bella's first day
well, we came home from the shelter and promptly realized that when you KNOW what the dog will and wont chew you get lazy....also for the last many months Max couldnt stand up well, so things above nose level were safe...
whouseknecht and i worked a lot harder than we expected to get the house demi ready for Bella.
so we went in and filled out all the final forms, and picked her up and brought her home. wayne said her feet were as big as mine (width) i said no way. he wins that one. my shoe is too narrow for her!
we had some concerns about the cats. apparently her INITIAL test (before the adopters returned her) was "NO CATS!" but when i asked if they could re test her (i am a pretty good judge of dogs) she passed. but they still advise caution...so...
when she came in , Baby and Frosty the two psycho kitties took one look, puffed up, and Frosty HISSED. now if ever a provocation existed that is it. she ignored them.
she has exchanged sniffs with some of the calmer cats (Small Kidd doesnt care one whit about her) and Shlemiel rubbed her face this evening. i have no concerns at all about her starting anything.
however
Frosty has decided that this creature has to die. he has stationed himself in various doorways hissing. Poor Bella, she is understandably concerned.... and stands there looking worried... and one time she followed me upstairs and frosty was at the top of the stairs and HISS! boom! scatter! poor dog, right in the snoot! she had to retreat.
i do have some concerns that if the cat corners the poor dog she just might trample the cat... its so odd to see such a big dog held at bay by such a little thing. (ok, frosty is huge for a cat)
poor scared bear. she was so scared all day. she is only just calming down now. i was supposed to go with wayne to his diabetes education class, but she looked so frantic we decided to leave me home with her. she utterly refused to go into a kenel, even open to view on all sides. REFUSED. i think she is scared we will lock her in and leave.
she doesnt comprehend basic commands, and since she doesnt care about treats getting the concept of "sit" is gonna be a challange, but she seems to take to "heel" fairl well. she doesnt pull, but when she STOPS to sniff its like tugging on a concrete block.
her LJ is bella_cash and after double checking i am quite certain i am right and her breed was mis labeled. they had her listed as a "central Asian Shepherd" but she is a Caucasion Mountain Dog or CM Shepherd. classic really. just a bit small and thin...
wayne took her for a short walk! he is supposed to walk every day, and he doesnt usually, so this is very good.
even if she never makes a service dog that is a HUGE benefit.
i have to start saving up for her training. given how she was on her walks, she would make an EXCELLENT service dog by temper.. and if not that maybe an ambassador for rescue dogs. but in PA you have to have a licensed service dog trainer to get the official fancy paperwork. this costs money. so dont be too surprised if you see a donation can at my table from now on.
she has a vet appt this thursday, at which my vet office is going to laugh at me, i told them we woudl be getting a SMALLER dog next time.
maybe on bizarro world....
ps. she snores or grunts or something in her sleep.
whouseknecht and i worked a lot harder than we expected to get the house demi ready for Bella.
so we went in and filled out all the final forms, and picked her up and brought her home. wayne said her feet were as big as mine (width) i said no way. he wins that one. my shoe is too narrow for her!
we had some concerns about the cats. apparently her INITIAL test (before the adopters returned her) was "NO CATS!" but when i asked if they could re test her (i am a pretty good judge of dogs) she passed. but they still advise caution...so...
when she came in , Baby and Frosty the two psycho kitties took one look, puffed up, and Frosty HISSED. now if ever a provocation existed that is it. she ignored them.
she has exchanged sniffs with some of the calmer cats (Small Kidd doesnt care one whit about her) and Shlemiel rubbed her face this evening. i have no concerns at all about her starting anything.
however
Frosty has decided that this creature has to die. he has stationed himself in various doorways hissing. Poor Bella, she is understandably concerned.... and stands there looking worried... and one time she followed me upstairs and frosty was at the top of the stairs and HISS! boom! scatter! poor dog, right in the snoot! she had to retreat.
i do have some concerns that if the cat corners the poor dog she just might trample the cat... its so odd to see such a big dog held at bay by such a little thing. (ok, frosty is huge for a cat)
poor scared bear. she was so scared all day. she is only just calming down now. i was supposed to go with wayne to his diabetes education class, but she looked so frantic we decided to leave me home with her. she utterly refused to go into a kenel, even open to view on all sides. REFUSED. i think she is scared we will lock her in and leave.
she doesnt comprehend basic commands, and since she doesnt care about treats getting the concept of "sit" is gonna be a challange, but she seems to take to "heel" fairl well. she doesnt pull, but when she STOPS to sniff its like tugging on a concrete block.
her LJ is bella_cash and after double checking i am quite certain i am right and her breed was mis labeled. they had her listed as a "central Asian Shepherd" but she is a Caucasion Mountain Dog or CM Shepherd. classic really. just a bit small and thin...
wayne took her for a short walk! he is supposed to walk every day, and he doesnt usually, so this is very good.
even if she never makes a service dog that is a HUGE benefit.
i have to start saving up for her training. given how she was on her walks, she would make an EXCELLENT service dog by temper.. and if not that maybe an ambassador for rescue dogs. but in PA you have to have a licensed service dog trainer to get the official fancy paperwork. this costs money. so dont be too surprised if you see a donation can at my table from now on.
she has a vet appt this thursday, at which my vet office is going to laugh at me, i told them we woudl be getting a SMALLER dog next time.
maybe on bizarro world....
ps. she snores or grunts or something in her sleep.