Monday, August 21, 2006
�Jake was absolutely exhausted and barely managed to eat dinner before zonking out for the night. I think we wore them all out!�
�Jake, Sham, Rocky, and Kate are all doing quite well - as am I. Rocky's allergies seem to be bothering him a bit more again with the change to fall weather but he has truly turned a corner with his eating and general interest levels in day-to-day life. We are hopeful that he will eventually overcome all the residue of his early challenges. Sham - Sham is continues his quest to be the largest house cat on record. We are pretty sure he lives (and eats) with at least two different families. He is not really fat but is hugely muscular at 16 pounds+. It is interesting to me that he met his early stray challenges by developing an immensely strong nature and physical form while Rocket seems so challenged in every way. We've come to call Sham the "Bully" cat. His nature is sweet, aloof, and at the same time imposing. Sham and Jake are really good friends. They often sleep quite close to one another on the futon sofa, on our bed, or on Jake's new BIG bed. Sham actually joins Jake and I for the first (or last) portions of Jake's afternoon walks. He'll run along in the yards next to the street, stop to meow, and then come out to me and Jake and rub up against me AND Jake for a pet and a nuzzle with Jake. Funny how these two have such a similar (Tim the tool man) nature. Rocky and Jake have no issues with one another but Rocket's demure and Jake's 'bulldozer' personalities are an unlikely combination. I do find them often trying to share the smallish space right in front of the wood stove these past cold nights. I've decided that the only time they are much alike is when they are sleeping. Jake is just plain wonderful! We walk every day a couple of times (long in the am and shorter in the afternoon). He has really settled into his life and just loves every square inch of it. Kate and Jake love to snuggle a lot and I often have to remind her that Jake is MY dog and that she "does not want a dog". It would be good to see you. Perhaps we can find some time with the holidays coming and all. He has not had another problem since that one time in the summer. I am being a bit more diligent about irrigation but really think it was more of a summer phenomenon. I will be more pre-emptive from now on.�
Monday, November 27, 2006
�Jake is a love. Surely he is the gentlest, sweetest dog soul we have ever encountered. He is doing quite well with his off-lead training. And he still struggles to be a leash dog. When you see him off lead in the woods his full nature shows itself and you can clearly see why he is not a proficient leash dog. I spent nearly an entire day working in the front and back yards this weekend and Jake just followed me to the front and then the back. He wanders about where I am and then follows me where I go next - never wandering too far off. When running in the woods he frequently stops and looks about for me. He pauses for just a moment until I tell him "ok" and then he is back to his gay romp. My sense is that he will be a better leash do in his older days when romping through thickets is a sweet memory that his body no longer supports. In the meantime... he's Jake!�
Saturday, December 2, 2006
�We would love it if you could have a meal with us at our house that day to celebrate Jake�s anniversary. We could spend some time before lunch talking and letting the pooches play and still have some generous time to relax over food and conversation.�
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
�We are looking forward to you and Tara�s visit with us this weekend. I am going to be home from around 1pm on so you should feel free to arrive whenever it works best for you. As for food, I wanted to check with you on a few things. Kate and I eat mostly vegetarian and I am pretty sure that coincides with your tastes, as well. But I also know that there are some things that are difficult for you at this time with your dental hardware. Would you tell me a bit about what types of things do not work well and what is simple for you? Also, if you have some favorite ethnic direction or simply some favorite dishes I would love to know what they might be. I like to cook and I like to experiment� so (nearly) anything is possible.�
Monday, December 18, 2006
Jake's parents invited Tara and I for late lunch/early dinner to celebrate Jake's adoption anniversary, so we went to Birmingham yesterday. When we got to Jake's house, John and Kate opened the door for us, they told me Jake's in the backyard, and Kate offered to hold Tara for me while I went to see Jake. Kate also mentioned that Peggy (another Birmingham volunteer) has taken yoga class with them. Jake was sitting on the ledge in the garden, staring at the trees near the fence, John said he's looking at squirrels, and they let him out playing by himself in the backyard every morning when they are at home. So John called Jake and he came running up and gave me lots of kisses. As I was petting Jake, Kate asked for some more of the freeze dried chicken liver treats I had in the fanny pack, I guess Tara was whining when I left her with Kate in the dinning room. Then we went inside. Jake was excited and tried to sniff Tara, and I kept feeding Tara treats, as John and Kate steered Jake away from Tara. Then we went to the master bedroom so John could show me the screen saver on their computer, a picture of Jake and Kate cuddling together as they were taking an afternoon nap. Jake was still very excited and running and jumping around. And then Tara barked and lunged at him, but I had her on leash, so she didn't get very far and he retreated. I told Tara to down-stay, while John and Kate petted Jake on the couch. John proposed that we take a walk in the neighborhood, that way maybe Tara will feel more relaxed and comfortable getting to have Jake around (I didn't walk Tara that morning, because I know she gets more grouchy when she's tired). I told John and Kate that the hair of Jake's ears is growing long and is very beautiful/handsome, and John said he's letting it grow out. Kate said they tell people they have a redneck Springer (as in country boy), because he doesn't look like a typical Springer (compare to Springers on AKC conformation shows that people see on TV), and I said, well, I think Jake's a very handsome hunting/field-bred Springer.
I also told John and Kate that Tara has cataracts, and they said yeah her eyes look cloudy, and also she tripped a couple times going up the stairs to the street. John took out the leash and Jake got really excited and jump in front of him near the front door, but John told Jake to sit in heel position next to him in front of the door, and told him stay, and then opened the door and released him (off leash). After we walked two houses up, John noticed two young boys playing in the yard and told Jake to come and put him on leash. I asked him if Jake would go up to the kids (if not leash), and John said yes Jake is very friendly and would go up to anybody. Then two more houses up the road, there is an empty lot, with just trees and lots of fallen leaves. John released Jake and again had him wait, and when he said okay, Jake ran up the hill and jumping through the leaf piles.
