Why Hello Ollie...again

Ollie wasn't here very long back in October of 2011. I just went back and read his story. I didn't remember at all why he had come to us. When so many are in and out, I can't remember their stories.

Ollie was adopted to one of my best friend's parents, and I'm dog sitting for a few days. THEY LOVE HIM! Too much. He is soooo spoiled and rules the roost. Fortunately, he's a good boy and doesn't have the "I need to be alpha over everyone" attitude. Some training would do him well, but I say that about every dog. You'd think mine would be perfectly trained with those comments...um...they're not. But they do listen pretty well, it's the trying to train the 'freak' out of them when on leash and they come across other dogs that I am not consistent with because I get frustrated. 

Ollie made himself right at home and he and Otis had at it right off. Otis pinned him, I intervened, and off they went outside, Ollie following Otis around like he was the Doggy God. It's weird, bully attacks, makes him squeal and then he wants him to be his best friend. They played for hours. Otis hasn't played with anyone here. Of course, part of 'play' is posturing and trying to get control over the other but also chasing around and fun wrestling occurs, too. 

Next weekend Bella comes for a week, then Maddie comes for a week...and then Nick (thanks Sue for the reminder) for a few days in June. Always seems to be a full house around here. 

Bye Bye Tammy

You funny and quirky girl.

Tammy was adopted yesterday. The couple was originally looking for a young female. When I got the email that they were interested in Tammy, I called Beverly (her new owner) and said, "you know she's 10, right?" She said, "yes, for some reason we kept going back to her picture, I love her already" she was so excited that I called her, and so cute with her soft emotions and kind heart. 

While they were here to meet Tammy, I was told stories of their past Schnauzers and the last one that passed 2 years ago, Roxie. Apparently a tough little broad, conniving and sweet at the same time. 

Tammy will be spoiled rotten, taken to the beach and long walks. Lots of hugs and special doggy treatment. When I told Beverly on the phone that she bites her groomer and needs to be muzzled, she was not daunted and asked when they could come meet her. Ron, the husband, has already made a plan on how to work with her and desensitize her to having her touched. Beverly calls him the animal whisperer. Apparently he has that special way with animals, birds outside will talk to him when he talks to them, a Parrot in a store didn't like anyone but him and would scream when he'd leave. He taught it to say good-bye. His technique is a soft approach, soft words, and different sounds made. 

Tammy is in good hands and will have a beautiful 'rest of life.' She will be happier, too, because she will not have the stress of bossing Otis around. For some reason, if Otis was around her, or passed by her, or a bit excited, she barked at him long and hard. He was not fazed, which was pretty funny, Tammy putting all that energy into it and he just walked by like absolutely nothing was going on. 

Bye Bye Tammy, it was a pleasure, but I'm looking forward to the quiet again. :)

Vintage Thrifting

This weekend I spent Saturday with my new BFF Sewing Machine guy Renato. He was on the machine hunt and found 4.

I found these...of course I had to send them to Pam over at RetroRenovation, which I often do when I find good quality stuff, because she loves, lives, promotes, all things retro/vintage/MCM. But, you guys really needed to see it, too. (phone photos unaltered 'cuz I'm lazy)

and then there's this on Craigslist...I think it might relate to this on Pam's site.

Bye Bye My Lovelies

In a continued effort to clean out what I'm not using or that which takes up too much space -- I sold 19 of the vintage sewing machines I collected...and made a new 'vintage-sewing-machine-addicted' friend, Renato. We hit it off immediately. You know how it's just easy sometimes when you're around certain people? That's how it was. We chatted, shared dog stories, oohhed and aahhed over why we love metal and chrome in these small packages...

I wasn't as sad to see them go as I thought I would be. I was happy that they were going to Renato's because he had the same gleam in his eye when we were going through them, that I have when I see one for sale. I can safely say that he is more addicted than I am and that makes me happy. I do have to add, that although fixing these babies up comes third in line to his real paid work, it is a passion he has -- he spits and shines and sends them off to a new home. 

He sent me a picture of his collection.

This photo makes my heart go pitter patter. I can't wait to visit all these beauties. He's much more organized than me, he brought them home, tagged them, and put them in their rightful spot. Nice. 

Here are a few of the babies that went home with him...

They are better in person, and so much better when cleaned up and shiny.

Tammy Tammy Tammy

Well, the girl is getting used to being here and acting like she enjoys it. She's being a little spunky and quirky and happy. She's a bit bossy to the other dogs if they jump up on the sofa and she barks at R. anytime he moves or kisses me. She's bonded with me and has been hanging out near my feet when I'm in the office. Earlier tonight we were laying on the sofa (she, Bug and I) while watching a movie. She to my right with her head on my belly, Bug to my left, tucked into my arm. All of us happily cuddling. 

Hello Otis

Otis has been with me for a couple weeks now. He's doing great. A mellow fellow....unless another dog enters the front door...then he becomes a very-intense-go-for-the-jugular protector. Fortunately, I had a grip on him. I was told by his former owner that he didn't like other dogs when leashed. He was fine from the get-go when he came into my house with my dogs. But, apparently, he doesn't like dogs he doesn't know, entering 'his' house. Immediately everyone went outside and he was fine. He still postured, but there wasn't the aggression. So, he needs some work in that area.

Otherwise, he's a sweety. When he's happy or when you rub his muzzle he makes this deep happy sound. I love it! He's been great here. Lounging about like he owns the place. Looks at me with those soft eyes. He's getting the 'Denise treatment' as difficult as that is for me 'cuz I just want to hug him. When it looks like he's trying to get something from me, he's ignored. If he's pawing at me, he's ignored. Not too much random love is bestowed upon him right now -- ignore. It sounds, sad, bad, like too much. It's incredible how much it actually GIVES to a dog with low confidence. Under that act of aggression is really a bit of insecurity. Hmmm, I know people like that. He's also getting some training with a lot of positive reward. He's a fast learner and gives me that sweet face looking for approval, each time.

Otis has been taking morning walks with R. and doing very well. R. told me that Otis goes to the kitchen where R. is and sits. He gets his harness put on and then he goes baserka with happiness that he's going on his morning walk. He just needs some love, understanding and exercise.

He's a Schnauzer Mix. I'm not sure with what but he looks like a very mini Wolf Hound. He's not good with children, too much of a little mate mentality. So, he might be here awhile. Needs work, no kids. Hmmmmmm, not too many people are looking for that kind of dog. Roger was similar in needs and it took four months to find the right home for him. But, it does happen when it's supposed to and it will happen and it will be perfect.