December 31, 2000 --- Well, I the great puppy Detective have solved the mystery of the disappearing puppies but sadly have become one myself so I will not be able to let my two remaining brothers know how smart I am. Today started off like any other -- being fed and loved by human caretakers, nursing on my mom, harassing my two brothers, and wondering where all my brothers and sisters had gone. Over the last several days they had been disappearing one by one and though I looked high and low for clues I couldn't find any. In the midst of my late morning investigation, one of my humans came to fetch me along with some strange human that I vaguely remembered meeting several weeks ago. They took me to the house where I got to play with my brother and get into all kinds of trouble. The strange human was nice but I didn't pay her much attention -- my brother was much more fun to chase and bite. After a while, though, the strange human took me out to some sort of metal animal and put me inside in a box. There was a strange dog in the back of the metal animal and I got to sniff noses but didn't get a formal introduction. The human then started up the metal animal making it roar and move and off we went. We stopped after a while at a strange place and I got to get out of the box and metal animal and play in the grass. I also got to meet the strange dog then and he said his name was Zen. He was very tall but he looked like all the other dogs I had seen so I knew he was okay. We played a little while and then back into the box I went. We moved again and stopped again and this continued for a very long time. The strange human kept putting her fingers into the box and talking to me -- I figured she was trying to make friends so I licked her fingers which seemed to make her happy. After a very, very long time we finally arrived at another house. Inside was another dog named Guinevere but somehow her tail had gotten messed up and didn't curl. In fact, when I went to say Hi and sniff her the tail hit me in the head so hard it almost knocked me over. I thought well if this is how the tail wants to be I can attack it too. But I will have to be crafty and sneak up on it because right now it is stronger than me. And there was also an animal the like of which I had never seen before -- it wasn't a dog and I think it is called a cat. It had sharp things on its feet which it would stick into me when I chased it and it also made this noise like a snake hissssssss! At first I was a little scared, but quickly learned that there was no real danger. The strange human gave me some yummy food and then went to lie down on some sort of box that is soft and she went to sleep. Guinevere got up on the box too and so I scrambled myself up there. It was so comfortable and I was so tired that I fell asleep too. So, now I know what happened to the other puppies but cannot share my knowledge with my brothers. Oh well, I hope they aren't having too much fun without me.
January 1, 2001 -- Today I woke up in a strange place and at first could not figure out where I was. Then it all came rushing back in a flash and I felt a little sad because I missed my mom and brothers and humans. But the strange human (Zen and Guin told me her name is Rachel but they call her Mom) came and loved on me and gave me belly scratches so I very quickly cheered up. And as any good puppy will do I proceeded to explore my environment. Was I ever excited to find lots of toys to play with and some bones to gnaw on. And there is a whole yard in the back of the house where I can wander all about sniffing and running. Not to mention the cat which is SO much fun to chase. The strange human, Mom, laughs at me a lot and tells me that I am a joy to have around (whatever a joy is -- isn't that some kind of animal in Australia?? Hey, lady I am an Akita . . . Oh, Zen just told me that meant that she was very happy to have me, oops silly me!). Zen is very grumbly when I get close to him especially when he is under the computer desk or has a toy. Guin tells me that he is a silly male -- all talk -- and that while we do need to let him have his way there are ways to trick him into letting us do what we want. I am not too sure about all of this, he is awfully big and loud, so I think I will not harass Zen too much. Guin, however, is great to play with. I love to stalk her tail pouncing on it when she is asleep (that is the only time it is still). I asked her what happened to it and why it didn't curl. She told me it was because Labradors needed a straight thick tail to help them swim. I asked her what swim was and she says it was to move in the water without your feet on the bottom. Why on earth would anyone want to do that? Guin says that swimming is SO much fun but that Akitas don't know how to appreciate swimming. She said that although Zen loves to wade in the water the only time he swam was when he was thrown in out of a boat and he was very mad (she actually said pissed but he didn't get peed on so I am not sure that is right) for a long time afterwards. I wonder if I will like to swim. I know that I don't mind water -- not that I like baths or anything no self-respecting puppy WANTS to be clean -- but this swimming thing sounds like it might be fun. Mom was home all day which Guin said was unusual that it must be a holiday. I asked what a holiday was and Guin said that that was when Mom didn't have to leave and got to stay home. I wonder if tomorrow is a holiday too or if she will leave us? And if she leaves will she come back? Whew! I am tired.
January 2, 2001 -- It has been such a busy day. Mom took me to this place that had all kinds of animal smells and some other strange odors that mom called medicine smells. I think this is where Mom does (what did Guin call it?) work. She put me on a flat metal box with a rubber mat and made me be still (which was SOOOOO hard to do) and then told me that I was a big girl weighing 15.9 lbs at 9 weeks. I am not sure what pounds are but they must be a lot. She also did some not-so-nice things to me like stick a needle in me and stick something up my behind -- what is that all about??? But she gave me lots of kisses and belly scratches and treats afterwards so it was not such a horrible experience. I did hate having to stay in a cage all by myself but Mom only made me stay in there when she was busy. The rest of the time I got to get out and play. When we got home, Guin and Zen told me that I went to a vet office (whatever that is) and that is where my Mom works. She is a veterinarian and Guin told me that means that she helps to keep animals healthy and that she helps make sick animals better. I think that is a wonderful thing to do. Yawn -- time to go to bed.
January 3, 2001 -- I think all in all I am a pretty lucky puppy. I have a nice dog to play with, a kitty to chase, a big dog to be my pack leader and protect me, and a very trainable human. I did have to give my human a lesson last night but I think she learned it and won't forget. What happened was I tried to wake her up to take me outside to potty (no self-respecting puppy would go inside the house) but she kept pushing me off her and told me to go back to sleep. Well, I can't be having her not listen to me so I decided to show her what happens when she doesn't listen. What did I do? I thought it was pretty ingenious -- I peed ON HER. Direct consequences for failure to take me outside and boy did that get her up. She did call me some name that sounded like little bit but that wasn't quite it either. Zen says that is not a nice name and that she wasn't happy with me. Well, she should have listened the two times I tried to get her up. We'll see if the lesson remains or if we need a refresher tonight.
January 5, 2001 -- Today is my Mom's birthday. She is 26 which is very, very old I am surprised that she still gets around. Zen said that humans age differently but still 26 is very old. She gave us all a beef rib after dinner to celebrate. I didn't eat mine as fast as Guin but Zen told me that Labradors like Guin eat a lot faster than us Akitas and not to worry and enjoy my bone. Mom made me sit and be still while she held this box thing that made a lot of flashes of light. She said she was taking my picture -- I just think she was testing to see if she could blind me. It didn't work though because I am still able to see even though there are still some stars in my vision.
January 6, 2001 -- I had the most exciting day. Mom took me down to some place called Savannah where I got to meet her brothers. They are very nice and give great chest scratches. Her brothers have three cats which I was so excited about until I actually tried to chase the big grey and white one. He had the nerve to NOT run from me and when I got too close he smacked me with his paw hard enough to knock me over. He is a lot stronger than he looks. He also told me that when Zen was a little older than me he had to set Zen straight and that unless I watched my step he'd do the same to me. So, I decided that discretion was the better part of valor and left him alone. I did chase the larger of the orange and white cats -- the smaller fluffier one acted like the grey and white cat and so I thought it wise to leave him alone as well. We stayed for a while and even went and walked in what mom called the Famous Savannah Square -- something about a man named Forrest Gump sitting there in a movie (whatever that is and I don't think she got that name right. Forest is where there are lots of trees and animals to chase NOT a human) as well as another movie where some famous Bulldog called UGA was walked. We did meet lots of people there and they all gave me kisses. We stayed for a while but eventually came home. Mom said that I am a very good traveler in the car. Zen and Guin were jealous that I got to go but Mom told them I needed some cat education (I think she knew what the grey and white cat was going to say to me). When Zen realized that, he just laughed and said that he bet Giovanni (the grey and white cat) gave me just that. I told him that I heard he ran and screamed like a scared baby when Giovanni "talked" with him. Zen shut up real quick after I said that and huffed out of the room. I realized tonight that this is the first day that I have not thought of my original home and family often. Does that mean that I am forgetting them? I hope not because I still love them very much.
January 7, 2001 -- I had the absolute most fun today. Mom took me and Zen and Guin to "train" (I never saw a train though so I am not sure I heard her right). What we did was go over to this place with lots of weird stuff sitting around and lots of other people and dogs. All the people ooohed and aaahed over me -- Mom said I should expect that because I am so adorable (Adorable -- ICK! I am a dignified Akita not some little fluffied dog). Anyway, the people and dogs went on and over and through the weird stuff in the yard and it looked like a lot of fun. Finally, after Guin had a long turn, Mom took me onto something called a dog walk (although I may have heard wrong because it was just wood no dogs at all). She then got me playing with one of the other dogs and sent it through a tunnel (a big round thing). I ran through the tunnel after the dog a few times and then did it on my own. Mom was very, very proud of me for doing so well. She said I was very confident and eager. Then I got to tease all the other dogs when they were made to sit and not move. I got to walk with Mom and try and distract them. It was so much fun and so exciting but boy am I sleepy.
January 9, 2001 -- I went to the vet place again. No needles or things up my behind but I did get to meet and play with a small version of Guin only yellow in color. Her name is Kelly and she is a 5 month old Labrador puppy. She has more energy than I do and never slows down. We were put together in a run outside and we had the best time playing. I also got to meet a black version of Guin only a boy named Pooh Bear and a black version of Kelly (they are sisters) named Jade. There was also a cute yellow dog that looked kind of like a mix between a Lab and an Akita (the tail almost curl and the ears almost stand) named Tigger. We all played although I was a little intimidated by the big Lab. I was supposed to start school tonight but it snowed (which was a lot of fun frozen white stuff falling -- I tried to catch all of the flakes which made mom laugh until water came out of her eyes) and so we just went home. I weighed 18.4 pounds today -- Mom says I am growing like a weed whatever that is.
January 11, 2001 -- Oh, I had a bad day today. Mom had to get on to me for chasing the kitty and trying to hold kitty down when I caught her. I tried to explain that I was only playing but Mom said that I was too big and too rough on kitty. I think kitty was laughing the whole time I was getting in trouble. Then I tried to get a toy but Zen had it and he smacked me with his paw which hurt. Mom told me that next time Zen grumbled at me that I needed to stop and respect him. Now why didn't he get in trouble for being too rough on me? After all, all I wanted was the squeaky ball. Then I accidentally went in the house which made Mom even more disappointed in me. I just think I need this day to end. Finally, Mom went to bed and she took me with her and gave me belly rubs and told me that she loved me very much. So, it wasn't a totally bad day.
January 13, 2001 -- We all went to the park today. Zen and Guin and I all walked around the pond and thru the woods and field. We met one of mom's friends there with her dog named Emma. I kept trying to bite Emma's legs and Emma got so mad at me for doing that. We walked and played and romped for a couple of hours. Very fun and tiring. I got to meet a lot of people and even had some little humans pet me. I love little humans the best.
January 14, 2001 -- I got to go train again today. It was so much fun -- even more so than last time. I played with a little Border Terrier named Fidget -- she just had puppies a month ago and she acted like a mother to me which was nice. I also got to do some more tunnels and the dog walk again and then some jumps (Mom took the bar off so it was more like steps). Guin is doing really well she will do all these jumps and tunnels and go up the big wooden triangle and then do the dog walk. Mom says that one day I will be as good as Guin and that we will make up an agility team. Not sure what that means but it sounds fun!
January 15, 2001 -- Another very busy day for me. I went to the office again and got to play with a very sweet little human that called me the Panda Bear Dog. Mom took me in because as soon as she finished working we went to a friend's house. I got to play with three new dogs and to see Emma again. We wrestled and chased each other and I had a blast. Mom told me that I was going to be the best socialized dog in Statesboro by the time she was done with me. Boy will I ever sleep good tonight!
January 16, 2001 -- Went to the office again and got to play with Kelly. The other dogs weren't there. After Mom finished working, we went to obedience class where saw all kinds of lovely dogs to play with but mom wouldn't let me play. Instead I had to do silly stuff like sit (which I already knew b/c Mom won't give me any food or attention unless my bottom is on the ground) and then down and then come and then . . . I tried to be really good and pay attention (the hot dog treats helped a lot) but the cute White Doberman male beside me was too tempting not to try to play with. And then there is the pretty Chow female and a bouncy Poodle puppy and lots of other dogs. Mom said I did really well for a 11 week old puppy and that she was proud of me. I was making the Akita breed proud with my friendliness and intelligence. And I weighed 21.2 pounds today.
January 17, 2001 -- Boy was this a busy day. Mom, Zen, and I traveled a long way in the car up to a huge version of mom's office. Zen had to go for a recheck on some study he was a part of. Mom tried to explain it -- something about his stomach being sown to his muscles so he couldn't bloat and she lost me after that. Anyway, Zen got put into a large run and me into a cage. Mom left us there for a while and then came and got Zen and left me behind which made me very mad. But there were so many people that stopped to play with me or at least pet me that I was never bored for long. One of the people stuck this huge needle in me which hurt so I hollered but it was over with quickly and I gave him kisses anyway. Mom said this was to chip me so that she could permanently identify me whatever that is. I got to meet lots and lots of people and Mom even took me to this large area where there where HUGE dogs that she said were called horses and cows. They were twice as big or even bigger then Zen. I wanted to play but Mom told me that it was not a good idea because they could hurt me without meaning to. One of the cows named Bonnie had a hole in her side that Mom said allowed her to help give fluid to other cows to digest their food when they got sick --she called it rumen flora or something like that. I saw a lot of dogs being handled and treated and all kinds of things done to. Everyone was really nice and I got lots of attention and gave lots of kisses but whew it was exhausting. On the way home we stopped at a house where Zen said he and Mom and Guin used to live. Poor Zen was sedated for the last part of his exam so he didn't even get out of the car but I did and met a very nice person there. After that stop, we stopped at another place where Mom left Zen and me sleeping in the car while she went in a ate with some friends. I got to meet her friends later and they were very nice too. Then we finally headed home. We were all exhausted when we finally got there -- A long, long day. But I got lots of socialization as Mom calls it and I got my chip so all in all a very productive day.
January 21, 2001 -- I went down to Savannah again and went to a place called PetSmart where there were lots of people and animals. I had almost outgrown my collar so Mom wanted to get me a new one. She got a beautiful collar for me that is green and blue with tan swirls. We also got two new toys-- a gorilla that squeals and a hedgehog that grunts. And she bought a comb because she said that my coat blowing would start soon. I keep watching my hair to see if it starts blowing air but so far it hasn't. We then went to the brothers' house and the cats were the same as before. I got smacked a few times though because I sometimes let my feet move before my brain thought. Mom told me that I was getting a cat education --now I'll have some stories to share with Zen. I NEVER ran and screamed though which just goes to show that girls are braver and tougher than boys. Mom was not feeling too well so we left early and came home.
January 25, 2001 -- Mom has been very sick for the last three days and I am very worried about her. She stayed home and in the bed and only got up to let us out to pee and to feed us. She never ate or drank anything that I saw which scared me a lot. But she is better (a little) today and went to work. We did not get to go train or to go to obedience class this week. Poor Mom I hope she gets back to normal soon!
January 26, 2001 -- We all went to the vet office today -- Zen and Guin and I. I got some more needles and the thing up my behind. Zen and Guin got a bath. I thought I was going to escape the bath but unfortunately they gave me one too. We all hung out in a huge cage together and all the people that work with Mom gave us lots of attention. I weighed 25 pounds.
January 27, 2001 -- Mom took me to this store with lots of animal smells and several other dogs. One was a cute puppy that I got to play with. The others were a very hyper adult dog my size (Mom called it a Jack Russell Terrier -- I think it was on some kind of hyper drug but Mom says that is how they are all the time) and a nice tall dog that looked like Zen except didn't have a curly tail. Mom called it a German Shepherd Dog. He was very handsome and I flirted with him. Mom made me stop playing long enough to sit on some dry, good-smelling grass she called hay bales. Mom tried to blind me again this time with a much bigger light and she had help. It worked because I was blind for a few seconds. Mom says it was a professional picture, I think that is just code name for an eye challenge. They shouldn't be allowed to do that to poor puppies. I got to play some more and then we (Zen and Guin had come but stayed out in the car) went to the park and walked. At the park, I was aghast to learn that I had a black puppy chasing me everywhere I went. I tried to catch the puppy but the faster I went the faster it went. Mom tried to explain that it was my shadow but I still wanted to get that puppy. And the wind was blowing things on the ground making them turn into monsters that needs to be caught and killed. I chased several but when I caught them they were nothing but dried out plant parts that Mom called leaves. But they were fun to chase. I got so mad this afternoon when the leash attacked me and got wrapped around my paw. I grabbed it and shook it to teach it not to attack me but the more I shook it the more it shook my paw. Mom was laughing so hard that water was pouring from her eyes and she couldn't help save me. She finally told me to stop that my shaking was causing its shaking but I didn't believe her so finally she took the leash out of my mouth and got it off my leg. I watched it very closely the rest of the day should it have decided to attack again I was ready to kill it.
January 28, 2001 -- We didn't go train today -- Mom says because the other people were at a competition. But we did go to the park again and have a nice long walk. Didn't get to meet any other dogs except for Emma but did meet lots of people. Mom says that I am a Ham (I am NOT a pig thank you very much) and try to get everyone's attention.
January 30, 2001 -- I went to the office again for my traditional weekly visit to. Kelly and I played a bunch and I weighed 26.2 pounds. We went to obedience class and I was an angel (so Mom says). I held my stays for minutes and Mom walked all around me. I still tried to play a couple of times but Mom still wouldn't let me and so I settled down. It is hard work to learn and be a good girl. Mom says at this rate I will do agility with Guin and obedience with Zen. She says that I am a wonderful, smart, beautiful puppy and that she loves me very much. I love her a lot too especially when she gives me bones to gnaw on.
February 3, 2001 -- We went to the park again to walk. I got to play with a cute puppy there for a few minutes and some sweet little humans gave me belly scratches. Mom got on to me for chasing and holding the kitty again and told me no more until I learn to be more gentle. I try not to but sometimes my feet move before my brain thinks and I get into trouble. I think this trouble thing is going to be around for a while from now on. Mom says it is because I am getting sassy and am too cute for my own good sometimes. Mom evented a new game for me today - it was called raking. She took a stick with a prongy metal piece on the end and scraped it on the ground. My goal was to chase and bite the stick and then to pounce on the stuff that the stick threw behind it. I loved this new game and played it as hard as I could. Mom was laughing so hard at times she had to stop and catch her breath. I think we should play raking everyday but Mom says her muscles wouldn't be able to take that challenge.
February 4, 2001 -- I stayed at home with Guin while Zen and Mom went over to a friend's house. So it was a very boring day. She took me back with her when she brought Zen home (he had gotten into the stinky swamp water) and I got to play with the little human and the little dog at the friend's house. Unfortunately, it did not last long but I did get to play for a little while.
February 5, 2001 -- Mom has once again tried to blind me with that flashy little box. She tried to blind Zen too and even Guin a couple of times --torture I say -- when will it end??? She says that she needs pictures (I am not sure I believe this excuse what are pictures????) to submit for an online show so that everyone can see what a gorgeous girl I am. Sounds fishy to me! She even brought a friend over to help torture me with the flashy box. IF I ever get a hold of this flashy box it is history!
February 6, 2001 -- I had my weekly visit to the office, played with Kelly, weighed in at 28.5 pounds, and went to obedience class. Today was the first time I have ever barked and growled at someone. Mom says that my protective Akita nature is starting to blossom and so when strange people I don't know walk around me and my Mom I have to bark and tell them to think twice before approaching. If they do approach in a friendly fashion, I still give them kisses but I just want them to know that I am an Akita and will protect those I love. I did very well in obedience class today. My stays are even better than before and mom has started proofing me by placing food just out of reach and seeing if I will get up to get it. I also am getting better at recalls -- before I was too worried about staying. Now I have learned that once Mom says "Okay" I can get up and move. I am so sleepy -- it is hard to play and work all day.
