A strong start to the new year

 

I got to work right away on some of my New Year's resolutions -- specifically, those dealing with exercise and excretion.

  First, I took a very long walk with my associates Buddy and Killer.  By the end we were exhausted, especially me.  

I took a few hours to rest.

Then I undertook learning how to use the doggie door. 

It was fairly pleasant.  My training team had taped up one piece of the airlock door, so I only had to go through one layer of plastic.  

          

 I had a lot of encouragement from my trainers, and they arranged for me to enjoy delicious treats on the other side.  

       I was a heroic and outstanding student, if I do say so myself.

          
       So far, though, this is just an agreeable pastime involving intermittent reinforcement.  I have not yet reached a Helen Keller-"W-A-T-E-R"-type epiphany where I catch on that I should run out this door when I need to void my bowels.  Perhaps that will come later.  Or maybe not.  It's not an easy connection to make.