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December!!! Hard to believe there is just a month left.

The Friendsgiving last night was a lot of fun. Lots of dancing, good food and friends. I didn't think I had the energy but then I did.

Poor Justice is a mess this morning following a day when everyone felt they needed to feed him before they left. He was happy yesterday but not so much this morning. I have cleaned up 4 messes so far and he has been out twice. Once I have my coffee in me I need to do a full house walkthrough to make sure I got everything. That on top of the remaining laundry to be done. Hopefully I can get that out of the way this morning so I can put up the Christmas tree and decorations. I brought some things from my other house here so I have more to put out than previously here.

Laundry, cleaning, decorating and leftovers are the plan for the day. Have a super Sunday!

Sounds like some great family time!

Greetings all

Another sunny cool day here. Love it. Started the day with full control of the tv as DH went over to his tech impaired friend's house to see why his computer had no email since September. Took a long time and I still have no clue but don't care. I went shopping for dog food and then went to the gym. Hardly anyone there as it is the Saturday football ritual. I looked up walking backward on the treadmill and it is indeed a thing that people do to improve balance and certain muscle groups and overall spacial sensation. So after my usual I tried it. Whew, it is not easy. It does use some otherwise unused muscles. Not sure that will become a regular thing but I had to try it.

Yeah Liz, who wants to wash all those sheets! You and DH have done so much for a great family holiday. Kudos. And you too DD. Sounds like everyone's efforts paid off with wonderful experiences.

Yeah Peps fake trees! Reminds me to get out our table top one. I saw on our local facebook page someone who had the permit to go harvest a local tree but did not know where to go. Got me there. I would not know where either and it sounds like way too much effort. Glad you had a laid back day in spite of dreaming of work. Get used to it. You will do that for years after you retire. I dreamed we were being chased by big globby monsters! Think "The Blob" only in multi colors.

So our team lost last night in a really close game so DH was cranky. Watched the last episode of The Land of Women but it's set up for another season if they do it.

This morning I ate two mini turkey sandwiches. Turkey and mayo on a dinner roll. Pretty good.

CC I agree that your friend should break up with the guy before Christmas. Waiting just makes it worse. Sorry for her tough decision. Good on you for being a good friend.

Mashed potatoes and gravy and stuffing are the best part of thanksgiving. Plus the company.

Our gallery is having its 12 year anniversary party right now. I am staying away because I don't have enough art work. Instead I went to the studio to make more (she rationalized). In truth I am an anti social crank. So there.

Diane S

Lucy's spay will not cause an immediate change in Kirby's behavior. She will enter forced menopause if they do a complete ovariohysterectomy. If they leave ovaries (which is unusual) his behavior may be unchanged toward her. As Lucy's hormone levels deplete gradually, his drive to breed with her will diminish.

As far as Kirby's sterilization changing his behavior - the only behavior neutering will affect is sexually driven behavior. If the barking is driven by frustration, he will continue to bark when he is frustrated. Make sense?

You also have to understand that Kirby is in teh absolute most difficult stage of his mental development right now (12-24 months). His long bones have finished growing, he is beginning to look very adult as his secondary sexual mechanisms begin to develop, but he still has puppy brain. He is the equivalent of a 15-18 year old teenaged boy. Hormones out of control, doesn't think all that logically at times and even when trying to do the right thing, decision making can be illogical and impulsive. So honestly, you're not going to see a lot of behavior changes by sterilizing him now. The benefits of waiting far outweigh the minor benefits you MIGHT see (and that's a big MIGHT) by neutering him now.

Kirby, as you describe him, is a dog with what we call in elementary school, "BIG FEELINGS". That is his nature. He was born with that character trait. You just need to learn to work with it, rather than try to curb it. It's like my Lucky. He's a barker. He likes to sound the alarm and talk back. We have worked it out. I thank him for his alarm and assure him that I have things under control and give him some love. If he's talking back to me (e.g. barking when I go get the mail without him, answer the door, etc...) I ask him to come to me and tell him I'll be right back, pet him, and let him know I have his back. It seems counter intuitive, but it works.

And then sometimes, you just need to lay down the law and let them know you MEAN IT!

I love fake trees! They can stay up much longer and don't have that awful mess after removing them.