Ask the Ao4 XXIV - Ao4 Unleashed!

Hi everypuppy! It's me - Amber! Before I get started on our Ask the Ao4 post, I'd like to mention that it is our 1-year blogaversary! We've made so many new friends over the past year and have learned a LOT of things - especially about our computer! We'd like to say a special thank roo to our very dear friends Tubey and Meeshka (and their humans) - they were our inspiration to start blogging and offered a lot of encouragement and technical support. Huge thanks, too, to Opy, Charlie and their humans for giving us such a warm welcome into the Dogs With Blogs community! Charlie's dad has been a great help with technical support, too - and has made some very cool graphics for us! We also appreciate the interaction and support of our readers and fellow bloggers! You truly make this a more complete, enjoyable experience! Thank roooooooo, all!

Here I am in the backyard yesterday

Our wonderful friend Holly asked, "I have a question for the A04. Why are you always hooked up to your leashes when you are outside? Do you ever get to just run and play out there without them? Or, are your humans afraid you will escape?" Good question, Holly! We addressed this briefly in Ask the Ao4 VI - Leashes, Love and the LabraDave. (Hee hee hee!) Jazz & Dixie had asked if it was true that Sibes could never be trusted off-lead. Zim told them that it is certainly true and went on to explain that we are leashed unless we are in the house or are in the safety of our backyard.

Our backyard has a 6-foot fence with a concrete strip underneath - so it is Sibe safe... given that the gates are shut and locked. Our front yard is not fenced in, so any of the pix of us out there are going to show us with our leashes on. Sometimes we wear our leashes in the back yard, though Mom just drops them. That's usually because we've come from a walk and Mom drops our leashes or if Mom is trying to get us to cooperate for photos. Like the picture of Stormy at this link, Mom led her over to that part of the yard, then let her do her own thing. She just didn't unhook the leash. If we're just playing out there ... no leash. Except sometimes for the boys because they don't listen when Mom says it's time to go in. :)

Here I am exploring the yard yesterday. See how high the retaining wall is?

When we first had the backyard re-landscaped, we didn't know not to jump off the walls ... so the boys and I had our leashes trail behind us so Mom could grab them, give a little tug and a "no no!" if we were going to jump. (I still like to jump UP onto the walls!) Stormy knew not to do it; she's very smart!

Here I am, contemplating jumping.

See that pine tree down there? Oswald or one of his family members lives under it. They're EVERYWHERE!

I didn't see him or smell him, so I went off to check out another part of the yard.

I hope that answers your question, Holly! We really DO go un-leashed in the backyard ... but when Mom is trying to get us to pose for pictures, it's easier to get us where she wants us with our leashes on! Thanks for asking!

Love,
Amber