Sierra is curled up on the couch for our nightly ritual of browsing the web and then reading a book. She is my little cuddle bug, and always has to be by my side. I just got out of the shower and she lays in the hall and snoozes while I'm in there. Did I mention I LOVE THIS DOG?! She has brought a lot of fun and happiness to our home.
Avery and I went on a walk Thursday afternoon with Riley and Sierra down the path by our place. Avery walked Sierra and she did great, well both of them really. She doesn't pull, she comes when called, and keeps up the pace. She greets other dogs and people a long the way and I think this is where she really gets her kicks. She may enjoy the walk, but what she really loves is schmoozing. She's such a schmoozer. Haha. Our neighbors on the other end of the building (Warren and Cheryl) have a dog named Max that Sierra went over to meet the other night. We stayed and talked for about 15 minutes and while I've waved to them frequently over the past 2 years, this is the first conversation we had! It's amazing how a good dog can get you out and talking to people.
In Riley's defense, he is taking this all very well. He's been acting like himself lately (I think the Rimadyl is helping too) and he likes wandering around the yard with Sierra too. She tends to need to meander for a few minutes before she'll do her business outside, where Riley will hop out the door and go right away. So I've been bringing him a long too, and while not necessary, he likes it. Now come winter, hopefully Sierra will figure out the art of a quick potty trip to the outdoors because then I won't feel like meandering so much. Haha.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Sierra arrives!
So yesterday we stopped at RM Tack to see a corgi that was Louey's (lived at Pine Lake until he had a car accident) momma. She had to be spayed when the last litter of puppies didn't survive. They were looking for a good home for her to go to, for free! So I told my mom about her because she thought Louey was awesome too. We went to meet her and it was pretty much love at first sight. She is so amazingly calm, sweet, and adorable. She gave kisses (but not sloppy, nasty ones) an squirmed her way onto the laps of everyone, including Avery. She loves belly rubs and "talks" in a warble-y growl when you do it.
So we brought her home and gave her a bath (she was pretty dusty from living outside) and while she didn't enjoy it, she held still and let us do what we needed to for about a half hour! Then we rubbed her down and let her explore the apartment. She did fine with Riley and Rafferty and even Majik (who isn't a fan of all these dogs showing up). Mom brushed her for ages, she's very tuft-y like Tasha was when she blew her winter coat. So there was lots of fur to be had, and she tolerated that too.
Next stop was my parents house to meet Napoleon who's buddy she was intended to be. She followed him around, sniffing and being a good girl. Poor Polee though was a bit nervous. He really doesn't know how to act around other dogs, so he was just trying to hide. My dad took Napoleon's side of course and was concerned for him. So Sierra and I went outside and had dinner, then I brushed and brushed her some more. I brought her home with me and the kennel Riley used at my parents house.
After a long day she got a little growly at Riley when he started yelping from his collar. I put her in a little time out in my bedroom after she jumped on him and did a mini-attack. Nobody was hurt but I wanted her to have a break from the chaos. When I brought her back out, she slept on the right side of the couch, Riley on the left while I watched Dog Whisperer until midnight and finally went to bed.
She slept all night in her kennel without so much as a peep. I let her out and she followed me outside. She was little hesitant to go potty, but then I brought Rafferty out and he peed on the rocks where she decided, oh yeah that's a good idea. I put them back inside and was picking up the towels from her bath yesterday hanging on the chairs outside when Rafferty decided to make a break for it. I chased him down the street and when I looked back, Sierra was running as fast as her little legs could carry her, after me. I caught Rafferty, she stopped to potty on someones lawn and then she trotted along beside me all the way back home.
Yep, I love her. It's a fact.
So we brought her home and gave her a bath (she was pretty dusty from living outside) and while she didn't enjoy it, she held still and let us do what we needed to for about a half hour! Then we rubbed her down and let her explore the apartment. She did fine with Riley and Rafferty and even Majik (who isn't a fan of all these dogs showing up). Mom brushed her for ages, she's very tuft-y like Tasha was when she blew her winter coat. So there was lots of fur to be had, and she tolerated that too.
Next stop was my parents house to meet Napoleon who's buddy she was intended to be. She followed him around, sniffing and being a good girl. Poor Polee though was a bit nervous. He really doesn't know how to act around other dogs, so he was just trying to hide. My dad took Napoleon's side of course and was concerned for him. So Sierra and I went outside and had dinner, then I brushed and brushed her some more. I brought her home with me and the kennel Riley used at my parents house.
After a long day she got a little growly at Riley when he started yelping from his collar. I put her in a little time out in my bedroom after she jumped on him and did a mini-attack. Nobody was hurt but I wanted her to have a break from the chaos. When I brought her back out, she slept on the right side of the couch, Riley on the left while I watched Dog Whisperer until midnight and finally went to bed.
She slept all night in her kennel without so much as a peep. I let her out and she followed me outside. She was little hesitant to go potty, but then I brought Rafferty out and he peed on the rocks where she decided, oh yeah that's a good idea. I put them back inside and was picking up the towels from her bath yesterday hanging on the chairs outside when Rafferty decided to make a break for it. I chased him down the street and when I looked back, Sierra was running as fast as her little legs could carry her, after me. I caught Rafferty, she stopped to potty on someones lawn and then she trotted along beside me all the way back home.
Yep, I love her. It's a fact.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
I know Riley is kind of a jerk to other people, but since he's my dog and he likes me...I don't know, I guess I'm okay with it. I'm dog-sitting Rafferty, Dulcey's dog this week. He is a Cocker Spaniel mix and he's...nutty. He has more energy than I have witnessed in an animal in this household in years. He came bounding into the apartment Sunday afternoon during my Party Lite party. He settled down fairly quickly and was happy as long as he was on someones lap, or being pet. Avery absolutely adores him since he is nice to her and plays with her and generally loves her too. He sleeps in his kennel in her room.
Yesterday I decided he needed a good long walk to rid him of some excess energy. We went for a 3 mile walk and stopped at Subway for a break and I got chips and iced tea. After we got back he still bounded around for a bit, but eventually did lay down. I'm pretty sure he could have gone for another 3 miles. So this morning I was trying to give Majik his treat of cat milk in the bedroom. Rafferty will eat anything food related that is within his reach so I had to put Riley and Majik's food up. When he came in the room while I was giving Maj the milk I told him to get out. He didn't, so I said it again and shooed him towards the door. Well this sent him into a "beaten dog" mode and he shoved himself under my bed trying to get away from my "wrath". Finally I got him up, and he spent the remaining few minutes before I left trying to make sure we were still friends.
Anyway he's here for another 12 days so things will be interesting for awhile yet. Riley isn't pleased with the addition but he'll live. It's made me appreciate him a bit more. Facts like, he won't run away if I leave the door open a crack, and if he does run, me yelling "Stop!" does actually work. Rafferty...not so much. I got to chase him around the neighborhood barefoot. Not fun. Riley doesn't jump all over me or randomly throw himself into my lap. I can calmly pet him in bed as we go to sleep. These are good things. I must remember that when he's barking his fool head off at the door bell. Oh yeah, Rafferty doesn't bark. +1 for him.
Yesterday I decided he needed a good long walk to rid him of some excess energy. We went for a 3 mile walk and stopped at Subway for a break and I got chips and iced tea. After we got back he still bounded around for a bit, but eventually did lay down. I'm pretty sure he could have gone for another 3 miles. So this morning I was trying to give Majik his treat of cat milk in the bedroom. Rafferty will eat anything food related that is within his reach so I had to put Riley and Majik's food up. When he came in the room while I was giving Maj the milk I told him to get out. He didn't, so I said it again and shooed him towards the door. Well this sent him into a "beaten dog" mode and he shoved himself under my bed trying to get away from my "wrath". Finally I got him up, and he spent the remaining few minutes before I left trying to make sure we were still friends.
Anyway he's here for another 12 days so things will be interesting for awhile yet. Riley isn't pleased with the addition but he'll live. It's made me appreciate him a bit more. Facts like, he won't run away if I leave the door open a crack, and if he does run, me yelling "Stop!" does actually work. Rafferty...not so much. I got to chase him around the neighborhood barefoot. Not fun. Riley doesn't jump all over me or randomly throw himself into my lap. I can calmly pet him in bed as we go to sleep. These are good things. I must remember that when he's barking his fool head off at the door bell. Oh yeah, Rafferty doesn't bark. +1 for him.
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