a Pointer Sister solution

~The Dan (and her backpack) in the wilds of the garden~

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So I've mentioned of late that The Dan has been jumping and clearing 6 and 7 foot fences.  It's been a major problem - especially since she cleared the fence at the Paw Plaza Hotel (where I board the dogs) and I'm sure it traumatized the folks in charge at the time - they actually had to get in a car to catch up with her.

So, a guy at the Paw Plaza had an idea.

A brilliant idea.

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~The Dan's backpack 'Outward Hound'~

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He suggested that I purchase a dog backpack and fill the saddlebags with bottles of water.  And so I did.

Now The Dan knows when her backpack comes out, that she's going to get to run around outside.  The last time that I took them to the Paw Plaza (when I went to St Thomas), I took her backpack along - and they said it worked brilliantly.  The extra weight keeps the silly Dan on the ground.

(I think it's hilarious that the backpack is an 'Outward Hound' backpack. 

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~ The Pointer Sisters roaming the salvias~

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I need to adjust the weight - I think the two bottles of water might be a bit heavy, and she could probably be kept from jumping with less weight.  I also might try a bag of dry beans or rice on each side, thinking that it might be more comfortable (but honestly, I think they would smell it and it would drive The Dan nuts and Annabelle Lee would try to eat it - so I might be stuck with water...wait, sand maybe?).

Also, it weirds Annabelle Lee (aka Bella Banana) out a bit, since The Dan is usually the fastest, and now Annabelle is turning her head around, waiting for The Dan to catch up with her.  I also think the weight isn't terrible for Dan's back (I hope) - it's weight is evenly distributed - plus, she doesn't wear it all of the time.

And...she's not jumping the fence and trying to catch (aka kill) the neighbor's cats and worrying me that I'll never catch her and she'll be squished by a car.

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Comments

[Layanee]

She looks very smart in her backpack. What a great idea for keeping her feet on the ground. Pretty soon AL will want one of her own.

[Blackswampgirl Kim]

Seems completely sensible to me. The little extra weight that her back bears is definitely worth knowing that she will not be squished by a car, right? And she looks adorable!

[cindi]

Stylish, functional - and much, much better than a ball and chain!

[Pam]

Layanee, thankfully Annabelle hasn't tested her jumping skills (she's taller and more limber than Dan - so I'd hate to see her try) - but I do think she likes fashion (as most English Pointers do - she I can see a new collar request coming soon...).

B. Kim - honestly, I am relieved that it might help the situation. I wasn't able to let her loose on my acre (which was horrible) and I can't come close to exercising her like Annabelle can. It was truly a brilliant solution - and yeah, she does backpack well, I agree!

Cindi - the ball and chain come out for Halloween!