D27

D27.

That is how I started this year - no name, just a designation of D27.  Breeding stock.  Unsocialized and living in a plastic drum with no insulation - I didn't know what a water bowl was, I was underweight, I was scared of everything.  The only contact I had with humans was being dragged place to place with a collar and a stick.  Then one day, people came and moved us out of that area.  I was taken to a doctor who gave me shots, examined me.  I had a split lip, worms, ear mites and frost bite on two paws.  The people who rescued me were from Glen Highland Farm - but with 30 of us, they needed help, so I found myself on the way south.

Next stop - Virginia - Blue Ridge Border Collie rescue.  Another vet check, more shots - then I went home with Heather.  I got a name - SOKO.  She had dogs and cats, but I just wanted to curl up and huddle in a corner.  I wouldn't drink unless I was taken to a water bowl, I wouldn't eat if anyone was within sight.  I had to be closed in the utility room, but I would still only lay down to eat.   I was terrified of the collar, so Heater purchased a nice, padded harness for me.  That was a little better.  I would walk on a leash, but as soon as Heater stopped,  I would lay down and it would take a little tug to get me moving again.  Then Heather went to work writing about me for the rescue.  It was a LONG description, but she wanted people to know what I needed - I am a beautiful boy and she didn't want people to pick me just for my color.  After about three months, it was okay for me to be adopted.  The description went out and two new people came to meet me.  I didn't go to them, but they came to meet me.  I showed a little interest - I hesitantly sniffed from a distance when they knelt next to me and held out a hand.  After a little bit, and sniffing each person one at a time, Heather put a leash on me.  We went to a front yard and the people brought out another dog.  She was very friendly and I perked up a little.  The humans visited for about an hour - one of them even laid on the ground with me so I wouldn't be as scared.  Then they left.  I didn't know what to think, but they came back the next week.  They had a wire cage.  They took me home with them.

My new humans said they were now my mom and dad - and I have a sister and a brother.  The sister is like me - only black and white.  My brother is a feline.  Heather said I was good with her cats.  For the first month, I was comfortable two places - in my bed in the bedroom.

and on the love seat.

As time progressed, I got a new name - Cosmo.  I knew I was staying then - why would they change my name if I was going back to Heather?  I would also lay in the kitchen when Mom was there.

I met a lot of nice people that mom and dad brought to help me and also some people that live in the neighborhood when we went for walks.  Linda is one of those people - I was cautious with her, but she has a friend for me that looks like my sister - his name is Max.   Max and I greeted each other very well and when he approached my mom for a scratch, I laid down and allowed Linda to hold her hand out for me to sniff.  Barbara came to meet me and talk with me and help mom and dad socialize me.  Lisa comes every two weeks and take me and my sister for a walk.  Ciji sees us every six weeks and gives us a bath.  I could do without that, but at least she puts a babushka on me so the noise isn't as scary.

While on the couch, mom and dad would give me toys.  I didn't do much with them, until they gave me this one.  It was my first time eating peanut butter.  I LIKED IT.

After awhile, my brother Izzy got a little more interesting.  My herding instinct kicked in and I was VERY tempted to move off of my couch and chase him.  While actually getting off of the couch and onto the floor took another month or so, mom managed to take this picture of one of my first forays onto the ottoman.

In this picture, you can see a little bit of blue around my neck.  Ciji brought  loose bandanna for me that fastened with a rubber band - very loosely.  This is how I started to learn to wear a collar.  Now, I wear a collar all the time and do not get freaked out.  I also have quite a wardrobe of bandannas and bow ties.

Sister has been teaching me how to play.  We regularly pull the stuffing out of the toys, play tug and even recently started playing ball.  I also get in trouble for chasing the cat.  I try not to - unless he teases me.  Mom said that I was good with Heather's cats because I was CATatonic - get it?  She thinks she's funny.  My last visit from Barbara was in September.  She said she was very happy with me - I even approached her from behind the fence - people aren't as scary when they are behind a fence.  She said that from April 19 to September, I had improved my confidence so much that she had not expected it for at least a year.  By that time, if we see Linda, I stand and allow her to scratch me.

I also have learned that I LOVE to cuddle.  When the noise maker goes off every morning, I know it is my sign to hop up on the bed and cuddle up to mom and get scratches.  Sister gets the other side - two hands, to dogs - it works.  It does make it hard to get a walk in the morning.  I LIKE those walks - mom even sees my tail when I walk now.  Where we live, we get lots of geese and ducks.  At first, I showed no interest - but that has changed, too.  I stand in the open to eat and I no longer lick dew and frost of the ground for a drink.

We go for car rides to really fun places for walks - around lakes, through the woods - we even went with a large group of people and their dogs.  It is wonderful.

So, now that this year has ended, I wanted to give you all an update and say THANK YOU for the following:

• Glen Highland Farm 
• Blue Ridge Border Collie Rescue
• Heather - Foster Mom
• Mom and Dad
• Barbara, Behaviorist (http://www.inthedog-house.com)
• Lisa, Dog Walker
• Ciji, Groomer (https://www.facebook.com/DeMattedbyCiji)
• Water Bowls
• Warm Beds (I have 6)
• Regular Meal Times
• Meg (my sister) 
• Yes, even Izzy (my brother)

Happy New Year everyone!  Maybe this year I get confident enough to play on my sister's agility equipment....

Meg goes to Woofstock

Harrisburg has a great dog event called Woofstock.  Mom and dad have tried for many years to go, this year, they took me.

It was a GREAT day.  Lots of doggies to meet, lots of new people that love me, rescues for other doggies.  I even saw a sign that started with Blue Ridge and I was excited.  Blue Ridge Border Collie Rescue saved me, I was hoping it was them, but it wasn't.  That's okay, other doggies are being saved.

There were dog biscuits, good smells and friends I know.  We learned about KPets - a therapy dog group that I might be able to join, dogs that work for the Harrisburg police and that I have the best groomer and petsitter for me.  I hope we go every year!

Cosmo on Stretching

Mom and dad keep talking about stretching me.  I know mom does Yoga, I was afraid they were going to make me do Doga for awhile, but now I don't think so.  I just keep getting to do new things.  Not TOO bad - if I look to scared, we stop and try again later.  This weekend has had a LOT of new experiences.

Yesterday, I heard them say that we were going to go bark in the park.  I don't bark often, but I was excited to be in the car.  When we got to the park, there were tents and people and dog toys like mom have in the back yard.  I realized that Bark in the Park was an event.  We walked slowly and some people stopped and talked to mom and dad.  One asked if she could pet me and dad said yes.  She came to me very slowly and knelt down beside me.  She gave me good scratches.  Mom and Meg were about 8 feet away from me with other humans and a table, so when my scratches were over, I took dad over there.  Two more people scratched me and even took my picture.

We walked around a little more, then we got back in the car.  We didn't go far and got out again.  I took my first hike in a state park.  Paths were not as wide as I am used to, but I was happy.

After this walk, Meg and I shared a bowl again, after posing for a picture.

Then we went home and I got to rest.  At least until this morning.  This morning, I got another car ride.  We went to ANOTHER park (mom says this one was a Conservation area).

There were lots of different feelings under my feet and I saw (and sniffed) LOTS of new things.  The paths were even narrower, but I was okay with that.  I led dad confidently for awhile, but when I realized what I was doing, I got behind him and let him lead.  I even sat and greeted a nice lady along the way.  Maybe humans aren't so bad, after all.

After the walk, on the way home, we stopped at a place with no grass.  I was not too sure about going through a new door, but there was a bed right inside the door.  I was a little scared, but I eventually unhid my tail and walked around.  I even got to lay down and take things in for awhile.

I'm not positive, but if this is stretching, I think I like it.

A Full, Rich Day

I might have a new brother, but mom and dad still do fun things with just me.  Brother got to go for a walk this morning, but I did not, so I knew something was up.  It is almost always good when it starts with a car ride.  It was a long ride, but when we got where we were going, the kids that introduced me to creeks were there.  They took me running in fields and then we went for a long hike - Me, Mom, Dad, Dylan, Morgan and their Mom (Bethany).  Bethany had another small human with her, but I didn't meet her, she was too small.

When we got back to the starting place, there were games.  Some doggies sang, some kissed, I was dressed in costume (I was mom's little pirate).  There were prizes for that and also for something called donations.  There were LOTS of new things.  Some I shared with Cosmo, a bed went with us on the next car ride and we will find other places to share things.  If Cosmo and I eat all of those things, we will get FAT.

We got back in the Jeep just before it started to rain.  I was home long enough to pee then went back in the Jeep.  I was going to see Ciji.  I got a bath and dried (NOT my favorite things), then we went back to the house.  We gave her the bed for her dog.

Then I introduced Cosmo to Cigi.  He even got a bandanna.  It is kind of loose, but it looks nice.

Now, if you will excuse me, I had a full, rich day.  They are tiring, I need to nap on the couch.

It's Official!

Hello, my name is Cosmo (formerly Soko) and I have found my forever home!

I am still learning that my humans are okay - I have a new safe place in the morning and evening when Mom is cooking.  Sister kisses me any time I go outside and come back inside.  I am learning to take food from Dad and Mom (treats are a great thing).

I heard them say that the next step is car rides before a walk so I learn that car rides are not evil an only to the vet.  I am not sure I can be convinced, but they are willing, so I will try.

Thunderstorm = A Good Day For Soko

I know, that doesn't sound right.  I have had a scary start and mom wasn't sure how a thunderstorm would scare me.  I saw that it scared sister - she was cuddled tight to mom on the bed.  I was eating, I really didn't care, and I laid back down.  Then, I heard sister whine.  She sounded scared, so I jumped on the bed with her.

We stayed that way a long time.  Sister was getting petted.  I slipped my head in there and mom was petting me, too, but didn't realize it at first.  When the storm was over, sister got up but I stayed a while.  Then we went into the other room.  I was so comfortable that I stretched out and kicked the pillows off the couch.  Then mom called me off the couch to get a drink - the first time I have done it off lead.

Finally, we all went downstairs.  I was laying against the couch, but mom and sister kept running by with a toy.  I just couldn't control myself, I tried to pick it up one time sister put it down.  She stopped, got excited and stuck her butt up in the air - mom said she got all BC.  It freaked me out a little, so I laid back down.  Mom and sister kept playing, then the most amazing thing happened.  SISTER THREW ME HER FAVORITE TOY!!!!  She went and cuddled with mom and I got to explore the toy.  I got greedy, I laid on it and pulled another one in, then we all napped.

It was a good day.

Three stages of rescue...

Soko:  Not entirely sure what is going on.  People came to see me last week with a cute girl.  it was a little scary, but they were okay.  This week, they came back without the girl and took me with them.  We had a long car ride - but I didn't get sick.  When we stopped, I got out and hid in a corner.  The new people were patient with me and my new dad took me outside to walk around the yard.  I wasn't too sure of mom at first, but I walked past her several times until I was comfortable.  I could hear that girl dog talking, but I didn't see her.  Then mom disappeared and came back with the girl.  I walked behind her, she walked behind me, then we walked together.  Finally, a nice sit in the yard before going inside.

Meg:  Last week, I went and met a new boy.  Today, he is AT MY HOUSE!  He seems a little scared, but we sniffed each other.  After sitting in the yard, we came inside and he stayed with me as I showed him around.  We sat upstairs.  We got supper.  I ate, he didn't seem interested.  Mom wouldn't let me eat his food, so I left it alone.  When it was bedtime, we all went to our own beds.  By morning, he was sleeping on his back like I do.

Izzy:  REALLY?

SOMETHING IS UP!

Izzy Here.  I don't know what is going on, I just know I don't like it.  We have a water bowl downstairs.

My bowls are upstairs.  One for wet, one for dry:

Then there is my water bowl.  Sister gets the one next to it and uses my water bowl (if she must):

I think these are plenty, don't you?  But on Sunday morning, after everyone came home Saturday night smelling like another one of THOSE 4 legged things, this showed up:

This cannot mean anything good.  I stared mom down, but she didn't move it.  I think I might have to train another one.

What a Weekend!

This was a GREAT weekend - full of car rides, walks, dogs and mom/dad time!  Saturday morning started with a walk, then Mom's Jeep left with something behind it.  When it came back, there was more behind it.  I didn't know what it was, but I didn't care because they next time they left with nothing behind the jeep, I GOT TO GO WITH THEM!

It was a long car ride and I didn't get out at first.  When I did, there was another dog.  He was nice to me - sniffed a little, let me sniff then we just walked around the yard.  Mom and dad both scratched him a little bit, then they came back to me.  We visited awhile, then we left.  When we got home, we all went in the yard.  Mom and Dad built me a dog walk.  I am learning how to use it when I go to school on Monday's, now I get to practice at home.

After a walk, we had some cuddles then we went to bed.

Sunday morning started with another walk and then a car ride in the afternoon.  We got to a place that had A LOT of other doggies (one was REALLY BIG and walked on two legs - he was a little scary, everybody else was okay).  Dad put my special leash attachment on me - they call it a harness.

Then we went into a building and I had my picture taken.  That big two legged dog was there, but they asked him to leave.  I think my picture is cute (too bad Mom couldn't turn it for you).

Then we went back outside and waited some more.  I liked to wait in the back of the Jeep - I could see more that way.

When dad said it was time to start, I jumped out of the jeep, then in the jeep, then out of the jeep and we walked to the edge of the field.

Daddy said FIND IT and we walked off.

He stopped and showed me what I was looking for, mom picked it up, then he said find it again.  I walked past a lot of them, I nosed the ones that I thought smelled good.

Mom picked up the ones I touched.  Most I nosed, some I sat on.   Chickens can do it, why can't I?  When we got back to the jeep, I had a lot in my bag.

Mom opened them all, gave me a couple of the biscuits from the eggs and put most of them in the bag.  The eggs stayed there - maybe we'll get to do this again?  We got back in the Jeep and left, I thought we were going home.  Boy, was I wrong.  We went to the park and there were kids I could play with!

They were in the water, dad said I could go in, but I wasn't sure that I wanted to.

I did, but I just got my paws wet (at least, the first time).

Then we ran and played and I dried off, then I got cuddled.

After another walk, we got back in the Jeep and came home.  It was a great puppy weekend.