I Think I May Have Just Played It Forward!

Pleeeease Mom!

You know when you read the odd post on a Facebook Group Page, and you're not one hundred percent sure you're understanding what it's all about. Like, you think you know but you don't trust that you got it right and you don't want to look a complete numpty? Well, that's how I felt reading posts about little events that turned out pretty good when someone figured they'd break the rule a bit, or try something a bit earlier than might be suggested, followed by the phrase, "I played it forward".

Well, today my friends I think I did just that! We played it forward and what's more we won! Now don't get out the champagne yet. It may have been a fluke. It may well be that The Boy has taken on board what is acceptable in light of recent 'games' and he may just as likely forget again if I tried the same thing tomorrow. But ... and here's the thing ... we had success in this one instance. What the heck am I waffling on about now you'd like to know, right? Car journeys!

After my mini melt down last week when those pozzie pants were temporarily hanging on the washing line, I have been taking Lucky Dog on various short journeys to nowhere. We've been sitting like a couple of hobos in little pull ins on the side of the highway eating snacks and whispering soothing words to ourselves. All exciting journeys have been off the agenda. However, this afternoon at three twenty, two big brown eyes looked pleadingly into mine. You see whenever I have the van for errands etc. it means taking The Hubster to work at early o'clock ... it also means collecting him again at three thirty.

Anyone who knows me really well knows that I have all the breaking restraint of a soggy Kit-Kat. I just couldn't do it. The Hubster was sad because he missed his boy racing to the office door to greet him. Lucky Dog clearly was feeling the same. So I caved in. I didn't mention the words, "Come on let's go get dad." I just let him follow me calmly to the car where he jumped in his crate. We set of down the lane and turned onto the highway. He didn't lay down in his crate and chill out totally ... but he did sit and, much more importantly, we did the whole seven kilometers without so much as a whimper!

It was my intention that we would remain in the van and not get all fizzy about greeting dad. But, to be honest I was just so spilling over with pride, how could I not let him out to do what he loves after that fantastic result? Amazingly, instead of racing like a whippet up the driveway to the office door he trotted with obvious pleasure, but not frantic excitement, to greet his dad! Back in the vehicle and home, same thing save for just one tiny whimper of excitement as we turned off the highway into the lane.

Now, I am fully aware that we need to continue with our journeys to nowhere for a while yet ... but what a breakthrough! The big test will be on the fourteenth of September when we have to take the kids to the airport when they go back to the U.K. and he has to go to the boarding kennels ... a nice little two and a half hours on the highway. After today I really am hopeful that we can do this.

Did we play it forward and win? What do you guys think? Or have I totally sabotaged my efforts?