I say by Foster Dog

Ok, here's what I say, "That Atticus Dog is crazy."

Leanne brought him home and Luna and I looked at each other and said, "What the?"  Leanne smelled so happy and eager for us to accept him that we had to admit, "This is an adventure."  Atticus is a busy busy nut job.

Leanne says Atticus is a puppy who didn't have a Pack to support his development.  She also says that is no excuse for him to not follow The Ways, but she says it's going to take some time for Atticus to learn how things work around here.  He is so not on our plan.  As J says, "He is not dialed in yet."

I like my naps.  Everyone knows this.  Atticus has not yet learned the beauty of even one nap let alone the multiple naps I need during the day.  Thank You Leanne for wrapping me up so I can block out the rambunctious puppy.  I tell him, "Dude, I'm trying to sleep here.  Calm it down," and he says, "Foster Dog!  Come play with me!  Foster Dog!  I love you!  Foster Dog!  Leanne is calling me!  Gotta go!"  Again, Thank You Leanne.  I don't know how she keeps that bugger occupied during the day.  He is a non-stop Tasmanian Devil kind of creature.

You do have to feel for the guy though.  He'd never known the Blueberry Unfrosted PopTart until he met us.  He didn't even know about walks in the woods or chewing on antlers or  cuddling up with heated blankets or sleeping with humans.  He's been totally deprived so I'll give him a pass about some things.  Some things I won't.

The dude only wants what I have because I have it.  He's totally like a toddler who thinks everything is his.  I let him just have stuff because that's My Way, but it can get really annoying.  Leanne returns the stuff and distracts the Big A with something else so I can enjoy an antler or the destruction of a toy now and then, but it's like he's obsessed with me.  Leanne says he loves me, but he also competes with me, so she'll let him love me, but she'll never let him win.  Leanne says she will always win, and you know what?  She's right.  She never backs down from The Beast and he's learning that she means business.  Luna and I know that already, and totally think it's cool, but The Puppy just doesn't get it yet.  He will.

So until he's dialed in, Luna and I will keep trying to show him The Ways, and as long as he doesn't mess with my naps too much, he'll be alright.  I think we could really work together on the squirrel issue outside...once I get up from my nap.

My Words by Luna

Everyone has been asking if I like Atticus.  Eh, he's alright.  It doesn't really matter if I like him.  I can get along with anybody.  What matters to me is if Leanne likes him. When she's happy, we're all happy.

My job is to nurture Leanne.  I just make her feel good about everything, and when she feels good about everything, everything is good, you know?  She says I've taught her a lot, but I think I've just loved her and shown her that she's great.  Sometimes she doesn't think she's that great, and I just remind her.  Atticus though, he's really teaching her things.  He's a teacher.  He's going to show her she's great in his own way.

Atticus is pretty funny.  He's so clumsy he kind of falls down the stairs like a stretched out Slinky with extra gravity.  And if we won't play with him, he barks like a baby.  That's what he is really, a baby.  A big baby who can't really balance his head on his body.

Leanne worries about Atticus like she does about me and Foster Dog.  She doesn't like to be away from us and adding crate time for Attie stresses her.  Just like Foster Dog though, Atticus pretty much likes the crate, and that helps Leanne manage the time apart.  She also worries about meeting his needs because she's still learning what they are, so Foster Dog and I just let her know what we need and Atticus usually thinks our needs are good ones for him to have too.

He is Thee Worst about chewing on leashes.  Good grief, why does he do that?!  It takes up way too much of our time on walks sometimes.  Thank God Leanne is patient because I might have to have a talk with him about it.  It's just so annoying.  He is Super Good at waiting for meals.  I totally would have a talk with him if he was all antsy and runaroundy, but he's Super Good and just waits.  He's actually better about waiting until he's called to his station than I or Foster Dog.  That's why he gets called first a lot.  Leanne rewards our behavior, not our seniority.  Freaking puppy.

Oh My Gosh does he take up a ton of room in the bed.  Leanne isn't sure he's ready to cuddle up with us, but she lets him practice a little and one time we all fell asleep and left absolutely no room for J!  J is so accommodating with stuff like that.  J just slept somewhere else for a while until Attie decided to put himself to bed in the crate.

So do I like him?  Eh, he's alright, but he makes Leanne happy and she's super happy when we're all walking in the woods, or anywhere.  She just likes to be with us and as long as she still makes time to be with me, I'm good.

Hi Everybody! It's me, Atticus!

I said, "My name is Atticus.  I belong to you."

I've lived with Leanne, J, Luna and Foster (that's his real name) for two months now and they're great.  I knew Leanne was mine because she was the first person to hear me say my name is Atticus.  Some nice people at K9 Stray Rescue League named me Harlan when they saved my life, but Leanne heard me say my real name.  She's really nice to me and has bought me lots of stuff and is super patient with me.  She calls me "Attie" a lot and I always come when she calls me...except if I'm tracking a critter.

I kind of pull a lot on a leash, but Leanne won't let me be disconnected from her.  She says I'm getting better, and she says one day she bets I'll be able to track anything on any surface since my nose is so powerful.  Because it's been a little icy outside, and I'm so interested in squirrels, Leanne walks with us all for only 20 minutes or so outside twice a day, and then I get to walk on the treadmill!  I'm really good at it!  So I still need to learn how to not pull so much on the leash, and to come to Leanne even if I'm tracking something.  Leanne says I'll get it, and until then she tells me I have to stay on the leash, and I can't howl at the black squirrels, and I can't try to jump through the door wall, and I can't chase the Pug at puppy school.  She has a lot of rules, but she's nice.

We like to walk together in all kinds of weather!

Leanne was even super nice to me when I did a really bad thing.  I ate two of her chapsticks.  She calls them "lippies," and I ate two really really expensive minty ones.  Leanne doesn't know how I even found them, and she said she must have made a mistake and she needs to watch me more carefully.

Leanne says she learned from some people that I'm not the Young Adult the K9 shelter thought I was.  I'm actually a puppy and no one is sure how old I am.  I might not even be a year old yet!  A behavior lady says I was on my own really early and didn't really have anybody to show me how to be.  Leanne says she'll help me!

Leanne and J and Luna and Foster have helped me a lot already.  Foster plays with me and he and Luna try to teach me about playing nicely.  I've learned to wait patiently while Leanne makes my meals - I LOVE what she feeds me - and I wait until she tells me I can eat.  She tells me I'm so sweet and so patient.  I think she loves me.  And I think I love frozen green beans and Blueberry Unfrosted PopTarts.  I know I love the elk antlers they give me to chew on!  Leanne says I'm a Heavy Chewer and that it's her job to give me what I need so I don't get into any trouble.

Chewin' next to my favorite

Leanne says there are at least two things she's surprised by.  She thinks it's so great that I like the crate they gave me to cuddle up in.  She says it's hard to leave me, but since I like the crate so much, it's easier for her.  They only leave me for like two hours, but I can tell Leanne doesn't like to be apart.  When we all come back together everyone is so happy!  Leanne says she thinks it's so funny that I like to have my ears cleaned!  I still don't like my nails trimmed, but Leanne says she'll help me get used to it.

Everybody is really nice here and Leanne says I will live with them forever and ever.  I don't know what that means exactly, but I think it means they're my family and I belong with them and that they love me no matter what.

Leanne made us dress up and pose on the porch

Harlan/Atticus/Attie/Big A

Getting Along

The most common question we've been asked so far is, "Is everyone getting along?"  My response is always some variation of "Of course!  We would allow for nothing else!"  I realize that to some my answer may sound overly optimistic or confident, or even clueless as if I am completely unaware of dogs fighting.  I am confident, and I am aware of fighting among dogs, but I do not believe I am overly optimistic.  I believe I have have been preparing My Pack for harmony from the moment each member arrived.

There isn't one particular thing I've done since Atticus arrived to ensure harmony.  Our family's harmony is a family value!  To be My Pack's Leader, I have had to earn each member's trust, and I have worked to do that by being fair, being kind and by protecting him and her.

Foster Dog arrived a year and a half ago.  We helped him adjust to the new family dynamic by always being fair.  We do not allow one dog to take toys from another.  We do not allow one dog to intimidate another to force one to move from a favored bed or location.  We do not favor one dog over another by showing more affection, allowing differing behavior, or giving more treats.  We also do not give treats and praise based on seniority.  We reward good behavior from whomever it comes.

Jason makes special shakes twice per week.
Each dog receives a sampling.  What one dog gets, all dogs get.
Atticus received his first, and chose to enjoy it by Fosse.

We are also kind.  When a canine family member arrives, there are bound to be a lot of "No"s.  I don't yell, "Noooo!!!!" for every infraction.  I not only try to show what behavior I want instead of yelling No, I save the big "Noooo!!!!" for things like counter jumping.  When Atticus went up the stairs without permission, I did not yell, "Get your butt back down here! Atticus, COME!"  I said, "Attie, come down here, buddy.  Come on," and he came down the stairs.  I said, "Good boy buddy.  Stay down here with me," and then I blocked the stairs so he couldn't make that mistake again.  When he showed curiosity with upstairs again by trying to scale the barricade, I calmly said, "No, Attie.  Come over here," and I interested him in a toy to chew on.

Atticus & Foster Dog chewing on high value items.
Next to each other.
By choice.
On Day 2.
I love my family.

When Foster Dog first came to us, he was underweight and unsure.  I would cover him with a thick fleece blankie when he relaxed, and he'd tuck his nose under.  So cute!  He was sweetly accepting of the kindness, and could feel both physical warmth and emotional trust created by Me.  The kindness bonded us.

When Fosse first came...My Little One...

Possibly the most important way I've earned My Pack members' trust is by protecting them.  While my safety provisions of seat belts are not overtly appreciated, I keep My Pack safe in great part with supervision.  Luna and Foster Dog have free reign of the house while I am gone, but since Atticus' arrival, he has not been unsupervised.  When I have had to be away from home, Atticus has gone into a crate.  This keeps him safe and it keeps Luna and Foster Dog from having to witness his TomFoolery!  When I am home, I supervise Atticus and work to teach him how to behave at home.  Luna and Foster Dog see this and hopefully feel protected from the shenanigans of a new dog who is learning about not jumping on counters, not busting out of doorways, and not howling at chipmunks.

Something I've done hundreds of times, and continue to do, is probably one of the most powerful.  When the dogs and I are out walking and a less than well-behaved dog enters our happiness bubble, I direct my dogs to my side farthest from the less than well-behaved dog.  I become a barrier and I am protecting My Pack.  They see that, and feel it, and it bonds us.  They trust me to block whoever is not safe, and to allow  around us only those who are safe.

Atticus is allowed around us, with supervision, and he's learning The Ways.  Hopefully he's learning that I am fair, kind, and will protect him.  So far he seems pretty comfortable, and Luna and Foster Dog seem pretty accepting.

They all fit on one dog bed.
This was on Day 3.

It's A Boy! Atticus joins The Pack!

I've been working at a dog training/boarding/day care business for six months.  It has been a busy busy six months including a lot of doggy slobber and snuggles.  Everyone has her favorites that bring excitement and happiness to the day, and then we say goodbye.  Twice per year, a group of shelter dogs lives at the kennel while they participate in an 8-week obedience program called Teacher's Pet.  Through Teacher's Pet, shelter dogs are matched with school-aged children who work with their dogs two days per week.  The children gain confidence, compassion and school credit, and the shelter dogs become more adoptable upon completion of the obedience training.

The shelter dogs usually come soon after school starts in September.  In late September, I wondered why the dogs had not yet arrived.  We learned that we would have to select the dogs and they would arrive in mid-October.  Five adorable dogs arrived, and we loved them all.  So sweet. So cute.  Great diversity.  Just adorable.

I am asked in a number of ways at least 40 times per year if I want another dog, know someone who wants a dog, if I can foster a dog just until someone finds a new place to live, gets through a divorce, settles into a new state or job, etc., etc., etc.  I have no problem saying, "No."  I know when to say, "No."

I took care of the shelter dogs for weeks without feeling any unusual connection.  Two "Big Dogs," and three "Puppies."  Each sweet and showing its individuality, but no connection felt, until one day...  I walked into the "Big Dog" room and though I had interacted with "Harlan" many many times, we truly saw each other for the first time.  We literally locked eyes and he said to me, "My name is Atticus.  I belong to you."  As we continued to look to each other, I said out loud to all the other Big Dogs around us, "Did you guys just feel that?"  It was truly tangible.  I tried to ignore it.  Our foursome felt perfect, but I had noticed that it also felt as if someone was missing.  I had said our family wasn't full; I thought I was missing Koko and Satchel, but that kind of missing feels differently.  I tried to talk myself out of it.  He stayed on my mind.

My name is Atticus.  I belong to you.

I asked a co-worker to take a picture so I could talk to J about him.

He was so strongly on my mind, I talked to J about him.  Every concern I brought up, J made evaporate.  Every co-worker I talked to about him saw him with completely different eyes.  The efforts to deny Atticus' place in our family were weak.  He was ours.  The Pack has expanded.  We are now a Family of Five.

Seatbelted and on his way HOME!

On our first walk as The Pack

MISTAKES

I'm not even going to type about how I am off my writing schedule, and how too often I am too tired to think of anything worth mentioning...Jeez Louise, I can really put things off...

So I've been noticing something. I think I type and say fairly frequently that I am not a perfect dog owner, and I think I share my mistakes freely. I have been encountering some people who have been enjoying, a little too much in my opinion, pointing out some "less than perfect" behaviors within my pack. Therefore, I feel I need to clarify, or re-clarify, part of my pack-living philosophy.

I will not declare that my dogs will never ever do some things. I will say that I will never ever let unwanted behaviors go without a response from me. I will not declare that my dogs will never make a mistake or a bad choice. I will say that I will never see my dogs as anything other than perfect because with my efforts to provide a stable, nurturing environment, my dogs can be their full selves; their full perfect selves.

Everyone knows Luna is perfect! She's everything I could hope for in a dog. She's smart and fun and calm and strong and always up for any adventure the day may bring. She wants to be with me wherever I go, and she wants to make me happy as we experience everything together. I like to take her to as many places as possible because I believe that helps dogs be comfortable in multiple environments. If I encourage the same rules no matter where we go, life is predictable even if the people or the road or the house or the weather or the state is not.

I took Luna to a Fourth of July party at my friends' home. They have a beautiful patio and pool and there were dozens of people enjoying it all when we arrived. Luna walked with me down the stone steps to say hello to everyone, and when I stopped to hug a friend, Luna kept on going and jumped right into the pool. She never stopped. She never even looked back to me to ask permission. She jumped right into the pool. I nearly lost my mind!

Everyone at the party thought she was adorable and said she was so sweet and fun, and that she jumped in because it was so hot, and the hosts assured me it was absolutely fine. All of that was nice, but I ordered Luna out of the pool immediately and told her to Sit. Down. And. Stay. Everyone continued to laugh at how cute she was, and everyone continued to tell me it was not just fine, but great that she jumped in, and that she shouldn't have to sit there and be in trouble, and isn't she just so cute, and how could I deny her?

I wasn't livid with Luna, but I was surprised actually. How had my Perfect Peanut not even looked to me for permission before jumping in that pool? When we are at Lake Michigan, she has to wait until we set everything down before she is allowed to jump in. She knows this! Well, she's Luna and she's a dog and she was excited and she was in a new environment and I didn't give her any direction before we walked through the pool gate. It was me. It was my fault. But her behavior required a response from me. Since I hadn't given her enough direction to prevent the jumping into the pool without permission, I had to give her direction as quickly and clearly as possible to get out and wait for my approval.

It's not that Luna couldn't go swimming. It was that she made a choice that wasn't safe. Her ability to make that choice was my fault so I had to correct both of our mistakes. I did that by telling her very seriously to "Come!" "Follow me." "Sit." "Stay." I said my hellos and gave hugs all around, and then Luna was given permission to jump back into the pool.

We each made a mistake and I responded. My Perfect Luna made a choice I didn't like, so I had to tell her not just "No!" but Here's-What-I-Want-You-To-Do. Our relationship is not only intact, it's even better. She's so great. She's perfect. I am not.

Happy Perfect Luna Being a Retriever

CHOOSING A DOG - The Why & The How

I'm behind. I know. I'm sorry. I will find my writing and routine mojo again. I will.

Ok. Choosing a dog. The Why and The How; a myriad of reasons!

THE WHY

Some people grow up with dogs and rarely live without one (me, dogless during college years), some find their first dog during their adulthood, and some decide their kids need a dog and adopt at least one as a family. In any situation, I believe dogs provide great things, and each one is a worthy Why.

A short list:

1. Dogs provide sweetly supportive companionship.

2. Dogs teach compassion, patience, responsibility and how to be a caregiver.

3. You'll do things for your dog that you wouldn't for yourself - you may not be motivated to get up and go for a walk, but you'll do it for your dog.

4. Dogs inspire confidence.

5. Dogs provide structure and purpose in your life.

6. Dogs build bridges between you & nature and you & other people.

7. Dogs exemplify true love - they love you simply because you walk through the door.

8. Dogs are healthy - they lower your blood pressure, lower your cholesterol, and reduce your stress.

9. Dogs are wonderful listeners.

THE HOW

1. Research

Research breeds and dog needs, vets, rescues and breeders. Read books, interview rescue volunteers, dog owners and dog walkers.

2. Apply

You'll be interviewed too!

3. Expand your family and remember - Dogs are addictive!!!!

I am not me without my dogs, and even if there was a dogless me, I know a dogful me is a super enhanced me. Something I say to My Pack every day: Everything is better when we're together.