Two in Tow

So I was perhaps a little overconfident when I decided to take both the dogs out by myself this evening. Overall it went extremely well, in fact I think it had a positive impact on Penny. Normally she will pull for the first half of the walk and only start to hang back after she gets a little tired, today however she trotted along with slack in the lead from the start. Chance did even better than yesterday, we actually made it to the park - third time's a charm! He really has come a long way in terms of pulling less and it was an enjoyable walk today.

The only hair-raising moment was when we passed by houses with yappy dogs running up and down the length of the chain link fences as we walked by. This has always been a great experience with Penny - she's never had any reaction, just ignores them and keeps going - I like to imagine she's thinking "oh hush....I'm not the one stuck behind a fence!" Chance however reacted more like someone recently escaped from a mental institution. Maybe that's an exaggeration - but it's safe to say he most definitely wanted to meet these dogs. Since Penny and I had a majority vote in favor of carrying on, that's what we did, with me yelling "NO" like a crazy person. What a lovely sight we must have been.

In other news, I have lost the couch battle; well when something is this cute how can you refuse them?

Film debut

Today Chance got his stitches/staples out - and I think it's testament to his wonderful temperament that he didn't so much as flinch whilst the veterinary nurse dug around his privates with a pair of pliers! He had been so good on the way in the car that I just felt terrible as he looked up at me, his big brown eyes shooting me a  'well this is hardly what I was expecting' look. When we got home there was some well deserved 'bone' time - including some cute bone sharing.

We also went for a walk - this time however I was prepared! And I'm happy to report that he did really well! We got over 2 blocks this time, and honestly we could have gone further but i was getting a little rope burn from correcting him so we headed back, but by the time we arrived home he was hardly pulling at all - a complete turnaround from yesterdays saga!

I just have to share this - the other night I was scratching Chance on his belly and his back leg started 'scratching' wildly in mid air. I had to get it on video - so here he is, in his first staring role...

After such an eventful day he is now relaxing on his bed in his usual position; half on-half off. 

A Walking Disaster

Chance has had quite an eventful weekend so far; on Saturday he hung out with several other dogs also looking for homes at an adoption fair. I'm told he made several friends and attracted some attention from potential adopters! I was very happy to have him home again though, the house was so quiet without him and I think even Penny missed him a bit, although she'd never admit it!
In the afternoon we played catch and he is a natural at bringing the ball back!

Then we played tug-of-war, which i think was his favorite game yet; he was so sweet - whenever he won, he would take the rope back over to Penny to start the game again:

Today (Sunday) we decided to break free from the confines of the back garden and head to the park. It was only half a block later however that we had to turn back since there were only 2 possible outcomes:
1. Chance (aka Horace) would asphyxiate and pass out from pulling so hard (he was actually wheezing)
2. He would pull us both in front of a passing car (wherever he wanted to go, I went too,-including the neighbors drainage ditch!)
It was a short lived freedom, I kept thinking how Cesar Millan would have this boy heeling in no time at all - if only I could have clicked my fingers and had him appear at that moment! There was no chance to even try out a 'Cesar' technique, such as a quick correction on the lead - it was just me being dragged along, holding onto the lead for dear life. As it was, we headed back inside safely and Chance was clearly exhausted from all the energy he had exerted in our short stroll - it was time for a nap:

I wont give up on him though; Walkies Round 2 - watch this space!

Fridays Fun

It's the weekend! Yesterday Chance got his first sight of the resident chickens.  We normally let them have free roam of the back garden; since Penny more or less grew up with them they mingle together without so much as a raised chicken eyebrow, but they were a little more alarmed at the sight of Chance. (on the far left of the photo you can just spot one peaking out of the coup!) We also had a little game of hide and seek in the mint.

Last night we had some friends over to meet Chance and he was in heaven - 3 extra pairs of legs to lick! It was also the first time that he slept through the night without even a sigh. So you have to expect with a  pup that there is going to be some crying at night until they get settled, but Chance really only whined a little even from the beginning and by the 3rd night we hit a home run! 

Plans for the weekend - Perfecting 'fetch' skills and perhaps a walk to the park. It's a dogs life!

A gentleman and a thief

It's been a few days since Chance's surgery so we thought he could handle a little playtime. I have to admit I was a little nervous since he has 15pounds on Penny and if anything got a little too rough I certainly wouldn't be able to separate them. There was no need to worry; the perfect gentleman, he constantly rolled over in a submissive pose as they played 'rough'. It was so cute to watch. Of course, if you ask Penny, she'll tell you that she's just the better wrestler!

There was also time for a little frisbee, which started out with some cute sharing...

But then he pulled a 'catch me if you can' routine (what is it with boys?!)...

But you know, you have to be very comfortable with your masculinity to rock a pink frisbee...

When we got back inside we had a 'who can stick their tongue out the furthest' competition and you'll never guess who won!

The Door

Day 2 and I'm smitten with this guy - and I have a hunch the feeling is mutual. I spent the evening at 2 separate work events and left Chance to bond with his foster daddy. I actually found myself missing the little chap, not having him sat on my foot, looking up at me with those big eyes, following me from room to room, sitting on his bed in his usual half on-half off position. When i got home I was almost as excited to see him as he was to see me again.

It's amazing what a little training can do to make life easier; the prospect of going into the back garden is a concept of unrivaled pleasure when it comes to Chance (Horace). I only have to go near the back door and he's rushed through my legs, body pressed against the door and eyes locked on the handle. Logistically this makes it difficult to open the door - I don't know if you have ever tried to open a door inwards when a muscly dog is pushing with all their force outwards - but personally i find the result is that everyone stays indoors.  Thankfully Chance is not only a quick learner but obedient too. After just a little training he now sits on command at the door and waits patiently for me to open it for him. (well - after running at it once like a battering ram...but then he sits and waits...you can't have everything!)

A learning game

This morning the drugs had clearly all worn off from yesterdays 'nip and tuck'; 30 minutes into the day and I was already exhausted - this pups got more energy that an atomic bomb!

Only 18 hours into our relationship and we are learning lots about each other:

What I have learned about Chance:

• He likes to always be by my side and follow me around the house
• He is a quick learner and smart too - we have the 'sit' command completely mastered!
• He does not have any spatial awareness of his body.....at all
• He likes sitting on your lap - and thinks you like it too- all 48pounds of it!
• His preferred method of lying on a doggie bed is - half on, half off.

What Chance has learned about me:

• I am a sucker for giving out treats when he looks at me with those big brown eyes

All in all, Chance is settling in well. I knew he felt at home when he put his feet up on the couch (see the cute photo below)! He checked out the raised vegetable beds earlier, but since Dr.'s orders demand mostly rest for the next couple of days until his stitches heal, he's mostly been hanging with his new best friend - bone. 

Bone!

Yum! Veggies

Putting my feet up