JMFS

Esther May is our second pup together and we adopted her 05/09/2021. Yes, 9 days after Momo passed. I backed up my statement that once a dog leaves us there's room enough for another. I wasn't expecting to do it Quite this soon, but when you know, you know. It's been rough, enjoyable, trying, rewarding, aggravating, fun, and everything in between. Within a week or so we'll settle into a routine - routine is Key to raising a dog imo. If they know what to expect there's far less room for error. The first night she had to sleep in her crate; the second night she paced the room and finally settled, rinse and repeat; the third night was much the same with slightly less pacing. Ensuring there's as little to play with, chew, or otherwise destroy, is another "tool" in training (aka "management"). Take away the things that can cause mistakes and there are fewer mistakes, and less stress for all involved!

Gertrude Marie is our first dog together. She was approximately 9 months old when we adopted her from the SPCA April 2017. She covers the gamut - playful, sleepy, hyper, chilled out, loving . . . rolls in ewy gooey stinky stuff, chases crows, gets outsmarted by squirells. She's my once-in-a-lifetime pup. But wait, there's more! She turns on the motion sensor lights for me at night and opens gates for me. She also steadies me when I get woozy from standing up too fast.

Momo was my first adoptee and he came with a set of challenges I was unprepared for (he's wicked smart, energetic, and has the stamina of a sled dog). He has resource guarding issues that we will likely work on throughout our lives together. Other than that he's a fun-loving speed addict - at the age of 10 he still gets the Zoomies. Big time. If The Flash were to need a dog, Momo could keep up. Even with a touch of arthritis in his back legs he didn't slow down. He should have outlived us all with as much exercise as he did, but on April 29th he succumbed to what we believe was Bloat. He was a challenging dog to live with, but not love. He was always happy (unless you messed with his food) and wanting to play. He was smarter than most humans and learned most training tasks within a few tries. He'd master them within a day. He was my Mozies and he was a pain in my side, but he was My pain in the side.

Monkey was an "oops" from a neighbor's cat. He was 1 of 4 kittens born and we took him in. He actually loves mellow dogs and is Gertie's shadow. He headbutts, rubs against, and licks her as she scans the yard for squirrels, other invaders, and the occasional bicycle rider. When he realizes he's not getting fed he meanders over to Gertie to hang out with her. He's taking an interest in Esther, but she's as-of-yet too hyper for him.

Abbi was a package deal with Brownie (who has since passed) who came with my now husband when I moved to FL to join our families. It hasn't been without challenges, but as a Matriarch she's catered to. Her arthritis has progressed to a state where her lower joints don't function any more. She needs assistance with toileting and can't walk anywhere. Because it's throughout all four limbs a wheelchair won't work unless it had 4 wheels. Her mind is still sharp as a tack, but her happy days have long since passed and she's a grumpy grizzled old pup now.

Brownie was here with Abbi before I was. I didn't get the opportunity to train much with him and he's the only dog who's ever bitten me, and that I've known to be a biter. He bit me 3 times; each bite was a warning but did draw blood. He felt badly after the first one and I think it's because it was the most severe and I was dropping blood on the floor so left him quickly to tend to my wound. Still have the scar. I was trying to get a dryer sheet from him so he wouldn't eat it. I decided from that moment he could have surgery instead! I was, as of yet, unaware of the trading system so it was a difficult time living with him. The other two times were from me scooting him away from me in the kitchen. He licked the floor incessantly, which drove (drives) me insane. He also licked the dishwasher door, which grossed me out. He nipped my toe both times (I gently scooted him with my foot) through my slippers so while the bites drew a small amount of blood they were minimal. After that I used the broom to create a moving fence. I never hit him with it, only used it to block access much as one would their foot. If he bit the broom (and he did) I remained uninjured. We shared tender moments as well. He surprised me by jumping into my lap when I was outside crocheting (a. because he was fat, a weenie dog, and old; b. because we had a complicated relationship). That's when I knew he liked me, he simply had issues. Upon issues. Upon issues. Had I known what I now know we would have certainly had a different experience together. His passing was tremendously difficult for my husband, and surprisingly I teared up as well (aside from sappy and heart-warming things it takes a significant moment to make me cry - I did not expect this to be such a moment given our troubled relationship).

That's it - more than anyone wanted to know. It's all about the dogs. And crochet. And the husband. But this is a dog forum so it's the dog info I share. :)

Central Florida

Crocheting, gaming, pooches

Co-owner of a Construction Business