Hey, I like that idea! Instead of Come, to call out: cookie! But I guess you have to have a cookie in your hand, right?

Am posting while waiting for doctor to call; it's possible that I have a hairline stress fracture in my right ankle. Been thinking it was good old Arthur, but it kept getting worse, and is only in one ankle. So I got it X-rayed today.

Sadie Mae didn't do this! In fact, it was not an injury, just something painful. Doctor promised to call me this evening once he checks the X-ray.

I was able to drive myself to & from the doctor's office, so I feel like it may be tendonitis or something like that. Came home to find that Sadie Mae had gone digging in my big potted palm out on the sunporch, scattering potting soil here & there. Little imp that she is, she finds something to keep herself busy whenever we are away. She HAS her own toybox/basket and digs through that when we are home, watching. I'm trying now to teach her the names of her various toys. She has a brightly colored plush duck that she loves, 'cause she can grab it by beak or wing or tail and race around the house with it.

Did I already mention that Oprah had a show on dog training, with a woman from Israel as her guest who has a new book out, called (I think) The Loved Dog. Her training methods are very loving and friendly. I especially liked this one, which I plan to try: She trained this bitty little dog to reach up with her paw or nose & ring a bell she held on a string. Then she would hang the bell on the inside doorknob, and the dog would ring the bell to go outside!

Instead of scratching on the inside of the door....or (as in Sadie's case) barking frantically when she needs to go out, this would be a good trick for Sadie Mae to learn. We'll see...she's a smart little dog, but she does like to have her own way.