Hanzie and Bug Chillin'

On the way to camp. 

Hanz was so happy. I've been leaving them behind and every Friday they know we're off to camp, because the bags get packed and lined up by the door. Hanz cries really loud when I close the door behind me. Heartbreaking. Well, this time, there was no crying. He's a happy camper. (no pun intended) :)

A Tisket a Tasket a Vintage Laundry Basket

Along with the store display rack I told you about yesterday...I pulled this out of the dumpster, too...

A vintage laundry cart. A friend thought maybe it was originally used at a laundry-mat. 

It would be cool to use it as a towel holder in a bathroom, or for something in a kitchen. I'll be using it for its intended use for now, as I was looking for something that could replace the wicker chair that I would pull over to the clothesline and place my basket full of clothes onto. 

It pays to visit friends you haven't seen in a long time. 

Why Hello Louie!

Louie is a 4 year old Schnauzer (I can't say 'Miniature' Schnauzer because he's 34 pounds, which, technically puts him over the weight of the standard weight measurements for a Miniature.)

Best of all is that he is a sweety. A gentle boy with eyes that melt you.

He is Parti Color in grey and white.

Louie came to me because his parents are moving to Florida and the place they are moving into does not accept dogs.

I was told that he knows many commands and does them without repeatedly asking him to do it. I have not tested him on this, yet, as he is still in a traumatic/perplexed state of mind. Plus, he won't walk on my wood floors. The idea of it scares him silly, so he stays on his large dog bed. I did put it close to the door where there is also a runner for him to step on but there is one corner of wood floor that he 'might' step on so, therefore, he backs off from going outside. Boy he can hold his pee for a very long time. So yesterday I pulled out a couple of bath mats and covered more of the floor with them and this has helped him make his way to the door to go out. This strikes me as odd because he came from a home where he would walk on tile. But he just looks at the floor and gets nervous.

I'm hoping that some gentle coaxing/training will eventually help. In the meantime, he'll get food rewards when he puts all four paws on the floor. I've started to pick him up, which makes him nervous, and place him in the middle of the floor and feed him some very tasty treats. Then I make a path of treats toward his bed. He very carefully makes his way until the last few steps where he scrambles to safety. I'm hoping that by watching the freedom of the other dogs he will learn that all will be OK. Sometimes other dogs are the best teachers.

Now that I've added Louie to the mix, I have to keep an eye on Otis causing a fight and it also changes Hanz's and Bug's personalities. Add to it that now Bug is feeling like she needs to remind Hanz that she is dominant by mounting him. He never questions her dominancy but she's feeling insecure apparently. But, they're also playing tug-toy more...well, it starts out with play and gets a little more aggressive as it goes along so I have to keep them in check.

Add to it, this heat, and it is definitely the Dog Days of Summer!!

Hope you're able to keep cool!!

Masey (aka Mercy) Got a Haircut

Masey's new owner has emailed me to keep me updated on her progress. She already has learned to ring the bell hanging on the door, to go outside. She's a smartie. She also got her hair cut and is sportin' the Schnauzer look -- quite cutely, I might add.

I wish they lived closer, I just want to hug that little munchkin! and be around her infectious puppy happiness. 

And Off She Goes!!

When the stars are aligned, things happen. 

Mercy came into my care on Wednesday, I received an email from a couple on Thursday, she went home on Friday. It just all fit. The couple was actually writing to ask me to keep them in mind for a Schnauzer between the ages of 1 and 2 for next summer. They had recently lost their two Schnauzers within four months of each other and their hearts were hurting and felt they weren't ready, yet, to bring another one into their home. 

I wrote back saying, "OK, but please keep an eye on our site....blah blah blah....and OH YEAH I have this great four month old that just came in" and ran off a list of her qualities. I, of course, added, "no pressure, just letting you know" because after emailing with her a couple times, I knew this was a perfect fit. She's home most of the day (good for training) she completely spoils her dogs, (but in a good way) her husband adores them just as much, they want to be able to travel with her (I had taken her out for the afternoon and she travels beautifully.) The two dogs they had that passed, and a third one before them, all had names that began with an 'M'. I think that was the big clencher for her, it was just meant to be to have another dog with an 'M' name. 

But, Diana was cautious. She didn't want to make a rash decision. She needed to discuss it with her husband who wouldn't be home from his business trip until around 8 pm. By this time we had exchanged 4 or 5 emails and she said she couldn't wait...she texted him her picture hoping he'd get it before he boarded the plane. I told her to take her time in thinking about it, if it was meant to be it would happen and if not, then another will come along in the future. She said she would think on it. I could tell though, she was hooked. She was nervous because they weren't looking for a puppy, weren't sure if they wanted a puppy, but how it all happened bing bang boom! it was just right. I said I'd give her the weekend. Friday morning I open my mail "can we meet her today?" The excitement jumped off the page. 

So, Friday at 3 they came by. Mercy ran to them, catapulted to them, hopped on them, wriggled around for them, she was so excited. Previous to that she was following me around like a little shadow, wanting attention or just laying by where I was, if I got up she was nipping at my heels for play....After Diana and Alan came in...I was nothing. Nada. Did not exist. 

We talked about how the name Mercy just didn't feel right. Diana had said she was playing around with some names that sounded similar but those weren't quite right either. She said she'd know it when it came to her. I said, "Mercy is a difficult name, it doesn't flow for me either, I keep wanting to call her Masey" She said, "that's it! that's the name! I knew I'd know it when I heard it." So, this little girl's name is now Masey. 

It was a match made in heaven. I only had her 2 1/2 days and she made quite a bit of noise, but I kind of miss the little bugger. Friday morning she had even made her way into Little Bug's heart and they ran around chasing each other and wrestling. That I was happy about because before that Bug was certainly giving her the 'what for' since she came.

Masey is going to have a great life.