Second teenage stage...

...Lia is in it right now. Her first teenage stage, which is usually the worst, was a bliss, compared to the first teenage stage I went through with Aqui. Lia's not too bad during this stage either, but the poor dog's hearing has been severely affected and sometimes even chicken sausage cannot unplug the wax, but other things can:

May: "Lia, come."
Lia: *stands 3 meters away and ignores*
May: "No! Liaaa, come."
Lia: *ignores*
May: *throws leash at dog's butt*
Lia: Whoops! Look I heel! I stick to your side as if superglued! I lay back my ears and lick your hand! I do as you tell me to! Honest! Honest!

This typical Belgian Shepherd Dog's exaggerated body language is one of the reasons why it's embarassing to correct Lia in public; even with just a stern "no!" she can look as if I'm beating the crap out of her, so if you see me with a cowering, submissive dog; no, I did not hit her! She's absolutely fine! And if you stick around for another 30 seconds, you'll see her back to her usual rambunctious self and most likely trying to repeat whatever got her in trouble the first time.

PS. I only correct her like this when I'm certain she's understood the command and is capable of performing it.

A walk in the forest.

Lia and I went to a nearby forest and lake area for a walk. The weather was mild and warm, and we had the whole area to ourselves, making the wildlife more bold than usual. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera, but...

...we saw a little fellow like this, after he'd announced his presence by almost hitting us with a pinecone: http://www.biolib.cz/IMG/GAL/24682.jpg

Later a pair of Woodpeckers:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2148/2413794410_48506fafaa.jpg?v=0

and a pretty Jay: http://www.david.element.ukgateway.net/jeremyearlywebpage1_files/image003.jpg

And my teenie dog behaved beautifully. Not only did she not pull on the leash, but she also walked in slow motion or did a take-two-steps-and-sit when we went down steep slopes.