Life must seem boring to her after our fun Christmas break. I feel guilty she doesn't get to have all that wonderful stimulation all the time, but then, neither do I and what could we look forward to if everyday was Christmas, right? I'll just keep telling myself that...

We went back to the ranch for a visit and had a great time. Unfortunately, the other dogs there wouldn't run with Sapph. I felt a little sorry for her. Luckily she likes chasing a tennis ball so we did get to play. It was fun to hear everyone comment on how great she looks now (she really does look so much better). She doesn't seem small like she did at first and I think it is less about weight than confidence. I think she is just carrying herself differently. I didn't realize how important it was to me that the folks I adopted her from felt like I was doing a good job. I guess I wanted to be worthy of this wonderful breed.

Sapphy in January

I finally have updated photos. I was having problems with my camera's flash so I just finally went out and bought a new camera and am already on roll #3! I whipped it out at the dogpark and someone started to tease me about being a new dog owner. Yup! That's me! Proud new mama!! Saph is settling in and we are adjusting to living with each other. Her accidents are getting less and less in the house and I think we'll have that under control very soon. I know it is taking this long because of me. I have never had a dog in an apartment-type setting so I'm figuring this out. Sapphire is so well-behaved and anxious to please, she would do anything for me including this. I just have to give her the right, consistant message. This morning as I watched her toss a bra of mine in the air and pounce on it, I thought about how lucky I am. Retired Racers were trying to talk me into bringing Bubba home. A big, mellow, brindle boy. I am soooo tempted. I think my neighbors might have strokes tho'. They are slowly realizing I

can have a big dog and she makes no noise, but two big dogs? I should publish their addresses here so you all can write them letters and convince them this is a good thing :-)

January Update
All of a sudden she is doing great with the housebreaking! We went 2 days without an accident AND she woke me up in the middle of the night one night for me to take her out. Normally this isn't encouraged, but she had a little diarrhea (she is a dumpster dog) so I don't think she could help it. I was so ecstatic that she told me she needed to go I didn't care what time it was!! Whooo Hooo!

Old Injuries
Retired Racers sent me some racing history on Sapphire. They also sent me the sweetest certificate giving me Sapph's sire and dam and proclaimed me officially adopted by Sapphire. Made me cry! :-) But I'm a little weepy when it comes to things Grey anyway.

Back to the racing record. What I found really interesting was how many collisions she had. I have talked about her old injuries and now, in all fairness, I have to consider that some of them came from her banging around on the track. You can check out what I am referring to by going to the online race history and type in Wyco Sapphire and click Race Charts. Sapph might just be a clumsy girl. I've checked her peripheral vision and it seems fine. Now, speaking of clumsy...

Head...meet glass door...
They warn you about ex-racers and sliding glass doors. And actually, every dog I have had has found them a challenge so it wasn't hard for me to remember to show Sapphire the sliding glass door, knock on it to show her it was there, etc. Now during the day, I am still closing off most rooms while we master housebreaking. The sunroom has a sliding glass door that I shut. I always show Sapphire that it is shut and she has never had a problem...until last week.

We came in from going potty and just as we came in the door, she had a little fit of excitement. She started dancing, then bouncing, and then all of a sudden she turned and raced down the length of the room and BAM! right into the sliding glass door. She had forgotten it was closed (some sighthound! I'm not the best housekeeper...that window is kinda dirty!). The look she turned and gave me! ME, 30 feet away! But apparently I am the great omnipotent being to her and somehow I was responsible for keeping her out of the room that way. I immediately made "oh sweetie" noises and tried to go up to her to fawn all over her. But she shied and ducked and ran away from me. Looking at me all the time saying, "why did you do that?" Hey! I'm innocent! You ran into the door! But no, she continued to duck away from me and wouldn't go anywhere near that door. It took me nearly an hour and finally she let me lead her over there. I showed her the door and then I showed her I was opening it. I'm still not sure if she was bent at me because she banged her head, or because I almost laughed. :-)