Thursday, February 28, 2013

Who got Chipped?

So, Sonya got herself microchipped yesterday... She did well, though she wasn't all that happy about it... A friend of mine Holly, who worked/s for a vet office and does a lot of microchipping for me (for free!), which I so appreciate - she's good at it, most of the dogs hardly make a peep, she's quick and fast.

While at Holly's she meet Emery, an exuberant, 3 year old weinheimer... Okay, she freaked Sonya out a bit... too big, too close, too fast.. BUT, she was very good about telling her to back off... both softly and when she wasn't heard, a little louder and then we ran some interference for her so she got comfortable... She did enjoy cuddles and treats from Holly though both before and after the chipping!  Holly even earned herself a few kisses, perhaps a thank you for the necessary micro chipping that will keep her from getting lost.

After that - over to Amber's (who lives down the street from her) with the two big Shepard mixes...  a little anxiety over more big dogs...but they are mellow and she spent some time in the back yard with them, not playing, but not freaking out about them either once she figured out they would respect her space... She hung out with Mia who is 8 years old, refused to look at black cat when he came strolling by and went up to Nate and Amber for some pets and attention... and probably to see if they had treats!

Cassie made a little collar with a tie and tried it on all the animals!
getting some attention from Amber's husband - Sonya loves all people!


Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Pup Cups!



My daughter, Cassie is working at Cruisin' Coffee so I took Sonya on a quick trip in the car... She was nervous about what was happening... a little shaky...but she worked through those nerves when she saw Cassie and especially when the Pup Cup came out... a little whipped cream with a tasty dog treat...

   YUMMMMM

Monday, February 25, 2013

Out and About Town...

Sonya had a busy Sunday... while I didn't get a a lot of pictures :(, she got to go with me for some errands in town...

First was back at work for a few hours while we were undergoing some computer upgrades... She sat in my lap, meet the computer guy, checked out the place, followed the computer guy a bit and then finally settled down for a nap... She is a great co-worker!


We took a few walked in the neighbor and she is great on the leash and loves to walk... I think she really wanted to run and really stretch her legs - but we had to stay on the leash...

After that, we went to a big pet store... It was really busy and bustling... She didn't want to go in... It was kind of scary to her... but I convinced her but she was nervous and shaky... We saw a coworker there and chatted a bit and she just was patient as ever but still a bit shaky... After that, we wandered the whole pet store... she saw other dogs and was polite, interested, but not overly so... But the time we got in line (with some tasty liver snacks), she was calm and cool as you can be... The line was long, so we practiced sit and spin in line and she earned herself not only treats but some claps and oooh from other customers too! 
Nervous, but the tail is waggin!
After that, it was a quick stop for me to get some food to go and then it was time for home... She was asleep right after she went potty... It was a lot for her to too...but she did great :)  She definitely needs to keep going out and expereincing new things so they aren't so scary for her...

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Sonya's coming out of her shell!

Sonya is doing great... Look at that innocent face... She is such a snuggle bug... She loves to hang out with her people... Today, when my dad came over to visit, she was well behaved and interested...though stayed pretty close to me...   We did some yard work and she was quite interested in what was happening to her yard I think!  She also has been enjoying rolling around in the dead iris pilings in the middle of the yard... (why do all the fosters love those dead iris leaves, I don't know)... At least it's not something smelly that she's rolling in, so I'm not complaining... :)

Yesterday, she had a bit of an issue with her reflection in the sliding glass door and spend some time barking at her silly self, but seems to be over it now.. She has started the phase of going outside and back in real quick, trying to earn a treat... Or going around the backyard and sniffing, checking with me,  does that earn her a treat?  Part of the house training process and it's good forward motion.  I would say she's about 75% house-trained at this point..

Newest discoveries... she can jump baby gates when she wants too... oh she's learned she can jumped on a tall chair I have to get to the counter., if I don't have it pushed in all the way.. Earned herself some cake that way, sneaky thing... Sasha got some too, cause there were cake crumbs on her whiskers! 

Friday, February 22, 2013

Smartie Pants


So Sonya is a fast learner... She has master sit and sits all the time now to see if that will get her more treats!    Sometimes we don't even ask and she just sits and then looks at you, like "come on, treat time!"  We now are throwing in some "spins" and she has no problems with that either!  She is also going in and out the doggie door... treats treats treats... That's has certainly sparked the learning bug in her!  Way to go Sonya!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Belly rubs


Sonya enjoys a good belly rub as often as possible.  It took only a day for her to trust enough and now she asks for them...



Showing off those pearly whites!

We were playing and I got a great picture of her looking all scary, but she was just playing, not scary at all... as you can see by the picture right next to it....

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Housetraining Blues



Here is Sonya - working on figuring out the doggie door... Which she has... She's not a fan of having to go outside in the cold weather and prefers to stay inside as much as possible.  We have her on a housetraining schedule and she is learning she gets treats when we take her out there...

Though now  I have to close the doggie door in case she makes a break for it to run inside and get under the covers.  Once she figures she can't get back in, she gets down to business... soon she will be using the door on her own.. She's smart, I know she will figure it out...

She is learning that she gets treats for pottying outside.. Sasha is waiting for a "supervisor" treat...
 

We are working on teaching her "sit"... She was quick to learn it.. Though she thought a kiss might earn her a treat too...

Here I think she is hoping she doesn't have to do a "Sasha" dance for a treat...

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Meet Sonya...

Sonya, my newest foster, arrived by a friend of New Rattitude who drove her up to the Thorp Fruit stand yesterday... Quiet, nervous, but sweet... she basically just stared at me through the holes in the crate the whole  home, whining quietly every so often...

Once to Yakima, she did good.. explored the neighborhood during a walk, meet my dog Sasha and that went alright...both a little nervous of each other... got to check out the house and back yard and get her bearings...

She is about a year old, 11 lbs, a full tail that wags all the time, and she's got a white fur body with black ticking all over, but a nearly black head, except a tiny white line down the middle of her face... She's at the tail end of a cold so I've been calling her sneezy but that should clear up in a few days...


 She had to suffer the indignity of a bath... she didn't care for it but tolerated... She shed a ton in the bath, so I'm hoping that we got most of that hair off her and some good food and a less stress and that will slow down for her... She was a doll while Cassie clipped her nails...



No more baths please!

 She got a reward of a bully stick for being a good sport!


Saturday, February 16, 2013

Memories...

I heard from my second foster Shelby's  new family today... It was about a year and half ago when we fostered Shelby...she was tiny, nervous, had crazy long toenails and would jump up into your arms in a single bound at a moment's notice...  She has really blossomed with her new peeps and they just love her to pieces and I couldn't be happier for her...

She's now living in Alaska and loving the snow.  Her mom said - "She is my best friend and the family's wonderful gift".... awwww... Shelby (or Shelbs as they sometimes call her), you sure hit the jackpot and it's exactly what you deserved!





I"m adopted!

Of course she is!


Cute tiny Scarlett has found herself a wonderful family with a rat terrier fur sibling named Layla (and a cat too!)... She will be living it up in Spokane WA and I'm happy that she is finally going to get settled in with these great people and has found herself a great home!

While she is on her way to Spokane...  getting ready for new life!


Getting ready for the big day!  Stitches out and gettin' purdy (and sweet smelling!)

 A quick shake outside after being dried off...


And then some rest and soaking up of rays in the dead irises...

We will miss you and your little spins but you are onto a bright new future!  

Friday, February 15, 2013

Sunny days!

Scarlett got to come to work today for a visit and show off her cute self... She was quite taken with a co-worker and worked hard to show her how cute she is (and is she ever...) :)  She is obviously feeling better everyday... She loved being out, being in the sunshine and meeting all the people at work!


 Enjoying our sunny weather and my dead iris plants.... enjoy them, cause they are out of here this weekend!  She made herself a little nest in them where we could relax and soak up somem rays!



Good news coming for Scarlett tomorrow!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentine's Day

Scarlett had a good day... lots of tasty food so her appetite is good... then we went back to my friends house for valentine dinner... with now 3 bigger dogs, 5 adults, 2 kids and 1 cat... she did great... always part of the action, going for kisses and pets to everyone - though she preferred Nate's lap... I don't know if she thought he was awesome, or it was because he was relaxing on the couch or a combo of both, but she found a spot on Nate's lap and we didn't see much of her until it was time to go home!

outside for a potty break and i got her in mid yawn...

checking out Buddy's toy when he wasn't lookin'
sneakin a sniff at Buddy... he's a border collie

just being cute


Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Feelin' Better!


 Scarlett is feeling much better these days, healing well and enjoying some play time.   And food... she's quite the picky eater but I've found some food that she just can't resist... Eat up little one! 

Her and Sasha are actually getting along quite well and will sleep close to each other with no issues and whenever Sasha goes barreling outside to check out whatever noise she hears and make sure no one is invading, Scarlett is right at her heels, checking it out with her...

As you can see in the picture - a little nervous about a belly rub, but wanting all the same... 


Couldn't resist a potty picture...