Goya stood up by himself!!!!

We were sitting outside Starbucks this morning and Gary came out with Goya's normal treat, a white cheddar brioche, and sat down a few feet from where Goya was lying. I went in to wash the dog drool off my hands before eating and when I came out again, Gary said "You missed it! Goya got up and walked over to me to get his brioche!" We were so happy tat we decided to buy Goya another brioche as motivation after we had finished our own breakfast (giving him about half an hour to rest). Sure enough, when I brought the brioche out, and stood about 10 feet from him (after showing him the brioche close up, of course), he got up and walked ov er to me to get it. This seems like the last major breakthrough!!!!

The conditions fopr him doing this were favorable. It was flat sidewalk, not a grassy hill which has beenthe only surface he's been able to get up on before. But Starbucks has a very rough pebbly concrete outside by the tables, so it is an easier surface than most for pushing against. And, bext of all, it was about 65deg instead of the 85deg it had been last week in the mornings. We all felt more energetic this morning.

We are hoping for steady progress from here on in the standing up department. Starbucks will certainly get our business every morning!