how's the chicken?

I'm starting to get why people like dogs.  Perhaps its all the lap naps.  Or maybe it's the way they spring at your knees and wag and wag.  Or maybe it's the huge kick they get out of playing with rocks.  It's a mixture of things I'm sure.  I will say the whole training business is work.  Following The Chicken's little butt around while she sniffs is at the least fairly inglorious, and my chanting of the mantra "Go potty... go potty... go potty..."  just makes me want to pee.She's getting into a rebellious stage that amounts to me spending half our time together chasing her.  Earlier today I left her in the office for five minutes while I went and mailed something.  And of course, while the entire office was eating lunch around her, she did a big show and pooped right in front of them.  I laughed hysterically at the fact that in a small room full of 10 human beings she can still sneak around and turd them, but overall I'd say that this is working against that endear-The-Chicken-to-the-coworkers-so-The-Chicken-can-roost-by-my-desk strategy.She's doing great at home though.  My little landsisters, aged 4 and 6, are finally, after one month, willing to touch her.  The 6 year-old still runs screaming from the football sized pooch but in that conjured fear way that makes a simple game of chase into a run-for-your-life-the-monster-is-after-me feat of bravery.  The Chicken loves the attention and for some reason won't run from the 4 year-old when she comes calling despite the fact that the littlest landsister likes to tote her like a rag doll.  The Chicken wags under her grip, slides down the tiny landsister's cotton leggings until she's got her by the chin and one elbow with hips bumping against her knee.  I get to play older brother, a role I miss beyond words (here's to you, far away Squishter), and the four of us play in the garden while my landfather turns dirt and plants potatoes.  We play until the landmother calls the girls in from the swiftly cooling night.  After they run inside, I deposit The Chicken in her kennel nest and go inside for a late dinner of pizza rolls and an episode of Heroes.