by

"Ray-tail" Therapy

As I mentioned previously, Ray has been feeling pretty confident as the King of the Kitchen, ruling from the safety of Mommy’s lap.  In an effort to keep up with his training and also improving his socialization skills, Asia and I took Ray for a little outing on Saturday.
The morning started out pretty rough.  Six a.m. came very early to me and Ray was pretty wound up, deciding I made a good chew toy. Discovering we were down to only one bottle of water sent me into tears since naturally, that bottle had to go to Ray and the kitties, not to my coffee maker. Feeling pretty stressed and overwhelmed, I considered begging for a weekend foster to take on just so that Ray would have someone other than me to play with but we eventually dozed in front of the TV and both woke to a better outlook.
That afternoon, Asia, Ray and I loaded up and headed off to The Green Dog for some cat food and socialization.  There were several other pups in visiting and Ray, tentative at first, had a nice little romp with some of the other patrons.  He did so well and didn’t want to leave the store but we loaded back up and went to PetSmart which was super busy.  This was a great opportunity for some socialization and a little more shopping. 
I have to admit to feeling a little tentative whenever entering a new situation with Ray.  SOmetimes I feel like I’m expecting to be shunned or that people will run away screaming from the Pitbull. Also, knowing that an affiliate of  PetSmart,  the PetSmart Hotels or doggy day camp with their bully ban made me nervous.  “What are you going to say he is, if they ask,” Asia wondered. 
“Hopefully they won’t, but I think it just their hotels, not the stores,” I said.
Our reception, that day was great, though.  An abundance of “awwwws,” requests to “pet the puppy” and even “there he is, can we pet him?” from aisles away. 
Ray scored some new tops that were 75% off, I got a back seat cover for the truck (which might not work) and the kitties even got a new crinkle, twinkle tunnel to play with.
I really wish we lived closer to this kind of shopping but in the meantime, we will continue working with his behaviors and do as much socializing as we can.
How was your weekend?
by

Feline Friday

“Did Asia tell you what Boo Kitty did to Ray?”  I thought it was a simple enough question and conversation starter, but for some reason that sent my husband into hysterics, running up to Asia’s room to relay what I said.
Boo Kitty is our oldest kitty.  She is the matriarch of the family and mother to Jae and our beloved ET, who is at the bridge.  As near as we can tell, she is at least 14 years old and though she is enjoying a mostly peaceful retirement, was a hell of a good mouser in her day.  Not just mice, either.  If it scurried, hopped, or flew on the property it was fair game.  Manys the time this little nine pound kitty would be dragging home a rabbit larger than herself. 
These days, Boo is content to find a soft spot in the sunshine to sleep in and have her treats delivered to her in the morning.  She sleeps between us nearly every night and asks nothing more than to not be bothered.

Unfortunately for her, I brought the puppy with me upstairs to ask Asia a question. Asia and Boo were in Asia’s room watching TV, presumably “hiding” from Ray but upon seeing Boo, the tail began to whip and so I let him on the bed under good supervision to attempt to make friends with Boo Kitty.  While he did pretty well, bowing and wagging to her, he also with his possible boxer feet pawed at her.  Back went the ears, out came the hissy face and claws and Ray received a couple of good whaps right across the lug-head before Boo made her way under the bed, voicing her displeasure all the way.
So when Kevin came home, Asia said to him, “Did Mommy tell you what Ray did to Boo Kitty?”
by

Not Too Cool for School

Last night was our first session of puppy class.  I think obedience/training is important for all dogs and especially their owners but even more important for “bully breeds.”  In order to be good ambassadogs, we as a team need to put our best foot and paw forward and do everything we can to promote good citizenship.  The best way to do that is for me to learn to be the best owner I can be.  With the proper tools, practice and lots of treats, we will get there.
Class consists of 5 pups all under six months of age.  Ray is the youngest but of the five, he is exactly in the middle in terms of size.  We have Juno the mastiff, Caemus (sp?) the weimaraner, Ray, a cute little bichon mix whose name starts with M but escapes me at the moment, and Izzy the chihuahua.  Great class, very low key and positive conducted in a wonderful atmosphere.  All of the other pups have had exposure to other dogs except for Ray, who really hasn’t seen another dog since he left his litter.  We do have to neighbor dogs who bark from the other side of the fence, but he hasn’t really “met” them.  So, this week, Pitbull spent the  first 45 minutes of class hiding behind Mommy.  He did well in lessons from his hidey spot, but not until the end did he decide he wanted to play and socialize with the others.  After class he didn’t want to go home! 

Once home, he was ready for some serious sack time. Off to bed with nary a peep and this morning, we got in some good practice time before work.  With a little patience and a lot of treats, we just might get each other trained right.

by

Dog Legs

Last Thursday, Ray was nine weeks old and had been with us for just a day short of two weeks.  In that time, he has outgrown two shirts and is nearly bursting the velcro on his jacket.  Even though he is all pink pot bellied baby around the midsection, I can see that his legs have grown taller, his chest and shoulders are getting deeper and muscular and I’ve already had to loosen his collar.  Little Ray now weighs in at over eleven pounds, nearly doubling his weight in two weeks.
I’ve noticed that his little legs and paws that were pudgy and chunky like a baby’s are now more substantial.  Dog legs.  He is still very puppy-ish, but sturdy and solid.  …And outgrowning his clothes at an alarming rate.
The best thing about this week and the addition of the tire toy shown here is that lunging and nipping are slowly decreasing.

 
I’m still counting down the days until he can socialize a little more and start puppy classes.  Exercising his mind and body alike are going to be key for this little fella.  What are some of your dogs favorite toys?
by

Confession: I Didn’t Want a Puppy

A couple of years ago, when  I started yearning again for a dog, I wanted just that; a dog.  I didn’t want a puppy.  Never wanted to go through all that you go through with a puppy.  The plan, in my mind, was to rescue an adult dog and even possibly an Elderbull.  We’re busy and we have been able to take full advantage of the liberties allowed with cat ownership.  Cats are as self-sufficient as their lack of opposable thumbs allow.  They can usually self-feed withouth gorging themselves with the avaliblity of food and pretty much come out of the womb knowing how to use the litter box.  At least that was the case with my three geniuses.

Yesterday was especially stressful.  We have just re-listed our house in the hopes of moving up closer to work and into a great place with an in-ground pool so our realtor is sending a photographer to take some shots for the home listing TV show.  Very exciting, apart from the fact that we’ll need to move crates, cats and a puppy from room to room.  I did have the foresight to start dinner in a crock pot but that seemed to be the only thing on the ball.  We had a funeral visitation to attend after work and a house to stage for pictures.  And a puppy to care for.  A puppy who needed food, water, pottie breaks, play time and snuggle time.  It was a lot.  I understand the young and playfulness.  I get the gnawing and chewing and the constant need to correct and redirect.  It just gets to be a lot sometimes. 

I wouldn’t trade the little bugger for the world and I love him to pieces.  I spend an inordinant amount of time at work thinking about him and wishing I was back home with him…but there are those days (already) when I can hardly wait until he is older.

by

A Tired Puppy

A tired puppy is a happy puppy and a happy mommy, too.  Since that beautiful yellow orb in the sky made a guest appearance today, Ray and I took the opportunity to have a little fun in the back yard.  Ray has several sweaters and a jacket which he still acts like he doesn’t want to wear, but after just a minute or two outside he starts shivering like a tasty leaf.  I think he really needs a pair of booties because he has a little wet piggy walk he does when he doesn’t want to be in the grass.  This afternoon, however,  I made a puppy-sized “flirt pole” and we had quite a romp in the sunshine.   We didn’t do any training, and it wasn’t a real flirt pole, but we had a good time.   He even forgot to shiver until playtime was over.  Then I swear, if he could have made his teeth chatter he would have.  I really should have taken a picture or video, but my phone was in the house.
To make your own flirt pole, see the experts at Bad Rap.  I’m eager to try this out ourselves in time.

by

Mama’s Boy

The cats are still living primarily upstairs though Jae and Miko did come down on Sunday and watch the game with us.  As long as everyone kept to their assigned seats they were fine, and by assigned seats, I mean the puppy stayed on my lap.  Yes, on the sofa where no dogs are allowed.

Today was our pediatric vet appointment.  Ray wasn’t due for anything, but I just wanted him to get the once over and get used to the vet’s office.  We saw the new vet today by request because  I really was impressed by her when I took Miko in and even more so today.  Kevin was afraid that this office might not see pit bull type dogs, but I was pretty sure they would.  Well, not only that but our vet has a pit mix…and two cats!  And she is expecting, so bully for her!  Ray did pretty well, if I do say so myself.  Our mission, beginning in a couple more weeks will be to socialize him as much as possible.  I want to be good ambassadors for the breed and good advertisement for his rescue, Smiling K9’s Rescue. 

I never thought I would have a puppy and sometimes while correcting puppy bites and corralling a wound up tazmanian devil, I continue to question my sanity, but right now as I finish this post, a little snoring, wiggly  pig is settled in my lap and I’m glad he’s here.

by

The First, but not the Beginning

I think the first post is the hardest.  I’ve been planning this blog for months and probably should have started it at that time, but since I didn’t, we’ll begin here which is not the beginning.
Our sweet baby Ray has been home with us for less than twenty-four hours and all of our lives have already been changed immensely.  The “cat toys are for cats, dog toys are for dogs” rule has already been broken and the snoring pit baby next to me on the sofa has broken the no dogs on the furniture rule. 

I’ve been wanting a dog for quite a while now, and knew it had to be a rescue.  I thought an Elderbull would be great.  It would be someone who really needed a home and still be possibly potty trained, but convincing the hubby was not in the cards.  As it turned out, fate stepped in.  That is a story for another day. 

The cats have claimed the second floor, occasionally venturing downstairs except to sniff a silently sleeping pup from a safe 9 inch distance. 
Miko, being our most inquisitive cat has been downstairs the most.  He silently positions himself in places that make for easy peeking.  He is the one I believe will benefit the most from some canine companionship of the three cats.  I can envision the other two becoming tolerant while staying distant.  As the saying goes, “You’ve not been truly ignored until you’ve been ignored by a cat.”

Hang on for the ride and we’ll discover together how peace-a-bull the assembly truly will be.