Weighing in on Father's Day

DON'T WEIGH ME-IT'S FATHER'S DAY

We do not like weighing in.  Liam and me.  His is every Sunday.  Mine Friday when I feel okay with the numbers.  He hates it.  He has no choice. He is a dog. I know how he feels. Paul announces "Liam, weigh- in time"  Paul pulls out the scale which is upstairs.  The sound of it sliding out from under its resting place releases immediate panic in Liam.   Liam will run to me, run down

I AM OUTTA HERE

the stairs and out the door if we let him.   He will then roll on his back. He knows that picking a dog up when he/she  is on his/her back is virtually impossible

TRY TO PICK ME UP, HAHA

Paul does not share our aversion to the scale.  He will climb on it with shoes, belted  heavy jeans, with glasses, shirt, even with full pockets.  I will take off everything even my contact lenses to lower the number on the scale.  Poor Liam is weighed with his collar and all his heavy tags. Paul weighs himself with Liam then without.  He announces the number.  Liam's ideal weight is 33.5 and he maintains it very well.   If it is near 35 pounds we all know that the next week's treats have to be decreased.

However, this Sunday is Father's Day. Paul is not thinking of the weigh- in. We are dining with friends at Crabtree's in the early evening and  Liam is part of the celebration. He will be visited before the outing by our friends.

It has been a scary weekend for  Little Liam.  Friday's ferocious thunderstorms boomed through the area,
accompanied by blinding white yellow lightning.  There were two rounds that night around dusk. Then Saturday night we had fireworks from the carnival nearby.   These noises went on for a good 25 minutes.  I had to hold onto Liam like a human thundershirt-I thought "how could his heart beat so fast and still go on?"  Then all was calm and we had a sleeping dog, which we let lie.   Paul covered him with my robe for comfort.

AFTER THE STORM

Revenge of Liam
But after these unpleasant events in his dog life, Liam awoke Sunday as devil dog.   His energy was at a very high level as was his leaping.  His voice was heard early and insistently.   Liam has a very deep powerful bark.  Maybe pent up emotions from two fright nights?

Our first visitors stopped by about 12 noon.  Liam  body slammed  Paul's brother, nephew, and Daddy Paul. Nephew hid in the car and Liam was put out to the backyard.

LIAM PUT OUT IN YARD

Later our friends from California stopped by pre-dinner to say Hi!  I had texted them to expect one joyful Liam jump after which we could all relax and visit. I envisioned a leisurely sit down in the living room and a walkabout, maybe a mini house tour ( I had hidden away my woman cave items)  Maybe some home improvement suggestions from a devout skilled Habitat for Humanity builder friend, guitar solos.and songs from a Carnegie Hall alumna, a tour of my art collection, and look at my unique garden with withered roses dedicated to my mother ending with some slipping and sliding on our mossy covered pavers-all this in 45 minutes or so before our leaving for dinner.  As this was going on-a surprise Oprah crew would drop in-I am sure O is just looking for such an event for her OWN network.  http://www.oprah.com/own
And a spread in the next O magazine-an article entitled something like "friends visit on a summer night on way to festive dinner." 

Oh what a fantasy.
Reality bites.

Liam jumped, leaped, ran, butted (all with love of course) hid in the bushes and topped it all off with his famous Liam licks.   The projectile force he exhibited and delivered to our guests and to us could have done serious damage. All the recipients were spared lasting injury. I was pretty thoroughly mortified by his behavior which I feel reflects on my failure as a trainer, mother, manager, life coach and host.
We left for our dinner and a backward glance revealed a very content, still, silent  Liam.

The Sunday weigh-in is put off till next week. I am not feeling so sorry for him now. Get out that scale!

I BETTER NOT EAT TOO MUCH

 Woof, Woof