Merry Christmas

Yes, that is a pear in Charlie's mouth. I don't think she's also trying to eat vegan; she has demonstrated on her walks that she is quite the carnivore! She has responded quite well to RELEASE, TRADE and DROP IT, but none worked for the pear. She ate it in her crate.

I haven't blogged for quite a while. Charlie has really kept me going. She has filled out and gained about four pounds. My total weight loss since October is 20. Charlie has done very well playing at puppy playground at the new doggie daycare right across from the Itasca Metra station, but she is a maniac in the car. The doggie seat belt seemed to work well getting her to Auntie Terry's house today, until we parked and I found how she had chewed a small section of the rear seat belt as well.

She loved her presents that she's been given so far. And she loved mine too: dragged the new red sweater across the floor, then nabbed the red ear muffs. I need to teach her that it's all faux!

Charlie meets Auntie Terry

Charlie visited my dear friend Terry and her family. Their son is medically fragile. We kept Charlie on her leash and helped her interact with Rob. She also took a treat from Rob gently and licked his face. Charlie showed that not only is she learning her commands quickly, but that she has potential to be a wonderful therapy dog. We'll definitely be looking into that after she completes her basic training class. I'm researching classes now.

Charlie's first work day

I woke up at 5 a.m. today to make sure Charlie had enough exercise before I left her for 11 hours. We walked for at least 45 minutes. Charlie seemed a bit tired and started to nap while I got finished getting ready for work.

I have established a crate routine. I tell Charlie quietly that's it's her nap time as I lead her to the crate, remove her collar after she is in it and facing me, and give her a Kong filled with peanut butter. I tell her to have a good nap as I leave. Because Charlie IS ready for a nap when she goes into the crate, this is working very well.

Charlie's long pet visit from Nora went great. Nora had stopped by Friday to meet Charlie and give her some yummy treats. When I arrived home around 6:20 p.m., Charlie was still sleeping. We went to get the mail, she had her dinner, and we drove to the business campus. Charlie did not need a toy to distract her. She now knows that this is a good place to walk, and is very interested in all of the smells and sights. We saw a runner twice - from the front fortunately - so I was able to keep her to the side and explain that the person was exercising.

Charlie was able to preoccupy herself playing with her toys while I did stuff around the house. She usually stays in the same room as me, but I check on her if she leaves the room to see what she's doing. I learned that quiet dogs can be doing something you don't like, such as eating your TV remote control. Fortunately, that only happened to me once with a foster dog.

Zero accidents again.

Charlie meets Auntie Laura

Charlie met one of my very best friends today, Laura G. Laura was one of Sammy's favorite people, and will undoubtedly be one of Charlie's, as she's agreed to be one of her honorary godmothers. Laura played the role of toy retriever during a brief walk. Charlie is getting less interested in the toy on walks, but one is definitely needed to distract her when she plays leash tug-of-war. I now bring a tote bag on walks, to bring extra clean-up bags and to store the toy if she tires of it. Laura was very patient with Charlie while we watched the first half of the Bears game, ignoring Charlie when Charlie jumped on her and using OFF very effectively, too.

Charlie also met two new doggie friends in the neighborhood, Payton and Lucy. She is very friendly with other dogs. We also met a wonderful retriever mix at the business campus on today's first walk. This dog was so friendly and turned out to be a Kay's Animal Shelter alumni (Sammy was adopted from Kay's.)

Number of accidents in the house: zero! I've had Charlie for six days, and she's been accident-free three of those days. She has only gone a few times in the house, and she gave me signals that she was preparing to go each time. I wasn't paying enough attention when I had visitors for two of those accidents. I always take Charlie outside immediately when she wakes up, even if it's only been for 15 minutes or so. She's gone to the bathroom outside each of those times.

Total walk time today: 2.5 hours. Charlie is exhausted, but that's a good thing: I return to work tomorrow after three weeks of vacation. I plan to wake up at 5 a.m., walk her at 6 a.m., leave at 7:30 a.m. and return at 6:15 p.m., with one pet sitter visit. We shall see.......

Charlie's first long day in the crate

I left the house at 10:15 a.m. today and returned about 8 hours later; I was volunteering at PAWS. I walked Charlie twice before leaving - about 45 minutes around 7 a.m. and 15 minutes right before I left. Charlie went into her crate willingly! I tell her it's nap time each time I lead her to the crate.

Charlie had her very first pet visit, with Jennifer of Pet Loving Care. Jennifer writes incredibly funny notes and spent a whopping one hour with Charlie, to get to know her.

Charlie was sleeping when I arrived home. This was the longest I'd been away, but I kept the arrival low key. I have decided to talk to her in soothing tones when I come home. I asked Charlie if she enjoyed her nap. The routine when I return to work will be to immediately go outside, let Charlie relieve herself, and get the mail, so that's what we did.

No. of accidents in the house today: one. She was kind enough to go on the floor, not the carpet. Don't know when it occurred. I was really tired and not paying attention.

Charlie with her red PAWS Chicago alumni scarf

Welcome to the Charlie Dog Cafe

After facilitating hundreds of dog and cat adoptions as a volunteer for PAWS Chicago, it was my turn to be on the other side of the leash on Nov. 13, 2007. I adopted Charlie, 7 months old. Charlie is doing very well and learning my routine and commands very quickly. I am very fortunate that Charlie was already housebroken; this can be one of the great benefits of adopting an "older" dog. But let me be very clear that Charlie is very much a puppy, needing plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, exercise, proper food, exercise, extra visits outside, exercise and proper training. And don't forget the exercise! I have already lost 3 lbs. wearing her out through walks, running and play, I swear!