Improving everyday... June 23, 2012

We are beginning to see a little more trust with Giddy every day. He will take his little cookies from Gary now. Gary laid on the floor last night so he was on Giddy's level. Giddy took the treat from his with a little more ease. He will let anyone pet him now, but he has bonded with me, so he has to be next to me to allow anyone to happen. Still no kisses, but I am hoping that will come.

We walk every morning while it's still cool. We walk about a half mile and he is good with that. Since he has such a full coat, I don't want to get him over heated. I brush him good about everything other day and he is good while I do that. He is still napping on the AC vent, so I think he has found his spot in the house for now. That is until I head toward the bedroom and then he will out run me to get to the bed. We have a ceiling fan above the bed, so I sure this is another favorite spot for him. He is doing better about now being a bed hog and he is sleeping in between us this his head at approx. our ankles. So he feel more comfortable there.

We are pretty well letting him pick what he is comfortable with. We are trying so hard to build he trust and his confidence up. Giddy is such a sweet boy and it just breaks our hearts to think of all the bad stuff he may have gone through. We have seen improvements, so we are just going to continue as we have been.

We did have a bad experience a couple nights ago. Giddy, my neighbor and I were walking as we have been, when all of sudden a guy opens his gate and out rushes a pit bull. As the dog started toward us, I started yelling for the guy to get his dog. Giddy immediately got behind me and stuff his nose between my legs. My neighbor got behind me also, so we had Giddy in between us. The dog stopped directly in front of me and I watch to see what he direction he might of moved in, all the time keeping Giddy behind me. The owner got the dog by the collar and pulled him toward his vehicle. The guy never apologized for his dog's behavior or for the incident at all. Our lease agreement in our community specifically states that we are not to have any type of aggressive dog and states NO Pit Bulls. I made complaints with the park owners and with the city Animal Control. The city can at least cite the guys for an animal running at large. But our city has regulations regarding this breed of dog. The owner will have to already be registered as a pit bull owner and the dog has to be microchipped, so they can track that dog. The park owners I hope will enforce the regulations here and make the owner take the dog somewhere else. I hate for anyone to lose their dog, but I know of to many people that have had bad experiences with Pit Bulls. I don't want to see that type of dog in our community.

We will be having another hot day today, expected to reach 98 degrees here. So, we will just stay in where it's cool, so Giddy can keep his little butt of the AC vent.  :)

June 20, 2012..New discoveries

I have discovered that Giddy now knows what the "walk" means and he is eager to do that. We have been walking almost everyday since he came home with us. He is still unsure of what he is expected to do, but he seems like he is beginning to fall into a routine. Morning walks are the best as there isn't anyone around to get us distracted to why we are out there. As long as the temps stay down to a reasonable degree, we might just take up walking in the evening too.

Giddy is still very unsure of his dad. Dad has been the one giving the good treats and last night Giddy did let him brush him for a short while. This is hard on Dad as he is used to his furbaby being eager to see him when he come homes from work and Giddy doesn't do that right now. He will let Dad pet him, IF Giddy is sitting next to me. Dad wanted to take him outside last night and even tried the leash, but Giddy didn't want any part of it unless I went too. So, I walked out into the yard too, so Giddy would see that it's OK to do this with his Dad. Of course, this was a good time for Giddy to take advantage of being outside and chose to do his business then. I have been trying to watch to see if he is setting a routine and I think we have got it figured out.

Giddy has moved his safe haven from the end table to a spot behind one of our recliners, that has full access of an AC vent. He is laying as close to the vent as possible. I am sure it is cooler there, so that is OK. It's funny to watch him discover new things about his new home. This is one of them, as our other shelties did the same things. In fact Buster would lay with his BUTT directly on the vent. Heaven forbid, should he chose to pass gas. He would run us out of the room.

I fixed Giddy some special treats this morning. Found a recipe for Frosty Paw and decided that we would try it. It's just yogurt, peanut butter, honey and baby food bananas. Mixed it all up, put it into little 3 oz cups and Bam, Frosty Paws. Not sure how Giddy will respond to them, but the cost was very minimum, so if he doesn't like them no great cost. The recipe called for the vanilla yogurt, but it also said you could use a berry flavor if you chose. So, I bought strawberry. Anxious to see what he will do. Will have the Treat Man (Dad) give this to him as a treat this evening.

This beautiful baby is doing better every day. We took a ride this morning as I needed to go to the cemetery. He did better with this little ride. I will continue to try to take him out every couple days, just so he learns that riding in the van can be fun, not just a trip to the vet. Hopefully, he will be read to go each time I tell him "Let's take a ride". :)

Today makes it a week since Giddy came into our life.

Last night, Giddy made 2 news friends that we play cards withe about every week. Karen & Larry became fast friends with our Giddy boy. Giddy allowed Karen to pet him as long as Mom was next to her. However, Giddy decided to lay under Larry's feet will we were playing cards at the kitchen table. Hope this progress will continue. I worked with him today for about 30 mins on his obedient commands. I re-enforced "come" and that is something I will just have to earned his trust, as he is still cautious about coming to me. He definitely knows "down", 'in" (this is what we use to let him know it's time to go back indoors. Giddy will run up the ramp when he ready to go back inside), "out" and "sit". He also knows "night-night" as he runs to get on the bed before I can get there. One thing I started to today was a 10-15 min gentle massage on Giddy. I started at his head and shoulders, worked my way down his back to his hind quarters. I read online that Rofling was a way to help animals that are not only physically injured, but animals that have experiences mental traumas or behavioral issues. I thought why not! I am hoping this will help to build trust with Giddy. I did this about 3 different times today and he seemed to enjoy it.

Sunday, June 16th 2012

Happy Father's Day!! This was a big day for Giddy. Some of his family came over for a "meet & greet". Giddy seem to be fairly comfortable around everyone, as long as Mom was close at hand. He really enjoyed some of the attention he received as everyone wanted to take a turn petting him. They all understand that Giddy is very skittish, so no one pressed him at all. Giddy even did very well around Kaden (my great nephew, who is 3). Kaden didn't push himself on Giddy and took time to be introduced to Giddy. No kisses for Giddy's Auntie Jan though and I know how she like kisses. Once again, not sure that Giddy knows that it is OK to give kisses. Hopefully, we will gain his trust enough to allow his personality to come through.

Our oldest son, wife and his white german shepherd came by this eveningm so this was another surprise from Giddy. He was very calm around Laena, but then again she is a very laid back dog. They did sniff one another and Giddy got kisses from Laena. Then, they share some of Laena goodies that her Mom picked up at Pet Smart. We discovered that Giddy like "berries & yogurt biscuits" by Authority and the little "blueberry" treats by Natural Choice. Both good quality treats. I have not seen Authority at PetCo, so guess I will be making a run out to PetSmart. He seem to really like the Berry treats. He did take a Banana & Yogurt cookie by Blue Buffalo, but we don't think he was crazy about it and opted out for the berry cookies.

Great day with all the introductions that he had. When we went "night'night" he was on the bed. I got into bed and next thing I knew, I felt two little paws on my stomach and there was Giddy. This was another 1st. He slowly laid his head back and I thought he was going to give me a kiss, when he decided, Oppss, not yet then laid his his head on my shoulder. That was OK, I was just glad to see him relax some more with me. I am just excited with all the baby steps that my baby took today.

I continued the massage therapy with Giddy today. Only had time for a couple of sessions. But you know, it seems to help build a little trust between us. I look forward to the day that I know for sure that this time actually helped him.

Giddy rescues me.

On June 10, 2012, we had the pleasure of adopting a beautiful color-headed white, male sheltie. His name as Giddeon, we call him Giddy and we will use this date as his birthday. He is about 2 yrs. old and the good Lord is the only one that knows for sure what this gorgeous creature went through in his short life.

We do know that, his1st home had other dogs besides him and they pick on this poor sweet boy. We are thinking that they had children and not sure how that went, but he is OK around children, however I have been keeping a very close eye on that. His last owner, the person that surrendered him to a shelter outside of St. Louis, MO..stated that after owning him for only 1 yr, Giddy would only come to them, sat by their chair and would sleep under the kitchen table. Now, what kind of life is that? Supposedly, he snapped at the cat, therefore they decided to get rid of him. After only a few days with Giddy, I have him coming to me when calling, know what out means and where to go,  he knows how to sit, the word "in" (I guarantee you when he is out and wants in, he uses the ramp to tell he is ready to go back in), knows the command "down" and he walks great on a leash. 

Linda Kotapish who owns the Sheltie Shack in Blue Rapids, KS is the most generous person that took Giddy in when he needed a home. This is were we found him. Linda and I talked a while on the phone, was emailing one another daily, and she is the one that keep encouraging me to watch her website for new additions. I knew when Giddy arrived at Linda's and I saw the pictures she had of him, but I guess I wasn't ready to figure out what I was looking for in another dog. Between Gary's suggestions and Linda's guidance, I was able to see that Giddy was exactly what I was looking for. When I saw him in person, I saw the look in his eyes and I fell in love with him instantly. Linda has no idea how much I appreciate her help in making this decision. Watching her with all the dogs around her, she is truly working in her calling. Linda is an amazing, open, honest and caring person. If there was ever a Sheltie person her in Kansas, I would have to say it is Linda Kotapish.

I plan to work with Giddy to help him understand that we are here to love him, help him with confidence and spoil him rotten. He is such a sweet little boy that is not sure what is expected of him or how to just be a little dog. I tried to get him to play with a soft little ball and I don't think he knows what that even is. I am beginning to wonder if Giddy was ever allowed to even be a puppy. My heart breaks to think of the things he may have missed out on.

I am so excited to have a sheltie back in my life and feel so much better about things in general. I still miss my loving little Cassie and Buster too, but I know that time heals our hearts. One thing for sure, having Giddy around, he is helping to heal my heart. Gary has no idea what adopting Giddy means to me. The gift of Giddy means so much to me!!

 Thank you so much, my loving husband!!

June 15, 2012

Happy one again

Giddy and I walked the park this morning. Such a beautiful day here in Wichita, KS for this time of year. Last year we were fighting with over 100* temps. Giddy walks on the leash so well and we really have been enjoying our walks together. It seems like his leash is somewhat of a security to him. I noticed that he is comfortable around other people when he is on it, but the minute I take it off, he is skittish again. Must be the weight of the leash because I can let it go in the yard and he is still the calm little Giddy that is friendly toward people.

Giddy has become my constant companion. Every where I go, he is right there. I never experienced that with my other shelties, so this is new to me. Now Snickers and Cassie would make sure they always knew where I was, but they weren't as needy. Buster, if he was asleep, he really didn't care. Giddy is usually under one of the end table, as those have become his own personal little crates. They are the same size as one, so we are OK with him using them. The one next to the AC vent has become his favorite. With the coat he has, it doesn't surpise us. Has to be a lot cooler there. Heck, Buster used to sleep with his butt right on the vent, then Cassie adopted that same thought once Buster was no longer around. That one AC vent has seen a lot of hot dogs around it. :)

Giddy has discovered that if he sleeps closer to the foot of the bed he actually has a little more room. But he only moves there until Gary comes to bed. Otherwise, he wants right up next to me to suggle until he gets to hot and moves over on Gary's pillow. If I get up in the night, Giddy's knows it and his head comes up to make sure I am not going very far from him. 

Giddy is eating and drinking well. He will sometimes take a treat from Gary, so he is learning to trust Gary a little more each day. He has shared a couple of bits of popcorn with him, but Gary had to throw those to him. I think Giddy was previously feed some table scraps, as he acts like he could easily be a begger. I stop that behavior fairly easy and he accepted the NO BEG command real well. We discovered that he does like peanut butter favor. So will look for a treat that might have that included in it.

Overall, Giddy is doing about what we expected. I weighed him last night and he is at 30lbs now. Not to bad, as he should be around 25lbs and was at 32lbs when he went to the rescue shelter. We have cut back some on his food and treats, so will continue with the walks to help him exercise. Still wish we could get him to play. Haven't seen him do that yet. Also, haven't seen how he is around other dog. May have to take a trip to the doggy park to see how he will do. Of course, I will keep him leashed until I can see how he reacts. This could have a positive effect on him, but it could also could have a negative one. Will have to play it by ear and see how things go.

Giddy is a blessing though and I have fallen in love with my needy, suggling little sheltie.

June 16, 2012

Happy Birthday to me. Giddy was an early birthday present to. I am sure it was meant as a surprise, however after losing my little Cassie girl (sheltie) I was kinda in a funk with missing her, so I had already completed my application for the Sheltie Shack in Blue Rapids, KS, as well as having completed a home visit. We passed with flying colors, so there was never a doubt that I would be able to get another sheltie, but was just waiting to see what babies would come into the shelter.

Giddy took a few more baby steps last night. He took a doggy cookie from Gary. I had to help nedge him in that direction, but he reached out on his and took it. Then, we coaxed him into jumping up on the loveseat next to Gary. He layed for couple of minutes, all the while Gary was petting him. Then later that night, Gary and I had gone to bed, and Giddy was there with us, of course. He had been laying next to me when he got hot. He moved over some and was trying to comfortable. All of a sudden he nudged Gary's hand as he wanted his head petted. Now I have experienced this several time, but this was a first for Gary. Next thing we knew it, Giddy was laying his head on Gary's chest all the while Giddy was get his head petted. He has not done that for me, so him doing this with Gary was very special for Gary. Gary is so badly wanting Giddy to make up to him, so this was something to see. Like I said these are baby steps and we won't know how Giddy will do today.

Giddy ate really well yesterday, all of his food. We have kept him on the same food that he was on at the shelter. We have added some additional nutritional supplements to his food, as we want to make sure he is getting what he needs since this is probably a stressful time for him. He has taken Milk Bones, a chew stick, a DentaStix, Little Cesesar soft treats, Dog Bakery cookies and he is eating Pro Plan at present. I plan to eventually change his food and I am looking to change to Purina One Weight Management. So, you see that Giddy is progressing some and he is eating well, along with drinking water. He is pottying good. I still have to go out with him to get him to go, but it doesn't take to long to get him to complete his task. I laugh every time we go out, as when he is ready to go back inside, he runs up the ramp and heads for the door. Of course, if you remember, "IN" was one of the 1st commands that we worked on. 

My indoor safe haven

Next to my new Mom's chair

I worked with Giddy a little yesterday on commands. When I get him to come to me, he runs to me and will stand next to me or behind me. I have been able to come to me and sit in front of me. So will need to continue to work on that. Giddy is able to do "down" and "sit" really well at this point. He is still running to hid "box" (under the end table) every time I walk toward the family room. He alternative spot is next to my chair. 

Giddy and I are going to continue on the same path that we have been taking. We will work together daily to help Giddy overcome his fears and to help build his confidence. Right now it is about to storm, but we haven't seen any anxiety from him during our summer storms. So with the storm approaching, we will have to delay our morning walk. I really enjoy that time with Giddy, so I hope that they over soon. Want to be able to walk in the cooler temps since Giddy has such a thick coat. Will post as soon as I can once again.