Cat-launch

When I let her out today, I didn't notice the black cat sitting under a tree.
She did.

Those cartoons, where you are launched into the air with feet flying behind you???
Yep. That was me.
There are deep brake tracks where the grass is churned up - that was me trying to stop her full tilt attack run.

The cat was long gone by the time she managed to come down to earth.
This is a much better upper arm workout than any gym could offer...
(the gentle leader I ordered is no luxury item)

So yes, Dharma remains upstairs for now.
First the chickens (she's mellowed towards them)
Then the rabbit (still triggers her, but not instantly any more - she can watch it for quite a few minutes before the impulse wins out and she tries to rush it)
Only then will I start to teach her to accept THIS cat.

Lots of work ahead.

Good progress: she understands her name now and comes when called (most of the time).
She will sit when commanded even though very grudgingly at times, and at glacial speeds when the reward is not big enough to suit her.

Sam behaved like an obnoxious teen today and still she remained calm and level in her response to him. I'm so very pleased by that.

She got less food today, and these past days Sam also received much less. She does require a surprising amount of food though, so I stocked up again today. At this point I'd rather have her a little overfed and dopey than hungry and jittery for food.

Tomorrow, we continue with the exposure to the chickens, a bit longer every time. I really hope the weather will improve so I can sit outside in a chair with her on the leash next to me. I still have the goat anchor, I might use that while she sits next to me, that will spare my arm.
I really hope it won't take too long for her to become habituated. Once she is calm around the animals outside, I'll allow her to approach them for a good sniff until even that becomes boring (as it did with Sam).