I'm So Happy With My New Family - See ya over there!

So Mum wants to tell all you that follow me here to watch on her blog from now on for updates and photos of me (lots of them there too - cool).   If you don't know how to get to Mum's blog it is http://www.mtwaggin.blogspot.com/.   I've been having lots of new experiences and Mum has been chronicling them there if you want to go take a looksy.   Read about my latest adventures there!

See ya all on the "other" side! 

Luv,   Louie Lou!

Sunday Evening Relaxation

Or not.  Mum gave me a great massage tonight.  She tapped on my front feet like Adele asked her to and she is trying to figure out how to do that Jin Shin Jyutsu on me (whatever the heck that is).   We sat on the floor and it was really nice.    This is me afterwards.

Just Being Me

In a rare pause in my play!

 

                               

Evening Stroll

                                                                              

Mum took Tara and me for a long walk tonight.  She took the camera so she could proove to the world that I'm getting better at this leash walking thing and that she isn't really imagining that I do walk in front of her sometimes.

Like this...hmmmm something smells down here.

And this....down the loooooong long road.

This is Tara coming back to check on Mum and me.

We scared up some ducks while we were walking. Two pairs of them took off flying off the irrigation ditch. Mum said that maybe later in the summer we'll see baby ducks when we walk so she and Tara looked for eggs.

This is me NOT looking for duck eggs with Mom and Tara!  I'll just wait up here thanks.

See her muddy feet (and mine are sooooo clean!)?

Mum says we live in doG's Country well duh).  Here is a picture of the mountains and the lake out where we live.  Hey I can say out where *I* live now - cool man!

Talks and Walks

                                                       
I got to go on another ride in the car today and I got to go on a walk with Mum as well.   Teddy and I didn't get to get out of the car while Mum ran errands cuz she didn't bring my jammies and it was still too cold to get out of the car.  She went and got my raw food from the store now she has a new freezer and fridge to put it in.   She said that means we are going to go back to training by her hand feeding me my dindin every night.  I have to say it has made me less wary of her when she hands me treats.

So even tho Teddy and I just hung out in the crate in the car it wasn't bad.  Mum went and did photos at the sheep place today but my friend Adele wasn't there so I didn't get out and visit.  Mum said I could go walk with her and Tara this afternoon and I did - with Elliott too.  Man that boy sniffs everything.   She put but me and Elliott on the flexis to walk and I even got brave and walked out ahead and beside her a few times.  I guess I can trust she won't step on me and such.   I also found out that she carries cookies in her pockets sometimes and we stopped a few times to see if Elliott would come to her and we ALL got treats.  I am finding out that if I won't go take one from her, she'll give it to someone else!  Can you believe that?   How rude!

I talked to my friend Sue last weekend too.  She was really tired when I finally got to tell her about all the stuff going on and I was a bit annoyed that she kept dozing off.   I told her to tell my Mum that the skirt she keeps putting on me (Mum calls it a belly band) is okay but I want a green one!   I also told her about Adele giving me a massage and stuff and I asked Sue to find out what happened to Roni (Mum thought she explained it but I didn't get it - he went to a new home).    I have so much to say and Sue just wouldn't stay awake! 

I'm lookng forward to riding in the motorhome though and Mum said she'd be getting me out there to explore sometime soon. 

MY NEW MUM!

                                                         
FM wants me to tell all of you that she is finally going to admit that I'm not going to be going anywhere and this will be my last home.   She has talked to many of the people she loves and they have all told her that I just need to stay and she needs to get over it!    Since she won't let the fuzzy dog go anywhere then I just can't either and that is that!

So I guess FM needs to now become Mum to me.

Mum took me to this thing called an agility trial on Friday afternoon and boy it was wild.  I did get to see that lady Adele that I met last weekend and she sat and massaged me which was totally cool!   She said she is leaving today to go get certified to do massage officially on dogs.  Mum told her we'd love to be her first official customers too!  I could go for that.   She showed Mum how to massage my joint of my jaws cuz she noticed that I clench my teeth.   Mum said that was genetic cuz she clenches her teeth too.  Oh right Mum!

Mum said I was especially good going in where they were running that agility stuff and just looking around.  I didn't even shiver or shake.  I sat in her lap and just kinda watched everything going on.   I was especially interested in those dogs that were playing with their humans.  They seem to like it....

We got some front yard time while it was warm yesterday so here are the photos Mum wanted to share.  Mum.....hum sounds kinda nice!

Hmm, maybe agility someday?

More Popcorn! ...and training begins (huh?)

                                                                       

I told you I looooooooooveeeee popcorn!

First, check to make sure it really IS popcorn and make sure you are ahead of the red-headed devil dog!

Make sure FM notices that I am here (minimal eye contact is best)!

Whew!  Those socks don't smell like popcorn!

Hey look at me, I'm the cute one realllllly stepping outside my box!

Maybe I can snatch one without her noticing!

That one looks like it has butter on it.  Okay, I'll risk the finger feeding.

I really like this stuff, I'll take more thank you!

FM is making these noises about stepping up my "training".  Whatever that means!  Well it does seem to involve food.  Not just popcorn (altho that is my fave) but tonight she also sat in front of my crate at dinner time and then gave me my food a piece at a time with her HAND!  OMG can you believe that.  Well I'm not so stupid, I know that raw food tastes yummy and if I wanted dinner I better eat it.  So I did.  FM told me what a good boy I was every time I took a bite.  She started feeding me low down by my feet but by the time I was done she was feeding me some low and some up where I kinda had to look at her face.   It wasn't so bad I guess.  Wonder what's on tap for tomorrow??

Playtime!

FM said she just had to share these and that they pretty much speak for me - huh?  That thing around my middle is called a belly band.  FM says I have to have it on during the day when she is away cuz I "pee like a race horse".  I usually get it off when she gets home but I wanted to get out to run so bad that I wouldn't wait for her to get me so she could take it off.  It's okay, I don't mind (as you can tell).

Run......
                

Pause..... (note the stylish flipped ear)

Playyyyy.......

Run some more (but out front)......

Been Awhile - My Adventure

                                           
First I have to tell you all I survived the weekend that my FM went off to Jellystone park and that the lady that came in to let us outside and feed us isn't at all bad.   FM told her to act like a border collie and herd me to my "spots" to pick me up and she did.   I like routine you know but I'm not so sure that wasn't a little rude to tell her to act like a border collie!

I've been overhearing FM syaing that I'm "this summer's project dog".  What??  After today I think I'm starting to get an idea what that means.    FM got us up this morning and told Teddy and me that we were going on a "dump run".   What the heck? She put on my harness and Teddy got his collar on and we got put in the big blue truck.  FM hooked my harness to the seat belt so I'd be safe and we drove to town.  She got out and emptied all the stuff out of the back of the truck and I thought that meant we were going home.  Hmmm didn't happen.

We stopped again while she put some fluid in the truck and got some fluid to put in her.  Hey!  Where is the fluid for the dogs?

Then we drove for a while and she stopped and got out her camera and told us to hang out in the truck.   I heard other dogs out there...that was a little weird but I didn't want to look.  Teddy however wanted to go out every time FM came back to the truck to check on us.   Then I heard some of the other cars start up and go off in the distance.  Then FM introduced me to her friend Adele.  This is her with one of her dogs - Indy

FM was holding me and I was doing everything I could to not make any eye contact with anyone.  Then Adele asked to hold me.  What!!!!  Oh my doG!!!   FM handed me over.   CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!  But this Adele lady seemed to have this kinda calming touch and was talking to FM about "working on me".  I don't know what that means but FM said that Adele is a dog massage person and does some other healing art kinda things.   I guess I'm gonna see her again soon.   I'll report on that after.

FM then put on my leash and just told me to relax and walk around with her.  There were lots of weird noises around, these things called chickens (and a noisy rooster).     I didn't see any other dog but I did see these other funny looking critter called sheep...

They seemed a little worried when Mom walked over with me in her arms to show me them.  I don't know why I just thought they were weird looking and I sure wasn't going anywhere near them on my own.  

So that was my big adventure for the day.   FM said though she's ordering me the next size smaller harness for walking now that I don't have to have jammies on all the time.

Popcorn

                                                                      
I have to write and tell you all that this place is getting kinda cooler.  Not only do we get to go run run ruuuuunnnNNNNN out in the back 40 more often (now that the weather is super nice) but I discovered why these dogs here go so crazy when FM puts this pot on the stove and this popping noise starts.  She she takes part of the stuff out of that pot and throws in on the floor for a "free for all".   I wasn't sure at first if it was safe to eat this stuff but you know what?  It is YUMMY!   

FM calls the stuff popcorn and it tastes different every time but I als found that when she sits with her bowl in her lap on the chair in the living room that if I'm really good and put my face up where she can see that sometimes she'll give me a really yummy piece with butter and cheese on it.  Oh lordy is that ever good!   Tonight I thought I'd even try a better trick and jumped up on the footrest of the chair so she could see me better.  She didn't give me any popcorn but she laughed at me anyway!
 

New Photo

                                                            
FM has been taking pictures again and decided that she wanted one of me with my "grooming" done.  Cuz I'm so sexy I thought it would be okay to let her take a photo but I didn't realize she took THIS one!

Meanwhile I'm sure enjoying the nicer weather and being able to go out in the yard and play with the fuzzy dog.  I even asked one of the visiting fuzzy dogs to play this weekend but he didn't "get it".  Weird!   But that is okay.  FMs boyfriend brought his two BIG fuzzy dogs with him this weekend and they stayed in our house.   I was way less worried about this boyfriend dude than I was before and the dogs were kinda a concern but I just ignored them.

I have to tell everyone how much I love love LOOOOOOOVEEEEEE going out in the place FM calls the "back 40".  It is this huge fenced area with all these trees and lots and lots of room to zooooommmmmm!   There's even some sticks to grab and some big trees that have been taken down that I can jump over.  It is so totally cool and is my favorite place.

FM is still doing lap time with me every night and I really do like that.  We watch a bit of TV ahd she rubs me.   I'm not so sure about all the smooching she does on me when she picks me up but apparently that is some human way of being nice.  Again - - weird.....

Still spending my free time during the day out with the other cresteds and FM has been leaving tons of toys out for us to play with.  I did have a little set back when she brought this new dining table out of the back room and put it in our area and I chewed a piece out of the edge but FM wasn't mad.  She said that it wasn't an expensive table but did explain that it isn't just the stuff on the table that is hers but also THE table.   Ohhhhh I get it....

Quick Post (thanks FM)

                                                                           
Want everyone to know I'm still hanging here at the new place and am actually kinda starting to like it.  I so love love love when FM opens up the "back 40" (her name not mine) and lets us run around the trees and stuff back there.  I can do big huge racing loops around up there and duck and dodge and sniff!  

The best part of this place is still the fuzzy dog, I think they call him Teddy.  I get to go outside every day and play race and chase and wrestle with him and it is so much fun!   Yesterday I was out playing with him in the back yard with no humans present which was so cool.  Then I stopped and looked up at the house and there was FM.  Hey!!!!  What the heck?   Has she been there forever.   I just couldn't figure out how she could be watching us and I didn't know it.  I know ALWAYS where she is - just in case I need to bolt!

FM is making me spend time on her lap now every night.  Usually before bedtime after everyone else is put to bed.   It isn't as bad as it used to be and she does circles on me and tells me I'm fine.   Still not convinced and still feel like I have to hang on with my claws for dear life but I endure it.

FM told me this weekend is gonna be a bit crazy so I'll report on that after the Easter Bunny comes (do I get to chase him or destuff him?).

Thumper

                                                                         
Yesterday was an interesting day.  It was the first day in a while that FM let me stay out of dog jail with the others.   She said as long as I remember the things she showed me were mine and what things are hers (including the walls) that I could stay out.   I made sure I didn't leave any traces of chewing on things of hers!

Last night FM took me and Teddy (my new best buddy) for a car ride.   I was pretty scared even though FM kept telling me we were going to see Doc Terri and she was going to give me an adjustment and hopefully I'd feel tons better.  Well I didn't know what that meant and I wasn't all that sure I was thrilled about it or the ride or that she got out of the car and left me and Teddy sit in there alone, so I kinda had a piddle accident - okay it was a gusher.   FM took me into this office and she and Doc Terri talked to me and showed me this gray thing that thumps and showed me that it wouldn't hurt.   I stood very very still as Doc Terri used it on my back, then on my ribs, then on my shoulders and my sternum.   I almost felt relaxeded after she was done and FM picked me up.   Doc Terri is a ver nice lady.

On the way home though all the anxiety hit my stomach and I pukeded up in the crate.   FM and Teddy were like 'peeeuuuuueeeee' so they were opening windows and turning on the vent!   I couldn't move and I was so scared FM was going to be mad - but she wasn't.  She just let me out in the garage when we got home, took all the puked and peed on stuff out of the crate, set it aside and we went in the house where she took off my now stinky harness and jammers.

Then we got dinner!!!  Ahhh the best part of the day.

More Outside Time

Wow! Have I mentioned how cool it is that FM took down all the extra fencing in the back yard and now we dogs have all this extra space to run around in? I think there is even MORE space outside the gate (cuz the big black dog Paqui keeps heading to the gate like we might get to go there) but FM keeps telling us that she has to do fence mending before we can go out there. That's okay cuz I'm liking what we have already! Cool man!

The new foster boy Roni is hanging outside almost as much as me. FM said we must not have got to spend much outside time in our previous homes cuz she has to come ask us to come in the house all the time.

Yesterday was the warmest day yet and everyone including FM was outside int he back yard. FM cleaned up the yard then just stood out there and gave everyone pets and loves. No I didn't go ask for any of my own, I still don't trust that. While she wasn't watching though I started running around and almost picked up the one toy laying in the yard. I dropped it though and she picked it up and threw it for me and said I could have it. I don't trust that she won't take it away so I just ignored her.

I've found that the blonde fuzzy dog likes to run run run like me. We had a blast yesterday playing in the yard. He likes to play race and chase and he also likes to wrestle so I did that with him and it was seriously FUN! I kinda "let my hair down" so to speak. I was panting hard by the time we were done so we took a drink break and then did some more. Mom caught the action and the video is at the end of this post.

I also visited some more with my friend Sue finally. She had lots to tell me that FM had asked her to say. Well I have lots to say too so guess that is fair. Forgive FM (who is typing this for me) if she doesn't get all the details right but basically Sue explained that I get to make the decision if I stay with FM forever or not. I told her I'd think about it but that if I go I want to go with the fuzzy one (Teddy). Sue also asked if I liked to go for walks and I told her I do but I walk behind FM because I need to know what she is doing. I also told her that I really like being groomed cuz it makes me feel "sexy". Okay so maybe I'm a little bit vain! heehee Sue explained too that next month FM has to take a short trip and has another pet sitter lady coming in to take care of us and she wants to make sure I'm okay with that. I explained that I need to meet this other lady and it is probably okay as long as she isn't mean and doesn't just tell me 'no' all the time. Sue also said that FM has this thing called a motorhome and that all the dogs get to go on trips in the motorhome to places they've not been before and do I want to do that. I told her I thought it sounded like fun and I want to be able to see out the windows to see where we are going! I also showed Sue that there is this new guy here called Roni and asked if HE is staying for good. She said no probably not that he is eventually going to go to a new home. I told her that is okay and that I like him. Sue said she wasn't sure at first if I was talking about the dog called Roni or not cuz the picture I have of him looked to her like a pig. FM explained to Sue that my vision of Roni might look that way and showed Sue a picture of what Roni does look like. Bingo! Same one - I knew she just wasn't seeing the real dog like I do.

Sue also said FM wanted to know if I was liking the lap time we have every night and I said I do but it is weird because I've never had lap time that was pleasant so that it takes me a while to settle in. She also asked me why I was chewing on things I shouldn't back before I was staying in doggie jail. I told Sue that geez, no one has explained to me what I can play with and what I can't. (FM promises to try to start making that more clear.) I also did tell Sue that I really really like being outside with the cool ground on my feet!!!

So I am so glad I get to talk to Sue and someone finally is listening to me! FM seems happy that I'm talking to Sue too and that Sue is so gracious as to share with her what I'm saying. I also reminded Sue that I just need time to adjust.....

Crazy

                                                              
Louie here, reporting on the weekend.   It's been busy here and crazy man!

The weather has been pretty nice and FM on Friday night opened up the back yard so we can run and play in the whole yard not just the one end.   That's pretty cool but the long side is still wet and got some snow piles left on it.   Still there are lots of new interesting things to explore on the "other side".

Yesterday FM took me and the xolo boys for another one of her "walkies".  I went too with my jammies, harness vest and the leash thingie again.   I still don't like being tethered to FM with that leash thingie but I did walk and she kept telling me it was okay and that I didn't need to get all worried every time she stopped, that sometimes she has to stop and make the boys come sit by her and me too (altho I don't like it) when cars go by or stuff like that so that we stay safe.

Today FM gave everyone baths and haircuts INCLUDING ME!  Can you believe it!   It wasn't all that bad really and she kept telling me how totally handsome I really am and how much more we'd see that if I had my hair done and a shave.

The other thing that happened this week was another kinda ugly fat naked dog showed up.  He's not nearly as handsome as me (my opinion) but seems like an okay kinda dude.  FM said he's staying here for a short time while she finds a forever home for him (him too huh?).  He doesn't seem to care much about us other dogs but likes to hang with FM.   He yelled and yelled the first couple nights he was here but now sleeps in the crate next to mine and doesn't make hardly any noise.   FM said he would do better waiting for his new home here than at this place called the "shelter" so that's why he came to visit for a while.   Whatever dude!

My "model" pose, don't you love how I can make my ears swing in the wind?

My friend Sue talked to FM today and said that I'd visited her.   Sue told FM I have lots to say and boy do I!   I'm so glad some human will listen for a change and FM seems to understand some of what I tell Sue.   I explained to Sue that sometime I get these itchy gums and that I really want my very own private bone to chew on to help that.  FM told me tonight she'll make sure I have one of my very own in my quarters tomorrow while she is at work and one in my bed at night if I need it.  That way the other dogs won't get to steal it. 

I have new quarters for now during the day.  See yesterday I escaped out of the short expen while FM was gone running errands.   I'd figured out last week that I was tall enough to get over it and tried it a couple times when FM came home from work and wasn't getting me out soon enough (and I just want to do it on my own dangit) and FM just put me back in for a couple minutes after telling me I needed to wait for her, then she got me out.  So I figured I'd just do it while she wasn't here and maybe that would fix it.   Now I see there is a gi-huge crate in the place where my expen was and I bet that is where I'll stay tomorrow.  Hmmmmm....

More Yard - YAY

                                                                    
FM has finally opened up the back yard and you should see my muddy feet.  She also took a couple new shots of me in our short time in the front yard this morning but I'm liking that we now have running room in the back!  How cool!  I like the big yard and being outside cuz there isn't any way anyone could catch me out here!

I also figured out that when FM comes home that I can beat her to the punch and jump/climb out of the short doggie jail.   She then puts me back in - hey wait a minute!   She explains to me that I need to wait for her to let me out to be safe and puts me in, walks away, then comes right back to pick me up and get me out (which doesn't thrill me at all).   That's MY new trick for the week - whatdoya think?  FM said it isn't all that clever.  Hmmmmm.....

Don't ya love my flying hair look.  Don't I look like a model or something?

Walkies

                                                                         

I'm here to tell you I am currently one pooped pup!   FM got up this morning and like she does every Sunday morning told the other dogs that she was going to go for a walk.   Little did I know I wouldn't be plopped in doggie jail but she told me she was going to pick me up and put on some jammies and my new harness and I was going with!  What???

So she dressed me up in Elliott's jammies (the others were in the wash), cinched them up so I couldn't walk out of them (they are too big really), put my new harness on and then hooked a leash on that.   She picked me up to take me outside and when she put me down and Tara and Teddy were running amuck in the front yard I freaked out.  I didn't want to be that close to her.   She just said I'd be fine, called Tara and Teddy to walk out the gate and started walking.   Well I didn't think THAT was cool.   But she had this thing hooked to my harness and she just kept telling me I was okay and to walk with them.   I did finally about 1/2 way down the driveway.  This is really weird!   How can I get away from her if I'm hooked to this leash thingy.   Dangit.

So I made sure I always walked behind her (so she couldn't see me - I'm doing my best invisible act as usual you know) and Tara and Teddy ran off ahead of us - hey wait a minute how come they get to run loose?   FM said that I can't run loose until I learn to walk on a leash and that is isn't "that" restricting.

Well dangit we walked and walked and walked (note from FM - "we did the 3 mile loop").   I had a little freak-a-zoid moment when we got to the irrigation ditch and there was this metal thing over the road.  Now FM and Tara and Teddy walked around it but I didn't want to do that, I'd have to get too close to FM in that limited space so I tried to walk on it.   Well that didn't go all that well and I kinda crashed.  Once FM helped me across (she kept me from falling through with that leash thingy) she pointed out that "gee that didn't work so well did it?".  Then she showed me very slowly how to walk AROUND it - back and forth.  Much better.  

FM seemed to be limping a bit so at one point she stopped to adjust her shoe and socks and I didn't really like the idea that she stopped and ran to the end of the leash, but she just called to me nicely told me to come up and kinda reeled me in.  She didn't even pick me up!  Hey wait a minute.  She just petted me and told me how brave and good I was doing.

FM says that exercise will do me good and if I really do want to go do things like I told Sue that I need to be able to trust and be trusted on the leash thingy.  

Here are some great shots of me the last couple days out in the front yard....

Incoming!!!

Louie Speaks!

                                                                          
So FM found this really cool new friend that knows how to talk my language.   The humans call her an animal communicator - I'm just happy she lets me talk to her and she (her name is Sue) said she'd tell my FM what I'm saying so we can start getting on the same page.   So I show Sue lots of pictures and she translates them for my foster Mom.

So I explained to Sue how the one home I was in had these two little kids, one was a little girl and one was a baby and then there was a Mom there too.   It was a horrible place to be.  I thought it would be a great home but then the little girl insisted on always picking me up by my front legs and it hurt really bad and it still hurts if someone does that and I really need to be picked up the correct way - with a hand under my chest for support.  Then the baby would pinch on me and one time it pinched me and I didn't bite the baby but the Mom thought I did and then she threw this big ol hissy fit and yelled and screamed at me and said she never wanted me there anyway (I kinda got that) and was going to send me away -- and she did!   It was horrible aweful.

I also told Sue that I'm like 4 or 5 years old (in my time perception) and that I've had lots of names but that Louie is "okay".   I also told her I've been in lots of places since the little kid house and asked if this one was finally the last one.   FM had told Sue to tell me (and she did) that the decision hasn't been made yet if I'm going to stay or go to a great forever home.  But there won't be a lot of other homes in my future.  I asked Sue to please tell FM that "if" I go to another home I don't want to be where there are human children and I want to be somewhere with older humans that like to go do things with me.

I did ask Sue to please tell FM that I need to know what she is going to do with me before she does it.  If she wants to pick me up, to tell me first, if she is going to put me down, to tell me first.   Sue also told me FM wants to do some training stuff with me and I said that was okay as long as FM explains it to me first.  I also said that I really do like to be held but I want some one on one time with FM so I can relax and sit with her and not have to compete with anything else but that she has to tell me when we are going to do that and also tell me when she needs to put me down so she can get up.

I showed Sue lots of pictures of a black dog.   Black hairy dog, black dog, big black dog.   That is the dog that I like to play with.   FM says she is pretty sure that is her big black xolo Paqui who she has seen me try to play with.

I also showed Sue that everytime in my past that I started to play with toys that they were always taken away.  I also told her that it seems like everything in my life to this point has been one big cruel joke.  That every time I start to trust in something, it gets taken away.   So I just don't trust.  But I also told her I do like my FM I just am not ready to trust this is all for real.

I showed Sue too that this new place is kinda chaotic.  Lots going on but I like the other dogs a bunch but one thing I don't understand is why there are different rules for different dogs.  Sue explained that not every dog is the same so that some rules are different because each dog is different.   I still wonder why we can't all have the same rules.   I'm kinda confused about it and I'm a very black and white kinda guy.

I did show her that I really like being outside and told her I do want to go "do" things (like the other dogs).   Sue said that will come as FM and I gain trust in each other.  

I got to "talk" to Sue twice this week and she said that I have lots to say but that she can't always talk to me for a long period of time at once but that we can talk more and she'll talk to FM about what I have to say.   FM also told Sue to ask me why I started eating the house and that my staying in dog jail during the day is to keep me safe but if I can suggest someplace else that I could stay and not eat dangerous stuff she'd consider it.

I'm so happy (and so is FM) that we've found someone that can help break the ice for us and FM promises to take all this to heart and change some things about how she is with me.  YAY!   Finally someone that understands!

Louie Here

                                                                     
FM said to tell  you all she is sorry again for not typing my blog in as often as she should.  She said really we've not done much officially lately as she wants me to just learn to "hang" so that is what I'm trying to figure out how to do.   It's harder than you think.  

The only other news I have is that I started talking to this lady named Sue.   She is talking to me at the request of my FM and has said she is open to me telling her all about myself.   I think I might just do that.   She has this special gift to be able to understand what I'm saying and translate it so humans can understand.   She also is able to help me understand what FM wants me to know.   Kinda weird but really cool if we can get it to work I think.  

Meanwhile I'm so happy it is kinda looking like Spring.  The dog yard here at foster central has almost no snow left in it and we actually saw sunshine out there yesterday and that was cool.  Maybe now FM will take this silly jammies thing off me!   Other than that it is the routine as usual here and that works for me.   My new favorite thing is to rip the eyes out of all the toys I can get ahold of when FM isn't in the room!  

Moving Forward

                                                                  
Yesterday was back into the work routine for my foster home.   I'm not quite adjusted yet to this 5 days of one routine and 2 days of a different one but FM says I'm smart enough I can figure it out.  

FM and I had a talk last night about how she was starting to think after this weekend that I really just had regressed back past where I started.  See this weekend I really wasn't interested in her treats or or attempts to woo me with food and love.   I just wasn't in the mood.   She kinda made me mad with this new rule about getting out of my crate and doggie jail if SHE took me out.   I figured I'd show her.

So FM said she went back out and reread the information on doggie calming signals - which I know very well and apparently she forgot some of them.   She realized that maybe she needed to just back off some on the holding and touching and all.  She already "got" that I didn't like her looking me in the eye and coming up to me facing forward but she said she'd forgotten that she shouldn't smile at me and she shouldn't hold me tight when she picked me up.   Of course she did explain to me that she has to hold on to me tight enough that if I start flailing around (which I sometimes do when I wig out) that I don't fall on my head!

I did feel comfortable enough last evening to even do some sniffing around the living room while FM was actually IN the living room sitting in her chair reading.   I quickly shut off though if she looked like she might get up!

This morning went better and I really do like that she isn't trying to be all cuddly with me.   Meanwhile, doggie jail is still where I go during the day and those other sneaky cresteds stole what was left of my knuckle bone yesterday (it was small enough they could pull it through the jail bars).   Today I have the stuffed kong, the kong ball (which I haven't figured out how to get the cookies out of yet) and the buster cube to keep me busy.  
                                                                                        

I'm back!

                                                                       
Louie here!  Did you think FM wasn't going to let me say anything more after the incident with the wall thingie?   Well she did hold her promise to make me safe and makes me stay in doggie jail (the xpen) when she is gone from the house but it really isn't all that bad.   She gave me a huge knuckle bone to chew on (which by the way is almost gone after 3 days) and has been giving me this other toy called a Buster Cube.  Now that thing is interesting.  I hear stuff rattling around inside of it and if I move it around just so, it spits out food!  How cool is that!   She also has given me another toy called a Kong and it looks like this red rubber toy but she puts this goop inside of it and freezes it and then I can lick it out.  Intresting.   She said that it will help keep me busy while I'm in jail.  I also have my water and two beds.  

I am started to get a little more relaxed when FM is home now.   I discovered that I really don't need to get up and go into a reactive mode every time she gets out of her chair or off the couch.   Amazing how much more sleep I can get.  And I have started to play some with the other dogs but ONLY when FM isn't in the room.  Don't want her thinking I'm that comfortable yet.

This weekend was jammie washing weekend so all us naked dogs are really naked.  FM said it would be okay since she started up the wood stove to make the house really toasty warm - and it is.   She also put me on her lap once today and looked over some of my skin.  She said something weird is going on with some of my spots on my body (I am spotted btw) as they aren't growing hair like everywhere else, so she thinks they might be old scars from something.  They don't bother me but do make me look more spotty than I really am.

This week FM said she was going to "step it up" with my training.   Now she doesn't let me get out of my crate on my own (otherwise known as the flying freaky leap) and in order to get out of doggie jail, I have to let her pick me up.  All in addition to her picking me up to put me in.   It don't bother me as much in the morning when she does it as it does later in the day.  FM said that's because I've not had the day to think about it.   I wish I could explain to her what others have done to me while picking me up, taking me out of my crate and what they've done to me while I'm in my crate. 

FM is feeling better so I think I'm in for it with the stuff she calls "training".  She is doing more of it with the other dogs too.   Must be a "spring thing".   I have to say though, these toys with food are really cool and I've actually got some fat on me now so all my bones aren't sticking out.

New Hobby

                                                                          
FM wanted me to let you all know that she's not turned me in on a new model -- yet!   Last week seemed pretty sad for her so I really just hung out with the other dogs and she didn't make me "do" anything special.

But alas, things picked up at the house this past weekend when FM's boyfriend came and stayed a couple days.  Interesting guy.  I totally wigged when he walked in Saturday.   Couldn't find a place in the house where he wouldn't see me so I ran outside a lot.   Hey, he's a big guy and he's a PEOPLE!  Ohhh gawwddddd!  But as the day progressed he was still there (doesn't he get it - I didn't want him there).   Sunday morning though he came out of the bedroom and looked at me and yawned and licked his human lips.  Weird.   He told FM he was giving me calming signals -- well it did look a little "dog like" but he's NOT a dog!  I did kind of relax though as it seemed he maybe did know some "dog language" after all.   I guess he can visit and maybe I'll get used to him.   Hrmphhhh.

Oh but the big news is I found a new hobby.  Okay FM said it is destructo-dog hobby but hey!   You see I just am not finding these new crested dogs all that interesting during the day, nor is the box full of toys really catching my eye, nor are the numerous already chewed-on bones.   So Monday I decided to try tasting the remote control.  Hmmmm, little hard to get into but not bad and I was on a limited time control - FM was just outside shoveling.   Now mind you, she knows I was the one that chewed the corner of her leather couch (which got me banned to the family room with the other dogs when she is gone).   But yesterday, oh yesterday, I found that there are these clever strips of wood on the panels of wood in the family room.   Hey, a challenge I said to myself!!!  So there I was thinking to myself, wonder how that tastes.   Let's find out.  Pulllll pulll, POP!  Off it came.  Chomp chomp, hmmm, it doesn't taste all that good. 

Not a dog toy!!!???

Now, FM had to have a one-on-one with me last night.   She said, all the "stuff" on the floor that looksl like dog toys or dog bones - those I can have, the walls, rugs, upholstery are off limits.    But since I really couldn't bring myself to look in her eyes (still) she decided that I'd be much safer (and so would the house) if I was penned up today.  Golly darnit anyway.  This looks like a crate without the roof!   But whalllaaaa there is a REAL bone in there that no one else has tasted......we'll see how the day goes!

Not Forgotten

                                                              
FM wanted me to tell you all she's not forgotten me or all of you.   I noticed it has been a kind of stressful couple of weeks in my new home and FM said it is because a couple of the boys have been really really sick.  So on Tuesday she took them for a ride and helped them continue their trip to a place she called "The Bridge".   Now what the heck is that?   I hardly have my feet planted on this place called "The Earth" and now she's talking about "The Bridge"?   She explained that it is the place all us critters go when our time on "The Earth" is over and we start a new journey.   She said it is a wonderful place and that the two boys are now healthy and happy and being goofy and playing there.

Meanwhile she is back to paying attention to me.  Not so sure I like that.  I've been doing my best to keep up my Jeckyl and Hyde act - I'm myself when she's not around and then the moment I notice she's paying attention to me or coming back into the room, I quick shut it off.   Don't want her to think I'm getting comfy here or coming out of my shell!   She said the other night she should have named me Hyde - what!!!???  

Last night we worked on cuddling.  Now that is a weird deal.   When she picks me up (I'm up to 3 times a day and not liking it), she holds me up where I don't have to see her eyes and just talks to me and strokes my back.   She calls it de-sensitizing.  

So I guess it is back to the program for me.   I kinda back slid this past couple weeks with FM so pre-occupied but I will do my best to catch back up!

Crazy

                                                                
FM wanted me to tell you that she's sorry she hasn't been typing in my progress reports this week.  Most of the dog family here has been sick with the "crud" she calls it as has she so I've not been getting much individual attention and she hasn't really felt like blogging much.  She promises once everyone is back to healthy we'll all get back on the training bus!  Stay tuned!

Savy Saturday

                                                                      
FM has been using some of those things with me that Kim suggested yesterday and boy am I getting the benefits.  Today - BEEF hotdogs.  Wowsa.  FM said they are much better for me and her rugs and her clothes than cream cheese.    Today she put me in the living room with Tara and she sat on the floor and fed Tara and me hotdogs.  Tara was doing tricks and everything but I got a hotdog if I just walked up to her.   I'm still pretty suspicious but I'm also pretty hungry.

FM took these pictures last night after training with Kim and after dinner.  Full belly makes one verrrryyyyyyyyy sleeeeepppyyyy......