Well, the garden is growing and the hot days are upon us.  June came and went and we have taken advantage of the warm sunny days by getting out into the woods.  Stella absolutely loves the out of doors and for every mile I walk she runs three...in true Jack Russell fashion!
   We have several favorite walks near the river and she is getting used to water.  She actually loves water but has not ventured into the deep pools that are over her head.  A little caution is a good thing.  The river was running very high in June and a little dog could be swept away in an instant.  I put her on a leash whenever we were near the river bank during that time.  We have gone on walks with many of our friends, both human and canine.  Recently we walked with my friend Tori and her dog Ani, the Australian Shepperd whom you may remember from postings back in April and May.  She is a big girl now and she and Stella got along just fine.  I have posted a picture of the two of them.
   We have also gone on walks into the mountain canyons near our home.  My friend Susan brought along her dog Ace. He has his picture on my website.  He and Stella mostly ignore each other but love to run up and down the steep path together.  
   Last week we did a picnic dinner down on the river and found a nice spot where the river had been running high but had receded, leaving behind mud, muck and standing water.  Well, Stella showed her true colors by digging into the goo and was as happy as I have ever seen her.  A real terrier, that one!  It also lead to her second bath which she doesn't seem to mind at all.  I remember Stewart and Gordon and their first baths....sheer terror! In fact Gordon still runs at the mention of the word. 
   Leash work is going very well and Stella has gone down to the river many times on a leash.  She pulls occasionally if she catches the scent of something good but a gentle reminder to "heel" and she is right back at my side.  Sometimes if she hears a sound she will freeze, which is exactly what a dog does when it encounters something unknown.  I stop and let her check it out until she relaxes and realizes that it is no big deal. We then continue on.  The most important thing is that I don't over react or "baby" her with too much attention at this moment. If I stay calm and relaxed, so does she.  
   Stella is still wanting to jump up on everyone we come into contact with.  I try to keep her on a leash at these times so that I can control her behavior with a gentle "Off" and call her to me.  She is stubborn and tries again and again....I must be patient and not give in.  It doesn't help that some people say "Oh, it's OK, she is so cute and I don't mind."   I tell then that it won't be cute when she is older or if she were covered with mud.  They are very understanding at that point and help me out by ignoring her.  I think she will get over it as she ages, especially if we can take away any positive response she may get by doing it.