Blue

The warden: 16 lb. ball of fur.

It turns out that since getting a dog I am far less productive than I was before. The main reason is that every time I go to do something, my 18" shadow appears. My dog Henry has made it his life's ambition to follow me everywhere, and whenever I attempt to do something he's there to try and interject himself.

Examples include gardening (where he decided he'd be helpful and dig a hole... which would have been nice if he didn't kick dirt all over the place), painting miniatures (where he not only tried to nibble on the metal mini, the paint container, and to sit in my lap while I'm trying to work, but also when I moved to the floor in front of the coffee table he decided to sit behind me on the couch and paw my shoulder for attention), and any time I try to use my computer in the "office" at home.

He's adorable but he's got a real problem with needing attention.

If I go outside to mow, he wants to come out and eat the lawn mower. If I try to go to the store he wants to ride along, which would be fine if he also didn't want to DRIVE.

Wish I had time for an obedience training school.

I've considered getting him a little friend, but I'm afraid that all of those hurdles I dodge with Henry I'd have to deal with for the new dog. Henry is house trained, doesn't bark (instead opting to growl at anything he finds objectionable), and does't eat furniture. Also Henry is territorial, so I'm afraid another dog might get pushed around by him, especially if I seem to be paying more attention to it than to him.

He's a great dog and I'm glad I got him. I just wish he could relax and do things without me for a while.