Sorry for not updating last week, I was sick again. Although Marleigh and Maizie tried to help, their puppy eyes and precious squished faces were no match for this virus.

 But, before I came down with my ailment, I went with Marleigh to her first day of school. I took Maizie with me as inspiration for her little sister - so much for that idea.

Walking into the class, it was as if everything Maizie had learned over her year of training went out the window. Rather than walking politely beside me, Maizie was by Marleigh’s side, dragging me across the floor. Instead of sitting at the feet of a stranger to introduce herself, Maizie decided she would rather fling herself into the trainers legs - the same trainer who taught her everything she used to know.

I was appalled. I apologized profusely, trying to give Maizie commands while Marleigh desperately tried to stretch to the other side of the class to meet all her new classmates. Once we got settled, it was time for a few minutes of play to help get the wild out of their bodies.

Bad idea.

It didn’t take a second after Marleigh was unleashed for her to bolt to the biggest dog in the room - a Rottweiler / Pit Bull mix. Skidding to a stop at his paws the size of her head, Marleigh stands on her back legs and begins to paw at his face. I look at the owner who is watching in disbelief as my tiny terror continues her boxing match. Then, to everyone’s surprise, the mix-breed dropped to his belly and rolled on his back, letting Marleigh take her shots.

I was relived Marleigh’s antics didn’t result in a full-blown dog argument. Where was Maizie during all of this? Wandering around the class and stealing training treats from other students.

Marleigh’s lesson for the day was learning lose-leashing walking. Let’s just say it is going to take me forever to get to the door.

-- Chloe Ochse --