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.