyDeleteRocky is very strong but since I now use a harness he is much easier to control, except when he sees another person or a dog. He is too friendly for his own good!
DeleteI used to crate him while I was gone and he barked for the entire time, which brought complaints from the next door neighbor - the one who told me in the beginning that he would take the dog if something happened that I couldn't keep him. Ha, he would probably beat him because he has no patience. I hate to cause anyone to be upset and do my bet to keep the barking down - don't know what to do at this point. I'll have the same problem when I move but I sure can't let him tear up someone else's house!
It is good you are documenting family history. One of my regrets is that I failed to pay close attention when my mom would talk about family history. Now it is a big question mark.
ReplyDeleteIt kind of sounds like Rocky has some separation anxiety since he chews things up when you leave. Lab's generally get over all their bad habits around 2 years old but until then you are going to need some tranquilizers.... Had a lab one time and they go pretty wild when you leave them alone. Came home one time and smelled poop and couldn't find it anywhere. Finally found it in my hunting boot... That took some doing.... Just count down the days and be glad that it doesn't last longer.
That clever little rascal - in your hunting boot! How can they come up with tricks like that - it has to be a conscious decision. I feel a little better knowing I have lots of company with other lab owners. It's a good thing those dogs are so gorgeous
ReplyDeleteand friendly, or no one would put up with them.
Glad you are sharing your geneology notes with your cousin. I would really have liked to know more about my great-great grandparents but I never even had a conversation with my own grandmother. Back in those days children were not allowed to speak unless they were spoken to and we did not visit her often since she lived so far away.
ReplyDeleteIf you are going to crate him when you have to go run errands I have read that if you cover the crate with a sheet or blanket it will calm them down.
I got to spend a few weeks with my grandparents and their youngest two - an aunt & uncle, every summer. They lived on a farm and i was in heaven! I think I could have asked my grandmother anything, and loved to hear her talk about the "old days" I remember my great grandmother, but she was always sitting in her front porch swing saying the rosary I thought she must have been the holiest person I ever met! On the other thing I was glad I had better things to do - ride a pony, gather eggs, watch my grandma make biscuits, etc.
DeleteI've heard about covering the crate but always forgt to do it. I think he is getting separation anxiety when I leave him for even a short time. Today is the first day since I got him that I thought about giving him away!