What's been keeping me busy lately

In early April, the boyfriend and I adopted a new puppy to keep the Boomer dog company.  Boomer was acting really needy and wanted my attention all the time.  I figured having a brother or sister would be good for her and maybe even help her socialize better with other dogs.  

We adopted our new puppy from the Animal Rescue League.  I went to the shelter, thinking, "No way we're getting a puppy again.  Absolutely, no.  Let's find a young dog that's already outgrown some of the puppy phases."

Then we saw a litter of supposedly rottie and pit mixes, and we adopted this little 8-week-old mutt.  

From the very beginning, Boomer has been really attentive toward Mal, so much so I started calling Mal Boomer's little baby.  She did act like a mama dog to Mal - correcting her (biting the puppy's scruff) and grooming her (licking her eyelids, what?).

Little one, I have so much to teach you.

Three months have gone by, and to my surprise, the little baby puppy isn't growing as big as I thought she would.  When the rescue said pit rottie mix, you'd think this dog was going to be around sixty to eighty pounds.  I figured that would be an even match for the Boomer dog, though right away I noticed Mal's paws weren't that big.  When we had Boomer, as a pup, her paws were ginormous, like clown paws.  Mal's always seemed tiny in comparison.

Boomer and Mal do get along well.  They take turns chasing each other or snarling like they are big and bad (ha!).

Food Provider, bring me some treats.

I love barking at absolutely nothing.

Here are some blurry action shots of my girls, aka the Bitches, aka the creatures that make me smile.

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PREPARE TO BE BOOMER-IZED.

I'm so glad they have each other.  Dogs are social creatures, pack animals.  It's nice that Boomer has another dog in her pack.  She can teach Mal Pup/Little One/Baby Girl/Pupperoni the ways of the world.  Boomer has already taught Mal has to guard the front door, bark at absolutely nothing outside and to watch the door when I go into the bathroom, just in case something happens to the Food Provider on the toilet.  

I am so grateful for these furry companions in my life.  I really needed a creature for me to love on, dote on and just shower with affection, and most importantly, they have each other.

Boomer, you are my favorite pillow.

Happy Post

This one is for you, Jo.

Boomer said you can come visit Pittsburgh any time you want.  She anxiously awaits chin scratches and belly rubs.

Zomg

After only a couple of days, Boomer laid down without a treat.  For the last three days, I've been working with her for about five minutes each day.  I figured she has the attention span of, well, a puppy.  By golly, it's starting to work.  I did learn a valuable lesson, though: I should have taught her shake last.  When I lay my hand down to the floor to get her to lay down, she first gives me paw.  The back of my hand is all scratched up.  Haha.  

I'm so giddy.  She is going to be a mighty big dog and knowing that she's responding to commands already makes me absolutely thrilled.  She comes when she's called.  She's still iffy on stay but I'm working with her.  I want her to be the most mild mannered, well behaved pooch when she's a 90-pound intimidating looking dog.  Next big hurdle - I want her to stop jumping up on everyone.  How do you train a puppy to stop doing that?

Adventures in Puppyland

Not much has been going on with me in Casa de Cancer.  I've been working my usual 9 to 5 job and trying to take care of the Boomtastic at the same time.  Boomer and I have reached a couple of milestones this week.  I have finally figured out what will get my little Cujo from biting me: a spray bottle.  Boomer does not like to be sprayed in the face with water.  When she started going Cujo on me, like lunging at me and biting my leg or hands, I would just spray her in the face with with water.  SHE STOPPED.  She just sat there with a stunned look on her wet face.

Me... This was close to my reaction.

Boomer's cujo moments was the last speed bump on our road to becoming blissful dog and pet owner.   It's hard to get attached to an animal that considers you one of their chew toys.  It's been a couple of days since she tried to go all Cujo on me and I couldn't be happier.

Yesterday, inspired by my friend Rosie who has been training her pup how to tricks, I wanted to give it a shot with the Boomtastic.  I taught my little pooch how to shake.  Oh.  My.  God.  The moment she gave me her paw without me guiding her, I could have cried tears of joy.  She's now listening to me and we're establishing who is the Alpha Female in this house. 

ME.  I am.

Now I'm trying to figure out the next trick I want to teach my little Boomer.  Lay down?  How do you teach a dog to lay down.  Hmmmm.