LET THERE BE PEACE

LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH!

VERY TRICKY

When I came to my new home I didn't really make eye contact. The 'sit' command was foreign and when 'shake' was introduced I was less than thrilled. Just look at me two months later! I am a very smart boy.

We call this 'over' and 'under'. I wonder what we'll do next.

BEST DAY EVER!!!

Hey, It's me, JoJo.

Mom is letting me use her blog space because I have to tell you about my best day ever.

It was a Saturday. Dad was cleaning up the brush and I was on my lead. I love being outside. Chewing up sticks is just about the best pastime ever.

After Mom got home from work (I know she was at work because she had to change out of her uniform) she helped Dad gather the brush he had cut up.

They went in the house and came back out with my leash! We didn't go walking though. We got in the car. I love going for rides and Mom says I ride well. I have to stay in the back but that's okay.

When we arrived, I found myself at Christmas In The Barns. It is a local craft show held in the barns at the Fairgrounds. The stalls become booths and tents are set up outside as well.

There were lots of people and the aroma of the food vendors really made my nose twitch. I made a lot of human friends and met a three-legged dog that wanted to play with me as much as I wanted to play with her.

Mom was very happy with me. I didn't bark even once and was very cooperative as we wandered around. We stopped at a booth that had homemade dog treats and toys. I got a new tugger that Mom chose because it didn't look like any of the socks or shirts we have at the house and apparently, I'm NOT supposed to eat. The girls that made all of these goodies were really friendly and we spent some time visiting.

That night, after dinner when we take our evening walk, we went in a different direction. We went up through the yard to a secret path and wound up at the neighbors. It was those same girls! I got a bag of pumpkin turkey treats (which Mom doles out). Boy, are they good!!! The girls took turns having me sit and shake hands and giving me treats. There were dog toys everywhere and I was allowed to play with any of them. It was great.

Then we went outside. Four young, energetic girls running with me on my leash. I loved every minute of it. They even set up hurdles. They use them to jump the rabbits. Personally, I'd rather chase the rabbits but I guess that's not allowed. They taught me to "jump".

Whenever I went around a hurdle I was guided back to it and we tried again. Each time I succeeded I got all kinds of praise and attention. By the end of the evening the hurdles had been raised several times and I was happy and proud.

As Mom and I were walking home, I was positively strutting. That was definitely my BEST DAY EVER!!!

HAVE A LITTLE FAITH

When this ugly thing left the bathroom, I was happy to see it go. We have them in every room and paint does not make them look any better.

After replacing the floor, toilet, sink, and basically redoing the entire bathroom, it was time to replace the heat source. You can imagine my dismay when I realized that we would be using one of these.

"It will look good." he said.

"I'd like to put them in all the rooms," he says.

"Aack," I think.

I need to learn to have a little faith and trust his judgment more. I love my radiator! It just needed some less than tender loving care. It needed sandblasted.

WALK A MILE

Getting a young dog has changed my lifestyle. Every night after the dinner dishes are done we head out.

Although it is a beautiful walk with many things to look at...

There are plenty of reminders of the fact that we can't go there.

I love exploring the countryside and we live in an area that calls out for it.

Unfortunately, it is forbidden.

Each night, we go half a mile out and half a mile back. We stick to the road.

There are still the sights, sounds, and smells to enjoy.

The health benefits are undeniable. JoJo is a much calmer dog and I have a lot more endurance than  I did just a month ago. I am happy to walk a mile.

PROGRESS

I had been posting about our home improvement project, renovating the bathroom. For two old folk, this was a major undertaking. Although we still haven't completed the details (a new mirror, a radiator, a door) I have to look back and realize just how much we have accomplished.

We managed to turn this into...

this!

We have recently undertaken another major task. Our one year old dog who has had four families before becoming part of ours has proven to be quite a task as well.
JoJo arrived a fearful dog. He barked at every new sound. He had trouble focusing. He was full of nervous energy.
It has been a slow process of introducing him to many new experiences (like water and swimming), sounds (children, traffic, chickens), and feelings (like being cradled, scolded, praised) to help him overcome most of his fears.
The more things that he succeeds at the more confidant he is in facing new things. His focus is getting better as we worked on 'sit' and have now added 'shake hands'.
He no longer fears that we'll take his toys (although I trade them out occasionally to keep them fresh and not boring) or that his food will disappear. He grazes now instead of gobbling it and trying to hide the bowl.

From this to

This.

I remind myself to enjoy where we are, even though there will always be more work to be done.

Celebrate the Progress!

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Adjusting to a new family member involves getting to know one another. We all have our strengths and weaknesses as well as unique personality traits.
JoJo is learning his territory and has found the perfect place to keep an eye on it even when he is inside.

Upon hearing a thumping sound upstairs, I figured that I had better check to see what he had gotten into. I came around the corner to see a ball bouncing down the steps and a dog hot on its trail. He really does know how to entertain himself!
It does seem as if I spend quite a bit of time 'checking on the dog'. A couple of times he disappeared but I found him. He was keeping himself busy hiding.

He really has a sense of humor about expressing himself. As I was slicing into a fresh apple pie, I heard a sound behind me. JoJo had brought me his empty food dish and dropped it at my feet. Apparently he felt I should serve him some too!

I've had to make some adjustments around here. I've discovered that laundry needs to go in the washer instead of in a basket!

(Un)fortunately, he's only one, seven in human years, so he has a great deal of growing up to do. I see so much potential in him. Patience is key. By this time next year, it will be fun to reread this to see how much he has matured. Until then, hang on! I'm sure I'll have more escapades to tell you about.