These are random musings of my life journey, the people, animals, places, and events which have woven, and continue to weave, a tapestry that is me. We all know there is no real destination, only the ongoing experiences which blend together, creating the trail. Each step gives a glimpse of what is to come, without allowing me to see the end result. It is exciting. I have a home base that is mine, that gives me a place to rest. This is it. This is where my heart is, no matter where I journey...................

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Challenges

Oh, my goodness, this new girl is going to be a challenge!

Lolita is smart as can be. She is house trained. She is cute as a button. She is a lover and cuddles like nobody's business. When she puts her paws on my leg and I tell her "down," she gets down. She plays well with her new siblings, and if they get too rough, she tells 'em about it. I couldn't ask for a better New Kid in the house.

And she is going to be some kinda challenge!! I can't say that enough!

When I leave the house, I use baby gates to block The Kids in the kitchen/dining room. The floor is tile, so if there is an accident, the clean up is easy. They have a huge cushy bed, food and water, and I make sure they have toys. They can access the back yard, and it has worked really well. Recently I wasn't worried about accidents, but I continued keeping them there because Sammy, if given too much room and freedom, gets into all kinds of trouble. He is like a kid with ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder). Given too few boundaries, they get into trouble. Sammy will chew things up or drag them outside. You would not believe what that little imp can manage to drag through the small little doggy door! So keeping them in the smaller area rather than allowing free run of the house, reduces the mess when I return without cramping them. Sammy seems to do better with less stimulation, fewer temptations. This has worked well for weeks. Everybody is happy.

And then I brought home Lolita.

A couple days ago I ran some errands, and I sat up the gate as usual and left. As I went out the door Lolita was whining, letting me know that she wasn't happy about being left behind and "cooped up." I figured she would get over it as the others have done, and I left. When I returned, Little Missy was on the front deck! She had gotten out of the penned area and out the front doggy door. When I came inside, I couldn't see how she had escaped, everything was essentially in place! Apparently her small flexible little body had squirmed through some tiny spot I couldn't see. I'd need to be even more careful in setting it up next time.

Early this morning before I opened the dog door to the front deck, I was doing other early tasks like making tea, putting food in the pups dish, etc., and I realized that Lolita was on the deck! She has learned to open the door herself! It is a snap-on type, and she has learned to hook it with her claws and pop it off!

Today I needed to return materials to the library, so I set up the gate, being every careful that everything was secure. Before I walked the 15 feet to the front door, Lolita was at my heels! I put her back in and watched to see what she is doing, and she almost jumps over the gate! She jumps, hooks her paws over the top, then scrambles up and over! I put some chairs against the gate so that she can't do that, and went on my way. On my return, she and all the others were running free! She had wiggled a corner loose and everyone followed her out, after she opened the dog door, of course!

Tonight I took Allan out to dinner for his birthday. I decided that I can't make myself nuts with all this prep. I closed all the doors in the house, blocked the front dog door, said a prayer and left. Nothing was destroyed on my return and only a few items were in the back yard. Between Lolita's ability to find an escape route and Sammy rearranging everything he can drag out the little door, I guess I'm resigned to dealing with life as I've created it with these dogs!

It could be worse. I could be living my life in order and boredom without these sweethearts. I'll keep what I have.



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19 comments:

  1. Girl you DO have your hands full (laughing) but she is so precious!
    What a little problem-solver! She's smarter than some PEOPLE I know!!!

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  2. Patti, you know, her color reminds me of Ali. I often see her walk by and have a flashback of him. And he was the clever kid, too. Isn't it funny how that happens?

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  3. Lolita is definitely an escape artist. I read this and just started laughting. You will never know, until you get home, what mischief they have been up and that makes life fun.

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  4. IE I agree with you that it makes life fun! That probably sounds idiotic to people without scampy little dogs, but it is true. As long as I don't lose any more shoes, I can live! I'm certainly more careful about putting things away now days! LOL!

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  5. What a clever little girl! You do have your hands full. But in a good way and I'm sure you are NEVER bored with your built-in entertainment.
    Kim

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  6. Kim, I think that if I get bored, someone needs to check my pulse!!

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  7. Sounds like the great Woofini.

    By the way, having a dog chew up something and dragging it outside is better than having a dog find something outside, chewing it up and dragging it inside. Remember, that happened with my son's dog and a rabbit.

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  8. Dave, OMG, you are so right about that!!! OK, no more whining!!

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  9. Oh my...that little Lolita is about to teach the other kids the tricks of the trade. I think your fun has just begun . Sounds like nothing will stop her LOL

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  10. Thats me Lyn -- forgot to sign in, which I often do.......Ruth

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  11. Ruth, I think you're right, she is going to lead them right into trouble. But think about it .... her name IS Lolita!!!

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  12. Looks like Lolita is going to keep you busy, not that the others weren't going to do that.

    I am so happy that you have your fur babies to keep you busy and to love you.

    I can't wait to see them again and to meet Lolita.....Oh yea, and to see you too. :)

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  13. Oh, yeah, Caroline, I think that is for sure!! She is spunky, sassy and active, and I'm pretty sure she has raised the bar on doggy care in my house! I'm a little concerned about how much all 5 of them are going to teach each other!

    I can't wait to see you again, too.
    Well, I think so, after that afterthought comment!!! LOL! Maybe I should just say, I'm looking forward to meeting S. Oh, and seeing you, too!!

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  14. I wonder if she's like the other "LOLITA" nah !!!!
    I remember reading the original and was so shocked I couldnt put it down....similiar to Lady Chatterleys Lover lol. Then along came The Carperbaggers. Oh my goodness so young and innocent in those days. Not anymore!!!!!

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  15. I did sign in this time Lyn but it didnt work so I am anonymous again till next time....sorry. Ruth

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  16. She sounds like pepper we resorted to the kennel cause pepper would just tear down the gate. Dogs got to love them.

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  17. Aw, Ruth, what do you mean you're not young and innocent any more??? Couldn't prove it by me! :D

    Bobbie, I've considered using the crates. The trouble is, I can't double them up like I usually do because of their "tension" right now and I don't have enough for one each. My kennels are for dogs up to (I think) 50 lb., so there is plenty of room for 2 in each, but not in their current state. Eventually, we will get back to that.

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  18. I feel for you. She will be your one to keep you young. I can picture it all. Sadie figures out lots of things also, you almost just have to give up, Hang in there and just laugh at the little sweetie.

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  19. You're probably right, MJ! I must say patience and a sense of humor are great assets!!

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If you have something to say about it, just stick out your thumb, and I'll slow down so you can hop aboard! But hang on, 'cause I'm movin' on down the road!!! No time to waste!!!