The Little Pack » The Dogs

Goodbye Sweet Love

Holly — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 15:59:04 +0000

IO, 1998-2010

It was the pleasure of my life and I cherished every time, and my whole world–it begins and ends with you…(Highway 20 Ride, Zac Brown Band)

Eight Years

Holly — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:10:01 +0000

It is hard to believe that I have had Jackson for 8 years now. As we walked today I couldn’t help but reflect on all the ways we have both grown and changed throughout the years and how in the end, the one thing that has never changed is how much I love him. My heart still sings when I watch him run, and I feel proud every single time he listens to every word I say, sometimes even the ones I don’t say out loud. People we pass always comment on how well-behaved he is. Today I found him heeling (we call that “stay with”) when we were passing a group of people before I ever even asked him. We truly have an amazing connection. There are times I go to the door to call him to come inside and he is already there waiting. There are times that I feel sad and he is right there by my side before that first tear even falls. There are times that I decide to take him for a walk and he begins to celebrate before I even tell him or start to get ready. We know the way the other thinks and I know what we share is the stuff of legend. Think Jack London books and The Journey of Natty Gann. And I am blessed.

Over the Top

Holly — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 18:55:53 +0000

With a lead-in like that, you know this has to be about Cheyenne. This morning I woke with my neck cranked and aching, head half off the pillow. Not too long after coming to consciousness, the reason why became all too clear. Cheyenne had appropriated my pillow for herself; to sleep on, and slowly but steadily pushed me out of the way. And man was she cozy. Now you have to truly know Cheyenne to understand that there was not even a hint of disobedience or insubordination in this act. She simply stumbled upon this great spot and could not believe her good fortune. Further, I can imagine she was quite amused with herself for never thinking about sleeping in this spot before. It’s funny as long as this is not a new pattern.

Dixie Dumpster Dives

Holly — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:08:13 +0000

Still snacking on the leftovers on her own face… So my husband and I both forgot about a bag of trash in the garage, until he found her… INSIDE the trash bag… with coffee grounds and noodles on her face.

Oh Wait a Minute Mr. Postman

Holly — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:10:36 +0000

Cheyenne knows the exact time the mailman comes on Saturday mornings. The last several Saturdays she has been desperate to go outside. When we let her out she sits waiting at the end of the driveway as close to the fenceline as possible. Then, when the mailman drives by, he tosses her a biscuit which she promptly prances off with and buries for later.

Cheyenne Escapes, Part II

Holly — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 03:19:38 +0000

Just recently chased Cheyenne down the street. In flip flops. Again. But this time, I had Dixie and Jackson with me. And my husband had no awareness of the crisis in progress. But I should back up and explain. Cheyenne always refused to leave the yard even when she was on the leash and did not have her the electric collar on. To take her for a walk in the neighborhood I would have to put her in the car and park on the side of the yard. So, one day I decided to try to leave the yard with her on a leash. She was very apprehensive, but trusted me and was ecstatic to discover that she was able to leave the yard with me. Since then she been really excited to go for walks with me. Until. The disaster of the other day.

I decided to just take Jack and Dixie and come back for Cheyenne. I thought it would be fine if she stayed in the yard while we went. Unfortunately, because I was leaving the yard she thought the magic of me was in place and proceeded to walk right through the electric fence. I heard it beep, I told her to stay and she walked through it like nothing. Fantastic. She was so amped that I don’t think she even felt the shock. Then it was as though the world was her oyster and she took off down the street, kicking her back legs out straight behind her like a deer. I was calling her and calling and she did not hear me. I had Dixie on the leash and started running, in my flip flops, no phone. Dixie was not keeping up with me. My running seemed to encourage Cheyenne to run faster. I began flashing back to the last time she ran away. By now I was screaming. Oh and praying. Because as we’ve established I become quite the believer during times of stress. Against all my better instincts, I stopped running. Inside I was completely panicked. I couldn’t believe all the work I have done with was crumbling.

I stopped to see what would happen. She slowed. I think she was just super-excited to be on a walk and be able to be with Jack. I kept screaming her name and telling her to come. I scooped up Dixie and calmly (ha!) walked towards Cheyenne. Somehow I caught her attention and got her to come to me. I put her on Dixie’s leash and carried Dixie back. And thanked God that Dixie is small enough to carry. I took off Cheyenne’s collar and threw it in the yard. My heart was pounding out of my chest, but at least she came to me.

I have been worried that she would leave the yard but I think that she thinks there is some sort of magic that occurs when I escort her out of the yard and she has not tested it. This whole event has given me reason to pause though.

Lazy Saturdays…

Holly — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:01:31 +0000

… are my favorite. We sleep in, well, actually, I should clarify. We attempt to sleep in. Like clockwork, Cheyenne and Dixie are ready to roll around 7, sometimes 7:30. We argue over whose turn it is to deal with them, take them out and try to keep sleeping. However. They have other ideas. Before we know it, we are grudgingly getting out of bed, making coffee and trying to wake up. Soon we are drinking coffee, chatting, surfing, and hanging out with the whole pack. Cheyenne and Dixie are in and out, in and out. Dixie is soon woofing for food. Jackson is bringing me a toy. But it is a nice reprieve from the week.

Homecoming

Holly — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:12:51 +0000

I love coming home to all my animals. Sometimes I can see Cheyenne’s silhouette from a half mile away, her ears visible even at that distance. Sometimes Jackson is in the yard. When he sees me he rejoices, and takes a wide lap around my car. He runs around to the driver’s side door and I open the door and he sails into the car, over my lap and lands in the passenger seat, tail a-wagging and we drive into the garage. I am greeted with barks and yips and a cacophony of celebratory sounds from the other side of the door. “Hold your horses, I’m coming!!” I say. As soon as I open the door, there are more tails wags, hops, kisses and wiggles and regardless of my mood, it is absolutely impossible not to feel joy at this welcome. The cats soon seem to appear out of thin air, weaving in and out of the dog’s limbs, looking up at me with their sweet faces and it is in these moments that I realize how blessed I am.

My Little Timex Dog

Holly — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:05:01 +0000

Dixie had a check-up tonight. The stone has not moved. Because she is continuing to do well, we are going to adopt a wait and see approach. This little dog just continues to surprise us. Everytime we think her time may be up, she rises to the occasion and manages to overcome the situation at hand. So for now, I am breathing a sigh of relief.

Quick Update

Holly — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:05:47 +0000

We took the dogs camping this weekend. Well, sort of. We went for the day. We had a blast. Jackson immediately made friends with 2 little boys who threw his ball relentlessly. He was in his element and exuded absolute joy. Cheyenne was so over-excited that she fell asleep in the car before we ever got to our destination. We even let her off-leash for awhile and she did well… until she found a pile of poop to roll in. She wore herself out so much that she is still recovering 3 days later. IO found a cozy spot and just relaxed the whole time. Dixie seemed to love it too. She has been very happy since we came home and very loving. Next time, we will attempt to spend the night.

Dixie’s next check-up is tomorrow night–fingers crossed that stone has moved and there are no new ones!