10/03/03
Thought you'd be happy to know we continue  to get better all the time here with Zorro and Java.  Hard to believe we've had them for almost seven weeks now.
This evening I took both dogs (together) for a pretty long walk ALL BY MYSELF!!  We'd practiced together a few times previously, but just around unfenced parts of our property.  (typically 1-3 neighbor cats will show up and want to join us--which makes me rather nervous) Tonight Zorro and Java both walked really well with hardly any pulling. What a pleasure compared to those initial outings a month ago when Chris and I got tons of upper arm exercise and the two dogs we're going bonkers!
Zorro has figured out that at least some of the cats are part of our "pack", so no more salivating or intent staring.  Jeff, the neighbor cat, (who lives half-time in our yard) can even walk right under Zorro's nose, brush up against him and Zorro accepts him.  (not that I trust him 100%, but he's definitely getting the right idea)
I love practicing "sit" and "stay" outside with each dog when all 7 cats are milling around and playing nearby.  Then Java makes those other dogs at puppy school look dumb when she can do it and they can't.
They love sleeping in their big apple bins on comfy beds or out in the grass during these warm nights.  I even figured out (finally) how to do mealtime without the pre-feeding frenzy.  Each dog has to wait in the kennel while the other eats.  It's so funny that Zorro goes right in the kennel when it's his turn just so he can collect that extra dog treat. Java exuberantly bounces around like a rabbit, but has also figured out that "sit" usually gets her what she wants.
It took about 3 weeks and a whole tube of antibiotics for that sore spot on Java's nose to heal up.  Between Zorro licking and her scratching it, I didn't think we'd ever succeed, but what a relief when the fur started coming in again.
Well, that's about all for now.  I plan to take them to the weight-pull in Cashmere tomorrow and may let Zorro try pulling.  Sandy, how's it going with your foster dogs and your three?  You always get such good looking fosters!  I enjoy hearing from you if you get a spare moment.
(feel free to send this on to Happy Tails, if you want)

10/03/03
Thought you'd be happy to know we continue  to get better all the time here with Zorro and Java.  Hard to believe we've had them for almost seven weeks now.
This evening I took both dogs (together) for a pretty long walk ALL BY MYSELF!!  We'd practiced together a few times previously, but just around unfenced parts of our property.  (typically 1-3 neighbor cats will show up and want to join us--which makes me rather nervous) Tonight Zorro and Java both walked really well with hardly any pulling. What a pleasure compared to those initial outings a month ago when Chris and I got tons of upper arm exercise and the two dogs we're going bonkers!
Zorro has figured out that at least some of the cats are part of our "pack", so no more salivating or intent staring.  Jeff, the neighbor cat, (who lives half-time in our yard) can even walk right under Zorro's nose, brush up against him and Zorro accepts him.  (not that I trust him 100%, but he's definitely getting the right idea)
I love practicing "sit" and "stay" outside with each dog when all 7 cats are milling around and playing nearby.  Then Java makes those other dogs at puppy school look dumb when she can do it and they can't.
They love sleeping in their big apple bins on comfy beds or out in the grass during these warm nights.  I even figured out (finally) how to do mealtime without the pre-feeding frenzy.  Each dog has to wait in the kennel while the other eats.  It's so funny that Zorro goes right in the kennel when it's his turn just so he can collect that extra dog treat. Java exuberantly bounces around like a rabbit, but has also figured out that "sit" usually gets her what she wants.
It took about 3 weeks and a whole tube of antibiotics for that sore spot on Java's nose to heal up.  Between Zorro licking and her scratching it, I didn't think we'd ever succeed, but what a relief when the fur started coming in again.
Well, that's about all for now.  I plan to take them to the weight-pull in Cashmere tomorrow and may let Zorro try pulling.  Sandy, how's it going with your foster dogs and your three?  You always get such good looking fosters!  I enjoy hearing from you if you get a spare moment.
(feel free to send this on to Happy Tails, if you want)

09/06/03
Thought you'd like to see my photos of the happy kids.  Our new fence is finally completed and we love having fresh grass to trample!  It gives them at least 50% more room to run, play and check out what's happening.
Java and I had our first doggy school session with Pat Putman a couple days ago.  We're in a class with 4 big German Shepherd pups and one more dog.  Now I can come home and work on the same things with Zorro, too. He's obviously learned these things before since he catches on so quickly.
All kitties are still safe and intact.  We're slowly getting more accustomed to the sight and sound of cats nearby.  My improvised doggy gate allows the dogs to come inside, but just in the kitchen/family room area for now.  The cat has safe haven everywhere else in the house.  I like the way this keeps the house cleaner, as well.
Sandy, you're right that Teddy and Zorro have similar personalities in their cat interest and strong need to be petted a lot.  He's very patient with Java.  She loves getting brushed and he's happy to sit nearby.
We got a couple free orchard bins for dog houses.  I know wherever I decide to put them, the dogs will want to sleep elsewhere.  Right now they love sleeping with their big comfy pillows on the patio, but we'll need better shelter when the bad weather hits.
That's about all for now.  Once again, we appreciate all you've done to help us get off on the right foot.

09/06/03
Some of you I haven't spoken to in awhile.  I thought I would drop you all an email.   Things are going well here.   I've been on break for the past week, and have another week to go.  I've been getting some good tracking in, and I’m heading out to go camping in a few days.   Last week, I tracked a deer into a deer lay.  After I was done, I gobbled up some blackberries, and then proceeded to the Sandy River where I finished it off by watching a dance of Blue Herons gliding above the water.  Lovely....
It has been hot here, and much like Sierra, I would prefer to remain in the basement.   To attempt to coax her out of the basement is an amusing display.   She is pretty much out of it, not moving from the fan blowing on her.   Come dusk, however, she is all energy, and ready to go.  I will hook her up to my bicycle sometimes and I will bike with her until I see those sweet eyes look a little tired (this takes quite awhile though :-}
She and I also have a group of friends that we meet at the dog park five days a week.   This group is a five person group that jokingly calls ourselves, "The Gabriel Park Sled Team."  We're a group of Northern Breed owners that are age 27-68.  We bring food, bawdy jokes, and lots of weird stories.  We sit there and watch our Malamutes and Huskies run until they drop.   Most nights, one of the guys, Bob, gets me laughing so hard that I walk out with a sore stomach.     He apparently has a disdain for pomeranians and isn't afraid to think of the nastiest jokes about them possible  :-}
I hope everyone is doing well and having a great summer...........

09/06/03
Thought you'd like to see my photos of the happy kids.  Our new fence is finally completed and we love having fresh grass to trample!  It gives them at least 50% more room to run, play and check out what's happening.
Java and I had our first doggy school session with Pat Putman a couple days ago.  We're in a class with 4 big German Shepherd pups and one more dog.  Now I can come home and work on the same things with Zorro, too. He's obviously learned these things before since he catches on so quickly.
All kitties are still safe and intact.  We're slowly getting more accustomed to the sight and sound of cats nearby.  My improvised doggy gate allows the dogs to come inside, but just in the kitchen/family room area for now.  The cat has safe haven everywhere else in the house.  I like the way this keeps the house cleaner, as well.
Sandy, you're right that Teddy and Zorro have similar personalities in their cat interest and strong need to be petted a lot.  He's very patient with Java.  She loves getting brushed and he's happy to sit nearby.
We got a couple free orchard bins for dog houses.  I know wherever I decide to put them, the dogs will want to sleep elsewhere.  Right now they love sleeping with their big comfy pillows on the patio, but we'll need better shelter when the bad weather hits.
That's about all for now.  Once again, we appreciate all you've done to help us get off on the right foot.