You can teach a dog new tricks.

Tonight marked the first time that Mae rolled over from her back to her front. It took quite of bit of coaxing and a little trickery from me but she did it!! As I have said, she doesn't roll. She has done front to back but not the other way. I thought she wouldn't do it because it was a dog trick. It happened during naked time, a nightly ritual where Mae gets to spend time just being in her birthday suit. She loves this time of day and I fear we are encouraging her to be a nudist one day, where she will hang out at Doe Bay but that is another topic for another day.

Tonight started like most, Mae did some time on her tummy, stood for a little bit, then I decided to get out the "egg" shakers (thanks Aunt Heather for them). Mae and I shook them while I sang 'Shake your Boottie" and 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' (a little more appropriate for her age). Then I decided to lay her down and take the shaker away from her (I know not very nice). I placed the shaker above her head (right side) just a little out of reach. She went for it but when she realized she couldn't get to it she gave up. Then I started the coaxing. I started shaking it on the floor right above her head encouraging her to "get it." A couple more failed attempts. So I decided to try the left side. Same thing, she went for it, got half on her side, and realized that she still wasn't going to get it. She started to get a little frustrated, turned red, but kept trying and trying. I stuck with it too. I knew that I could help her roll over or easier yet, i could place the shaker so that she could get it. BUT that wouldn't be her doing it on her own. And FINALLY after many more attempts she did it. Success. I am so proud of Mae and despite her frustration, she stuck with it. I think she might be stubborn like her Dad (and Mom :)