The two people we met while on the Denali Highway, Bob and Janie, said that they might stop by for a visit, and today they did. We were not fully prepared, but as soon as I got their call (they were in Willow), I began cleaning house. Pete tended to some important administrative duties, like reading an article in the New York Times on cannister vacuums. I never did find out from him which was the best.

So I cleaned the place; just in time because as I was cleaning the bathroom they pulled up. After re-introducing ourselves I took them down to the lower end of the property and started taking them on the tour. Pete soon

Shadow

joined me. We showed them the horse facility, and then the garden areas. As Janey and I were checking out the garden, I pointed out the Playground of Higher Learning which Juney wanted to check out.

I showed her the arena and where I kept my equipment. She then said that she’d like to try and take her dog Cleo over a few obstacles. We set up two jumps, the dog walk, and the hoop. Cleo had no problem with any of this. We then went and got Shadow, who, from the get-go, wasn’t at all interested in doing any agility. This may have been for a variety of reasons. First of all, her paw might still be bugging her. Secondly, there were no treats involves. And thirdly, she might not have remembered what to do.

I then decided to go and retrieve Sastrugi, the goat. I got the target stick and treats, the latter I put in a treat bucket because I could not find my regular treat container. Sassy willingly followed me down to the arena. I attempted to get her to go over the previously mentioned obstacles. Sassy was concerned about the dog (Cleo) and had not been fully treat trained, so she did poorly.

However, something in my head clicked. I decided to use my hand as the target, which I have done many times before. Sassy, knowing what the target was, immediately walked across the dog walk. Then she did it again. Then she did the other obstacles.

Seeing this, I realized that I need to do more with her. This is a goat that really wants to be doing something. I do feel bad that I haven’t done agility with her previously.

The question is, how, when, and where am I going to get the time to do this? I can talk about finding a balance between my two differing lives, but talking isn’t going to change the situation. Well at this point I haven’t a clue.

I had to leave our guests and resume work at the hotel. So I work. And so I play. I am going to have to find a way to tip the scales in favor of play.

Next: 192. 7/13/23: Vacation is Over