Whats been up around here

Joe went out on the road Sunday. He should be home for the weekend. So, that leaves me home with the animals. Freddy, the new dog is doing great! He is just like a big teddy bear. He loves to sit on my lap and give me hugs and kisses. I don't think he is totally comfortable here yet. He spends most of his time on the couch. But then, maybe he is comfortable and just a lazy dog. He loves it outside and more times than not I have to carry him inside. Can you say SPOILED?!?

He is SO spoiled. He is so cute and sweet I can see how it happened, but since he isn't an only dog here like at his old home it can get to be a problem.

Zena has been out and about more often lately. She usually keeps to her bed most of the day. She has been more social, but she also keeps chasing Romeo, the cat. I don't like that. Romeo is almost 15 years old and he doesn't need to be chased by the dog. Romeo is triple Zena's size, and has claws so he can take care of himself, but he doesn't deserve the hassle.

The weather has been confused. We got two feet of snow the other night, then it was 40 degrees out yesterday and all the snow slid off the roof. Today it is in the teens.

I have been working on house training Bailey. He is 3 1/2 months old. He is really doing great. That isn't to say he doesn't have accidents, but he really seems to be getting the idea that outside is for potty. The little guy doesn't even mind going out in the cold and the snow. I feel bad making him go though. He is just a baby!

He does seem to be settling down a little. He still has his moments, but he is relaxing enough that the other dogs will play with him now. He and Buddy were playing this morning. Rolling and bouncing on each other. It was enjoyable to watch my old Buddy dog play with the youngster.

Buddy-dog

Freddy Bear has a name

Freddy Bear

Fritz has a new name. He is now Freddy, or Freddy Bear. He doesn't seem to even notice that we call him something different. I think Freddy is close enough to Fritty that it doesn't bother him.

He is doing very well in adjusting to being in a new home. He loves to be near us. He and Furby seem to have developed a friendship, which is great since Furby tends to keep to himself.

As you can see from his picture, we cleaned him up a bit. He had a hair cut and a bath.

He does a couple of cute, silly things. He paddles his feet if you hold him over the snow, and when he is out in the snow, he rubs his face in it. He seems to be a generally happy boy.

Life's Decisions... Life's Changes

Today we picked up a Pomeranian named "Fritz" (name is subject to change). Fritz is 8 years old and lived is entire life with owners who adored him. She made a choice she had to make because of issues between the dog and her baby son. It was not an easy choice, and it will probably be something that always haunts her.

The transport person that picked up Fritz said that the woman was crying hysterically when she handed him off. When I got him home, I opened the box of belongings and supplies that came along with him and I found a letter from his owner. I could feel the anguish in her written words. She supplied her phone number and asked that we call. When we did, she cried some more. I feel very bad for her.

Even more, I feel so bad for Fritz. He is confused. I am sure he doesn't understand why he isn't in the home he had been in since a puppy. I am sure he wonders where his people are, or when they will be coming to get him. When he goes outside, he sniffs the air. I think he wants to figure out where he is, and maybe smell if is people are around.

I feel bad for the poor boy. I am sure being shuffled through three homes other than his own in the process of transport was confusing, but at least he didn't have to sit in a shelter. Seeing how stressed he was, I think a shelter would have killed him. He just wouldn't have been able to deal with it.

I do think he will adjust. We picked him up at around 11:30 AM. Once we got home he sniffed around a bit, then sat on his blanket from "home". If we tried to pick him up, he would snap at us, so we left him where he was comfortable. After several hours passed, Joe picked him up while wrapped in his blanket and sat with him on his lap. He seemed to get a little more comfortable, but was still on edge and panting a lot.

Later Joe took a nap and took the dog to bed with him. When Joe got up to go to work, the dog wanted to stay there with his blanket, so I let him. A short time later, I heard him cry so I went in and got him. I set his blanket on a chair beside me. He seemed to get more comfortable. Later he wanted to get down and explore more. When he was done, and I went to pick him up he put his front legs up so I could get him easier. So, in a little more than 12 hours he has gone from snapping to wanting me to pick him up. I am sure that the uncertainty he feels will fade. At least he seems to have caught on that coming to one of us is a safe place when he feels overwhelmed in his new surroundings.

We'll take this day by day. I am worried that once enough time passes and he realizes that he is never going back home he may get a bit depressed. I am sure his little heart is broken, and I wish I could make it better for him.


On the ride home

Happy Birthday Mila

Happy 4th Birthday Mila

Our little Miss Mila is four years old today. She has been with us for 1 year and 3 days. She is such a happy little girl, she loves everyone, but she doesn't love anyone as much as her Daddy. She seemed to bond with him instantly. I really think that is because I am the one that carried her away from her old Mommy. I don't think she still holds it against me, but during those first days I do think it effected how she bonded with us in the beginning. That is OK though, Daddy needs love too....he should be someone's favorite. =)

We got Mila because she had some aggression issues with her old "skin" baby brother. That was never a problem here, since the only kids here have fur. We made a drive to pick her up in Maryland. I don't really know what she thought of that long car ride. She sat with me for a little bit of it, but right from the start it was Daddy that she wanted. I will never forget the heartbreaking screams she made as we pulled out of the parking lot, and her old Mommy walked away. She screams like that whenever one of walks out the door. You would think someone was cutting of her tail the way she carries on. One can never say that Mila doesn't make her feelings known....or that she doesn't know what "works" to get what she wants.

Saying that she is a happy dog, doesn't mean she lacks moodiness. I don't know if it is a chihuahua thing, a female thing, or simply a female chihuahua thing, but Mila does have her moments. She wants things on her terms...no ifs, ands or buts about it. For example, if the puppy wants to play with Mila but she isn't in the mood she will snap at him. Yet, if *she* is the one that wants to play, she gets down and plays hard with him. It confuses Bailey.

The thing that Mila loves *almost* as much as her Daddy is FOOD. As such, she will get to share a special meal with her brothers and sisters this afternoon.