On Thursday morning, I took both Tara and Keely to have their anal glands expressed. I saw Keely scooting on the carpet on Wednesday after I groomed her, and I decided to take Tara along too since she hadn't had hers expressed for several months now. The groomer said they are both full with both dogs, but not abnormally full.
Thursday afternoon/night walk, we passed by the music building, and they were having a recital that night with the little kids. One of the dads thought the dogs were so beautiful that he stopped to pet them. He started talking and Keely walked up to him for petting and enjoyed it! I don't think Keely really went up to strangers while she was in foster care with me. This further shows that she has gained a lot of self-confidence and trust since she's been adopted, and like my mom said, "it shows her family takes really good care of her."
Friday at lunch when I came home, Tara was sleeping on the livingroom floor, and Keely was sound asleep on the bedroom bed :)
Keely was pretty good on the drive up to Millie's lakehouse. She didn't want to sit in the front passenger seat on the first day, but after she saw Tara sitting on the front seat on our way to campus on the second day, she wanted to sit in the front too. So from that on, I let Keely sit in the front. Keely was sitting up and lying down several times during the first half of the drive to Millie's, then she curled up and went to sleep for the second part. But when we got on the country road, Keely woke up completely, her eyes were so big, staring and looking out of the window. I was hoping she wasn't scared, but maybe she remembered that she's been there before and that was where she met her parents.
I think Keely sort of remembers the house and warmed up to Craig. I knew she would bond to Millie soon too. Keely did tinkle in the bedroom when we weren't watching her. I think she actually marked, because Millie said another dog had done it at the same place before. She and Freckles pretty much ignored each other, and they both enjoyed the dog treats. At first she was a little nervous and wanted to go back into my car, but by the time I left, I think she had settled in somewhat.
From Millie, �Everything is just fine. She was fine with us last night at our friend's house and we got home late and she went to sleep on the dog bed next to me and snored all night. We just went out and peed and pooped. She ate her food last night and had lots of treats while we were visiting. Craig walked her yesterday afternoon while I showered and dressed. So everything is just fine!�
�Today continues well. She goes outside with us everytime we go, she snoozes in between times, she ate great this morning, and she and Craig are about to go for a walk. She is just very easy to have around and is lots of company. She and Freck are snoozing in the livingroom at the moment. Better tell her to put her walking shoes on!�
Sunday, May 18, 2008
From Millie, �All is well here, still eating just fine, peeing and pooping with great regularity. Even went out at 3AM to pee and poop. We went on a boat ride yesterday afternoon and even had another dog with us. She gave him a couple of warnings but she was fine. Then he came to our house with his mom and dad for dinner and still all was well. She seems very relaxed and content so please don't worry about her.�
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
�There have been a few growling incidents, however I cannot say it was directed toward anyone. Twice I was not in the room and Craig said she started staring at the wall and growling. He tried to talk to her (but did not approach her) but she paid no attention. One of the times she was staring at a sack on the floor rather than the wall. A couple of times midway through eating she starting growling, again not looking directly at anyone. Eventually she quits like 1-2 minutes.
Last night (she and Freck and I came to Bham yesterday) she had already eaten in another room then I came into the computer room (actually a bedroom) and Freck was lying just behind me. He had finished eating although his bowl was still in the room (I feed him wherever he is, it�s easier than moving him!). She came into the door and turned her butt to us and started growling. This went on for about 3 minutes. I thought she was upset with the food bowl in the room so I picked it up and started to walk out of the room but realized I could not get by her without being very close to her. Again, she was facing OUT of the bedroom and Freck and I were both IN the bedroom. She slowed down a couple of times and I started to walk out but then she started again. To be honest I don't think she would bite me, but still I was wary of walking too close to her while she is in that state. Eventually 5 minutes or so, she stopped and laid down. I walked past her (took food bowl out) and she followed then I went back to the computer and she again put herself in the doorway and started growling, only for a few seconds this time and laid down. When I finished what I needed to do (get something out of the drawer) I left them room and went to the kitchen to make my dinner. She followed me out again and was her old self the rest of the night.
Sometimes it reminds me of someone having a petit mal seizure. Just in another zone for a few sec/min then back to self. Except when she is eating and she growls it is more like she is warning all the other dogs in her pack that this is her food and don't come near.
Honestly, she is so sweet I can't think she would hurt me. But still....
I had to go out today and left her and Freck alone. They were fine. Craig came home before me and he said she was very glad to see him. He is her favorite obviously. She has a thing for men, even liked the bugman, no other dog has ever liked the bugman, well except Jeffrey who liked everybody. When I came home she was sleeping so soundly she did not wake up despite me playing with her foot and giving her a belly rub!
We met a doggie while we were out on our walk this AM and it was a young med size mix. He sniffed her butt and she told him stop and he moved on. She is tons of company and is very sweet, but obviously has some sight and hearing deficits. All in all I think she is coping very well with all the changes...�
Thursday, May 22, 2008
I thought maybe Keely saw some shadows or something and was growling at that, Tara did something similar when she was losing her eyesight. But also their Birmingham house is smaller and doesn't exactly have an open floor plan like their lakehouse.
Anyways, they said they've enjoyed having Keely around, that she's a lot of fun to be around and is very well behaved, never got on their furniture or bed, didn't poop or pee inside except that first day (which they said has happened to a lot of other dogs they've taken care of over the years), great on walks, did fine when left home alone with Freckles for a few hours during the day occasionally. They also said that Keely followed them around and didn't need a leash while on their property, just when they take her on walks. Millie said that Keely seemed to adjust really well, especially that Keely has limited eyesight and hearing (she has walked right into Millie's legs on regular basis, and sometimes she can't seem to find Millie around the house by seeing, but found her by tracking with her nose).
Millie has offered again to take care of Keely when they come back from Florida. We haven't decided when I'll take Keely to her again yet, but Keely will definitely be with her by Friday of next week.
When Tara and I picked up Keely this morning near Montgomery, she definitely seems happy and well-adjusted, so I know she had a great time with Millie and Craig and Freckles.
Not much happening here. Friday they were left at home (Keely in bedroom, Tara in livingroom, with babygate in between) for 5 hours when I was at school, and both of them were awake but quiet when I got home. Came home, took them out potty, then I took Tara with me to help with a training session with a new ESRA foster dog in GA (Judd) for 4 hours, and left Keely with run of the apartment.
