Home Sweet Home

Well, 7 months have passed and by the looks of it, our "temporary" boarder seems to have finally reconciled to calling our place "home". Finding him asleep on the sofa one recent Sunday evening sealed it for me. He has never tried to go on the furniture before and I was amazed to find him curled and comfy on it. He is quite happy to join in our routine activities even though he is somewhat unsure of what he really should be doing. Playing ball only results in his getting conked on the head. "Dear Santa, please bring me a helmet." But I have discovered he is willing to play tug of war with a sock...but only with me. Hey-it's a start. He has inched his way into our little fur family and wags his tail more now than I can recall in the years prior. Welcome home Teddy:)

Now to maintenance

Took Texas Teddy in to be weighed today and he is now 33 lbs so I am putting him on maintenance. He is eating what Sunny eats right now...one cup for the day. I intend to check his weight in a month and as long as he doesn't gain or lose, that is what he will stay on for now. He will probably go for his check up in February and we will see what the Vet says. It is nice to know he is able to gain weight and when we were gone, didn't lose any cuz he was stressed.

Anniversary

Today Texas Teddy-maybe we need to change that - has been with us 6 whole months! We were in Texas and I just returned last night and Dave the week before. Denise stayed here all week and Jen and Miriam filled in when she worked. Jen also mentioned that she can't get over the difference in Teddy since he first arrived. And last night when I got home, he was SO excited that he was jumping all over me, barking etc. as were my gang. So that is a positive sign. I have him doing some small jumps and learning the weave poles cuz I think he needs to learn to do things besides mooch. So he has settled in and now Texas Teddy needs to get his immigrant status and the way things are going, he will probably have them before Denise gets her US one!

5 months and counting

Texas Teddy is with us now 5 months - and counting. He has made a lot of strides since he first came, timid and fearful after that plane ride with a goat. His weight is up for one thing and he looks good. He has our routine down to a science and thank God summer is over and we have had peace and quiet sans fireworks. Thunder and lightening, and rain, freak him still but the noise phobia I am afraid, is now ingrained. I have been heeling with him on a leash for awhile now but recently brought out the weave poles and jumps for him to attempt. He was afraid of the equipment when he first came, but seeing them and the Collie Crew on them has eased that fear. Slowly he is learning to weave and I consider each turn on those poles as well as each jump on the jumps, a huge accomplishment for him. He wags his tail so much more now and gets all excited when we go for walks or car rides. He is very sweet but still is somewhat apprehensive about playing with my gang. They, in turn, try to steer clear of him which is not good. Sunny especially has tried to play with him and he with her, but it takes just one quick movement to have him snarl in what I think is a defenisve move, for her to quit. Hopefully in time this will stop and they can all play together. I am hoping the first snowfall will encourage Teddy since it seems to rejuvenate my crew.

Left to right in the picture is Harley, Teddy, Storm and Sunny; taken earlier today.

Brown-Eyed Girl

Ah Sunny-my "little" girl..the only female in this group of 4. She had her check up on 9/11 and is in good health with, as her Vet says, "perfect teeth". She is always smiling:) Her weight is good at 44.6 lbs. But she is 7 now so will have to have her "wellness test" (blood work). Sunny at work is what she is all about. Unlike her "brothers", work IS play to her and she thrives on it. Sometimes I can't believe the bond I have with her. She is my sunnybunch, my sunny bunny, always bouncing, always gentle.

Bad Moon Rising

The inimitable "Storm"...a dashing handsome dog if I do say so myself. And my standup comedian too...I refer to him as the "Seinfeld of the dog world". He had his check-up last week and weighs 56.5 lbs. He looks much bigger. He is healthy and also the biggest weenie around. He hid from Dr. McTaggert and cowered by Mommy:) Actually cried out when he had his temperature taken. Of course there I didn't blame him. We talked about his allergy if that is what it is and vaccinations. All in all, it went well and he is my beautiful tri boy..full of mischief and about as loving a dog as there could be.

Almost 4 months

Tomorrow "Texas Teddy" will be here 4 months!! He is now up to 31.8 lbs and looks great. He has come such a long way but I doubt the phobias he has with noise will ever leave him. However he has become a very social little guy with us in particular. Although he still is wary of others, he does allow people he sees often to pet him and give him treats. After all, he IS doing THEM a favor! The summer has been unusually hot and noisy but we all have survived. He still behaves like an only child at times: play his way or no way - allow him to pester but don't pester him. Fortunately the collie crew are all pretty laid back. He has learned that if I cut up treats, we are going out to play and he is the first one at the door, just like he is when we touch our car keys. I guess I should be thrilled with his progress but there's always a part of me that wants more for him. I guess that will remain a period of wait and see and I need to be patient.

3 months and counting

Teddy has been with us exactly 3 months. His weight is up to 31.5 lbs. and he looks great. Outside of his noise phobia, he is doing really well with us. Shannon and the kids were here for 2 weeks and he didn't seem to react when they left so I don't know if that is good or bad. He was happy to see them of course, and actually behaved like I remember he did at his home. He walks with us and plays with us although I wish he would play more with the dogs. He doesn't seem to know how to interact with them and has a tendency to snarl if, I think, he believes they are challenging him. Of course my crew are blase about everything so they don't care. He has learned to be better with people and yesterday he willingly went to sit next to Scott and get petted. He is the worst mooch ever and considering that is Harley's title, there is competition. My main desire is for him to quit being so crazy when he hears noises but that seems so ingrained in his psyche after 8 years, I doubt that will happen. He seems to be adjusting and it is a relief not to worry he hates it here!

Happy Birthday Teddy

Yesterday was Teddy's 8th birthday so of course we celebrated with homemade muffins and biscuits!!! He finally looks more confident which is wonderful. Outside of his fear of noises like firecrackers and thunder, he has come a long way. We heel each morning and he is getting better at staying around the yard. I only wish the stupidity of these firecrackers would stop since they also drive Harley nuts. Both dogs panic and it breaks my heart. Since the end of May we have some sort of bang almost every night and usually more than a few. The dogs have come to anticipate it which is terrible.

We were at Barb & Larry's on the weekend and got to spend time with the Friesen collie clan. Unfrotunately, Laddie passed away on Monday and it was very sudden leaving both Barb and Larry devastated. Didn't help my heart either. Dogs should at least have to live as long as people. It doesn't seem fair.

We are waiting for Shannon and the kids to arrive. Dave went to pick them up and they are on their way from the airport. Should be interesting to see Teddy's reaction!

Week 8

Wednesday...weighed Teddy at the Vet's - 31.1 lbs. I thought he might weigh more because he is actuallyu looking it.

Week 7

Teddy is into his seventh week with us. In that time, I'd like to think there has been progress made. Certainly, he is beginning to adjust to "normal" noises and doesn't necessarily freak when he hears hammering or other such sounds. Thunderstorms and firecrackers in particular make him crazed, but then they do Harley as well. We had a brief but strong storm on Friday and as soon as we could, we walked and all was well. I have started to work with Teddy. We have been heeling. Not for the perfection of an obedience trial but rather for the discipline involved and the work ethic introduced to Teddy. I think he needs some routine and a job of sorts. Since agility equipment at this point would probably scare him, I want to do something he will be successful at. And he is!! In fact he already is staying with us when we play ball instead of running back and forth. So I figured I better get him to do something to "earn" his treats and he is very good at heeling. I wish he'd play more with Sunny and Storm but he seems apprehensive (as do they - "bipolar Teddy"plays on their minds I'm sure!). But yesterday he played with both Dave and me as well as Sun and Storm and had a great time. I wish I could read his mind, if only to know for sure he is happy here. He has gained a little weight, sleeps and eats well, has a regular routine but I know we are not his "real" family and it bothers me to think he may miss them more than I think. He's had more than 125 walks so he's logged over 60 miles and he goes out whenever we do and in fact, can let himself out. He loves being with Dave and cries and carries on to go in the truck. Of course then I wonder if he thinks he is going home.......

"Weigh"to go Teddy

A trip to Fort Erie resulted in my stopping into Borderview to weigh the Sheltie. Texas Teddy is up to 30.1 lbs!!! For him that is great news since it (obviously) means he is content and not stressing and losing his weight.We celebrated with homemade biscuits tonight..always appreciated by the Collie Crew plus One as they are now known! He has gained about a pound and a half since he got here.

Sunnybunch is 7!!

My "Brown Eyed Girl" turned 7 on May 30th. I can't believe all the time that's passed. She is the only female in Colliewood. And of course she is one tough chick, rules with an iron paw!!! We clebrated with homemade muffins with carrots,zucchini,bananas,blueberries,vanilla,honey,cinnamon & nutmeg. Yummy:)
Today is Friday and everyone is back to normal after last weekend's firework fiasco. But the forecast is for thunderstorms on Sunday and I am not looking forward to that. Teddy has had a good week and is walking fine again. He even walks past the noise from renovations and he even spent time nosing around the backyard while Dave was rototilling. A good sign to be sure. He barks and carries on as soon as we get keys. Shannon thinks he doesn't like to go for rides. We think the opposite and I believe he is determined not to be left behind. Part of me wonders if he thinks we are going to take him home. I hope not. I'd rather believe he enjoys being with us where he gets 24/7 attention, lots of exercise and lots of hugs and kisses.

One month

It is one month to the date that Teddy arrived. I would like to think I have made strides with him. He is such a sweetheart. He is no trouble whatsoever, but I sure wish I knew if he was "happy". He wags his tail a lot at both of us and he really likes Dave and follows him around which is cute. I kind of think Sunny in particular resents it. She is such a suck. Today Teddy actually stayed while we played. Of course he waited for the treat but he wasn't running back and forth like he usually does. And after Saturday's fiasco with the noise, well yesterday and today in particular, were great. Barb and Larry were here and we all went for a walk when a firecracker went off. Harley is bad enough, but Teddy really freaks so Dave and Larry took the two of them home while Barb and I walked with Storm and Sunny another time. Teddy was good with them in the house and in fact, he now approaches Miriam on his own. I guess that is a good sign. I know enough to take it slowly, to break down a behavior in small steps, but it kills me to see him so terrified. I have to keep telling myself that he has almost 8 years of reinforced behaviors that are all negative. This will take time. Maybe he is here to show me that I can learn new things too. It sure is a challenge.

Tomorrow is another day. I look forward to even the slightest positive sign. I hope it comes sooner rather than later. Harley goes for his annual check up tomorrow too..it's always something:)

Don't hate us cuz we're beautiful

May 22....Bath day. The dogs. Not me. But that is not exactly true. I looked and felt like a wet dog by the time we were finished. Starting with Storm who looked as if he were being sent to death camp, I bathed Sunny, then Teddy and finally, Harley. Truth be told, Harley was the easiest. At 11, he hopped in and out of the tub. I think he rather liked the warm water and the soapy massage:) I think my bathroom floor must be spotless with all the water I kept cleaning up. Even though I got in with each dog, lathered and massaged them and rinsed them, I would get out, close the tub doors and wait for them to shake. All of them waited for me to re-open the door and then promptly soaked me and everything else in the bathroom several times before running downstairs where Dave waited to dry them. Now Harley...he simply shook while we were in there together! So it took about an hour and a half for the 2 of us to get them washed and dried and brushed and sprayed with a natural grooming spray. I took their picture later after I cleaned the bathroom and the tub. Of course such a busy day has them all sound asleep now. We did our walk and they got brushed again and had their teeth done. Such pretty pretty puppies!

Storm

Poor Storm has the itchies. It's been about a week since we noticed a sore on his foot and we realized that since he'd been scratching his nose on any and everything - including us - that his allergy seems to have flared up a lot sooner this year. I anticipated this starting at the end of July and it is only the middle of May. I hope that it doesn't last all summer. He is on Benadryl which I hate giving him but it seems to help. We wash his feet and spray them with an anti-itch spray and so far he's managed to keep most of his fur on his feet with only a few bald patches. I absolutely hate when this happens to him. He is such a big goofball and so sweet. I feel so mean scolding him to stop chewing or scratching.

Saturday,May 19 - Teddy is here 3 weeks today.He is doing better to the point he actually initiated play with Sunny tonight. I have been trying to get him to run with Sun and Storm and he has been a bit apprehensive but plays with me. But finally tonight, he spun around, butt in the air and pawed at Sunny. Her reaction was shock since Teddy has gone nuts on her in the past and I don't think she's quite ready to trust him. But when he "slapped" her in the face twice, spun around with a "play bow" then ran, she took off in pursuit with Storm joining in. The 3 of them romped around and even Harley came down to see what the fracas was all about. Unfortunately with the Canadian holiday, we've had several loud pops of firecrackers and both he and Harley were upset enough that I had to use Rescue Remedy. Things seemed to have calmed down now so I hope that will do it for tonight.

A step in the right direction

Week 3 is in progress, and for the most part, things are pretty good. Teddy still has issues, in particular with noises. He detests the garbage truck and even my gang's relative calm isn't enough - yet- to calm him. We had our usual morning walk and routine. Denise popped in with Romeo and that went well cuz Teddy was fine with sniffing, as was Romeo. He does seem to be good with other dogs, at least so far. After our evening walk and grooming session, I took Ted in the back yard with Storm. I began playing with Teddy who started running wild and lo and behold if Storm didn't join in. I thought that might cause Teddy to hastily retreat but when it didn't, I let Sunny out, and before long the 3 of them were romping in the back yard. Teddy was really playing with me at first, but then I noticed him running past Sunny with a little play nip and at that point I don't think he was worrying about what would happen if they joined in. They can be rambunctious, and Sunny in particular, yappy. But they had a great romp and it was something positive to see!! I am going to try to keep this going on a daily basis as long as the weather holds. Teddy has logged 30 1/2 miles walking with us since he arrived, and besides that exercise and whatever he gets through the day, he is not losing weight and that is a very good sign!

The Gang's all here

Pretty puppy

Such a pretty puppy:) Weight today at my Vet- 29 lbs. YAY TEDDY!!!!

Thursdaze

Bolts of light at 4:30 a.m. flashed in the room. I realized it was lightening but with the room darkening shades I was hoping the dogs wouldn't. Then a crack of thunder that literally shook the house. Sunny looked at me, as did Storm. Harley stood up and Teddy ran out pacing back and forth. I hesitated but knew we were in for a storm for at least a short while. I got up, put on the light and realized Ted was gone. I checked the bathroom and other bedrooms and finally saw the gate was moved. Walking downstairs, I kept calling Teddy without any luck. Finally I saw him in the kitchen by the door. So I got the valerian and gave him a dose and then decided to leave him since he apparently felt he was safe where he was. The storm was short lived and I also gave Harley some valerian. Of course I was wide awake and ended up putting the news on. When Dave came home, Teddy came up and stayed with us. The rest of the day was pretty routine except that Ted stayed here with Harley while Sunny, Storm and I went to class.The rest of the day was sunny and nice. We walked our walks, they had their meals and were groomed and finally we went out at 11. It's cool and foggy. Teddy went on his own into my room where he has his own little corner. It's like a giant crate...4 dogs and me.

Doggy Daze: adjusting

Wed. May 9.- As I write this, "Teddydog", as his "real" mommy calls him, is asleep outside the door....on Sunny's bed. He sure is skittish and I wish I could help him conquer those fears, real and/or imaginary. He's really a good dog with what I see as a fear of being left alone. He follows both Dave and me all over the place. It can be cute and it can also be dangerous. Stepping over 3 dogs was more than enough, so adding one more to the mix makes it downright lethal. He's eating and sleeping well and certainly seems content. Of course now I live in a kennel. I have all 4 of them sleeping in my room since I wanted the widnow open and the furnace not to kick in, so I had to close the door. But I look at him and wonder if he doesn't miss his family, after all he lived with them almost 8 years. I am amazed how well he picked up our routine and in fact, he has begun to imitate the "boss" by hanging around the kitchen at 4:45 & following me if he doesn't think I've noticed the time. He is fed last; that is I put down the food dishes according to seniority which he doesn't seem to mind. He also has it figured out that the last walk means being groomed and having his teeth brushed including using the dreaded "Nolvadent". Of course there is a treat following this torture I put him through so he endures it.
I am hoping to get him to play. He doesn't know how. He doesn't play ball although he does participate finally in the Collie crew's game. The game: "Stupid collies chase the ball, I get a treat, run back up the stairs (only 3) and wait.....stupid collies chase the ball, I run down and get a treat...repeat this half a dozen or more times." Dave told me to try to engage him in catching a ball. He started running with Harley & Sunny when they were going after the ball but of course he didn't know what to do. I told Dave he wouldn't know what I wanted but he insisted I try so I called his name(Ted's) and threw the ball, which promptly conked him on his coconut. So much for progress...2 steps forward, one back:)
I don't know if I will ever see him comfortable with people. He sneaks up in the house and if someone moves to pet him, he bolts. But at least he tries and he lets Katharine pet him and today he took a treat from her in our yard as he did yesterday from Jen. Lugar he didn't care about, and outside of them sniffing each other, well, that was that....unless of course you consider Lugar's decision to get a closer sniff which resulted in Ted's snarl and Lugar backing off in surprise and fear. Ah, bipolar Teddy. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!
So we are up to 43 walks and that means he has amassed 21 1/2 miles of motion. No wonder he sleeps so well. Up till now his exercise consisted of figuring out how to get Benjamin's food away without getting caught. Of course it helps that we don't have a goat:) And tomorrow's another day. My gang have a class and although I'd like to take him there, well, dear God, I don't think he's quite ready for sheep!

Doggy Daze

Sunday, May 6, 2007-05-06
Teddy arrived on Apr.28 via American Airlines at the Buffalo Airport. He was supposed to come Wednesday but weather problems caused the change to Saturday. Dave & I picked him up and although he should have been there at 4:30, it was about 40 minutes later he was brought out to us. He looked scared and Dave noticed immediately he had soiled the crate. The attendant said he had “company” – a goat. Good reason to soil himself anyway. He seemed relieved to be with us and got in our truck without hesitation. Unfortunately the stress was too much for him and he seemed to have several bouts of diarrhea that night and the next day so I put him on a bland diet to calm his stomach. He slept hard the first night then on Sunday, he got up around 2 then 5 to go outdoors. That was the only time he got up through the night. He seemed to fit right in with our gang and walked all the walks since we had such a nice weather week. By Saturday night, he walked 13 ½ miles total!!!! He is eating and sleeping well and from what I can tell, seems pretty content. I wonder if he misses his family and his home? We are beginning his second week now and he seems a bit more confident although he gets pretty skittish at times. I need to get him weighed since his papers say 28.6 lbs. I want to be sure he maintains a good weight.

Doggy Daze

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