What's with that dog?

"What's with that dog?"

Momma heard a relative say about Kiki.

What does that mean?

What's with that dog who's come so far out of her shell? What's with her big doggy smile that only in the last year started showing itself? What's with the fact that she's doubled her weight from the day we got her? What's with her shiny coat? What's with the fact that she goes up to people to sniff now? What's with the fact that sometimes she lets strangers pet her now? What's with the fact that she wags her tail? What's with the fact that she plays with toys? What's with the fact that she sleeps under the blankie? What's with the fact that she tries to play with other dogs? What's with the fact that she cuddles, usually with Momma but sometimes with visitors too? What's with her curious personality blooming before our eyes?

No.

"What's with that weird dog."

(.. and the famous line, "I like Mini better." There's no denying that Mini is a special, unique and amazing dog who we love just as much as Kiki. She was our first baby! But they're such different dogs, you can't compare their personalities or histories although they fill equal spots in our heart ♥)

Momma tries not to preach, tries not to bore people, tries not to lecture those who really aren't interested to hear. She says Kiki's adopted. She's never had a home before, she lived in a cage her whole life. See how she's grown.

Humans can be so cruel.

What's with that?

Widdle White Whisker

Guess what I found this morning?

A widdle white whisker on my youthful face.
It has inspired me to write a poem:

Widdle white whisker, why are you there?
Widdle white whisker, keep outa my hair!

Widdle white whisker on the right side,
Widdle white whisker why don't you hide?

Widdle white whisker I am not old.
Widdle white whisker your look is so bold.

Widdle white whisker why don't you creep..
Right on over to Mini's little cheek!

Thanks!

Change Still Happens: Just relax.

Change still happens!

It is coming on two years of me being with my forever family and I still grow and change.

Haven't gained a lot of weight lately, (although Momma tries to fatten me up and I do eat A LOT!), but I have changed in a few new ways by just getting out of my comfort zone and relaxing.

I CAN WALK DOWN THE STAIRS!
Daddy actually taught me this. I have been able to go up since perhaps last July right after we moved into our new house. But going down always seemed a challenge. I learned the hard way that it's not a good idea to just jump from the top step. After that experience.. twice.. I completely gave up on going down and Momma and Daddy decided to give me a little time before trying that again.
In the last month or so Daddy's been taking me down the stairs in the morning and starting me with just 3 steps then working me all the way to the top and this past week I've done the whole set of stairs!!! I really walk like a dainty lady now. Before when Momma would watch I would chicken out or stumble but now she can watch and I do it right, I am more confident. I don't walk down voluntarily yet, it always has to be with Momma or Daddy placing me on the top step, then I hop my way down after Mini but Momma and especially Daddy are thrilled and proud of my ability.

I RELAX!
Another big leap: I dont tense up when Momma or Daddy hold me! We read a story about another doxie who was adopted from a puppy mill and didn't wag her tail for two years. I happily wag my tail but whenever I was picked up, even by Momma or Daddy, I would always tense my whole body. I dont get picked up a lot but before I could walk down the stairs I needed to be picked up and I can't get myself up on the couch either. Almost two years I've been a part of this family and in the past two weeks I've started to relax. Weird. Momma and Daddy aren't sure what triggered my relaxed body when being heald, perhaps just time but they are so happy. They know it's not just my body being relaxed it's my whole being and my mind being relaxed, confident and comfortable.

"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow."
Doug Firebaugh

Just Call me Lumpy.

Hi pals!!

This is a true story of how I have recently come to be called "Lumpy".

About a month ago Momma and Daddy found a little lump on the side of me. They weren't sure what it was, maybe a bug bite so they decided to wait and watch that little bump to see if it went away. Well, the bump didn't go away and then Momma and Daddy thought it had grown so to be safe they booked me an appointment at the Vet.
The day of the Vet appointment came, Daddy got off work early but Momma was still at work at around 4pm during my appointment, thinking about me and hoping not to get a call with the work "cancer" on the other end. 4pm passed, 4:30.. 5:00 and Momma didn't get a call. She made sure everything was running smoothly at work then stepped out to give Daddy a call and see what was happening. There was a "C" word on the other end of that phone but it wasn't cancer it was CYST!
I just have a little cyst on my side, it'll probably not grow much more according to the Vet and they said we should just probably leave it alone. Momma and Daddy were thrilled to hear the good news!! I am happy too.. except now Momma and Daddy think it's funny to call me Lumpy! BOL, I guess it could be worse.. that same day at the Vet both Mini and I got weighed. We're happy I am 11.5 pounds but Mini.... well she may not be called Lumpy but being 14 POUNDS she's now called CHUBBY!
Tee hee hee, love ya Mini!

Anyways, other than Mini being a chubb it was a day of good news that I'm A-Ok!

It was my 6th Birthday and 2nd Gotcha day!

WOOHOOOO I made it to 6 years old and 2 years in my forever home!!

On my Special Day Momma and Daddy both had to work but when they got home both Mini and I got bully sticks and new fuzzy loofa dogs!! Mini's is blue and mine is orange, they both squeak- still! Thanks Mini for not killing my loofa dog! (Yet!)
We weren't sure how old I was because of my history, Momma thought we were going to celebrate 7 years but a new Vet recently looked at me and said for sure I am under 7.. so 6 it is! BOL! I wanted to say 3 but my grey whiskers were working against me. ;)
These past 2 years have been filled with great times and tough times, story of my life really. Among the many fears I've conquered I have also conquered my recent cyst, paw infections, skin infections and toofer removals. I'm not the only one who's survived tough times though.. Daddy's survived me squirting on him, squeamish Momma has suvived my garbage breath and removing gunk from my teeth with her bare hands, (I fancy myself a bit of a squirrel), and Mini has definitely survived the worst of me... my sneaky poots, burps to stop a truck, stinky yawns, walking literally all over her, making her share all her toys and her beds and making her parents share their love.
Does it all sound bad? Well, it isn't. It's been an AMAZING two years and we can't wait to see what more amazing things are coming our way. This little family was only made better by my being here and I love my life every day.

Thanks to all my dogster pals for being here through the past 2 fun filled years. Congratulating and laughing along with my family. Also for being here during those tougher times when we needed advice or kind words. You're the best!!

Thanks to all the pals who left gifties on my page!
- Hershey and Winkie: Birthday Hat
- The Family of Copper, Lucy, Harley Davidson and more: Pink Ball
- Walker, Molly, Pookah and more: Windmill
- Ebony Ursula (Birthday/Gotcha TWIN!!) Golden Heart
- Petey, Darla Mae, Thunder, Lexi and Monnie: Blue Birds
- Tinkerbelle and Natasha: Ladybug
- Droopy: Adopt Ribbon
- Buddy, Molly, Scooter and Peetey Morris: Tulip
- Mazy: Prairie Steak

Thanks to Mr Jack Freckles and Lucy at Christian Dogs and Cats who made me these stunning Birthday/Gotcha day pictures!!

Kiki Gotcha and Birthday Picture from MJF!

Happy Birthday Kiki From Christian Dogs and Cats!

Happy Gotcha Day Kiki from Christian Dogs and Cats!

ADOPT 2012: Judges Entry

This year I have been chosen to help Judge the ADOPT 2012 contest. I am honored and flattered to be helping judge this year and can't wait to read all the inspirational adoption stories.

If you would like to tag a photo for the ADOPT 2012 contest the general tag is: mainadopt12stroll. Then just write a diary entry straight from the heart about adoption. That's the best advice I can give. See River's thread in Plus Fun and other Forums for more detailed information on how to enter and how to donate.

I am a Judge this year.. but that doesn't mean I can't write a diary entry too! ;)

My name is Kiki and it has been over two years since I have been in my forever home of love and luxury. The memories of puppy mill past are still here but fade more and more every day. Cold bars cutting into my feet, teeth rotting out of my mouth, crowded quarters and not enough food, making puppies and having them taken from me while I stay in those conditions for days and years on end are all over now.
I came to my family and could be described by only one word, scared. There was no easy cure for me, there wasn't a moment where it just "clicked" and my fear went away, no epiphany or miracle happened every single thing took time. Adopting a dog, adopting me, started with pure love and excitement. My parents in reading ADOPT entries on Dogster decided they wanted to adopt a dog to expand their family and give my sisfur Mini a friend. They saw me on petfinder and I was naturally adorable. They met me one day in their own backyard and thought I was awful skinny but overall adorable and my "shyness" would fade quickly. Well they were right about me being adorable but the "shyness" was pure unfiltered fear as a the only human memories I had were of pain and terror. My sisfur Mini helped me understand how to eat food out of a bowl, (Two years later this never stops exciting me!! Did you know the bowl gets more food in it every day!!), how to play with toys, how to run. Can you imagine, I couldn't even run!? What took time was something I could only do for myself, I had to adopt my human parents. They were so patient, so caring, they learned more about puppy mill dogs, they read about how to bring me out of my shell and just when they thought there was nothing more they could do to make me into a dog, a happy tail wagging, tongue smiling dog.. things started happening. When I was sick they took care of me, when I was cold they warmed me, when I was scared they held me and helped me do things outside my comfort zone which made the dog I am today.
My name is Kiki and it has been over two years since I have been in my forever home of love and luxury. The memories of my forever home fright fade more and more every day. After Vet scares, exhaustion, thinning patience, tears and many nights reading dogster forums what we remember are my firsts. My first time walking up stairs, first time eating food out of Momma's hand, my first doggy dress, first time sleeping under the covers, letting daddy pet me, being relaxed when being held, coming when called, first time playing with Mini, first time killing a toy, first time in a swimming pool.. ok some memories I would rather forget but what I am trying to say is when it's good, it is so good and you don't remember those tough times anymore. You only remember the now, the joy, the love that was brought into a dog heart like mine and blossomed into my parents hearts and the hearts of our family and friends. The pride my parents feel for me and my growth is a feeling that was earned and is unmatched.
Adopting gives a dog a second chance at life. A chance they deserve. Being in a puppy mill, being in a pound, being born into an accidental litter and left on the side of the road, being in an abusive home or hoarding situation are all examples of lives that dogs did not choose and do not deserve. A dog is an innocent creature and only wants love and will give it back to you along with loyalty for the rest of their lives. Can you imagine if all the people in the world only wanted love. Imagine that love alone would satisfy you, sounds impossible right? With a dog that is truly all they want, we can learn a lesson from that.When you look in the eyes of an adopted dog, this is not an romanticised statement, you truly see the gratitude in their eyes. I show my Momma and Daddy my gratitude and love everyday when I look at them.
Humans say a lot of things, some I do not understand.. ok most things I do not undertand but I completely agree with "Time heals all wounds" because I have been able to see my own personal scars healed by time. Time I was so grateful to have.


What does adoption mean to me? It means the difference between life and death.