Day after Labor day and we celebrated with long walk, sitting on patio and eating dog bone-shaped ice cubes.
Tony will be with us almost a year. Each day I reflect ....... am I too boring? Would another family be better for Tony? I look at his face - do i see happiness? At least the dog version of happy. I would love to know what his life was like before. Did his family tell him he was a "good dog" or did they just put him in his crate? I've discovered that he LOVES to sit on the patio's lounge chair. He looks so content - did he do this before?
Molly always seemed to look for her people. It took a long time before she would relax with me and stop searching for them - it was heart breaking.
Tony on the other hand doesn't look in the distance. He walks right next to me. He revels in the food I serve. He protects me. Does that mean my home is a better fit for him? Or that he is given more freedom to be himself?
It is a mystery.
September 7, 2010
June 1, 2010
June 1, 2010
I think it was a good doggie holiday weekend even though we had a few bumps - not on our part but on the perception of others.
First, Tony got in a fight with another dog. The good part was he didn't start it. Tony was being nice and the other dog jumped on him. Second one of my other neighbors hinted that he was mean -NOT!. Tony was tuckered out after the excitement of watching chipmunks all day. I don't know if the chipmunks know how hard he works tracking the little furry creatures - he could do it all day!
First, Tony got in a fight with another dog. The good part was he didn't start it. Tony was being nice and the other dog jumped on him. Second one of my other neighbors hinted that he was mean -NOT!. Tony was tuckered out after the excitement of watching chipmunks all day. I don't know if the chipmunks know how hard he works tracking the little furry creatures - he could do it all day!
April 22, 2010
April 22, 2010
Molly's birthday! She is 9 - here's where everyone goes "where did the time go?" - for Molly and me it's true! I adopted her from PAWS in Mokena, January 14, 2002. I just can't believe we've been with each other that long. I still remember driving her home in the car with her shelter leash on thinking "what have I done?" will I be a good dog mom? and now ..........
Can one dog be more of a companion than my Molly? I don't think it's possible. Truly, my life has become "Everything for a dog"........ I make no excuses for that.
Happy Birthday Molly!
March 29, 2010
Another milestone
Tony does not like anyone coming to the front door and ringing the bell. So on Sunday when a friend, Mike, stopped by I was presented with a teachable moment.
Here's how it evolved ........ Doorbell rings, Cujo reigns supreme, a little squirt from the water bottle, settling down and goes into room. I let Mike come in and give him a handful of treats. I bring Tony out and tell Mike start tossing treats. Wow - Tony was fine, as a matter of fact I was able to let him run around freely. He went right over to Mike and rolled over onto his back for a belly rub.
Here's how it evolved ........ Doorbell rings, Cujo reigns supreme, a little squirt from the water bottle, settling down and goes into room. I let Mike come in and give him a handful of treats. I bring Tony out and tell Mike start tossing treats. Wow - Tony was fine, as a matter of fact I was able to let him run around freely. He went right over to Mike and rolled over onto his back for a belly rub.
March 28, 2010
Pesky problem
Door bell rings = Tony goes nuts. I don't get that many people coming to my door so we don't get much practice. Today I discovered a new approach to the door issue - my trusty squirt water bottle. Door bell rang, Tony goes nuts, I give command, Tony maintains the high level of alert, Tony gets a little squirt from the bottle. It worked! Treats did not because of the high level of alert but the little shot from the bottle broke his concentration so he could listen to me. Let's hope this will work because it is a great tool. Allows me to effectively address his bad habit.
I so wished I could have taken Molly and Tony to Midday Madness, maybe next year.
I so wished I could have taken Molly and Tony to Midday Madness, maybe next year.
March 15, 2010
March 6, 2010
Doggie Review
Almost at the 6 month mark .......... Tony has made such wonderful progress. Many of his bad habits are slowly disappearing. Thanks to lots of hard work, diligence and patience on everyone's part. He is a wonderful little dog. I thank God that Molly and I discovered him. I think he really appreciates his new family, too.
March 4, 2010
Over 5 months!
I am so blessed by my two little doggies. The other day I had a very bad day at work but when I walked in the door everything melted away. Their faces just fill up with love lights. I smile at them and then we just being together.
February 14, 2010
Valentine's Day Weekend
I've been home for the whole weekend (very unusual for me) and the dogs had lots of quality time together.
I watched as Molly, during a play moment, rolled over on her back and showed her belly to Tony. Wow! That move was inspiring. I know she doesn't like to be that vulnerable. It took a long time for me to teach her to roll over because she just doesn't like that position.
We also had another moment where I actually had two dogs curled up with me on the couch. They snoozed and I watched the NASCAR race. Up to this point they would snooze on the couch but usually they would separate themselves with a good bit of distance. This time they both curled up next to me and in close proximity to each other. I considered that to be a plus!
I watched as Molly, during a play moment, rolled over on her back and showed her belly to Tony. Wow! That move was inspiring. I know she doesn't like to be that vulnerable. It took a long time for me to teach her to roll over because she just doesn't like that position.
We also had another moment where I actually had two dogs curled up with me on the couch. They snoozed and I watched the NASCAR race. Up to this point they would snooze on the couch but usually they would separate themselves with a good bit of distance. This time they both curled up next to me and in close proximity to each other. I considered that to be a plus!
February 9, 2010
Tuesday
We've had lots of snow here and my two dogs just love it. Tony is a joy to watch as he plows alongs and throws the snow around. He looks so happy!
Molly still enjoys the deep snow, the deeper the better! She does not want to stop exploring every single drift. I wonder if everything has a more intense smell because both dogs love to stick their muzzles deep into the snow and then snuffle! It almost seems that they are trying to absorb the snow smell as deeply as they can.
Both dogs are on 40 foot leashes. They are able to leap, run, bounce, tunnel with happy wagging tails and grinning faces.
Molly still enjoys the deep snow, the deeper the better! She does not want to stop exploring every single drift. I wonder if everything has a more intense smell because both dogs love to stick their muzzles deep into the snow and then snuffle! It almost seems that they are trying to absorb the snow smell as deeply as they can.
Both dogs are on 40 foot leashes. They are able to leap, run, bounce, tunnel with happy wagging tails and grinning faces.
February 7, 2010
Saturday,
Tony cried last night at bedtime - why? Just when I thought he had settled down he does something new.
Good news .... he doesn't sit in his room waiting for food to arrive. Now he waits out in the kitchen with Molly but the excitement gets too much for him when I stir the bowls because then he runs into his room and cries - I am a great doggie chef!!!!!
Good news .... he doesn't sit in his room waiting for food to arrive. Now he waits out in the kitchen with Molly but the excitement gets too much for him when I stir the bowls because then he runs into his room and cries - I am a great doggie chef!!!!!
January 30, 2010
Saturday
Well the two dogs have had a very busy day. We had a newspaper man come to the door - wow, Tony didn't like it very much but the good news was ........ he listened to me when I re-directed his energy. He went into his "room" like a good little dog and he didn't put up a fuss when he was in there.
Later we walked to Jewel and Tony did a great job of staying focused on my commands and not barking at everyone he saw. We even had shopping carts get close and Tony was okay with it. Tony is also letting me touch his feet and back legs more each day. He responds well to a calm voice. He also has pretty well stopped trying to "mouth" my hand when it's near. We do not play any mouth to hand games but we do play alot of games with his toys.
The Two Dogs are thanking Auntie Geri for more food ......... I had put them on a diet (half the normal food amount, twice a day) and they didn't like it. Molly showed her displeasure by eating socks, headbands, paper towels, sewing projects - anything she could get her mouth around. More food has definitely put Molly in a relaxed state. Tony didn't show his concern as much - even though he REALLY likes my cookin'!
Later we walked to Jewel and Tony did a great job of staying focused on my commands and not barking at everyone he saw. We even had shopping carts get close and Tony was okay with it. Tony is also letting me touch his feet and back legs more each day. He responds well to a calm voice. He also has pretty well stopped trying to "mouth" my hand when it's near. We do not play any mouth to hand games but we do play alot of games with his toys.
The Two Dogs are thanking Auntie Geri for more food ......... I had put them on a diet (half the normal food amount, twice a day) and they didn't like it. Molly showed her displeasure by eating socks, headbands, paper towels, sewing projects - anything she could get her mouth around. More food has definitely put Molly in a relaxed state. Tony didn't show his concern as much - even though he REALLY likes my cookin'!
January 25, 2010
Jan. 25, 2010
Tony - what can I say about this rambunctious boy? He is funny and quirky and loving. He is respectful to Molly and me. He learns very quickly and he isn't headstrong about commands.
He loves the snow and rain. He even likes to walk through deep puddles with his huge snowshoe like feet.
His potty habits get better every day.
And he LOVES my "cooking". I don't know what he ate before but meal time is a big deal and yet he works with the pecking order of food prep. He never tries to take food away from Molly. If she is eating he will give her space, keep his head down and walk right by the food bowl but when she is done he will go back and give the bowl a few licks to make sure Molly's bowl is clean. Molly does not mind at all.
His one big quirk is being our protector when we walk (Molly loves everyone, she doesn't disqualify anyone for a lick). Tony does not like anyone coming at us while we walk. I can quiet him and then talk to the person. If the person keeps walking towards us and/or tries to pet Tony he will not hesitate to defend us. Here's the odd thing that I've noticed about people - why would you try to pet a dog that is obviously telling you "stay away until I feel less threatened". It keeps happening to us - Tony looks like Cujo on a leash and people will say can I pet your dog. I say "No, he will bite you!" and then they still keep coming toward us. It boggles my mind. I would never pet a dog in an agitated state.
This will be a project for us. Helping Tony relax because I don't think he was as socialized as I was led to believe. I think his previous owners kept him in his cage a lot.
His good points keep stacking up.
Progress meter ........ for the first month or so Tony would spend his "free" time in his room now when he's "free" he sits/sleeps wherever we are in the house. He loves to be with us - it's exactly what I hoped Molly and I could do for a wonderful little dog.
He loves the snow and rain. He even likes to walk through deep puddles with his huge snowshoe like feet.
His potty habits get better every day.
And he LOVES my "cooking". I don't know what he ate before but meal time is a big deal and yet he works with the pecking order of food prep. He never tries to take food away from Molly. If she is eating he will give her space, keep his head down and walk right by the food bowl but when she is done he will go back and give the bowl a few licks to make sure Molly's bowl is clean. Molly does not mind at all.
His one big quirk is being our protector when we walk (Molly loves everyone, she doesn't disqualify anyone for a lick). Tony does not like anyone coming at us while we walk. I can quiet him and then talk to the person. If the person keeps walking towards us and/or tries to pet Tony he will not hesitate to defend us. Here's the odd thing that I've noticed about people - why would you try to pet a dog that is obviously telling you "stay away until I feel less threatened". It keeps happening to us - Tony looks like Cujo on a leash and people will say can I pet your dog. I say "No, he will bite you!" and then they still keep coming toward us. It boggles my mind. I would never pet a dog in an agitated state.
This will be a project for us. Helping Tony relax because I don't think he was as socialized as I was led to believe. I think his previous owners kept him in his cage a lot.
His good points keep stacking up.
Progress meter ........ for the first month or so Tony would spend his "free" time in his room now when he's "free" he sits/sleeps wherever we are in the house. He loves to be with us - it's exactly what I hoped Molly and I could do for a wonderful little dog.
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