Oh What A Feeling!

Today, I met Ciji.  We met outside a new store.   She was really friendly and we went inside the store with lots of good things to sniff.  Then we went into a room that I wasn't too sure of, but Mom was there, so I was okay.  I got lifted up into this big, shiny thing.  She brushed my teeth - mom was impressed, I never let HER brush  my teeth.  Then I got ALL WET.  Then I got sudsy - Twice - and ALL my bits got cleaned.  Ciji was very careful to remove all the suds, though.  Next was something called a furminator conditioner, it sounded scary, but Cigi said that it would make my coat stronger.  FINALLY, the water was turned off.  My face got dried well with a towel, but then that same towel was wrapped on my head.  Ciji told mom it was a babushka to dry my head more and keep the drier from being so loud for me.  I didn't know what a drier was, but then it got really windy from the thing Cigi was holding, so I guess that was a drier.  All I know is that I was not wet when she was done.  I got to walk around the store a bit more, then we went home.

Ciji followed us!  She came in the house, set up a table, then continued to brush me.  It was very nice - she used something that looked like a small rake and removed more fur from my tush.  She removed mats from my toes, cut my nails and cleaned my ears.  I did NOT like the ear cleaning, but it was quick, so I guess it was okay.  She put a bow on my collar (it has a bell!), stayed and loved me a little bit, then she left.  I was tired, so I took a nap.

I hope I get to see her again!

What's THAT?

I went outide today with mom.  There, standing in MY yard was something new.  It had a LONG black  neck  and two feet.  It was also kind of fat....I tried to drag mom down the steps to investigate.  She let me loose.  I ran down the steps and got close to it - about my length away from it.  It barely moved, so I barked at it.  Just once.  IT GREW WINGS and flew away.  I ran back to mom so she wasn't scared.  From behind her legs, I could see where it stopped in the creek.  I saw that there were more of them.  Now, every time I go out, I sniff where it was very thoroughly.  I don't want invaders in MY yard.

Meg and Izzy reflect on Thanksgiving

Meg:  What were all those people doing here yesterday?  I met a lot of new people, the smallest one was a little scary, I got lots of love, but this is new.

Izzy:  I think they call it 'Thanksgiving'.  You think JUST the little one was scary?  I hid from all the short ones.  And don't worry, this happens every year.

M:  Yes, the little one was the only one I wasn't sure of, the others were just my size and petted me very nicely.

I:  Nope, I have been squished too many times to take chances.  I was giving thanks that I had a place to hide.

M:  So the humans are thankful one day a year?

I:  No, they just have one DAY that they focus on it...I think our humans, at least, are thankful a lot.

M:  They tell me they are thankful I live with them.  I was thankful that my first owner was nice to me, but I was a little scared when I didn't live there any more.  I don't know why he wanted me to chase those sheep, they didn't do anything to me.  Then I found myself in a cage with other animals like me nearby.

I:  At least they put you in a cage first, I was dropped off in a bag with my brothers and sisters.  Luckily, someone found us then put us in a cage with other animals like me.

M:  That was MEAN - I went to the place with all the dogs, then I was picked up by some nice people with other dogs.  I stayed with them for a bit then went to live with my foster mom, Sandy.  She taught me how to walk on a leash.  They were nice.

I:  I had a foster mom, TOO!  They helped me get better before they found me a new home.  I had to stay awhile in a room behind a glass wall, that is where our humans found me and brought me home. There were three humans then, and two like you.  I was scared at first, but I had a place to hide and I could meet the others at my pace.  We all got along, eventually.  That is why I am so patient with you.

M:  THANKS!  My foster mom did a lot of work the days before I met our humans.  When they came in, I sat pretty, kissed them a lot, and fell over backwards for love.  I had to be in the car a long time, then I get here and met you.  I had never seen one of you before, you were scary.

I:  Good, I didn't want you to chase me.  We had to set some ground rules.  You are doing well, I only have a little more training to do.

M:  I am getting a lot of training, I guess I can take it from you, too.  I am just thankful that we both found these humans.

I:  Me, too!  I guess there is just one more thing to say!

Meg AND Izzy - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

A Day Away

Today, Mom and Dad took me to a place that had nice people and other dogs.  I ran right into the door   and greeted the nice lady.  Mom and dad asked a lot of questions - Mom even said she could come get me if I got scared.  I got put into my own room then mom and dad left.  I didn't know what was going to happen, so I just laid down.  I heard other dogs, but I only saw one.  Later, they opened a door, and I got to run outside.  There were other dogs, some of them barked a lot, but I just watched and tried to get the humans to love me.  I even sat pretty for this picture that they put in some kind of Web for mom and dad (mom doesn't like spiders, so I hope they took them out first).

I had a lot of fun, then mom came back to get me me.  The first thing they said to her is how sweet I am - she said she knew.  Then they talked some more, so I just laid down and watched.  Mom said I can come back and play with the other dogs again.

MAIL! For ME?!?!?!?

Yesterday, I removed more mail than mom and dad did.  Mom has been trying to get things that I will play with.  I don't think I have been given everything I received yet, but I found THE toy.  It is too cute, and I take it to Mom AND Dad regularly.  It is a fun, non stuffed toy.   I heard Mom tell dad that it has a plastic cage inside.  It makes it harder for me to find the squeaky thing, but I can.  I took my toy to Mom first thing this morning so we could play before she left for the day (she doesn't do that often, so I laid it on big this morning).

Mom also got a bag to hang on the back of a door.  I don't have to wait as long to go for a walk in the morning - mom can find her additional fur quicker (I don't know why they change and layer fur, it is MUCH easier just to keep it on all the time - Humans are strange).

I Was Introduced to Boyd!

(Boyd Big Tree Preserve, that is)  This morning was a little strange - I didn't get a walk.  I knew something must be up.  It got stranger when dad was putting something called a harness on me.  I wasn't sure at first...

But then I got used to it.  If he put it on me, it can only be fun, right?

I got in the back of the Jeep, we went for a drive.  We passed a sign that said Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area (Don't tell mom and dad I can read).

When I got out,  it was sunny, so mom shaded me to take a picture.  

We then went into the trees and took a LONG walk - UP

To the top of the mountain and back down. 

They took water for me, so I could rest and drink every so often.

It was fun, but I am tired now, so I will be napping in my bed this afternoon.  Here are some more pictures...

My First Week

Wow - I really like my new home.  Every day, I get more comfortable, and now it feels like it is where I belong.  I have three dog beds - one in the bedroom, one behind Mom's chair for when she works and one in the living room.  I don't use that one much, I am usually on the couch with my humans.  I even have a few toys - I am not sure what to do with them, but I am working on it.  I will chase something called a roller and bring it back, and I like the stuffed bird.



This week, I also met new people.  I have GRANDPARENTS!  They will sometimes take care of me if mom and dad go somewhere that they cannot take me.  They sat and gave me belly rubs.  Then I met Tom and Mary Ann.  They sat on the floor with me and took turns giving me belly rubs - they didn't even mind my kisses.  They brought me a fuzzy stuffed toy.  I played with it the next night (briefly), then I napped with it.

I even got to go for a car ride.  I went into a building and met lots of new people (they called it a Vet).  I stood on a black mat and they said I am 38 pounds.  Then they took me in the room - they were nice, but there were a few pinches.  Mom and Dad are going to take me back there a few times just to stand on the mat so I am not scared of that place.  The Vet said that I am in good health and that my kidney is working well - now they have what mom called base line values, just in case.  I am a happy Pup.

MEOW - They Did It Again!

How come I never get a say in who I have to live with?  I just got a new 'Sister'.  So far, she's okay.  We stare at each other a lot, but it has been getting closer.  It started about three feet apart, we are down to about one.  We have even managed to sniff each other.  Last night, I wanted to go in the bedroom to be with our humans, I landed on her when I jumped the fence.  Sister jumped on the bed and told on me.  Nobody was hurt, nobody got in trouble, but does she have to lay THERE?  She does have a bed (on the floor, not MY bed that I allow the humans to use).  I will be happy to fluff it for her.

This morning we both laid on the bed and had our ears scratched by one of our humans....that was nice.  I even ran my head under her chin today.  I guess, if she continues to NOT use me as a toy, we can work things out. 

I Have a New Home!

My name is Meg, I am a three year old Border Collie.  I started my life on a farm - they wanted me to be a herding dog, but I wasn't interested, so the owners sent me away.  Some very nice people took me in and I played in their yard with another BC like me.  I liked them a lot - they were very good to me.  They spent time trying to find just the right home for me - they were good foster parents.

Yesterday, I met two new people.  I wasn't shy at all.  I went right over to the first one that talked to me and kissed her on the chin.  Then I went to the next on and fell over at his feet for a belly rub.  There was visiting, talking and lots of scratching.  I liked the new people, and my foster parents were smiling a lot, so I think they were happy.  The new people put a collar on me - it even had my NAME - then we went outside.  Their car had something sticking out of the back of it, it kind of looked like a hill, but it was Grey.  It was in the way of the crate I saw, so I jumped over the hill and got in the crate.

We had a LONG car ride.  We stopped three times, even went into a building with other animals so I could sniff and stretch my legs.  Then they said "We're Home" and opened a new door.  I went into all the rooms they did.  I was a little nervous, but I would stop and sit for a head scratch every so often, that helped.  The strangest thing is another animal - the humans say it is my brother.  He is smaller than me, has four legs, a tail and we just stare at each other.  I have sniffed him a couple of times, he have tried to sniff me, but we are happiest if we are at least two feet apart.

I found my water bowls, I was offered food, but wasn't interested.  Then we all went downstairs and sat on the couch.  It was a nice evening, but I started yawning and we went to bed.  It was still dark out when I had to pee, so I put my feet next to dad's face and woke him up.  Mom took me out - I heard her say 1:30 - then we went back to bed.  Next time I woke up, I went to her.  She asked me to lay down, so I did, but only for about 20 minutes.  She said it was time to get up anyway, so we got up and went for a walk. 

It was very dark, but mom took a light.  We walked and walked and walked - I heard mom tell dad about 4 miles.  I sniffied, I sayed on left (mostly).  Mom says we have to work on not pulling, and I am learning new words like 'Left', 'Right' and 'Straight'.

So far, these people seem pretty okay.  I am going to nap now, that was a long walk and mom looks like she is getting busy.