Playtime!

So yesterday mom and dad took us for a walk as always. But instead of going to the house we went up the hill behind the house. Then up another hill to a small clearing. Into the woods we went to find a note mom left on a tree. There are unknown hunters on the property and mom is keeping them in check. Well there was no trash on the ground an we headed back towards the house. At the clearing mom took off my lead. I stood there for a minute not knowing what to do. Turner came over and nudged me and it was on! We ran like crazy!! It felt so good. Mom swears I was smiling the whole time!!

Then we went back into the house and mom found these things on me. Ticks!! Yuck!! Mom and dad got the heebie jeebies and checked themselves and found some as well! Yuck!!

It's Cold

Alright - it's cold! Mom has to put a sweatshirt on me everytime we go for a walk. And today - it snowed!! Not alot, but still - it snowed!! We had snow for a whole day in TX so I know, kinda, what it is. Now it's cold! Today's highs are in the 40's. That's a bit chilly for me!! I've been sleeping in one of the open bedrooms at night. Mom has a really warm blanket on it for me so I don't freeze and die!! :)

Yesterday when mom came home she left the gate open after she put on my collar.... I followed her to the car and back a couple of times and then mom ran up the hill behind the house and boy did I take off like a shot!! It felt so good to just run!! Mom lost me for a second and sent Turner up to get me!! I ran so fast down the hill!! I was smiling the whole way!! :)

Good Day

So yesterday was a good day. Turns out as I was playing with Turner while sitting on the floor, Darcy walked right over to me and turned her head. This was the first time she approached me without be asked to go for a walk or anything. I pet her with long slow strokes with the back of my hand for about a half hour or so. When she was done she walked away slowly. I swear I had tears in my eyes!! I was so happy for her. That was a very big step in the right direction! :) I'm off for the next 2 days so we'll see how it goes - keeping our fingers crossed!

Shaking....Touching

One of our exercises we do with Darcy is to tether her to me so she can interact and not hide. During this time I usually sit on the floor and just place my hand on her side. No petting, no talking, no eye contact. Just sitting and breathing - calmly. I usually sit with her for about 30 minutes watching the news. Well yesterday while we sat all Darcy did was shake. Sometimes it makes me so sad other times angry. How could someone make a dog so afraid that the only touch it received from humans was one of frustration or anger. We have a long road with Darcy, this we knew ahead of time. She's made great strides with leashes, walks and feeding. But the touch is going to be the hardest to do. When we walk and I see a car coming, I have to walk her off the road and rub her chest for reassurance that the vehicle will not hurt her. She flinches to my touch and hits the ground when the vehicle passes - tail tucked to her belly.... Yesterday, while we were walking a car approached us, I rubbed her chest, the car passed and she shrunk down just a bit. I told her what a good girl she was and we continued to walk. Her tail wasn't tucked and we continued. The only thing is after the car passed she kept looking behind her. She will not treat (not even cooked chicken) when she is like this. We only walk the lake once a week, but each time is getting just a hair better. Frustrating? You bet! I just wish I could choke out those who did her wrong.

What's Up?

Something is going on... Mom was up at 3:15 this morning. Hmmmmm. She was still cleaning and getting ready for company. Dad has been making more concrete out back and moving piles of stone around. So much buzzing going on in this house. I know who Aunt Jackie is - I met her at the airport. But I don't know Uncle Mark - mom's brother. Mom say's he's pretty loud. But my crate is open for me to hide in. Plus I've got a bed in mom's room for when it gets too loud for me.

The weather finally cleared and mom has a pillow and a raised bed for me and Turner outside. We've been getting some sun and enjoying the day....

Waterfalls --- aaaaaaaa....

So mom took me and Turner to the lake down town. I was having fun until a I heard a car coming. Luckily it turned before us. Then we got down by the waterfalls. AAAAAAA.... they're gonna eat me!!!! I kept staring at them white-eyed and all!! It was horrible!!! We got around the waterfalls and things quieted down. So did I. I saw a man walking towards us around the waterfalls. I freaked. I don't like men, mom saw one being mean to me as a pup and knows my fear with them. But mom saved the day and we crossed the road before he got near us. Yea!!! Mom saved me!! :)

By the time we got all the way around the lake and back to the truck I was pretty calm overall. I jumped into my crate and had a smooth ride home. Got to the house and we walked down the driveway to get the paper. Mind you the driveway is about 1,000 feet of hill!! We walked across the front yard on the way back to the house (front yard is about an acre) and saw what I thought were jelly beans. Mom told me they were deer poop. Got to the house and took a snooze in the sun (finally the sun!)

We've been working on my confidence and I'm feeling a little better every day.

Hey! What happened to my walk?

So yesterday I got home from work and hubby said I need to go to the store. Turner gave me the usual happy dog greeting and Darcy decided to greet me as well. She followed me to the bedroom and jumped on the bed. After I got changed I took the dogs outside for potty. It has been raining here for a couple of days now and I really didn't feel like walking in the rain. So hubby and I went to the store. Needless to say I got the LOOK.... you know - the one where you've ruined their routine and they don't understand....

So after work today rain or shine I will be walking the dogs... I can't take the look to often!! :)

Every day is a new day,,

And it's getting better each day! When I come home Darcy has a wagging tail for me!! She follows me knowing that once I get out of my uniform we are going for a walk. She loves the word walk!! :) She's starting to steal things - which means she's getting used to the house.... Found one of my slippers outside... She's a clepto (sp?) she'll steal anything she can pick up!!

It calls for rain the next few days, hopefully the sun will come out on Wed/Thurs so I can take both Turner and Darcy to the lake for a good long walk. She has improved immensely during walks with trucks driving past us and I think she will be ready for the long lake walk where we walk about 1/2 mile along a road with cars driving by. We'll see.

I still can't believe she's with us. I'm so happy knowing that she's safe - forever. Even hubby is pretty surprised with how far she has come in the week and a half she's been with us. She'll take a treat from him and he feeds her once a day and she eats with no problem. Before she would just run away from him no matter what.... So there is alot of progress in a short amount of time. I think she know that this is the final stop in her life and it won't be too bad.

Rainy Days, Sleeping Days and Smelly Nights!

Well it is definately different weather here!! It rained for 2 days!! Luckily the house that mom and dad have is huge and I can run around and play in it!!

Yesterday dad started his vacation. He went to the store to get some concrete and came back. Turner and I ate our breakfast and then played for a bit. Mom came home later and asked how our day was. Dad informed her that Turner and I were sleeping on the bed after we played. Sure enough the blankets were pushed back and the pillows pushed up!

Well then we all went for a walk, just down the road and back. Then dad started mixing concete. Mom took me and Turner up the hill and into the woods. Ooooooohhh the smells that were there!! My nose was doing double overtime!! :)

Calming Cap

So mom fed me and Turner this morning and we both ate no problem. This is fantastic! Last time mom hand fed me for 9 months!! We went for a walk yesterday and 4 vehicles passed us on the road. I was fine!

When mom and dad get home they close all the crates up and I have to hang out with them. I pace for a bit but then go to my pillow and watch them. Mom is going to take me to town for a walk around the lake next week. There is a short trail and a long trail. We're gonna start slow until I calm down.

Mom was thinking about Calming Caps and wondering if I may respond to one. Not to sure. She used and Anxiety Wrap on me last time and that did help. She feels the Calming Cap with limit the stimuli to my eyes and may help me. She's gonna check it out thoroughly and we'll see.....