I'm a Certified Therapy Dog!

Wow, it's been a long time since I had something to say, but so much has happened. Mommy knows how much I love meeting people and having them pay attention to me, so she decided to take me to pet therapy classes. I was happy because Peg was teaching me again - she's the one who taught me how to behave nicely in the first place. Anyway, I learned all kinds of things, like how not to be afraid of people in wheelchairs or people who speak or act funny, and after 6 weeks, I graduated! Mommy says our local paper even wrote an article about the class and mentioned me in it. Unfortunately, Mommy says we have to move and she's really, really busy trying to get a lot of stuff done right now, so we haven't had time to start visiting people yet, but I can't wait! And I'll even be able to wear a spiffy new bandana to show everyone I'm a therapy dog. Mommy tells me all the time how proud of me she is and how much she loves me. I'm glad I made her happy (especially because she buys me more squeaky toys and the mini tennis balls I love so much). Life is good!

I Passed My Canine Good Citizen Test!

Saturday was such a crazy day! My Mommy and Grandpa took me to New York City. I was there once before, when Mommy wanted to show me what a street fair was like. There were lots of people that time and some dogs too, but I liked it because there were some people in stands making all sorts of yummy foods, and I was lucky and even managed to eat a little bit of food that had dropped on the ground before Mommy could stop me.

But that was nothing compared to Saturday! Mommy took me back to NYC to go to something she called the Central Park Dog Fair. I liked the park itself because it had lots of nice grass and trees, but it was so crowded! Mommy said that last year over 6000 people were there and there'd probably be more this year. All around me were so many people and dogs. And more than a few got too close to me and tried to sniff me, which I really, really don't like, especially when I'm already so overwhelmed. Mommy took me to a less crowded area and said we were going to try to pass something called the Canine Good Citizen test, and that I should try my best. She had me sit and lie down a few times first to remind me how to do them nicely. Then Mommy talked for awhile to a very nice lady who Mommy told me later was something called a judge. I heard the judge ask Mommy what kind of dog I was, and she told her I was a Chihuahua mix, and that a lot of people thought I might be part Boston Terrier. The judge said she didn't I looked at all like I was part Boston Terrier, and Mommy asked her what she thought I was. The judge said I looked like I was part Jack Russell, and Mommy remembered that some other people had though that too, so now Mommy is calling me part Chihuahua, part Jack Russell. I think she needs to make up her mind.

Anyway, we all went inside this area of dirt surrounded by a fence. The judge kept telling Mommy to do different things. First we walked toward the judge, then stopped, then turned around and walked away, then walked back toward the judge, then turned to the left, then walked to the end of the dirt area, close to the fence. The judge said I did very well.

Then Mommy told me to sit and the judge came over and shook Mommy's hand, and brushed my coat a little and lifted up my front paws, which I was ok with, and then my back paws, which I didn't really like but I wasn't rude. I didn't bark or growl or snap or anything, I didn't even try to run away. Then the judge touched my ears, which I never mind when someone does that, as long as they're gentle. And the judge said I passed that part.

Then Mommy told me to sit again, and the judge came over and started petting me, which of course I liked. I really wanted to jump up on her to lick her, and I tried to, but Mommy tugged on my leash and said, No Jumping. And the judge said I passed that part too.

Next, the judge moved a bit away and Mommy told me to sit and lie down, which I did perfectly. Then she gave the leash to a different woman to hold and moved all the way back to the other end of the fence. She called out to me to come to her, and I ran as fast as I could to her, 'cause I love running to my Mommy! The judge laughed and said I passed that part too.

Next a different woman holding a greyhound on a leash came by and she and that dog and Mommy and I all walked toward each other and we stopped in fron of each other. Mommy shook the other woman's hand and they talked to each other for a few seconds, then Mommy and I and the other woman and the greyhound kept walking in opposite directions. Mommy told me later she was really proud of me because I didn't growl or bark even once at the greyhound even though we were pretty close to each other. But the greyhound didn't come right up to me or try to sniff me or stared right into my eyes, so I was ok with it. As long as I have my personal space, I can be pretty polite! Anyway, the judge said I passed that part too.

Next, three strangers walked inside the fenced area; they were at one end and Mommy and I were at another. Then we all started walking towards each other, and two of the strangers walked by me on one side and the other walked past me on the other side, and we stopped walking when we got to all the way to the other end. Then we all did the same thing again, except this time the strangers ran past me fast and were talking really loudly (I have no idea why) and I turned my head to watch them but didn't try to run towards them or make any mean noises or anything, so the judge said I passed that part too.

Finally, Mommy and the judge and I all walked out of the dirt area to a really big tree further off. Mommy gave my leash to the judge and walked away. I tried to see where she was going but the judge held onto my leash so I couldn't, and I just stood there with the judge. A couple of times I walked a little away and saw Mommy, but then she'd move off to the other direction and I couldn't see her again. Finally, the judge walked me back to Mommy, and asked Mommy (nicely) she was really out of sight the whole time. Mommy said yes and that she even moved off when she saw that I could see her, and the judge said she was really impressed because I behaved myself very well, and she thought I might have some trouble because Mommy told her about how I had been tied up by the animal shelter and left there all by myself overnight. But I was very good and the judge congratulated Mommy and said I passed the whole test, and told Mommy she was really proud of her (I think because of how Mommy adopted me even though I had stomach problems for a long time and can be very bossy at home with Nina and the cat, and because I didn't even know how to sit when Mommy first took me to obedience class). Mommy looked so happy, and she hugged me and told me she was proud of me.

After that, Mommy said we were going to the agility ring. We stood outside it for a long time, which I didn't like because there were so many people crowded around us and very little space between me and the other dogs. Finally, we went into the ring. First I walked through these sticks that Mommy called weave poles. I'd never done that before, but I did it just fine. Then we went up to the tire, and for a second I tried to remember what I was supposed to do, because this part seemed familiar and I knew that once I had done this before. Then I remembered and jumped through it very nicely. Then I walked up and down this thing Mommy called the A-Frame. I had never done that before either, but I did fine on it, even though it looked a little intimidating to me. Then I jumped over three bars, one after the other, and I did that perfectly. The last thing was the tunnel. I had done this before once in obedience class, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it this time (the tunnel was also much longer than the one I went through in obedience class). Mommy hugged me and said it was ok anyway, and that I had done really well. I noticed that a lot of other dogs wouldn't go through the tunnel either, so I think I was probably right about it not being a good thing. Then it was time to leave and I was pretty relieved. There were just so, so many people and dogs all at once, more than any I'd ever seen before in my whole life, and I'm three years old! And let me tell you, when you're as little as I am, it can be downright dangerous to be surrounded by so many others, you know what I mean? Anyway, we went into the car and drove home, and Mommy went through the goody bags she and Grandpa had filled with lots of stuff, including some yummy smelling treats. Mommy gave me a little piece of one, then I settled down in the back for the rest of the ride home. It was a crazy, intimidating day, but Mommy seemed really happy with me, and we got some treats to bring home, so I guess it was worth it!

Graduation Day

Wow! Today was a great day. It was the last day of obedience class - I graduated! The teacher even gave Mommy a diploma at the end. Both of them were really proud of me 'cause when I started, I didn't even know "sit," and I didn't really want to learn either. But I did, and now I know sit, sit-stay, down and come, and I walk nicely on my leash (of course, I always did). Since it was the last class, the teacher put all these weird things on the floor that she called agility equipment. The first thing I did was jump through something that looked like a tire hanging above the floor. I wasn't too sure about it at first, but then I got the hang of it. By the end of the class, I could do the whole course - sitting inside the hula hoop, jumping through the tire and over the bar, going through the tunnels and over the dogwalk. The dogwalk was the one I liked the best. They didn't even have to show me what to do, it was as if I already knew. I just jumped right on it and walked (or ran, depending on how fast Mommy went alongside me) along it, and jumped down. I wasn't scared of it at all. Mommy says if she had the money, she would enroll me in an agility class since I took really well to it, but that'll have to wait until she gets a better job. She's really proud of everything that I accomplished, especially 'cause she's only had me for a couple of months. I still annoy her when I start barking and won't stop, but she said she's buying some ultrasonic thing. She says it's a box that will make a noise only I (and Nina, I guess) can hear when I don't stop barking.

Even though the barking annoys her, Mommy says she still loves me lots. She lets me take naps with her and gives me lots of hugs and kisses. I'm really glad she took me away from that noisy place I was in, this is much nicer. Sometimes I even play chase with Nina in the house. And all that yucky snow has finally melted away. Things are pretty darn nice right now!

Yesterday was busy. First Mommy took me back to obedience class. She says I am making really good progress. At home, I know sit and come very well. Mommy also puts me in a sit-stay, and at home she's worked her way up to being able to walk around me in a circle and I'll stay put (most of the time). Also, Mommy taught me down by putting me on high surfaces like a table or bed, but she's also taught me down now while I'm on the floor. This one is a little hard for me, but I can still do it a lot of the time. We haven't done down-stay yet, because I still like to get up from the down position as soon as I can, but Mommy says we will build up to that. In class, where there are so many interesting dog smells and sounds and dogs to look at (and bark at if they get too close to me, or if they're getting more attention that I am, etc.), I'm a lot more distracted, so I can't sit-stay for quite as long, but Mommy says that's ok; I never had obedience training before and I've only been doing it now for 5 weeks, so Mommy says considering all that, I'm doing really well.

But she gets annoyed with me because I bark so much. Not just at other dogs or people who come to the house, but if Grandpa is moving from room to room in the house, for example, I'll bark like crazy at him. Mommy put a weird collar on me that sprayed some yucky smell in my face (she called it citronella) when I barked, but I learned to ignore it, so now Mommy has to return the collar. She gets upset when I won't stop barking, but I think when you've got to bark, you've got to bark, right?

She also took me to Petco yesterday after class 'cause she needed some food and bedding for the rats, and she let me pick out a wonderful ball as a treat. I really like it a lot, and chewed it up quite a bit on the ride home.

I love Mommy so much. She picks me up and tells me she loves me, and gives me kisses on the top of my head, and feeds me yummy food every day. Sometimes I wish I could stop barking so much, since that's the only thing I do that really upsets her, but I'm a chihuahua - barking's in my blood. A girl's got to express herself, right? Mommy says she will try new things to stop me from barking.

Oh, my parka came yesterday. I think I actually like wearing this less than my sweaters, although it keeps me a lot warmer than they do. Mommy thinks I look adorable in it, especially when the hood is on, but I don't think dogs were made to wear clothes. I wouldn't do it except it gets so cold for me outside, if I don't wear something I shiver non-stop. So I guess I'll keep wearing the parka. But I don't have to like it!

And there's so much snow on the ground, which I really don't like. I hate how my paws feel when I walk through it, and there are so many fewer places that I find acceptable now for me to go potty. Mommy says after winter is over, springtime comes, and the snow goes away, and the weather gets warmer. Springtime sounds wonderful! I hope it gets here really, really soon!

Brrr!

It has gotten so cold here now. Mommy always puts my sweater on me when I go out, but sometimes I still shake from the cold. Mommy says she's getting me something called a parka, which she hopes will keep me warmer. I hate having to wear clothing, but I hate being cold even more, so I hope the parka works.

It snowed here last night! I've decided I definitely don't like snow. It's right up there with cold, rain, and lightening. Blech!

Yesterday Mommy took me to obedience class again. She wasn't feeling well last week, so she wasn't able to practice at home with me, but I still did pretty well. The Great Dane was back, but he left me alone this week; he was more interested in barking at the other dogs, like the Lab. The mini Dachsund came over and tried to make friends with me, but I barked at him after a minute. I don't like too many other dogs, although the Min Pin seems nice. I also like that lady that all the other mommies and daddies listen to in class; she give me treats.

Grandpa took me to the vet lady again today. She wanted to know if my stomach was feeling better. Mommy gives me pills every day and a different dog food that the vet gave her, and I seem to be doing better now.

Brrr! It's so very cold out, and Mommy says we have to go out later, and there's snow on the ground. :(
She says that chihuahuas used to come from a very warm place called Mexico. I wish I could live there. Warm sounds wonderful right now.

Well, today Mommy took me to obedience class again. The Great Dane wasn't there today, but the Min Pin was. I like her because she's small like me and energetic like me. Her Mommy seems very nice too.

I had an accident today in class and Mommy was embarrassed. She apologized to the teacher and cleaned it up. I felt bad about it. I didn't want to do it, but my stomach has been funny for so long and I was so excited, I couldn't help it. But Mommy was nice and didn't yell at me or anything.

I have gotten really good at sitting. Now Mommy gives me treats (my dog food) only every other sit or so, and I keep sitting. I am also pretty good at "down" if I'm on a high surface, like a sofa or table or bed. Mommy shows me the treat and lowers it below the edge, so I lie down so I can keep following it with my eyes.

Today we also learned something new in class, "stay." Mommy thinks I'm doing pretty well at that too. I sit down and (most of the time) don't move until she says "yes!" and gives me my treat. But I still love to jump up when I meet new people or just when anyone gives me attention. And I love to bark. Mommy says I'm driving her crazy with my barking and that half the time she doesn't know why I bark, but I do. I just can't tell her 'cause she's not a dog!

Today was a busy day! Mommy took me to obedience class again. I am doing better with "sit," although usually only if Mommy shows me a treat. I don't see the point otherwise! She gives me pieces of my special food as treats since my tummy has been bothering me for awhile and I'm not supposed to have other food. Mommy says she will begin trying to teach me "down" soon. I already walk pretty well on a leash (for the most part); I'm also starting to get the hang of "stand." Boy, she sure does like to tell me to do lots of stuff!

It interesting to go to obedience class because of all the dogs and smells and stuff, but it can also be scary. Like that Great Dane, for example. Ooh, that dog! What does he want from me? Today he was staring really hard at me, which made me very, very uncomfortable. And later he kept trying to get near me; I was scared he was thinking of eating me. His head alone is as big as half my body! There was also a new dog in class, a mini dachshund. Mommy says I am probably part dachshund, but that other dog is what a real dachshund looks like. He was all right. I didn't like that he was being too friendly with me. It takes time for me to warm up to other dogs; after all, I'm a very discriminating kind of girl! But I did like that he was little. There are two other little dogs in the class besides him and me, so it's not too bad (except for when the Great Dane starts thinking of eating me).

Later Mommy took me with her while she drove around and did her errands. I love it when she takes me with her in the car (except for when she has to leave me there alone - I get so lonely and worried she won't come back) because then I don't have to compete with the cat or Nina or the rats for her attention. It's just me and her!

Mommie says Auntie V. will be coming back home from college next week. That makes me so happy! I love lying on top of her and giving her lots and lots of kisses, even when she tells me to stop. I wonder if Auntie V. knows that, even though Mommy keeps trying to get me to stop, I like to take my tennis balls on top of her bed and settle down and chew on them there. Sometimes I'll do that on Mommy's bed too. Mommy says it's yucky when I do that, but what's wrong with being comfortable while you chew? Nothing!

Mommy clipped my nails yesterday. She was very nervous, and I wasn't too crazy about it, but she seemed satisfied.

Yesterday I was happy and sad. I was sad because my rat brother Owen died. But I was also happy because one of my other rat brothers, Taco, started moving his back legs again. Mommy said he got sick and he couldn't use his back legs for awhile, he had to drag himself around. But she's been giving him medicine and he's doing a lot better now.

Today I found out what obedience class is. Mommy took me to this building and the floor inside had strange rubber mats everywhere. And there were so many other dogs there! Why didn't she warn me? Especially about the really big one...Mommy called it a Great Dane. It was the biggest dog I've ever seen in my life! And there was a woman there that all the other dogs' mommies and daddies kept listening to. Mommy, and sometimes the lady, kept trying to get me to put my butt on the floor. Mommy still tries at home, but when she says "sit," I'd rather jump up instead. Mommy smiles and gives me pieces of string cheese and tells me I'm good when I sit down (she has to help me by guiding my butt to the floor), but I'd still rather jump up. How else can I reach her face to lick it?

Mommy also took me with her when she went shopping today. She said she was going to take me to something called a dog park, where I'd be able to meet other dogs and run around, but she got lost and couldn't find it, so we went home. But it was ok, because I still got to be with my mommy, which is what makes me happiest in the world.

Out and About

Mommy took me to Petco today. I love going for rides in the car, and I especially like going to Petco. Everyone in the store always makes such a fuss over me, and sometimes the people who work there give me treats.

Mommy showed me the birds and mice, which I found very interesting, and the ferrets, which I thought were only so-so. She got me new tennis balls. That made me so happy, because I love playing with them. Mostly I chew on them, but sometimes Mommy will throw them and then I'll chase them. But I don't like giving them back to her, so she goes off to do something else.

There weren't any interesting dolls at this Petco. Sometimes Mommy takes me to the other Petco, and the dolls are more interesting there. That's where I found my reindeer squeaky doll, which I really love. Biting and shaking and throwing it around makes me feel so very, very good.

Everyone keeps telling Mommy that my nails need to be clipped, even though the vet did it less than a month ago. So now Mommy is saying she'll have to do that, and she's afraid she'll hurt me. I don't think she should bother, but she says she wants me to look nice for when I start obedience class.

I wonder what obedience class is....