Saturday, October 29, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Oliver Likes Flyball!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Yeah, But Can They Do This????
It's Official! I've Been Adopted!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Seriously, What's So Freakin' Funny?!?!
YouTube link if the above doesn't work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLKnKLuqQMA
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Good Morning!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
This week I discovered the most wonderful thing God ever made, Green Fuzzy Balls. Luckily for me I have a compulsive obsessive Foster Dad and he is constantly throwing them all over the yard. As soon as I bring one back he has another and the crazy old coot can't seem to stand holding onto these Green Fuzzy Balls for more than 10 seconds. This past Saturday I must have returned over 70 balls to him. I don't mind it though, it makes you feel good inside when you help old crazy people. My old Foster Dad is cranky and generally smells funny, but he can wing a Green Fuzzy Ball at least 50 yards. Which is great for me since I love to run and every now and then I throw in an acrobatic move at the end of the sprint. Sometimes I slide and flip ass over tea kettle, but according to the cranky old guy, I haven't lost any cool points thus far. Our next big project will be more treadmill training, which I understand involves lots of treats. It ruff being a poor helpless little foster dog:)
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Big Weekend
Most importantly he taught me about never touching a woman's shoes. Evidently, that's a very touchy subject with female humans. Pa thought I was a very interesting fellow and said that if we were somehow able to strap a meter to my butt and get paid a dime per step, that we would be able to eradicate the national debt within a couple of weeks. I am a busy fellow and have many important things to accomplish everyday. I usually have to sort all the toys out and in order to do that I must first take an inventory of all my toys. This is a simple process but it requires me to move all of my toys to the backyard for inspection. Additionally, I must ensure Pete gets his exercise so I wrestle with him at least 5 hours a day. I also must ensure that any markings the neighbor's dogs may have left in our yard has been properly covered with our family's special scent. It's a constant battle just to keep up with my to do list, luckily my foster mom ensures I get 8 hours sleep a night. That's good because that's the only time I sleep. I don't like to take naps --life's too short for sleeping during the day. My motto is eat meat as fast as you can, accept all gifts from the UPS guy, and everywhere you go, go as fast as you can.
This is what foster mom calls "Oliver TV" aka "Cow TV". I can just sit and watch the cows in the pasture on the other side of the pond forev--oooh wait, Pete just showed up - it's time to go play. No time for TV.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Nobody's Perfect
My take on Oliver: He's a little bit mischievous and I'm not sure what is going on with his new collecting habit. I catch him taking all kinds of things outside: the whisk broom from the garage, a laser level (maybe he has a project?), shoes (I am notorious for leaving my shoes around and now they are scattered all over the house) and, of course, toys. Since he no longer has to be on a leash in the house (over a week and no accidents!!! He's housebroken!!!), it's easier for him to get into trouble. If I'm missing something, it's probably outside.
Double Trouble
And this morning, we were just lying around in the bedroom floor while foster mom was brushing her teeth and next thing you know we're playing...again.
When Pete and I were playing in the office, he found what was left of a raw bone my foster mom gave me. So, Pete quit playing and started chewing on the bone. At one point, both of us have our mouth on the bone but there is no aggression and I'm still playing. And, because I have such a great temperament, Pete doesn't get mad at me for being all over him and his bone while he's eating it (although you can tell he wants it all to himself) -- NOT something you can normally do with bully breeds but I'm just that great! And then Pete broke off a small piece for me and I relaxed beside him and we both just chewed them in peace - we didn't have to be separated in different rooms (or different zip codes) like some bullies.
Note: I have observed Oliver and Pete's interaction for some time now and was completely confident they would play nice - otherwise, I would have removed the bone as soon as Pete found it.
And last night, Pete chose to sleep in the living room with me so I wouldn't be lonely (that's another reason I know he loves me). I still have to sleep in a crate. Foster mom says it is to help me because some people prefer doggies that are crate-trained but I think it is because Pete and I would probably play all night and she'd never get any sleep. I doubt I'll ever be one of those doggies that can hang out in a crate all day but I am getting much better about sleeping in it at night. I used to howl and howl in my crate because I don't like to be left alone but now I just do a quick whimper and go to sleep. Of course, I'm ready to get up bright and early to play with Pete.
Wherever my forever home, it absolutely must come with a playmate! I love people, too, but I have to have a doggie buddy that can match my energy.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Slowin' Down
Look over and see Pete still slowly muchin' away. Why?
Friday, March 12, 2010
It's Been a Gold Star Day!
Gold Star Three: I figured out how to use the magic doggie door all by myself! Nobody would show me how so I just did it! Gold stars for me!
The Magic Door
There is this magic door at my foster home that the other dogs and cat use. For days now, I have seen these guys disappear through the door and reappear on the other side and it was absolutely mystifying. I would either be stuck inside while all of them were outside or I would be outside looking in while they were all inside making faces at me. Today, that changed.
I was stuck outside watching through the window and saw Celeste, my foster sister, getting treats. That did it! I held my breath and raced through the magic door and ... there I was, safely on the other side. A little while later, they all went outside and I was stuck inside again. I raced back and forth from front door to back door, back door to front door, upstairs looking out the window - how the heck did they do that? Yeah, OK go ahead and laugh. It took several more hours for me to figure out that the magic door worked BOTH ways. But once I got it, there's no stopping me now. I've been going in and out and in and out and in and out...
My take on Oliver: One thing that I love about Oliver is that when he learns something, and particularly when he figures it out himself, you can just see the excitement. Like watching him go in and out the door over and over and over once he figured out it worked both ways!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Movin' Upstairs...
Today, my foster mom let me get up on the bed! I think she was hoping I would get comfortable and take a nap...but I had other plans. While she was in her office working, I was busy running up and down the stairs gathering my stuff. Up and down...up and down...up and down. And then she showed up at the door:
Uh Oh...Am I in trouble?
Well, she's laughing so I must not be in trouble. While she was working, I went downstairs and collected a bunch of toys and put them on the bed so I could play with all of them at the same time.
Whew! She's not mad so I guess it's time to go get more toys:
My take on Oliver: I heard him running up and down the stairs and was trying to finish up one last thing before I checked on him. Then it got quiet so it just couldn't wait any longer. And when I walked in the room and saw all of those toys strewn out on the bed with Oliver in the middle of them playing, I just had to laugh. What a ham!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
More Progress
- Today I discovered what "Brown can do for me". The UPS truck came and at first I was scared (it's very loud) but once I saw Pete hop up into the truck I ran over and realized the guy delivers treats! I hope he comes here every day!
- Pete and I explored the woods and ran in the creek behind my foster home. We had a great time!
- I finally got into the BIG truck all by myself today! My foster mom had been picking me up to get into any of our cars because I didn't think I could do it. But that all changed today when Pete jumped in the big truck all by himself so I figured I could, too. And I did. I got so excited that when foster mom opened the driver's door, I hopped back out so I could hop back in again. And when she leaned down to pick up little Celeste (my foster sister, a pom), I hopped back out and back in yet again just to show-off.
Here I am helping my foster mom get caught up on work in the office.
- He will be a great running companion. Yes, we finally found something that Oliver likes more than Pete...running! On our walk today, I tried running with him for a while and during the time we were running he seemed completely content and not at all concerned about Pete. With that in mind, I did a little treadmill work with him this afternoon and it went really well. I think he'll be trotting along on it in no time.
- He just learns so fast. Leash walking is going well, he will sit/lie down before entering/exiting, he does really well with "leave-it" - need to work on a little more because if leave the room, he doesn't "leave-it" (hey, it's chicken and so hard to resist). The house-breaking is still a work in progress though much improved. Either I'm not reading his signals or he's not giving them so starting tomorrow, we'll come up with a clear signal --like maybe a bell on the door or something.
More Adventures
I'm getting much better with my house manners although I don't understand why I can't run and jump inside, too (I have lots of energy). I did hear her say something about being thankful that I was finally adjusting and actually stopping to rest every now and then.
More stuff I've learned:
- When riding in the car, I have to stay in the backseat --EVEN when we are at the drive-thru and a cheeseburger is headed our way (don't understand that one, but OK).
Oliver! That is not the back seat. OK, so he gets in the driver's seat when I leave the car but he stays in the back when I'm driving. - I have to quit bothering Pete because he doesn't have as much energy as me (I haven't fully mastered this one). I just love him so much, it's hard.
- I can only pee outside. Well, I'm still learning this so I have to stay on a leash inside but I learn fast so it shouldn't be too much longer.
Things we have learned about Oliver:
- Cats are OK - he hardly notices the resident cat. A few sniffs here and there and he keeps on going --even if she bounces by him.
- Oliver should carry a sign that says "Will do anything for food" (he will).
- Very trainable: will sit or lie down if asked ...or if he wants something :)
- Would do best with a dog that can match his activity level. Hasn't shown any aggression towards other dogs and is totally submissive towards Pete (our Pit/LabX).
- Reflections fascinate him --but not his own. I find him staring at me in a mirror or reflection in a window:
- Not at all food-aggressive. I can feed treats (chicken) to all dogs in the room and he will wait patiently for his turn (once he figured out he wasn't getting treats until he was calm). He takes food very gently from your hand.
- Will be loyal (wants to be by my side always...well, unless Pete is around) and protective. Only 48 hours here and already barking a warning when visitors arrive. Of course, once they get to the door, he is all wags.
- Very vocal - will talk to you. And he howls (not everyone finds this endearing - my husband thinks it's "cool") -- must be the cattle dog in him.
- He prefers being outside (but that may just be because that is where Pete retreats) and, so far, doesn't really care for plush doggie beds.
- He likes tennis balls but prefers more than anything to play with Pete.
My Big Adventure
Here is a picture of me meeting my new foster mom at the last leg of the rat line. I promptly planted a kiss on her.
At my new foster home, I met all kinds of new friends - I was very excited. Even met my feline foster sister but didn't care much about her once I saw my foster brother, Pete. All I care about is playing with Pete...and doing whatever Pete is doing.
Eventually, Pete disappeared outside through the magic door that no one will show me how to work and I've been hanging out with foster mom inside which is great. I figured out real fast that if my butt hits the floor when she says "sit" or when she snaps her fingers, I get pieces of chicken and head and chest rubs. Foster mom says I learn real fast - hey, I like to impress. And I really didn't mind the bath either (although I don't know what all the fuss was about --I think I smelled just fine).
I love burying my head while getting my back rubbed. Just like when I was getting a bath - not sure why foster mom changed clothes afterward?
Foster mom tries real hard to get pictures of me to document My Big Adventure but I move too fast (lots of things to see and do around here) so there are many that are all a blur like these:
After the long and exciting day here, I'm very sleepy but I think if I go to sleep I might miss something so I fight it really hard.