12th Birthday- 11 Years!

 It's been so long since I celebrated you here, Max, but I do celebrate you every day.

We celebrated your birthday at Starbucks, as we have many other times.  No trouble getting you to snack on your puppacino.

A month ago, I took your photo to paint at a Paint Your Pet session.  I will always treasure it, and of course, you.

A GOOD Boy!

 

 
 
 
 



Max graduated from his second obedience class on Thursday night.  He's been so good in this class and the other.  Can he do much more than he did before? No.  But he got to go out with me every Thursday night.  His "Leave it!" is improved....and we're still working on everything.

Next activity? Nosework class. We'll see how this goes.

I love my little graduate!

Birthday Parties Aren't His Thing

At Canon's and Roxy's 6th birthday party, June 21, 2015

A Year Ago...

You were found on a highway in Jal, New Mexico.  I use February 1 as the date, because that's the date scratched on your rabies tag.  That's behind you, Max. We're planning to celebrate your life on February 9, the day you came to us.  That will be your unofficial second birthday.

 

You're in a household where everyone is bigger than you.  Play gets a little rough, sometimes, but that doesn't stop you.  First defense: growl and bark, then run near mom.

 

Growling, barking and whining are also used when you want something- breakfast, dinner, a toy, or something Canon has...

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!