Peeling off Newspaper...

Since I am busy at work at the end of each month, Luna has to spend her time by herself although I am at home with her.

She actually seems to understand my situation. Over the holidays, she often asked me for playing, but today she has been really well behaved, killing her time by playing some toys.

Well, her most favorite thing is peeling off newspaper... It makes my room messy, but she looks so fun and somehow she looks working on creative work. Since creativity is something I always respect, I leave her freedom, making some art.

On strike...

Luna and I went to the Oval at Stanford as usual. The oval locates in the center of Stanford campus, and wide grassy area is spread out; it is very green and we love it.

After we were walking and playing for one hour, I felt to go home. Luna realized that I was thinking to go home. Then, she has become on strike, laying herself on the ground...
"I don't wanna go home." :P

Well, I cannot get mad since she is so cute and funny.

Girls' talk!

Over the thanksgiving holidays, we had a guest. My ex-roommate, Marika, was staying at our place. Since we haven't seen each other for a while, we had a lot of things to talk and were chatting after midnight...

Baby Luna should sleep earlier, but as a girl, Luna is qualified to join us and staying up with us until 2am. Now she is a night bird. Well..., I am used to work at night; so it makes sense. Like mother, like daughter. :P

Debut at a dog park!

This morning, we went to a dog park for the first time. There are two areas for smaller dogs and larger dogs. First I let Luna into smaller dogs'. Luna slowly got closer to other dogs and said hi. She looked a little shy.

There were 6 dogs and I was observing social dynamics.
- Luna is not in the center; she is observing a group from one step outer.
- She doesn't initiate play and waits something happen; she is not a leader type...
- Once chasing play gets started, she is always following in the 2nd or 3rd; she doesn't take the lead.
- Gradually some dogs get tired and drop out from chasing; but Luna never gives up.

Well, all of her behaviors are exactly how I am.
Thinking back from my teen-age days to college, I always played sports in a team. Luna's style is exactly the same with my style. Like mother, like daughter...

P.S.
There was a water fountain for dogs, but Luna didn’t drink. She is uncomfortable to share a water bowl except Muffin. :)

Sorry, it's your turn.

This morning, Muffin and Luna were playing in the yard as usual. Muffin got thirsty and went to drink water; then Luna followed her.

While Muffin was drinking water, Luna caught up with her and started barking at Muffin,
“I wanna drink water too!!!”
“I’m sorry, it’s your turn”, Muffin said and passed her water bowl to Luna. How sweet she is… Luna is just rude. Like mother, like daughter???

By the way, Luna is actually too sensitive to share a water bowl with other dogs; she never did before. It makes me surprised to see that Luna drank water from Muffin’s. Luna really likes Muffin, I assume.

I wanna go and play...

We are living in the 3rd floor and close to the sky. There is the San Jose airport nere here and airplanes are always flying above us. Luna is so curious about airplanes.

Also, Luna is looking down when she hears the voice of kids.
"I wanna go and play....", her back tells.

Her behavior reminds me when my brother and I were little. We were living in a high-rise and sometimes doing the same way as Luna.

After that...

Hurrah!
It's cloudy, but not raining! Finally, Luna could meet Muffin!
When we reached the entrance of Muffin's house, literally Luna was bouncing up the wall...

After 3 hours, two dogs got muddy, but Luna was muddier since her body is always close to the earth...
Luna doesn't care, but I care. :(

When I start driving towards our home, she has fallen asleep in a few minutes.

Snails...

Luna and I were walking in the morning after the rain. There were a lot of snails in a path.

Luna was so curious and pushed the shell of a snail with her nose. The snail must have been upset when the big nose abruptly turned its house upside down. Poor snails...

Who cares? - Luna :P

Apple!

Luna loves an apple. Every time when I cut apple, she realizes the sound that I am cutting on a cutting board. She is expectantly staring at me to say, "I want an apple..."
But sometimes the noise could be a pear or lemon; she makes a mistake… :P
In such case, she doesn't get anything.

I don't usually give her foods for human, but apple is an exception. Luna says...

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. -Luna

Digging, digging...

Talking with other dog owners is like conversation between parents, I assume. I have been learning a lot from my friends about foods, health issue, behavioral issue, etc...
At a vet, I was talking with one woman who has two dogs. I told her Luna starts digging in my room. Then, she let me know that I can give Luna a cushion to meet her digging needs. So, I gave Luna a large one so that she is happy to dig.

It works really well and Luna is excitedly digging...

Don't shoot the dog!

I went to a pet store and found the book, "Don't shoot the dog!" and smiled. :)
Link to Amazon.com
Link to Amazon.co.jp

Actually, I have read this book two years ago when I was taking the course, "Persuasive Technology", at a graduate school; this book was one of the course readings, which is about how to use positive reinforcement in teaching new behaviors. All theories and methods are applicable for dogs as well as people. I still have this book on my bookshelf.

It is funny to see my textbook at a pet store. :)
I have just started reading again to have a better relationship with Luna.

Finally my degree comes into play!