We're still here

I'm thinkin mom needs to fired from runnin this blog.

As soon as I learn how to type better anyways.

Um...we said good bye to Lacy last Saturday.

She was fun.

Mom has been real busy STILL!

There is NO excuse for NOT takin PHOTOS of ME i say!

Time Flies....

When you're having fun....

Only four days left. Four very very short days. 

Texas: OMD what an AWFUL PIC OFME! TAKE IT DOWN MOM! TAKE IT DOWN!!!

Erin: Awwwww

Erin: please ignore the dirty floor. *shudders*

Erin: One of our first outings together! omw how cute was he!

Erin: Pompei's first puppy meeting to the fire station!

Erin: Pompei @ six months!

Erin: What a faker. Still six months 

Erin: Pompei enjoying a bone while on our disastrous camping trip

Erin: OH! GREEN GRASS!!! I MISS THIS! Oh yeah and Pompei's cute as well. 

This was soo funny!

Erin & Co.

*tap tap*

GASP! Its been 5 WHOLE DAYS since I posted last!! Believe me, my Google Reader is scary! (200 unread pots!)
Yeah, we're still alive and kicking, its just been an extremely hectic week, if you follow my personal blog (I Should Be Studying) you know, that my schedule has been crammed with our church's annual camp meeting, work, school and keeping Texas from biting our few hundred guest traipsing around our yard.

For my new followers here's the back story on Texas (Reactivity  and How We Got Texas)

It wasn't as much of a job as I'd imagined (read:stressed about) it would be, but there were several times I did have to give out some strong warnings, to people NOT.TOO.APPROACH. Though he did latch onto a surprise house guests shoe, no harm was done, and we were able to reintroduce them properly and haven't had any issues since. Texas is a dog, you can't "make friends with" and have to completely pretend he doesn't exists. Thankfully Laura, was not intimidated by Texas's initial greeting, and complied to the rules PERFECTLY. By the next morning Texas hopped on the couch (where she was sleeping) and woke her as only a dachshund can. Yep with lots of kisses. That pretty much lets me know he's as comfortable as he can get, he continued to demonstrate that over the weekend, and installed himself in her lap whenever possible.

*phew*

Now I do have to warn you all, now that school is starting to move into 2nd gear, posting will be very sporadic! As much as I'd love to convince myself I can multitask...sometimes its not possible! That and their won't be too many dog photos (gasp!!) as my camera will be other wise engaged.

Blast from the Past

BUsy Busyness

Happy Post-Memorial Day! I took the day to collect my wits from our crazy week last week, my poor pups are feeling extremely neglected between my work schedule and a weeklong church event. So in an attempt to appease my guilty conscious, I spent all day with them and on impulse decided to purchase one of those kiddie pools from Wal-Mart. To say my dogs were spoiled could very well be an understatement.

Since school let out, Pompei’s exposures outings have gone down significantly due to my lack of restraint. I’m the world’s worst impulse buyer, and right now I have to save every penny possible so I can afford to get one of these babies…. So I limit MY shopping exposure to purchasable items, to only several times a week.

{Dog Friendly HOnda Element - I love that its one color, ... not too keen on the two tone versions of this vehicle}

{Realistically, this is more likely the car I will end up buying. Whenever my ships come int or what have you...}

He did get to visit with some of the other raisers in my group, when they took him to a baseball game with them. Our monthly puppy meeting and my friends graduation were scheduled on the same day, so my leader offered to take him with them. So he went and had a great time. He did have one little accident but that was well.. things happen! :-) Charlottes raiser handled him while he was there, and said both dogs did really well with each other and didn't even try to play too much! (insert surprised face)

Charlotte - 9 month old Black Lab 

13 month old - Mensa - Standard Poodle

{Mickey - 9 week old - Black Lab}

{Part of the group outside of the stadium}

I was glad for him to get out with someone else, as its very important that he learn how to take commands from someone else.

Upcoming Events in Pompeii's Life: 

• Shopping with Mom - Today :)
• He's headed in for the big "Snip-SNip" this Thursday so paws and tails...? cross for him!
• Next week, we're meeting with our regional advisor, I haven't seen her in over a at a year and half, so I'm looking forward to see them again!  
• Pompei will also being spending sometime with another raiser while we go out of town later on this month! 

We're going to keep him hopping!

Pompei Post #5

Hi Guys!
We was real, busy today!
First we hadda go on a  long car trip. It was soooo long, I was almost boarded out of my mind!!
I tried ta get Texas to play again, but mom said no, cause the car was moving.
So I had to sleep.
Than we got to this place, and mom got Bubbles and Texas out first, and let them "stretch there legs". But I don't know how they doo that cause, they don't have long legs like me!
I sat on the seat, and watched them, even though I'm not supposed to do that.
Than mom put dem back in the car, and drove for a little bit, and it was my turn to get out.
I stretched, and stretched my legs, but I didn't even have to go potty, so mom gave up, and got my jacket on.
Then all of the sudden another dog got out, of a nother car, and he had a same jacket like me!! Hey that's weird!
I tried to say "Hi", but he was busy. Going busy.
Then two more doggies with jackets got out!
HEy! iTs a party!!!
But all the human moms were being mean, and didn't even let us play!!

They can't saying stuff like "sit" and "leave it."??
Then we walked inside the....place...(Erin Notes: The Firestation) an we wait while the humans talk. And talk, and talkity, talk, talk talk.!
I was getting real bored, so I barked a couple of times, at my new friends to see if the wanted to play. But mom said I couldn't.
Well PhoOeee.
So then we all walked, to this place with a LOTTA big truck things, but I didn't even care about those. I wanted to talk to my new friends!!
But nooo.
We had to do bedience stuff, we I was sure tired of doing that, and than I remembered that I really.had. to pee. BaD!!
So what was I supposed to do?
Go outside away from my friends? I might not be able to come back?
I was real sneaky, and didn't even stop walking!! Hee hee
Den this guy put on a strange outfit and walked around, and around.
I didn't care bout him, cause I wanted that bone on someone left on the floor.
(Erin Notes: We were using different things as distractions for the dogs to leave)
Then he came and petted me, so that was fun.

After that we went outside, and walked around the big truck. That was fun!
Then the truck made lots of silly noises.
Mom told me I was a good boy, for not reacting to those noises...I said thanks, but I didn't even know why that was such a good thing...?

After that we went back inside...and they let us play!! How coooll! I love those fire people!!

Snow Days!!!

Thursday afternoon, the skies dumped about an inch or two of snow on our lovely city, much to my dismay, but to the delight of the dogs. Since the temps have stayed in the teens, the snow is still very much around, (Amazingly enough) three days later.

So though I didn't get any snow pictures Thursday, I took a bunch today.  It was nice to finally get to spend and entire day with my pack! I think they were happy as well. :)

I put Pompei in one of Bubble's coats, as he was shivering badly during our potty breaks, he didn't really enjoy it at first, but soon realized it was keeping him warm! Bubbles on the other hand, shed hers before we even got outside.....and I think she regretted that decision!

Speaking of the Pompster's he's settling in really well, and as I predicted (mentally anyhow) Texas thinks he's an awesome playmate. It takes him a couple of day's to warm up to our new intruders, but once he does he's friends for life....sort of :)

Potty training is going ok...funny story though, he made a little mess in my room, & than went and dragged the Natures Miracle bottle over by it!!

He is not doing much complaining about being in the crate either, but is still pooping in it no matter if I'm getting up in the middle of the night. So obviously Texas's crate is too big for him, and we're going to have to down size. *sigh*

Other than our first week together, is going great!

Texas,Bubbles,Victoria and Pompei

Little Brothers {By Victoria and Texas}

Texas:
Hey guys,

Wow has mom been busy lately! We sure hope she'll slow down a little bit and remember us,we don't think she need have brought that fuzzy thing here. Cause he's just a noosaunce He keeps taking our TOYS, and mom gets on US when we try to get them BACK!! Bubbles didn't even stick around to deal with it, but left and went up to Ma & Pops house, I told her she was a chicken, and she said she didn't even care. I don't think its fair that she gotta leave! Today he was a little bit better and I only played with him just to get him to stop bothering me. It worked!
He was so tired trying to keep up with me, he went and fell asleep!

HA!
Ok i'm tired now too.

BAYL,

______________________________________________________________________________________________
Hiiiiiii
This pet life stuff ain't too bad, I'm glad Mom doesn't make me go on car rides and stuff, cause that makes me feel stressed and stuff. I think cause I'm a pet now that I should eat people food like Texas and Bubbles do, but Mom wouldn't even let me eat a pizza crust that she FUrGOT about on the table. So I'm complaining from my bed as she types this.

Oh Ooo guess whawt guess, it SNOWED again today!!!!! I was sooo excited I dashed outside before mom told me too and ran, and ran, and ran! It was a BLAST i tell you!
Mom wasn't happy that I ran out there before she told me, so she took me back inside, and took everyone else and LEFT me!?! I tried to play with fuzzbutt, but he kept biting my legs and stealing my toys, and running under the couch with them. He was running allllll over the place, he is crazy I tell you! But HAHA mom bought him a PLAYPEN and so he can't even get out when she puts him in there! Which is good cause i'm all wared out. I think I will go lay down. *whew*

...after I try and sneak that pizza crust again....



P.S. - I didn't get the pizza.

Surprise!!!!

Meet Pompeii, he is my fourth guide dog puppy, that I will be raising for the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind...you didn't think I'd leave them forever now did you? Well my life circumstances have changed, and I will have more time to volunteer. To put it simply I will be leaving my positions with Wilderwood Service Dogs, to go back to school full time. I will still work at UT to sustain me, but I couldn't do both and school at the same time.

It wasn't an easy decision at all, but one that had to be made. I'd planned on raising one of Midnight's pups when she had them, but unfortunatly she didn't get pregnant this time, so I decided that since I was leaving WSD anyway, I'd line myself up for another GDF puppy. (Not fostering with Wilderwood due to time lengths 3-6months with them verses 12-14 months with GDF but plan on staying involved with them as I can) Well...I got an email last week, letting me know that my puppy was going to be delievered today.

Instant panic mode!!! But we got things together, changed schedules, rearranged plans, and went to pick him up at our puppy meeting tonight.

He's a noisy little bugger, and spent the last 30 minutes squawking...but now he's quiet....lets just hope I can go into my room without disturbing him!! *gulp*

**Pompeii's First Puppy Meeting**

I am looking forward to our year together!




P.S. (Someone forgot to mention to me that keeping Victoria was not my decision after all, but my parents. And they said I couldn't keep her and Pompeii as well...so yes I'm upset, hurt, disappoint,....which has taken out a lot of the fun of having Pompy here...I know she'll find a good home, not matter how hard I wish it were mine. Words can't describe how much I will miss that dog.)

Visitors

So we're going to go out on a limb here,and say that Hope probably won't be coming back to our house,before she graduates. We'll miss her, but are excited to see her with her new family...in only five short days!
In the mean time, since we like to keep ourselves, exceptionally busy...our friend Bishop is here for the weekend. Bishop is a 14wo Bouvier (BooVeeAir) Des Flandres. Texas did NOT know what on earth he was, and it took all evening to calm him down. But they are fine now. :))

Bubbles however is not, physically anyhow, those of you who follow me on Twitter or Facebook, know that I came home to a dog in LOTS of pain. It seems that her back problem has flared up again, and she was could barely move yesterday; so I spent a lot of time, loving on her, and carrying her out of the way of the puppies.

I left her for about three hours for church, and when I got back, it seem with rest, she was better.

Thursday - 
Wow what a day this has been! It started bright and early around 7:00AM, waking myself up, and then getting Bishop out to potty; (which thankfully he is very quick about doing) then the procession of carrying Bubbles outside, then letting Texas and Victoria out. Feeding them, dressing me, and straightening my house (as the heating guy was supposed to drop by while I was gone) get Bubbles a heating pad set up in the crate, and load puppies in the car.

Wilderwood was one of three organization's chosen by a local radio station, to raise money for, and they wanted a dog to be there. My co-workers chose to take Victoria with them, so I dropped her off, and then Bishop and I went to Wal-Mart.

Those of you who have been following my blog since Midnight was around, you'll now that Wal-Mart + Me + Small Puppies = A Mess. I knew Bishop hadn't pooped before we left home, so I loaded myself up with cleaning supplies, and attempted to get him to potty before went inside. No. Such. Luck. 

Well, the only comfort I could find, was that the store is basically empty at 8:00AM.

Sure enough we made it to (HAH) the cleaning aisle, before he couldn't hold it.(Despite me sitting him at every stop). I was able to "catch" most of it on a paper towel positioned strategically. Cleaned up, thrown away, and we move on.

We check out, and I speed home, so I could burn some photo CD's for a co-worker, before we headed out to the kennels for a staff meeting.

Staff Meeting.....prep for Graduation......Met with another foster family, watched Bishop Play, reschedule a meeting, and fill out paperwork...

Began to head home, and realize, I forgot to leave the CD's!?

Turn Around

Drive Back, jump out, place items in a obvious place.

Get back in car and drive different way home.

The Loooong way.

But that gave me time, to call my co-worker and arrange to pick up Victoria on my way home. They gave her more rave reviews, said she did great, she was so excited to see me, when I opened the door to come inside, she dashed out the door, and refused to come back in!

We finally got home, got everyone pottied, lunch fed etc....Victoria has discovered that she can reach the kitchen table....and finished my lunch for me. *sigh* Just another thing for me to work on.


The spent the rest of the afternoon, alternating between sleeping and tearing around the yard. Victoria would find a stick, and taking off zooming around, with Bishop far behind, but doing his best to catch up!

BTW- If I ever agree to watch a small puppy, or decide to foster a puppy in the winter, please feel free to hit me over the head with a 2x4. Victoria has decided, since Bishop gets to go outside, every 30 minutes (Current Temp: 26) she should too, and has been going to the door, and sitting or standing and looking at me. *ssigggh* 

Times like these makes me really appreciate my dachshunds. Who are curled by the heater, and haven't moved for the majority of the evening. Speaking of dachshunds, Bubbles was up and walking around outside today, does that mean she's better? Not necessarily since she came back in, and hasn't moved from her spot on the couch since.  Prayers, Good Thoughts or whatever would be greatly appreciated for her!!!