Why mom? Not my hair....

My mom said that the long and luxurious locks of hair of mine were getting in the way. Every time I would eat, there would be food stuck to my ears. And my beautiful tail was beautiful too, just like a fountain. Well she sure put an end to that. I’ll admit, I do like to rebel once in a while and my hair is an expression of my individuality. I mean, how cool is it too be able to feel it blow in the wind. I couldn’t make mom understand how “in” my hair was. She just said something about not succumbing to “pup pressure” and that it is harder to see my sweet face with all the hair.
Well, she decided to cut it herself since I don’t like strangers. But I think I could have swallowed my pride if someone who actually knew what they were doing was cutting my hair. I was hoping for something a bit more stylish and polished. Mom just wanted to trim me up a bit. And it’s not completely even! I’m so embarrassed! What will my friend’s think?
I don’t look my age now!!! I look like a year old pup! I don’t know how I’m going to pass for my ripe ol’ age of 7, I’ll have to show my dog license to gain entry into any canine club.
Mom says I look cute but wishes she could have done a better job. I guess I can’t be too upset, considering it was her first time. If only she would let me return the favor, I think she would look good sporting a poodle poof! (Mom interrupts to tell me she sported something close to that when she was growing up in the 80’s and she doesn’t want to go back to that nightmare.) Hmmm, will have to think of a different style for mom……maybe I’ll surprise her when she’s sleeping. Just gotta figure out how to do the scissors without thumbs.

Visitor: Intruder Alert!!!

I’ve been on the prowl listening for signs of people trying to invade my territory and I bark to scare them away. But would you believe mom let one of them in our house!!! I was so brave, I barked for like a minute straight (hey at least I didn’t hide underneath the table). And then this strange tall guy sat down on the couch. Well my brother Sydney was all about this stranger. Sydney was licking him and laying in his lap. I was a bit more reserved. I layed in mom’s lap and after about 5 minutes or so I went over to this “intruder” and I let him pet me. Well, he wasn’t so bad. Syd sure seemed to like him and so did mom. I kept hearing how proud mom is of me. She says that when we met a whopping month ago, I would hide and run away. Now I’m being Dexy the Brave and at least barking at an “intruder”. And in one short month, I’ve gotten so close with mom and I know she won’t let anyone hurt me. Well since I know I’m “home” I’ve gotten pretty good at the lay of the land here. Mom told me that this “intruder” was ok so I’m going to believe her unless I am proved otherwise.
Mom is so happy with me, she keeps calling me Dexy the Brave (I think I like the sound of that!). I’ve come so far from when I met her and I wouldn’t stay in the same room as her without crying or barking for my foster mom to “rescue” me. She is amazed that even though she can tell I’ve been severely abused, I’m still a loving pup that wants to please.
According to mom, I’ve been making her laugh quite a bit lately. I like to drag out all of my, excuse me, our (mine and Sydney’s) toys and throw each one up in the air and then go to the next one. There are so many toys!!! I’ve counted and there’s something like 40 toys! I’m in heaven!
And there’s this fantastic purple chewie that Syd and I love. I don’t want Sydney to see me chewing on it cause it’s his. So the other day I dragged the towel that mom uses to dry us off when we’re wet and manipulated it so it was kind of like a tarp that was concealing my actions. Well then I began chewing the coveted toy. Mom couldn’t figure out what I was doing for about 10 minutes. Once the jig was up, mom couldn’t stop laughing. I like to make mom laugh. I seem to do it quite a bit and sometimes when I’m not aware of it too.

February 3: Fun Weekend

Since Sydney’s feeling better and less jealous, we’ve really been getting along. I look to him to gage situations. I don’t know how to read my mom’s actions and Sydney has her down to a “T”. We were playing and having all kinds of fun. He even let me lick his face for like an entire minute. He gave me about 3 licks after that as well. I think he likes me even though he won’t admit it. I was sleeping all by myself on the couch when he jumped up and backed up until our tushies were touching to sleep. We were a perfect “U”. I also went on so many walks, I lost count. Mom put the gate up on the deck and we could sun ourselves. How fun! I love the sun.

January 29th:

Well, mom is in a better mood today. She told me Sydney is coming home. He had to spend the night at the vets office. I’m not supposed to pest him (not that I did, he was the one pesting me) when he gets home.
The big lug looks so much better. Mom is babying him something fierce. She must have been really scared. Either that or he’s faking.

January 27: Very Confused and January 28th Very, Very- Confused

Mom put me in the car and I was shaking like crazy. I thought, what did I do wrong? Why am I going some where else? What’s happening? She said we were going to her parent’s house but they weren’t home and we’re supposed to check on things. Well I’m afraid! Then she put me in the car again and then we went to this place where it smelled like lots of dogs and they had lots of dog toys, I think it was called Petsmart. I was still so scared! The smells reminded me of the shelter. Mom got me out of there quickly and home we went. I’m still really scared.
Sydney isn’t feeling well. He’s lethargic and doesn’t even try to poke me. Mom says if he doesn’t get better soon, he’ll have to go to the vet.

January 28 about 4am: Very, Very Confused
Mom slept on the couch with me and Sydney. Sydney keeps throwing up. Mom is rubbing his belly and telling him it’s ok. She called the vet and through her jacket on and a pair of flip flops (it’s about 20degrees here) and didn’t even comb her hair and took Sydney to the vet. I had the house to myself. I wonder if he’s coming back.
Mom came home and cried. I tried to comfort her the best that I could. I tried to lick away her tears. She hugged me and talked to me. I didn’t understand her words but I understood her heart. She is sad.
Just mom and I slept downstairs again.

January 22-26: Adjustment

Things are going really well. Sydney just keeps trying to poke me but that only happens when he’s feeling playful and mom’s around. Did I just call her that? She seems to genuinely care. I still follow here everywhere. She’s really nice and tells me that I’m a brave boy.

January 21: New Beginnings

My new mommy let me sleep in her bed with her and my new brother. He seems ok but he keeps trying to poke me with his nose. I don’t know why. Mommy corrects him by telling him “No Poke” and he crys and whines. I think he is used to getting his way. I won’t let mommy out of my sight. I follow her every where even to the bathroom. She laughs at me and has been calling me Dexy. I think I kinda like it. I was ignoring her when she called me Midnight but it could just be the way she says Dexy, it gets my attention. My new mommy tells me she’s going to be home with me for at least one more whole day before she has to do this thing called work.
I love it when she’s in the kitchen cause she’ll give me a teeny piece of whatever it is she is making. And when she is done or after we come inside from using the facilities, she’ll say, “ Come on Boys.” And both Sydney and I rush for the living room. Still not sure what to think of him.

January 20th. Homecoming.

My new mommy person took me for a walk this morning and it wasn’t so bad. I cried when I went by Miss Pam’s room.
Miss Pam kissed me and hugged me and placed me in this strange car. There was a pretty burgundy velvet bed on the seat. She attached my seatbelt and kissed me. Then Brenda Lee and Momma Reese got in carriers in the back. My new mommy and Miss Pam hugged and promised to keep in touch.
I’m still not sure about this new mommy person but Miss Pam told me it was ok and Miss Pam doesn’t lie. I’ll give her a chance; maybe she’s not like the others.
Wow, I can’t believe she’s petting and talking to me this whole trip, we’ve been in the car so long. I heard my new mommy say the trip is 4.5 hours and then we’ll be at my new home. Brenda Lee’s parents will be there to take her to her forever home too. Momma Reese is on her way to her new foster home in NJ. At least I’m done traveling for the day.
Ooooh, it’s cold. I am a southern dog after all. Pennsylvania is going to take some getting used to. We finally stop. Brenda’s parents arrived at the same time and a little later they picked up Momma. Well turns out this new mommy person isn’t so bad but I’m still not gonna let my guard down. My new brother scares me. He seems nice but I’m not sure yet.

January 19th: The day I met my new mommy.

I was living at my foster mom’s house since August. I was just starting to get the hang of things and coming out of my shell, then she tells me we’re going to VA to meet my new mommy. Well, I was of course a little scared because I had been abused somewhere in my past. If someone tries to pet me, I cower because I remember hands not being things to express affection, only violence. Miss Pam (Foster Mom) told me it would be ok and that if things didn’t work out, I could always come back to her. Miss Pam also told me that I was going to have an older brother too. I’m not sure about this.
Later that day:
Well Miss Pam told me that my new mommy was here and asked if I would like to meet her. I would prefer to stay with Miss Pam because I’m not really comfortable with strangers. On our journey from SC to VA I wasn’t alone. Brenda Lee and Momma Reese joined us.
Miss Pam, Me, Brenda Lee and Momma Reese went into my “new” mommy’s room. I was practically hiding behind Miss Pam’s feet. I wanted no part of this new person. But for some reason, Brenda Lee and Momma Reese went to her right away. They were even kissing her. I’m still not so sure about this whole thing. She kept trying to talk to me and I would plant myself with my foster mom.
Miss Pam says I have to spend the night with this stranger. I’m scared. I bark, whine, cry and new mommy just says, “It’s okay sweetie.” Now this new mommy person didn’t try to corner me like others do. I decided that it would be ok to sleep in bed with her but I’m still on alert, so if she makes any fast moves….I’m gone like the wind.