My job takes a hiatus over the summer, which means I get to stay home all day. That is not a skill I am good at. I need to be out doing something, preferably with a regular schedule, and contributing to society. So while I look for temporary summer employment, I have been thinking of goals to accomplish at home with the animals to keep me busy... and sane.- First, I will be petsitting my boyfriend's dogs in my home for three days a week. Marbella is a 70-lb. black Labrador/pit bull mix with the energy of a racehorse and the pull of a freight train. Addie is a chunky Chihuahua mix who adores all human beings. Together, they are a handful. Add my dog Bindi into the mix, it's a full-on rave party at Jay Gatsby's house. Anytime my boyfriend has come over with the dogs, we've suffered the syndrome of living in a house blockaded with gates, angry cats, dog crates, incessant whining, closed doors, and heated "discussions." It's difficult to put Marbella and Addie anywhere in the house outside of a dog crate because Addie pees on the carpet (has happened once already) and Marbella tears things up (has happened multiple times). These things don't really bother my boyfriend in his rental apartment, but I just purchased my home in December. It bothers me ... A LOT. And, our relationship suffers the consequences. So, one of the goals this summer is to work with Addie and Marbella at least three consecutive days a week on being housebroken, not chewing, getting along with Bindi, and learning how to be respectable dogs in my house (my boyfriend also lets them in the bed with him, and that's also a no-no here). They will also enjoy the benefits of getting outside more during the day while my boyfriend toils for 10 hours four days a week at his job.- Second, Makoa gets more exercise. Bunny floor time will be a much longer and more consistent activity around here now that I'll be home to supervise. According to my research, rabbits should get about three hours of floor time, or playtime outside of their cages, a day. That came as quite a shock when I first got Makoa. Three hours? Where does one find three hours of floor time between a job and caring for other animals? My friends, it is a big commitment, and the number one reason while rabbits are not Easter presents.I work really hard to make sure Makoa gets his floor time, and I think it's been better for my life. I'm outside more, I don't watch as much TV, and he has brought joy to my life. I'm definitely a rabbit person now. Since I'll be home over the summer, I'm excited to give him more floor time and start working on behavioral and trick training. I would first like to teach him how to hop over an obstacle like this . I doubt Makoa will ever compete like the rabbits in that video, but he will be ready! I'd also like to train Makoa to handle being picked up. Those will be our top two skills.- Third, get Chili Pepper to calm down. Chili Pepper is my younger chinchilla. He has a very heartbreaking, disturbing backstory I will tell one day. Because of his history, Chili Pepper is not a friendly chinchilla. He cannot handle being picked up, he doesn't want to be touched, and when he gets frustrated, he nips. I understand that pocket pets are prey animals, and they don't enjoy being carried around like a plush toy. I don't want to turn my chinchilla into a cuddle buddy. But, I do need to be able to pick him up and examine him from time to time to make sure he is healthy, doesn't have any injuries, etc. Right now, Chill will barely let me near him. Any time I have needed to make sure he's OK has been a conquest of agility, patience, and smarts. Usually, he wins. So, we need to fix that somehow.- Fourth, provide more physical activity for the cats. Since adopting all of the rodents and investing countless hours in floor time, the mini herd of cats has suffered from a lack of physical activity, especially the oldest. Maleficent, who just had her first birthday, and Castiel, who is about to turn three, usually keep each other in shape by bounding around the house after each other and wrestling. Sparta, however, will be turning 11 in August, and he is slowing down. I need to spend more time keeping his mind sharp as well as his joints and muscles moving with more interaction. All three will benefit from more "Mommy and Me" time.- Fifth, make Bindi an agility pro. There's a beautiful, hand-painted jump sitting in the yard. There's a massive fabric tunnel rolled up in the dog house. And, that's all they do. Sit there. This summer, Bindi will be using her agility equipment much more. I will get her moving and together, we will learn a few routines. She certainly needs the exercise, and she really needs the mental stimulation. Making an Australian cattle dog think and learn is very important to their overall health. I can't wait to see how much Bindi'll accomplish! Bin can also do with a bit of training refresher as I've been lack on the discipline between the new job last year, moving twice in the last 14 months, and the new relationship. I will keep you up-to-date of our progress.