We're Getting Balanced...

We have been working on our balance disk - trying for all four feet on. Vinnie doesn't seem to be scared of it at all - which is good. We're getting pretty darn close. I think the little balance pod thingies may go back to Clean Run - they are pretty little. I think I would rather get another one of the balance disks and try for two feet on each... but in the meantime... this was fun:

Countdown to balance

How can you look into this face and not want to SQUEEZE him???

Two more days until we are balanced! (or not!! LOL). The big brown truck is bringing Vinnie's package from Clean Run on Wednesday. I love the big brown truck!!

I have been working with Vinnie on the four foot board (with 1" PVC under it). I have to keep one foot on the PVC so it doesn't roll and I put my other foot under the up side so it doesn't bang (seriously... Vinnie's probably pretty lucky I have not fallen on him yet!). He is really not liking any movement under his feet at all. I think for the next session, I'll get out a blanket or towel to deaden the sound and sit on the floor with him instead of standing. He was pretty good today - he's putting a foot on the up side and staying there for his treat. Next time, we'll try for two feet on the board!!

balance...

One of the things Vinnie is going to be working on over the winter is moving objects... uh... the objects won't be moving... kinda. He doesn't really favor the teeter after scaring himself a bit in class over the summer, so we're going back to square one with a VERY tiny teeter - a four foot board on a one inch PVC pipe. I got another idea while watching a video... those fun balance balls come in a flat sided disk and are great for exercise and some mild movement under the feet. I ordered a larger disk type that is 12 inches in diameter (this one has the bumpy side up - the other side is smoother and we'll probably keep the bumps down!):

And, I also ordered a smaller "domier" (is that a word?) set of two - mine will be purple. Tammy will be happy to know that orange was an option!! I just figured the purple would not show the dirt as much (always have to be practical!)

My plan is to start with the flatter disk and to SLOWLY get Vinnie to balance on it, then have him put two feet on the disk and two feet on one of the domes, then maybe turn them over so there is a bit more movement and go from there. You know what they say about the best laid plans, right? So Vinnie and I are going to play this by his rules and see how comfortable he is with things and move at his speed.

After I had ordered these I realized they might also serve another purpose - Frank will probably get some time on the disk and domes too. His rear has always been rather weak due to the surgeries and I think this might be good for him. I'll have to do some research into different exercises and see what we come up with!