Author Topic: Insane Saga of New Dog. (Read 5110 times)

8ullfrog · « **on:** July 09, 2021, 10:54:47 AM »

We lost Pikachu several months ago, it was agonizing. He contracted some disease, we suspect leptospirosis, but he could not keep in water or food, he was constantly voiding. It was cruel to prolong that. The vets convinced Mom that euthanasia was the kindest option.

It destroyed Mom.

My Aunt on the other side of the country fosters small dogs, and the house was feeling overly full. One of the fosters hit that sweet spot in temperament and disposition that my Aunt decided he was perfect for mom.

Mom had a friend who was flying to the area my Aunt lives in for a business conference, and she offered to fly the dog back.

My Uncle accidentally called the rescue organization instead of the friend, and the rescue organization FORBADE the dog from being adopted out of said area, and said some particularly nasty things about California.

So that got kiboshed.

My Aunt decided "golly the rescue organization" and started working on alternatives. There was an unexpected death in the family, that Mom had decided to fly out for the funeral.

American Airlines cancelled her ticket.

My Aunt decided to use a Veteran based dog transport company to send the dog cross country via van.

In Texas, the dog transporter LOST THE DOG, and decided to continue on his route, (Multiple dogs in van) rather than make any attempt at finding the dog.

My Uncle, still feeling guilty about the errant phone call, went full Ace Ventura, and managed to track down the dog. He had a hell of a time talking the people that found the dog out of giving him up, they wanted to keep the dog.

The transporter further put himself on my bad side by not letting the dog out of the crate between Texas and California. I sure as golly couldn't hold my bladder that long, and I don't blame the dog.

So I had to carry a teeny tiny dog in a crate sized for dobermans to the apartment, and got to pay the transporter $500 for the privilege.

Needless to say "Thank you" was not in my vocabulary.

The dog has certainly cemented his reputation as an escape artist. If a car door in the alley opens, his ears pop up like a fox.

Mom has lit up like a light bulb, she is so much happier now.

The dog is affectionate, and actually enjoys being groomed. Mom gave him a bath, and brushes him like a little princess, while he preens.

It's weird having a nice dog. I'm still wired for my mean dog.

I know the world is on fire, but I'll still gladly take the quiet life. These complications are no fun.

American airlines also reinstated the ticket without telling mom, just pulled the $500 back out of her bank account, so she's still going out to the East Coast to visit family.

I hope nothing crazy happens with the dog while she is away.

smokester · « **Reply #1 on:** July 09, 2021, 03:26:20 PM »

Ahh, the pitter patter of tiny feet.

Congrats on acquiring a decent and loving pet. I own a cat so I have no idea what that must feel like.

6pairsofshoes · « **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2021, 06:05:17 PM »

What a crazy adventure that little dog had, getting to your house. Given all the twists and turns, it must have been meant to be. I'm glad it's cheered your mom. I know that pets are really crucial to mental health. I was so much happier when I found my first parakeet. After she died, I waited 6 months for another one, and he was a real charmer, also.

It sounds like the dog adores your mother and will probably be relatively easy to care for while she's away. It will also be a good chance for the two of you to bond separately. So, congratulations on the new ray of sunshine.

Beatrix · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2021, 09:52:30 AM »

Quote from: smokester on July 09, 2021, 03:26:20 PM

Ahh, the pitter patter of tiny feet.

Congrats on acquiring a decent and loving pet. I own a cat so I have no idea what that must feel like.

Exactly my sentiment. I wouldn't even enjoy a nice animal as much as I do when my cat forbade me or anyone to pet her.
8ully, that was a captivating tale. Sounds like a movie about a dog just trying to get through.

8ullfrog · « **Reply #4 on:** July 15, 2021, 10:21:03 PM »

Mom is off to the East Coast for a celebration of life (The deceased hated funeral homes and made his wishes clear)

The dog has known "something is up" all day.

He threw a tantrum when I fed him, shook his food all over the kitchen. Then he realized what he did. So now dinner is a where's waldo quest.

When I came to see what the noise was about, he gave me a look like "I can't believe I was that stupid".

Good news is he did eat the food. I hope he behaves on his walk.
{He did not}

smokester · « **Reply #5 on:** July 16, 2021, 02:04:43 AM »

Ahh, the pitter patter of tiny morsels of food being strewn about.

8ullfrog · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2021, 12:57:50 AM »

Today was the pill saga.

He's being treated for crystals in his urine, and my urge to kill the transporter is rising. Getting the dog to... go is difficult. He does enjoy walking though.

So the morning pill, he fought me tooth and nail, literal. He has one small tooth on the upper right side, and he kept pushing the pill out through there until I had to hold his muzzle shut, which he of course loved. (untrue.)

'Bout 10 hours later, it's time for night pill, and he gobbles it down like it's steak. Ravenously. Weird thing? Same pill. Just an AM/PM cycle.

Other things I learned today.

He doesn't like peanut butter
He will turn his nose up at meat, which I have NEVER seen a dog do, unless it is torn into small pieces. (I used sandwich turkey)
He wants to sit in the middle, wherever he sits. This makes sharing a space with him difficult, but he ended up turning a bag of laundry into a bed.
On one hand, I can't put my clean laundry away. On the other hand, it's completely adorable and he is behaving himself.

Might swap the clothes out for a pillow, see if he still considers it his throne. (I use pillowcases for laundry bags, so this shouldn't be too difficult.)

6pairsofshoes · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2021, 09:43:35 PM »

That sounds like a funny and curious dog. I'm glad you are having fun with him.

smokester · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2021, 12:31:17 AM »

Since all the lockdown concept, just about everyone I know has bought a dog. Even now I'm finding more people becoming dog owners for the first time and I think it's because it legitimises going out if you're pinged to quarantine.

goldshirt*9 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2021, 08:35:15 AM »

joy of becoming a dog owner
the joys and laughs do out weight the interesting times

smokester · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2021, 01:10:43 AM »

Personally, I'm not a fan of dog poo. It's definitely a design flaw.

8ullfrog · « **Reply #11 on:** July 22, 2021, 02:03:25 AM »

He poo part of a bag. He is literally a vacuum cleaner. I dropped some ice, most dogs would lick it and then back off, finding it unpleasant? This demon? CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP. Chain chomp in Mario is his spirit animal.

At least the pill problem is sorted. I crumble it up and drop it on the floor and it's the grate-est thing since cheese. Get it, like a cheese grate- forget it.

I can't get him to bathroom outside, which is unpleasant. Roommate refused to buy swifter juice until tomorrow, so I used vinegar. He complained about the smell of vinegar, I told him it beats the alternative.

I'm fairly displeased with roommate right now. He told mom he'd help take care of the dog while she's gone, and he's taken the dog out ONCE this week. He loves lecturing me on feeding and watering the dog though. Dog gets fed on a schedule, and there are THREE water bowls in the apartment. I'm not looking for advice surveys.

A homeless lady was trying to pet him on the walk a few nights ago, he was running around me like a tetherball pole. She asked if he was a baby Aussie, I said he was an Irish Chihuaha. That's a lie, he's just a Chihuahua, but he's a curly haired one, looks a bit like lassie.

Sure enough this was a prelude to asking for money, I pointed out I had no pockets, just the dog.

He's been my alarm clock this week, he loves punching me right up the nose while I sleep.

He also likes standing in the bathtub. Not for water or coolness, just to be weird.

Which type of demon, sorry, Dog did you summon Smokes?

smokester · « **Reply #12 on:** July 22, 2021, 03:33:51 PM »

Quote from: 8ullfrog on July 22, 2021, 02:03:25 AM

Which type of demon, sorry, Dog did you summon Smokes?

I've never owned a dog as I'm not good with responsibility. Or should I say, I'm not good picking up dog poo - I think it's the same difference?

Now cats, on the other hand. Lord love 'em.

8ullfrog · « **Reply #13 on:** July 22, 2021, 07:59:33 PM »

Yeah, the night with the bag was rough.

Today he's been mostly well behaved. Compared to most days he's been stellar. No nails up the nose wake up call, I was able to get up at a reasonable hour.

Either his rhythm has caught up to being in California or he's decided to give me a reprieve.

Swifter juice was on discount, which was pleasing. The replacement bottles are also larger than the bottle that came with the mop.

Funny enough, there are people online who have videos on how to "jailbreak" the bottle so you can refill it yourself.

8ullfrog · « **Reply #14 on:** November 30, 2021, 02:17:32 AM »

I know, bumping my own thread, but I thought an update was warranted.

I'd honestly forgotten the role my uncle played in the "saga". He's the one who recently passed.

The dog truly has been a gift, even if he seemed a bit of a curse when we got him.

He still does the food tantrum occasionally. Sits expectantly while food is poured, and then BAM, punches it all over the floor.

He has brought a light back to my mom that I cannot be thankful enough for. That being said, one night she tripped walking him, so I have taken over quite a bit in that regard. (She broke the poo out of her foot).

She's recovered enough to take the day walks, and I don't mind taking the night walks for her safety.

He is still a bolter, so the front door is a bit of a flashpoint. Thankfully if you pull his leash off the wall (next to door) and ask if he wants to go for a walk, his bolting.exe process misfires, and he returns to be leashed.

I know we're past thanksgiving, but I'm tremendously grateful to both my Aunt and Uncle.

goldshirt*9 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 30, 2021, 05:26:59 AM »

dogs can be precious

8ullfrog · « **Reply #16 on:** November 30, 2021, 06:30:35 AM »

I'm poo at taking pictures of him, but my avatar is him.

6pairsofshoes · « **Reply #17 on:** November 30, 2021, 08:14:34 AM »

He sounds like a great addition to your family. It's amazing what a boon to one's mental health a pet can be. The mess at mealtime sounds predictable and entertaining. I sure hope it's only dry food he's knocking around.

Beatrix · « **Reply #18 on:** March 06, 2022, 04:51:05 PM »

How is the dog doing now?? How old is he?

8ullfrog · « **Reply #19 on:** March 08, 2022, 02:13:56 AM »

Well, he's still four until July I guess. I could check the paperwork but it's late.

He behaves himself on walks now and has not had an indoors accident for quite a while, which is nice.

He does not like rectangles. (tablets, phones) and will punch them when cranky. Mom's tablet has a nice streak down it thanks to him.

Everyone thinks he is a papillon, but he is a long haired chihuahua. When I tell people that, they look mad. whatever.

There is one tree stump that he considers a bitter enemy, so I try to walk him on routes that avoid it, then go "damnit" when I realize I forgot.

Yesterday he threw a fit at a fat lady who was smoking. I pretended to be angry, but I actually found it hilarious. She's ill tempered and sits there most of the day.

He still prefers stinky wet food over perfectly fine dry food, but he isn't quite as picky as he was.

He does not like the people at the bus stop, but rather than be aggressive, he walks as far away as possible from the bus shelter, which isn't fantastic as he's right on the curb and almost in traffic. He still does this at night, when there are no people in the bus shelter.

There is a jack in the box on most of the walk routes, and he very much enjoys the smell.

I hope it warms up soon so I can do the longer walk route, but since October it's been too cold, so he has about four shorter routes we take.

goldshirt*9 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 08, 2022, 09:56:40 PM »

Mix the dry and the wet food.

6pairsofshoes · « **Reply #21 on:** March 08, 2022, 11:11:42 PM »

The dogs sounds delightfully quirky and a good addition to your household.

Beatrix · « **Reply #22 on:** March 10, 2022, 06:08:47 PM »

Agreed Six. Sounds like a great guy, I’ve never been much for rectangles myself. I was thinking maybe he doesn’t like the bus stop because it looks like a box or rectangular shape to his, as well.
My cats Luna and Binjo are still doing so awesome. Binjo is an indoor outdoor guy cat who stays in Kentucky. Luna is with me.
I moved back to Indiana and will have my very own apartment for myself and my children in just one more week. Pray to God thank you, I do. This has been a hell of a couple years.

8ullfrog · « **Reply #23 on:** May 31, 2022, 07:39:40 PM »

He's been a bit of a bully lately.

Expects to be fed promptly at six, and will get quite vocal if he doesn't get what he wants.

The other not so nice development relates to his intelligence. He knows that shortcuts can be taken to get home. Unfortunately, that has led to him STOPPING at each possible re-route.

Lord save me from this obstinate dog.

He's still pretty dang cute though.

6pairsofshoes · « **Reply #24 on:** June 02, 2022, 05:15:39 PM »

My friend's dog can remember every shop that gives out dog biscuits on the nearby shopping street and insists on entering each and every one of them if we walk down that street. It seems to be hard coded. Food is a #1 priority. So I'm not surprised that your doggie has taken to demands at feeding times. I don't think cats are much different.

My bird would literally swoop down on my plate if he saw something I was eating that was of interest to him. We had to gently swat him away sometimes to keep him at bay. I miss him though.