...that make a difference!
Some days my girls are my little things. Other days, they are big things that help to make my life more full. They never cease to amaze me and usually bring a smile to my face.
I smile when they're snuggling together, almost like they love each other!
Ori chewing on a radish
Ori knows that I'm messy in the kitchen and I'm prone to drop food that I am preparing onto the floor. Ori takes advantage of this and often lays under my feet or sitting next to me, ready to spring into action at moments notice. She also enjoys a good challenge, so new items such as radishes, blue hubbard squash, sweet potatoes, daikon radishes and other veggies are no match for her nimble feet and ready tongue. She's cute and she cleans up after herself too. On the rare occasion she gets something she shouldn't have, she's pretty good about leaving something go when my tone of voice gets serious or when I have a trade for her (Ori want a cookie?)
Ori sampling blue Hubbard squash
A few nights ago, Ori thought she hit the jackpot when she saw a bag of onions (aka: balls) in the pantry. She knocked the bag over and grabbed the biggest onion she could find and took it to her bed for closer inspection. I knew I needed to get it from her, but I was laughing so hard at her large as saucer eyes and playful spirit. Nick came over to help negotiate a successful trade and we laughed at our little imp!
I realized on Friday, how important it is to make sure both the girls go for rides and get socialization on a regular basis. I took Ori for some Doggie black friday deals at local pet/farm supplies stores in town and she loved it so much! We started at Playful Pups where she met Auntie LuAnn and Edison. She didn't want to leave after hanging around, so we went over to Brand't Farm Supply and ended our trip out at McCrackens. She really was a well behaved little girl and grew more confident with each stop.
On Saturday I took Ori back to Playful Pups for an open agility class. She did so well! She was hesitant and nervous with the pieces initially, but she grew in confidence and by the end of the session she was sequencing a ladder, jump, tire, table and tunnel pretty well for the first hour! It was cool to watch her confidence and speed pick up. As soon as we stepped into the ring, it's like basic obedience came flooding back and she was an attentive angel!
It was interesting to watch people in class with O. There were 4 other dogs and at least 4 people came up to me asking what happened to O's leg, almost wondering if she would be capable of walking, much less doing agility work.
There was one piece of equipment that wasn't really an agility piece, but more like a kids toy with ramps made of plastic. It didn't have good traction and with 1 front leg it was the only piece O was at a real disadvantage with. She was nervous (and I was too, which definitely showed in our progress), but the trainer at one point as we were working on it asked me "can she climb stairs?" At which point, I was somewhat amazed this was even a question. I made the executive decision to not force the bad plastic piece on poor O any more. We gave it 3 good attempts and it just wasn't safe for her or her confidence. It was at this point that I realized the importance of story and knowing the pieces to an animals (and a person's) story. Understanding one's history makes such a difference in how the present and future is addressed. If this trainer had taken the time to learn just a little bit more about Ori's story, she may have understood just how awesome Ori was doing and why she was initially a little hesitant. Less than a year ago, Ori was pushing out puppies in a terrible local puppy mill without her basic needs being met, much less a warm bed to sleep in. And here we were asking Ori to go through tunnels and up slick surfaces. Who knows what baggage we may have drug up for her? I am so proud of this little girl and the life, vigor, and excitement she has each and every day!
I learned so much about Ori this weekend and by having another opportunity to work and train with her. She is nervous initially and may balk at a new piece, but given several attempts she will try anything and figure it out. Her confidence improves over time (fairly quickly) and she likes the game and speed of the agility. I also learned that she can be fine with bigger dogs in controlled situations. She can also be prone to peeing inside when nervous. : ( Food is a good motivator, but a good squeak toy will be an invaluable training toy at certain points in the day. I can't wait to go again next week so we can show off and show Auntie LuAnn all that she can do (She was off this past Sat!)
Our Moo is a little sweetheart who is learning to love and snuggle in ways I never imagined she would. She continues to slow down however and is less graceful than she was when we first got her. We're noticing some stiffness in her gait once in a while and she keeps falling on her head while walking. She has a cut next to her right ear that I'm cleaning and keeping ointment on.
She too needs trips and rides, so she's come with me to pick up a movie from red box and we were supposed to have a shopping trip on Saturday, but the shop was closed! I learned though, that the local consignment shop is pet friendly, so Molly and I will do our shopping date on another day : ) It's neat to watch her little face light up as she realizes she is going for a car ride but Ori is not. She copilots and loves little scratches behind her ears.
Both girls had baths yesterday after evening walks and the fun events of the day. Baths aren't anyone's favorite thing in this house, but I do love taking care of them and then toweling them off and blow drying Moo. She sits there (cookies on the counter being her motivation) and lets me gently blow dry and rub her little frail body until she's dry and fluffy clean. It's almost like she enjoys the extra comfort and pampering. Regardless the motivation, I smile as we work.
I've been shopping for the girls for Christmas both in stores and online and I'm loving it. Ori is the first dog we've had that loves to play with toys so a new world of squeakers and interactive toys has opened up. I'm finding softer chew treats (Zuke's Z ridges) and other treats to chew that Moo has expressed preference for (like the hooves at the farm store) to spoil Moo with too.
We haven't decorated the house yet and to be honest, I'm not rushing it. I know Tink's stocking is still in the Christmas box...we have a stocking for Moo, but we don't have one for O and it's just a few details that I don't really want to work through...We'll get there eventually.
It's been a long while since Tink and I did our training classes for pet assisted therapy. I think I'm ready to endeavor on a new journey with Ori in the same class. I was afraid that Ori wouldn't listen to me in classes and that it wouldn't go right like it did with Tink. I know this thought process isn't true and that while O won't be perfect, she is honest and loves to work and have fun. I watched her eyes light up and she maintained an energy and attention level necessary. I'm excited to see the bond that we can continue to build as we work and play together. She's not even 5 yet and the sky is the limit as far as what we can do and where we will go.
