They swam!!

So after deciding to take them for a hike, I love the outdoors and of course I love taking them so my friend and I took them on a hike out by Burlingame, in Charlestown, RI. After about 45 minutes of being in the woods we happened upon this little pond-like beach that had shallow water, a little bit of sand and some large rocks.

It seems like the perfect spot for their first experience with calm (non-beach) water. So I took my shoes off, and went into the water (which was surprisingly warm and clear). I coaxed Bear in, and then Maci came bounding into the water, and jumped on one of the rocks. She didn’t stop there, she hopped from one rock to the next and then completely missed the third rock she jumped onto and fell into the water. It was priceless and as she’s standing there in the water, not sure what she just did Bear is on the biggest of the rocks not wanting to get his paws wet.

So I pick him up and plop him in the water, and start to splash him and reassure him. (Note: I’m still holding both leashes, my friend is not in the water). Out of nowhere, Maci starts jumping around and books it for the deeper part of the water. And before I knew it, she was swimming around.

Bear is taller than her so when he followed her out there, he could still touch, but he was not graceful in the least. He looked like an injured rabbit, not sure what to do, and didn’t figure out he could just walk instead of ungracefully leap around in the water.

As to say, “fine mom, I swam” Maci then ran out of the water and onto the shore. I was cracking up at the sight of the two of them as I was dragged onto the shore, and from there we went on our merry way.

Puppy Play Group

Yes, I am one of those doggy moms who takes their dogs to play groups. It’s important for their socialization and I think they get a kick out of it too. So I went to puppy play group for the first time, nervous about my babies fitting in, or not playing nice, so typical right? And because they split the building into two groups (big and small puppies) I decided to put them into the small group…simply because the big dog group was…BIG.

Anyway, needless to say they warmed up after a few minutes, and began to play. They began barking and running around, chasing balls and sometimes watching the ‘big kids’ romp and wrestle and suddenly I realized I was no longer nervous and having fun watching the dogs enjoy themselves.

Puppy play group has been a lot of fun, and I see how different my two dogs are and after talking with the behaviorists, I see that Bear is much more nervous and Maci is my little warrior, nothing seems to phase her. Because of the different personalities that they have, I’ve decided to start Bear with agility which will build his confidence hopefully, making him less nervous and make him more sure of himself. And well, Maci needs a little bit of help with listening- her confidence makes her blow me off when she feels like it.

7 o’clock crazies’ (cray-zees)

So at about 7 pm, everyday my house becomes a wild, out of control puppy play ground. Like clock-work, Bear and Maci go into a spastic romping like play that usually involves chasing each other around in the same ‘track’ over and over.

They used to go under tables, and behind couches (until they got too big, and knocked a few tables and lamps over, and got stuck inbetween the couch and the wall). Now they go threw the kitchen, around the edge of the dining room, touch the living room, down the hall and threw my bedroom (somehow changing direction) and repeating the pattern. That is, unless my door is closed then they are stuck at the end of the hallway, to battle it out, try to pin each other and race down the hall to start the pattern again.

They’ve managed to drag blankets down the hall just because they’ve been caught on a leg, knocked plants over, and fallen down the stairs during their crazy time. I’ve attached a lone picture, my attempt to capture the 7 o clock crazies’. Needless to say, if it’s not raining we put the dogs outside so they can run around in the fenced in yard.

You can see Maci behind Bear (an eye, and a flopping ear)

Their story

About mid-March I was working my usual Friday shift at the Animal Hospital when Kathy, the animal control officer from Charlestown Animal Shelter came in with a puppy. She just wanted her to be checked over, but we didn’t have a doctor in the office at the time, so I told her she could drop the puppy off and pick her up later. She came in with a puppy named Bailey, this little 13 pound bundle of kisses and soft eyes that made you just want to snuggle her. We weren’t too busy so I carried her around and just fell in love.

So when Kathy came to pick her up I was telling her how I wanted the puppy, half joking and half serious. Then she told me she didn’t have a home and she had a lot more puppies just like her that needed homes. At first I was hesitant because I didn’t think my parents would go for it, and not to mention it’s a 10-15 year commitment. So that night I went home and talked it over with my parents, they agreed to go see her at the shelter the next day.

At this point I knew my mom couldn’t say ‘no’ once she saw her. But I really didn’t expect what would come next. We get there, and she and her brother were in a run together. My parents both really liked the boy, Bear who was energetic, but sweet and playful. While I still really liked the girl, I also liked the boy. Then my mom goes “why don’t we just get both? What do you think?” I was speechless. “Ehh, I don’t think that’s a great idea” was all I was able to get out. But at the same time, I got what I wanted…more then what I wanted. How did that happen?

So then Kathy (animal control officer) started to explain that these puppies came from a kill shelter in Georgia. She brought up 25 puppies from this shelter, who were about to be killed, all under 10 weeks old. There is a big problem with people not spaying or neutering down there and as a result of that, there are hundreds of unwanted litters and most end up being killed simply because there just isn’t room for them. It’s a real problem, and just by adopting an unwanted pet, instead of getting one from a breeder you are helping to solve the problem. They are great dogs, and they need homes.

Bear is the one in front, Maci is under the blanket.