So, between getting the house and yard ready for Spring, and being a new puppy mommy, I’ve found that I’m not having the time to write about my many adventures of getting the house and yard ready for Spring and being a new puppy mommy. The house and yard part, no prob bob - it’s been fun! I love doing yard work, and watching things grow. The puppy part? Oh dear God, why did I get a one year old dog? Okay okay, I don’t mean that lol. I love that dog to death. He was very mellow when we adopted him, which I now believe was due to him being in the beginning stages of kennel cough, so he was feeling crappy aside from being in the shelter. So I knew we’d be in for a wakeup call when he got better. Well guess what? He’s feeling better now.

We tried the crate twice. The first time, he hated it, but stayed in it for a couple hours. The second time, he busted right out of it. I gave up on that, because by that second time, the housebreaking was done and successful and he wasn’t showing any signs of destruction or chewing behaviors… until now. (Maybe that was my first mistake - giving up on the crate training?).

I’ve been able to leave him for up to four hours by himself with no problems. I come home for lunch and take him out, then he’s good to go until we get home from work. Tonight, we were gone for about that long, and came home to a massacre. Alright, not really. Tonight, we said goodbye to the DVD player remote, a full box of tissues, his frisbee I just bought at Petsmart, one of my shoes and quite possibly a section of carpet in John’s ManCave. Our puppy has a serious case of separation anxiety. I feel like a horrible pet owner for not being more prepared to train him and raise him right.

So I need some advice. Training a dog yourself vs. obedience classes? I can watch Cesar all day long until I can’t keep my eyes open, but I’m still not convinced I can give this dog what he needs. PetSmart offers an 8 week class that I’ve been told is great. I’m just not sure what to do next. I do know that I need to give this pup some structure, because I’m thinking he’s not had that in a while. He does seem to know basic commands (sit, come, stay), but he doesn’t always follow them. You can tell by looking at him that he was someone’s pet… he’s gorgeous, and the pads of his feet are still fairly soft so he wasn’t roaming for long. Any words of advice for a new dog owner? Please? Somebody? Leo thanks you in advance.

After a ridiculous amount of rain, the sun is out. It just so happens that I can’t enjoy it, as I have to close for the next three nights. Yay. Took Leo for a walk today, and he wasn’t half bad. It was bothering me that the first couple of weeks we had him, he was pretty obedient, following basic commands and being good on walks. Yesterday he pulled me all over the place. Today, I was more calm-assertive like I was in the beginning (yeah I watch Cesar like he’s the only thing on tv), and it’s starting to work again. Crate training sessions are next. He’s not a bad dog at all, he just needs structure and exercise. It’s going to be good for me, too - I’ve lost 7 pounds since we got him so woohoo for that!

Anyway, the new layout is a little messy right now. Ran out of time because I need to get ready. Ugh, I’m dreading work tonight. Friday always brings out the idiots. Oh well, here’s to a good (or at least decent) weekend.

Yeah, so the sun? Vanished. Today is cool, cloudy, and spitting here and there. Usually, I’d like that. Today however, I had a lot of plans like taking Leo for a long walk, and running errands in which I’d be getting out of the car a lot. Not that I mind getting rained on - I’m certainly not coated in sugar - but it would be nice to not look waterlogged while shopping.

I’m having RSS trouble. Apparently, I’m stupid because I can’t figure out what code to put where and if I need to do something to my RSS template and blah blah blah. I’ll figure it out. I’d like to be able to have a feed-readable site (did I just make that up? well whatever you know what I mean).

I had a craving for Clearly Canadian yesterday. I haven’t had that since high school.

They do still make it, but apparently it’s not available anywhere near me. Oh well. I’d love an ice cold raspberry CC right now.

I came home from work to a hyper dog and two little accidents waiting for me to clean up. Funny… when I work nights, I find time to take him for a walk and play with him in the backyard long enough to tire him out until John gets home from work. Thanks for not doing your part “dad”.  (one of the biggest reasons I was hesitant to get a dog… I knew I’d be in it alone. GAH.)

I think that’s all I’ve got for now. Fried brain, nothing of interest to talk about I guess. I did wanna mention that I’m twittering now, and myspacing my time away (God help me). And I think I have a facebook. I’m sure a search would find me. Come say hi if you wanna. It’s my lame attempt at being social. Being a hermit just isn’t doing it for me anymore. Of course, that also means getting up once in a while and oh I dunno, going outside maybe? Baby steps Michelle, baby steps. 

I value my sleep when I’m fortunate enough to get any. Night owl by nature, I’m lucky to fall asleep by 2am most of the time. I know I’m getting old because I need more sleep now, and not getting it is catching up to me. I got home from work around 10:20pm, fast-forwarded through most of Idol to the end, and went to bed around 12. Around 2am, we were woken up by the most God awful, gutteral growl I’ve ever heard. Leo had Jasmine cornered by the bed and she couldn’t get away. He’s never tried to hurt her but he likes to play and I don’t think he realizes that his size scares her. So I got up and led him out of the room, gave him his bone and watched some tv. And then suddenly I was wide awake, yay! So I think I slept from about 4 to 5 on the couch, and here I am awake again. I finally get a day off work, and I have SO much to do around the house but of course, I’m beyond tired. Thank God for coffee.

Today is Leo’s first vet appointment. The shelter didn’t tell me that he still needed his rabies vac when we adopted him, but I was looking through his adoption packet and his chart said he hadn’t received it yet so I had to call them to make sure. I’m a little nervous, because I’m not sure how the waiting room will go. Maybe there’ll be a Bull Mastiff that intimidates Leo LOL. I also found a dog park about 10 minutes from us that we’re going to check out this weekend. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. No more rain damn it!

Since I’m up I might as well start the housework, laundry and other crap that needs to be done around here. I leave with one last thing to say: Yay for David Cook!!

Leo’s first vet visit was fantastic. He did SO well. We’ve only had him for a month, and I wasn’t sure how he’d be around the other animals since I only know for sure how he is with our cat. Well… he made fast friends with a HUGE Rottie and a very hyper boxer, so I think he’s gonna be fine! We had a long wait because they were running behind, and he even tried to console two little Yorkies that were nervous and barking up a storm. I’m just so thankful that he has the personality he does with other animals. I tried to take a picture in the waiting room of the dogs together but they all kept moving too much lol. He’s going to be so much fun at the dog park

I find it sad that even on my weekends off, I can’t sleep past 8am. Gorgeous day today, sun is out and it’s warm but not too hot. I checked out the dog park today, sans Leo, just to see what’s what. There were already three cars there, and four pulling in behind me. We’re definitely taking him next weekend we’re off. Ran some errands… went to Lowe’s for landscaping lights and got some dirt to fill in the holes that Mr. Hyper dug for us. Went to Target for dog food and treats. Okay, not so lazy Sunday I guess. Oh, and something broke my CSS. The page and content backgrounds are off from one another. Um, I haven’t changed anything in the CSS. Weirdness. Oh well, s’ok because I’m in the middle of coding a new look anyway for the site. I love the kiwi, but I wanna see if I can still do this stuff (if I can remember it. heh). Back to work tomorrow, blah. My vacation in August can’t get here quickly enough.

Dear Mother Nature…

If you are going to tempt me with bad storms and tornadoes - which you KNOW I have a deep love for - and then not deliver, at least send me a super-duper-water-sucking-gnome to get rid of the swamp in my backyard, so that my dog cannot ruin my carpet anymore. The color of mud doesn’t match my carpet.

Thanks,
Me.

Despite me being all pms’y and having some unwarranted crying fits (love being a woman), this weekend was really fun. Yesterday, we went to Kings Island amusement park in Mason with some friends, and had a blast. I’ve never been a big fan of roller coasters (or rides in general, because I’m a big chicken), but they got me to ride some. Ok, really it wasn’t a big deal since they were mostly kid rides because the girl we went with brought her 9yr old sister, but I did ride the one that used to be called The Italian Job with the mini-cooper cars. Um yeah, NOT a kid coaster. That sucker was fast. But fun! I also got a little too much sun, but I’ll live. We left just in time for a thunderstorm to move through, and thank God because the lightning was crazy.

Today we finally made it to the dog park! First time, and I have to say it was also a blast. Leo had so much fun being around other dogs and running and playing. I got a few pictures, and they’re up on flickr now if anyone wants to have a look. There’s a dog we met that I swear could be related to Leo. Their coloring was so similar, but she’s a husky/something else mix. She also has one blue eye and one brown eye, very pretty and sweet girl. Actually, all the dogs were great together. Leo got loved on by children and adults, and made over and given compliments on his eyes and how soft he is, blah blah blah. It’s truly sickening. He’s such a ladies man, but he plays all the angles lol. Con artist, I’m telling you. But he’s sleeping now thank God, and mama can go outside and plant the lilies she bought this morning so yay for that!

I am a bundle of overworked nerves lately. The biggest issue I’m having is the lack of help I’m getting from John with the dog. I’m the one who walks him, and the only one who tries to practice discipline with him. I’m trying like hell to be consistent, but it’s not working because My Other Half is not pulling his weight in this arena. I’ve gotten to the point that I really can’t stand the dog sometimes, and I HATE feeling that way. It’s not his fault at all, and I know that. His lack of exercise is making him impossible to deal with. Labs and Huskies are both known for excitability… and he’s a mix of the two! It’s like a double whammy here, and I can’t get John to see that.

The obedience class is being saved up for again. I’m just afraid that the money will be wasted because John won’t enforce the training at home once the course ends. On top of all this, the cat has decided that she’s going to stop using her litter box consistently. My pretty carpet, that was brand new when we moved in six months ago is now a mess. We use Kids & Pets and it works really well, but it’s like every day we’re finding a new spot. The carpet has lost it’s newness. This Saturday, we’ll be taking the carpet cleaner to the floor and heading to the dog park for a while to let it dry… again.

So this is the main cause for my nervous energy. I feel that my household is slipping into chaos. I have no energy to keep up with it, and I’m tired of feeling this way, like I have no control. Also, I’m not trying to make John out to be a horrible person or whatever, because he’s not. I love him dearly, and I couldn’t ask for a better mate (most of the time haha). The problem is, he’s one of those people that wants the cool thing but not the work that comes with it, know what I mean? Ugh, I need to do some yoga or something, get centered and regain some control around here. So uh… anyone wanna tell me how?

I originally posted a new pic of Leo for this entry, then John suggested I do a “before and after” type of thing. According to the shelter, Leo should be right around one year and six months old right now. John’s dad thinks he was actually younger than they thought because his baby teeth just recently all popped through in the back and, hello, holy growth spurt! Here’s a pic taken shortly after we got him in April 2008.

And here he is now, taken two days ago:

I can’t believe how big he is. He reminds me every day, though, when he jumps into the bed and lands ON MY RIB CAGE. Heh. I can’t stay mad at him, though. I mean, look at him! *smooch*