Doggy Daddy Boot-camp

"Can... Can I wake him up yet?
...How 'bout now?"

A little lost? Read our last chapter: +1 Equals More Fun!


Well, this morning Leia went to stretch and collapsed to the floor again. I think her back left leg either almost dislocated or just failed to support her. She limped on it for just a second and then was ok but I know how scary that can be. She placed herself at my feet and is resting. It worries me because I know her back hips look/feel fragile and don't want them to actually fully dislocate. Knowing this also sheds a bit more light on why she might be protective of her hindquarters.

In the mornings Leia has been pretty good about letting Daddy sleep once I get her up (right now the little anchor is laying on my foot) but sometimes she will sit near the door and peek in or look back and forth between me and the door as if to say "so, can I go get him up now?"

"Sniff" = potty time

This week has been about passing the torch to Tom. Next week he is taking on all of her care so we've been going over her routine. Leia is his first dog and he is loving it, but it does take some adjustment.

At night we have been practicing how to walk her and discussing which ways work best. At first Leia didn't respect him on the walk, because she just assumed "eh, you don't know how walks go sooo I'll just pull ya along." but soon she realized Daddy knew the rules and techniques too and began following him like she follows me. Passing along training tips opens communication between us and seems to help our relationship too.

I can tell Tom is proud and actually enjoying it. It gives him a chance to bond with her as well as establish that he and I (on the power tree) are at an equal level and Leia is bellow us, instead of the power tree a few days ago where it was Mommy at the top and Daddy and Leia were about equal (from her perspective). This is a much needed improvement and you can see it in how she behaves with him. She is challenging him a bit (just like she challenges me) but she is learning and He is making me proud.

(Practicing "Sit" and going on our walk)

On an amusing note, the other night it was time for Leia to get in bed. She was resting by the couch so I gently called for her. No dice. I picked up the treat box and shook it. With that, Leia leaped to her feet, ran to her crate, skidded in and stood wagging, waiting for her treat. I was pleasantly stunned. I had expected the noise to maybe get her to her feet and wandering over but this was even better. We praised her, gave her the cookie, and put her to bed.

She has been getting much better about bed time and isn't fussing at night anymore (as she has realized that he isn't leaving and so it's ok for us to go to bed at night, neither of us is "gone forever"). Sometimes she will dodge the crate the first time to see if maybe I'll give her the treat and let her just not go to be but when she realizes that isn't gonna happen, she settles in for bed time.

As far as her health goes, her ears are looking better, to me. She is doing well with the drops but still isn't a fan of cleaning. She loves her bed and toys and will often pile all her toys around her bed so she can just lay there and play with one at a time. She "detagged" all of her stuffed animals yesterday morning (and luckily did not eat the tags!).

We've just about killed her first 40lb bag of food (or was it 35lb?) and she is still eating well (especially when she gets peanut butter mixed in to the water we put over her food). 

 It's also amusing to consider how her love of toys has transformed. When she first came home she acted like she wasn't sure what to do with toys. Now, on a regular basis, she is running through the apartment thrashing her penguin or triceratops, batting her ball around, or chewing her bone. We are both thrilled with out girl and while training continues, she is definitely part of the family and a huge part of our lives.

Tom tries to plan things so we don't have to leave her alone for long and is interested in ways to continue her training. This is a big change for him because up until now, he has had two pets, a fish for about a week, and a street cat for about a day (until it was diagnosed with a terminal disease). I can tell he wants to be a good doggy-daddy and watching his compassion and care for her blossom is so cool.

While it has been a busy week, and I haven't had much time to post, it has also been an exciting one filled with growth and positive changes.


Read our next chapter together! –

+1 Equals More Fun!

A little lost? Read our last chapter:  2AM Summer Santa - Daddy's Home

Well a bit as expected, Leia has fallen back into so "bad habits" while adjusting to adding Daddy into the mix. At night she is just not ready for the party to be over and whines a little bit.

Today we tried a new path for out walk  (right instead of left) and Leia seemed to enjoy it. Of course, because it was a new path  she pulled a little at times (which is relative, because by pulled I mean tried to walk ahead of me, not dragged me like a dog sled.). At one point (I wish I'd had my camera) we came along a little wooded wall which lined the side of a grassy hill. Right as the wall reached about 3 ft tall, Leia leaped up in one good bounce to my dismay. She then walked the hill the entire length of the wall because frankly, I was worried she'd hurt herself if she jumped down. She loved it, running up above me, but when we could I had her hop down safely.

Leia: "If only all dogs could be so lucky"

I need to get a video of Leia with her new toys. I let Leia have a tennis ball in the house. She has been running around the house chasing after it and half crashing into things (like the bed, the kitchen table, and the wall). Got a video of her once she was half worn out playing with it but she is like a cat with a ball of yarn at full energy and will run through the house dribbling the tennis ball.

   We are still working on commands. She is learning "All done" as a command to let her know we're done petting. She loves loves loves her new doggy bed and her Daddy who gives her lots of love

 Today she did a bit better on the walk. We all went out to the mail together and she was more obedient this time. Later tonight we'll be going back out to the court to run around again (it was up to 95 today so we wanted to keep her off the pavement til after dark. We walked this morning when it was bellow 80).

"Make sure you get my awesome
tennis ball in the shot!"

I moved Leia's bed from the bedroom to a space in front of the  porch and between Tom and I. She's been having a good time playing with her new favorite free toy, her tennis ball (probably because it "plays back" and "runs away" when she drops it.).

 This girl is way too photogenic for my very basic camera skills but she always seems to notice when I am taking picture and will throw some poses.



 Today she was rolling around on her bed and forgot how much space she has on that bed. She rolled off her bed, on to her back and was wedged against the glass door, stuck like a turtle. With a little help from Daddy she was back on her pillow in no time.

She is settling into her new routine with both Daddy and I being a constant part of her life. She is less worries about where we go and might check in on someone who "stays" to another room but isn't deeply concerned about it, just curious. She did however, notify us that our garage door was open by standing by the wooden door and looking from it to us over and over until Tom noticed the light under the door. He asked me if I left a light on, which i couldn't remember doing, and so we checked and found the shutter open. Thanks girl!

She also found a beetle who she wanted to play with, but Mommy collected in a paper towel and tucked into the trash can. Her little fwend will not be visiting again, sorry baby.

All in all it has been a great week. I appoligize for not writing more but it is also Finals week for me. We also had some up's and down as the rescue pup we've been following (one of my transports) now has pneumonia and is fighting for his life, again, after/while having Parvo and my Dad was in the hospital for night and day.  Luckily Dad is fine and the pup, Bart, hasn't given up yet!

Leia continues to cope and adapt and love her new home. I couldn't be more thrilled with how she is adapting to having both of us home with her.

Read our next chapter together! – Doggy Daddy Boot-camp

2AM Summer Santa - Daddy's Home

A little lost? Read our last chapter: Quick update

Who's Summer Santa?

Well, last night was very exciting for Leia. As of 11PM she had no clue what was about to happen and tucked herself in to her crate (yep, this adorable girl puts herself to bed at night. It is adorable.) As midnight passed I quietly got up and locked the crate door as I normally do but this time I wasn't going to bed, I was preparing for her big surprise.

Almost two hours later there was a very soft tap at the door. Leia didn't even flinch because it was so quiet (the dryer settling makes more noise). I double checked to make sure the right "santa" was at the door, then let him in.  Tom was finally home, and it was time to meet his doggy-daughter.

Leia looked up and did her typical "woo woo" and quiet growls. It's more concern than aggression/defense, like her way of saying "Mom... mom who is that? Should he be in here?" We walked to the crate and put his hand alongside, letting her sniff. She'd sniff, thump her tail once, but then growl a little, as if to say "I think I want to trust you... but you're awfully new..." So I cracked out the big dogs, well, hotdog to be precise.

Tom gave her one or two pieces through the bars and then we let her out. I had her sniff again and showed him how to read her concern. At one point he was leaned over and her tail was tucking so I had him stand back up and sure enough, tail went to a less-stressed position. When she realized he not only had hotdog, but could pet her too, Leia was in heaven.

After a few moments of introductions we put her back in her crate (for safety) and got a few more things out of the car, including the presents Tom had brought her. The first was a Serta doggy bed he'd found at Sam's Club. The second was a pair of super durable stuffed toys (specifically designed to be rip resistant, because we weren't sure if she'd be a de-stuffer or not).

As soon as we were done with the car we let Leia back out and went to the bedroom to introduce her to her bed. Leia just wanted more petting! Tom laid down on the bed near the corner her doggy bed was at. At first Leia wasn't sure if she was "allowed" to get on the doggy bed so she tried to lean over it to get petted. I gave her a gentle push and she lay down on the dog bed cautiously, then reveled in it: "ohhhh mama, I like this guy he brings me awesome things..."

She rolled all over it and lifted her head to get pets. Then she noticed her new toy. She was cautious at first, so after a few moments I shook it and threw it across the room. It clicked, Leia went flying after it and brought it back, flopping on the bed and chewing away.

After a while we went back in the other room and Leia would walk back and forth between the rooms, splitting her time between begging for attention and love, chilling on her new comfy bed, and shaking her new triceratops (she has a blue stegosaurus that she'll get at a later date). She was SO happy she couldn't stop smiling.

When it was finally bed time she did go back to her crate (in the future we might have her sleep on the doggy bed) because I knew she was a little overwhelmed and could probably use the security of the crate (and partly to ensure she didn't keep us up all night because she was excited).

I love my new Daddy!

This was an AWESOME night!

She did fall back into a bad habit at bed time which was crying a little in her crate but who could blame her, she didn't want the fun to stop. I gave her a gentle correction and she calmed right down.

I couldn't be more pleased with how this introduction went. I think she knew he was someone very special to me, and that he wasn't a danger. I know it wore her out because I am writing this the morning after and normally she'd be ready to get out of her crate, instead she is out cold, having dreams. I think Leia had a great time, and this is the beginning of a great relationship, for all three of us.





Read our next chapter together! –   +1 Equals More Fun!

Quick update

 A little lost? Read our last chapter: V.E.T. and Lennox 

Well it's been almost 5 days with no update and that was because Mommy was super busy. 2 transports in 2 days! Leia couldn't come because she doesn't quite have all her shots yet (bordetella still to come as soon as she has been a few days without any sneezes, she had a minor minor cold and the vet thought it was better safe than sorry.)  She did great for being home for two fairly long periods. The first transport was about 4 hours and she did amazing. The second was supposed to only take about 4 but there was an emergency on transport and we racked up about 10 hours apart. NOT what I had intended but she was a very good girl.

Leia did great on her walk this morning. We had two bicyclists come up to us so I had her sit and while she was paying a bit too intense of attention (she wanted to bounce toward them but didn't) she did sit the entire time. She also greeted a young man who had a skateboard with him. I was going to have her sit on the grass but he asked if he could greet, so I told him how to greet her and she did very well. He asked what kind of dog and my guess (this time) was husky lab. He seemed very happy to meet her. Leia always turns heads, even people parked at a light will watch her pass. I think it's her eyes and that tail. With those powers combined she is irresistibly cute.

Sorry this is only a short update, rescue has taken a lot of my attention as we had some emergencies on/after a transport. More to come!

Read our next chapter together! –  2AM Summer Santa - Daddy's Home

V.E.T. and Lennox

A little lost? Read our last chapter : Furry Fury

Today Leia had a followup for her ears. Her right ear is doing better (went from a 1 to less than 1 ) and her left is a bit better (went from a 2+ to about a 1+). Leia also did better at the vet. She met a pit mix in the lobby who sniffed her butt. Leia growled but tolerated it. I corrected each growl but wasn't about to let her run. She did ok but we'll have to work on it.

We got into the exam room and then it was "party hat" time (muzzle.) She knew what was up this time and tried to back away. I offered to put it on and talked to her to keep her calm. Once her party hat was on it was time for a temp check and an ear check. She flinched a little but didn't growl. I had her focus on me and kept gently talking to her.

She was thrilled when it was all over and the vet gave us more or less good news. Getting better but not quite there yet. Follow up in about a month. Through out the visit I tried to help her remain calm and at one point she wanted to have me hold her paw, So I did and snapped a picture while I was at it.

We came home and Leia was happy to have some down time. After a few hours I prepared to clean her ears. She did well this time and laid down through out, even though I could feel her body go very tense. I can understand that, the ear cleaning is uncomfortable. 

After all that stress Leia was ready for a nap. Coming up soon, Leia's first Bath!  Oh boy that ought to be fun.


Tonight we are mourning the decision of Belfast to Kill Lennox, a dog who's only crime was looking like a pit. How is that a crime... he never bit anyone, he passed two temperament tests with flying colors, and even had volunteers to adopt him out of Ireland so he wouldn't "be breaking the law" by living. Lennox was practically stolen from his family and held for 2 years. The courts failed to see logic and condemned him to death.  It is a shame that any dog should be killed for the circumstances of their birth...

We decided to (very carefully) pose for a picture in honor of Lennox and his fight. 

It was featured on The Kindness Page as many stood vigil for Lennox in his last hours of life...

Read our next chapter together! – Quick update

Furry Fury

A little lost? Read our last chapter:  Locked Out! 
 

Well we had a rough start this morning. I opened Leia's crate and I think one of her legs was asleep because she went to get up and come out and instead collapsed into her water dish. I was stunned and worried but she got back to her her feet, now dripping in water, and carefully walked out. I grabbed a towel and dried her off but poor thing she was all upset about spilling her water.

So much so that when I walked through the kitchen to put the wet towel in the washer, I looked behind me to see Leia following. She knows she is not allowed in the kitchen but I think she just forgot and wanted to be close to me. I corrected her and sent her back out but I knew she was shaken.

The fur from one quick vacuum of the house. Ick!

Today we also vacuumed again today and good grief I never noticed how much she sheds (glad we got a furminator!). To add to it she is still not a fan of the vacuum. She is also not a fan of me going on the porch alone. I decide to secure the bar and vacuum up the dust. Leia had to make a choice, be near the vacuum or let me go alone. I decided to use myself as a cookie and it worked, she stayed near the open door, and the running vacuum in order to be near me. She seems more or less fine with it when it is off, but when it's on she wants nothing to do with it.

I forgot to mention that I trimmed some of her nails the other day. She wasn't a big fan of it but she held her ground and let me trim about 8 of her nails. the middle two nails are a good length and her back nails are mostly good so it's really just her dew claws and the outter two nails on the front paws.One of the benefits of walking your dog, it wears their nails down gently.

Tonight Leia stole trash for the first time.  She walked out of the bathroom with trash in her mouth and I immediately scolded her. It is always paper, or paper towels, or toilet paper. She knew she was in trouble from the moment I looked at her.

All in all it was a decent day. We had a nice night walk to try to calm down after I (her mama) had a rough evening. She is so good. It's like she knows when it's been a rough day.

 Read our next chapter together! – V.E.T. and Lennox

Locked Out!

A little lost? Read our last chapter: Sunny Saturdays

Adventure time! All in all our day was mostly uneventful. I went out to lunch with my cousin and Leia did really well on her own. I got home and we chilled for a while. This was when I decided, "ya know maybe I'll just sweep the porch before our walk" So I grabbed my broom, stepped out on the porch, and slid the door shut, leaving Leia inside.

 I swept the porch and then turned to check on Leia. She was sitting happily at the door. Then I noticed the security bar... down. I was locked out... all the doors were locked, my cell was in the house and the porch is screened in... My stomach flipped.

My Mom locked herself out
I was a good girl!

 I could break the screen but I'd still be locked out. Instead I called for someone to help me. One woman on the sidewalk (next to the main road) heard me and turned. I told her I was locked out and needed help. She shook her head "no." I pleaded with her that I needed someone to help me. She shook her head again. The third time I pleaded in spanish "Necesito ayuda, porfavor!" (Translation: "I need help, please!") and she just shook her head and walked away.

 Next a woman on a bike came down the hill on the same sidewalk. Again I called out and asked for help. Thank god this woman stopped. I explained (while almost shouting to be heard over traffic) that my security bar fell and locked me out and I really really needed someone to help me. She came in and saw for her self. She asked what she could do and I explained where the front office was. She checked but they were closed. Next she went looked for a golf cart or someone who looked like they could help.

While she was out a couple came by walking their dog and I asked if they could call the main line and leave a message on the emergency maintenance line. She did but when she left the message she only gave the apartment number (which by the way there are 12 different apartments with that number in the complex.) About this time the girl on the bike returned with a cop. Nice. She found him as he was coming home and he called the maintenance guys and convinced them that this was in fact, and emergency and they should send someone out. 15 minutes later the maintenance guy, an nice young man with dreads, came to the screen. He said he'd come in the apartment and open the bar. I explained that Leia was in the house (which he could see as she lay at the glass door) and that she might bark or possibly growl but I didn't expect her to be a problem, she'd be afraid of him and probably run away. He said it was cool and then went to the front door.

 I knew the moment he'd opened the door without seeing it happen. Leia jerked her head back and here eyes went wide as if to say "What the @#$%? How did he get in here!?" She barked and jumped back but held her ground after that. He sweet talked her and held out his hand. She cautiously sniffed and then stepped back so he could come open the door. I came in and she ran right to me. I caught her collar and thanked him profusely. He even came back after one more call to fix the door so the bar wont fall again. I thanked him again and then Leia and I went for a walk to help calm her (and me!) down.

Read our next chapter together! – Furry Fury 

Sunny Saturdays

A little lost? Read our last chapter:  My Baby You'll Be

Dogs can change the way we look at life.

To preface this story, yesterday on our walk we were passing a nice lady walking for exercise when Leia stealthily snatched a paper towel off the ground. I told Leia to drop it and she did and the lady laughed and said that that was one sneaky grab. We laughed about it and went our separate ways but this morning on our return home she was out walking again, this time with her husband. As we got close she said that she was just telling her husband about Leia. Both of them smiled at us and went on  but its kinda interesting how man friends Leia is making (and helping me make.)

Later we took a short walk to check the mail and maybe run a little bit on the tennis court. Leia did her typical polite entry to the court but it soon became apparent to me that something was different today. I let her of the leash and began walking. She looked at me several times quickly and then looked at the ground, the fence, and the trees. I didn't get it... I watched her and soon realized, normally in the evening there was shade in that corner. No shade at 1pm. She walked as close to the fence as she could and stood on a tiny shadow. I know she prefers shade but-- then I saw it. She picked up a paw, then switched. "DUH Mommy it is hot as heck on this surface. You have shoes on!" I knelt down and sure enough the pavement was pretty warm. I hurried over and when I lifted the leash she ran straight to me as if to say "Oh thank GOD let's go!" and even sat quickly so we could hurry out of the gate. I felt like a bad mom for not even thinking the pavement might be hot but now I know, unless it's a mild day, tennis court is a morning and evening only exercise opportunity.

This evening I made a longer leash by connecting 3 transport leashes together and attached them to Leia's leash. We went out on the lawn and I let her run around and sniff a little bit first then we worked on recall and training. About half way through our session a neighbor was out on his porch. I apologized for kinda stealing his peaceful moment outside but he said it was cool and mentioned that Leia looked a bit like "Air Bud." Hehe it seems like everyone that sees her relates to her positively, with the exception of course, of the woman and the boy who were afraid of dogs. I told them that was fine, we'd walk a different way and they appreciated it.

All in all it was a good day.

Read our next chapter together! –  Locked Out!

My Baby You'll Be

A little lost? Read our last chapter: Happy 4th of July!

"Thanks for my crate mama!"

Well, this is about 2 days worth of updates mainly because not a whole lot happened yesterday. Leia is in love with her crate when the blankie isn't in it. She has been laying around the house some but her crate is absolutely her den now. If she is scared she retreats into her crate.

In fact, today when we went to clean her ears the first thing she did was bolt into the crate. I will not pull her out because I want her to know that the crate is her safe-zone and if she is ever scared or stressed she can go there an nothing "bad" will happen to her, even if it is ear cleaning. Instead I'll sit outside the crate with cookies and call her out. Granted this takes a lot longer than just dragging her out, but it's worth it.

"Did you say something about a walk?"

Yesterday we got a "welcome" letter from Leia's vet which explains their services and thanks us for choosing them and it was hand signed with a note from her vet. Also included in the letter was a magnet with the vet's contact information as well as a card for their recommended 24 hour emergency center should we ever have a late night emergency.

"Hey mama, Pet me!"

I like this vet, they are kind, loving, and they plan ahead for us. I'm going to Google map the 24 hour emergency center and print off a copy for her folder so if we ever have an emergency we'll be ready (because I have a feeling we'll be panicking at the time).

A friend posted a Link today of a video called the Adoption Entrance Dance (click the name to see the video). Oh man did I cry all through the video because I knew who the "bride" would be. You MUST watch it, It's adorable. I truly believe this is how excited I feel on the inside every time one of the dogs I follow or help with goes home.

Today I did my first transport in 6 months for our rescue and Leia stayed home just because it's not time for her to ride along yet. She put herself in her crate and I gave her her Kong and locked the door.  She was fine. I calmly picked up my keys and walked into the garage, locking the door behind me. In the seconds it took to walk to the front seat of my car I heard this screaming and whining coming from the house. Honest to God it sounded like someone was beating her, but they weren't.

Taking pictures together!

She was just mad. I quietly walked back to the door, silently unlocked it and then put on my best "mad Mommy" face and opened the door: "Eh! No! Quiet!" She silenced and I walked right back out. No more crying (at least not while I was still there). I swear, my neighbors probably think we use her as a punching bag but we have never laid a hand on her. She just doesn't like being left behind, and who could blame her.

When I came home I walked in quietly and then after a few moments said hello to her. A while later I let her out and we played on the floor a little. It's cute, if I am on all fours and pat both hands on the floor she takes it as a play bow and  excitedly bounces around me. I love when she gets all bouncy because she has this look of absolute joy. It's SO good to see that in her eyes.

"I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be."
-Robert Munsch-

Before her dinner we went out to the tennis court and ran around. In the past she'd just kinda trotted after me but today she really ran and loved it. I discovered I can't let her come to a sudden stop, like when she runs to me and I stay still. If She does suddenly stop on the tennis court it scuffs the pads of her paws (like a rug burn). She had a great time and went and stood by the gate when she was ready to go. She sat with no problem and all in all I think she loved running on the court.

 We came home and took a few pictures. One of the last ones we took made me cry when I saw it. The picture (right) reminded me of a book my mom and I read "Love you forever" by Robert Munsch. The book is about a mother as she looks in on her baby (through various stages of life) as he sleeps and says the word shown bellow the picture on the right. If you want to hear the story click this link for a reading of the book by the author.

I remember reading this book with my mom and the words 

are a promise any parent or pet parent has in their heart (or should).

 

Read our next chapter together! – Sunny Saturdays

Happy 4th of July!

A little lost? Read our last chapter: Worms, I Hate worms.

Happy 4th of July!

Ok, it's not Leia, but it is cute!

This morning I cleaned Leia's ears before our walk. I think she was mad at me because she did not want to follow commands this morning. At the gate it took us a good 10 minutes of redirecting before she finally sat down and stayed down until I opened the gate and called her. I mean she even went as far as to sit and immediately stand up when I touched the gate. I literally had to push her butt down whiling giving the sit command and then make sure she stayed there until we walked through. Whew it was all I could do to remain patient but if I gave in and accepted the behavior I would have taught the wrong lesson.

She's doing well this morning, you'd never know she got her meds last night. Today on a midday walk we were walking home when a man in a hoodie (hood up). came running up behinds us. He was running to his car to avoid the rain but Leia turned and gave two low growly barks. I paused and had her calm down and told the guy (who looked stunned) that she was a little fearful about running (the whole truth being she gets a little scared but normally just hesitant. I think she was trying to protect me and herself. I appreciate it but also appreciate that she trusted my judgement, and when I told her to stop she did.).

"I get to have friends over!"

Today she had her first "in house" meet and great when my friends Becky and Dorje came over. Leia didn't bark at all. When they came in she backed up (after I put a leash on her, just in case) She looked at them a little cautiously, sniffed, and then ran and hid in her cage. That was ok, I don't mind her using a cage a her safe place. I chatted for just a moment with Becky and Dorje and then called Leia gently to come over. She came back over and sniffed a little more. I gave them cookies to give her and then we settled in.

Mama's happy camper!

Becky and I sat on the floor and Dorje on the couch. Leia decided to make friends with Becky first and sat beside her, begging for pets. We chatted the entire time and never restrained Leia so she was free to approach or run as she felt she needed to (but after the first time she ran in the crate she wasn't afraid again). After awhile she went from Becky to Dorje, stopping in with me for just a second. She sat sniffed for a moment and soon realized he'd pet her too and was a happy little camper. I am very proud of how she did.

We went on a walk afterwards and met the old chocolate lab again, this time with his owner and not her mother (who was sitting for him when we first met). They sniffed and did ok until the lab went to sniff her. She tucked her tail and tried to run, which makes me think that maybe her growling is in fact tail guarding. I still think maybe something happened where another dog/animal was behind her and attacked her.

Leia also coped well with the fireworks in the neighborhood. When one would pop she might freeze or jump to the side but she didn't bolt or go into a frenzy. I think it was a very fair response, especially for her first holiday in her new home. We'll work on having something cute for next year, like a patriotic bandana, or a flag she can hold, or something.

As we go through this day, please remember those who are are out, fighting for our country, those who have given their lives for our freedom and the men, women, and yes even the dogs of our military, rescue workers, our police force, and our paramedics and firemen who put their lives on the line every day to keep this country safe. Our Love and prayers go out to all of you, and your families, and the families of the fallen.

From Tom, Leia and I, Thank you!

Read our next chapter together! –

Worms, I Hate worms.

A little lost? Read our last chapter: Life Unleashed

This morning on our walk we ran into a little husky mix who was wearing a backpack and walking with his mom. He and Leia said hi and while his hi energy intimidated her a little she didn't growl but did kinda hide behind my legs.  We had a great chat and the lady thought Leia was just lovely and asked if maybe she had some husky in her. Sure why not! Lab Husky something something we really don't know.  It was a good meeting and we continued our walk.

Leia made a pit-stop at the halfway point of our walk and I went to clean it up and about died... worms... little white worms... Oh God... she has worms... are they tapeworms? Hookworms? Some worm I don't even know about? How sick is she? How did I not know!? I was panicking and walked home crying. I called the vet first thing and just from my description they are guessing it's tapeworm. She probably ate one of the fleas she had when she first got home and here we are, with tapeworm.

We'll pick up dewormer  in a little bit... I called mom right after the vet and cried again. I felt like a bad mommy for not knowing, or for letting her eat a flea, or whatever I could find a way to make me feel guilty for. I'm just glad this is treatable, and hopefully with minimal side effects.

On a slightly happier note, Leia slept without her blankie last night and I think, when she is warm/hot she prefers her crate that way. It's a nice cool slick surface for her to lay on.

We made our way to the vet and picked up her meds. Should be one big dose tonight and then she should be ok in a few days. At the vet she did pretty well since it was just a walk in and pickup kind of thing. She encountered a few dogs and did growl and one little pup which I corrected and then she stopped. In this case yet again she was fine sniffing the pup but when the pup went to sniff her rear she growled. Another lady was just asking me how I corrected her for growling when she growled at the pup. I guess showing is the best way to teach but still frustrated that Leia growled. She'll have to get over it. Dog's sniff.

Went grocery shopping and she did pretty well but was a little upset when I had to leave not 5 minutes after coming home cause a jelly jar shattered... (Gr!). When I came back we went for a quick walk and bumped in to a man with a cane (I believe he is the on who owns the pug pup). He (as well as one other man) said  she was beautiful and mentioned that he sees me walking her all the time and that he though it looked like I was training her too. I confirmed that I was working on training with her. It's always nice to have others appreciate the work your doing or notice it without reason.

Leia didn't mind having "two" dinners (really  it was 2 bowls of only a 1/2 portion) and especially liked having dessert between. Although, dessert was actually her 5 pills covered in a small amount of peanut butter. She's been resting in her crate (by her own choice) all afternoon minus our walks.

She also had a few big new experiences today. We had our first visitor to the door, a young man trying to sell newspapers for college (I felt bad to have to say no). Leia was in her crate when I heard the knock so I calmly waited a moment, then stood, walked to her crate and locked the door, then walked to the door and answered it. She barked a little but took correction fairly well. She'd pause a while and then you'd hear another woof. We'll work on it.

Leia also, FINALLY experienced her first thunder storm. It was a little one but there were a few good rumbles. Leia was a bit more active than normal and about 20 minutes before it started she was crying a little but after it began she calmed and road it out really well. Leia also had her first skype chat tonight. I was talking to Alex and his mom and she came over and hopped in screen. Then she heard their voices and got a little concerned. She backed away for a bit but with coaxing she came back and hung out. She continues to amaze me in so many ways. Tomorrow will be another "first" as she will be experiencing a ton of fireworks. She's heard one or two but tomorrow should be full blown.  We'll be fine in the long run, just have to ensure it is as easy as possible.

All in all, today was full of big ups and downs. Walks, worms, crate training successes, growling set backs, double dinners, medical desserts, first visitor, first storm, and Leia's first actual appearance on skype. Even though it began painfully with the discovery of her sickness, all in all it was a good day. Now we'll settle down for an evening of TV and relaxation, and maybe a cookie or two for the girl.

Read our next chapter together! – Happy 4th of July!

Life Unleashed

A little lost? Read our last chapter: All Choked up  

Leia and I discovered the lawn men hit the wall...

Damage to the wall... oops!

Well our walk this morning was eventful to say the least. We decide to walk around the complex where there was more shade so she wouldn't be quite so hot.  We discovered the lawn guys were out and about and apparently, can't dodge a wall...

We were almost half way around the outer path when I saw a lady walking two Boston terriers off leash (...awesome). Unsure of how Leia would react I decided we'd just dodge along the inner path. I mean they seemed nice enough but hey, I didn't want a complicated walk. Well... nothing is ever that easy. 

We also saw ducks!

Ducks!

   

Half way down the back stretch we went back to the outer path and sure enough, they were probably 10 meters behind us. Leia didn't seem too phased but the female Boston (Bella?) began running up. I snapped and pointed and she froze but only for a moment. 

Her owner was calling, and pleading, but Bella would not be stopped. Her male partner (her mate?) let  his owner get his collar but Bella wasn't having it. I told her owner (calmly) that Leia was normally ok with other dogs but sometimes she got growly. 

The girl was apologizing for not having control of her dogs (but somehow I don't think she realized the danger of this. If Bella had run up to a truly aggressive dog of Leia's size that could have been the end of her.). 

Chilling by the lake

hehe fountain out of her head.

She came right up and she and Leia sniffed each other (uneventfully) and the male came up too. Bella took to it well until I helped the girl get a hold of Bella's collar. As soon as I touched it Leia growled a little. I corrected her and she stopped (whew!) and the I handed control of Bella back over to the girl. The initial introductions did go well and Leia didn't get up set about the dogs sniffing her (she wasn't super confident but she wasn't terrified either).

At home we cleaned her ears and she was NOT thrilled. In fact, and one point she shook her head and slingshotted the cotton ball across the room. She did try to run away but the leash brought her back. No yelping, no screaming, just her hopes for it to be over and done with as soon as possible.

"Um, mom, the lawn men are coming..."

A Beautiful Sunset

Our Fountain

9:15 PM - Oh my lord what is this, National Off-leash day? We had barely gotten 10 ft from our front door this time when I heard a guy around my age yell "Bruiser! Get back here!" I froze, I knew a dog was coming... but what was it that was coming? "Bruiser" sounded like it should be a huge mastiff or maybe a boxer but as I turned around I saw, charging forward down the sidewalk a good 20 ft ahead of his owner, a black and tan Miniature Dachshund. 

I did the typical "point and 'shh' to pause" but this had  no affect on the determined doxie named Bruiser. He ran right up and circled Leia sniffing. Leia just stood and stared at him and his terrier friend (who was able to sniff as his owner got a hold on Bruiser). When he picked up little Bruiser he began barking and "screaming" (not actually shrieking but a loud long vocalization sort of like a howl). Leia was utterly confused but no growling this time. 

 

Being a Good Girl

Happy Face in the middle of "cuddle and pet" time

Of course the guy apologized profusely and I said, again, that it was ok, they get distracted. I also mentioned that back home we had a doxie who also screamed about other dogs (even though I think Bruiser's scream was more about being restrained from greeting). Who would think that TWICE in one day we'd have to face "rogue dogs." 

In other news, there was a beautiful sunset tonight. Also Leia heard her first fireworks (even though they were rather far away). She looked up but didn't freak out, just paused, listened, and moved on. Hoping this bodes well for the 4th but we will see, she may very well decide  that far away they are ok but not in her neighborhood. Either way, glad I'll be able to be with her for it. All in all today was full of doggy meet-&-greet and pictures, lots and lots of pictures. A good day.

Rolling around on the floor together

 Read our next chapter together! – Worms, I Hate worms.