Sweep Settling In

Despite not liking his crate at night, Sweep had no problem running into the crate with various objects to chew on - like Richard's work boot! His first 5 days were a little rough. He really missed his old family and spent a few days hiding from everything and everyone. We would go find him and pet him slowly - with some massaging - telling him we were ok.

I could hear his answer in my head - but there were no yappy dogs at the other place - why - WHY, did I get the yappy dog? However, she was quite fun when she wasn't stealing the toys away from him. She led him around the yard and taught him that barking is her normal mode of conversation.

Finally, he stuck to his guns. There would be no crate for him. But as he became more comfortable, he started looking for things to chew at night (the mattress, the dirty clothes we put down for him along with the blankets) and anything else he could think of. We knew he had to become comfortable with the crate. Stay tuned for the rest of the story.

Who are you? Where am I?

On September 4th we welcomed Blackmagic's Chimney Sweep (Aka Sweep) into our hearts and lives. We picked him up in Gurnee where we met his breeder as she was attending weekend shows (two back to back wins for her Yay!). We spent the week getting ready for him - and Friday morning set up his crate. Mazie loved the crate. She couldn't wait to get into it. We even set it up for later with sheets, and a cat bed on top! We stood back and said "Wow, it is big!" We know he will fully fill it in 9 months - but initially, Wow, it is BIG.

So off we went to pick up our puppy. He was 9 week old. He was not happy leaving his sister and brothers. We brought him home where he got to meet the yappy daschund and the house. He was quite upset at being without his support system. Alan picked him up and cuddled him in the chair. This look says it all:



WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE IN THE HELL AM I?


He hated his crate. He cried all night - for 2 nights - even with Alan sleeping with him. So we put him on a leash tethered to the bed and he finally slept all night long. I finally get some sleep today.

Xindi Completes Puppy Kindergarten

Xindi did a 7 week class of puppy kindergarten. The topics covered housebreaking (she did great), chewing and mouthing (well we can see how well that worked); House manners (jumping, barking, stealing items, etc.); basic obedience, puppy confidence building and the like.

At the beginning of class we were doing great only 1 or 2 accidents in the house, crated all night and sleeping most of it, and generally doing well.

At the end of class; we have no accidents in the house, Xindi has perfected the art of sleeping with mom in the big bed (crate, what crate?) walks herself with growly sounds on the leash and basically laughs at us each time we rein her in. The private trainer has confirmed - yes it is all my fault. She has to be at least 6 months for obedience but there is a class in between for her to try. I will be learning along the way. The question remains, what else she has to teach me?

She will start Puppy Foundation Agility in mid September. The possibilities are endless!

Mapping out the Woods

Xindi has been walking in the woods and finding all the good things for her new brother to smell and see. This part of the trail is one of her favorites - it ends in an open field, with a boarded up cabin and leads to a beautiful pond and picnic area. This must have been someone's hunting grounds before it was given to the County. The trails are nice - a little up and down in some areas - but a nice picnic and play area for the dogs. Usually we never see anyone when we come - today we came across two other dogs. We can't wait for Sweep to join us on our daily walks.

More Xindi Stories

While we wait to see if the Illinois house sells, we amuse ourselves with a very determined puppy. She is our first hound dog - our other dogs were bulldogs and mastiffs - all laid back - easy going. This one has a determination that is both endearing and amazing at the same time. Right now she is making random jumps at the old cat who has decided to have a lie down in her bed. Watch for that video later. She has enough toys though - when we don't take enough toys out, she goes to the basket and trys to pull them out herself.

Xindi eats at a fast pace. So we had to feed her in a muffin tin. Now instead of finishing her meal in 20-30 seconds, it takes her a few minutes. I use a piece of kibble to have her sit - then put down the tin. The sit is not really a sit, but we both try and pretend it is. She is in dog training classes and goes to puppy parties on Sundays now for socialization as she likes dogs better than people I think. We took her to the concert in the square - she is learning not to bark at people. She is so tiny - everyone towers over her. It is just a process.


We got her a car seat for dogs. This one was for dogs up to 20 pounds and cost $30.

I think we should have bought the 30 pound one - as it had a storage area under the seat. I like this style because both our cars are set up so that this seat works. It hangs from the top then has a strap that goes around the entire middle of the seat. The other style was more like an infant car seat - which needed a center seat belt that none of our cars have. You can't leave them unattended in it, as they are strapped in, so when we had to run into a store, we let her loose. Well on a stop to the local Wal-Mart, Alan ran in and she and I sat in the car. In this picture, she is mad because she is clipped in and can't get out. She knows it is possible - and was demanding her freedom. Like a baby, when the car moves, she sleeps, when it stops, she wants out of her seat.

Xindi and Bella Play

Xindi is growing rapidly. Next week she goes to the vet for her 3rd shots and then she can join classes, walk in the woods and enjoy life in the wider area than our big backyard. She loves Bella next door, but we keep them apart until she grows a little more. Bella is rapidly trying to dig a tunnel under the fence so they can be together. Now I just have to keep her from getting a pudgy belly. Her collar finally fits - and we are ready to begin leash training in earnest. We have walked the sidewalk (well, I walked, she carried her leash in her mouth). Here is Xindi and Bella.

Xindi's First Video - and missing Q

We are still coping with the loss of Q. It is harder than we expected. We have had advice of "Don't rush into another puppy too soon" to "the sooner you get another puppy, the better you will feel". We agree with the the sooner the better. We are dog people. When you are dog people, being without a dog is a terrible existence. I have Xindi, but Alan needs his mastiff and I do too. So, the wait begins. This one will be hard. Puppies are due the first week of July. We are wonderful parents and hope one has our name on his collar. We ordered a dog kennel. A puppy will need one until trained. It arrives tomorrow. (Plus it has a roof and will protect Xindi from flyng hawks.)

Anyway I took a video this morning - she is quite the adventurer and found the cat's soft ball. Here is the video. To make it smaller, I converted it to 50% for Youtube before uploading.

In Loving Memory of our 'Q' 10.01.99-06.11.09

Today we made the final decision to put Q to sleep. Oh, we had made the trip to the vet several times before. But we always came home with more medications, more dosages, pain killer prescriptions called in to Wal-Mart. Scroll through my blog for lots of Q stories. It is too unbearable to post any of the the last few week's worth of pictures.

He was our buddy, our puppa-roos, Alan's best bud. He loved us unconditionally and gave us the meaning to real acceptance. We spent more money on him than on ourselves. We went into debt for his TPLO surgeries, (yes, 2 of them), agonized over his health, took vacation days just for him, and made sure his training was exemplary so he would be loved and accepted most places. Our only wish would have been to erase his pain and extend his life longer than is 9+ years.

We love you Q, our hearts are aching tonight and will for a long time to come.

WHERE TO BURY A DOG

There is one best place to bury a dog.
If you bury him in this spot, he will come to you when you
call....over the dim frontiers of death, and down the
well-remembered path, and to your side again. And though
you call a dozen living dogs to heel, they shall not growl
at him, nor resent his coming, for he belongs there. People
may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by
his footfall...who hear no whimper; people who may never
really have had a dog. Smile at them, for you shall know
something which is hidden from them, knight is well worth
the knowing. The one best place to bury a good dog is in the
heart of his master.

--Author Unknown

Xindi Arrives - And Dad Wins Her Heart

We picked Xindi up today. She weathered the drive home okay. 'Q came with and was fine with her in the car, fine with her in the yard, fine in the house. He was fine all the way up until she whined in the crate and that made him nuts. Not sure what the whine said, but he did not like it. Must be like a baby crying. The cats are interesting too. Neffie took the peer around the corner and think about stalking her. She is 1/4 the size of the Neffie and 1/2 the size of Mazie. Mazie is always present but I don't trust her an inch. She won't play. The puppy is tiny compared to her - but one day, the puppy will be bigger. It is just a matter of time.

The first meal together set the pecking order. The puppy fit in - she dropped her food on the floor behind her. Mazie had food on the floor in front of her. They did well with the spillage. She will figure out the routine soon enough. She seems so small next to Mazie. Neffie boycotted dinner.

After dinner playtime then I held her for an hour nap. (I think we'll be awake all night). Then outside. Now comes dad's turn. She struggles to get to his shoulder - he is slightly reclined. And 20 minutes later she is still there. She was so proud of herself - the first picture was when she first was climbing behind his head. THen she just put her head down for the nap. He said it is not too comfortable.


So as I go to post this, she is still napping on his shoulders.

To our beloved Guinea Pig, Charlie

Charlie came to us as a replacement for a hamster that had died soon after we got him. We were browsing through Pet Smart, checking out the hamsters when I couldn't take my eyes off little Charlie. And while I "blamed" Alyssa, it was really me that had fallen for the little guy. He cost a whole $28.99 plus tax. The cage and materials would run us another $100. But home he came that day. He started his life with us in Alyssa's room. But within 9 months he was moved into the Dining Room / Living Room and there his personality blossomed. He began his TV watching career, becoming hooked on all my favorite realty TV shows. From me, he learned that people were cruel in Big Brother and stabbed each other in the back in Survivor. Together we remarked through the seasons about "didn't they learn from watching last years show!!!" He enjoyed the racing and rivalries in the Amazing Race and cheered for my favorite teams while turning his nose up at Alan's favorite teams. He knew who to root for. We quickly learned how to shop for just the right leafy romaine lettuce and sorted through the bags of carrots for the largest and orangest of the bunch.

But the tide changed when he moved to Wisconsin. Soon he rooted for the Packers and squeaked for Alan's shows more than mine. He had become one with Alan while I lived in Illinois house alone. I did remind him of the night I kept him warm when the electricity went out and we had to wrap up in heavy blankets and I held him inside my layers of clothing and blankets, next to my body through the 16 hours of no electricity, only releasing him to his cage for potty breaks. I got some thanks for that. We began to get strange looks from our new Wisconsin neighbors as we shopped at the new grocery store discussing was this head of Romaine better than that head of Romaine for Charlie. And which parsley would he like this week - the curly or the Italian flat.

He became quite the player in the new house. He demanded his share of breakfast and dinner. What was most amazing was how he bonded with Q and the new kitten. With Q he had no fear, and would play tug of war over his lettuce and carrots. Q always won the carrot. Charlie always won the lettuce. You would think he would want to run and hide, but he stood his ground. Feeding time the animals and people were just opportunities for him to get another people treat. And each morning a big handful of hay provided lots of romping in and about it and munching to keep his teeth and digestion in good health. I was the hay giver. Alan the breakfast and dinner provider.

Then when Mazie joined us she took to laying on his cage, batting at him and spending hours on top of his cage just being with him. When Charlie came out to visit with Alan or watch TV, Mazie made sure to join him on Alan's lap. Mazie would lick Charlie, Charlie would bite Mazie. The last time they were out together, Mazie got 8 grooming sessions in and Charlie 8 bites before Mazie thought, "Hey, maybe it's play time" and we separated them. But each visit out they needed some time together. This picture was taken 4/14/2009. Charlie has aged quite a bit in just a year - and in the last week he has become very ill. He started crying all the time. He would stand over his food bowl and try to eat but could not. He would nibble the lettuce but could not chew it up. Picking him up, all you could feel was bones, when we had once been told our little piggy was, in fact, overweight.

So Tuesday, the vet told us he had developed advanced arthritis in his jaw that would not allow him to bring his molars together to chew or swallow. The vet said Charlie was starving to death. He had lost quite a bit of weight in just one week and had become very thin. From Tuesday to Saturday I had noticed such a difference, I had called the vet to make the appointment hoping it was just a bad tooth. The news broke my heart. The vet said we could only buy him a week with pain medication - and then the starving and suffering would begin again. So, we let him go with dignity and ended his suffering in a humane way. It broke my heart to say goodbye. They are with us only a short time. The number of pictures in our photo library tell a full life story of his days over the last 5 + years. Rest in peace Charlie, we all loved you.