Woof If Ya Need to Go July 12, 2009

I’m so proud of our little pup.

For two years now, we haven’t been sure if she’s housebroken. Will she or won’t she “go” in the house? It’s always on my mind when I go out. We had been enclosing her in the kitchen when we went out but have recently begun to give her the run of the family room (and the two beautiful wool rugs I bought to furnish them). I’ve been concerned that leaving her for long periods would lead to a ruined carpet.

The other evening, I was hanging out on the recliner doing some work. Jasmine came running around the coffee table and sat in front of her bed. She woofed at me and did her little bunny hop. I took that as a sign of “I want a treat” so I made her sit and gave her a treat. But that didn’t suffice.  She ran around the coffee table again and did the same thing. I looked at her, and I knew it wasn’t quite a “treat” look. So I asked her if she wanted to “go outside” and she went into her wriggling, twisting, jumping for joy response.

So I took her outside, and she promptly did her business, looked at me and ran back up to the door.

I was so proud of her I could’ve cried. She actually woofed at me (not a common thing) and got what she wanted. It seems like a small thing to most dog owners, but a HUGE thing for us. And something that tells me that trusting her is the right way to go.

That’s not to say that she’ll never have another accident. But I now feel better about leaving her in the house without having to enclose her. She’s just fine.

Final Decision: No Second Dog July 1, 2009

I was browsing Pet Finder the other day when I ran across a dog at the Lakes Region Humane Society. Scoobie, a somewhat chubby dachshund, was surrendered by his family due to financial reasons.  He’s a bit of a senior dog, supposedly sweet, doesn’t bark, is housetrained and loves people, dogs and cats. Perfect.

I’ve been thinking a lot about why I want a second dog. I would love for Jasmine to have a doggie mentor…a dog to help her become more…well…dog-like.  Learn to play. Romp. Wrastle.  You know, doggie stuff.

I put in an adoption application for Scoobie after trading emails with the coordinator at the shelter. I’ve been thinking about him. I know we could give him a good home, but how would it impact Jasmine? My greatest fear is that I disrupt the progress she has made. I also love her deeply (as if you couldn’t tell that from this blog), and I would never do anything that would cause her distress. Jasmine is happy now days. She romps through the yard. She loves snuggling with us on the big bed. She has a good dog’s life, and she is enjoying it to the fullest.

I told Hubby how conflicted I was about bringing a new dog into our happy home.  I’d love to give Scoobie a home. But would it hinder Jasmine’s progress? Would it take away from her?

He finally asked me WHY I wanted another dog. Jasmine is happy. I am happy. I told him that I wanted him to have a dog as well. HIS dog. A dog who follows him everywhere. A dog who greets him with the same joy that Jasmine greets me.  He told me that while it would be nice, he’s not the dog person. I am. So it wasn’t necessary for him to have HIS dog. As long as Jasmine and I are happy, he’s happy.

And we are. I love the life I’ve given Jasmine and the companionship she gives to me.  I don’t think I want to disrupt that. So once and for all, no second dog.

UPDATE: One of this blog’s readers saw this post and is now going to adopt Scoobie!!!!!!  YAY!!!  I’m SO happy that Scoobie is getting a home and that I had some small part in his adoption.  WOW!

Flying Dog June 22, 2009

Jasmine has been exploring the lush back yard and growing more confident.  Each day, she goes a little further, following the aromas of unknown critters that pass through our yard.  The nice thing is that she comes back to me when I call.  When we first got here–fuhgettaboutit!  She was crazed with all those new scents.  These days, her recall is very good.

What *I* love about the recalls is the way she responds.  I call her to come and clap my hands.  Her head pops up and she sets out in a full boar run towards me.  If you’ve never seen a dachshund run, you’re missing out.  Running dachshunds look like they are flying–and they are.  It seems that Jasmine’s legs don’t even touch the ground as she flies through the back yard towards me.  Her ears flap as the wind whips them about.  She runs with considerable speed and grace–she’s by my side in seconds.

Of course, the side-effects of a flying dog is hat seconds after running into the house, she’s on her bed in a deep doggie coma.  Running is hard work!

Making Demands June 18, 2009

Jasmine has been staying home with Hubby–he now works from home.  I was hoping that the two of them would strengthen their bond because of all the time they have been spending together.  It hasn’t happened yet.

What HAS happened is when I am home, Jasmine is demanding my undivided attention.  The sound of her running back and forth from the family room to the basement door signals that she’s excitedly waiting for me to close the garage door and get upstairs.  Hubby says that she has started to whine and bark (yes, bark!) when she hears the garage door open because that’s the sound of my return.  When I open the door and walk into the kitchen, she furiously wags her tail and runs circles around me.  Oh so cute!  I greet her, give her love and pets.  I then fix her dinner (and ours) and go on with the evening’s activities.

I have been working a lot lately including working at home in the evenings.  Last night, I had to finish some work on my computer.  After dinner, I sat in the recliner and started working on the laptop.  Jasmine was having an energy spurt (yeah, one of those–so much fun to watch), and she bounded around the coffee table with one of her favorite toys in her mouth.  When she noticed that I wasn’t looking, she stopped, dropped the toy and came running over to my chair.  She sat in front of me and did a cute little hop.  I laughed and praised her and went back to my work.

All of a sudden, she barked a couple of times.  Then she…well…how do I describe it…complained.  Roooowrrrr…yawmmm…yawmmm…yawmmm.  That was the noise.  I tried not to pay attention to her.  I didn’t want to reward her barking and complaining and jumping on the chair.  She kept it up for a minute or two, and when I didn’t react, she walked around to the other side of the coffee table.  I then put down the computer and called her over for some serious lap time.

I realize that this transition has been a bit difficult on her.  She had me 24 x 7 for almost two years, and now she has me for a few hours each day.  I need to temper her demands for my attention by putting them on my terms (be the pack leader…), but I also need to give her some time every day for the comfort and love she desires and deserves.

I do have to say that I’m thrilled that she IS vocalizing and communicating more.  It’s another big step forward for her.

Goodbye Lucy June 12, 2009

Sweet Lucy

I met Lucy about a month ago.  Jasmine and I went up to Maine to visit some friends who had moved out here from California years ago.  This was my first road trip with Jasmine, and she was happy to go.  Well, until we got there.  I wrote about the visit in a previous post.

Lucy died yesterday.  She was hit by a car in the driveway of her home.  Her doggie sister, Katie, is mourning the loss as are her parents.

I don’t have much to say except that Lucy was greatly loved and will be missed.  I know what it would mean to us if we lost Jasmine.  I’m so sad for my friends and for Katie.

Shadow Dog June 5, 2009

Has it been years since you’ve had the luxury of going to the bathroom alone in your own home?  Do you have glimmery eyes watching your every move?  Do you feel guilty for getting up to go put a piece of paper napkin into the trash because you disturbed the quiet slumber of your best friend?  Do you look before you step because you don’t know what you’ll be stepping on?  If your answers to these questions were “yes” then you have a Shadow Dog.

A Shadow Dog follows you everywhere.  She watches your every move.  If you’re taking a shower, she waits patiently at the shower door for you to emerge (she sometimes even paws at the door to hurry you up).  If you’re cooking dinner, you have to look around you before moving to the fridge lest you step on or trip over your furry friend.  If you’re in the recliner, you have to make sure the pup is out of the way before putting down the foot rest.  And if you’re lonely, you only have to look down to see a friendly face, adoring eyes and a waggy tail to cheer you up.

Jasmine is my lovely shadow.  While Hubby was taking care of the California home and I was out here, Jasmine kept me from being too sad.  It was quiet here–I don’t know many people–so Jasmine and I were alone most days and nights.  But her constant presence made me feel so much less alone.  When I was unpacking the house, she made sure to “help” by sticking her nose in my face every chance she could or laying on things that I took out of the boxes (she especially liked it when I found the “dog beds” box).  In the quiet of night (well, days are quiet here too), she’d perk her ears up at the creaky noises of the house.  Of course, her “watch dog” capabilities were much less effective when she was under the bed or nightstand.

On the rare occasion that she doesn’t follow me–usually when she’s in a “doggy coma” state on her dog bed and can’t be bothered to follow me–I actually miss her.  I like having her with me.  I like her bounding ahead of me, waiting for me to catch up and then bounding ahead again.  I like her hiding behind my robes in my closet when I get dressed.  I like her snuggling on my robe as I take a shower.

Right now, she’s sleeping in her dog bed at the foot of my chair.  I’ve had a rough couple of days and watching her sleep…well it’s better than any other “therapy.”  My little shadow makes the world brighter and happier.  Nice.

The Vet Across The Street June 2, 2009

Our house is in a pretty convenient place.  One of the only area scrapbook stores is across the highway from us as is a highly recommended veterinarian.  Jasmine needed some routine care (Heartworm test, Lyme Disease vaccination, flea/tick/heartworm medication, general look-see), so I made an appointment with the veterinarian across the “street.”  Street is a relative thing…the office is across a 2-lane, 50 MPH highway.  But that’s just semantics, right?  Street, deadly fast highway…same thing.

I had to work today, so Hubby took Jasmine for her check-up.  They (of course) walked across the highway rather than being safe and sensible in a car.  The one and only time I tried to cross, well there were more than a few words said by passing motorists. However, Hubby and Jasmine had no problems and they made it there and back in one piece.

The vet, Dr. Kenneth Schunk, is a board certified veterinary neurologist.  It’s good that we now have a relationship with someone who can treat any future back issues that we might have.  Jasmine is in very good health, is at a good healthy weight and is heartworm negative.  She got her vaccination, and the vet checked out her latest (healing) abscess and told us to watch them and make sure that they don’t get infected.  The vet told us to use Frontline Plus for the tick problems we’ve been having.  While Revolution worked for us in California, there is a greater variety of ticks here in New Hampshire, and I’ve pulled at least five from Jasmine in the last few weeks.  Revolution ONLY works on the American Dog Tick, and we have more varieties around here including the Deer tick–the one that carries Lyme disease.  Since I already found a Deer tick on her, I decided to err on the side of caution and get her protected from Lyme disease.

One hour and a few hundred dollars later, Jasmine had a clean bill of health.  I’m happy that we now have a local vet for her and that she is going to be better prepared for life in New Hampshire.  Now if I could only find a doctor I like…

Equillibrium May 29, 2009

Jasmine took a step back when Hubby arrived here.  Jasmine and I had been together, alone, for over a month.  During that month, I rarely had a visitor.  She had lots of time with me while I got the new house set up, and when I started working, she quickly adjusted to the new routine.  However, Hubby’s arrival at the house marked a step back for her.

While Jasmine blossomed during that month alone, her behavior immediately changed in Hubby’s presence.  Her normally bouncy, bunny-like hoppity hoppity happiness was replaced with hunched shoulders, raised ears and suspicion.  She would show happiness to me, but as soon as he would enter a room, she would become subdued and wary.

I was really worried that this would be her demeanor going forward.  I was wrong.  I needed to give her time to adjust to her new reality, and as of today, she has once again found her equillibrium.  Hubby has been home with her all day while I have been at work.  While she has been ignoring him for the most part, she had to go outside this afternoon.  She did something that she hasn’t done with him since he got here–she approached him and sat calmly behind him, waiting for him to notice her.  When he did, he asked Jasmine whether she wanted to go outside.  She jumped up and he walked to the back door and opened it.  She watched him for a minute, and then ran outside to do her “business.”

When I got home, she greeted me with the bouncy joy that she showed me when I was alone with her–this time, with Hubby in the room.  I suppose Jasmine has accepted that he’s here to stay.  And with that, she’s now free to bounce around like a bunny when she’s happy.  Her joy is mine.  It’s nice that we’re all finally home.

A Tale of Two Dachshunds May 25, 2009

Hubby’s sister and brother-in-law stopped by for a visit yesterday afternoon on their way back home from their cabin in Maine.  They have two dogs–a Welsh Corgi, Cubby, and a miniature Dachshund, Josie.  Cubby stayed in the truck (in the shade with the windows down), while Josie came in to meet Jasmine.

Josie is a wiry little girl.  As a puppy, she was a ball of nervous energy.  At almost four years old, she’s mellowed a bit, but in new situations with new dogs, well, she’s not a picutre of calm.  She came in the house and strained at the leash to get to Jasmine.  I was sitting on the couch in the sun room, and Jasmine was sitting at my feet.  Josie came at us, whining all the time.  She strained to reach Jasmine, and when she did, they sniffed at each other.  Jasmine shrank back behind my legs and shut down.  She didn’t like the intrusion, but then again, she didn’t run away and hide.  When she’s stressed, Jasmine tends to just shut down.  If I’m holding her and someone she doesn’t know comes up, she doesn’t make eye contact, her body goes rigid and she just becomes robot dog.

Josie continued to whine and go nuts while Jasmine sat there in a calm but rigid state.  Josie was wriggling and whining, her tail flapping so hard that it was like a doggie whip.  My brother-in-law couldn’t calm her down, and she was getting hyper-excited so he took he outside.

Looking at the two dogs, I’m grateful for Jasmine.  No, she’s not very social.  No, she doesn’t play much.  But she’s sweet, gentle, quiet, funny and just a joy to have around.  She rarely barks, and her favorite thing to do is sleep on my lap.  I know she’s happy and content with life, and since she has been in this new house, she seems to have relaxed even more.  While I wish more for her, I’m glad that she’s with us and I’m grateful for her calm and quiet demeanor.  It’s very un-dachshund-like, but just perfect for us.

Daddy’s Home! May 19, 2009

Hubby finally made the final move out here.  Jasmine and I have been here by ourselves since mid-April, and while Jasmine has been enjoying my undivided attention, it’s been pretty lonely here.  Hubby was out on the left coast wrapping up things with the other house while I got our house settled and got my Mom moved and settled.

In this last month, Jasmine has really blossomed.  She has come out of her shell much more.  She bounces around with happiness (her current nickname is Bunny), she romps around the yard sniffing all the new critter smells, and she’s getting more vocal and outgoing every day.  Hubby has been here for just one day, but I can tell the difference between how Jasmine interacted with him before and now.  She’s less nervous with him in the room than before.  While she’s not bounding with joy due to his presence, she seems more accepting of him.

He’s going to be working out of the house, so she’ll be with him all day Monday through Friday.  I think it’s the start of a beautiful friendship.  I have a feeling that this time together will help them build a bond that has been missing since Jasmine came into our lives.  At very least, I think there will be a truce between these two.

I do have to admit that I love that she misses me and is so happy when I come home.  But I think that would be the same regardless of her relationship with Hubby.  I just hope Jasmine finally accepts him as a pack member…one that she can trust and rely on.  As much as I love Jasmine, I know he loves her just as much.