Holidaze and Puppy dogs

Well, we had two full weeks of chaos what with Christmas, New Years, the kids, assorted relatives, friends and dogs, so I forgot to post that Teddy celebrated his 8 month anniversary with us on the 28th. The kids were with the dogs a lot and had a blast......although I am not too sure if the dogs had the same good time. Teddy was happy to see his "real family" but nonetheless didn't seem to be overly exuberant and was quite content to live his new life here. He has now decided our bed is fair game as well as the sofa. So Happy New Year Teddy....and now we keep moving forward.

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.