Diesel Demands...

ATTENTION and if he doesn't get it when he wants it, he has about seven thousand different tricks to get it. These seven thousand or so odd tricks run the gamut between, adorable and psychotic! There's the push and snuggle, the galloping laps around the house to announce to everyone (even the spiders and dust bunnies) that MOM IS HOME, there's the counter surfing, the top of the crate bouncing and the low pet me rumble, which will morph into a bark if you're being particularly cruel hearted and ignoring him.

Now Bailee, also demands attention, but she only has about 4 tricks: pouting, squealing, pushing and peeing (in inappropriate places at inappropriate times). She postures over, adjacent to and in the face of her canine packmates, and will climb her humans like a mountain to should LOOK AT ME from the heightof a chairback or shoulder.

Bailee was given to Rescue for Rehoming, because her family didn't have the time and energy to give her the attention she needed. I am grateful to her first family for doing this, their selfless act allowed me to adopt a fantastic little diva when my heart and soul were pretty much shattered by the loss of my sweet Foley. I am fortunate enough to even have some of her puppy pictures and let me tell ya, I would have picked her from Day One out of that litter, she was freaking adorable. She was nearly two years old and had never suffered any hardship...though if you asked HER; not being worshipped as an unctuous object of enchantment, was hardship too terrible for any bulldog princess to endure. (She does think rather highly of herself, doesn't she?)

Diesel on the other hand, was surrendered to Rescue almost a year before his fifth birthday. From what I've been able to piece together about his history, he had been kept as an outside dog, in a pen with very sporadic human contact for the better part of 2 and a half to 3 years. Most of his experiences with his people in that "home" involved rough housing and playing tug of war death matches. There was little, petting, cuddling or soft hands and love for him. When he was surrendered to rescue, he spent several trial weekends in prospective homes, in which he proved to be too much dog for them. The remainders of out of control, crazy, rough play had left indelible marks on his sweet soul.

Diesel's journey really began on a March weekend when I went to visit my friend Jewlz, who is one of the "special" foster homes for Bulldog and Bullmastiff Rescue. She had Diesel for a few months and wanted me to assess him as a second opinion. I met a Brindle and White Wrecking Ball, that ran hellbent for leather and launched himself directly at my chest, to say HI! Fortunately, I twisted out of his way, or I would have felt a 65 pound rocket square in my sternum. I bent down to pet him and he was jumping up and grabbing at my hands and arms with his mouth. It took some doing, but I finally got ahold of his collar and got him to sit down and stop jumping. The mouthing though, oh he kept at that for what seemed like an eternity. I hadn't yet completed a Reiki course, or had an understanding of what it was, but I endeavored to make my heart and hands as steady and quiet as they could be, so that I could get Diesel to relax enough to let me pet him. Finally, I was able to pet him, in long, gentle strokes and let go of his collar. To my surprise (and Jewlz') he rolled right over on his back and let me give him a belly rub.

After that, we put the wild boy back in his crate with a fresh bone and had ourselves a hot tub. Jewlz asked me what I thought about him and I said "There's no way a new owner or average family could take that dog. He's got issues that will take YEARS to resolve and the mouthing is so rough, that he'd be in danger of being euthanized for biting." I committed to helping him find a perfect home and working with his manners whenever I had a chance to go out to Jewlz place. That was in March. In April, I thought we had found the perfect home for him...and in June he went on an 8 hour adventure to British Columbia...just long enough to terrorize the resident golden retrievers, cat and his adopter. I was beginning to lose hope for the little guy, he was such a sweet dog, but his behavior was pretty darn scary...EVER aggressive, but VERY intense and VERY physical.

So, over the Fourth of July, I borrowed Diesel for a few days, to allow Jewlz some extra room at her Boarding place for the HUGE number of dogs she was taking care of that weekend. Diesel came to our house and was great, he slept in his crate, pottied outside, wasn't afraid of fireworks and would chase his kong wubba until he could hardly stand up. Sure there was some mouthing and exciteable moments, but he was good with the girls and was really not a problem at all.

As it turns out, I was the right person to help Diesel overcome his issues. He never puts his mouth on people and unless he's super revved up, he doesn't jump and try to catapult into people either. He can walk on a leash, without dragging me into oncoming traffic and he's perfectly content to sit beside me on the couch or keep my feet warm on the ottoman, for hours at a time...so what if he gets a little vocal if he's not getting petted...he's inside with his family and he's definately owed some undivided attention...if not from the universe, from me.

I used to think that it was horrible to make a committment to an animal and then give it up to someone else. But, after having Bai and Deese in my life, I realize there are far more terrible things than rehoming a dog. As my friend Jewlz is always saying "Every pot has its lid."

Not a holiday themed blog.

I hate holidays. Seriously, all the drama, preparation, clean up, dress-up, etc. is more than I personally care to deal with. Cooking a turkey or a ham is a colossal pain in the ass. I mean, if it was just the cooking it would be cake, but there are bones, carcasses and grease to clean up. I'm not a neat freak by any stretch, so I prefer to not make much of a mess in the first place.

However, I'd be a colossal asshole if I didn't recognize that some of the meaning and sentiment behind the holidays were worthy of note. Yesterday, I cleaned out the last super sized vari-kennel and wire crate of Foley's and took them over to Barb Worrell's place, who is the main bullmastiff rescue person in the Pacific Northwest. She got two boys in over the weekend, one was emaciated and full of yeast and bacterial infections; he'd spent most of the last 6 months kenneled outside after his family lost their house and moved to an apartment that didn't allow dogs. I got to meet him when I brought the crates and cratepads over to her place. The next boy that came in was abandoned at an animal shelter in Spokane, no note, no nothing, we think he's about 8 or 9 years old. Can you imagine? Taking care of another being for that long and then dumping them, without a note or even a name tag?

So I'm thankful this weekend. Thankful that I was able to give some things to help make those boy's lives easier. Thankful that none of my dogs will ever have to be "unwanted" again. The tree are chewing bones; Bailee in the computer room with Aaron and Diesel and Phoebe in the living room with me. I need to get showered and to the grocery store...but it's sorta hard to get motivated while everyone else is being lazy and enjoying the day. Somehow, I will persevere, the dogs are nearly out of cookies and there appears to be only one more bone in the freezer!

"on Demand"

I was walking Diesel and Phoebe the other day and got to thinking about how totally imperfectly they walk on a leash...zig zagging, darting off headlong into a hedge, or in Diesel's case, sometimes trying to lunge at the occasional oncoming vehicle (ugh). It occured to me, that my dogs aren't necessarily "well-behaved" and then it occurred to me, that I really didn't care too much that they weren't. This got me to thinking about things that I wanted to behave perfectly, or function "on demand". I want my car to start when I turn the key, my lights and heat to turn on when I flip the switch, my internet needs to connect and my television needs to turn on ('d love it if there was actually programming to watch, but I don't expect that...).

My dogs? I suppose my expectations for them are lower...I expect them to go outside to potty (sometimes Bailee, takes exception to this and I did catch Diesel lifting his leg in the house once too). I expect them to get along with each other and not fight (again, Bailee is under close supervision and I find myself watching ear set....A LOT). I have different expectations for each of them, especially the bulldogs, who were and are just a little bit broken from mishandling.

I am simply amazed at Diesel's progress, when we first adopted him, he couldn't sit still for 2 minutes without trying to grab your hand or foot and mouth them...he had a lot of time outs and it took a lot of reiki and patience to help him learn to settle himself. He still has some issues when meeting people or seeing other dogs, or if, suppose Aaron is eating something and sitting on the couch. Now I can get his attention, have him leave Aaron alone, sit and do a down; he does get a cookie, but the fact that he CAN be called away from food right in front of him is HUGE. When I watch tv, or read a book, Diesel sits either right beside me, or on the ottoman, so he can rest his head on my ankles and doesn't make an attempt to chew...he will sometimes make some weird gutteral noises, to inform me that he would like to be petted, but otherwise, he is the perfect cuddle-bug. He even snuggles up with Aaron on the couch and is a perfect love. He's so sweet and loving, I can't imagine how anyone would have kept him in an outdoor pen, alone for so many years. Sure, he has his non-perfect issues, but the stuff that matters...well that's pretty much "on demand".

Bulldogs is nice

This morning, I woke up around quarter to 4, to find out that the power had gone out. 'Tis the season for windstorms and the like...maybe this will be the one I finally get a generator. I got up, grabbed our cell phones (to set for backup alarms, in case the power stayed out) and snuggled back into bed, where the bulldogs had not moved an inch. As I got myself situated, both the little snots snuggled closer and I realized that when they're sleeping and snuggling, Bai and Deese are pretty much the best dogs ever. Though, there's really not that much more room in the bed, from when it was three bullmastiffs....interesting.

We're pretty much out of our everlovin' minds...

...but Aaron said the other day that he wanted another Bullmastiff puppy. So the search begins, it's a lot different from when we were looking for Foley ten years ago. The technology and communication is so much faster, plus we "know" more people in the breed these days...we're also a wee bit wiser about some of "drama" surrounding various dogs and people. In some ways that makes it all just a bit harder to sort through.

It's funny how priorities have shifted a bit as well. I was really excited and into showing Foley when we got him; puppy uglies and all. He was entered the day after he turned six months and resembled some sort of biafra hound with a gigantic skull and stilts for legs. But of course, to my novice eyes he was perfect and his breeder encouraged my delusions as she was "building points" for other dogs she was affiliated with. Anyway, live and learn. Now my biggest concern is finding a pup that is healthy, allergy and skin problem FREE and somewhat resembles one of my favorite breeds. If the pup turns out, I'll show him. If not, it surely isn't the end of the world...not even close.

I know there are honest breeders out there, with healthy dogs and I've started talking to a few of them. We're in no hurry, I believe we'll find the right dog at the right time....

So let's see...120+42+55=217 + 20 to 130, in the first year....that's a lotta dog!

Everythings fine, everythings great...

I've just been busier than a one legged man in a kicking contest and haven't had time to post anything to the blog. Combine the demanding job, some volunteer time for Cascade Bulldog Rescue/Rehome and the COLD FROM HELL (no, i just WISH it had been swine related) and Diesel's blog is suffering for some content.

Don't worry, we're happy and in the end, isn't that really what matters?

The Brindle Unit

Phoebe and Diesel; the Brindle Patrol waiting to jump into action!

Bulls on Parade!!!

Group Shot; Bailee, Budda, Phoebe and Diesel; hanging on the deck at their Auntie Jewlz' House.

Three Amigos

Bailee, Budda and Diesel; October 2009, hanging out at the Loving Care k-9 Spa in Carnation, Washington.

It's not ALWAYS about Diesel...

There is a "Family Group", renting the house across the street from us. The Grandparents live in a Fifth Wheel Trailer, with a 2000 dollar grill and patio set-up, with a large propane tank for fuel..there's also a pop-up camper adjacent to the Shed, that's painted a bright blue, to match the main house. Judging by the number of vehicles parked in front of and in the driveways, there are quite a few roommates also living there. There's lots of yelling, fighting and occasionally loud music...there's also at least three kids, from middle school aged down to kindergarten. In the summer the kids are usually out running around the neighborhood, staying out late and making all kinds of racket. They're sort of feral children it seems, not much supervision and the supervision they do get seems to be of the yelling and smacking variety. It's kind of sad really. It aggravates me, because suppose I wanted to sell my house...who's going to want to buy a house across the street from a KOA campground? But even moreso, what kinda way is that for kids to grow up?

Anyway, Bailee is sort of a feral child, herself. In her first home, she didn't get a lot of attention and spent most of her days roaming a farm, with several acres of trouble to get in to. When she was allowed in her house, she spent most of her time in a crate, screaming at the top of her lungs to get out...this trait is what initially attracted me to her in the first place, as that's what she did in her Foster Home. A Bulldog's scream for attention is just about the most amazing thing you've ever heard...it's sort of a cross between the trumpeting of an elephant, the bugeling of an elk and the scream of a harpy...each bulldog has a distinct take on this sound and when you hear it, it's impossible to ignore. I suppose it's like the Siren's Songs that lured unsuspecting (and hardup) sailors to their deaths, as they jumped overboard...of course, I'm neither a sailor (though I sure can cuss like one), nor am I hardup, but Bai's siren song is what led me to her...and there's only a handful of times it's led to my near demise...but that's a story for a different time.

I walk the dogs nightly, sometimes I'll take two together and walk one seperately or I'll walk all three seperately, so they get the maximum amount of my time on their walk. This takes a lot of time out of my night, but is great for them and for me, as I can always use more exercise...especially since I can always eat more ice cream...Anyway, it's while I was walking Phoebe and Bailee (The Tall and SHort of it) together this summer, that I struck up an acquaintance with the Feral Children. I didn't really want to, but Phoebe and Bailee are attention whores and they love KIDS a LOT. So when these kids wanted to pet them, what could I say? Of course, they were afraid of Phoebe, with her being so big and all, but Bailee, she's not intimidating at all, nor is she shy about asking for attention. So I chatted with the kids for a bit, they had a lot of questions about the dogs and the girls really liked the extra attention...I figured it wouldn't kill me to provide these kids with a positive adult interaction either...I mean, seriously.

So last night, I had Bai out for her solo walk, and the two boys came running over and wanted to pet Bailee and asked if I would let them runn with her down the street. I was a bit not sure about the request...Bailee may only weight 45 pounds or so...but she's all muscle, leverage and she pulls like a locomotive....plus, if they let go of the leash, Bailee would be gone like there was no tomorrow...she LOVES TO RUN and she's freaking fast. But these kids, really, really wanted to, and I knew Bailee would love it, so I set up some rules. 1. Triple Wrap the Leash around your hand. 2. Do not let go 3. Don't trip! 4. No further than the corner and back.

Well, the kids did great and Bailee had a HUGE time...that little pistol can fly...she was faster than them with no sweat. Her eyes were lit up and she had what looked like a gigantic grin on her face, even though she was panting slightly. The boys too, had flushed cheeks and bright eyes, proud of themselves for doing a good job and for flying with the little powerhouse.

As we said our goodbyes, the boys said "We want a dog just like Bailee" and I hope that some day, they do.

All the grace of a Water Buffalo...

that's Diesel. Sometimes I wonder if he isn't better suited to the name "Turbo", since he still has these absolutely spastic moments, where he's at warp speed. He's getting better though...A LOT better. We have been working on sits and downs; last night I threw in a little bit of a sit/stay.

Regrettably, I tried to showcase Diesel's "obedience" moves in front of Aaron, AFTER I made the mistake of picking up one of the leashes. Diesel goes CRAZY whenever it's walk time. He pushes the girls out of his way, jumps up on his crate, slams against the door and generally behaves like a 55 pound undirected missile. While I'm not an animal communicator, I think it's safe to say he LOVES going for walks. As I was trying to get his attention in the middle of the frenzy, Aaron pretty much shook his head and said "It's never going to happen, just take him for a walk before he hurts himself or something."

I wasn't so easily dissuaded. I finally captured his attention and got him to sit, he then managed to do that twice in a row, finally keeping his butt on the ground for at least 2 seconds! (if you count 'em fast) As we went for our walk I started thinking about the other dogs I've known and loved. All of them are different in so many different ways. Diesel seems to be the first who's every TRULY wanted to please, he's such a happy, enthusiastic, loving boy. Phoebe reminds me of a willow tree; she's flexible, yet has an inner core that just won't break. At first glance you'd think she was a total mush who would let you do anything to her...but just TRY and do her toenails! Bailee...well she's something else; a total diva who DEMANDS attention every second of her time; she's the toughest and smallest dog I've ever owned...just don't try and tell her she's little! Bella was a queen that ruled with a velvet glove, she NEVER got toesy with Phoebe (who was naughty!), simply a glance and all was under control. Then there was Foley, who I still have trouble talking about, even though it's been nearly two years since he passed. He loved me and did all I asked of him and more, simply because he adored me...of course, the feeling was mutual. Foley was complex, independent, intelligent, protective...majestic; I am so much better off for having had him...for having them all in my life.

It never ceases to amaze me; the depths to which these "lesser" beings personalities go. They are far more complex and evolved in their ability to love than we humans could possibly aspire to be. These lesser beings are far more than I ever could be.

Home Again

Last week, I was out of town for a few days on business. I thought about extending my trip, since I was in Alaska and amazingly enough, the weather was blissfully perfect, but I felt bad about leaving Aaron home alone for more days than necessary with the horde. The next time I head up there though, I'm taking some time to get some photos and visit some of the native heritage sites. I do love me some Anchorage, it reminds me a lot of Boise; a small city, easy to navigate, friendly people, laid back...Don't get me wrong, I like the PNW and Seattle too, but my spirit feels very much at ease in the ANC.

When I'm out of town for work, it always amazes me how much free time I have, without having to care for the dogs. There's no vying for my attention, meals to prepare, walks to go on or snuggles to give. As nice as it is to have no interruptions, after hours, I do miss my family, such that it is.

I got back to Seattle on Friday night, around midnight. I had no checked bags, so it was a 15 minute cab ride to my office, where I had left my car parked. I got home around 1:30 and Phoebe was the only one waiting for me...she was keeping vigil in her favorite chair. However, she had hardly stretched in her big, tiger stretch and Deeder came barreling down the hall as if there was a major home invasion taking place. As soon as he realized it was me he started jumping like a crazy man, over and under his sisters. These are the times when I realize two things: 1. I really do need three hands and 2. He shouldn't be jumping with his bad patellas.
Mommy was home and all was well with the world...except, the fatigue I had been fighting was gone, the pain in my neck and arm had returned and I was not one bit tired.

Apparently, I'm not all that different from a dog at times...take me off my schedule and it's not easy to get back on board. I kept reading my book, "Dreaming the Hound" by Manda Scott, unable to put it down and the irony of the characters abiding love and honor for their war hounds, was no different than the deep love I share with mine, who while they've never fought for me, or brought me a rabbit for supper, have kept me warm, safe and loved, when even I thought it unnecessary. Like, the heroine of the story, Breaca, I haven't wanted to give my heart fully to another hound...but I see that over time, what we want to give and what we wind up giving can be two very different things.

It's good to be home, with my big brindle, tiger, snoring nearby, my brindle and white clown, with his assigned position on the ottoman, keeping my legs warm and little, red Bailee, in the crook of my arm, like an infant being held. Life is good.

Could you kick this sweet face out of bed?

I mean seriously, is he stinkin' cute or what? I'm loving this little guy.

Three Dog Night....again

Last night, I went to bed early, which is rare. Bailee, of course accompanied me and since it was early, I let Diesel snuggle and sleep with me too. Aaron was SUPPOSED to wake Diesel up when he came to bed and put him in his crate for the remainder of the evening.

Aaron tells me I'm the weak link...however, guess who slept in the bed ALL night.

Looks like we're back to some three dog nights....

I sure do like this dog...

and naturally, Bailee does not. She is continually trying to pick fights with Diesel...which he won't engage in and she's otherwise acting out. Peeing in the bed, peeing in her crate and just this morning I caught her trying to pee in the hallway. Suffice it to say, I think she's jealous and in her very most evil, domineering bitch way, she's laying down the law. Well, two can play at that game and starting Friday, she's starting Boot Camp. I'd try it during the week, but since it will mean sleeping in HER crate, I'd rather not listen to her scream on nights I have to get up for work. I adore my little sparky girl, but she can NOT think she runs this house. That's my job.

I have to say, I am so very glad she's not any bigger than she is, all her attitude and spark would be dangerous in a larger dog...and I'm not even talking Bullmastiff sized large. ugh She put the "tense" in INtense. Which, is part of why I just had to have her.

It's always something. If not for these bulldogs, how bored would I be? I'd do a hell of a lot less laundry, that's for damn sure.

Deeder Pics

I realized, we've had Diesel just a bit over a month now. It seems soooo much longer as he's fit in perfectly and he's made SO MUCH PROGRESS. When he gets really wound up, which happens less and less, I am able to get him grounded and focused, so that he isn't jumping and grabbing at my appendages. At feeding time, despite being in a veritable frenzy, as soon as I say OK, he runs to his crate and waits until the girl's bowls are down and his is served. He is learning to sit on command and even to a down (though that takes some cookies, usually). He's become my shadow and follows me from room to room and has appointed himself guardian of the ottoman, I usually prop my feet up on.

Despite whatever may have happened to him, before he was surrendered to CBRR and made it to our home, I'm convinced he knew the kind of care and love a puppy deserves. It's just a matter of connecting with the calm within him and showing that he can get the love he craves, without being a lunatic. I bet that, like Bailee, he was the cutest puppy ever.

What a crappy way to start a Friday...

So, I woke up around 3am Friday morning, needing to use the bathroom. The protocol for this has become, not only do I go potty, but I get Bailee up and make her go outside too. Diesel of course, can't stay asleep, when there's even a HINT of excitement, so he has to go out too. As I looked at the clock, through my have open eyes, I realized I was going to be getting up in less than two hours, so heck, I may as well get my aleve fix in, before my pool session. So I take one, bobble the second pill and it winds up right on Diesel's tongue...before I could stop him, grab the pill or otherwise get the TOXIN away...it's down his gullet, with no chance of retrieval and I'm out of hydrogen peroxide...plus, the universe only knows where the hell my turkey baster is. SO, I call the emergency vet, explain my situation, Diesel's weight (about 62 pounds....8 more to go buddy boy) and they won't tell me if I need to worry about this doseage or if I can relax and he'll be fine, unless I go to the vet. All the while, I'm starting to get more and more worried about my Sunshine Boy, who is just smiling and grinning that his Mommy is up and paying attention to him. I'm feeling like the worst dog owner on the planet and I'm starting to realize...I've really gotten attached to this sweetie boy. Well, we go to the E-vet, and as we're waiting for the vet, He hops up on the bench next to me and leans into me...the tech came to take him to the puking zone and he leaned a little closer and didn't really want to go without me...he looked back a few times and I told him he'd be just fine.

Of course, he was just fine. None the worse for the wear and we went back home and got about 45 minutes of sleep before I had to head to work. Yes, I skipped the gym, but my little monster was ok. I was more than slightly pissed with the Emergency Vet Service though. After they brought Deese back to me, the vet tells me the doseage wasn't enough to harm Diesel at all and that he would have been just fine...It was all I could do to not come unglued, especially when they handed me a bill for 250 bucks...WHAT THE F)I!&*&^@!*&T#IU!

More discoveries...

Diesel loves to take a bath. He hops right in, stands still and lets you lather him all up. He shakes once or twice, (not too badly) and won't even try to jump out, until you tell him "OK". The towel dry is his favorite and he just melts right into you while you dry him off.

Most of Saturday, I spent waiting for the call to go pick up a rescue from the airport. I volunteered to pick him up and drive as far as Pendleton, OR, if I had to. That would have been about an 8 or 9 hour drive. Fortunately, things worked out even better than expected and I only had to spend about two hours driving, etc.

While I waited I was reading and sitting in my chair with my feet on the ottoman. Diesel spent most of that time on my lap. Bailee, of course, got jealous...she is a princess after all...so I had to hold her on my lap like a baby. Then Phoebe wanted in on the action and got on the ottoman. It was a FULL lap, lemme tell ya!

Right now, Diesel is wedged between the sofa arm and my lap, with his tongue sticking out almost totally asleep. His jumping and biting seems to have really decreased; he still jumps like a maniac when I come home and he's greeting me or if we're playing ball in the backyard. The mouthing only seems to happen if he gets bored, or feels like he needs more attention...though he oftentimes will go for my hand or part of my arm. He gets really excited when it's time to play, but even that is getting more controlled, as we keep playing and working on "the rules".

He is learning to sit for treats and almost always managed to keep his butt on the floor while waiting for his cookie. He also has the distinct honor of being the ONLY dog I've owned that will do a down, without giving me lip. Diesel will do anything for a cookie. He is such a good, good boy.

Brindles RULE!

Diesel loves Aaron...or whatever it was he was eating.

Another Day, Another discovery!!!

I've been looking at Diesel's "coke" nails for a few weeks now, with some trepidation. I have always been fairly laissez faire in regards to nails; unless of course I'm showing or campaigning one. So, once the pups are retired or in Bailee's case, adopted and never intended for show, regular nail maintenance is somewhat neglected. Everyone, from Foley down to Bailee has been decidedly DIFFICULT to pedicure.

Aaron, is not particularly helpful in assisting, so pedicures are something I have to solo...or pay the good people at petco to do. I'm not quite sure if Deese is ready to hit the streets, so I thought, I'd attempt to pedicure him myself. He's an absolute DREAM when I clean his ears, he literally flops down on his side and grunts with pleasure as I swab and wipe them out.

So I figured odds were 50/50 that he'd let me give him a pedicure. BET ON THE RESCUE DOG! Once I got him on the couch and feeling secure, he was a DREAM to pedicure. I only stopped without getting all of them down to the quick, because Bailee took it upon herself to attack the nail clippers. I'm pretty sure I heard her holler SPARTACUS!!! or maybe it was ATTICA!!!...at any rate, once again, she was a bad influence.

I am so excited about Diesel's progress. He's really starting to embody all the wonderful, loving qualities I could see glimpses of when he was known as "The Wild Man".

Short story long...

I have a certain talent for making a short story long...

Suffice it to say, we adopted Diesel and he's been making himself at home ever since. Every day his out of control behaviors are becoming more controlled. He's absolutely starving for affection and now that he gets is (almost on demand) he isn't jumping or biting nearly as much.

The girls and he are adjusting to each other and Bailee seems to be the most jealous and put out. I'm making sure to spend special time with her to help her adjust. Diesel is being allowed to sleep loose now and has not done anything destructive or unacceptable yet...though, he's got a lot to say.

It's been so hot here, sleep has been hard to come by. So I've been trying to sleep in...well BAD IDEA. Mr Diesel has a meal clock...and as I was trying to sleep past 5.30, I had a fat, little goblin woofing me to wake up...it reminded me so much of my old Foley boy it was eerie...even Aaron (mr.cranky pants himself) was laughing.

I suppose I feel Deeder's pain, he's on a diet and he's not getting fed on time? Yeah, I am a bad Mama. He's slimming down and is now getting on the couch with ease.

Babysitting Weekend...

So on July 3rd, I drove out to Diesel's foster home, (which just so happened to be the BEST Dog Boarding Spa in Western Washington...perhaps even the entire state! (www.lovingcarek9spa.com) to pick him up for his big adventure at my house.

Diesel was AMPED and excited to see me and he tried to jump in the van, before I even opened the tailgate. We stopped in Issaquah and met with Polly Klein (Tonglen Healing Arts) for a communication session, to explain to Diesel that he was going for a visit. Through it all, he behaved relatively well, until he got bored and wanted to PLAY. Of course, when Diesel wants to play he starts mouthing and grabbing any nearby appendage. I tried to re-route that energy to chewing on a nylabone, which worked pretty well.

Our weekend went really well. Diesel was a perfect gentleman; no accidents in the house, no fear or skittishness from the tons of fireworks being blown off in the neighborhood and no aggression at all to the girls...not even to Bailee, who was really trying to provoke him. If he hadn't gone into a frenzy or 5 over initiating play, he would have been a saint.

Aaron didn't say much to me about Diesel or seem to be influenced one way or the other. So when I came home on Sunday after taking Diesel back to the Spa, I was pretty surprised when he said "Give me a few days and I'll consider adopting the little meathead."

Chapter Three

After Diesel's placement in Canada failed and I blamed myself for awhile about being a crappy judge of character, I thought maybe we weren't really painting a fair and accurate picture of Diesel on our Rescue Page. So I re-wrote a detailed description of Diesel, his issues and the challenges a potential adopter may face. Because, DARN IT, I was going to help that boy find a home.

After that went up, the adoption applications stopped rolling in. Apparently, it painted too accurate a picture and was scaring people away. That was SO not the point!

So when I found out no one was even inquiring about this sweet boy, I mentioned it, in passing to Aaron. Who was fairly non-commital about voicing an opinion on the subject so I let it drop. At least until June 28th, when plied by delicious Jimmy John sandwiches and Johnny Walker Black, I got Aaron to agree to let me "babysit" Diesel at our house, over the Fourth of July weekend.

The Universe does what it's gonna do...

Even though I had convinced myself (and MAYBE Aaron) that I could not adopt Diesel or provide him the fantastic home he deserved, I felt compelled to help work with him and make him more adoptable. The girls and I made a few trips to his foster home and worked with him on basic manners. In a stroke of sheer serendipity the PERFECT home presented itself. Over Easter weekend Diesel and I took a road trip to Chilliwack, BC, where I thought, a love connection had been made. After a month or so of preparation, Diesel's adoptive mom, her housemate, a friend and the other dogs in the household came to Washington to make the adoption "official".

I was absolutely thrilled the day Diesel's new family came to pick him up. Finally, Diesel was going to have a family with people that understood him and would work with him to bring out his best.

The next morning I got a text message from Diesel's foster mom saying she had gone to pick him up. Apparently, things weren't quite meant to be and Diesel pulled out all the stops and behaved terribly. So terribly that he was sent back to rescue within 8 hours of leaving it!

This turn of events made me feel sad for Diesel. Mad at the adopter for not giving Diesel more of a chance. But mostly I felt like it was my fault, that I had somehow failed in my assessment and judgement of Diesel's perfect home. I wanted Diesel to have a "Happily Ever After" Story so badly...

Perhaps that was my fault...*I WANTED* Diesel to have this home. I wanted him to have a Happily Ever After Story...I wanted him to go to Canada, train to be a Search and Rescue Dog and be a credit to Bulldogs everywhere.

BUT, I started to think that maybe, just maybe the Universe was playing a small part in this play.

It wasn't love at first sight!

I first met Diesel in March. He was a crazed maniac, that greeted me at a hundred miles an hour, like a cruise missile aimed directly at my mid-section! To get my attention, he GRABBED me with his mouth, trying desperately to get me to pet him, while completely unaware of the proper way to get affection.

I knew I was there to evaluate him and quite possibly it was a set up, organized by my dear friend and bulldog enabler, Jewlz. His behavior was so intense and out of control, I immediately thought he needed far more than I could possibly give him. With two other dogs, a full time +++ job it just didn't seem fair to even consider bringing another dog into the mix; especially one that had so many problems and would no doubt, need so much time. Besides that, there's another humanoid in the house, who was not at all excited about the idea of another dog...especially one with "issues".

I hadn't been "hooked" and I delighted in going home and telling Aaron that I wasn't even thinking about adopting Diesel.