9/1/13 A Day of Firsts

The first was a day of “firsts” for me.  I think I’m making great progress!

Dad, Mom, and Jamie had to go to the store.  That usually means it’s crate time for me.  When Dad approached me to put me in the crate, I gave him my most sorrowful eyes and rolled onto my belly, paws up, pleading.  Dad stood there for a minute and announced, “We are leaving her out of the crate and we’ll see how she does.”  So, off to the store they went.  Dad ended up making his Gourmet Spaghetti for the first (and last) time.  He left a monumental mess, and Mom spent most of the night and the next morning in the bathroom.  But, I digress!

I am proud to announce that I didn’t chew anything up and I didn’t pee or worse on the floor.  All I did was a little…stress eating.  The half opened can of dog food I found was tasty, and the home made banana bread that was foolishly left on the counter was absolutely delicious.  I did test out the furniture a bit.  Springy!  When my people came home, they found paw prints on the chair, ottoman, and couch.  Finally, I jumped on the back door and threw the deadbolt, so that my people couldn’t get back into the house without their key.  Mostly, I behaved though, and despite a little garbage strewn around, Mom said she considered it to be a successful outing.  More successful than the spaghetti dinner!

It was also the first time I allowed Mom to vacuum undisturbed.  Part of the credit goes to Dad, who distracted me with my toy when Mom first plugged in my Old Nemesis.  By the time I realized that Vacuum was sucking up all my fine shreds of toys and dog hair, I was slightly worn out and decided he wasn’t worth chasing.  I got a lot of praise for this!

Not chasing Vacuum?  I guess there is a first time for everything!

Woof!  Love, Maggie

 

 

Advertisement

5/18/13 The Kitchen Floor

Ahh, the kitchen floor.  Today it’s the best place in the world.  After breakfast and a visit from Nana and Papa, Mom took me out for a long romp with the tennis ball.  When I came in, I was so tired I flopped down on the cool kitchen floor, but in a sunny spot, so that my back would be cold and my tummy would be warm at the same time.   I slept like that for a long time. 

I’m happy.  I can tell my people like me because they smile at me all day and pat my head whenever they see me.  My confidence is growing and my heart feels really big.  Since I learned I am not going back to the Shelter last night, I feel more relaxed today.  I didn’t even jump as much over Nana and Papa, and Mom says that’s good but I’m still very excitable.

Dad came home early and after dinner we all went for a walk in the woods.  It was my first time out in the woods here!  I felt like a wild, Pioneer dog as I walked through the tall grass and leaves, checking out the birds and squirrels.  Dad said I was well-behaved, and gave treats. 

Today, I did not chew on Mom, Dad or Jamie.  When I get excited I tend to lightly chew or “mouth” my people.  They are trying to break me of this habit.  So today I tried hard, and got lots of praise and petting for my efforts.  I don’t think I’ve ever been called a good girl so much in my whole life!  After such a long time in the Shelter, it’s good to hear.  Not that the Shelter was bad, but it’s different, having a family of your own.  I’ve been home for a week now, and the memories of the Shelter are starting to slip away, slowly.  Today has been a very, very good day.