The door was open and at gone 8pm it was, for once, pleasantly warm. In other words not boiling hot. Total silence outside as the macolet closes at 8pm and virtually no traffic after that, but where on earth was IT. Called out for her and she shot in - with a broken leash at the end of her tether. Rummaged through the cupboard for new stuff and she now has a rather [I hope] strong leash at the end of her tether. Dunno where she had been but I do not think she had gone out of the front yard because as soon as I called her she shot back in as fast as lighting. She has broken one before when rushing out to see off something or someone, in that case she stopped just short of the pavement and came straight back as soon as I called her, and she once came in having walked out of a vest type harness, leaving it outside still clipped onto her harness, and then came in and zonked off on the couch. This time? The leash had torn [well it was a pretty one not a strong one] but as soon as I called her - ZOOM - she was in. OK so she is not such a well trained puppy but she will not go run run, and with a recall such as she has, who cares. Oh how I love that little girl.
After the problems I had with the mesh harnesses that tore and D-rings that came adrift, I finally found the most perfect harness and all the others will go with Ram when he comes to give Tik her Parkworm shot at the end of the month. As will a load of unused leashes which came with the bling harnesses. He was even happy to take harnesses that had been worn as he said he has some clients that he knows cannot afford things so would be grateful for them. Previously I had just given Michal unworn harnesses, those I had bought in the hope they would fit and not have dodgy D-rings - ideal for puppies and small dogs who are not as strong as Tikva. And believe me, that little dog is very very strong. This was entirely my fault. I had tied a bling leash on the end of her tether and should have known better, the speed that little monkey rushes about. And sure enough, it broke. Just tore through near the trigger clip. I was busy reading something on the computer when I realised Tikva was not around, so just called out "Pishkle" [no idea why] and she was in within seconds. OK so she is not trained - she is more stubborn than I am, and she is also stronger, but she does have a recall that is incredible. Whatever I call her. So what is better? A puppy who learns tricks - roll over, give me your paw etc - or Tikva who comes within seconds of being called?
I am glad that she was safe, and that you have at last found a reliable harness that will fit her shape. Is this the one that had a little handle on the top? It is good that she stays so close to home, that is one of the things I miss from my Cavalier days.
There were three harnesses with handles - two similar to the Julius K9, and this other one. Even the smallest size of the two others could not be adjusted properly and were both too large even in the smallest size, but this one? It has a narrow chest plate so is not hot, and has four adjustments - round front and round tummy - and yes, it does have a handle. Also the "parachute" plastic do-up clips are large enough for me to open and close, unlike many others. At the moment the smallest size is perfect even on the smallest adjustments [sorry, I cannot think of the correct words] so will be easy to enlarge if necessary. And at under $10 [including registered mail], with Tikva happy to keep it on all the time, I bought another two. It is a stupid price for what is a very well made and strong harness, but comfortable for a small dog. Do not forget that Tikki wears her harness all the time so it must be comfortable for her. Even the mesh ones used to rub under her front legs, these do not because of the chest plate. They are actually for large dogs but do have sizes from Small, and with the problems I have had with harnesses, these are absolutely perfect. The larger ones [more like Julius K9] will be given to Ram for whoever needs them. As for Tikva going run run - she will go so far to the end of the yard but no further. And one word from me - whatever that word is - and she just shoots in like she has been shot by a rocket! I guess she thinks I am her mother.
