Friday, February 22, 2008
Silly pictures n' stuff
So I uploaded a few "sillier" pictures. They are getting along great with the cat (or more like, the cat has finally decided the dogs are not such horrible creatures) and while they may not be cuddling, they can walk past each other without either party getting too freaked out.
We bought a baby gate awhile ago that used to be used to keep them off the back landing because Schroder would go down the stairs and kind of get stuck and then cry to be carried back up the stairs. He's realized that going down the stairs doesn't do him any good but now he's realized we feed the cat there. Once the baby-gate was not secured very well and we had some interesting results.
They've also taken to sleeping on things that smell like us - in our laundry baskets (no pictures there) on my coat, on our bedroom pillows that fall on to the floor, and so on. So I uploaded a picture of Schroder on my coat. They really are absolute cuties.
We bought a baby gate awhile ago that used to be used to keep them off the back landing because Schroder would go down the stairs and kind of get stuck and then cry to be carried back up the stairs. He's realized that going down the stairs doesn't do him any good but now he's realized we feed the cat there. Once the baby-gate was not secured very well and we had some interesting results.
They've also taken to sleeping on things that smell like us - in our laundry baskets (no pictures there) on my coat, on our bedroom pillows that fall on to the floor, and so on. So I uploaded a picture of Schroder on my coat. They really are absolute cuties.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Freezing Rain and Tripods Don't Mix
So we had a fun night/ day of freezing rain, which of course froze (!) and created sheets of ice on the driveway, sidewalks, and roads. The snow in our yard is piled so high that the dogs can't walk through it at all, and all the roads and sidewalks are too slick.
We went out for two super-quick walks yesterday, and they had a heck of a time. Tango largely did OK but spent a lot of time sliding around on her bum and skidding around corners. Schroder hit the ice pretty hard a few times and had much more difficulty staying balanced. We walked on the road, where the cars passing had sort of melted down the ice, but it was still quite slippery. The first walk, we went past two houses and then turned around to come home again. After one more extended slide, Schroder just gave up and laid down on the ice, refusing to try walking on the skating rink that was our road. I ended up carrying him home again. Tango seemed really worried by me carrying Schroder and stuck to my side like glue. She also kept rubbing her face up on Schroder's face to make sure he knew she was still there for him. I hit the ice pretty hard on our next evening walk, so Schroder and I both gave up on the idea of being outside at around the same time.
The ice has melted down a bit today, but Schroder gets outside and realizes it's too slippery and then gives up. We're just waiting for an accident in the house since he's refusing to do more than stand in the driveway stubbornly. He does great in snow storms, rain, hail, and high winds- but this ice is more than he can handle.
Poor wobbly pupsters!
We went out for two super-quick walks yesterday, and they had a heck of a time. Tango largely did OK but spent a lot of time sliding around on her bum and skidding around corners. Schroder hit the ice pretty hard a few times and had much more difficulty staying balanced. We walked on the road, where the cars passing had sort of melted down the ice, but it was still quite slippery. The first walk, we went past two houses and then turned around to come home again. After one more extended slide, Schroder just gave up and laid down on the ice, refusing to try walking on the skating rink that was our road. I ended up carrying him home again. Tango seemed really worried by me carrying Schroder and stuck to my side like glue. She also kept rubbing her face up on Schroder's face to make sure he knew she was still there for him. I hit the ice pretty hard on our next evening walk, so Schroder and I both gave up on the idea of being outside at around the same time.
The ice has melted down a bit today, but Schroder gets outside and realizes it's too slippery and then gives up. We're just waiting for an accident in the house since he's refusing to do more than stand in the driveway stubbornly. He does great in snow storms, rain, hail, and high winds- but this ice is more than he can handle.
Poor wobbly pupsters!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Getting happier every day
So Tango and Schroder are both doing fabulously. I was commenting to Dave (my roommate in the picture wearing his bathrobe!) that it's sad that so many people would not adopt these two because Schroder is older. Before I'd even finished my sentence, Schroder did a little "let's play!" bow in front of Dave, then rolled over onto his back and wiggled around on the floor, trying hard to get Dave to play with him. Dave said, "old? I think he's got a long time yet to go!" and played with Schroder for a while until Schroder decided dinner was better.
Tango has also started doing this- rolling in the floor, chasing a bit through the house and giving us playful over-the-shoulder looks hoping we'll come down and play too! This is totally new for both of them. They've done a bit of rolling when they're itchy but this is definitely new. They seem to be learning that they're dogs- and in order to be a dog you need to have fun! We've been working on their "play" skills with games of fetch, tug, running back and forth with wild abandon, scenting games, and so on.
We're also working on basic commands, such as sit (teaching with hand signals for Schroder's benefit), down, stand, and "which one" (pick the closed-hand the treat is in). They are great at sit when you have a treat but the rest of them are pretty shakey still. They hardly need them, being such perfectly behaved dogs, but I figured it couldn't hurt.
We also had our first nail-trimming session. I got 2 nails done on Tango, who does not like having her feet touched, let alone nails trimmed (she pulls her foot away and licks your hands). Schroder didn't care at all- after each nail he got a belly rub and he was happy as a clam!
Tango has also started doing this- rolling in the floor, chasing a bit through the house and giving us playful over-the-shoulder looks hoping we'll come down and play too! This is totally new for both of them. They've done a bit of rolling when they're itchy but this is definitely new. They seem to be learning that they're dogs- and in order to be a dog you need to have fun! We've been working on their "play" skills with games of fetch, tug, running back and forth with wild abandon, scenting games, and so on.
We're also working on basic commands, such as sit (teaching with hand signals for Schroder's benefit), down, stand, and "which one" (pick the closed-hand the treat is in). They are great at sit when you have a treat but the rest of them are pretty shakey still. They hardly need them, being such perfectly behaved dogs, but I figured it couldn't hurt.
We also had our first nail-trimming session. I got 2 nails done on Tango, who does not like having her feet touched, let alone nails trimmed (she pulls her foot away and licks your hands). Schroder didn't care at all- after each nail he got a belly rub and he was happy as a clam!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Who knew?
So Schroder apparently CAN go down the stairs. He gets a bit wobbly at the bottom as his momentum starts to get the better of him, but he does great! We found out by accident when we thought he was calmly sleeping upstairs with Tango, but then he was in the living room looking for love.
He still can't get up the stairs, of course. He's tried a few times and usually slides back down on his bum. Silly pup.
We bought each of the dogs a Kong. Schroder seems largely baffled by his and is perfectly happy playing with it when it's empty. Tango adores hers, although the peanut butter didn't go over well for some reason. Schroder has started trying to play with us- but he just gets so excited when we come in the room and are ready to play that he has to go chew on his toys. Tango likes playing "chase" and a weird version of fetch with her stuffies. Both are great at ONLY chewing on the toys you provide, and never touching anything that hasn't already been okayed.
He still can't get up the stairs, of course. He's tried a few times and usually slides back down on his bum. Silly pup.
We bought each of the dogs a Kong. Schroder seems largely baffled by his and is perfectly happy playing with it when it's empty. Tango adores hers, although the peanut butter didn't go over well for some reason. Schroder has started trying to play with us- but he just gets so excited when we come in the room and are ready to play that he has to go chew on his toys. Tango likes playing "chase" and a weird version of fetch with her stuffies. Both are great at ONLY chewing on the toys you provide, and never touching anything that hasn't already been okayed.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Visting my folks
We took Tango and Scrhoder on a long drive back to visit with my parents for the weekend. Tango does not like the turn signal for some reason- whenever you click it on she gets a bit shivery. Schroder sits calmly in the back, looking over your shoulder and breathing on you but he's happy as a clam.
My parents have a dog (german shepherd) and they got along great- he was a little bit tense with Schroder but was perfectly happy ignoring Tango. My parents dog is also older - he will be 12 in May- and not too big on playing.
Tango thought someone in the house should play with her- she thought at first the cats would be good playmates but after almost getting swiped across the face, she decided watching carefully was a better plan. They did great in a new environment with new people and animals. They settled right in with belly-rubs all around. It was a good visit, and good to see them in a new environment.
My parents have a dog (german shepherd) and they got along great- he was a little bit tense with Schroder but was perfectly happy ignoring Tango. My parents dog is also older - he will be 12 in May- and not too big on playing.
Tango thought someone in the house should play with her- she thought at first the cats would be good playmates but after almost getting swiped across the face, she decided watching carefully was a better plan. They did great in a new environment with new people and animals. They settled right in with belly-rubs all around. It was a good visit, and good to see them in a new environment.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
On the topic of mellow...
I was walking Schroder last night before bedtime (Tango was already out for the count), some little white terrier came dashing across the road and attacked him, full on! The little dog charged Schroder barking and yelping. I pulled the little dog off Schroder and then it decided to attack the snowplow instead - nearly getting flatted, poor pup. Schroder was fine- in fact his entire reaction to this was to look up at me as if to say- "What was that all about? Where are his manners?" and then continued sniffing in the snow.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Pros and Cons
So now you're thinking about it, right? And you want to know what it's really like. Here it is, broken down into black and white.
On the Con Side:
Schroder has some issues with stairs. He can go down 2-3 stairs with no trouble but anything more than that he won't attempt. He cannot go up stairs very well at all, and needs to be carried.
You need to give Schroder a pain pill for arthritis in the morning (He loves it; it's his morning treat!)
They shed as much as 1 slightly larger dog.
When you go on walks, everyone comes over to ask you how you managed to get two- two!- dogs with only three legs, and will want to visit with them and ask questions about how they're doing.
Schroders hearing can come and go occasionally, so his recall isn't great. Best to stay near him so he can see you easily.
For the Pro:
They love going for short walks- so if you don't have time every day for a long walk, they're happy! If you only go once or twice a week for a longer walk or to the park, they'll love you anyway.
They LOVE the car- very easy to get them to go places like the vet or the park.
They love people, noise, activity, children, dogs, and are oblivious to cats.
The love to cuddle, and are very good at it.
They walk very well on a leash, and behave well off leash.
Tango has excellent recall.
Schroder doesn't walk very fast, so if he's off leash he's easy to get to.
Both are very calm and patient.
They're like one dog, just with more personality!
They are totally housebroken.
They will love you in the way only 2 dogs who finally have a forever home can- with all their hearts.
On the Con Side:
Schroder has some issues with stairs. He can go down 2-3 stairs with no trouble but anything more than that he won't attempt. He cannot go up stairs very well at all, and needs to be carried.
You need to give Schroder a pain pill for arthritis in the morning (He loves it; it's his morning treat!)
They shed as much as 1 slightly larger dog.
When you go on walks, everyone comes over to ask you how you managed to get two- two!- dogs with only three legs, and will want to visit with them and ask questions about how they're doing.
Schroders hearing can come and go occasionally, so his recall isn't great. Best to stay near him so he can see you easily.
For the Pro:
They love going for short walks- so if you don't have time every day for a long walk, they're happy! If you only go once or twice a week for a longer walk or to the park, they'll love you anyway.
They LOVE the car- very easy to get them to go places like the vet or the park.
They love people, noise, activity, children, dogs, and are oblivious to cats.
The love to cuddle, and are very good at it.
They walk very well on a leash, and behave well off leash.
Tango has excellent recall.
Schroder doesn't walk very fast, so if he's off leash he's easy to get to.
Both are very calm and patient.
They're like one dog, just with more personality!
They are totally housebroken.
They will love you in the way only 2 dogs who finally have a forever home can- with all their hearts.
5 Days Later...
So it is now Tuesday and we've had Tango and Schroder for 5 days. I'm already a big mush when it comes to them both and get a bit misty-eyed when I think of them finding their forever home. I can't believe they've waited this long to be adopted. They are so calm and mellow - they're less effort than one dog, they work so well together they're almost like just one dog, and they come with double the personality! They're both such goofs at times, and I don't think I've laughed all month as much as I have the last 5 days.
We went for a good romp through the park on Sunday. I stuck pretty close to Schroder as he has more of a tendency to wander on his own. Tango ran a fair ways away, but would always stop and look to make sure it was okay. At any hand gesture from me, she would run back again and would stop instantly if I called her name.
My husband had some of his friends over on Monday afternoon (7 people!) and they played a rousing game of.. something.. that involved taking over the whole dining room table, standing up to better argue your point, and loud laughter. I thought they would be scared, but Schroder was in absolute heaven- he instantly staked his claim of the dining room table, and could be found sprawled out beside any one of the guys with his paws waving in the air waiting for a belly rub. He has never been so quiet and comfortable as he was on that afternoon. He didn't even want to go out he was just that happy to have people over!
They've both settled in completely with the cat. Tango is interested but is getting the idea that Gibson thinks he's the boss, and Schroder doesn't even seem to know that Gibson exists.
I keep thinking how good they would be with kids - they don't jump, they don't bark loudly to scare anyone off, they're not pushy or demanding, they don't pull and they absolutely adore activity and people. They've also been fabulous with all of the dogs we've met on our walks- even the ones who seem to want nothing more than to leap all over them.
We went for a good romp through the park on Sunday. I stuck pretty close to Schroder as he has more of a tendency to wander on his own. Tango ran a fair ways away, but would always stop and look to make sure it was okay. At any hand gesture from me, she would run back again and would stop instantly if I called her name.
My husband had some of his friends over on Monday afternoon (7 people!) and they played a rousing game of.. something.. that involved taking over the whole dining room table, standing up to better argue your point, and loud laughter. I thought they would be scared, but Schroder was in absolute heaven- he instantly staked his claim of the dining room table, and could be found sprawled out beside any one of the guys with his paws waving in the air waiting for a belly rub. He has never been so quiet and comfortable as he was on that afternoon. He didn't even want to go out he was just that happy to have people over!
They've both settled in completely with the cat. Tango is interested but is getting the idea that Gibson thinks he's the boss, and Schroder doesn't even seem to know that Gibson exists.
I keep thinking how good they would be with kids - they don't jump, they don't bark loudly to scare anyone off, they're not pushy or demanding, they don't pull and they absolutely adore activity and people. They've also been fabulous with all of the dogs we've met on our walks- even the ones who seem to want nothing more than to leap all over them.
First Reaction
I know what you're thinking- you're thinking "two dogs? That's crazy!" I have to say, after I agreed to foster Tango and Schroder I was feeling pretty good about it until I got them home. Then my first thought was - "Oh dear. What was I thinking?"
The first day was a bit hectic- Schroder was missing all the people at the rescue and spent a long time crying at the door to go back. Tango stuck pretty close to him, comforting him as she could with her presence. We went out for quick walks 10 times that day since it seemed to help them settle. The spent the first night in our bedroom, terrifying our cat who lost his standard place at the foot of our bed. They slept really well that first night and only made noise when our cat, Gibson, attempted to reclaim his favorite spot and got everyone riled up.
The next day was almost perfect. We went out for a few romps in the snow, but due to the cold they were again very short. Schroder sniffs every possible thing and is often happy to stand in one place for several minutes just sniffing the air. Tango is patience personified (or dogified?) and waits for him. Neither of them pull on the leash at all, and the only problem we had was Tango sticking so close to my side that sometimes it was hard not to step on her. If she goes a bit ahead and Schroder stops to smell, she turns around right away and comes back to your side, waiting for the signal to go.
The benefit to the two of them is that they can cope quite well on minimal exercise. For Schroder, 15 minutes is plenty and you can see him getting tired sometimes by the end of it. For Tango, she can and will go much longer than that and loves it, but is happy for any time spent outside with you. After even a brief outing, they both settled down with a chew toy or get comfy for a nap.
They are, 100% of the time, absolute cuddle bugs. Both come hopping over to you when you come in the house from shopping or work or even taking the garbage out with their tails wagging joyously. They never jump, as they can't, and they never push into you or push you over, they just come over and wait for an ear-scratch or belly rub. Today I had lots of cuddles. I had Schroder sprawled beside me on the left, and Tango on the right, both waiting for cuddle time. I also just finished watched a movie with Tango snoring way in my lap and Schroder asleep in front of me, warming my feet.
The first day was a bit hectic- Schroder was missing all the people at the rescue and spent a long time crying at the door to go back. Tango stuck pretty close to him, comforting him as she could with her presence. We went out for quick walks 10 times that day since it seemed to help them settle. The spent the first night in our bedroom, terrifying our cat who lost his standard place at the foot of our bed. They slept really well that first night and only made noise when our cat, Gibson, attempted to reclaim his favorite spot and got everyone riled up.
The next day was almost perfect. We went out for a few romps in the snow, but due to the cold they were again very short. Schroder sniffs every possible thing and is often happy to stand in one place for several minutes just sniffing the air. Tango is patience personified (or dogified?) and waits for him. Neither of them pull on the leash at all, and the only problem we had was Tango sticking so close to my side that sometimes it was hard not to step on her. If she goes a bit ahead and Schroder stops to smell, she turns around right away and comes back to your side, waiting for the signal to go.
The benefit to the two of them is that they can cope quite well on minimal exercise. For Schroder, 15 minutes is plenty and you can see him getting tired sometimes by the end of it. For Tango, she can and will go much longer than that and loves it, but is happy for any time spent outside with you. After even a brief outing, they both settled down with a chew toy or get comfy for a nap.
They are, 100% of the time, absolute cuddle bugs. Both come hopping over to you when you come in the house from shopping or work or even taking the garbage out with their tails wagging joyously. They never jump, as they can't, and they never push into you or push you over, they just come over and wait for an ear-scratch or belly rub. Today I had lots of cuddles. I had Schroder sprawled beside me on the left, and Tango on the right, both waiting for cuddle time. I also just finished watched a movie with Tango snoring way in my lap and Schroder asleep in front of me, warming my feet.
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