Lunging Lila

While @ the barn one Saturday as I was watching the Buddha lunge - a light bulb went off in my head.  Why not use this same line on Lila????   She could smell to her hearts content  & when I wanted her by  my side - IF she didn't listen - I could reel her in :))   Sounded good in theory, so I brought his lunge line home & put her to the test.  We headed for the park @ the end of our block & the experiment began.  It was kinda humorous @ first  to see her venture farther & farther away from me without restraint completely immersed in all the smells.  But thee best part was that she checked in frequently which  does not happen often when she is leashed :(

                                                She just kept going.......

                                          Free @ last......almost!!

                      My favorite photo - checking to make sure I was still there :))

                           After we got home - she gathered all her toys by her brother & proceeded to go to town on her favorite bone :)

Some In-Between Insight

Now that she has the " waiting " down pat for the car - we have been working on the walking & other dog scenarios.  She kind of reminds me of a trifocal lens in a way.     She is the best @ truly far away ( distance ) & is improving when she sees them across the street (intermediate )   . . . .its the right in front of your face ( close ) that  has her in a " tissy".  She still  gets SO excited   -  BUT is not as frantic as the early days -  I must appreciate  progress when & where  I can see it  :)

I also feel that aren't too many balanced dogs around my neck of the woods.  They lunge @ her first, or they cross the street when they see us coming ( must be a German Shepherd thing ) & my favorite - hide behind a tree!!!   A note to those folks - Lila saw you ditch her, can smell you & hears your lovely canine snarling away............just saying.

I have found a few dog owners who are willing to work w/ me & either walk back & forth while I work w/ Lila or we both put our dogs on a sit & eventually they both just lie down.  These are my favorites b/c in most cases they are dealing w/ a rescue & understand the dynamics of all the time needed to retrain these adult dogs to be well behaved canines.

                         Here she is after one of our " adventurous "  outings :))

                            The Pug also benefits b/c she is too pooped to bother him !!

Light or Dark??

After almost 8 months of owning Lila I do see light @ the end of the tunnel.   That said - the tunnel is still VERY far away.     She seems to  need more exercise than I can give her @ the moment & I'm trying to come up w/ a plan.  I think if I rode Trevor's bike w/ her & she saw another dog...I'd be toast!  When I let her loose @ the tennis courts - she is more interested in her surroundings than where I am.  I often try to hide behind a net ( I know- what??? )  but that worked w/ my other canines including Dudley.  So much of what they perceive is done w/ sight that if I make myself small - not an easy task - it takes them a while to zero in.  Doing this w/ Lila - I can actually legs cramps from squatting!!!   I think a dog park would still be too risky @ this point but a possible in her future :)

                   She's getting very good @ waiting to be asked to exit the car.

                                 And just as polite when waiting to get in the car.


It's just almost everything in between that their are issues..........

Lila Meets her Canine Cousins

We have had many walks now w/ our electronic collar - so I decided to push the envelope a little & let her have a play date of sorts.  My sister & brother both agreed to have Lila come visit & meet her 12 y/o cousin Tess & her 8 mos old cousin Dusty.

          Tess told her off in a nano second & they simply agreed to keep it "casual."

 And by casual I mean - get out of my face!!  Lila remained in the back yard.

                                  While " JAWS" stayed put in the drive way

                                                             Enter Dusty.....

                                                                 And

                                                              They

                                                               Played - hard!!!

                                 A lil dogie break for the 2 wary warriors :)

                                          And they were right back it !

                             Even went as far as to share the same watering hole :)

                                   One last break before Dusty had to go home.....

                                             Parting is such sweet sorrow :)



I was very proud of her & am feeling closer to where I think she could handle a dog park.

                                                      All in good time :))

Lila's walks are anything but boring!!!  We generally spread our selves all around the area & visit different parks - one that contains elks ( she does nothing but stare @ them ) , one that has a huge lake w/ plenty of geese, ducks & other birds ( again simply looks @ them ) & her favorite one -  has a " dog " park feel.  It is here where she is most challenged,  due to her canine species running freely minus leashes!  She one day hopes to join this group - but @ the moment is still too " excited " to see them!!!

I have had her watch from a distance on both a sit & a down.........& ......been closer to the action where I have had to zap her to remind her to contain herself :)  All in all - she's progressing nicely & I am using less wattage for the most part w/ the e collar.

Some of the surprises we have run into were - a lady running w/ a buggy - personally I thought she was going a tad quick w/ a baby BUT when she slowed down - a Bichon leaped out & headed ( you guessed it ) rite for Lila!!!!!   I just stood there & mama came over & chastised her " baby " & scooped her up......only to put her back in the buggy & continue their stroll (?).

Another time I pulled up in the parking lot & a gentleman was walking his lab rite past my car - gad zooks - I thought she was going to leap out of the back seat - thank goodness for those child friendly height windows!  Needless to say , the zapper got a work out that moment.

Probably one of my favorite times was when I decided to photograph Lila on a small bridge.  She was pre-occupied & not listening to me.......ergo.........I " helped " her lay down.  After a few moments, I began  taking pictures & my camera malfunctioned.  I noticed she was intently looking past me & when I turned around  - I saw an elderly woman w/ her aged companion.  I said hello & she commented how beautiful Lila was & how nice it was that I was SO patient w/ her.   ( I was thankful she missed the beginning of this lil venture ).   She then shared her name & her dogs & offered to take our photo.  Very nice gesture - but all I could imagine is Simba - 15y/o lab mix who does NOT like to play - being w/ in 2 feet of Lila!!!  I politely declined & thanked her.......making sure we went the opposite direction of them.  All I could picture in my mind was Simba trying to protect his owner & Lila taking issue w/ it!!

                                           Lila on a lovely sit stay - finally !!!!

Zippity Zap !

Our next trip to Alex's house was truly choked full of surprises...... as only Alex can provide.  Once out of the car - a huge Rottie mix came charging across the street  to size up Lila.  I'm happy  to share that she more or less froze in place, having not been the charger, but then the excitement of another dog THAT close set in !!   The owner of said canine called out to him  & he proudly trotted back across the street. 

Again - I looked @ Alex who was walking towards us  ( box in hand ) & asked the magic question - " did you plan THIS one -  to which he replied the standard - " nope, I'm not that good ".   

What the box contained was an e-collar aka  "zap "  -   I thought I would cry right there on the spot .   Had he given up?????     Was there NO hope left?    Would she make a better search & rescue dog rather than a pet???     I asked all these questions  calmly - believe it or not - & his answer to all 3 was a resounding NO......much to my joy :)


He simply felt that her " excitement " was not lessening as much as he had hoped for  in the  amount of time w/ her in training. Why should I blow out my shoulder & arm trying to contain her, when a simple push of a button would work just as effectively???

 He then had a member of his staff bring out dog after dog & demonstrated when to use the device.  The idea is to use it as soon as  she begins to really focus on the fellow canine & before getting ready to  " explode " -  therefore calming her down so she can simply watch the goings on & not spin out of control.  He worked the hand control as I walked her thru pooch after pooch - the first few tries he did have to increase the voltage from 30 to 60.  But,  she caught on very quickly &  when his son walked out w/ 3 dogs @ a time ,  I was VERY proud of her for not wanting to join  them.  Don't get me wrong - she was VERY interested - but there was no lunging, barking or dragging me....she just watched intently :)

Lila's walking aids - choke, prong, lead, & zap - she has more accessories than me!

                                            Ready for our next walk/ adventure :))

Lila Seems to be in the Lead......

When it came time to have my next lesson - I brought Lila to his dog training class location.  Her nose was in high alert even before we reached Alex who was standing in the front of the room!!  He asked how things were progressing & from the look on my face - the truth was evident.  He then asked me to walk her around & make her heel........while I was attempting this relatively simple feat - we all loudly heard a small canine barking it's head off!!!   Lila was SO excited @ this point - I could hardly contain her!!  A gentleman dropped his pooch - Peanut - off for boarding......& she was not happy.  Once again, I asked Alex - did you plan this?   He looked @ me & repeated, " Annie, again , I am not that good ".

Now, Lila was up  up  up - so Alex took over.  He went back & forth trying to get her to heel & sit when he stopped & then  lay down  - none of which was happening :( 

He worked her for ( I kid you not )  a 1/2 hour before she did it automatically .....reminding her the whole time that " he had ALL day girlfriend" :)   He had done this training w/ her during her boot camp days - so he KNEW she knew it - she just didn't feel like doing it @ this particular moment.

When she finally was on a down - he put her on a STAY & she looked SO dejected - the funny man had WON again  ....so she just  stayed put. :)

As we all walked out together -   Alex looked @ me & said,  Annie , I have a plan - be @  my house next Tuesday . . . oh boy, what could he be thinking?????

  

                                                      The Lil lady in question .......

Walk w/ Confidence.......or Not

Silly me - I assumed that 4 days in dogie boot camp that Lila would be transformed into  Rin Tin Tin & I would be dead wrong!  On our first walk back to Clear Water Park ......there was not a dog to be found :(    She healed better   BUT  still was not completely paying attention to me.  The  location we visited the next day I thought was also going to be a bust - but - God once more proved he has a great sense of humor :)

We were walking along a long stretch of houses when I noticed 2 humans trying very hard to hang on to their 2 huge dogs - one was an American Bull & the other a yellow lab!! Unbeknown-iced to them - another man was also coming along walking his lil dog & young daughter.  This was all too much for Lila to handle & she went into HYPER " want to meet you" mode!!  I was afraid for the unsuspecting gentleman & his family & a'm happy to share the huge canines were ushered away ( rather loudly) & his pup was unscathed....whew!!

  Now at this point I remembered that Alex had said if/when Lila gets too pushy @ other dogs - turn the opposite direction & continue walking/ heeling.    As I did this - BAM - there was a lady walking her Wheaten Terrier......  for the first time....... w/ a halti collar.  Her pooch was not  the least bit happy & was jumping up & down like a bronco trying to get out of the device.  Lila was in her glory - not knowing which way to go b/c both directions held promise to a good time!!!

 I simply surrendered &  held my ground in a driveway that was close by.  I was hoping the home owners were sitting down w/ a cup of coffee watching all this take place on a lovely Sunday morning......... as they called their neighbors & not the police or animal control  :)

The young lady asked ME what to do........should I pass........go backward.....or what????
I suggested, rather calmly if I do say so myself, that she proceed forward,  but first make sure the halti was back on her dog - yes- he had gotten the nose piece out :(   

I made Lila sit & stay, however, NOT w/o some vocal protests as our newest visitors walked (?) on by.  I was exhausted to say the least - Lila on the other hand -  was ready & willing to continue on our trek home & possibly run into some more new canine buddies.    

Oh,  Alex??????

Boot Camp

I dropped Lila off on a Tuesday morning for training & dogie day care - complete w/ her food, prong collar & leash.  After I filled  out some paperwork,  she happily followed Alex to her new residence til Friday.  I drove away feeling " free " & by the time I was half way home - I was feeling very guilty :(

I assumed the 2 cats would sense her absence & party hardy in the living room.  I was wrong - they remained in the back of the house & didn't budge.  Ky did finally bring out Payton & placed him on his beloved cat tree & he did frolic a bit - til Ky ret'rd to his room & Pate followed closely behind.  Gracie didn't trust the fact she was gone either & remained in Trev's doorway........ before darting to the back of the house.  I think she missed the game of " try to see me as I venture around " !!  The Pug could not have cared either way......he went @ his business as usual & didn't seem to miss a beat.

 One of the coolest things I experienced while she was gone was watching my girl on video in his day care.  She was among MANY other dogs & did fine :)))    I was close to tears when I watched it for the 1st time  & very proud of her !

When Friday rolled around - Alex explained to me what transpired in the 4 days & asked me to sit on a chair in his front yard as he brought her out.  At first she didn't even notice me - her nose was going 240 w/ all the dogie scents......then I made a very small noise & BAM - she almost knocked me out of the chair :)))    It felt like a scene out of a Disney movie !!!  

I then " worked " w/ her listening to Alex's instructions & she was amazing - even w/ other dogs walking around her.

On the way home - we were stopped @ a railroad track & a gentleman was walking his black lab - she took note from the back seat & started to get antzy.  I said " LEAVE IT"  & she laid back down.......I thought he was a miracle worker :)

He had also mentioned that when she gets home & on her own turf - exhaustion would set in BIG time & once again he was absolutely correct :)

                                     Last hours of freedom for Fest & Gracie.....

                                      Gracie w/ her lord & protector Trev :))

                           She was down for the count after her 4 days in boot camp :)

Lesson One.....

As I pulled into the trainers driveway - I heard NOTHING!  There were NO dogs barking, yet,  I knew he had a kennel in his back yard.  Had he lied??

Soon after ... out walks Alex.  I had Lila waiting in the back seat of the car w/ the door open - let me tell you - her nose was going 100 miles per hour!  When he approached, I let her out.  She was donning the halti collar & he asked that we leisurely stroll down his block w/ her @ a heel.  She did fine UNTIL an unsuspecting neighbor ventured out to get his mail w/ his off lead dachshund - what nerve!  It took Lila a nano second to spot them &  her true colors of being in the " hi - I want to meet you now " zone were in full swing.

  I have since learned - the gentle leader type collars are to prevent pulling BUT are for a forward motion only.  They  aren't really a correction device.  I asked Alex immediately if he staged this magic moment & he said , " Annie I'm not that good "!  He then watched us walk/heel & decided my torture lasted long enough.  From his truck, he emerged w/ the dreaded prong collar ( Bru & I said we were not going to go that route as all it did was make Bella's eyes all bloodshot ).  So o o o .....  he correctly fitted her w/ it & proceeded to take her for a stroll.   She was everywhere w/ him & he corrected & corrected & corrected......you get the drift :)   He finally got her to listen & she actually stayed @ his side......til he had another trainer bring out a beautiful 9 mos old German Shepherd pup.  She went ballistic again & he corrected & corrected & corrected..........at one point he looked down @ her & said - " I once knew a woman like you & she really hurt me !".  

He deduced that she had a case of dogie ADD & had absolutely no focus.  Also added that he has not seen such a stubborn dog for almost 3 years & was anxious to begin training.  That's when he suggested his dogie day care aka boot camp for a few days to see what she is like w/ other dogs in a pack.

I noticed him rubbing his left arm after he returned her to me - he was nice enough to share that he was in pain & asked how I did it?  I looked @ him & smiled saying  .....THAT......my friend is why we are here :)

I readily agreed to the boot camp & asked when....when he gave me the day to drop her off - I asked if it was okay if  I would drive by - let her out & say ......Lila  - find Alex!!!

A Training We Will Go

I decided to get Lila some formal training - as our time spent outdoors walking has increasingly become a work out for me ( which I neither desire or enjoy )  when other canines enter the picture.  I hopped on the internet & was scrolling along when I came across someone in Des Plaines ( close suburb ).  After further research, I discovered I had seen this gentleman on our public access channel while giving seminars at the library in my town.  He was laid back, displayed a great sense of humor & seemed to understand the canine world.  Sooo, I called him up & spoke w/ his wife for quite a long time - trading war stories - & she set me up w/ a free consultation w/ her husband.

When the day arrived,  I met him at his new location & Lila & I preceded down the stairs ( I don't think she ever did stairs before @ the rate she was descending down ).  It was a small area w/ a couch that was adjacent to the dogie classroom.  She greeted him & laid down next to my feet!!! 

                                         Yep......she pretty well had him snowed :)



He was very enamored w/ her looks & disposition & was probably wondering WHY the heck  I contacted him...... I did share all our horror dogie tales from walks & he listened intently.  He agreed to take her on as a client & our next meeting would be @ his house where he has a kennel & runs a dogie day care..........I couldn't wait!

Heat Wave of 2012.....

This has been one of thee hottest summers I can remember & it certainly took its toll on both humans & animals alike !  When I think of Lila spending all the time outside previously .....my heart breaks.  NOW, if you are not out there w/ her - she wants in - pronto!   When it's not too warm - I do let her spend some quality time in the screened in porch......on a dogie bed.........w/ fresh water :)  She  always lays right by the door & is ready to come in any time you exit the house.  The nice part is - she never barks - I guess in her case- practice made perfect :(


When I heard it was going to hit 107 degrees for the first time - there was NO way I was going to keep Cheddars outside in the garage ( w/ her own fan - mind you )  so I brought her in to  "bunk" w/ your new sister Lila & the Pug.

          As you can tell - they were very interested in each other in the beginning.

                                           Then they simply became room mates !

How Embarrassing!

Once again Lila & I ended up @ the vet's office to revisit an on going issue w/ her butt!  When I pulled into their parking lot, I noticed a lady who was walking her Lab-a-doodle into the waiting room.  Being of sound mind & body - I decided to walk my girl around a bit & then enter .  Well, best laid plans of mice & men - the lady was still waiting in the waiting room along w/ a gentleman who had a greyhound seated @ his side.  At first, peace prevailed ....but.....not for long!   The Lab-a-doodle  gave Lila the " stink " eye & it was on!!!!   They both were lunging @ each other ( for a second I thought I had Bud ) & noises came out of both canines that I never heard before !

It took ALL my strength to knee Lila to the bench so she could not " meet " her new found friend.  In this process - she even  knocked over their lovely end cap that was advertising something for the office :(   

 All I could think of  was.......... I NOW own one of those dogs I used to see @ the vet's office & felt very bad for the owners - yikes!

The staff was wonderful - even tho for a while there they could not hear their phones ringing & all commented on how beautiful  she is - I retorted that I used to think so too.... BUT.... not today.  I must add that the Greyhound was unfazed & simply remained seated  by his owner - jealously can't begin to describe what I felt watching them!

We were finally led to an exam room where she quickly laid by my feet - poor thing was exhausted from her earlier meet & greet.  She was very good w/ the vet & when it was time to leave,  the tech made sure the waiting room was clear of any canine .....just in case Lila got a second wind!

Five Steps Forward & Three Steps BACK......

I realize dogs ( animals ) feed off  your  energy & emotions - but Lila has taken this to a whole new level.  How can an  almost " perfect " canine indoors become practically unmanageable out doors???  Our walks are like a wrestling match!!!    She does beautifully @ a heel as long as there is not another creature in sight.  When she does see another 4 legged critter - she spins out of control & I mean it literally :(

I have tried taking a squeak toy to distract her upon seeing another animal - which worked for almost 10 seconds. I have tried treats -  which she is too busy to consume when she is air borne!  I purchased the halti- collar -  which worked wonders in the beginning ( after our 45 minute session on getting her to accept the darn thing ) , but I'm afraid she will bust out of it whilst twirling in the air trying to " greet " the other canine walking on the same planet !! 

                                        Don't you just see it in her eyes - yikes !!



The thing is I KNOW what she needs is exposure to the outside elements - be it people, dogs, birds etc - since she saw nothing but a backyard for most of her life chained to a doghouse. It's just that I now have a dog that I used to see people walking & think  - " they don't have a clue what they are doing " ?   Truth is I thought I did - but - obviously Lila does not.  I so wish her past could have been different BUT there is nothing I can do to change that, so I'm committed to working w/her.  Hopefully our new trainer can guide me as how to help her understand that other dogs are not out to get her or me.



           Cesar has not returned my e-mails ......so...... he must feel I can do it myself :))

Taking a Break......

Lila's blog will also be on hiatus since the death of Mom last Friday.

                                   This was taken @ JB's 60th B'day Party 5/27/12.

Ewww.......

Our life w/ Lila is never boring......especially when it comes to anything in the outside world!!   This past weekend Bru noticed she was REALLY  interested in the bushes & he went to check it out.  She was coming out  w/ a dead baby sparrow!!!  Apparently a hawk had already done it's damage & left the body for our hunter canine to locate.  We were very thankful it wasn't the Pug who found the deceased - b/c - it would have been an appetizer!!!  Lila  dropped it & I was able to give it a proper burial ( aka garbage can BUT in one piece ).

                                                      Our great huntress.....



We usually take her for a walk first - since we can go a lot farther than w/ the 14y/o Pug & on this particular morning we did just that.  Once it was Fests' turn - he & I were 1/2 way down the block & next thing I heard was Bru calling her name rather loudly.......she ran rite past us in the street BUT when I called her name..... she turned around & came rite to me.  It was a moment of pride for me  - altho Bru was none too happy.


Later that nite we had a severe thunder storm & Trev heard her shaking in her crate from his room & remembered when I used to lay down in front of Bella when she was a pup.  He said she immediately settled down as soon as she could smell his hand in her cage.  I want to cry when I think of all the nites she huddled in her dog house during storms w/ no one to console her.........now she sleeps thru them :)

                       Here she is enjoying a bone her God Mom Joan got for her :))

Getting the Routine Down.....

We are well into owning Lila for several weeks now & I really think she is catching on to the flow of her day.  She has, hopefully, decided the Bang Estate is not too shabby !   We did have to work on our outdoor behavior a tad....but...she is doing much better.

      This was our first out door activity - she didn't mind the mower too much.

                               And actually felt she had to escort Trev back & forth.....

                  She did NOT like when he " abandoned " her  to mow the easement.....

         And went to roll the Pug in protest!!!  Fest told her off & all was well :)

She Did What?????

I volunteer @ a stable on Mondays in a hippo therapy program  - usually from 1p to 8ish.  - & when I returned this particular nite.......I was stopped by son # 1 in the kitchen.   He gave me the Reader Digest version of what took place when I was gone. When I went into the bedroom Bru was sitting up waiting for me & explained all that had happened.  Apparently, Lila was VERY active & besides wanting to chase EVERYTHING  in site when we had gone on walk earlier in the day....she decided to chase birds out of our yard.  I'm sure they were VERY  dismayed as there has been a feeder in the back yard for over 20 years & nary a canine has ever had an issue!  Then she decided to raid my rather large flower pot & consume a portion of last year's dirt, not to mention roll poor Festus on the ground - when all he was doing was his nightly grazing of anything to eat from the earth!

                                                     Thee Offender !!!



Her last act was some of her best work - our next door neighbor came out w/ his dog Marcos - a lil guy resembling Buster - & - Lila was SO excited to see not just another canine BUT also our neighbor......she walked right up to our chain link fence & proceeded to climb it!.  Bru had put Fest inside & was walking around the patio when he noticed the entire thing!  Luckily our animal loving neighbor halted her unorthodox exit & convinced her to stay on the Bang Estate. Need less to say, we now escort our lil lady to the back yard when ever nature calls :)

                                                  The not so happy couple :)

Another Great Escape !!!

Day 2 of owning our  " wild child  " -  Lila proceeded to run right thru my legs when I was leading her back in the house after her morning constitution - sound familiar??   I remember when Duds pulled the same escape route on his 2nd day here......which actually helped me in my retrieval plan :)

I knew she would head to our next door neighbor's backyard - thank you again Marco - & she did.  Knowing it was fenced all around - I ran across their front yard & was waiting for her to exit by another neighbor's  driveway.  She took one look @ me & weaved  the opposite direction :(    I " flew " thru the air to grab her collar & landed on the ground ......in my PJ's & slippers no less !!  Luckily, I didn't see any body looking 2 me & the bus had just picked up the kids for school @ the corner.....whew.

                                             I think Fest was sorry I caught her !!

I had been told she was micro-chipped BUT registered to no one & I had not had time to get an ID tag made......so had she gotten away from me - who knows how we would have found her.
Needless to say, she is now registered & tagged so IF she feels the urge to mosey @ the block - hopefully she would greet somebody dog friendly & be returned safely  :)

Later that morning - I took her down to the tennis courts & secured the gate w/ her leash & figured if she would not come back to me - I could call home & have lunch delivered!!  Luckily , she stayed @ my side while we did laps around our lil gated play area & was happy to have her leash put back on :)

Welcome to A B C

  On our drive home, she was very content to sit in the back seat w/ me & hang her head outside the window.  She turned to look @ me often as if to say - wow - this is all right!! Several times she laid down next to me & put her head on my lap - gad I love this dog :)   At a stop light in Buffalo Grove we were parked next to a big truck & there was an older gentleman smoking looking @ her......well......good thing I had her leash b/c she wanted to join him VERY badly!  It was the first time I saw her tail go a zillion miles per hour.  Sooo,  I deduced - her former owner was an elderly gent who smoked & drove a truck. ( To this day if a pick up truck passes us on our walks - she gets excited.)  Once we arrived @ 1128...I immediately took her for a walk around the block - this also gave time for Ky to let Fest out & get ready for work. She was EVERYWHERE in the beginning - kinda looked like I was walking a drunken canine!!  I lovingly (?) gave corrections & encouragement & she heeled nicely the last half of our trek :)

After Ky went to work - I kept her outside til Bru got home...SURPRISE.....& he was!!!   She was very UP, but being married to me & watching ALOT of Dog Whisperer, he knew to walk right past her & let her regain her composure....which she did :)

We brought her inside & she immediately pursued Payton ( Gracie's cousin ) & he took one look, blew up like a blow fish & flew over the gate...she of course flew after him!!  Quite the prey drive for a dog that I was told was good w/ cats - perhaps she didn't her own post :(   Then she turned her energy to Festus - who was still not a happy camper after the car ride.  BUT, he was raised w/ a Shepherd & then a Mastiff - he knew the drill & told her off loudly & repeatedly!  I only had to flip her on her back 2x for getting too " spirited " in a game Fest did NOT know he was playing.  Now he is more interested in her & then gets mad when she wants to pursue HIS game.........

                        Here is our new girl by the end of her first day in the house :)


When Trevor came home from work that night - she greeted him @ the door by plastering him to the wall while she gave him kisses.  The look on his face was one of absolute horror & I wished I had had a video camera b/c it would have been a smash on you tube!!!  Once she & he calmed down - they met for the first time - the right way :)


 Our first night together reminded me of when I brought Kyle home for the first time  - sleeping was NOT an option.  I decided to spend quality time w/ our lil lady & observe her closely.   Turns out I didn't get to do that b/c she took a census of me on the couch, Festus who was in his crate & Cheddars who was in her cage in the kitchen every half hour!!!   Rounds were made & she circled around the kitchen &  would return to the living room.  Luckily for us - she would lay down to " clean " herself once in a while or chew Bella's old bone LOUDLY.  I don't think she had many toys b/c she emptied the basket in no time & didn't care if it was a cat or dog toy - it was in her mouth!!  I  finally was about to get some shut eye......when......my husband turned on the kitchen light to start the coffee maker @ 5:15am.............seriously?????

Our new & improved sleeping arrangements - she actually went in by herself before lights out.
I kinda think it reminds her of her ole abode - aka dog house - but MUCH nicer :))


                          BTW, the definition of ABC is  Annie's Boot Camp :))

Meet Lila

I'd like to introduce you all to - Lila - our newest family member.  She is a 3y/o dark sable German Shepherd .  I found her on line Wed. morning, fell in love w/ her face & began the task of adopting  /rescuing  her.

              Here she is after our hour ride home - she LOVED the tennis ball :)



I sent the rescue place an e-mail, filled out their application, set up my references & hoped to hear back in a weeks time.  Imagine my surprise when I rec'd an email asking me to come meet her the same day???   I was thrilled !!!   I responded w/ an over whelming YES & plotted my trip on MapQuest.

Kyle had just enough time to play w/ her before he had to get to work Thursday :)



Thursday morning rolled around & I rec'd a phone call saying I had been approved - whew, that was a fast week!!!   Ky, Festus & I made the hour long trek to a northern suburb & finally  reached our destination.  She had been in their office awaiting our arrival & was looking out the window @ us.   The kennel lady asked that Fest stay outside the fenced off area until we saw her reaction.  Well, she was VERY interested & pulled the gal to the gate.  Fest was not impressed in the least & tried to ignore her the best he could ( his double tail was between his lil legs ).    I had brought Bella's old choke chain & leather leash & pronounced her a Bang as soon as I slipped it over her head :)

                                                Taking in her new back yard....



Her back history will pull @ her heart strings - she was purchased by an older couple in Indiana & was tied & placed in a dog house in their back yard .  That is where she spent most of  her childhood (?) & was later surrendered  to an animal shelter this past February.  A representative of my local rescue spotted her & decided she was just to sweet to possibly be put to death & brought her to Illinois.    While in Indiana.....she was spayed, vaccinated & micro chipped before they made the trip to Illinois.  I also read that she had been adopted out once BUT was returned - still trying to get the whole story there.