pet connection

Taking a quick break from writing an article on puppy socialization (apt indeed) to note how fascinating it is to watch behaviors emerge. Harper has learned to jump on the sofa today and just in the past hour or so she’s begun to play with her toys with a vengeance. A few hours ago, she ignored them when I squeaked or threw them; now she’s attacking them on her own. And it’s entertaining to see her look at that other puppy in the mirror. She’s getting clicked for coming when called, sitting, standing on her hind legs and using the litter box. I’m really impressed by how well trained she is when it comes to using it. She’s becoming more assertive about inviting play from Bella and Twyla, although she’s still not getting much response.

Being limited to a hotel suite has its advantages. It’s easy to block off certain areas and I have full view of the room so I can keep an eye on her as I work. Daily housekeeping doesn’t hurt. The kind lady who came to clean today spoke to the girls in Spanish while she cleaned. Maybe they’ll become trilingual.

I’m making an A to Z list of socialization experiences. All suggestions welcome for the letters I, Q, X and Z. X-Box game sounds? We’re planning dinner with friends while we’re here so Harper can have one of the C experiences: children.

My husband is working in Pleasanton this week, so we loaded up the Outback with dogs, dog paraphernalia, and everything the two of us needed for work and headed north. Our plan was to pick up our new puppy on Sunday and then all of us would stay in a hotel for the week. That would be neutral territory where the dogs could get to know each other.

We drove to Los Altos still not knowing which puppy would leave with us. After a couple of hours of lying on the floor and letting Yellow and Green crawl on us, nibble our ears and chew on our hair, carrying them around, and just watching them, we were still undecided. It’s difficult to make a decision when your choice lies between two equally nice puppies. So we went out to dinner with Jim and Joanne and let our thoughts percolate for a while.

Green, who now goes by the name Harper, came home with us. She seemed just a tiny bit bolder than Yellow. There was a little crying in the crate as we pulled out of the driveway and headed for our hotel in Pleasanton, but that soon subsided. Harper was clearly bewildered by her new circumstances, but as I write this tonight, she seems to have adjusted. Bella and Twyla, not so much. (more…)

Well, I don’t know how thoughtful or entertaining this will be, but it’s what’s on my mind. On Saturday, we’ll be driving up north to pick up our new puppy from the breeder’s home. I feel woefully unprepared, not having had a puppy in eight years. So here’s my checklist of things to do. Feel free to jump in with suggestions.

Take up area rugs. On the other hand, if I do this, Yellow (she is as yet unnamed and still goes by her rickrack color) will be jumping onto and sliding around on wood floors. See if cheap ugly area rug is still in the house somewhere.

Buy collar. Finally remembered to take Twyla’s collar off and measure it so I’ll have some idea of what size to buy. Hers is about 13 inches.

Set up x-pen in office and find tarp to go beneath it. This is the only room that still has carpet. Ratty carpet, but just in case…

Buy small bags of what breeder is feeding (a combination of Science Diet and some toy breed food) and figure out what I want to switch her to. Bella and Twyla eat a commercial raw diet, and I could switch her to the kibble and canned products from that same line until she’s a little older.

Plenty of new toys already, including a stuffed warthog.

Pull out one of the smaller crates and make sure it’s clean. Put big crate back in bedroom so that cavedog Twyla won’t want to take over the puppy’s crate.

Insert eyes in back of head to monitor puppy while working.

Check house for anything that needs to be puppy-proofed.

Sign up for puppy kindergarten.

Re-read puppy training books in spare time.

Lecture Twyla on being nice to the new arrival and not snarling at her. Remind her that I’ve promised she can still be the baby.

Assure Bella that she will still get plenty of treats, especially if she teaches the puppy all her nice behaviors, like sitting at the front door to be leashed.

Schedule vet check.

Relax. The last puppy turned out okay…

I went on vacation with the hope of seeing African wild dogs. No such luck, but the trip did turn out to be highly catcentric. Not that that’s a bad thing.

First stop was Amsterdam. We’ve been to the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museum on previous visits, but the Cat Cabinet, a museum dedicated to art depicting cats, was always closed. I guess it’s true that the third time’s a charm. Located in a 17th century canal house with two cat statues guarding the entryway, the tall, narrow building is filled with paintings, woodcarvings, ceramics, posters, advertising and more–all featuring felines. In the dining room is a quite lifelike sculpture of two cats mating, with the male biting the female’s neck. Seems like that wouldn’t really be conducive to good digestion, but I guess it’s no worse than a still life with dead birds.

In the piano room were a number of paintings, a cat mummy on the mantel, and a live cat snoozing on the sofa. An entire room is dedicated to Steinlen’s illustrations of cats. If you happen to be strolling the Herengracht canal, have 5 euros for the entry fee, and love cats, it’s worth a visit.

Our destination was Tanzania, and the first animal we saw there was felis domesticus, a cat named Felo, who strolled up to our table as we were having a late dinner after our arrival. He must have liked having his head scratched and sent out the word to his larger relatives, because our big cat sightings over the next seven days were extraordinary. (more…)

I know, I know: It’s not even Thanksgiving yet. But I went into the hardware store last weekend and the aisles were already filled with holiday decorations. So if you think about it, we may already be late in asking.

We’re trying to come up with some suggestions for what to give pet-lovers. Not pets; their owners. Strangely enough, people always ask us! Some of my favorites include gifts to a charity in the name of the person, socks with cute pet-themed designs (I like socks!), books (well, of course) , pet-sitting or (for really special gifts) a weekend at a hotel or inn that accepts pets.

What are your ideas? We’re looking for some cool ones to share.