Socializing and Schooling

I wanted to write this post earlier, but certain events transpired( which I will reveal in the later posts !) that got me preoccupied. September was one of the most fun months from what I can recall. It was the period Atti, Srik and I really bonded and he was beginning to understand us quite clearly. We had friends over during the Labor day weekend. It was party time for Atti, He had all of them fussing over him, petting him. They were enthralled by his whimsical ways and his mega cute expressions. I would like to narrate a really funny incident when Ravi and Deepika were over. Srik had a sing song tune that he used while playing with Atti. It had a certain rhythm to it that only Ravi could duplicate. It went something like this - Srik would look at Atti and say ' Guboy Guboy, i know i know you want a belly rub, ya I know i know ya ya'. So Ravi kept hearing this and I am sure he had no clue what it meant but he figured to get Atti to stay quiet, you needed to learn this song like phrase. So Ravi took over and over did it, and he kept saying it over and over again, only that he kept saying 'belly wrap' instead of belly rub while rubbing Atti's belly. Well, Ravi- when you rub Atti's belly, how can it be called a wrap ? As if Atti cared, if it was a wrap or a rub. He lay folding his paws showing his belly and when you got his tickle spots, he used to move his legs in this up-down motion. It was the funniest thing ! It was also the month of many new toys, moo moo being Atti's first and favorite ( he has it till date without destroying it) while some met quick deaths. It took my baby boy few minutes to chew and tear apart most toys. They were like his kill. He used to hunt them down like a wild animal and destroy them. Atti was almost 25 lbs , he was gaining weight and growing real fast. It was getting a little tough to lift him up and down the stairs for his grass time. We wanted to wait 12 weeks before we could let him climb( thats what the books say). I should give credit to Srik for teaching Atti to climb and come down the stairs. Atti had no trouble climbing but he had reservations coming down, Srik taught him really well , letting him come down from the smalled height.Atti learnt fast. We also realised how smart and how perceptive he was. It was amazing.Just 4 weeks back, we were lost with this little puppy running helter skelter getting us with his teeth and then suddenly, it was like magic. He was learning so well, he was biting less, playing only with his toys. My professor's wife rightly says ' they are almost human now and probably in their next birth, they will be human'.
Atti had to get all his shots to be able to go out for walks, So we had him indoors all the time except when he needed to 'go grass'. However, the vet permitted us to let him enroll 'puppy education classes at pet smart' This was really exciting news. I had heard nothing but the best about these classes which are so enjoyable for puppies as well as the owners. So Sep 20th Atti began his first of eight classes on puppy education. Atti is a charmer, I say this because , as soon as we entered the class, he didnt bother to socialise with the puppies, he ran straight to the instructor first, sat patiently until the trainer gave him treats and petted him. He had already won his heart. Next he ran to all the owners, sitting by their knee, giving them puppy kisses, while he got loads of praise, kisses and belly rubs. Everyone loved him instantly, Once he had everyone under his spell he went to the other puppies, he shied away from them initially and then they became best buddies, especially Neela, she was Atti's girl friend :)
Atti learnt sit and the down commands, we practiced them at home religiously to make sure he did a good job in the next class. I was so proud of Atti, he really did very well and boy, when he does a good job, he does want many many treats. Now, one of the training treats that's preferred is lamb pieces. I felt queasy handling meat since I was vegetarian but I slowly got over it as I realised although I was uncomfortable, Atti enjoyed it thoroughly. These days I handle all kinds - you name it- I touch it !
I wonder if you guys ever thought where Atti stayed while we were at work. We left Atti in his crate with his food and water bowls and lots of toys and with the radio on :). Srik and I took turns to come in the afternoon so that Atti could relieve himself. Atti enjoyed in his crate while we were away. He had his daily naps, he had toys and food . He also messed with the blankets and his bed in the crate almost chewing them up while I left them so neat in the mornings. In the evenings, he was out of his crate and the whole apartment was his play ground. Those days were the times we had the highest physical activity. You really didnt need to go to the gym at all.