Verdict On The Thunder Shirt

After a week of using the Thunder Shirt daily on Riley I have decided this is not for us...

I will admit, the anxiety levels do go way down when wearing the Thunder Shirt. For any dog owner who is thinking about getting one for their dog that is afraid during storms, fireworks, etc...this should help tremendously. We were hoping this would cut Riley's anxiety enough that he would "allow" us to clip his nails. Not the case though. Although the anxiety was almost gone, the fear was still very much there. He wasn't shaking like he normally does. The Thunder Shirt did help a lot. We just need more help than that! 

So, it looks like I will be calling the Vet to make an appointment for sedation nail cutting :( I am very sad about this, but what else can we do? Poor Riley.

1 Year Anniversary

On 7/10/10 my good friends, Allison & Kevin, transported some wonderful rescue dogs to Wisconsin from the Osceola Shelter in Arkansas. My baby, Riley, and his sister, Lucy, were part of that transport of precious cargo. Today is a special day not only because it is the one year anniversary of the day Riley came into my life, but because we are dog sitting Lucy & they get to be together on this anniversary.

They are having the time of their lives together! The bond between them is very easy to see. They are so alike in so many ways, from looks to behavior to personality! When I took them for a walk today (on my own) they just trotted next to each other, side by side. Now usually when I walk Riley there is a lot of pulling, chasing rabbits, and this jumping/spinning thing he does when he sees another dog. They were completely calm together. I am so amazed that I was able to walk 2 big dogs (on my own) & didn't get pulled once! We walked past the Labradoodle that Riley loves & there was very little reaction. 

Here are a few pictures of Riley & Lucy when they first came to WI. Pay no attention to the date stamp on the picture...it was broken. 

 Lucy & Riley 7/10/10. They both spent the first night at my house together. The next day Lucy went into another foster home.

 Riley is on the left & Lucy on the right. 7/10/10.

Me with Riley the day after he came to WI. Allison took this picture...This is my favorite picture of us! I had no idea my family would be adopting Riley. He joined our family officially on 7/26/11. Lucy was adopted by her wonderful family about a week later. Lucy's foster mom was so nice. She dropped Lucy off at my house so they could play for a few hours before she went off to begin her new life

Here are a few pictures from last month when we met at the Dog Park.

 This was the first time they had seen each other since Lucy's adoption day.

Here are a few pictures of them from yesterday...so happy together!