
Amidst all the silliness of AI Mauzers wearing cargo shorts and the nonsense about evil Elves on Shelves, I neglected to update you on some progress that Reiko-chan has made.

Amazingly, she is now willing to take treats directly from my hands! For most, the response to this news would be, “So, what?” But pet parents will understand that this is a huge display of trust by a fearful dog.
Mind you, it takes a wee bit of coaxing, the uptake is tentative and so delicate that I can barely feel the doggie lips and there is an immediate retreat after taking the snack. Still…yahoo! Hats and horns!
To celebrate, I got Reiko her very own Lambchop toy.

Lambchop toys are a tradition among Maltese owners. If you have a Malt, you get a lambchop. Also, the toy must be named either Lamb Chop or Lamby. Reiko, we figure, is maybe 50% Maltese so close enough.
Reiko’s not 100% sold on Lamby yet. At this point, she’ll just sniff him and walk away to molest Hedgie the Hedgehog.
Love to hear from ya