Thursday, February 25, 2010
Walkies
The first time Suzie would allow my daughter to lead her anywhere; this was moments after, when she wasn't so sure. Maybe because Mom was "paying attention."
Progress!
Well, Suzie's doing better; no more snaps at my daughter, seems calmer, and more bonded with the pack. She kept coming into the bedroom when we were napping, then leaving again, or lying down for a minute and then leaving again, so we made her a nice soft bed (since she loves the couches to sleep on, which we don't want, particularly with my allergy!) at the foot of the bed, and she loves it! She slept there for the first time last night, and slept much better; I don't think she got up at all!
I should note, we were told to keep her in her crate at night, and she seemed more comfortable there at first. But now she seems to want the "pack" more, now that she sees us that way I'd guess!
Eating is still an issue. We're trying to find a food she likes, because she'll refuse to eat all day! For a couple of days I sprinkled a little feta cheese on it, which made her wolf it down, but yesterday that didn't seem to work either. I learned about the feta one afternoon when Nora was having a little dish of it, and threw the rest down, raining it all over, including on Suzie! Well she had a grand ol' time hunting down every little piece of that cheese! One of my "expert advisers" at Planet Pet said she sprinkled parmesan for her rescue dog for the first while, till she got used to her new food.
These two ladies, mother and daughter, have been the greatest support for us in this process; Planet Pet is the storefront for a low cost vet clinic, and they also rescue dogs and cats and re-home them. N and I first went in there when she was very small, just after we'd moved, after her first word was kitty, and D, the mom, and I became fast friends! Sometimes people think she's my mom too, but we tell them, Nope, just good friends.
I should note, we were told to keep her in her crate at night, and she seemed more comfortable there at first. But now she seems to want the "pack" more, now that she sees us that way I'd guess!
Eating is still an issue. We're trying to find a food she likes, because she'll refuse to eat all day! For a couple of days I sprinkled a little feta cheese on it, which made her wolf it down, but yesterday that didn't seem to work either. I learned about the feta one afternoon when Nora was having a little dish of it, and threw the rest down, raining it all over, including on Suzie! Well she had a grand ol' time hunting down every little piece of that cheese! One of my "expert advisers" at Planet Pet said she sprinkled parmesan for her rescue dog for the first while, till she got used to her new food.
These two ladies, mother and daughter, have been the greatest support for us in this process; Planet Pet is the storefront for a low cost vet clinic, and they also rescue dogs and cats and re-home them. N and I first went in there when she was very small, just after we'd moved, after her first word was kitty, and D, the mom, and I became fast friends! Sometimes people think she's my mom too, but we tell them, Nope, just good friends.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Update
Sorry that it's been a week; we've been struggling with Suzie's issues and I haven't quite known what to write.
On Tuesday we took her to the vet, because she'd been kind of off her food. Nothing was wrong, it turns out, she's just "selective" about eating, probably because she was spoiled in her previous home. Oh boy. Mixing wet food into her dry works well, but adds expense to her diet. Or Nora can feed her a meal piece by piece.. and eventually she eats it all. Hmm.
Then Wednesday or so she started snapping at my girl when she was feeling nervous about what she was doing, big upset. So we're working on getting Suzie to come to us when she's feeling nervous, which both calms her down, because she gets pets and reassurances, and also stops the pursuit, because doggie is sitting, so she can be petted. I realized after reading some more Tamar Geller this evening that if I teach them both to play catch or fetch, it will help things all around.
We tried some more cat/dog interactions today, but Suzie was prevented from barking only because when she inhaled to do so she snorted a bit or treat and had to sneeze instead. Note: dog sneezes are still scary to nervous kitty-cats. The second time she just stood up, but didn't try to bark, which I guess is something. More hmm. Suzie hates when we go downstairs without her, but the cats need attention too, so there's no help for it.
We have roughly 5 days left of the "trial period", before our adoption fee is non-refundable. Not sure we could bear to take her back, but it's not completely off the table. We need all our family members to be happy with each other! Oi vey.
On Tuesday we took her to the vet, because she'd been kind of off her food. Nothing was wrong, it turns out, she's just "selective" about eating, probably because she was spoiled in her previous home. Oh boy. Mixing wet food into her dry works well, but adds expense to her diet. Or Nora can feed her a meal piece by piece.. and eventually she eats it all. Hmm.
Then Wednesday or so she started snapping at my girl when she was feeling nervous about what she was doing, big upset. So we're working on getting Suzie to come to us when she's feeling nervous, which both calms her down, because she gets pets and reassurances, and also stops the pursuit, because doggie is sitting, so she can be petted. I realized after reading some more Tamar Geller this evening that if I teach them both to play catch or fetch, it will help things all around.
We tried some more cat/dog interactions today, but Suzie was prevented from barking only because when she inhaled to do so she snorted a bit or treat and had to sneeze instead. Note: dog sneezes are still scary to nervous kitty-cats. The second time she just stood up, but didn't try to bark, which I guess is something. More hmm. Suzie hates when we go downstairs without her, but the cats need attention too, so there's no help for it.
We have roughly 5 days left of the "trial period", before our adoption fee is non-refundable. Not sure we could bear to take her back, but it's not completely off the table. We need all our family members to be happy with each other! Oi vey.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Busy Weekend
We think there may be some progress with the cats, but for me it's hard to say. The first time they were "introduced" Suzie lunged and Rhymer. The second time (she was crated this time) she growled and barked at Tarz. But if she's at the top of the stairs and the cats are at the bottom she does fine. Hmm. This is all very stressful.
We went for lots of walks this weekend, including the first where she passed in close quarters to other dogs. Well, the first set she barked and growled at one of the dogs (there were two), but the second set she didn't. Guess one of the first must have been a "dominant female" like we've been warned about; silly humans can't tell from looking, plus I was focused on our dog, and giving her treats to "desensitize" her.
My husband gets up, even when it's snowing, and takes her out. And takes her out before bed too!
We went for lots of walks this weekend, including the first where she passed in close quarters to other dogs. Well, the first set she barked and growled at one of the dogs (there were two), but the second set she didn't. Guess one of the first must have been a "dominant female" like we've been warned about; silly humans can't tell from looking, plus I was focused on our dog, and giving her treats to "desensitize" her.
My husband gets up, even when it's snowing, and takes her out. And takes her out before bed too!
Friday, February 5, 2010
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