So I come home from work and I was kind of thinking maybe we should try going for a walk. No harm in that; maybe we make it to the end of the drive way or maybe make it a few blocks down the road. Well in this example we made it around the block, oh and did I say we went for a "walk" no it was more like a run.
So then we get home and she is all jacked up with energy running around the yard and barking at randomness. (A trait she undoubtedly inherited from her step-brother). However, it quickly came to an end as the roar of the F-15 fighter jets taking off from the Madison Airport sent her running for the door to go inside. After the fear subsided she proceeded to make herself at home in Marley's Kennel. And based on his reaction that was something Marley did not take to kindly to. But boy she has made herself right at home she has a kennel full of toys that she has stolen from Marley when he was preoccupied chasing a fly in the house. Its really kind of funny.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Rain.
Yesterday was rainy, stormy into the night. We thought Kaiah was just being very brave, because she spent the whole evening in our living room with us, trying to jump up on the couches. She didn't act nervous, her tail wagged, and she didn't shake. She just acted like she wanted to come up on the couch. Then it dawned on me! She had spent her entire life outside. It's only natural for her to seek high ground when she senses rain! We spent most of the night pulling her down from coffee tables and couches, until about 9:00 when I think it dawned on her, "it's storming out, and I'm not getting wet!!!!" She layed down on the rug and then enventually into her kennel as everone went to bed. It was interesting, but a sad realization of what her life used to be like.
Kaiah LOVES to be pet! She will come set her head in your lap and stay there forever if you let her! She is also still having a great time with all these toys! Everytime Marley turns his back she sneaks into his toy basket and takes another one to her kennel with her. I should post a pic of all the toys she's brought it there. I don't know if this is maybe a hearding instinct thing, or a motherly dog thing, but it's really cute.
Kaiah LOVES to be pet! She will come set her head in your lap and stay there forever if you let her! She is also still having a great time with all these toys! Everytime Marley turns his back she sneaks into his toy basket and takes another one to her kennel with her. I should post a pic of all the toys she's brought it there. I don't know if this is maybe a hearding instinct thing, or a motherly dog thing, but it's really cute.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Great Weekend!
Brian and I were just commenting how we felt like when Kaiah first came to stay with us, we only felt like between her and Marley we had about 1 and 1/4 dogs. She was so scared and quiet that we barley knew she was here. Today I'm happy to report, we feel like we have 2 whole dogs! Yesterday we made GREAT progress. Kaiah's kennel is situated in our back hall way. All day I left the back door open so she could come and go from the house to the yard. She seemed to really appreciate it! She'd happily go outside, lay in the sun, sniff around, and then wander into her kennel for a nap. I think she's coming around to the idea of having some freedom.
Still no accidents! She went right outside this morning and did her things! We still have to carry her down the stairs off our deck. She will gladly climb up stairs, but is hesitant to go down. She goes in and out the back door with no problems. She follows Marley in and out of the house and is starting to follow us too! She joined us in the living room this morning and just sat next to Brian to be pet. She loves to be talked to in a real high "baby" voice. Her tail just wags like crazy and she tilts her head from side to side while we talk. She especially likes Brian and is happiest to be where he is.
She LOVES toys! We bought her some nice, light weight toys that she could squeak easily (yeah, the type Marley would have in shreds in 30 seconds if given the opportunity!) She's so gentle, that we figured they'd be perfect! She loved them! See the video below of Marley and Kaiah having a good time with their new toy. (See post above. Sorry, I'm new at this!)
I had to ask my vet friend last night is Marley was getting "portly." She said absolutely not (fluffy, yes but not over wieght!) Kaiah is really just that skinny....... I feel like I'm hurting her when I pet her because her bones are so obvious. But the good news is, she eats like a champ, so it will just be a matter of time.
She's does have set backs. Some noises scare her, like the big dogs barking next door, but all the cars, planes and trains (we live right in Madison) don't faze her. Household noises don't seem to bother her either. She still shakes and often we can't point a finger as to why. However, she recovers much more quickly and it usually only lasts maybe a minute.
We'll see how she does adjusting to a whole week of our normal work schedule.
Still no accidents! She went right outside this morning and did her things! We still have to carry her down the stairs off our deck. She will gladly climb up stairs, but is hesitant to go down. She goes in and out the back door with no problems. She follows Marley in and out of the house and is starting to follow us too! She joined us in the living room this morning and just sat next to Brian to be pet. She loves to be talked to in a real high "baby" voice. Her tail just wags like crazy and she tilts her head from side to side while we talk. She especially likes Brian and is happiest to be where he is.
She LOVES toys! We bought her some nice, light weight toys that she could squeak easily (yeah, the type Marley would have in shreds in 30 seconds if given the opportunity!) She's so gentle, that we figured they'd be perfect! She loved them! See the video below of Marley and Kaiah having a good time with their new toy. (See post above. Sorry, I'm new at this!)
I had to ask my vet friend last night is Marley was getting "portly." She said absolutely not (fluffy, yes but not over wieght!) Kaiah is really just that skinny....... I feel like I'm hurting her when I pet her because her bones are so obvious. But the good news is, she eats like a champ, so it will just be a matter of time.
She's does have set backs. Some noises scare her, like the big dogs barking next door, but all the cars, planes and trains (we live right in Madison) don't faze her. Household noises don't seem to bother her either. She still shakes and often we can't point a finger as to why. However, she recovers much more quickly and it usually only lasts maybe a minute.
We'll see how she does adjusting to a whole week of our normal work schedule.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
The First 24 Hours (or so)
I'm not sure where I heard this, but whomever it was was wise..."You don't always get the dog you want, but you ALWAYS get the dog you need." This has been so true with our experience with Kaiah. Brian and I are not patient. Kaiah is teaching us how to be, and we a thankful for that. She moves slowly. When she wants to leave the safety of her kennel, it generally takes about 15 minutes (except right now we just came home and she bounded out of her kennel!). If she needs to go outside, she will shake for 10 minutes in the lawn before getting to business. If she wants to pick up a ball, that takes a few minutes too. But that's okay, she deserves the time!
When we first got her on Thursday night, we were shocked how tiny and skinny she was. Just this little naked dog, with a long skinny tail who would shake. She was still so, very sweet though. Never showing a hint of agression. Although, she's quickly taken the position of "leader" over our dog Marley and he seems to respect her and give her the space she needs. I found this very encouraging to see that she was able to salvage a little bit of her confidence, despite all she's been through.......
Even in the short time we've had her, she's made GREAT progress! She is shaking less and less. The most suprising thing about her, is she loves toys and balls! I never would have guessed, but she "collects" all of the tennis balls around the house and puts them in her kennel. Last night we woke up to her squeaking away at a toy in her kennel. It was great to see her having fun.
She doesn't have any accidents when in the house. She waits to be let out when we get home and goes- this has amazed us! I think just being on a schedule is going to do her a world of good.
Got to go! My vetrinarian friend is coming over tonight for a camp fire, maybe she'll have some useful tips for us and Kaiah! We will post pictures tomorrow (the pic in the title isn't her- but I would guess that's pretty close to what she'll look like once her hair starts to grow in a little).
When we first got her on Thursday night, we were shocked how tiny and skinny she was. Just this little naked dog, with a long skinny tail who would shake. She was still so, very sweet though. Never showing a hint of agression. Although, she's quickly taken the position of "leader" over our dog Marley and he seems to respect her and give her the space she needs. I found this very encouraging to see that she was able to salvage a little bit of her confidence, despite all she's been through.......
Even in the short time we've had her, she's made GREAT progress! She is shaking less and less. The most suprising thing about her, is she loves toys and balls! I never would have guessed, but she "collects" all of the tennis balls around the house and puts them in her kennel. Last night we woke up to her squeaking away at a toy in her kennel. It was great to see her having fun.
She doesn't have any accidents when in the house. She waits to be let out when we get home and goes- this has amazed us! I think just being on a schedule is going to do her a world of good.
Got to go! My vetrinarian friend is coming over tonight for a camp fire, maybe she'll have some useful tips for us and Kaiah! We will post pictures tomorrow (the pic in the title isn't her- but I would guess that's pretty close to what she'll look like once her hair starts to grow in a little).
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Kaiah- The Bearded Collie
Coming soon.......
Tomorrow we will meet our new foster dog, Kaiah! We're unsure what to expect. She has been through a lot! Just this Monday (9/23) she was saved from a puppy mill in Missouri. She has never been in a house or on a lease. Her entire Beardie coat has been shaved. We chose the name Kaiah, because it means "rare beauty." It may take some time, and someone special to see it, but she is sure to live up to her name!
Tomorrow we will meet our new foster dog, Kaiah! We're unsure what to expect. She has been through a lot! Just this Monday (9/23) she was saved from a puppy mill in Missouri. She has never been in a house or on a lease. Her entire Beardie coat has been shaved. We chose the name Kaiah, because it means "rare beauty." It may take some time, and someone special to see it, but she is sure to live up to her name!
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