Christmas Look-a-likes

Pictured here is Tiki and I displaying our matching snuggies that we received from my daughter and grandchildren.  Tiki is much more photogenic than I.

We had 2 Christmas dinners at our place this year.  Christmas eve was dinner with family and Christmas day was with friends.

Both my family and my friends commented how well behaved Tiki is and how bonded we are already.

Today we had our first training session with our personal Trainer.  We went through how to work together with some basic commands, sit, lay down and come.  We then went for a walk together.  First the trainer, showing me how the leash should be held and how the walk should look.  Then it was my turn, my trainer guided me  how to walk together.
with Tiki.

Tiki was on her own for a few hours today.  When I returned, it looked as though she may have been on the dining table or at least tugged on the table cloth.  She  also threw up.  I called my trainer to ask if she was doing this because of stress.  It was most likely a case of overeating  but I will keep a watchful eye on her and call the vet if necessary.  She is precious to me and I want to do the best I can by her.

Merry Christmas Everyone

While cooking dinner for my family, my cat, Lacey ,and Tiki are on their best behaviour.  So far neither of my furry companions have gone for the appetizers on the table.

There will be some new people
for Tiki to meet today as well as tomorrow's dinner.

I seized the moment for a photo shoot.  Lacey would never have allowed for such carrying on.

From our house to yours, Merry Christmas.  Our hope is for peace  to you all.

Siblings Sharing?

Today I bought a new pet bed. bed  But whose bed is it?  My girls look like they may be sharing, the beginning of a loving relationship?

I think we are having some success with Tiki being left alone.  I was out yesterday for 1 hour and the place was still intact and today I was away 2 hours and the same result.  I've been told to not make a fuss about leaving or arriving home.  Well Tiki is very smart.   She knows when I get my purse or shoes, that I'm going out.

I'm trying to teach her "off" when she jumps up excitedly.
I've been told by a few reliable people that her separation anxiety is linked to my not letting Tiki know who is in charge. She just needs to know what is expected of her and then she will comply plus feel more secure.

Sunday we are going to have a lesson with our trainer.  Wish us luck.

Travelling Tiki

Tiki has been on the go for the last few days thanks to our cart on wheels.
On Thursday she came to the Doctor's office with me and of course she was warmly welcomed and made a fuss over.
Thursday afternoon she went to my support group.  She sat on my lap for quite awhile, listening very intently to the discussion then she stayed on leash exploring what was around her. Afterward, she and my friend went for a nice long walk.
We have been back to the pet store once again.  This time along with treats and chews, I purchased a portable water bowl.
My good friend took me to buy groceries and while I shopped, he walked Tiki.
Today we went to a craft class where we worked with wool.  For the first part she was totally intrigued with the wool and all the others taking part in the class. 
Wherever Tiki goes she is warmly welcomed.  She is truly a smile  ambassador.  One can't help but smile when she is smiling at you.
Tiki has already brought me much joy in the short time she has come to live with me.

Cone Head

I suppose Tiki's sense of trust towards me went down a few notches today.  I had her at the vet today for a recheck on her stitches and because I had  a worry about  her coughing a little at night.  While at the vet, the assistant tried putting the cone on Tiki again.  The assistant was successful in getting the cone on but Tiki freaked, thrashed around and tried to remove the cone.  I had to ask them to remove the cone.  It was too painful to see the distress it caused her.

When we arrived at home she refused to get out of the carrier.  I couldn't even lure her out with treats.  I dropped a few a little distance away from the carrier and she managed to keep the lower half of her body inside the carrier as she stretched out to retrieve the treats.  What finally got her to move about 45 minutes later, was asking her is she wanted to go for a walk.  Stubborn, willful and smart, that's my gal.

Now, for the past 2 hours, she has been camped out in the kitchen with the occasional whimpering all because I gave Lacey and Tiki a bit of cheese.  Every once in a while, I catch her on her hind legs trying to see what is on the counter.

As for the vet visit itself, she has antibiotics for possible infection since there is some redness near part of the stitches.  Tiki had already been given a shot for kennel cough but we have some medication for the nighttime coughing. While at the vet, I purchased another package of pill  pockets, which doesn't always fool her, unless I give her a couple without any pills as a chaser.

Left at the scene of the crime/Battle of wills

Yesterday Tiki decided she wanted to have a go at the couch.  I had a shower and found her curled up on my red blanket.  It looked rather Christmassy and a possible kodak moment but I told her to get off.  Of course she didn't respond right away but eventually got down with my help.  I left the room on another occasion and she was on the couch  again.  Found at the scene of the crime, was one of her beef? chews.  Without giving it very much aforethought, I was eating veggies and dip and I left it on the couch .  I went over to the computer and glanced to my right and there she was eating my dip!!
It is a tough decision what to do.  I have been successful on keeping my cat off my newly upholstered couch since I moved.  I would like to cuddle Tiki which I am doing but I may be giving her mixed messages.
  Tiki is not a shedder but my cat sheds constantly.  I don't want to favour one over the other.  Lacey has already had her nose out of joint since Tiki arrived. 

Last night, Tiki was litterly digging in heels during what became a short walk and some carrying. It was strange because she got her usual excited dance when I suggested we go for a walk.For some reason she was difficult to  move along and I didn't want to hurt her so I ended up picking her up and carrying her for awhile. She is far  too heavy at 12.4 pounds to hold with my left arm and use my cane on the right side.
Today, I am happy to report she walked eagerly with her usual gusto.  We met 4 more dogs today.  Mougol, Coby, Tiko? and ?  I'm going to need to bring a pen and paper to remember all the dogs' names!  Of course, I know none of the dog owners day.  
Here I was outside without any makeup, my hair not combed and I'm talking to these guys. Also standing there outside Starbucks was Mr "reader/writer" clutching a sci fi book.  Great impression!  The good news is that Mougol's owner offered to watch Tiki if I wanted to go and get a coffee.  I couldn't go inside Starbucks today but another time, I'll make sure I have some money or my Starbucks Card.

Tiki Loves To Go Out

Tiki and I went for a walk this morning.  We passed Starbucks, so on the way back, I took her to the window and one of the Baristas saw us and waved.  I wonder if she noticed the longing in my eyes for that cuppa.  Sigh, soon this watchdogging will pass! 

When we arrived home from our walk and coat and leash was off, Tiki immediately jumped into the wheeled cart I take her on the bus with.  She is a real outdoors type.






!

Shopping Day

Tiki went shopping for a raincoat and this what we came up with.  Pretty stylish, don't you think?

We also bought some more toys looking for one that would captivate her attention.  No go.  This dog needs to taught how to play with toys!

Small Successes Lead to Big Steps

Tiki has had a successful few days. Tiki is now using  the pad to do her business and pee.   She loves the praise and treats she gets for doing so well.  Such a good girl, I tell her.  Now how do I get her to go outside?  What I'm wondering is should I take the "pad" with us on our walk?

She loves her walk although she stops frequently and I have pull on the leash to get her to move.  She has such a cute walk with her fur on her head blowing in the breeze.
 Today we plan to go to the pet store to buy her a new coat and perhaps a shirt.  The cute pink coat is not very waterproof.  I should have chosen the ugly yellow one but I went for style rather than practically.

Since I am still unable to put the cone on Tiki and keep it on, I am still staying close to home.  The vet said perhaps a shirt or they can order me a collar like a neck brace.  I really don't want to go that route and trying to put the cone on Tiki again is not something I want to put her though.I just have to keep a real close eye on her so she doesn't lick and pull out her stitches from surgery.

What I need is a dog watcher so I can get some groceries next week.  Any volunteers?

Sleeping Clown/Acrobat

I couldn't resist taking this picture.  She is sleeping on her back.  I'm so happy she drank out of the water spout on the left.
I called the vet and he said not to worry about drinking and eating for a few days as it takes awhile to get over the affects of antiseptic.  She definitely should not lick her stitches.  If she removes them she will have to go under antiseptic again to redo them.  I am watching her with both eyes.  I will have to get that cone on her at some point and possibly keep it on for 10 days to 2 weeks.


Dave just dropped off the crate because it is going to be exchanged for a larger one when the pet store delivers it this afternoon.  When Dave came to the door, Tiki perked right up and went over to where  he was standing and stayed near him wagging her tail, a good sign we think.

Tiki is now laying beside me as I finish this post. Dave, bless his heart has gone to get me a Starbucks.

Tiki's Surgery

Tiki had her surgery for spaying yesterday and they also discovered an umbilical hernia, plus her ears were blocked so they were cleaned as well.

This morning she is still not herself.It took a lot of coaxing to get her out of her crate this morning.

    We tried to go outside, that did not work. She stood by the door for 10 minutes then finally layed down there.  When I checked her, the good news is she peed on her pad!!.   Well that called for a treat and praise!!  She did eat 4 little treats.  She still did not want water even when I tried wetting her mouth.  I held her for awhile the took her near the crate and she just went in and layed down at the back of it.

I still haven't tried the liquid medicine for inflammation.  Once she starts to drink, I will try.  She didn't and wouldn't take the de-worming liquid medication on Sunday so we now have pills for that which I will use after she recovers from her surgery.

I will also have to watch her carefully since she did not take to the cone.  She tore it off when we tried putting on last night.


If it wasn't for good friends like Dave and Betty Mae for all their help and support, I don't know how I could cope with this alone.

Houdini Tiki and Separation Anxiety?

Today after being at a meeting I came home to be greeted at the  door by an excited barking Tiki.  There was poop on the living room floor.  When my friend, uncle Dave wanted to take her out she was "going ballistic" as he put it and he had trouble trying to move her past the outside door.  Back inside she was just wild jumping up and barking.  I had her on my lap for quite a while before she finally settled down.  Dave has given it another try now and he hasn't come back yet so I guess Tiki is ok now.

Yes, I am concerned about the training but it only has been a few days.  My biggest concern is that she acts like she has separation anxiety?  I don't know the symptoms and I'm not sure at all how to deal with this.  Any help out there would be greatly appreciated.

Tiki The Jumper

Last night Uncle Dave and Aunt Betty Mae came over,  Tiki showed off her jumping abilities.  She particularly took to Betty Mae.  Dave took Tiki for a long walk, 30 minutes but no results.This morning at 7 we repeated our walk 15 minutes in the rain and Tiki did not appear to do potty.  She is drinking water, mostly the cat's water.  As for eating hardly anything at all. I will mention this to the vet tomorrow when she gets spayed. 

I wonder if she is missing Almaza and all the other dogs?

Here she is in her little coat.

L

The Escape Artist

After taking Tiki out for a very long walk, I had supposed that she went potty. 

After arriving home I put Tiki in the crate and also put Critter's food dish out.I decided to go to Starbucks.  Being watchful of the time, I checked my watch frequently.  I was only at Starbucks for an hour.


To my knowledge, Tiki hadn't eaten anything yet so I wasn't expecting any accidents nor did I expect  to be greeted at the door by a happy jumping Tiki.

It was at that point, I noticed my jacket on the floor and was amazed that Tiki had managed to get out of the crate.  I didn't realize that I had an escape artist in my family! The next surprise for me was that I had stepped on the mat that had the results of consuming some of the cat's food.

Now that I have cleaned the tractor wheel like soles of my boots and finished washing the deodorizing the mat, I contemplate what could happen tomorrow when I have to be absent from my home.

Day (Morning) Day 2

Someone woke me up at 7am this morning and it wasn't Tiki.  Critter was doing her usual meow song.  Tiki and I went for the morning potty trip out.  My, she certainly walked fast and sniffed along the walk.  We stood in one place for a while but the question remains, did she or didn't she, produce, I couldn't tell.  After 10 minutes we returned to have breakfast, so I thought.  Tiki does not have much interest in her food.  She keeps going to Critter's dish so Critter is out of luck for now.

Tiki seems to be content to lay on the floor near her dishes and watch the activity around her.  My cat who has been on my lap while I'm at the computer is now doing her hissing at Tiki.  Now that is no way to welcome a new family member!


I talked to my trainer last night and she offered a few helpful suggestions for dealing with training.  I have one big thing going for me, she is 3 years so that means a bigger bladder capacity and more control. than a puppy.

Tiki Is Here

After a brief absence, we are baaack.  Well actually Tiki and I.  The breeder offered me a younger dog than Nevada.  Her name is Tiki, she is soon to be 3 on January 4th. I just picked her up today.  She is such a cute little thing, all 12 lbs. of her.  Right now we are getting acquainted with one another.  She has sniffed around the place and already been outside after she drank some water to drink. Now she is on her stomach like she is going to sleep until.....I get up and then she follows me around.  We are both getting used to each other.  She looks at me in wonderment and I also look just as puzzled at her.
Critter aka Lacey, the household owner,my Cat may be a little jealous.  Her way is to hiss at Tiki and walk away.  They will soon become good friends, I hope.

So far in the past hour Tiki doesn't seem interested in food.  I suppose when she is hungry, she will eat.
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Since I am a new dog owner, any suggestions or comments will gladly be appreciated