November 28, 2010

White Dog pouted but brought up a good point. "We need a protocol to follow getting in and out of the car since there are now so many of us!" She had just gotten leashed at the Park because she did not listen to Steve's command to "Wait!" while he put leashes on Quinn and Nuka; instead she had run off to begin her playtime. This was not her normal park and she had cut across a parking lot to get to the exercise area...and she knows better than to do anything but to stay at a "heel" when around cars.

In the way back ancient days (like 9 months ago) WD and Steve went to the Park, jumped out together and all was well. Then Quinn came along and the procedure still allowed her to jump out and sit while Steve helped TOWD out of the SUV (he always wore his leash when we travelled).

Now, with Pumpkin, and The White Dog Army, things are more complicated. First, there are big barn doors on both sides of the car...if Michael gets out one side and Steve is fussing with pups on the other, there is a HUGE invitation to just hop out unnoticed. Then, there is AWD, Nuka. She must be transferred from her seat harness to a leash for walking. Finally, Steve puts on the walking belt and must attach TOWD and AWD to each side. Only then, is it OK for White Dog to follow along sans restraint. Once Puff is willing to go on adventures with us, fitting her into the routine will add another twist. (One that we look forward to dealing with).

So after making sure we had a quorum, The White Dog Army discussed the issues and established a set of guidelines to be followed until we come up with a better plan: Only one door (any door) can be open in the car at any time; White Dog must wait in the driver's seat for Steve to come back around to let her out after everyone else is leashed; Quinn, since he sits on a pad near the passenger door gets leashed first and immediately is attached to the belt (if it is being used); and Nuka gets transferred from seat to leash last and is not hooked onto the belt until she is on terra firma (she tends to get herself all tangled up). On the way in, WD goes first, then AWD, and TOWD is last before the door is shut.

We all agreed that this was to insure every one's safety as well as to keep momma's stress levels low. The Plan worked when we got back to the house except there was a pileup with everyone trying to get in the front door at the same time (it was like a really silly slapstick routine)...I guess there are still a few details that need work.