Naughty Dog's Day

Teddi Gets Wet!

OK, so maybe Teddi isn't the most adventurous spirit out there.  That's fine, she has many other wonderful qualities!  Keeping in mind that Leonberger's are a water breed, Teddi has been eyeing the ankle deep water in the kiddie pool for a couple of months now, and finally, just last week, decided it might be safe. With some trepidation, she approached the edge, lifted one paw, and oh-so-delicately placed it in the pool.  Thought for a minute.  It didn't seem to be trying to suck her in.  Maybe one more foot would be OK.  She took a little slurp.  It didn't burn her tongue.  Everything seemed safe, so far. Maybe it was time for the final big steps - all four feet into the pool. While it wasn't the most graceful move she's ever made, she did manage it.  Walked around a little bit.  Decided it was a good thing. One more positive experience for Teddi, who has come so far since her days in her old "home".

This is Teddi last weekend, feeling very comfortable in her little pool.  Unfortunately, she's blowing coat, and I don't think she's ever been brushed, but she'll be ready for the catwalk soon!  This weekend...the lake!

As an aside, when Teddi arrived here, pulling the camera out immediately sent her running to the next room.  Here you see the result of "shaping" her with a clicker and treats to look right at the scary thing in my hands!

Another Rescue

Well, my posts have been a little sporadic this week because it has been busy, busy, busy!!  I'm very excited because tomorrow I'm going to meet a rescue dog I will be picking up on Saturday. She's a 10 month old Leonberger.  For those of you not familiar with the breed (they're fairly uncommon) I'll start by telling you that as far as dogs go, they're pretty much perfect.  OK, I admit to a small amount of bias here, since they've been my breed of choice for 20 years, and assuming you consider a large dog who sheds and leaves a drip trail as they walk away from the water bowl "perfect", they're pretty darn close.  They're a sweet, gentle working breed.  You won't find a more generous spirit or amenable disposition. 

The dog I'm going to pick up is named "Muffet", I kid you not.  This will be changed as soon as I meet her and can come up with a better name.  I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I firmly believe in re-naming rescue dogs.  She was dumped by a family with 8 foster children, who are leaving for Ethiopia at the end of the month to pick up three more kids.  Why, I don't know, because as far as I'm concerned, if you can't take care of a dog, how can you be trusted with one child, let alone eleven?

It's obvious this dog was not loved or taken care of.  When her current foster picked her up yesterday, her former owner carried her from one car to the other and uncerimoniously dumped her in the backseat without  a backward glance.  She is shy and withdrawn, and in obvious physical pain from either a hip or back problem.  I will be taking her on Monday for a veterinary evaluation.  My fear is that such severe pain at such a young age does not bode well for this girl.  We shall see.

In the meantime, she'll spend the weekend eating treats, hanging with the family, and, hopefully, going for some short walks.  At this point what the immediate future holds for this girl is unknown.  Until we can make some plans, I intend to pamper and coddle her, and hopefully bring a smile to her lovely leonberger face. 

I'll post again tomorrow after we meet.