first the kong....
....then the pressed rawhide...
...then the marrow bone from earlier today....
...then the hoof...
Moo has her own form of ADD when it comes to chewing treats!! We love our Moo!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Moo loves to chew
Meanwhile while Ori was going crazy over loofa dog, Molly was taking some time to chew....
Loofa Dog!!!!
So Nick and I went out for a little bit this evening and ended up at TJ Maxx....of course we found the doggy stuff and lo and behold, there was a giant lavender loofa dog for $4!!! Well, I don't think I need to say anything else. Her eyes got so wide when we walked through the door....these pictures speak for themselves...
Her paw has been on loofa all night
not sharing tonight!
Aren't I beautiful?!
stop da flashes mom!
What's that?
I'll get you loofa dog!
take that!
She's even smiling like loofa dog!
Look at those teefers!
almost getting sleepy
she brought loofa dog on the couch and is sleeping on top of him so to make sure he stays around
yup, she may have found a new favorite toy....
I took loofa dog with us to go out and potty and she went down a few of the top stairs and then a few of the bottom stairs as well. She really is quite careful and I'm pretty sure she is going to be able to go down these stairs at some point. We're just taking it slow and doing our best to have all good experiences going down the stairs. I also learned that Ori can't pee with loofa in her mouth. (but I'm still smarter than the dog and can hide loofa behind my back so she will pee!)
catching up on some pics
Ori and Moo are always doing fun and goofy things around the house. We do our best to catch them on film...
Sometimes Molly is anti social and she prefers her own space in O's crate
Apparently I'm on Ori's spot
Hussy!! She does love her belly rubbed. She also loves to roll around on the floor and looks just as happy as happy can be
yup, Ori has claimed that side of the couch. If we're sitting there and get up, she moves so fast!
ahh, so comfy!
My girls really loved chewing on marrow bones and bullys today. Moo chewed on the bully literally for hours until she finished it off. I took a nap on the couch and O kept jumping up to snuggle then got down....then up, then down. Then Moo came up and snuggled in...then O came back and landed on my head. Silly girls!
Having Fun
Ori has a zest and courage for life that Nick and I are beginning to think is "standard" in dogs with what most would consider a "limitation." Every morning she wakes up excited for the new day and what new adventures lay ahead of her. She explores with excitement and energy and I can't help but laugh and smile even when I lose a beloved 30 minutes of morning sleep as a result.
It wasn't too long ago that Ori couldn't jump up on the couch, climb stairs, or play for more than 5 min at a time. We're not sure when exactly Ori turned in the energizer jumping bunny, but regardless she is there! She propels herself onto our bed (sometimes landing on my head) and races Molly up the stairs. She jumps into my lap and food plate on the couch without hesitation. She does a better sliding stop and roll back than most reining horses! She lands gracefully and knows when to "tuck and roll" rather than land on her 1 front paw if she needs to.
She is so stinkin' cute! her latest trick is crawling under the bed and "rescuing" stuffed animals. She looks like she has won the lottery each time she emerges with a new one. She snuggles in bed like she has her entire life and even does the "dead weight" act like Tink did when she doesn't want to be moved.
Molly is being a fabulous big sister and is teaching Ori all kinds of great how to act around the house moves....with only an occasional bad habit. : ) We've added some hamburger with some fat in it in hopes of adding some weight to her. Nick and I both think it's beginning to show some positive improvement. Not quite as bony. We're taking it slowly, but hopefully in another 2 weeks or so our bony skinny minny will be a thing of the past. She's acting pretty good, although we all tend to sleep better if Molly is crated as some nights she makes her way into our bed by 1am...and then pants and kicks getting comfy the rest of the night. Ha, how we love you Moo!
Both girls are loving the new bone and hoof collection although like true sisters they only want the one the other has. Some days become a never ending tag team of Molly chew, Ori chew, Molly chew, Ori chew. Heaven forbid they chew a different item : ) But hey, it keeps them busy!
However, hands down, my favorite part of the day is in the evenings after dinner, clean up, walks, and everything else that happens around here. Both girls jump up on the couch with me, usually 1 on each side. Sometimes I am fortunate enough to get a real snuggly Moo and O and we snuggle in real close with their heads in my lap and I gently pet them all of us content. Moments like that I feel that Tink is smiling and loving that Ori and Moo are here to help keep her Mommy smiling and loving each and every day.
It wasn't too long ago that Ori couldn't jump up on the couch, climb stairs, or play for more than 5 min at a time. We're not sure when exactly Ori turned in the energizer jumping bunny, but regardless she is there! She propels herself onto our bed (sometimes landing on my head) and races Molly up the stairs. She jumps into my lap and food plate on the couch without hesitation. She does a better sliding stop and roll back than most reining horses! She lands gracefully and knows when to "tuck and roll" rather than land on her 1 front paw if she needs to.
She is so stinkin' cute! her latest trick is crawling under the bed and "rescuing" stuffed animals. She looks like she has won the lottery each time she emerges with a new one. She snuggles in bed like she has her entire life and even does the "dead weight" act like Tink did when she doesn't want to be moved.
Molly is being a fabulous big sister and is teaching Ori all kinds of great how to act around the house moves....with only an occasional bad habit. : ) We've added some hamburger with some fat in it in hopes of adding some weight to her. Nick and I both think it's beginning to show some positive improvement. Not quite as bony. We're taking it slowly, but hopefully in another 2 weeks or so our bony skinny minny will be a thing of the past. She's acting pretty good, although we all tend to sleep better if Molly is crated as some nights she makes her way into our bed by 1am...and then pants and kicks getting comfy the rest of the night. Ha, how we love you Moo!
Both girls are loving the new bone and hoof collection although like true sisters they only want the one the other has. Some days become a never ending tag team of Molly chew, Ori chew, Molly chew, Ori chew. Heaven forbid they chew a different item : ) But hey, it keeps them busy!
However, hands down, my favorite part of the day is in the evenings after dinner, clean up, walks, and everything else that happens around here. Both girls jump up on the couch with me, usually 1 on each side. Sometimes I am fortunate enough to get a real snuggly Moo and O and we snuggle in real close with their heads in my lap and I gently pet them all of us content. Moments like that I feel that Tink is smiling and loving that Ori and Moo are here to help keep her Mommy smiling and loving each and every day.
Monday, February 22, 2010
A Forever Home
A poem shared on the NEBTR list...it's beautiful and oh so true for all the forever dogs that come through our home : ) Much love to my Moo and O.
Here in this house... I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'. I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed. I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat. I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat. I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness, and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose. My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.
Here in this house... There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level. I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the words. I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many. My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!
Here in this house... I will never be a substitute for anything I am not. I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves. I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be. I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity. I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all. If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.
Here in this house... I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me. If I am ill, I will be doctored. If scared, I will be calmed. If sad, I will be cheered. No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and known to be of value. I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough. My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought. I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.
Here in this house... I will belong. I will be home.
Author unknown
A Forever Home
Here in this house... I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'. I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed. I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat. I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat. I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness, and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose. My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.
Here in this house... There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level. I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the words. I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many. My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!
Here in this house... I will never be a substitute for anything I am not. I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves. I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be. I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity. I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all. If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.
Here in this house... I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me. If I am ill, I will be doctored. If scared, I will be calmed. If sad, I will be cheered. No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and known to be of value. I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough. My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought. I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.
Here in this house... I will belong. I will be home.
Author unknown
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The Joys of Puppyhood...
So Miss O is really a great little character and we love her so much! For the most part she is really good, but she loves to chew and pull on strings...this includes the ribbon to my flash drive.... : ) Our next command to work on needs to be "leave it" or "drop it!"
Ori's curiosity warms our hearts and brings a smile to our faces... for instance, watching her flip over her food and water bowls and then proceed to carry 1 around like it was the greatest toy ever was very entertaining earlier this week.
The four of us are heading to the local pet supply store tomorrow night but apparently we've been short a few toys as we watched Ori chew on the toy box (a clementine box) and get into all sorts of "trouble." Of course I had to find something that was ok for her to chew and an empty milk jug did just the trick! She chewed on that for almost an hour. I watched her carefully and pulled pieces away as necessary, but those jugs are pretty tough!
There is something new every day that helps us laugh and smile. She continues to get stronger and more agile and as long as we don't take our eyes off her, she is showing improvement in the potty training area. (quick poll...will she ever learn to go to the door to tell us she has to go out and/or hold it just a little longer until we take her out?!?!) She has such a large under bite but in all honesty it seems to be an asset as she uses her mouth to move things in place of 2 paws : ) Oh and the other thing cuter than watching a dog nest, is watching a 3-legged dog nest complete with her little nubby moving like she was moving the blanket with it!!!
Our routine has been getting more consistent and wonderful...after meals O goes outside and does both numbers in less than 30 seconds. It is rather fabulous for the potty routine! We've been playing and playing and playing with puppy and the stuffy flower and rope toys and we run her up and down the dining room and hallway. She jumps and chews and plays...sigh, just like a happy well adjusted little girl : ) She really does love playing with Nick as he plays pretty hard with her!
Now don't get me wrong, we do have our crazy, what were we thinking moments, but overall we are very happy with our little crew here. Molly's appetite seems to have slowed just a tad with the new trilostane routine. I do have to kick her out of the kitchen every morning after she's knocked both water bowls over, but you know... her personality is back and she continues to have her all business attitude...
Yesterday morning we had the luxury of taking the girls out to pee and then putting them both in bed to snuggle for 30 min or more...Ori flew around like a crazy dog and then snuggled into my arms and snored fast asleep. Molly settled right next to Nick. It was a great way to start the morning!
Ori's curiosity warms our hearts and brings a smile to our faces... for instance, watching her flip over her food and water bowls and then proceed to carry 1 around like it was the greatest toy ever was very entertaining earlier this week.
The four of us are heading to the local pet supply store tomorrow night but apparently we've been short a few toys as we watched Ori chew on the toy box (a clementine box) and get into all sorts of "trouble." Of course I had to find something that was ok for her to chew and an empty milk jug did just the trick! She chewed on that for almost an hour. I watched her carefully and pulled pieces away as necessary, but those jugs are pretty tough!
There is something new every day that helps us laugh and smile. She continues to get stronger and more agile and as long as we don't take our eyes off her, she is showing improvement in the potty training area. (quick poll...will she ever learn to go to the door to tell us she has to go out and/or hold it just a little longer until we take her out?!?!) She has such a large under bite but in all honesty it seems to be an asset as she uses her mouth to move things in place of 2 paws : ) Oh and the other thing cuter than watching a dog nest, is watching a 3-legged dog nest complete with her little nubby moving like she was moving the blanket with it!!!
Our routine has been getting more consistent and wonderful...after meals O goes outside and does both numbers in less than 30 seconds. It is rather fabulous for the potty routine! We've been playing and playing and playing with puppy and the stuffy flower and rope toys and we run her up and down the dining room and hallway. She jumps and chews and plays...sigh, just like a happy well adjusted little girl : ) She really does love playing with Nick as he plays pretty hard with her!
Now don't get me wrong, we do have our crazy, what were we thinking moments, but overall we are very happy with our little crew here. Molly's appetite seems to have slowed just a tad with the new trilostane routine. I do have to kick her out of the kitchen every morning after she's knocked both water bowls over, but you know... her personality is back and she continues to have her all business attitude...
Yesterday morning we had the luxury of taking the girls out to pee and then putting them both in bed to snuggle for 30 min or more...Ori flew around like a crazy dog and then snuggled into my arms and snored fast asleep. Molly settled right next to Nick. It was a great way to start the morning!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Student & Teacher
Molly, for the record, is a fabulous teacher. Ori, for the record is a smart little student. Molly is doing a beautiful job of teaching Ori the routine and ropes here in the household in her own little quirky way. Ori is observant and looks to Molly for what to do and how to act (even pawing up at the dinner table!!!) Yesterday I bathed Ori first. She did ok but I needed Nick to help support her and keep it as positive and quick as possible. (and keep her in the tub!) After the bath, she snuggled up in my lap in the towels and laid there while I gently toweled her dry. (another sweet Tinker reminder....) She did not like the hair dryer so I let that go. When it was Molly's turn, Ori wanted to be in the bathroom with us. Maybe it was the peanut butter on the bathtub wall she was after or maybe she was just curious, but sure enough, she watched Molly take her bath, get toweled off and get blown dry with the hair dryer without any issues. Ori stayed in the bathroom trying to play and take everything in, looking for treats, etc. She was behind me as I started with the hairdryer for Molly. At one point Molly moved and Ori was closer to the action than I'm sure she preferred. However she continued to lay there watching and taking it all in a little bit longer. It was really quite remarkable.
Sleepy O
It's the same thing with our morning routine. They both get up and go to the door, come in get breakfast, then go out again to finish their business (a pain, but that's how it goes for now with potty training! Don't you dare dilly dally or you miss your chance to get her to do her business outside!) After we play with puppy Ori konks out on the couch with Moo and they sleep until it's time for us to go to work. I watched Ori watch Moo this morning for cues and it is just so cute! She really is paying attention.
feed me!
Moo is also teaching O acceptable behavior. More than once Moo has corrected Ori and let her know whatever she was doing is not ok. I let them work it out because I do want Ori to know that Molly is top dog and she needs to be respected. They do have quite the stare downs though.... one of these days I hope Or is able to teach Molly to play a little. There are glimmers of hope occasionally : )
Like wise, Molly is more quick to make sure her presence is known... I had O on my lap while we were playing a game last night and when she hopped down Moo wanted up. Molly sat on my lap and snuggled for 15 minutes or so!!! It was great, but funny at the same time!
They are quite the teacher/student pair and we are so glad that both are here to stay!!!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Pretty Pics...
...of our little girls!
Isn't Moo beautiful? I love her expression in these pics, so stately!
And Miss Ori...don't let that sweet face fool you, she is a curious little girl who often finds herself in mischief!
Long Over Due Winter Pics
Ok, so it was really hard to get pictures adequately depicting the snow we got down here! But these are the pics that we did get last week...
The snow is way over Molly's head--it was probably almost 3 feet at one point
The view from our balcony....there really is a field under the sea of snow!!
Icicles
Our snow coral that works nicely as a potty rink!
The snow is way over Molly's head--it was probably almost 3 feet at one point
Hurry up and take the pic--it's COLD!
What was a garden last summer, you can't even see the tomato cages
the neighbor's patio furniture
and Moo true to form, waiting to go in at the WRONG door! Good thing we love her!
And apparently more snow is on it's way tomorrow?!?!?! But only 1-3 inches!
Snuggly Pics & a Big Announcement
Nick and I have been considering keeping Ori pretty much from day 2 or 3 she was here. We canceled the transport up to NY she was supposed to go on and we've pretty much been smitten with her. However we've been taking our time making a decision in an effort not to rush the process. Jodi, 1 of the NEBTR placement coordinators, wanted a bio and pics to put her up on petfinder and Nick and I immediately decided that was a bad idea! So this weekend Nick and I made the decision, with the help of NEBTR and the amazing Board to officially adopt Ori. We certainly haven't rushed into adopting the first dog we found in an effort to fill a void that couldn't be filled...God's timing is certainly interesting and perfect to say the least.
We signed paperwork today, Valentine's day and will send it in the mail in the morning. Seems fitting to make it official on Valentine's day since this little girl will know nothing but love for the rest of her days on this big beautiful planet. Happy Valentine's day to Ori and Moo!! We decided on Friday evening and since Nick was at Blizzard with the 5th and 6th graders from church, we girls had a slumber party! We all slept in bed together and Miss O was a snuggly queen up by my arms and Moo snuggled down by my legs where she usually sleeps, all snuggled up close to me...needless to say I was in heaven! No sooner had I turned off the lights when Ori let out this sigh so much like Tink used to, I held my breath and held her close. More healing than hurting, but I do think of her often.
As Sheryl said today in an email to me:
I have learned through the loss of several heart dogs that there will be another to take that special part of your heart. It always seemed that it would be impossible because I loved them so very much. And then another comes and just pierces your heart as surely as the last one did.
Ori will be that for you both again, but Tink will live on forever with you. There are no shoes to fill. Ori has her own paw prints which are already being embedded into your hearts. I am so glad for all of you that she is in her forever home now.
How true, how true....the support has been amazing and we are so blessed to be part of such an amazing rescue group! It's funny, Ori seemed to know that she was staying for sure, I don't know how these guys know, but they just do. Now if we could only figure the potty training out O! In time, in time, with love and consistency I know it will come!
Now some snuggly pictures to celebrate!!
While they have their moments, often these 2 are found together....
We're not getting into ANY trouble...
napping friends
move over, I want some more room : )
Spooning sweeties
yeah, they look pretty comfy!
So our little pack is once again complete...and that makes all 4 of us pretty happy over here.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Molly Wigglesbottom and Orianna Trinity
Nick and I finally gave the girls full and proper names. It was the only right thing to do. So Molly is "Molly Wigglesbottom" and Ori is "Orianna Trinity" because "Orianna Tripod" sounds tacky!
We've had one heck of a week down here with snow, snow and more snow! I have a few pictures that we need to post, but it's been hard for us to figure out how to get some decent pictures that really show the amount of snow that we have! It truly is a sea of snow out there! Nick and I stayed home on Wednesday and Thursday much to the dogs delight and Nick was actually home today as well since many schools were delayed or closed which put a big monkey wrench in his day.
During our time home, we've actually been pretty productive with some Ori training. We've been watching her expression around the stairs and felt that she was ready to be pushed a little bit to get up them. Sure enough with a squeakie toy she took off. We were hit and miss on wed into thursday but by Thursday evening she's set to do it on her own! She has successfully mastered going up the stairs which is fabulous! In addition to the stairs, her "sit" command is coming along nicely. We catch her sitting rather than laying down more often and we try to reward those finds too!
Each new "trick" or desired behavior that she has learned increases her confidence and helps her personality emerge. Her back end is getting nice and strong as evidenced by her jumping on the couch (jumping over the couch) and now going up the stairs. You can see this in her new independent tricks she's learning such as....Last night she literally leaped up onto the hope chest like a cat and just stared at us like "what?" She is so stinkin' cute!
Molly is doing pretty well over here too. She hasn't been so extremely hungry as of late and her more good-natured personality is beginning to re-emerge. I find her happy again when I get home. She's been dancing around the kitchen singing to us for food (which actually she wasn't doing for a while.) It cracks me up to see her so animated and happy. I love to ask her questions and listen to her answer me!
Me--"Molly, what do you want?"
Molly- *happy howl*
Me--"Oooh, ok...is it in here? " (I point to kitchen)
Molly- More howling
Me- sounds good. (pull out container) is this what you want?
Molly- howls on cue
And so on and so forth. She's really gotten quite good at "answering" me. I give her choices as to what type of cookie she wants or where the cookies are found, fridge or counter, etc etc. She does a good job telling me what she wants and helping me laugh in the process. It's really hard to say no to her!
Some jealousy has been observed between the 2 ladies. No words, but definitely some looks for sure. I slept in a little bit on thursday morning and Ori came and snuggled in bed with me, right on my arm with her head snuggled on my shoulder (remind you of another little one...?) Molly came in the room and I invited her up. She eventually got her butt up into bed and the 2 girls exchanged looks that were best said without words. I told them both to knock it off, Molly snuggled with me like she usually does down at my legs and all 3 of us were happy as happy could be!
Lots of snuggling, playing, and eating this week for sure!
We've had one heck of a week down here with snow, snow and more snow! I have a few pictures that we need to post, but it's been hard for us to figure out how to get some decent pictures that really show the amount of snow that we have! It truly is a sea of snow out there! Nick and I stayed home on Wednesday and Thursday much to the dogs delight and Nick was actually home today as well since many schools were delayed or closed which put a big monkey wrench in his day.
During our time home, we've actually been pretty productive with some Ori training. We've been watching her expression around the stairs and felt that she was ready to be pushed a little bit to get up them. Sure enough with a squeakie toy she took off. We were hit and miss on wed into thursday but by Thursday evening she's set to do it on her own! She has successfully mastered going up the stairs which is fabulous! In addition to the stairs, her "sit" command is coming along nicely. We catch her sitting rather than laying down more often and we try to reward those finds too!
Each new "trick" or desired behavior that she has learned increases her confidence and helps her personality emerge. Her back end is getting nice and strong as evidenced by her jumping on the couch (jumping over the couch) and now going up the stairs. You can see this in her new independent tricks she's learning such as....Last night she literally leaped up onto the hope chest like a cat and just stared at us like "what?" She is so stinkin' cute!
Molly is doing pretty well over here too. She hasn't been so extremely hungry as of late and her more good-natured personality is beginning to re-emerge. I find her happy again when I get home. She's been dancing around the kitchen singing to us for food (which actually she wasn't doing for a while.) It cracks me up to see her so animated and happy. I love to ask her questions and listen to her answer me!
Me--"Molly, what do you want?"
Molly- *happy howl*
Me--"Oooh, ok...is it in here? " (I point to kitchen)
Molly- More howling
Me- sounds good. (pull out container) is this what you want?
Molly- howls on cue
And so on and so forth. She's really gotten quite good at "answering" me. I give her choices as to what type of cookie she wants or where the cookies are found, fridge or counter, etc etc. She does a good job telling me what she wants and helping me laugh in the process. It's really hard to say no to her!
Some jealousy has been observed between the 2 ladies. No words, but definitely some looks for sure. I slept in a little bit on thursday morning and Ori came and snuggled in bed with me, right on my arm with her head snuggled on my shoulder (remind you of another little one...?) Molly came in the room and I invited her up. She eventually got her butt up into bed and the 2 girls exchanged looks that were best said without words. I told them both to knock it off, Molly snuggled with me like she usually does down at my legs and all 3 of us were happy as happy could be!
Lots of snuggling, playing, and eating this week for sure!
Monday, February 08, 2010
Before I was a Dog Mom Poem
I saw this on a rescue friend's FB page and it rang true in my own life... especially with Ori here, but certainly with my darling Tink and our foster experiences.
Before I was a Dog Mom
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I made and ate hot meals unmolested.
I had unstained, unfurred clothes.
I had quiet conversations on the phone,
even if the doorbell rang.
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got to bed
or if I could get into my bed.
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I cleaned my house every day.
I never tripped over toys, stuffies, chewies
Or invited the neighbor's dog over to play.
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I didn't worry if my plants, cleansers, plastic bags,
toilet paper, soap or deodorant
were poisonous or dangerous.
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I had never been peed on
Pooped on
Drooled on
Chewed on
Or pinched by puppy teeth.
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I had complete control of
My thoughts,
My body and mind.
I slept all night without sharing
the covers or pillow.
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I never looked into big, soulful eyes and cried.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop a hurt.
I never knew something so furry and four-legged
could affect my heart so deeply.
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I had never held a sleeping puppy
just because I couldn't put it down.
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was well.
I didn't know how warm it feels inside
to feed a hungry puppy.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important.
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being
A Dog Mom
Author Unknown
I made and ate hot meals unmolested.
I had unstained, unfurred clothes.
I had quiet conversations on the phone,
even if the doorbell rang.
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got to bed
or if I could get into my bed.
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I cleaned my house every day.
I never tripped over toys, stuffies, chewies
Or invited the neighbor's dog over to play.
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I didn't worry if my plants, cleansers, plastic bags,
toilet paper, soap or deodorant
were poisonous or dangerous.
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I had never been peed on
Pooped on
Drooled on
Chewed on
Or pinched by puppy teeth.
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I had complete control of
My thoughts,
My body and mind.
I slept all night without sharing
the covers or pillow.
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I never looked into big, soulful eyes and cried.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop a hurt.
I never knew something so furry and four-legged
could affect my heart so deeply.
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I had never held a sleeping puppy
just because I couldn't put it down.
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was well.
I didn't know how warm it feels inside
to feed a hungry puppy.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important.
Before I was a Dog Mom:
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being
A Dog Mom
Author Unknown
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Snapshots of an Evening on Our Couch...
Ori is sleeping propped up next to Nick
mouth slightly open, snoring away....
tough life here!
meanwhile, Molly is apparently enjoying Ori's frito feet
Seriously ladies? Whatever works....
Oh Miss Moo, we love you!
So Ori has just started growling/snapping at Molly when Ori is on the couch and Molly is coming up. I don't think it's anything major. We don't allow it and if it continues, Ori won't be allowed on the couch....it's that simple. I'm hoping. Once Moo is up, everyone is ok (as evidenced by the pictures posted tonight). As is, if Ori doesn't stay down off us while we're eating, she ends up taking a break in her crate. She can be relentless. A firm "no" and pushing her down to the ground several times means nothing to her... She is getting better but she has ended up in her crate a few times so we can eat in peace. I keep reminding myself that she is just a puppy and we will get through these puppy behaviors.
On a positive note, potty training went much better today! We've been watching her like a hawk and when in doubt, we take her out.
Meanwhile, we're doing what we can to take care of Moo. Her underbelly skin is thinner than I thought (stupid cushings!) so I'm rubbing some organic sesame oil into her belly which is already improving the look and texture of her poor skin. Proof that no mater how close an eye I think I keep on her, there is still a closer look to be made. One day at a time my beautiful little Moo!
The Joys of Snow....
....the pains of potty training. So this nice storm dropped over 2 feet of snow on us in our little town Friday night into Saturday. I don't think I've seen a storm quite like this in PA in the 9 years I've lived here. I grew up getting snow like this in Massachusetts (oh the snow forts, snow men, snow creatures we used to make!) but this was pretty cool down here until I helped shovel out the cars. Two feet of light and fluffy snow isn't light and fluffy on a shovel : ) I couldn't let Nick clear them out by himself on his birthday though!
As you can imagine, the snow fall was so great that the snow towers over the girls walking down the snow blown paths. The piles of snow pushed by the snow plows are huge! Finding grass for the girls is a distant dream but overall they're learning to adapt, somewhat. We have a small area out back shoveled out and Molly, who is all business, does her business right away and comes inside. Ori has taken a different approach. She does a little piddle and then comes inside to finish her business, it's too cold out there for her! It's not from a lack of trying on our part though. All 4 of us bundled up yesterday evening and went for a walk around the apartments and Ori managed to escape doing anything important...lol. She saved it for the carpet, again. Moo, due to habit, wanted to get into the front yard and literally jumped into the snow in an effort to do her business in her usual spot. She quickly changed her mind and found a less snow covered place. It was funny to watch though!
Today is already a better day, Ori actually pooped outside this morning--go Ori! She'll get the hang of it, we're getting the hang of it and learning even more about her body language and routine. W've started gating her in the kitchen if either 1 of us can't watch her for more than 1 second. We'll get there. I also had the 2 girls snuggled in bed with me for a few hours this morning....what a wonderful way to spend 2 hours!
Yesterday Nick taught Ori to jump up on the couch. She loves that squeaky stuffy and before she knew it she was up on the couch following it a few times yesterday. Later that evening she just jumped up when she wanted to sleep on the couch... She also jumped up on the bed to get the stuffy but still doesn't do that one on a consistent basis (I'm ok with that!)
I don't know how quickly the trilostane works, but it seemed that Molly was more Molly like yesterday and less ravenous already. She slept in bed with me until 9am too.... Nick and I were both pretty impressed with her mood and behavior yesterday after 1 half dose. We'll see how she does this week.
We must have tuckered Ori out playing so much in the house yesterday because she is already sleeping with Moo on the couch with us. Hey, it's hard work being a puppy!
I don't have any pictures of the girls in the snow, but we hope to remedy that situation today. Hopefully some pictures to follow soon!
As you can imagine, the snow fall was so great that the snow towers over the girls walking down the snow blown paths. The piles of snow pushed by the snow plows are huge! Finding grass for the girls is a distant dream but overall they're learning to adapt, somewhat. We have a small area out back shoveled out and Molly, who is all business, does her business right away and comes inside. Ori has taken a different approach. She does a little piddle and then comes inside to finish her business, it's too cold out there for her! It's not from a lack of trying on our part though. All 4 of us bundled up yesterday evening and went for a walk around the apartments and Ori managed to escape doing anything important...lol. She saved it for the carpet, again. Moo, due to habit, wanted to get into the front yard and literally jumped into the snow in an effort to do her business in her usual spot. She quickly changed her mind and found a less snow covered place. It was funny to watch though!
Today is already a better day, Ori actually pooped outside this morning--go Ori! She'll get the hang of it, we're getting the hang of it and learning even more about her body language and routine. W've started gating her in the kitchen if either 1 of us can't watch her for more than 1 second. We'll get there. I also had the 2 girls snuggled in bed with me for a few hours this morning....what a wonderful way to spend 2 hours!
Yesterday Nick taught Ori to jump up on the couch. She loves that squeaky stuffy and before she knew it she was up on the couch following it a few times yesterday. Later that evening she just jumped up when she wanted to sleep on the couch... She also jumped up on the bed to get the stuffy but still doesn't do that one on a consistent basis (I'm ok with that!)
I don't know how quickly the trilostane works, but it seemed that Molly was more Molly like yesterday and less ravenous already. She slept in bed with me until 9am too.... Nick and I were both pretty impressed with her mood and behavior yesterday after 1 half dose. We'll see how she does this week.
We must have tuckered Ori out playing so much in the house yesterday because she is already sleeping with Moo on the couch with us. Hey, it's hard work being a puppy!
I don't have any pictures of the girls in the snow, but we hope to remedy that situation today. Hopefully some pictures to follow soon!
Friday, February 05, 2010
More Snuggly Pics....
They were too cute to not photograph this evening...
Yup! They're cute together : )
I finally called Dr. Haver about Moo today...her appetite has increased to such a level that we are going to bring back some trilostane....smaller amount 2x's a day every other day.... I'm hoping we can hit a good balance. We shall see how that goes. Dr. Haver is concerned that she may begin to eat things that will actually cause her harm and I tend to agree with him. She actually wakes up in the middle of the night looking for food. Other than that, she's doing well...she looks good, but just the hunger.... hopefully we'll see some improvement in the next week or 2. We start the trilostane tomorrow morning....
Ok, back to snuggling!
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