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| Norman & Marty |
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
PITTIE THERAPY
A few months ago, just a couple days after I brought Norman home, I was walking him and Kaya to the park when we came across a woman and her baby. The baby looked as if he had just begun learning to walk. She asked if the baby could pet the dogs. I knew Kaya was too excitable and was likely to knock the little one over so I said the baby could pet Norman. I held Kaya on my other side and allowed Norman to go closer to the baby. He walked a few steps towards the baby and then, without being asked or even any tension on the leash, Norman sat down as the baby made his wobbly steps towards him. As the baby reached out to pet his nose, he lost his balance and more or less smacked Norman on top of the nose. Norman sat there…like a statue. Not a single muscle moved, apart from his tongue, which he reached out of his mouth and licked the baby's little hand. I almost died...I'm not a huge fan of babies, but I thought it was one of the sweetest things I had ever seen. This is when it first dawned on me that Norman would make a great Therapy Dog!
Then when I only had him for 2 weeks, I took Norman to the Bay Area Pet Expo. You couldn't ask for more distractions for a young pup. There were thousands of people there, half of them with dogs of all shapes and sizes. There were kids, strollers and wheelchairs. People and dogs were dressed up in crazy costumes. There were loudspeakers and music and activities. There was cheering, clapping and yelling with wall to wall people inside. And Norman loved every minute of it. People would run across the room to kneel down and cuddle him. There were little kids to kiss and other dogs to sniff. But there was nothing frantic or excitable about Norman's demeanor, he just moseyed along, happily wagging his tail.
After a while inside we went to see what was happening outside. We followed the sounds of many ferociously barking dogs to find a Schutzhund(protection dog) demonstration. We walked right up to the front and watched as the dogs threatened, ran and attacked the "predator." The area was surrounded by spectator and participating dogs, lunging at the ends of their leashes with excitement and angst. We were surrounded by dogs of all shapes and sizes barking as loud as their vocal cords would allow. And then I looked down to find my puppy passed out on his side, basking in the sunlight with his head resting awkwardly on a stranger's foot…he had not a care in the world.
One of my favorite things about Norman is that he is not a jumpy dog. His biggest show of excitement is swaying his whole hind end from side to side in a true pit bull wiggle dance. He has yet to even look like he might try to jump on me or anyone else. Even when I try to get him to reach for a toy, his jumping efforts turn into awkward flailing limbs and him falling to the floor in a heap where he remains for a while.
Anyways, back at the Pet Expo…the first person we came across had a booth and offered Norman a treat. She assured him it was okay to jump up on the table because she couldn't reach him. She showed him the treat and encouraged him to try for it but he sat there with 4 paws firmly planted on the floor. I said, "Sorry, but he won't even try." Later on we met a group of people selling a product to train dogs not to jump up on people. It was basically a short leash with a flat bit of plastic attached to the end which you are meant to stand on to keep your dog grounded. I was humoring the saleswoman's explanation but was trying to explain that my puppy doesn't jump. She declared that he would need it when he got older. Her co-worker greeted Norman and said, "I don't think this dog's ever going to need it." She seemed surprised and deflated at his honest comment and then asked me to think of it when I get my next dog…I did not even mention Kaya.
When we're at the park Kaya and Norman have very different agendas. Kaya is usually running around as fast as she can, running up to every person and dog and leaving just as fast or she is trying to figure out how to get all of the tennis balls in her possession at once. Norman, on the other hand, can almost without a doubt be found sitting at someone's feet, staring lovingly into their eyes, enjoying pets and giving his world class slow-motion kisses. Which leads to him rolling(falling) onto his back for belly rubs and going full stretch in the middle of a busy park. I sometimes have to go over and pick him up and place him back on his feet to re-motivate him.
Norman's favorite cuddle move is to come over to you and collapse his front end so that he basically falls onto you and then his hind end goes too:) He has helped some people on a small scale. Like once he was allowed into a fancy clothing store with my mom and I. He did his belly rub move for the saleswomen and one of them said it was her birthday and he made her day! Several other times he has been greeted by people out on walks and they have said that they really needed a good cuddle like that.
And I do believe that I am not just thinking of him being suited for therapy work because I love him and he's my puppy, I would never dream of it for Kaya. Even though she is so sweet and loving, she would never have the patience or attention span for it. I have had several people suggest to me that I should get Norman certified, but others have assumed reasons for his calm demeanor, saying he must be tired or he is just a puppy and will grow up to be different. Nope...that's just him.
Related Posts:
Norman is Now a Certified Therapy Dog!
Norman's Adoption Story
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| I used to have to walk him with a harness because he was so slow, I did not want to pull on his neck to keep him moving. |
Then when I only had him for 2 weeks, I took Norman to the Bay Area Pet Expo. You couldn't ask for more distractions for a young pup. There were thousands of people there, half of them with dogs of all shapes and sizes. There were kids, strollers and wheelchairs. People and dogs were dressed up in crazy costumes. There were loudspeakers and music and activities. There was cheering, clapping and yelling with wall to wall people inside. And Norman loved every minute of it. People would run across the room to kneel down and cuddle him. There were little kids to kiss and other dogs to sniff. But there was nothing frantic or excitable about Norman's demeanor, he just moseyed along, happily wagging his tail.
After a while inside we went to see what was happening outside. We followed the sounds of many ferociously barking dogs to find a Schutzhund(protection dog) demonstration. We walked right up to the front and watched as the dogs threatened, ran and attacked the "predator." The area was surrounded by spectator and participating dogs, lunging at the ends of their leashes with excitement and angst. We were surrounded by dogs of all shapes and sizes barking as loud as their vocal cords would allow. And then I looked down to find my puppy passed out on his side, basking in the sunlight with his head resting awkwardly on a stranger's foot…he had not a care in the world.
One of my favorite things about Norman is that he is not a jumpy dog. His biggest show of excitement is swaying his whole hind end from side to side in a true pit bull wiggle dance. He has yet to even look like he might try to jump on me or anyone else. Even when I try to get him to reach for a toy, his jumping efforts turn into awkward flailing limbs and him falling to the floor in a heap where he remains for a while.
Anyways, back at the Pet Expo…the first person we came across had a booth and offered Norman a treat. She assured him it was okay to jump up on the table because she couldn't reach him. She showed him the treat and encouraged him to try for it but he sat there with 4 paws firmly planted on the floor. I said, "Sorry, but he won't even try." Later on we met a group of people selling a product to train dogs not to jump up on people. It was basically a short leash with a flat bit of plastic attached to the end which you are meant to stand on to keep your dog grounded. I was humoring the saleswoman's explanation but was trying to explain that my puppy doesn't jump. She declared that he would need it when he got older. Her co-worker greeted Norman and said, "I don't think this dog's ever going to need it." She seemed surprised and deflated at his honest comment and then asked me to think of it when I get my next dog…I did not even mention Kaya.
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| The professional photographer for the event took his photo. |
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| She made a bunch of barking and meowing noises to get his attention, it was only slightly interested. |
When we're at the park Kaya and Norman have very different agendas. Kaya is usually running around as fast as she can, running up to every person and dog and leaving just as fast or she is trying to figure out how to get all of the tennis balls in her possession at once. Norman, on the other hand, can almost without a doubt be found sitting at someone's feet, staring lovingly into their eyes, enjoying pets and giving his world class slow-motion kisses. Which leads to him rolling(falling) onto his back for belly rubs and going full stretch in the middle of a busy park. I sometimes have to go over and pick him up and place him back on his feet to re-motivate him.
Norman's favorite cuddle move is to come over to you and collapse his front end so that he basically falls onto you and then his hind end goes too:) He has helped some people on a small scale. Like once he was allowed into a fancy clothing store with my mom and I. He did his belly rub move for the saleswomen and one of them said it was her birthday and he made her day! Several other times he has been greeted by people out on walks and they have said that they really needed a good cuddle like that.
And I do believe that I am not just thinking of him being suited for therapy work because I love him and he's my puppy, I would never dream of it for Kaya. Even though she is so sweet and loving, she would never have the patience or attention span for it. I have had several people suggest to me that I should get Norman certified, but others have assumed reasons for his calm demeanor, saying he must be tired or he is just a puppy and will grow up to be different. Nope...that's just him.
Related Posts:
Norman is Now a Certified Therapy Dog!
Norman's Adoption Story
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
NORMAN: AKA BUBBA BOO, MY WUBS, GUY, BEAR, WIGGLES
Getting Norman was one of those life decisions I have made that went completely against my better judgement, but I couldn't be happier with the outcome. Kaya was proving to be quite the challenge and showing no signs of improvement. She was always super easy at home but had a bottomless pit of need for attention from humans and dogs when out and about. I knew that someday I wanted to get another dog, but I wanted Kaya to be older and better trained first. I also wanted to wait until I moved into a bigger place. However, I was able to convince myself that Kaya's only hope was through the guidance of an older wiser dog who would show her the way, but also tolerate her antics(no sense of personal space, theft of toys, bones and treats, and puppy wrestling playfulness).
I set out for a search on Craigslist and Petfinder...my only searched keyword was "pit bull". I really didn't think another puppy was a great idea and I also really wanted to adopt from a rescue or shelter, but looking at his pictures, I just couldn't stop thinking about him. The description was short, "I have a beautiful 5 month old male pit bull I am trying to rehome. Very loving and sweet has been around kids and loves to give kisses. I am asking a small adoption fee to cover the costs of his shots."
I was wary though and had many questions. Why are you re-homing him? Where did you get him from? Is he good with other dogs? Has he been around cats? How much is a small adoption fee? Is he neutered? I sent a quick email, but as I drifted off to sleep, I told myself, "Definitely no, it's a terrible idea." However, the fact that I had already picked out his new name was probably a sign that I wouldn't listen to my rational mind. I wanted to call him Norman after the cow Billy Crystal saved in City Slickers because he looked like a cow, of course and it's such an endearing name. When I woke up in the morning I had a reply from them and my heart jumped with excitement. I emailed back and forth with them a few times, but they were vague in their answers so I decided I just needed to see him in person. And even before a cup of coffee, I had arranged a time for Kaya & I to come and meet him later that day.
As usual I was late getting there and got lost too. I tried calling them and didn't get through. I kept telling myself, it I don't find their house, it must be a sign that I shouldn't be getting another puppy. I think, in a way, I was still trying to talk myself out of it or at the least, I was reminding myself this was a hasty and crazy thing to do. I was also still apprehensive that he was not from a rescue situation and I did not want to support a backyard breeder or careless dog owner. I eventually got a hold of them and they asked if I was still coming because other people were interested. Being that I was so close already, I said yes and got better directions.
But once I saw him in person, it didn't take longer than a second for me to decide he was coming home
with us:) They must have just been busy with their kids or just not great at emailing because the couple was really nice in person and told me his whole story. The guy was genuinely heartbroken that he had to let him go and said that Norman was his "dream dog.''
Norman came into the Contra Costa Animal Shelter as a stray and they named him Johnny. They showed me all his paperwork and it turned out he was actually only 3 months-old! The couple had been wanting a second dog to join their 2 year-old shepherd mix. They fell in love with him, the dogs met and got along fine and coincidentally on the day the man went to pick Norman up from the shelter, their baby was born. They also had a toddler son! I could see as their son played in the yard, Norman made no attempts to jump on him, nip, chase or play rough at all. He wagged his tail and dished out kisses as the kid ran past with his toys. And he was just the same with the baby. They had only had him for a week and hadn't taught him any of this, it was just him.
Sadly for them, their shepherd was not enjoying having a puppy around and was being protective over his food, bed and personal space. They repeated over and over that Norman could not have been sweeter, but their dog just was not having it. I met the dog briefly and I could immediately see that they were right. He even admitted that he would rather keep Norman but after 2 years of owning his dog, he was committed to him and he was a great family dog otherwise. They only had Norman for a week but wanted to let him go before they bonded with him further. The man had already been sleeping with Norman between his legs every night.
So it was Kaya's turn to meet him and it was love at first sight! They had a long play session and I'm pretty sure she was nothing less than thrilled about her new bro. They asked only for the exact amount of his adoption fee and handed over as his paperwork so we were on our way! As I looked at them in the back of the car on the way home, it was as if he was with us all along. Kaya was asleep and right beside her was her new bff, Norman.
When I first got him home, it was like nothing was new or different. He fit in perfectly.
In the beginning, I was shocked by his behavior. He didn't do anything puppy-like...apart from looking cute and awkwardly running after toys or fumbling with bones. But he didn't chew on things that weren't his. He didn't try to play with the cat. He didn't get rambunctious. He only peed inside a couple times and never poop. He was so easy to have around, right off the bat. And in contrast to Kaya, who was crazy time when we'd go out, he would walk easily on the leash. He was a real stop and sniff the roses kind of guy. I found myself trying to get Kaya to slow down and get Norman to keep up!
I've had Norman for about 2 months now and I feel like I've had him forever. I don't know what I ever did without him. I look forward to every walk, training session, playtime and cuddle. I'm so excited to spend a lifetime with him!
Related Posts:
Norman's DNA Results
A Year with Norman
Norman is Now a Certified Therapy Dog!
Kaya's Adoption Story
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| Do I look like a trouble maker? |
I set out for a search on Craigslist and Petfinder...my only searched keyword was "pit bull". I really didn't think another puppy was a great idea and I also really wanted to adopt from a rescue or shelter, but looking at his pictures, I just couldn't stop thinking about him. The description was short, "I have a beautiful 5 month old male pit bull I am trying to rehome. Very loving and sweet has been around kids and loves to give kisses. I am asking a small adoption fee to cover the costs of his shots."
I was wary though and had many questions. Why are you re-homing him? Where did you get him from? Is he good with other dogs? Has he been around cats? How much is a small adoption fee? Is he neutered? I sent a quick email, but as I drifted off to sleep, I told myself, "Definitely no, it's a terrible idea." However, the fact that I had already picked out his new name was probably a sign that I wouldn't listen to my rational mind. I wanted to call him Norman after the cow Billy Crystal saved in City Slickers because he looked like a cow, of course and it's such an endearing name. When I woke up in the morning I had a reply from them and my heart jumped with excitement. I emailed back and forth with them a few times, but they were vague in their answers so I decided I just needed to see him in person. And even before a cup of coffee, I had arranged a time for Kaya & I to come and meet him later that day.
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| Norman the puppy does not look like Norman the calf, but he does look like other cows. |
| Trailer for City Slickers 2, click to halfway through the video to see him jogging with his cow, Norman. |
As usual I was late getting there and got lost too. I tried calling them and didn't get through. I kept telling myself, it I don't find their house, it must be a sign that I shouldn't be getting another puppy. I think, in a way, I was still trying to talk myself out of it or at the least, I was reminding myself this was a hasty and crazy thing to do. I was also still apprehensive that he was not from a rescue situation and I did not want to support a backyard breeder or careless dog owner. I eventually got a hold of them and they asked if I was still coming because other people were interested. Being that I was so close already, I said yes and got better directions.
Norman came into the Contra Costa Animal Shelter as a stray and they named him Johnny. They showed me all his paperwork and it turned out he was actually only 3 months-old! The couple had been wanting a second dog to join their 2 year-old shepherd mix. They fell in love with him, the dogs met and got along fine and coincidentally on the day the man went to pick Norman up from the shelter, their baby was born. They also had a toddler son! I could see as their son played in the yard, Norman made no attempts to jump on him, nip, chase or play rough at all. He wagged his tail and dished out kisses as the kid ran past with his toys. And he was just the same with the baby. They had only had him for a week and hadn't taught him any of this, it was just him.
Sadly for them, their shepherd was not enjoying having a puppy around and was being protective over his food, bed and personal space. They repeated over and over that Norman could not have been sweeter, but their dog just was not having it. I met the dog briefly and I could immediately see that they were right. He even admitted that he would rather keep Norman but after 2 years of owning his dog, he was committed to him and he was a great family dog otherwise. They only had Norman for a week but wanted to let him go before they bonded with him further. The man had already been sleeping with Norman between his legs every night.
So it was Kaya's turn to meet him and it was love at first sight! They had a long play session and I'm pretty sure she was nothing less than thrilled about her new bro. They asked only for the exact amount of his adoption fee and handed over as his paperwork so we were on our way! As I looked at them in the back of the car on the way home, it was as if he was with us all along. Kaya was asleep and right beside her was her new bff, Norman.
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| In the car, on our way home. Best buds already. |
When I first got him home, it was like nothing was new or different. He fit in perfectly.
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| For some reason, for the first couple days, his right ear was always up. |
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| No need for personal space...check! |
In the beginning, I was shocked by his behavior. He didn't do anything puppy-like...apart from looking cute and awkwardly running after toys or fumbling with bones. But he didn't chew on things that weren't his. He didn't try to play with the cat. He didn't get rambunctious. He only peed inside a couple times and never poop. He was so easy to have around, right off the bat. And in contrast to Kaya, who was crazy time when we'd go out, he would walk easily on the leash. He was a real stop and sniff the roses kind of guy. I found myself trying to get Kaya to slow down and get Norman to keep up!
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| This is what I woke up to his first morning, he slept the whole night with his head resting on me. |
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| Marty took to Norman right away and Norman was naturally very sweet to his new kitty friend. |
Unlike Kaya, who I am enjoying more as she is maturing, Norman is one of
those puppies who should just stay that way forever. He has the
maturity of a 10 year old dog, but the adorably goofiness of a puppy.
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| "So Norman...this is what we do in the mornings...you'll get the hang of it." |
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| "Yaaaa!" |
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| "Hewo." |
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| "Please Kaya, can I have it?" |
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| "No biggie...I found a stick." |
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| So Kaya found exactly what she needed. |
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| And I think Norman did too. |
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| And Marty seems pretty content himself. |
I've had Norman for about 2 months now and I feel like I've had him forever. I don't know what I ever did without him. I look forward to every walk, training session, playtime and cuddle. I'm so excited to spend a lifetime with him!
Related Posts:
Norman's DNA Results
A Year with Norman
Norman is Now a Certified Therapy Dog!
Kaya's Adoption Story
Monday, April 2, 2012
LICKMASTERS
I went to a doggie event yesterday and met lots of really nice pooches but one thing stuck out in my mind that made my dogs seem different...they are way more licky than these other dogs, even the puppies. My dogs will never pass up an opportunity to drown someone's face in kisses. Then I ramdomly came across an article today about why dogs lick. The one line stuck out to me:
"Dogs also enjoy licking because the act releases endorphins that allow the dog to feel pleasure and a sense of security and comfort."
In that case, I must have come REALLY happy dogs.
One of Kaya's tricks is actually "kiss kitty" where she will kiss the cat on command.
Norman likes to kiss him too but not on demand as of yet:)
Kaya is my power licker (I like to wake her from a dead sleep,...saying "give kiss," she never denies me.) And it doesn't get any better than a kiss from Norman...I can be in the middle of just about anything and if he comes over and looks at me...I cannot turn down his offer.
"Dogs also enjoy licking because the act releases endorphins that allow the dog to feel pleasure and a sense of security and comfort."
In that case, I must have come REALLY happy dogs.
Norman likes to kiss him too but not on demand as of yet:)
Kaya is my power licker (I like to wake her from a dead sleep,...saying "give kiss," she never denies me.) And it doesn't get any better than a kiss from Norman...I can be in the middle of just about anything and if he comes over and looks at me...I cannot turn down his offer.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
KAYA: AKA PRETTY LITTLE BABY
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| Kaya's first day home. |
After leaving the Bay Area and spending 6 years on London and then another year in Tahoe (where I was caring for my parent's German Shepherd), I was finally ready to get my own dog again. As soon as I moved back down to the Bay Area I knew it was time. I spent a couple weeks apartment hunting, making sure pets, specifically pit bulls (I already had my mind made up that this was the breed I was getting) were allowed. This proved to be very difficult...many places we no pets allowed, some were cats only or maybe dogs under 25lbs. I finally saw a decent place where the landlord actually had a huge oh-so-mellow and friendly pit bull of his own. However, he said the owner really just made an exception for him since he was a friend. In addition to the dog issue, it is really difficult to find a decent affordable place in the Oakland area that is not in a sketchy neighborhood.
When I finally found my place I knew it was perfect...there was even a small private yard attached and it was in a nice neighborhood. And it was only kind-of out of my price range...I had to compromise somewhere! But the landlord was so nice. I told him I was planning on rescuing a pit bull and he said, "Oh great, the previous tenant had a pit bull, great dog." Doesn't get much better than that!
I started my hunt for Kaya even before I moved in. I wanted an adult dog, but couldn't resist her adorable photos online and I was excited about raising her myself.
Kaya (then Daisy) was a 3 month old pit mix from San Francisco Animal Care and Control. She was brought in with her litter-mates by a nice lady who found some guy trying to sell them in a Target parking lot. I found the story and these cute photos that her rescuer posted on Facebook!
When I met her in person, she was too cute for words...covering me in kisses. She was such a happy and playful pup. I had to come back the next day with all the right paperwork and was terrified that someone would snatch her up in-between! Luckily, all was well and she was mine:) I put her on the passenger seat of my car and by the time I was in my seat she was on my lap and placed her head on my shoulder and didn't budge. Though about 5 minutes later and a mile or so down the road, she shifted to the other seat and proceeded to throw up the whole way home...oops (guess she wasn't used to the car).
When I brought her home I had nothing in my place but a pile of clothes and an airbed, but it was perfect!
Kaya turned out to be a world-class cuddler, always a lap dog even though she is now 60lbs. I'll always remember her adorably puppy days. For the first few months she slept all night with her head resting on my neck...it was never a cold night! Well...it still isn't even though this is no longer a move of hers. But she is usually under the covers...right next to me.
Related Posts:
Kaya's Adoption Story
Kaya's DNA Results
A Year with Kaya
Two Years with Kaya
Three Years with Kaya
Norman's Adoption Story
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