Happy "birthday" Sadie girl!

Yep, I have officially had Sadie a year now.

And our lives really have changed in the past year. We haven't had a back yard since last January, she has a boyfriend and a brother and she gets to play in the snow.

She really has calmed down a lot too from the poop-slinging pup I brought from the pound.

Of course, I write that as she disembowels a stuff frog in order to annihilate the squeaker ...

She started out as a foster dog, but I just can't imagine giving her up. Sure, there are days when I remember what life was like pre-Sadie. Cleaner, quieter and less chaotic. However, that life also didn't have nearly as much joy, companionship, or unconditional love.

To dew or not to dew

How many nails does your dog have on her front paws? Sadie and Eddie only have four, but Chester has five. Often, Sadie licks and moans at a red scar on either front paw. Tonight, I did a bit of research and found out why.

She is having phantom pains!

Apparently, most dogs are born with these front dew claws. Often, breeders will clip them off when the dog is only days old. Other times, if the dew claw is growing awkwardly or getting caught on things, the dog's owners will elect to have them removed.

That's what happened to Sadie. And, like most amputees, Sadie suffers from phantom pains!

There is an ongoing debate behind whether dew claw removal should be done ... and after seeing Sadie's pain, I would vote no. However, many say it is better to have them removed than for a dog to get the dew claw caught on something and it tear off (ouch!).

What is your take on this issue?

My Boxer

Sadie has taken to sleeping in the box of my summer clothes. It takes up a lot of space in the bedroom, but she's just so darn cute! And, thankfully, this is the first "dog" bed the cats haven't peed on - they like sleeping in it too!

Yo Quiero

Maybe she is part Chihuahua!!!

Sibling Rivalry

Sadie and White Kittie (yes, I know, not a very creative name) are not getting along. Just this morning, Kevin put the kids in my room and we were heading out the door when Sadie just started growling and barking and W. Kittie was hissing and growling in his own way. Kevin went up to break up the fight and saw that Kittie was in the litter box when Sadie came at him.

Kittie and Sadie have always had a funny sibling rivalry. Kittie will lay on my chest and then Sadie feels the need to lay there. Kitie will sit next to me, and Sadie feels the need to sit there. I pet Kittie, Sadie comes up forcing me to pet her.

I don't know what to do about this. Clearly, I need more space for everyone. A couple of weeks ago I found a wonderful house in a not-so-wonderful neighborhood. The house was perfect for my kids. The owner was even willing to put in a new fence just for Sadie! But, things being what they are, I had to say no because I can't afford it on my own.

Is it time to think about finding a home for someone? I am so attached to all of them - I just don't know what to do!

Greybrador?

Did you know that you can get a DNA test for your dog? It's true. The test will determine the breeds that can be found in your pup.

Of course, my fear that Sadie has Pitt Bull in her makes me not want to do this (not to mention, it is hardly free).

My roommate had a date last night with a guy who raises Labs. He says she isn't full-blooded Lab judging by the shape of her face. Fair enough. But what is she?

His vote?

Lab/Greyhound!

Now, we've thought this before. Besides her love of running (off), she just plain loves running. She has the Greyhound back end shape and her nose is a bit Greyhound-esque. Also, she rolls her ears back a lot - and that is what makes me think Pitt - but Greyhounds ear roll back, too! This also explains her skinny waist and her ability to lose weight so quickly!



Thoughts?

---

So, I was looking to find a photo of a Lab/Greyhound mix and found something else that looks pretty close to Miss Sadie: German Retriever/ Lab mix!



Thoughts?

I really wish Sadie wasn't so picky about the dogs with whom she will play.

This past weekend I spent two days helping a friend do some home design. I had to leave Sadie behind, even though my friend has an awesome, huge backyard - because she has a dog in that awesome huge backyard.

It truly bums me out that my dog can't socialize with others.

Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this problem (without losing a friend, their dog, or both)?

Conical is comical

Yay! Sadie is fixed!

Nothing was broken, of course. But now I don't have to worry about her running off and coming back with baby Sadies.

Sadie's big day

Sadie is getting fixed today - and not a moment too soon.

Her visitor came last Friday and has been an extra companion in my room this week (all together now, EWwwww!).

It turns out, there is a clinic a block away from my house that offers low-cost spays in Thursdays. So, I made the appointment last week, raced to Petsmart and bought her diapers.

As far as I understand it, she will have the visitor a few more days and then NEVER AGAIN!

Some have asked if she will calm down once she has the procedure, but I doubt it. From what I've read, males do chill out after getting neutered, but it doesn't often happen with females.

I'm a bit nervous about today, of course. When I took her to the clinic, they handed me paperwork asking if I wanted them to perform blood work to see if she could handle anesthesia. I turned it down because of the expense. She is young and was checked out by a doctor last week. Most low cost clinics skip that step so surely she will be fine. Right?

Here's praying!



Sadie, the day I brought her home from the kennel after her weekend jaunt. She was exhausted!

Sadie is ok!

She is healthy, happy and trapped in a kennel, poor thing.

Thanks to a wonderful system in the Kansas City area, I found Sadie at kcpetconnect.com!

Someone found her several blocks away and took her to their vet. The vet then posted her as found on KC Pet Connect.

Sadly, however, they were closed by the time I found out about them. They closed at 3 p.m. Saturday and I found her at 3:45. I raced over there anyway, hoping a staff member would still be there, but no one was. Except Sadie. I walked around the building and heard her barking like crazy and knocking the crate around (this has probably set our crate training back months!).

Anyway, they were also closed Sunday. So, she is still there. Luckily, I have been on the phone with them and while she is there, they are going to microchip her and vaccinate her. Yay!!!

They said she is pretty worked up - I bet. She must have gotten really lonely yesterday!

I'm so happy that she's ok!!!

And seriously, what lesson did I learn from Eddie?

MICROCHIPS WORK!!!

Sadie!!!

Sadie is missing.

My heart is breaking.

Somehow, she got out of the house this afternoon and no one noticed.

We drove around for awhile, but only one person had seen her and that was an hour before.

I am worried sick. I am worried she will get hit by a car, I'm worried she will attack a dog and then get put down for being vicious. I am worried that someone else will take her in and not understand all of her issues.

Not today

I'm trying not to dwell on it too much, especially since there are bigger things I should be worried about these days, but I can't help it. I'm taking a vacation for 12 days in August. Without Sadie.

Sadie will be staying with my roommate and I am worried sick. What if something happens? What if Sadie gets out and mauls a neighbor's dog? Not having a fenced yard really stresses me out!

I spent two months looking for a new place to live, but let's face it: No one wants to rent to someone with two dogs and three cats. Especially if that someone is a student with no income.

My plan was to move before the trip and have Kevin stay at my new place with my animals. He understands, more than anyone else, the issues involved with Sadie. But that is clearly not to be. Instead, I am staying where I am. Sadie will continue to get her daily exercise by running up and down the length of the house and will spend her visits outside attached to a 30-foot lead. It breaks my heart, but can't be helped right now.

One day, my dog will have a yard so that she can roam freely. One day, we won't all be forced into a 10x10 room to sleep each night. Oh hell, maybe one day my dog will be allowed to go to my boyfriend's house and run in his yard (but that is an argument for another day). One day, I will have my own house again.

One day, but clearly not today.

Chasing Waterfalls

I don't care what TLC said - when it's a dog chasing the waterfall, it's ADORABLE!

Cat dog!

Sadie thinks she's a cat.

1. She curls up in my lap. Literally curls up In. My. Lap.

2. She does daily yoga moves streeetching her back and hind legs.

3. In bed, she lays on my chest and puts her paws on my shoulders.

4. She sleeps on the dining table.



This newly developed habit (that I am discouraging, I promise!) has already cost me $127 thanks to a broken window. Sigh.

Photos from IOWA

I owe ya photos from IOWA!!!

Busy, busy, busy!

It's been a busy week!

I had finals last week so I was in an alternate universe. I honestly don't remember anything that happened from Tuesday morning until noon Friday - when Kevin decided we should go camping for the weekend.

We left Eddie with a sitter, but took Sadie and Chester with us. I have photos that I will add later, but I forgot my camera and had to use a disposable camera (Did you know they still make those?!?) and still need to get the film processed.

It was a great weekend and I am so proud of Sadie! She is getting much better at "no bark" and "go to your room." She slept in her crate all weekend and was very well behaved. I still let her get a bit excited when people would come by - I don't want to break her spirit or discourage her from barking if a stranger comes around our house!

It was a really nice, relaxing trip too. Kevin and Chester went hiking and Sadie and I stayed at the camp site enjoying the breeze in a shady spot near the campfire reading fashion magazines. We even took a little nap while the boys trekked through the nature.

The only bad part of the trip was when I noticed a tick on Chester's leg (after Kevin declared him tick free following their hike). And then, after a closer inspection by me, another 7 ticks was found on Chester and one on Sadie. Yep, we had to remove 9 ticks from the dogs that night. I can only imagine what our tent silhouette looked like. Me holding Chester while Kevin struck numerous matches, blew them out and touched the ticks (we didn't have any tweezers).

We looked up the ticks later and determined they were Lone Star Ticks.

After the trip, we dropped the dogs off at the house and ran out for dinner. We'd been gone 15-20 minutes when I got a call from the neighbor saying the police were at my house.

Other neighbors, hearing the sound of breaking glass coming from our front porch, called the police suspecting a possible intruder.

No intruder - Sadie got excited by something and in her jumping around she knocked a dining room chair into the window.

Ugh. There went the money for her shots! I'm going to have to sell plasma for this dog.

Water World

I missed the perfect video opportunity today and am so bummed my cell phone was dead.

I bought a little pool for the dogs since the temperatures are getting so high.

SADIE LOVED IT!

She is definitely a water dog. She jumped right in, splashing everyone. And laid down.

This dog is just so freaking cute!

Next time, I will have the cell phone ready and try to take some serious shots using my photojournalism skills and my DSLR. The photo op is just too awesome.

Also, coming as soon as I can get it off my phone: A video of Sadie EATING AT THE TABLE!

A new family Portrait

I had the brilliant idea to take a family portrait today. The last one we took only has four of the kids and we need one with everyone.

Next time, I should set up a video camera. It was just too funny! Kevin sat on the couch and I ran around grabbing animals and dropping them in his lap. He then arranged them so that he could hold on to them all while I got the next animal. Once, I made the mistake of dropping a cat on top of Chester - he was NOT a fan!

It was such a spur of the moment idea that I didn't take any care to fix the background and now I wish I had. I want to reshoot, but no one will come near me - Kevin included.

Need a good deed?

Meet Brighton and Berkley ... I don't know them, but I know their brother, Hank. A childhood friend adopted him last week - and then found out he has Parvovirus. It is deadly, but can be cured - with a lot of energy and money. Many owners wouldn't spend the resources to save a new dog, but Rachael isn't like many owners. Hank is lucky to have her!

Brighton and Berkley, however, aren't so lucky.

If you are still looking for this month's good deed, then check out this Web site. You will be helping someone who knows someone who knows someone who loves dogs and their big, beautiful, trusting eyes.

www.savetheboxers.com

Progress!

WOW!!!

Sadie just meandered into her crate - WITHOUT BEING TOLD!!!

I am so excited, I can't even begin to describe it.

We've been working with her off and on for three weeks now - when she seems to get fed up, we take a break for a couple of days. She does better with Kevin than with me (frustrating since she's MY dog).

I put her food either in the crate or right in front of it every day. And she promptly moves it onto the bed and enjoys her meal.

But this afternoon I decided to retire my comforter and put it in her crate. AND NOW SHE IS JUST LAYING IN THERE!

We worked with her a bit and she was doing great. Then, we started getting ready for bed and she just walked right in there and laid down!!!

YAY!!!

Right now she is banging around in there situating the comforter. The door is wide open so she can get out if she wants.

I'm scared to screw up this progress. Clearly, we want the crate to continue being a "safe" place for her. So, my thought is to keep the door open for a couple more weeks - not lock her up in there for awhile. Let it become a place she enjoys so that it doesn't feel like a prison to her.

I'm open to suggestions.

Makes mouths happy ...

Chester and Sadie share a Twizzler ...

Progressing!

I'm sure you're dying to know how the training has been going ...

Well, when I got home from school Tuesday I saw from the driveway that something had gone wrong - there were no blinds in my windows. Uh oh.

Sadie had managed to get out of her crate! I have no idea how she did, Kevin thinks Chester helped.

Well, she tore up the room pretty well - nothing was broken (except the blinds), but nothing was where it should be either.

Wednesday I was running late so I just shut Chester and Sadie up in my room, leaving her food in her crate for her. This still made her go in there if she wanted food and helps it keep from being a "bad" place.

We crated her last night, however, when we went out for drinks with friends.

This morning she went into the crate pretty quickly (only had to ask her a few times!). And she was still in it when I got home. I took her straight outside and she went right to the bathroom - yay! She didn't go in the crate!

Now she is sprawled out on the guest bed in the office with me. She's got a great idea ... a nap sounds awesome!

My family

Do you ever wish you were followed around by a film crew or professional photojournalist? You know those times you say something HILARIOUS or do something AMAZING and wish you had it on camera? Well, I had one of those moments yesterday. It wasn't amazing or hilarious exactly, but it was ADORABLE.

As I mentioned in my earlier post, we took Sadie for a walk last night. We put on her lead collar and muzzle, leashed Chester up and headed out. We made it about half a block when Kevin pointed out that Buddy, my indoor/outdoor cat was following us.

I turned around, and there he was, bawling at me for leaving him behind.

Buddy followed us THE WHOLE WAY.

I am sure John Williams would be able to write the greatest score for our neighborhood jaunt. Just picture it: An adorable couple (if I do say so myself) walking his-and-hers Labs while a little ragamuffin kitty follows behind.

All together now: AWWWWWW!

If Buddy thought we were getting too far from him (he often ventured into yards and inspected bushes and flowers) he would holler for us to wait up. Or, if he got bored with our pace, he would take the lead. When we got back to our part of the block, he darted ahead, stopped, looked back and I swear he said "Come on! I want to show you something!" Then, he darted into a very cool (if you are a cat) yard with crazy plants and gnomes.

I'm sure we were quite the sight. I just wish I could have seen it.

In training ...

The training has begun.

While I was stuck in school on Memorial Day, Kevin started Sadie on her crate training ... again.

He sent me videos throughout the day and I am so proud of her!

First, he just put the bottom part of the crate in my room, next to my bed. Then, he put some of my clothes in there (she likes to sleep on my clothes, probably because they smell like me).

Video coming soon :-)

Then, he put the top on and convinced her to go inside using treats. From there, he turned it into a game. She would go in the crate and he would shut the door. She had to stay in there quietly for a little while then he let her out and took her outside.

Another video here :-)

He kept her in there for a bit while he moved around the house. Then, he let her out, took her outside and readied himself to leave for the day.

When he told Sadie to go to her room, she did!

Five hours later, when he returned, she had pottied (Numbers 1 and 2) in her crate (all over my clothes). He cleaned it out (do I have the greatest bf or what?) and set it all back up. Then, he put her food in there as he fed the animals. She promptly picked her bowl up and took it to my bed.

When I got home, I got involved. Had I not seen the video from Kevin, I would have thought he'd lied - she was not a fan of "her room."



So, we took a few mental steps back and bribed her with treats and food until she would go in to the crate - never forcing her. When she would go all the way inside, we left her in there for periods of time while we were in the house. We took her for a walk around the block (another, shorter, story) and then we crated her while we went for ice cream (Baskin Robbins Lemon Custard = YUM!).

Overall, I'm pleased with her progress in just 12 hours.

This morning I felt weird about crating her. Chester is visiting (apparently, when Kevin told him to get in the car to go home, he wouldn't - he loves it at my house). So, I shut Chester and Eddie in the room with Sadie. I debated about leaving her out of the crate but shut in my room and decided it would derail the training. Thoughts?

Some Web sites say not to force it, and don't leave them in the crate before they are ready. Sadly, I'm not sure of my options, considering my roommate's attitude change.

I appreciate any advice on this one!

Waving goodbye

As I drove away from the house this morning, I looked up to see Kevin on the front porch with Sadie. He had her standing on her hind legs and made her wave goodbye to me.

So. Freaking. Cute.

I wish I had a photo.

Also, in the background, three of the four others were standing in the doorway looking through the glass door.

Sadie's Ad - the heart break begins

I fostered Sadie from a kill shelter in December. She is a Lab (mix?) that had been found, starving, by animal control. Now, you can hardly tell she was once so skinny all of her ribs were visible. She is full of energy and LOVES to eat! She is a "people person" who probably won't get along with your other animals. Having been starved, she has some "issues."

When I had to move to Kansas City, I decided to bring her with me bc the potential for finding her a good home is better here than the military town she comes from. Her favorite movie is Marley and Me (she seriously watches the screen whenever it is on) and her favorite past time is running.

I have been keeping a blog about her since I fostered her. We have been through a lot in the past five months and I am still wavering about giving her away. This will only happen if you are PERFECT for her.

Please read her story here. To understand everything, you need to read the entire blog.

If you have other animals, she might not be the dog for you. She is a picky lady, my Sadie, but she is loyal, loving and the life of the party.

Her ad: http://kansascity.craigslist.org/pet/1186543756.html

Last Resort

A friend was in a bind this weekend and needed someone to watch her 9-week-old boxer puppy. After stressing that Sadie might not like the puppy and Puppy might have to spend some time alone in a room, I told her to use me as a last resort.

As you may guess, I ended up watching Puppy. Sadie flipped. Luckily, my roommate offered to watch Sadie for the weekend at our house while Kevin and I watched Puppy at his. It seemed like everything was going to work out.

Until this morning. When I received an email from my roommate saying that either Sadie goes or I get her crate-trained immediately because my roommate can't afford a new rug, blinds, furniture or dishes.

What on earth happened yesterday???

So, I have been looking for a new place to live - sans roommate. But, let's be honest, who will rent their house to a woman with two dogs and three cats? I wouldn't.

So, what do I do? I'm posting an ad on Craigslist (which might be why you are reading this). I am going to be picky. I love this dog very much, and you will too once you get to know her. If there is anyway I can keep her, I will. I want her to be in a happy home where she feels comfortable and welcome.

But giving her away is my last resort.

So sweet

Sadie was super snuggly this morning! I'm pretty sure she senses that things in the house are about to change. My orientation is tomorrow and then school starts Monday.

I feel like a new mommy who is heartbroken to go back to work. I will miss Sadie and she will miss me! I hope I can spend a lot of time with her this weekend.

I haven't been able to start the crate training yet because her old crate is in my boyfriend's car and he hasn't been over since this weekend. I am also working on getting her a new crate. More on that when I write about the crate training experience.

I am going to miss Sadie while I'm at school! It's so funny how we imprint on them and vice versa.

Lately, I have wondered if it wouldn't be better to find a Sadie another home. One with a back yard and a family that will be able to give her more attention. That was the initial plan, after all. But I'm not sure another family can give her nearly the attention I have. I have been home with her everyday for the past four months (she should be perfectly trained then, shouldn't she?).

I will keep my mind open as I start law school. I want her happy. Ideally, I can bring her that, but if not, it would be selfish of me to keep her. My head knows this.

Moment of Zen ...

Sadie is just so funny when she eats! It cracks me up.

What is Sadie?

We keep asking ourselves the same questions: Is Sadie a full-blooded Lab? Is she a mix? And if so, a mix of what?

Clearly the Lab in Miss Sadie Mae is strong. But she is little ... very muscular ... and, dare I say it? Aggressive. An aggressive Lab tends to be an oxymoron like Hell's Angels, freezer burn and unbiased opinions.

Sometimes I think there is Pointer in her. Remember the cartoons from our childhood? A Pointer would be on the hunt, spot the prey, stop dead still, with one paw raised, tail pointing straight back and nose pointing right at the target? Yeah, Sadie does this! A lot.

Kevin thinks she might have the dreaded Pit Bull genes in her. It would explain the aggression. It would also explain her amazing strength and sinewy physique. If you catch her in the right light, looking from above, and she rolls her ears back to hear something (so that they aren't flopped over) I can see a resemblance to the Pit family. I've checked out some online forums about this and they say the Pitador is a great dog. None mentioned aggression, but they did talk about mischief. I looked at a lot of their pictures and just don't think she resembles them much.

No, I think, and definitely hope I'm right, that Sadie is just a sad Labrador Retriever - no mix involved. Her aggression is probably a side effect of the starvation. In humans, an anorexic's body will eventually begin eating away at muscle mass, including the brain, to find nourishment. I think this is what happened to Sadie. Her behavior issues are a result of her starvation.

So, how do I solve the issue? No idea. But tonight I am starting her on intensive crate training. I start law school Friday and won't be home all day ... it's time to bite the bullet.

Stupid dog whisperer

I'm going to say it: I can't stand the dog whisperer.

This is a man who has made an empire training dogs, right? Then he gets a tv show and suddenly EVERYONE thinks they are a dog whisperer.

I"m sorry people. Sadie is a special dog. She was starved - almost to the point of death. She has issues.

No, she doesn't need more attention.

No, she doesn't need more patience.

Trust me, pack leadership has been established.

Yes, I know she needs to release energy. We're working on safe ways for her to do that.

Stop acting like you know my dog because you watched an edited television show!

Spring!

The weather is just amazing up here! The dogs and I decided to hang out outside for awhile this afternoon. I spread myself out on the patio and was just settling in for a good tan session when Sadie started barking. At me.

Guess she and my mother are on the same page when it comes to skin cancer. Hmph.

Head collar

The head collar is amazing! My roommate's boyfriend suggested it to me and he is officially a genius in my mind.

It was the most profound difference you could imagine. Once I put it on her, the pulling completely stopped! I have to do some research to see how to use it for training, but my rested arm is very happy, especially after this past weekend.

It must not be very comfortable because she keeps trying to slip it off, but it doesn't seem to hurt her. I can also see becoming dependent on it, but eventually I want her to be able to heel next to me with slack in the leash.

Until then, the head collar will make it possible for me to take her running and on walks without fearing that she will get away from me.

So resourceful

I'm sure, with three dogs in the backseat of a Chevy Cobalt, things can get crowded ... but Sadie came up with her own solution ...




She also got in some snuggle time with Chester!

Sadie's first camping trip

Every year my brother and uncle host a crawfish boil. It's a pretty awesome party, let me tell you. Friends, family, margaritas, crawfish, washers, and this year: camping.

Kevin and I decided to drive down to Ennis, Texas for the fest and camp the night. And take the dogs.

Overall, I would declare the trip a success as well! It helps that we purchased two miracle devices: a muzzle and a head collar. I have written a separate post about the head collar.

We tied the dogs up to a tree at the edge of the party. I made sure to tell everyone else with a dog that mine was aggressive and it would be best for everyone if they gave her a wide berth. Most kindly obliged.

We stayed at the party for about eight hours. It started about 2 p.m. and went well into the night. We crashed about 10 p.m. Sadie was pretty well behaved, but we weren't able to leave her unattended at all - she barked and barked and barked and barked and barked. Yeah, that annoying.


Then, it was time to hit the tent and, you know me, I was nervous. But the dogs were so tired, they just circled up and went straight to sleep. She didn't even bark in the middle of the night!

I'm not sure I will be too excited about the next trip, the worry takes a lot of energy, but it's nice to know she can behave for the most part.

Finally!

Woo hoo!!!

Sadie is done with her ... condition.


YAY!!!

Missing her man

She looks forward to his visits so much ...

Scariest day ever

My greatest fear was realized this weekend. Sadie got into a fight.

There was snarling, growling and blood. It was awful.

We took Sadie to Kevin's so she could run around in the back yard. I also thought we should try to socialize her with Hershey, Kevin's roommate's dog.

You see, Hershey and Sadie haven't gotten along well. They growl - either over Hershey's territory, Chester, or both. But I thought if we were careful we could help.

Big mistake.

It all happened so fast that I couldn't keep up. One minute I was letting her into the backyard and the next she was lunging at Hershey and Kevin was yelling and I was screaming and hitting Sadie to try and distract her. There was blood dripping from someone. We managed to pull Sadie off, but Kevin couldn't get Hershey inside in time and I lost hold of Sadie and the carnage started all over again.

Both dogs are fine, but I am wounded - in spirit. I thought we were making such progress with Sadie! Both dogs have several of bite marks and Hershey was limping for a bit (then began faking it - kinda funny). Kevin's roommate handled it well. He called yesterday and said she was fine. Sadie is too, but I am so scared to take her around other dogs!

What if it happens again?

A ruff life indeed

Marley's sister?

Marley and Me.

I bought the book before the movie came out, but when I saw where it was headed I refused to finish reading it. I hate subjecting myself to sadness if I can help it.

Anyway, Kevin loved the movie - so much that he bought the book (he doesn't read many books). So, for his birthday yesterday, I bought him the movie - and watched it with him and our dogs.

It was ok.

I didn't feel the attachment to the dog that I think they should have given. Hello, Old Yeller! They showed him to us - in most scenes - but I never really felt him. Of course I bawled at the sad part, but who wouldn't? Mostly I was Sadie because it made me think of Sadie.

I have always joked with people about Sadie, saying she is pretty much Marley's sister. Which is dead on. Most of the antics in that movie she has done - including the pool and table scenes. But she has also eaten light bulbs, caulking, flooring ... entire blocks of cheese, half a dozen hard-boiled eggs (shell included). She can open the front and back screen doors (different types of handles) and thinks running in front of cars is the greatest thing ever.

The best part of the movie was Sadie, in fact. Every time a dog barked she looked up and around. So cute! Her reaction made it worthwhile. No matter what anyone says, she is a great dog.

Biology is icky

Sadie is in heat.

Ew.

Gross.

She will immediately chew off the diapers. YUCK!

Sadie is my first female pet and I am not liking it. I know the solution is to get her fixed, but in my currently unemployed state it isn't quite the priority. I understand now, however, why there were those flair-ups at the dog park.

Looks like no play dates with Tucker (he's not fixed) anytime soon. And definitely no dog park.

Poor Sadie. I know how bad it can be for 6 days - I can't imagine 20 days of it!

Adding to the routine

Recently, we have been trying to work with Sadie regarding her social skills.

When we first took her to the dog park, I chickened out before we even stepped away from the car. She was already growling at a dog! I was in tears on the drive home. She is so sweet with me, why is she like that around others?

Well, luckily we decided to try again. First we took her to a really big dog park with a lake. I wouldn't let Kevin take her off the leash so she struggled and pulled and almost killed him. She was sweet, just frustrated I think.

When we got down to the lake, I decided there were few enough dogs around to risk letting her swim (she LOVES the water!). That dog swam around the fence and got out of the park! Luckily, Kevin got her back, but only so she could find another hole in the fence - and lead another dog out with her!

But she didn't attack any dogs, so I call it a victory.

The next week, we took the dogs to Liberty Memorial dog park near down town.

I was very nervous. There wasn't as many distractions (like the lake) and I was expecting to pull her away from a bloody fight.

She was awesome!

As soon as she was off the leash she just started running - everywhere. She was jumping over dogs, like hurdles.

She made quite a few people laugh, that's for sure. Her feet must have gotten hot because there was a bowl of water for the dogs and she just jumped into it with her front feet and started digging. She wasted all of the water for the dogs - oops. But it was hilarious.

We took her back another time and there was almost a fight with a rottweiler, but Kevin intervened and we left. Definitely the scary dog's fault, right?

Since Sadie has been doing so well at the dog park with Kevin and Chester, I decided to take her and Eddie by myself this afternoon.

That's right, I am a stay-at-home dog mom. I arrange play dates and take my dogs to the park. All-in-all, it's a pretty nice life. Not ruff at all.

Sadie did pretty well at the park today. There was a slightly tense moment with a Golden name Charlie, but I blame him.

I was able to park really close to the gate so she didn't get the chance to pull my arm out of the socket.

We'll definitely do this again soon. She needs the exercise and has so much fun!

Scary!

It was a pretty nice day today, I put Sadie on the leash and decided to go for a run.

NEVER. AGAIN.

She pull so hard that I almost lost my arm about 20 times. Plus, she tries to lunge at any dog in the vicinity.

Then, there was the time she darted out in front of a car! Luckily their brakes worked well - I was inches away from dying!

There has to be a solution to this.

I need to soak in a hot bath.

Routine

We've settled ourselves into a nice little routine.

We wake up around 9 a.m. and I take Sadie straight out to her chain. She gets herself tangled around the tree, but is really good about untangling herself, too. Such a smarty.

Then we come back in and have our breakfast.

Sadie then sleeps until I get moving to make lunch. She follows me around and settles next to me wherever.

I leave most afternoons to get out of the house - hit the library to continue the job search.

When I return, I check the house for damage. It seems the second I walk out the door she is attacking the trash. I am getting better about it hiding it, but not always. Then it is straight outside for her.

I keep her outside as much as possible, but it's cold up here!

Then, she eats dinner while I watch sitcoms and get dinner ready for myself. Sometimes Kevin and Chester come over - she likes that. Otherwise, the rest of the night is spent with Sadie staring out the front door barking at every dog that passes.

It's quite a nice life.

SNOW DAY!!!

It snowed four inches overnight! Kevin and I took Sadie and Chester out walking throughout the neighborhood.

Funny eater?

Sadie appears to be growing, slowly, in the rib cage area!

You can still see the lines of her ribs, but they aren't nearly as defined. This is awesome. I changed her food last week to one without all of the fillers. I'm hoping this will help as well.

She is also, finally!, using the back yard more than my roommate's rug. This has been a major break through.

I'm spoiling her rotten too. She hates her crate something fierce, so I haven't been making her "go to her room" when I leave the house. This is something I will likely regret when I get a job.

She has also started doing the funniest thing. If I put her bowl somewhere she doesn't like, she just picks it up and moves it where she wants it - never mind that half of it spills everywhere. She always cleans up her mess! I've been trying to get a video, but to no avail.

A boyfriend?

I was originally worried about Sadie and my boyfriend's dog, Chester, getting along, but I was silly.

These two are getting along quite well. I think they are a couple. If not, they are definitely feeling the puppy love!

Eddie's Home

I was worried he wouldn't recognize me, but I shouldn't have been. :-)



Eddie was a bit timid when they brought him out of the back room, but by the time I got him to my house in Killeen, he was barking at me telling me all about his adventures.

The vet didn't even charge me to board him! They said they were just happy to help us get reunited. How awesome is that?

He and Sadie seem to be doing well. I kept them separated in the house at first, and slowly brought them together.

The reunion was great, then we had to rush to the Killeen house, make final fixes and get the keys to the property management company so that it can get rented.

Then, it was a speedy drive to my mom's house. I grabbed a quick "nap" then left Dallas for Kansas City at 3 a.m. in order to make it to my 11 a.m. interview.

Eddie and Sadie slept the entire ride.

Also, Sadie is officially mine. I talked to the Killeen Animal Shelter today and they officially gave her over to me. Yay!

Eddie's okay!!!

Wow. So. Amazing.

I got a phone call today from the Town & Country Veterinary Hospital in Killeen. They have Eddie!

Apparently, a couple adopted him from someone else. They brought him to the vet for a check up and the vet found his microchip.

I feel bad for the couple that adopted him and I hope they didn't spend too much money, but I am so excited that Eddie is coming home.

Read what happened to Eddie here

Of course, I am a bit stressed too. What about Sadie? She was supposed to be a foster dog, but I have fallen in love with her. My roommate is fine with Eddie coming to live here, but I feel like it is going to be too much. And what if Sadie doesn't get along with Eddie?

The vet is being awesome about Eddie. I told them that I had moved and can't come get him until the weekend and they said it won't be a problem.

YAY!!! Eddie is coming home!!!!!

We've moved!

I know it's been awhile since I posted anything new, and for that, I apologize.

Sadie and I have had quite the whirlwind winter!

December and January have passed in a flash of home renovation. I quit my job on January 15, packed up the house, loaded all 4 animals and we moved 685 miles to Kansas City, Missouri.

The trip that normally takes about ten hours took more than 15! But we made it.