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!

Miles: Day 4

Today is my last day of "puppy vacation." Although I love being home to play with the dogs all day, I am eager to get back to work. I'm so thankful I have a job that I love & look forward to being there. Glen had to go back to work (3rd shift) tonight, so today was my first day with 2 dogs alone. I was nervous, but my dogs were so good! It was an easy, relaxing day.

Miles found his bark today. He has the quietest bark & grumble. He uses it when he sees people walking outside past the house. I have been making a sharp "uh-uh" noise & it seems to be stopping him. Of course lots of praise when he ignores passers by as well. I've been working on bone, treat & toy guarding with him as well. He doesn't like this training but is doing great with it. I just can't believe how fast this puppy catches on to the rules! He is one smart boy!

Miles went back to the Vet to get his distemper booster shot. He has gained almost a whole pound since he's been here! While at the Vet, I picked up Miles' heart worm prevention pills & flea/tick prevention so we can keep him healthy!

Miles met our cat, Sarah, today. He took one look at her, then ran & jumped on the couch by me!

My Step Mom & little brothers & sisters stopped over to visit Miles this afternoon. They also brought their new puppy, Ruby. They brought Ruby home yesterday. She is a 4.5 pound, 6 week old Labradoodle. She is teeny tiny & cute as a button! I see play dates in the future.

Miles: Day 3

I think Miles realizes he is home. He is adjusting well & seems happy here. He loves to romp & play with Riley. Riley is so much bigger than Miles, but Miles sure can hold his own! They really do get along great. Potty training is going incredibly well. Miles is getting the hang of things better than most puppies I've been around. He didn't have an accident today. We are so proud of him!

We had a cook out today to celebrate Allison & Kevin being here. They are an amazing couple. They save doggie lives every day, are selfless & caring and I just adore them! 11 months ago Allison & Kevin brought Riley here & a few days ago they brought Miles here (both from Osceola Animal Shelter in Arkansas). A BIG thank you to them for everything they have done for my family & for everything they continue to do for so many. This world is a better place because of you! I love you guys!

Here are a few pictures from the cook out.

              Miles says "Thank you Allison & Kevin for bringing me home."

Miles: Day 2

Awake at 3am to a BAD smell...that was the only time Miles pooped in the house. There have been a few potty accidents, but none on the carpet...YET. It's something you expect as a new puppy parent.

Miles is such a calm puppy. We are wondering if we are really lucky 2 times in a row or if Miles' personality will change once he's more settled in. So far as he seems to be getting more comfortable in his new home, he is just a calm, sweet boy. We are so happy & feel so blessed to have, not just 1, but 2 wonderful dogs!

                                          Riley & Miles happily chewing.

                           

Miles: Day 1

My dear friends Kevin & Allison left the Osceola Animal Shelter in Arkansas at 6pm on 6/09/11 with a dozen pups on board heading for Wisconsin. They arrived in Neenah at OARS Adoption Center safely at 9am on 6/10/11. Glen & I, as well as a few others all met there to pick up our pups. Here are a few pictures of Miles with his litter mate, Sammy & a few of the other pups that made the trip to Wisconsin.

 This is Monkey Mama. Her litter of puppies came to Wisconsin last summer & were all adopted into wonderful homes!

                                                   Proud Daddy!

             Time to say goodbye brothers...hopefully it's a see you later!

Glen & I left OARS & went to The Dog House & Pet Center to give Miles a bath. One of the wonderful groomers there mixed us up some flea shampoo (just in case) & gave us some brushing advice for our fuzzy boy! Miles had a few knots in his gorgeous hair, but thankfully they all came out after a good brushing. Glen spent over an hour brushing Miles. We have been brushing him daily since & his fur is absolutely perfect since! 

                     Here is Miles at The Dog House & Pet Center BEFORE his bath.

                                      Here is Miles AFTER his bath.

Now that Miles was all cleaned up, we took him home to meet his fur brother, Riley, and my kids. Miles was a little unsure of everything, but after a few days he was completely comfortable. He definitely loves his new home where he gets tons of love & attention!

After a few hours of being home, we notice Miles was coughing & had big goopie eye boogies. We thought he had a little case of conjunctivitis, so we took him to our Vet. The Vet that saw him said everything looked & sounded good. He had a temp of 102.5 (on the high end of normal). The Vet thought we should keep him separate from Riley for a day or so just to make sure this was just a cold or him adjusting to the Wisconsin air. We took him potty in a separate yard from Riley & kept them separated until the next afternoon. By then we knew Miles was perfectly healthy & was just adjusting to the new environment.

New Addition

Those who know me, knows my family has been through a lot trying to add another dog to our crew. People kept telling me "everything happens for a reason" & "when it's meant to be it will happen." Now those words were hard to hear at the time, but I look back now & realize the truth behind them.

Before we adopted Riley last year, we had a major heartbreak when one of our foster dogs was adopted. A few months after that we were able to adopt Riley & he healed our hearts in a way no one could ever imagine. In May of this year we took in a dog that we were told we were fostering to adopt. Her foster parents decided they wanted to keep her. This was sad news, but we were happy she had a forever home in the end. Next week had planned on adopting another puppy, but sadly God had other plans for her.

I am very proud of my family's strength & ability to keep going. We have been sad & cried many times over those we lost & could not have. Many people would simply give up, but we did not. We pulled together & thought about all of those puppies in need of a home & knew we had to keep trying to adopt until we are successful.

We are happy to announce that on 6/10 we will be welcoming a 4 month old puppy (an English Shepherd mix) named Miles into our family! We are so thankful for our friends Kevin & Allison for helping make this dream come true for our family! We love you guys!