July 24th 2007 10:10 pm
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After months of pushing hints to Dave, signing up for our local humane societies foster care program and even finding a dog in need of an immediate home the day finally came. We did not end up with the first dog in need, a 105 lb pit pull with no knowledge of his history. (That was probably a good battle won on Dave's part. ) We did however find out that our friends decided that their two dogs were not getting the attention that they deserved and so they decided after much anguish to give them up. Yes, I did reprimand them for their decision, but they are our friends, and all parties involved thought it would be a ‘good idea' to adopt the male dog which was the favorite of their household.
The following is a journal of our adventures with our new dog, Riley.
Friday June 29th, 2007
I'm not sure if it was excitement or nerves, but I slept lightly last night in anticipation. After breakfast we took Minnie, our Kelpie (?) mix for a pet meet with Riley at our friend's house.
We decided to try the ‘Dog Whisperer's' tactic of immediately bringing the dogs on a walk together and then letting them off leash at the park. It worked as well as it could have. Minnie is socially inept and a bit of a live-wire. Upon unleashing them, Minnie started barking frantically which is the queue for us to throw her ball... which we neglected to bring with us. Riley growled and nipped in protest every time she was too close. With such a high strung dog around, who can blame him? I considered this our fault as we hadn't worn her down before we got there.
We decided to take Riley home with us.
Once home, we walked all three dogs (more info of third dog Cracker to come) together to the off-leash park and back home before introducing Riley to Jazzy Cat. Riley trotted straight past the cat in fear. Jazzy Cat went chasing after him in curiousity (or maybe insult). I attribute Riley's behaviour to our friend's cat, Riley's old nemesis... the meanest feline I've ever encountered.
June 30th, 2007
4:45am: Riley is up and whining. This is why I don't get puppies! It occurred to me that our friends are very early risers and this will probably be a problem for a couple of mornings before Riley is accustomed to our schedule.
Riley is overweight. According to his three previous veterinarians, this is the reason for his limping. Dave and I are no professionals, but we both think it might be a bit genetic as well. This has prompted me to research pet insurance immediately. This will be the first dog we've gotten health insurance for, but I learned my lessons with my last beloved German Shepherd mix that the insurance would be prudent.
I had to go on an inspection today. I wasn't gone for more than 2 hours. When I came home, Dave informed me that Riley had been whining and pacing the entire time.... Uh oh.
Riley is still ambivalent to Minnie and continues to growl if she is too close to his face. He has been introduced to our 15-year-old dog, Cracker and seems to understand that he is dealing with a geriatric, so tends to accept Cracker stumbling over him when he's laying on the floor.
July 1st, 2007
Riley took a bath today. He did surprisingly well. As he tends to be glued to my hip, it was easy to coax him into the tub... after I had gotten in.
Riley is growling less at the dogs and interested in why the cat has not yet avenged his presence with an attack.
Today is the first day that both Dave and I have left the house together since we got Riley. We walked down the street for lunch... a 45 minute venture at best. As we walked home we heard barking coming from a house a couple of doors down from ours... Nope, it was our house... and the barking was loud, and constant and I hope he didn't do it the entire time we left....
We walked inside to find dog drool and hair all over the couch (a forbidden dog spot in our house).
I immediately started researching the internet to find how to subdue and cure dogs with separation anxiety.
Due to some of his characteristics and due to our family tradition, Riley has been given a middle name: Freakshow
July 2nd, 2007
I'm working on moving Riley's vet records over to our vet. This seems to solidify Riley's membership into our family and I'm half-nervous, half-excited as having three dogs is quite a bit more work than having two.
Walks are one hurdle that make three dogs more difficult. Fortunately, Riley and Cracker are pretty slow walkers and Minnie seems to understand that I have new challenges with three dogs and is more patient than usual. Riley is now looking forward to his walks with the others and they all seem to be a bit more of a pack.
July 3rd, 2007
He has nearly stopped growling at the other dogs and almost lets me go the bathroom in peace without whining and leaning up against the bathroom door.
He's sleeping almost past 5:30am and I've almost got him to stop licking my armpits ... ewww, I know!
July 4th, 2007
No dog appreciates fireworks, but I'm pleasantly surprised with Riley's lack of excitement. Minnie would probably be fine if it weren't for her gigantic ears enabling acute hearing. She does well for the first hour or so, but then winds herself up into a panic mode. This in turn peaks Riley's curiosity and he gets a bit ‘riled' as well. Cracker is nearly deaf and so he just slowly meanders behind the others and wonders what all the fuss is about.
We had some friends drop by and realize that we need to work with Riley on his ‘welcoming' manners. Just add that to the list.
July 5th, 2007
Riley has found his two favorite spots in the house. One at my feet at the computer desk and the other is on the floor at the end of the bed. He has finally accepted the dog bed that has been designated for him (I had to wash off the other dogs smells before he'd consider it).
He makes these funny ‘German Shepherd grunts' that might annoy others, but I find them rather charming. I watch his legs kick and twitch as he dreams and wonder if dog slobber will eat away at the varnish on hardwood floors.
I took a trip to the store today and purchased a new collar and personalized tags for Riley with our contact information on it. This seemed to cinch the deal for me mentally. For better or worse, Riley is our dog.
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