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......

A New Friend

                                                                        
We had yet another visitor come to the house today.  Her name was Kim and FM said she would help her understand better what I was doing and give her more ideas on how to help me.  Gee I didn't know I rated so much help but man, this Kim person came armed with hot dogs!  Do you know they aren't much on their own but dip them in cream cheese and YUMMMO! (FM watches too much Rachel Ray)

Anyway this Kim seemed to be very peaceful (and a little sneaky) and knows dogs.  She had lots of good suggestions for FM and I decided I really don't have any reason to be scared of her.   She and FM talked a lot and a long time.  They watched me interact with the other dogs, watched me interact with FM with just them, me and Smokey in the room and then they went off into the back room to see my sleeping/eating quarters (my crate).   Kim is pretty smart - she said I was really cute so I know she much know lots about dogs!

So FM is already doing some different things and this Kim person just left.  Wow she must be powerful!!!    FM got us all ready to be fed and I saw her do something weird with my food.  No potions but she put it in a bowl and stirred it up with her hands.  Kim said she should try to put her scent on my kibble.  Weird but whatever.

Then when we all went in the room with the crates to be fed and I found my "spot" in the corner to wait to get picked up so I could get in my crate to eat.   Fm didn't pick me up like she has been doing, she kind of backed up to me and then stroked my chin and then picked me up.   While we were all eating then she went out and came back into the room with this rug and put it on the floor.  Kim told FM that maybe the reason I was so freaky when I "flew" out of my crate was because I was slipping and sliding around when I hit the floor.   She also gave her ideas on how to get me to not be so wild getting out of my crate.   It did help I have to say and I won't have to be so crazy when I get out.

Right now I'm trying to decide what to think of all the stuff that happened tonight.  Lots of cream cheese, little changes and I'm not quite settled.  I even lost my head a bit and put my feet up on FMs chair while she was typing this and everyone else was over there getting luved on!   FM said there is lots of hope for me.   Kim says there is hope for me.  I think they are right!!!!!

Banished

                                                            
Okay so I'm not really banished but I did spend the day today in my new work day living quarters - the family room.   Not so bad, not much furniture to chew on, or any remotes to play with or other "entertainment" equipment to mess with but there was a lot more company, a big futon bed to lay on and some toys/bones out.   I figured out not to be pooping in the living area (the other cresteds explained that) but I did have to "mark the spot" in one area.   FM says she'll let that one go but we need to work on that or the belly band will have to be used.   Oh NOOOOOO not that!  (what is that exactly?)

FM and I did spend some time in the living room after work, just the two of us tonight and she fed me cream cheese.   The condition was that I had to come closer to her to get it.  Stilllll not convinced 'that' is a good idea but the cheese was pretty yummy!   I also got an extra 'pick up' tonight and FM sat with me in her big wing chair (the one I like to use as home base).   She petted me and told me what a handsome boy I am (she's at least smart enough to get that).  She also said I'd be way more handsome if she trimmed up the very long hair on my feet.  She also trimmed the hair on the bottoms and said it would be "...so much better to grip the floor with Louie".  She gave my feet a little massage and also clipped my nails and I closed my eyes and did my best to pretend it wasn't happening.   Be verrrrry stillllll.  All in all, not bad and not a drop of blood was shed (hers or mine).

There was much excitement just before dinner tonight when a creature FM called a "Girl Scout" came to the door.  Everyone barked and carried on and FM made us all go to the family room while she opened the door.  She even let this "Girl Scout" creature and her Mom come in the house and say hello to us.  Everyone got very pushy about getting their turn and I wasn't sure what to think - both of them being girls and all.   FM told me I was very very brave though just coming over to the gate for a moment to see what was going on.  I couldn't stay long cuz I had to guard our food in the kitchen (I don't know that you can trust those Girl Scout creatures).

So goodnight my blog friends and tomorrow FM says her really smart trainer dog friend is coming over to help us figure out the best plan for my training.  Heck I don't need no trainin!

When the FM is Away

                                                                
Today I am in a new room while FM is at work.  I'm now out in the family room with the crested dogs and the toy box.  FM said that as of yesterday when she noticed that I'd chewed up the top corner of the back of the leather couch that it was time to go into a room where there were less things to chew.  Not that there weren't bones in the living room to chew on, I just didn't feel the need.   FM said that if I'm going to eat furniture, remotes, magazines, cassette cases or anything else NON-dog that I need to be somewhere that I can't get to them.  She even moved her muck shoes up out of my reach!  Dang!!! 

I really was just trying to explain that I'm still having some insecurity issues and that I'm really still more puppy than she thought (actually I think those puppy antics are coming out because I missed a "real" puppy-hood).   FM threw out a bunch of toys and bones from that place called the toy box this morning and at least one of the cresteds seems to want to play with me (his name is Teddy and he is a crazy man!   Maybe I won't be so bored today.

The Eyes Have It and What a Voice

                                                         
Things at this new home are getting much better and I am feeling like I can relax.  I get up and moving around more and like to take my cues from the other dogs.    FM and I have come to an agreement that I won't freak out so much when she has to pick me up to put me in my crate for dinner and bedtime.   I kinda noticed that all the other dogs let her do it and she says I'm a smart cookie and will realize that it all ends with good stuff!

I also have discovered that I don't need to be acting so shy all the time.  I kinda find that FM has happy eyes and I can make eye contact and nothing bad will happen.  In fact something good like cream cheese might.   I also now get that Louie is how she let's me know she is talking to me!  How about that!!!

Today when she came home from work and we were all excited to see her I just had to tell her that and I found my voice!  Wow!  My vocal cords still work - wasn't sure after all this time if they would.  FM said it is the most unique crested bark she's ever heard but also that I could do that any time I'm happy!  In fact she said "WOW! What a Voice!".  

So here's my thankful list:  I'm thankful for my new living arrangements and for getting to eat all the food I want (and today it was like a cup and a half!).   Warm couch, doggie pals, dog door, piddle pads, cream cheese and jammies!

Quiet Sunday

                                                              
It's been a quiet Sunday around my new home.   FM has the wood stove going and it is so toasty warm in here that naked dogs got to lose the jammies (for washing) and hang out by the stove all day.  It was kinda cool actually (well okay warm).   The down side is that I had to be picked up to have my jammies taken off.  FM said I'd live and I did.  

Last night went well with my new sleeping arrangement and as I mentioned before, this routine thing is kinda working for me.   I sleep in my crate and eat in my crate and since it sits on top of one of the other crates, I have to be picked up to get in it.   FM says that it will be good for me to realize that just because I'm getting picked up it isn't going to be for bad things.   So far nothing bad has happened and I like being able to eat in my crate and be in the room with the others when I eat and sleep.

Today I also found that these bones that lay around the house are for anyone who wants them.   FM took some shots of me by the wood stove gnawing on one of them.   Oh yeah and on the eating side, I got some more of that cream cheese today - not bad at all but I get kinda scared when the big dog comes around to take a share of it.  FM tells him to back off but he kinda just gives her the hairy eyeball.   I am finding though that if I actually go up and take the cheese instead of backing away, I get more!  Hmmmmm have to think on that one.

I also lost my mind a little bit tonight (in a good way) and actually barked and spun while FM was dishing up supper.   It made FM smile though.

I was laying on the thing they call the toy box.  When the lid is open it is full of "stuff" that the big dog likes to drag out but it is a great bed when the lid is down!

One Week

                                                                     
I've now been here an entire week, 7 days.   I guess the place isn't that bad.  The other dogs seem cool enough, there is space to move around (when I want to), a dog door, food, cheese, jammies and warmth.   FM isn't even all that bad but I still just can't trust her entirely.

I must be doing better since FM has now moved my crate into the dog room where everyone else sleeps.  She said that since I wasn't afraid to be in there, eat my dinner in there, she'd see if it would be okay with me to have my sleeping quarters in there.

I have a new favorite treat.  FM asked me to try some cream cheese (more fat and cheaper) after I kind of turned up my nose at the cheddar.  YUM!  I kinda like it (so do those other dogs but I'm convinced they'll eat anything).  I did have to show her though that I don't like BIG treats...little bite size pieces please so I can snag it and run if needed.   I did notice though that this cream cheese stuff sticks to her fingers so I have found that cleaning them off isn't so bad either.

I kind of got bored a couple days this week and had to explore in the living room with Tara.   She sleeps most of the day cuz she's older so I used that time to drag FMs hair tie off the table, pull out a couple cassette cases out of the book case and then I found this book on the coffee table called "Ruff Love".  I felt it would be good to make sure FM knew I'd seen it so I pulled it out and moved it out where she could find it.  FM says that means next week while she is at work I need to be out with the cresteds in a more "dog proofed" area.  Okay fine then!

So far FM says I'm progressing really well, starting to perk up, and I really DO like that there is "routine" here.  Not the same on the weekends but still consistent.   I don't really like the big naked dog - Teddy isn't the only one bothered by "big" dogs - he kind of makes me worry.   I still think every time FM moves I must go on alert and get out of the room but she said eventually I'll figure out that humans are good.  I do however know that when she asks me to go someplace particular that it is okay to go....usually!  

The girls and me - all in our jammies

It's Not All About Me?

                                                                                                  
Another day in this new place and I am up and moving more to be sure.  FM tried to explain to me last night how everytime she moves "It's not all about you (me)".  She said I don't need to be ready to run every time she moves because just her getting up to walk doesn't mean she's "gonna get me".   She also is trying to get me to understand that if she moves towards me that she isn't going to do anything bad and heck she isn't even alwas going to pick me up.  Sometimes she is just going to give me some cheese or maybe pet me a little.   I don't know, I still suspect worse.  

Although as she is writing this I just came in from outside and my tail is sorta up at half mast.   Of course she's locked me out from my home bases in the family room with all the other dogs and her sitting by the woodstove.   Hmmmm, maybe I'll go check out some of the smells while I'm up and about.

FM did say she knows I'm all crested since I am showing the crested circle routine.  I am feeling a little more relaxed though and FM said that it has only been 5 days and we aren't supposed to expect too much.   I did get pretty darned freaky when she was rushing around the house this evening while the smoke alarm was going off.   That was WAY too much movement that was WAY too fast!  No one else seemed to care but it made me a little worried.

I do really like these other dogs.   They don't seem to care if I'm here and some have tried to talk me into playing.  I'm trying, I got out of my box for a split second or two but then I remember I'm supposed to be worried (or I think I should).  Old habits die hard - or something stupid like that!

FM says she has hopes that I'll come around.  She knows it won't be a quick thing but that she is still very proud of me and how far I've come.  We've come to agreement that she HAS to pick me up to put me to bed at night but that she'll let me get out of my crate on my own.   Fine!   If it has to be that way.

Tomorrow is a new day!

Progress - It's the Little Things That Count

                                                                                   
Today went better with my house training as I got that since Mom put this pad down in the area that I had an accident on yesterday that maybe it was okay to go there on that thing.   FM says it makes cleaning up much better. 

I did have a couple bouts last night where I cried in my crate.   See I really want things just so.   The first time I did really really want to go outside so I made a bee-line for the back door.   The second time I was just seeing if Mom would get up.  She did but explained that I needed to chill and go to sleep.

Yesterday evening one of the crested girls saw me up in the wing chair and asked me to come play.  I actually got up and sniffed at her and said hi and WAGGED MY TAIL but I just was too worried to get down with FM in the room.  Today the other crested girl was out on the rug after FM got home from work and was wanting someone to play.  Everyone else was in the kitchen with FM so I got down on the floor when she play bowed and sniffed, WAGGED MY TAIL and said "hi".   But it didn't last long as I remembered I wasn't on my home base.

FM says I worry too much and trust too little.   She hasn't done anything bad to me but said that I have to be held to go in my crate and she'll trade off with me by letting me come out of my crate on my own.   FM also made me sit with her this morning while she did that TTouch thing on me before she left.  We were sitting quietly and she said something to the other dogs, not loudly and I about jumped out of her arms.   She explained I also need to be a little less "flighty" or reactive.   I'm trying!!!!

It's not so bad

                                                               
Today was weird.  FM left me with the blonde dog in the living room (since my home base is there) while she left.   She was gone most of the day doing something she called work.  She said it is part of the "routine" and told me that some peace and quiet today will do me good.  I was a bit out of sorts getting out of my crate this morning so that was fine by me.

FM told her friends today that last night when I laid on the couch while she sat sort of near me and just touched me (she is doing this thing she calls T Touch) and gave me treats (my favorite - Tillamok Extra Sharp Cheddar) and I at one point licked her fingers then laid my head in her hand - that she almost bawled.   I want so bad to trust her I'm just not quite ready but she knows that it is the little things that are important.

Tonight I had a new taste experience.  I had my first ever popcorn!  Not sure about the texture of that but I did eat like 4 pieces - the butter is the best part of course!

I still had accidents in the house today but FM didn't yell or scream, she just let us all outsidew when she got home and cleaned up the mess.   She said that it just isn't the most important thing yet and with all the changes, it isn't surprising that I can't hold it all day.  I did allllmost get it on the pee pad she left, just not quite. 

I'm still very tired and am laying in my second home base (the wing chair) right now waiting for dinner.    FM gives me these kissy noises and a smile every time I lift my head up to look to see where she is.   The other thing she told me was a good sign was this (taken last night).   That I'm laying sprawled out is good body language!  (Aren't those some sexy jammies Magic loaned me?)

Settling In

                                                                          
Yup, I'm still here and am slowly overcoming the trauma of being passed to yet another home.  I've found a new "home base" that isn't my crate but rather the end of the leather couch in the living room.  Seems safe enough and I can occassionally let FM come sit on the couch by me and feed me cheese.  She even sneaks a hand over the back sometimes and gives me a head scratch.  

Supper last night was yummy and I totally "got it" when all the other dogs were scrambling for the back room where all the crates are at and FM was saying to "kennel up".   Great excitement!   They were having dinner!  So I followed them in and even though I was afraid FM was going to grab me (my greatest fear of all) she just opened the door to my crate and put my food bowl in and told me to go ahead.  So I did and nothing bad happened.   Everyone here eats really fast so they got out of their crates first.  FM let them all outside to potty and could tell I was worried about eating with her in the room, so she just left me and I ate what I could.  Not so bad after all!  FM seemed pretty happy that I ate since she says I need to gain some serious weight!

Bedtime wasn't so fun.  I went in my crate in the room with all the other dogs and FM went to bed.  I couldn't see the other dogs (they get covers on their crates to help keep them warm) and I was pretty scared cuz I thought I was alone.  FM said that my previous Mom said I would cry in my crate at night unless I was in their bedroom.   FM came in and said everything was fine and I needed to relax so she uncovered me but I was still scared so she moved my crate (and me) out into the hallway so I could see the cresteds that sleep out in the family room.  That made me feel much better and I went to sleep.  FM said she will put my crate out in the family room for now at night so I don't get quite so scared.

This morning FM noticed that I was 1/2 out of the jammies I had on so she did pick me up and try on some others that fit MUCH better.  She said they belong to Magic but they will work for me and I won't be getting legs out of them so easy.   I just really hate being picked up and wish I could tell FM why it bothers me so.

FM (foster Mom) says I've done really good for a couple days here.  I know where the dog door is and have figured out how it works but I do still have accidents when I get worried or can't get outside.  She doesn't seem to mind much and said that once I'm on a "schedule" (whatever that is) it won't happen as much.   I even let her feed me some more cheese this morning (those Salmon Chummy thingies just weren't very interesting).   FM  also said she talked to her excellent trainer/friend and she is going to come visit in a couple weeks and help my FM come up with some more ideas how to get me to come out of my shell.   That should be interesting.

Meanwhile I've found a second home base, the chair where FM usually sits but she is on the couch today working on the computer and I wasn't comfy staying on the couch with her.   Besides, the sun shines on this chair!

History and New Beginnings

                                            
Louie here and I woke up this morning in my new foster home.   The night wasn't nearly so bad as I thought it might be.   I had a nice warm spot in my crate by the wood stove and with a couple other dogs in the room with me.  I was so tired I couldn't wait to get to sleep.

Foster Mom thought you all might  be interested in some of my hisotry although I have to be honest, I'm the only one that knows this for sure and her information is all second hand from humans that may or may not have been totally honest.  Unlike dogs, they do that sometimes.   Here's what my foster Mom has heard:

It is believed I came from a puppy miller that is in Wyoming.  There are some known puppy mill operations in Wyoming that breed rescues know about that are breeding cresteds.  So that is possible.   I somehow may have ended up in a kill shelter in Nebraska, but again, this hasn't been confirmed.   Somehow I made my way to Montana which is where I am now.   I have been handed around to at least 2 "foster homes" as well as being stuck at a not very legitimate rescue that apparently works out of an old building with no real kennels, only baby gates keeping all 75+ of their animals (dogs and cats) away from each other.  Again, not confirmed by my current foster Mom but what she has heard.   The last lady that had me (before my foster Mom) saw me at a pet store adoption event and took me to her place.  She and her husband and daughter were very very nice to me and their other dog really wanted me to be their buddy.   However after a few days, lots of research and talking to my current foster Mom she just didn't think that her home and her skills were up to rehabilitating me.  See she was told I was house broken, that I was a "cuddler", etc.

So she and her family decided I needed to come here and spend some time with my new foster Mom who has more experience with chinese cresteds and rescues that need some love, time, training.  

Now my new beginnings have started.  Foster Mom is currently kind of watching me to determine what we need to work on.  She has found that I have a great mis-trust of humans contact which makes her very sad.  But I'm not so scared that I bite, I just try to avoid getting picked up or taken from my safe spot (usually my crate).   I do really like to observe and the other dogs here really seem to like her.   FM (foster Mom) knows I'll come around.  I also am trying to be calm enough to start eating well.  FM is worried that I'm so terribly skinny (but all vet records she got say I am healthy) and she has told me that the first item we are going to work on as well as getting me some muscles built up.   She believes that emotional and physical work together so we will work towards balance in that area.

New beginnings part 1, weight and trust.   Oh and FM will be putting up some pictures of me soon.

FM found some jammies for me to wear - they are too big but warm none the less.

Departure and Arrival

                                                                                                    
Hi all!   My name is Louie and this is my blog.  My foster Mom thought this would be a great way for people to meet me and follow my progress on my way to my forever home.  I am a very tall skinny boy chinese crested dog and they say I'm considered a hairy hairless. No on but me knows for sure how old I am but my foster Mom thinks I am about 2 based on the stories she is trying to put together from my last Mom.

Today I left my home of a week and arrived in Helena.   Wow this place is something else!  There are actually other cresteds here!  Can you believe that?  In Montana there are other dogs that don't have hair that haven't frozen solid! 

My foster Mom is a very nice lady but I don't trust her.  I just don't trust any of these human types but in particular I don't trust female humans.   Only I know for sure why!  Right now the only place I really want to be is in a dark crate where I feel safe, but my foster Mom says that I don't need to be sared of the big old world and has given me a really nice roomy wire crate in a big xpen.   I can deal with that for now.   I am as of this writing though, out exploring in the house.   It is very dog friendly and Mom said I could do that as long as I can't get outside where she can't catch me (she suspects I'd head under the deck for safety and I might).

So tonight I'm in Helena and I'm safe and sound and my new foster Mom has cuddled with me and explained that everything is going to be okay.  I am not sure yet if I believe her but I'm trying!

Me in my new crate.