Only a Month?!

Apparently, we have only had Della, the Bassett Hound, living with us for one month.  I just checked the calendar.  Mike and I agree, it sure seems longer.  

We have done our best to assimilate Della into the Peterson way of doing things but she is a nonconformist.  For instance, Della goes on a walk everyday with Mike and all of the other dogs.  But she does not go willingly.  

Normally, unless Della is sleeping, she is always moving.  The only exception is when Mike calls her to go for a walk or feed the fish.  Then she does her own version of down dog which involves laying flat on her tummy with her paws out in front of her.  Mike has had to resort to carrying her the first 100 feet of the walk before she finally feels compelled to join the other dogs.  

She does like to ride in the Jeep however,  Mike takes her to visit Grandma every night and this is an exciting event for Della.  In fact, no matter how late Mike goes or how soundly Della was sleeping before he put her in the Jeep or truck, by the time Mike drives across the street to Grandma's house, Della is recharged.  She runs through Grandma's living room and in and out of the doggy door for at least a half an hour once she arrives.  

Because Della does not like to go to bed at night when the rest of us are ready for bed, we have been doing our best to have her expend her energy during the day so she will sleep at night.  This means that we include her in all outdoor activities. 

And we encourage her to hang around with the other dogs.  

Unfortunately, we have not had much success with this.  The rest of us usually run out of energy before she does.  

It is just like Mike says.  He enjoys Della the most when she is sleeping.