Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Life Update

So the long awaited update. Posted by yours truly.. Erin. I couldn't trust Texas to accurately describe our adventures over the last couple of months, as his version would have gone something like this: 


MOM IS NEVER HOME ANYMORE AND ALL I DO IS SLEEP IN MY CRATE OR ON THE COUCH AND AM BORED!BORED!BORED! 


So. Yes. Updates. Where to start. 


July 
Pompei gradates as a Guide Dog!!!
Pompei up at GDF's Kennels 
August 
School started and Rob and I headed off for another semester of college. I knew going in this semester would be difficult, I was going for four hour work days + weekends off; to Work 3 days a week + weekends, and 6+ hours of school 2 days a week. 


Prior to this Rob and I had been having some problems. As a puppy walker, I get to find out first hand, that sometimes every puppy does.not fit with every lifestyle/household. Pretty early on I knew this was the case with Rob, but was determined to find a way to fit.him.into.our lives. He was a Midnight baby after all, and I didn't want to loose him. 
Rob in the Cone of Shame after his nueter 
Two weeks into class, I knew it wasn't going to work. I had NO time, exercise him (which needed to be at least two hours a day), I needed to be able to focus on school, and having a dog that was acting up wasn't helping. So I requested that the Guide Dog Foundation transfer him to another family.
It was THE hardest thing I have EVER done. 
Harder even, than giving them up at the end of our year. 
Rob + Xander (on left) 
But it needed to be done. I was determined, after he went to take a break. No more puppies, just me and the dachshunds until the end of the semester. 


Rob waits for the cue to get his water


September
The DAY I was planning to drive Rob to his last puppy meeting in North Carolina, and hand him off to my Area Coordinator... said person gave me a call. I was a little stunned to find out they were asking me to take ANOTHER puppy. I'll admit I was a little panicky as well.. another puppy?Now? But I don't want another dog! No! 


10 hours later, Trump entered our lives. 

Trump, was also a Midnight baby, but the complete opposite of Rob. Rob was a GO GO GO! Dog. 
Go Dog Go - Book Cover - by Dr. Suess


If there wasn't action he created some. Definitely the life of the party. 
Trump and Rob @ Pool Part Puppy Meeting
Trump, on the other hand is the dog in the corner with a book. Happy to entertain himself until its time to go. In the coming days, we found out quickly that Trump really, really, REALLY did not like to work. 


Trump let us know this, by refusing to walk. Oh he'd walk into a place just fine, but getting him back out again? ...Let's just say you needed to have time on your side. I can't tell you how many classes we arrived to late, simply because Trump would not walk with me. 


We tried all sorts of things, in fact as soon as we entered buildings, I'd have him "heel" beside me, with the leash looped around his neck. He would walk continuously like that, but would still refuse to move when he saw us heading towards a class room.  
Trump refusing to walk through the hallways at school.
Once inside the class room, he didn't want to just lay down and chill out.. no on several occasions he would offer his opinion of the class, to the teacher. Thankfully all my teachers are "cool" with the dogs, and just talked back to him. He would eventually sleep though... 
Trump sleep on the floor, legs in the air.


October 
GDF made the decision to career change Trump, and offered him too me as a pet. I and his previous raisers declined, so he's now hanging out with me, waiting for a flight back to New York. I got the email yesterday, that they have sent out a request for volunteers to fly him back. While he needs to go (Lifestyle wise.. I can't have a big dog as a pet), I get a pang every-time I think of actually giving him up. For real, for real. 



So now we're waiting, I don't know when we'll get another puppy, maybe the end of this year, maybe next year, maybe next summer (yeah right). But We'll be sure to update that. 


In the mean time, Bubbles & Texas have been trucking right along, hanging out, keeping the house free of rodents, enjoying the occasional car ride or walk in the park. I am looking forward to spending a little more 2-1 time with them, over the Holidays. :)) 


Whew! So that's where we are now! Hopefully we're back for a while. No Promises..cause sometimes "Life Comes at You Fast. :-)

Texas

5 comments:

Cole said...

Holy moley, that's quite the update!!!!  I'm sorry that both Rob & Trump weren't the right fit for different reasons. :-(  I hope that you get a nice break before you try again!

Erin said...

Yeah..having two in a row has kinda of burned me out. But I know each dog is different, surely the third (or seventh in this case) is the charm! :)) 

Jacksdad said...

I'm sorry you have to give him up.  Hopefully he'll find the right family!

Dachshund Nola said...

Aw, sorry they didn't work out. But now you can have quality time with the Doxies
Kisses and Tail Wags,
Dachshund Nola

Doxie Rod said...

Quite an update!  Really nice pictures, I'm sorry things didn't work out but I'm sure it's for the best!