Roman Shrinks

Then and Now

As Erik's 15th birthday approaches, I am overcome with bittersweet memories.

5 months

12 years (Roman, 2 years)

13 years (Tikka, 5 years)

6 years

14 years

5 years and 14 years, 11 months

Behavior Management

As every parent and teacher knows, or should know, one needs to employ a variety of tactics when dealing with the behavior of children.

One of my most successful systems involves four different colored faces. I use clothespins labeled with each child's name. Every day, the kids start out on 'green' and the challenge is to stay there. As rules are broken, they have to do the walk of shame and move their name down. Getting on red is really bad and will result in a phone call home.

Today, the class wrote postcards to Gov. Schwartzenegger protesting the educational budget cuts. Some kids made a name pin, and now Arnold is on red.

Dog Attack Styles

Oh, this Dutch Shepherd is hot! I want him on my team, that is for sure.

Wolf Bite!

No dog bite compares to that of a wolf. And this guy wasn't even trying!

Bite force competition. Pitbull, Rottweiler, and Shepherd.

On the subject of bit. Who do you think has the strongest bite force (a different measurement than ppsi)? Guess before watching!

Bite Indeed Worse Than Bark

San Francisco, CA- Bay Area educator, A.C., states that she has lost count how many times people have asked her if her GSD (German shepherd dog), Roman, CGC, TT, bites.

"I like to bring him to work with me on occasion, " A.C. shares. "I really don't understand why some people seem so afraid of him."

One co worker has started to overcome her fears. Recently, Roman quietly greeted her with 'waggy butt' and gently leaned into her legs for petting.

"Roman was in calm, submissive bliss as my coworker rubbed his belly." A.C. states. "But then, my cowoker whispered to me, ' Does he B - I - T - E?' Yes, she spelled it out; which worked in her favor. Otherwise, he might have bitten. Good thing Roman can't spell."

" 'Yes, he does bite,' " I replied. 'But he hasn't bitten a human, yet.' "

Like all carnivores, Roman bites things on a daily basis. His latest victim being a fake lamb skinned bone.
With an average bite pressure of 750 to 1500 pounds per square inch, it is wise that people are cautious around this dog. These teeth, after all, are known to crush bone.

"Since Roman rarely barks (he's a whiner), his bite is, indeed, worse than his bark. He has torn limbs of sock monkeys and destuffed a pink football and hedgehog. Who knows when human will be next?"

Area Shepherd Trumps Training

San Francisco, CA - Bay Area German shepherd dog, Roman, CGC, TT, trumps years of training to feed his base instincts Thursday night. Owner, AC, reports, "He was on a perfect sit/stay during dinner. Maybe ordering a sausage pizza was simply too much for him."

Roman defied all obedience training to take a bold bite out of owner's sausage slice...all without breaking the sit/stay.

"There I was, about to take my first bite into the greasy goodness when Roman stretched his neck and snatched it away."

The owner was too flabbergasted to react quick enough to correct.

"He has never done anything like that before. Now I am afraid that since he's gotten the taste of sausage pizza, this won't be the last time...my pesto slices will probably not be safe, either."

"The worst part was, " AC continued. "...he didn't even feel bad for eating my pizza...no ears back or lip licking..and he got most of the sausage, too. He continued to sit there, licking his chops and wagging his tail. I am taking this very seriously since it is a challenge to my pack leader status."

Roman, CGC, TT, could not be reached for comment.

He Hits, He Steals, He Scores...

She Did It!

After flunking the Canine Good Citizen test six months ago, Tikka finally passed all 10 subtests today...with flying colors I might add. She held a perfect stay during the sit/down/stay test (though her down looked similar to her pose below) and yawned at the 'reaction to another dog' test (the hardest part for her).

So, introducing Tikka, CGC, TT

Tikka the untrained

Tikka, before training. Roman simply does not understand why Tikka won't listen. My first mistake is repeating my command! Stay tuned for the after video.

Man vs. Hotel: Bear Grylled

Disillusionment hits hard.

Every week, I watch Bear Grylls brave the wilds with only his flint knife and a bit of water. All for me, so I can learn some survival skills when I next find myself in the Panamanian mangroves or on a deserted island in the Pacific.

Man vs. Wild? More like Man vs. Marriott.

I guess I will have to now watch Survivorman with Les Shroud, a less attractive, but more honest, option.

MOANday

85 degrees and no wind yesterday morning...48 degrees and blowing tonight at 8pm. No wonder my sinuses are rebelling. My eyes are runny, my nose is raw, my throat itches and my ears are clogged (though, the latter is sort of a good thing, especially with Erik playing COD4 :P).

I finally cleaned and updated my fish tanks, which have been sorely neglected. I got some new dwarf puffers (now I have a cute, species tank of 4), a huge school of neon tetras to go in my 30 gallon with my rummy nose tetras...and, I will be attempting discus next week. I was going to get some more angelfish but, since I already have them, my local fish guy convinced me I was experienced enough to try discus. They sort of look like pretty, swimming plates.

So, I'm down to one 30 gallon (I'm replanting it for the discus), one 20 gallon and one 9 gallon along with 17 betta 'jars'. At school, I have one 20 and one 10 gallon...all are planted with a total of over 85 fish (and 4 shrimp)/12 species. They are my underwater gardens...and, a secret addiction...but, an addiction I share with many people. I've met more new, cool people through fishkeeping these past few years than I have in a decade of, well, I wasn't really doing anything to meet new people...but, you get the idea. I'll leave it at that.

Real Dogs

wear Doggles.

Hot One

OMG, it's 84 degrees at 6 o'clock at night. Too much for this native SF wimp. Roman and I had to come home early from our walk because he was overheating.

Once Again, Dogs Sacrifice for Man

The story of Laika, a mixed breed dog who died while paving the way for humans to enter space. A monument was finally erected to honor her.

I don't know about you, but reading how she had to be launched into space, in a small space all alone, brought tears to my eyes.

Tikka's Hygiene Improves

I find I hardly bathe Roman. Maybe once a year? His coat is such a natural deterrent to dirt and brambles. Tikka, on the other hand, has such a fine coat that she'll bring home half the foliage from our walks. I will be pulling out twigs, burs and the dreaded foxtail for days. So, I try to bathe her regularly and I'll probably be trimming her coat soon.

I've owned and fostered many dogs over the years (if you think fifteen is many) and every single one of them got the 'heebie geebies' after a bath; otherwise known as the 'zoomies'.

Tikka loses all purpose in life while having her bath but regains it tenfold when she is set free from the towel. Tearing around the house, bouncing off the couch and walls...her faith in humanity restored.