Ten Months...

...and I still marvel that you're a part of our lives!  Sweet, sweet boy.



My Protector

You protect me from:

• people walking by the house
• the neighbors
• thunder and lightning
• things that go bump in the night
• dogs barking
• the washer on spin cycle
• the phone
• the doorbell
• creaks in the house
• the refrigerator
• the dishwasher
• coyotes in the distance

GOOD DOG!!!!!!

6 Months!

We've been together for half a year!  You rule two big poodles and me.
I love you freshly groomed...

  or freshly bathed...

Face it.  You're just wonderful!

Going on 5 Months

The fun continues...

It's been almost 5 months.  You know how to get a vantage point to rule the two big dogs.  Watching the three of you makes my day, noisy as it is.

You seem to prefer playing with Canon.  Following him around is fun for you, as is attacking him on our way to breakfast in the morning.

One of the great things is, because of your size, you'll always look like a cute puppy.  People ask me what you are.  Sometimes you're a poodle, or poodle cross, or and I-don't know, but you're always cute!

Even at the end!

Bonds

All sorts of bonds have been formed since you joined us in early February.  What I thought was going to kill you-- Canon going after you-- is now actually fun to watch.

Caprice likes to get in on the fun, too!

Now I know you can defend yourself, and even that you can be the instigator.  Poor Canon!

But I am thrilled with my pack!



 



Haircut

Thursday was nerve-wracking for your mama, and probably for you, too.  You went to visit Lynne at Completely Gone to the Dogs for your first haircut.  I wondered how you would do, because you let me do so little with your looks.  Would you look like a poodle when she was done?  Would she hurt your broken tail?  What about those four dew claws?  Would we lose our cute little boy to a well-groomed dog?



You were magnificent.  Lynne said you did well and both she and Joanna thought you were a sweet boy.  You looked great.  Soft. Clean.   Poodley, but still with your own identity.  Cute as ever.
 

 

And totally worn out!

 

 

School Boy

I'm so proud of you Max.  It was your third week of obedience school.  You're a good student and behave well at school! You know the word sit.  Can stay for a short while, lay down with a reminder, walk with me on the leash and come.  Good boy!

Three-month Anniversary

Yes, we've lived together for three months.  I can't imagine not having you as part of our pack!

 

I think you like your sister and brother, but you're wary of Caprice.  The two can gang up on you, but

 you usually hold your own.

 

 

We love you Max!

School Boy

Yes, we went to school tonight, for the first time.  Max, you were actually nice and calm with all of the other dogs.  No barking! You'd think that the almost three years I've training Canon, to say nothing of the other dogs I've trained, that this would be a piece of cake.

 

Thanks to Evi, the sit was a piece of cake.  Watching- OK.  Walking a few steps next to me?  Let's just say we need some work.  Ditto for downs.  This was really hard for me with Canon, and is probably where he learned to be wary of Evi.  It was slightly easier with you, Max, because you're lighter weight, but actually, this whole obedience thing is another ball of wax (or tennis ball) with you, little one.

A Private Lesson

Max, you've been with us for over two months, and I've barely gotten you to sit on command or with enticement, so today you visited Evi for a private lesson.  And yes, she worked a miracle.  She got you to sit and showed me how to do it.  You still need enticement.  You still need some pressure on your rear end, but you do sit.

 

Evi had some theories about why you don't sit.  Dysplasia.  A tail that hurt too much when it was broken.  I may never know why, but am encouraged that you can.

 

Keep it up,  my little boy.  You are going to do great!

 

Almost Two Months...

We're pretty close to two months together now, Max.  You still won't sit on command, but every day is a new adventure.  You're comfortable jumping on our bed now, although you don't like to stay for long.  I relish the times you fall asleep right next to me.

 

Yesterday, while I was at an agility seminar with Canon, you stole a package of two beef tendons (yes, I'm sure it wasn't Caprice), leaving the packaging on the floor.  If only you could tell me whether or not you shared with Caprice.

 

You and Canon are starting to play together a little more, without you running away, tucking your tail.  You have even growled back at him.  Tough boy!

 

We've begun walking on a halter, which means you aren't always choking yourself.  The halter helped Michael hold you today so I could shave a little hair off your face.  A monumental occasion!

 

Sweet Dreams

Someone spent his first night in our bed last night, comfortably curled up between Michael's and my pillows.  It was great to think you were at home with us, Max.  When Caprice jumped up for a little while, it was our first Three Dog Night.

Don't Cry Over Spilled Kibble

There were a couple of firsts for both of us today, Max.  You wore your seatbelt for the first time and visited our groomer, Lyn as Completely Gone to the Dogs.  You may have to go visit her because you resist every grooming/clipping/snipping attempt I make.  Lyn suggests that the only time you were groomed was at the vet when you were rescued.  All I know is it won't be easy.  We're going to give your coat another month to grow.  Then we'll see..

 

Don't know if I mentioned the time you were able to knock the package of tortillas off the counter.  Or the time you pulled the container of chicken soup down and splashed it all over the kitchen.   For today's first,  you were able to snag Canon's dog bowl and flip it up, splashing the refrigerator, the cabinets, and sending most of it to the floor.  That was your dinner tonight, eaten straight from the floor.  I poured your food into Canon's bowl, even though he did help you eat the fallen food.

Four Weeks and You're Ours!

We met four weeks ago, and today I told Kathy that she's lost a rescue dog.  We claim you- to love, to train, to join our pack.  Welcome, little Max!

The Deed is Done

Yesterday was a big day for you.  We drove you out to Taylor Ranch Veterinary Hospital for your neuter surgery.  My, you were squirmy in my arms!  I'm glad I didn't drive you across town by myself.

 

There was a cat on the counter at the vets' office, which you took very casually.  Michael thinks you've lived with cats.  I wonder if you even noticed.

 

Anyway, you came through with flying colors.  You no longer have testicles, but you do have a microchip, you little escape artist.  You were quite subdued sitting in the back seat with me on the way home, but glad to get home, and especially to get something to eat.  It had broken my heart not to give you breakfast yesterday morning, when you get so excited about eating.

 

After the anaesthesia wore off, I was afraid you might hurt so you got a pain pill.  when you started licking, I put a little cone around your neck.  Poor boy-- running into things, door jambs, the couch, chairs-- I took it off after a little time with it on in your crate.  You weren't a very happy boy.

 

You were a little whiney last night, but you made it.  You felt well enough to jump up on the couch with Michael.  Today, we kept you from playing, but you're doing great.

 

And now, little boy, I have something to tell you.  I know you're not pure poodle and may shed a little, and I think I'm allergic to you.  When you pee, you hit your front leg sometimes, and need cleaning up.  You lick our faces an awful lot.  I haven't succeeded in getting you to sit on command yet, and you don't love cuddling.  But you're a charming boy.  A good boy.  And we've fallen in love with you.  We want to make you a permanent member of our pack.  What do you think of that?

Doodles and Cuddles

We met a golden doodle puppy on our walk today, Max.  This big girl was only 4 1/2 months old.  She looked similar to you, especially in coloring, if not in size or length of hair.  I still can't wait to see how you look with hair.  Interestingly, her "mom" said she sheds.  That reminded me of an article I read on labradoodles, where it mentioned that the non-allergic and no-shed qualities are not givens in the mixes.  You don't shed, but the sneezing starts when I hold you in the mornings.  Does that make you any less loveable?  Absolutely not.  Poodle people and other breed people may have distain for designer dogs, but you're here anyway, so why not love you?

A cuddle moment!  I carried you up to our bed this evening.  Caprice growled and barked, as she has for every other dog in our house that has approached the bed while she's on it, but you were actually comfortable and slept by me for awhile.  I would have loved to have taken a picture, but I know you would have gotten up with me.  When you did get up, you stared at the floor.  What a long way down!  Although you made that leap this morning, I helped you down.  Don't fear.  I will take care of you!

...Of Things to Come...

Little Max, you've been here just over 3 weeks, and you're still a joy.

You go into one of your crates when you're tired and want to get away.
You are absolutely overjoyed when you come out of your crate in the morning.  You go into an absolute frenzy when I am putting down your food bowl.

Last night, after I got home from three days away from home, I picked you up and put you on the bed with me and the other two poodles.  You didn't love it, but I was able to manipulate you into a down and pet and cuddle you.  (Yes, a week ago I said you wouldn't go in the bed so you wouldn't be spoiled for your new home.) I'm afraid to let you jump down yourself, but I suspect you'd do fine.

 

You enjoy chasing your little tennis ball, and chewing on it, too.  (I don't think it will last for long.)

 

Your favorite thing (besides eating) seems to be licking faces, sometimes with a little nip thrown in.  We're working on having you get down when you jump on me while I'm sitting, and you seem to be learning what a firm "Off" is.  I still can't get you to sit, either by holding a treat over your head (you jump), scooping your legs into a sit (what resistance!), or pushing your little rear down (you are so strong!).  I am so afraid of hurting you.

 

Speak of hurt, I'm nervous about your neutering visit to the vet on Thursday.  I've never sent a dog to a low cost neuter clinic, and I'm hoping they take good care of you.

 

Every day you become more of our pack...

 

 

Two Weeks

You've been here two weeks now!  You no longer take my finger along with the treat, although you are still crazy about getting treats.  You'll run a little after Canon, but know you can't compete with him for the ball.  (I'm sorry.  That's just the way he is!)  You seem to really like the squeaky egg and the soft ball to chase, although you are mosr likely to run away and leave it for me to come get.  You don't spend as much time marking, and even take the time to squat to pee sometimes.  You actually laid down beside me on the floor for a couple of seconds.  Face licking is still your favorite activity.

We've moved your crate into our bedroom.  I'm not sure what this is saying, but I hope you like it.

Tomorrow the Poodle Club board is coming for a meeting.  I'm looking forward to having them meet you.  I'm still not sure you're all poodle.  The hair on your face is awfully straight.  But you're so darn cute!

The Joy and Pain of Loving a Foster Pup

Max, you have come so far.  Just a second ago you were sitting in my lap as I sat at my computer.  Still and comfortable, very different than two weeks ago.  Today you actually played with Caprice and Canon.  You and Caprice did your little play bows, wagging your tails.  Canon let you tear after him as he ran across the backyard.  It all feels wonderful.

Your personality is showing.  You wrangled a bag of tortillas from the kitchen counter.  You bark in the backyard and follow the other two.  You leave my side once in awhile to explore.  Nancy suggested I move your crate in the bedroom so you can feel part of the pack.

Then reality hit.  Someone has talked to Kathy about you.  She has questions.  Are you good with children?  Other dogs?  What you're good with is us!  It breaks my heart to think of you leaving us.  What will you think if you change homes yet another time?  I know dogs adjust to the situation, but I can't get past that.

My nose is itchy after having you on my lap.  Am I allergic to you?  It's possible.  Do I care?  I don't know.  I know that I love you.  Do I love you enough to give you to a better home?  Yes.  Will I ever think there is a better home?  I don't know.

More Firsts

Your first snow, as far as I know, and you didn't really like it.  It took coaxing to get you to go out to pee in the snow first thing this morning.  You were eager to get back in afterwards.  Caprice and Canon couldn't even coax you to taste some snow, which they seem to find delicious.

The other first, spaghetti.  The big dogs like to eat a piece from one end to the other.  The first time, it worked better for you to start in the middle.  By your third piece, you were getting better at it.  Who knew that a rescue dog would get  this type of training?

Getting Closer

Max, I've noticed that you won't lie down next to me, or sit down.  You're always standing as I pet you.  You gave me a nice surprise today.  I moved right up to you while you were lying on the floor chewing your duck toy.  While I was petting you, you rolled over and I was able to pet your belly for the very first time!  It's so nice to make progress.

I realize now that biting hard on toys (the five or six you destroyed your first two days here) and humping the pillow and the toy were stress reactions for you.  I'm glad to see you relax.

Squeakers in toys still confuse you.  You're less afraid of them than you were, and will even take a toy I squeaked, but you were bewildered tonight when Canon played with a squeaky egg and spent a lot of time just staring at him.

 

You played disappearing dog again today when I was making dinner.  You were very quiet while closed in the pantry by accident and found a snack bar, which you were not able to open before I found you.

Unscheduled Bath

Max, your tail and ears are still a little damp from an unscheduled bath this afternoon.  That's because you came to me in the office and your head and legs were wet.  I thought you'd taken a bath in the water bowl, or that the sprinklers had come on, however, when I walked into the kitchen, I found a rather large puddle of chicken broth dripping from the counter to the floor.  I had left it near the edge of the counter to put on your food tonight.  Well, that's one less think to mix in.

You should smell like tea tree oil shampoo, but really, you still kind of smell like chicken soup...

Easing into the Pack

You've been here a full week!  It looks like you fit right in!The three of you eat out of your own bowls (although licking someone else's bowl after the meal is fair game!).  You don't interact a lot in the house.  Canon did charge you this morning, right on our way outside and scared you.  I could see you shivering.  Little boy, if you don't stay with us, it won't be because you aren't absolutely wonderful, but because I want you to be safe and and confident.  Because I want you to be able to play without a big white boy taking away your toys.  He doesn't mean to hurt you, but he's so used to being top dog.

I think, Max, you must have been an escape artist.  You try to get out any door we go through.  After I came back from agility drills on Saturday morning, I couldn't find you.  I looked in every room.  I kept calling you in the backyard.  No jingling of your tag.  Michael finally looked in the garage.  You had slipped out as I came in!  I think you slipped away from your home and they weren't able to find you.

I don't think you were pampered like my pups.  You don't know how to snuggle next to a human, although you love to lick my face almost all the time.  Today I taught you to come on the couch with me, jump up and off, but you weren't super comfortable.  We'll see if you do it on your own next time.

Sometimes I see you as part of the pack.  When the big dogs bark at someone walking by, you run after them and bark with them.  Sometimes you've initiated the bark when you hear someone going by.  I love your bark.  Not a little dog shrill bark, not an overpowering big dog bark like Caprice and Canon, a just right bark.  Maybe you will fit in.

Every Day is Something New

Every day you do or discover something new, Max.  Today we took you to  Starbucks.  You were curious and friendly- a far cry from being the trembling pup you were just a week ago.  You also got to walk to the park with the other two dogs for the first time.  You were well behaved and eager to smell everything and pee on each tree you came to. Right now, you're resting from your busy day.  I like that when you've had enough, you go to your crate and curl up. Good boy!

                              

Today You...

...Started sitting more.
...Tasted scrambled egg yolk, cheese, and pizza crust.
...Discovered the trash can and got a taste of napkin and paper towel.
...Got some new toys, which you weren't too interested in.
...Waited your turn to get a treat.
...Sat calmly while I put drops in your ear and ointment in your eyes.


Max, every day you're changing, learning something new.  I see you wanting to play with Canon, yet knowing he can hurt you.  I hope to see you gaining confidence every day. 

You are a wonderful boy!

About Your Name

Max, the most commonly given name for a male dog.  My grand nephew's name.  My grandfather's name.  It doesn't quite fit the the musical names of Caprice and Canon.  But someone special gave you that name.  Someone who cared enough to pick you up off the highway and get you cleaned up.  Someone who cared enough to take you to the vet and have him give you shots to protect you.  Someone who put the date and your name on the back of your rabies tag.  I, at least, will honor that, Max, for someone who cared.

We Meet

Max, I first saw you in an e-mail to the Enchanted Poodle Club from  Jaime in Jal, New Mexico, asking us to take you on.  Her brother had found you running along the highway, and saved you.  He took you to the vet, had you cleaned up, matted hair shaved off, and gave you shots, even including one to protect you from rattlesnake bites. Your rabies tag, has 2-1-13 Max scratched on the back. There was talk about you being a standard poodle.

I fell in love with you then, your naked body and eyes glowing from the flash of the camera.  The shelter in Jal might not be able to adopt you out, so your best chance was to come to Albuquerque and have the club foster you and find you a good home.

Saturday, February 9: You were taken from Jal to Carlsbad, where you were driven with 4 smaller poodles to Vaughn, NM, where you were transferred to the Merlock's car headed to Albuquerque. Kathy is in charge of Poodle Rescue for the Enchanted Poodle Club.  We met the Merlocks in the Petsmart parking lot at 2:00.  Now it was love at second sight for me.  You were smaller than I expected, but unbearably cute.  After walking you around a bit, where you pulled like crazy, Michael took you to the car.  You were trembling, little boy-- so afraid.

After about an hour of waiting in the car, we took you to our house to meet our two standard poodles, Caprice and Canon. Forgive them, they didn't realize how little and scared you were. I had never seen a dog mark that much- the bushes, the rocks, the house.  But of course!  This is a strange place to you.

Dinner was a highlight for you.  You certainly weren't too scared to eat!
Lots of petting, sweet talk, and treats, and you were willing to follow me everywhere.

Sunday.  We hit the jackpot of foster dogs.  I think someone trained you.  You went out the dog door on your own, and eventually found the way in as well.  I wondered if you would play with all the toys scattered around our house.  You were interested in taking them out of the toy basket.  You're a chewer, not a mouther like Caprice and Canon.  Three, maybe four, soft toys found their way to the trash can.

We took a walk around the block. The leash is a bit unfamiliar to you.  You ran to the end of the leash, got pulled back, ran to the end, pulled back, but got better and better all the time.

You were settling in.  You were still afraid of Caprice, the barking one, and Canon, whose idea of play was to take your neck in his mouth, but you wanted to go outside with the others, even if it resulted in running back to me.

I'm already thinking about being a foster failure. You are so darn cute.  All that face licking doesn't hurt either.

Monday. Your eye looked a little red, so I took you to have our vet, Dr. Whaley look you over.  I'd never ridden with you in the car, so I asked Nancy to go with us to hold you.  I'm glad I did.  The back seat didn't work, and you wanted to crawl closer to me when I put you in the passenger seat. Dr. Whaley said you had conjunctivitis and an infection in one ear.  I wondered if you would sit still enough for me to give you your medications.

I notice, Max,  that you don't sit.  You don't lie down easily either.  Sometimes I've caught you standing and closing your eyes, as if you need rest, but be ready to run.  Relax, little boy.  You're safe here.

Sometimes you seem part of the pack.  When the other two dogs barked at something, you joined them.  Noisy as it was, I liked that.

Tuesday. I'm sorry, Max. You really don't smell that good.  I gave you your first bath in our shower.  Poor skinny thing! You shivered and shivered, but were a good boy and stayed with me.  Through your thin, short coat, I saw lots of large "freckles" on your skin.  I can't wait to see what you look like when your coat grows out.

I spent a lot of time trying to find the right toys for you at Long Leash on Life.  I know you like soft toys, but they won't last long with you.  I bought you some chews and a tennis ball-type bone.  We went outside and you ran after the bone.  Your first play!