Do I Make You Proud?

I am always fascinated by the immense learning power of animals.  Service dogs in particular.  I know my Melly is smart and with the proper training she has learned to stay off of the furniture, not beg at the table, and stay inside her invisible fence.  I have failed at training her not to be afraid of thunderstorms, not to bark at a random leaf floating down the sidewalk and not to always establish her dominance when around other dogs.  I know that someone with experience who knows what they are doing could probably do wonders with her.  

My sister, Aunt S, forwarded this video to me.  While I am amazed at what this special dog has accomplished, I am also comforted by the fact that even experienced dog trainers have to admit defeat and succumb to the animals instinct.  Maybe I didn't fail.  Maybe Melly's barking has kept away an intruder, maybe her dominance has thwarted another dog from attacking BoyBoy, maybe she has warned me of a coming storm so that I can roll the windows up in my car.  She is special and unique and I love her...so what if she can't surf!

Jake

This week I have a house guest.  He is Melly's boyfriend, my sister's dog, Jake.  Jake is a beautiful, blonde Golden Retriever.  

Melly adores him.  They have great fun together.  

Jake is a special dog.  When you come home he greets you with a mournful moan, which we call his "woo-woo" and a ball, shoe, stuffed toy, or small child in his mouth.  He has to be the most orally fixated dog I have ever met.  Ball?  Where's the ball?  Did someone say ball?  I like a ball!  Would you throw the ball?  I like it when you throw the ball!  Did someone say ball?  Ball?  He has infinite optimism.  If you can't find him, look for the nearest door.  He is probably standing in front of it, waiting patiently for someone to open it to throw the ball.  At my sister's, he waits under the trampoline in her back yard because he kept getting hit in the head with the ball.  But not just one ball will do.  Like I said, Jake is special.  He needs two balls.  Both in his mouth.  At the same time.  He even poops with two balls in his mouth!  I've seen it...not pretty.

Jake is also big.  He doesn't have any idea how big he is.  You know those yippy dogs that think they are Rottweilers?  Jake is the opposite.  He thinks that he can fit in even the smallest spaces.  Lap dog?  Yep, that's me!  Here's my paw...ooops, did I knock you over?  Can I sit on your foot?  Sorry for smooshing your toes!  Oh, pardon me, I didn't know there wasn't room for me in the powder room with you!  Stairs?  I love stairs!  But they are way more fun when I run between your legs while we are going up and down!  

He also likes to be scratched and stretched and he is not ashamed to demand it.  He demands scratching by going nose first between your legs and then just standing there until you scratch his butt.  If you don't start scratching quickly enough, he will go around again.  And again.  And again.  Stretching?  He lays down (anywhere...he's not picky) with his front legs stretched out in front and his back legs sprawled out behind him.  This is his cue for you to grab him under his front legs and pull.  He will streeeeechhhh his whole body (which makes him about 8 feet long) and then smile. 

 

And that is why we love Jake.  His smile makes all his quirks worthwhile.  He is happy, obsessed, over sized, demanding, and lovable Jake.  

Foto Friday

Who, me?

The Story of Melly

This is the story of Melly and how she became a member of our family.  We (read me) had always wanted a dog.  We (meaning me) had held off getting one until we had a home with a fenced yard and thought we weren't going to move again.  So, when we moved to Virginia the last time, 5 years ago, I scoured the Internet and local shelters for a puppy.  

Then Hurricane Isabel hit...

For a while, I stopped my search.  Partially because we had some cleaning up to do and partially because we had no power for 2 weeks.  The week after power was restored, I went on one of my favorite puppy websites and saw Melly.  It was love at first sight!

A few weeks later we brought her home.  She cost us $100.  

(Look how little BoyBoy was!)

We had no idea what she was.  Her Foster Mom guessed that she had beagle, basset hound, maybe some dachshund, and some Shepard.  We just said she was Heinz 57.  Wasn't she cute? 

(Note to self - White Carpet and New Puppy...not a smart combination)

About 3 months after she arrived, she started limping. We noticed that her front paw was pointed to the left...

(Quit taking my picture, I am so over it!)

so we (read me) took her to the local vet.  I knew I was in trouble when she referred us to an orthopaedic veterinarian.  That title just sounds expensive, no?  After multiple x-rays and consultations and at least one second opinion, it was determined that she needed surgery.  The basset hound in her had reared its ugly head.  The surgery cost...wait for it...remember this dog only cost us $100...you are not going to believe...$1800!  ACK!!!

Bubba was not having it at all.  He kept telling me that we could put Melly down and get a dog with papers for that much.  But, how could we put her down?  We already loved her!

(What's not to love)

So, I sat at the bottom of the steps and did this:

('Cause this is how I roll)

Until he relented.  Poor Melly had the surgery and the loss of dignity that comes with it.  

(I can pick up Cinemax with this thing)

She spent 6 weeks with pins in her leg and limited sniffing,  frolicking and squirrel chasing in the backyard until she was pronounced healed and allowed to be her normal self again.  

(See my pretty, almost straight leg?)

So, that is the story of Melly.  Since then she had traveled extensively (to and from Germany).  She has fallen in love.  She has celebrated many Christmases.  She has chased all the rabbits and squirrels out of our back yard, and she has dug herself deeper into our hearts.  We love you,  Melly, and are so glad you picked us to be your people.

um...Foto Sunday?

Foto Friday

Going to Alabama with a banjo, Bubba and BoyBoy on my knee...Melly will be monitoring the blog...party on!

Foto Friday

Still in love...

Foto Friday

Invisible Fence + Backyard Rabbits = Doggie Bling Bling

My Little Girl is in Love

Melly has a boyfriend. She has fallen head-over-paws in love with my sister's Golden Retriever, Jake. We introduced them two weeks ago and, after a lesson for Jake in who is the true queen, they both fell in love. It is silly, really. We had them together for a week at the beach and it was just the bonding experience they needed. They greeted each other every morning with a slobbery kiss and a game of tag around the coffee table. Some light wrestling after breakfast followed by tandem napping went into the daily rotation. Evening walks on the beach cemented their bond. They both had serious depression when we came back and they were separated for the first time. It was so bad that my sister had to come and pick Melly up for a play date the next day.

Jake is absolutely the ying to Melly's yang. He completes her. Where she is neurotic and a spaz, he is laid back and a big lug. Where she is small and compact, he is huge and lanky. His paws are bigger than her head and yet he allows her to believe that she is bigger than he is. When they are together, she is permanently attached to his neck. He will flop over on the floor and let her gnaw on his fluffy neck for what seems like hours. Where she is faster than a speeding bullet, he takes more of a stop and smell the roses approach. When we take the two of them on walks, he waits for her to use the bathroom and even averts his eyes in respect for her privacy. It almost looks like he is the doting spouse, holding her purse while she powders her nose. All you have to do is say his name and she is headed for the door with a glance over her shoulder to make sure we are following with the car keys. They seem to be a match made in heaven. My little girl is in love. I just hope he doesn't break her heart for that trampy poodle down the street.

It's about time!

AHHHHHHH, Spring has finally arrived in Germany!