Posts Tagged With: #Doglife

Big Puppy Play Date

We are a dog loving family. We have four dogs; a Rottweiler, a Bassett Hound, a Beagle, and a German Shepherd. The Beagle and the German Shepherd are both under one and a half years old. It can be quite chaotic in our house at times.

Today, we took our German Shepherd, Freyja (pronounced Fray-ya), to a friends house to play with their German Shepherd puppy, Stella, who’s a few months older. I was a little worried at first, Freyja had never played with anyone her own size and never on anyone else’s turf. Freyja isn’t the best behaved pup in the sandbox, she tends to bully her Beagle sister around a bit and doesn’t realize that she’s a 75 pound bundle of fur and energy.

Freyja Oct 2014

We introduced Stella and Freyja to each other slowly, in the back yard, keeping the leashes on. They seemed to be respectful of each other and there were only a few times when snarls and fangs were exhibited. After about ten or so minutes we unleashed them and eventually they got comfortable, their tails started wagging, the frisbee started flying, and happy pups were running around the yard. Freyja chasing the frisbee — Stella chasing Freyja.

The chase

All in all it seemed to be a successful morning of socialization and spent energy. A nap was definitely in order when we got home, after she said hello to all her sisters of course.

Freyja and Stella taking a water break

It was nice for Freyja to get out and play with a dog her own size. Hopefully we can make this a regular thing.

NaBloPoMo November 2014

Categories: Dogs, Life, NaBloPoMo2014, Pets | Tags: , , , , | 2 Comments

She’s perfect, with one exception

Today is day number four with our new love, Sassy. She has integrated into the family quite well though I wouldn’t say that she has become fast friends with our other pets, but she can be in the same room with them and no one gets snarled at or bitten; it’s progress.

Unfortunately, we discovered the hard way yesterday that she suffers from separation anxiety. I’m not sure if it’s because she still does not know us that well, or if it’s truly a behavioral issue that she will have forever, but we have to work with her a little more than expected.

While at work yesterday morning, I received a call from Sassy’s foster Mom that she had gotten out of the house. Fortunately, another foster mother lives close and was able to come get her while I drove home from work. Not knowing what to expect, once home, I walked in to find that she had torn up the blinds on the front and back doors and upon discovering the open window in my office, she jumped through it, making a quick escape.

I was able to get a vet appointment in the afternoon and for now, she is on puppy Prozac. I’ve taken the day off and M is taking tomorrow off and together we are working on getting her used to being in a crate. If we can’t get her settled in, and used to us being gone during the day, we will not be able to keep her.

Sassy at the Vet's office

Patiently waiting to see the Vet

Yesterday when I put her in the crate to pick up C from school, she howled and cried the entire time we were gone, about 15 minutes. Today, she has shown remarkable signs of progress. I put her in the crate to take both the girls to school and was gone about 35 minutes. She didn’t make a sound, no whining, no howling, no barking, she was like a different dog. However, when I got home and let her out, she followed me around worried that I was going to leave again. I couldn’t go anywhere; the laundry room, the kitchen, the bathroom, Sassy was always close under foot. However as the day has worn on, she’s started to relax and I have been able to move around without my bodyguard close at hand.

Things are looking up and if she does well when I leave to pick up the girls and is ok while I am at school tonight, I believe this will work. It’s just going to take some patience on our side and trust on hers. But just look at her, she will definitely be worth the work!

Silly Sassy

What a cutie!!

Categories: Dogs, Life, Musings, Pets | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

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