Shampoo

Inspirational song: Freedom of Choice (Devo)

Saoirse spent most of her day out playing with Murray. It is possible we are backsliding with her early training, but I had to divert all my attention to cleaning up after her lately. I bought a new carpet shampooer a couple of days ago, and this afternoon I assembled it and got to work. Suction on this model is not as good as the one my daughter bought earlier this year, but mine is much easier to pull apart and clean after use. It's a tradeoff I'm comfortable with.

In all that time outside, with little or no supervision, puppy got into something. And by something, I am pretty sure I mean the fish pond. She was sticky and her fur was matted like she had gotten wet and then went rolling in the mint garden. There is no amount of time that it is safe to leave this kid alone. 

Around sunset I drew a bath for her. She watched me gathering supplies and running water, and she put two and two together pretty quickly. She thought she could derail the process by stealing the washcloth and running into the kitchen with it. But no, she still had to be washed. She didn't like it any more than she did last week. Just wait until she figures out that I have decided every Wednesday is bath day. 

She pouted for hours after she was clean. She made sure I saw how pitiful she looked all wet and chilled. But now she is in her favorite spot, lying on her back, chewing a little rawhide twist, kind of watching TV upside down. She appears to be one of those dogs calmed by the TV. We had to leave it on all night last night to keep her from barking frantically. Good thing I can sleep through it just fine.

Moving On

Inspirational song: Jet Airliner (Steve Miller Band)

It took years to get me to this point, but now that I have wrapped my head around it, I am completely at peace with selling the condo in Boulder. It served us well. It was a safe place for the kids to live until they could buy their own home. It was a source of income, albeit somewhat offset by expenses. It was even a source of pride, knowing that we had achieved something we thought was impossible previously, which was to own real property in the city of Boulder. But they were also a source of stress, during the big flood of 2013, during minor water issues upstairs that turned into major headaches for us, and during those terrifying months that it went unrented, and my bank balance got smaller and smaller.

We have taken solid steps toward getting it on the market. I've filled out the listing contract, which felt weird putting my name on two different lines in two different roles. I've made an appointment with a title agent. I need to go down to it and make it sparkle a little before pictures are taken. Still need to fill out required disclosures, settle on my best verbiage for the MLS listing, and get my signage in place. I think the part I'm dreading the most is actually going to it, as Boulder city has had a huge outbreak since CU reopened, with somewhere north of 1200 infections in one single month. I just don't want to be in the city at all.

I'm curious how this sale will go. The season is winding down, with October just around the corner. But inventory has been so low all around the area, so maybe we will get good traffic? We are pricing it well, with our price per square foot on the low end of the range (not the lowest). The unit is in good shape, in a good location, and comes with a garage, which is better than a lot of comparable properties. 

I wish I could take this goofy puppy with me to get the condo ready. I would enjoy her company. But the car ride to get there is just too far. She is not ready for that. I may have to leave her to play with Murray while I am gone. She'll probably like that more than a scary car ride.

Voluntarily

Inspirational song: Don't Rock the Boat (The Hughes Corporation)

Sshhh! Don't ruin this! Last night I had to insist the puppy sleep in the kennel rather than on the bed, and it was A Thing. She was loud and angry and emotionally devastated. She did eventually sleep until 4:15 this morning before she was ready to pee the first time, and I brought her back up on the bed after that. 

But now, unprompted, she went in there by herself and fell soundly asleep. I tossed a couple of toys in for her for later, and gently closed the door. She let me do it without even picking up her head. I quickly changed into jammies and crawled in bed. I'm working on powering everything down, making it dark and quiet sooner than usual. I want nothing to disturb the calm.

I don't want the kennel to feel like punishment. It's a safe and comfortable place for her to sleep, away from cats, away from a mommy who kicks covers and rolls over a lot. It lets me sleep more soundly, not worrying about whether she is about to forget herself and pee on the bed. I'm unlikely to sleep through her telling me clearly when it's time to go out. 

I'd like to think this is a trend or a turning point, but I'm not ready to get my hopes up. Tomorrow promises to be difficult, taking her to the vet first thing. It will probably set back the progress we made on car rides being to fun places. But this is necessary. Fingers crossed that she likes her doctor.

Oranges

Inspirational song: History Has Its Eyes On You (Hamilton)

This was a day to try new things. Some went really well. Some were hard. The worst is going on right now. Saoirse is upset with me. I'm trying again with the kennel, and she still hates it, and is telling me so loudly. But I am so tired of her scratching and nibbling on me when I sleep, and I'm beyond tired of cleaning up after her. I had to change pajamas just now, when I picked her up to take her out to pee, and she immediately started peeing down my side. I need a reset. We will discuss sleeping arrangements again in a few days.

Other new things were far more fun. On Friday, Dino had her checkup, and they discussed how and when to introduce foods. The kids started out letting her taste things that she wasn't actually eating, like experimenting with bananas and celery (soft and hard, they said). I went to the store and got bananas, but I also got some stage one baby foods, so I would be ready when her mama said it was cool to try them. I think there was a little miscommunication when I described what I had, because when she told me to let her try carrots, she thought I was just going to let her gum a solid carrot. I got a jar and a spoon and a washcloth (couldn't find the bib I know is here somewhere), and we started learning. At four and a half months old, Dino was 100% ready for this. She let me know right away. I was amazed at how much she ate, and how well. Yes, she was covered in carrots, but more than a third of the jar ended up in her belly. I took a little video to send her mommy, of us laughing at the orange poops to come for her parents.

Dino was covered in food and she was sticky and stinky by the time we finished. I gave her a bath and put her in a new sleeper, and threw everything the both of us were wearing in the wash. It was so worth it. That kid was enthusiastic about trying new things. She still needed a big bottle afterwards, but real foods are in her immediate future. I love this part.

Yellows

Inspirational song: Nothing Ever Goes As Planned (Styx)

The schedule changed at the last moment this morning. I was halfway through my coffee, animals fed, kitchen tidied, when I got word that I wasn't babysitting today. That meant getting the word to the crew on the mountain that they could take another day to work on the cabin while I stayed down here. (To be clear, the one human did the work and the two dogs spent almost the entire day asleep.) It was just as well. The puppy was a handful and a half, and not always in a fun way. I couldn't get her nails trimmed, and she was full of playful swatting. I am scratched up. And I don't know whether she is working up a bladder infection, but wow, does this dog pee a lot. I mean frequency, not quantity. I have had to jump up and race to the door a hundred times today, I swear. This usually follows her squatting on the floor, and even after that, she goes two or three more times outside. Of course she started this on a Saturday. First thing Monday we will call the vet and get her started there, a couple weeks ahead of her shot schedule. 

It is the time of year I usually plan a long drive through the mountains to look at the aspens as they turn warm colors. From his cabin, the Mr said if I want to do that, tomorrow is probably the best day. The aspens were at peak color on his hill yesterday, and as he came home, he said strong winds had stripped most of the leaves off his hill in one day. If we have the baby tomorrow, plus a squirmy puppy who does not like to ride in the car, I may just let this year slide. I like this tradition, but it's hard to see a good time for it. Even Rocky Mountain National Park is tricky now. They were forcing people to make online reservations this summer, and I don't know that I want to be stuck to a rigid schedule to go over Trail Ridge Road this fall. 

Okay, one more trip outside with this puppy. I am considering squeezing her like Murray needs every night, so that we can sleep more hours in a row tonight.

Oink

Inspirational song: You Give Love a Bad Name (Bon Jovi)

I should have written this hours ago. After the day I put in, my brains are mush. Really, my whole body is too. Mostly I did deep cleaning stuff, like all my laundry, changing my sheets, and the like. I took my flokati rug outside and threw it over the garden fence for a good washing. I used to wash it in the tub when I was young and strong, but I can't do that anymore. Even this much lifting did me in.

I had to run to Target for a mattress cover for the new bed, especially now that the pup has been allowed on it. I bought some rawhide chews while at Target, so now that goofball is lying on her back on the bed, ecstaticly chewing on an Oinkie like she has just dropped into heaven. She does not lack character.

This dog is fun, but it's exhausting keeping up with someone else's toilet habits, when you have to pick them up and carry them outside to avoid messes in the house. Tomorrow I will have two little ones to care for, both Saoirse and my grandbaby. I gotta throw in the towel for tonight and rest up for the double duty.

ESA

Inspirational song: Lay Lady Lay (Bob Dylan)

A recovery day has been in the works for a while. I've been pushing myself too hard and under too much stress, and I needed a whole day of rest. I stayed in pajamas and never even brushed my teeth until right before bed. I ate very little. I took more than one nap. I scaled back puppy training to two three-minute sessions. And I am feeling much better at the end of the day. I was just sure I was going to take the big guns version of my pain pills. Instead I just had my regular anti-inflammatory and maintenance meds, and I'm fine. 

Amazingly, this puppy tolerated my repose. She stayed right next to me for most of it. I did give her a couple of chances to go play with Murray, so she wasn't bored all day. While she was with me, even on the bed, she was a little cuddlebug. She passed another test that neither of us realized she was taking until she succeeded. I don't need a high energy service dog. I need an emotional support animal who also knows how to retrieve stuff I drop and alert to signals yet to be determined.  

This kid is so mellow that I keep catching her lying down to eat. The cats get really close to her while she's doing it, and she doesn't flinch. What a great dog.

Bonding

Inspirational song: Words (Missing Persons)

The moment I saw photos of three week old Saoirse, I recognized her in an instant. I knew she was the puppy I had been watching for these last two years. The more I live with her, the more I see exactly how right I was. This is not to say she came to me mature and fully trained. She is very much a puppy. But she is the right one. She is gentle and funny and smart. She is just begging for good training. As soon as I have her shots set up at the vet, I will register for an in-person puppy class, and advance her past the basics we know so far (sit, pay attention to my face, spin, lie down, and "free").

We traveled again today. It was game night, and two members of our group have a new house, where our game was. They only have one cat, who was hiding when we came over, so I was granted permission to bring Saoirse. She charmed the group. She cuddled and played and slept. When she needed to potty, she made it very clear, and we went out into the grass and got it done. The car ride there and back was pretty good. She was calm on the way, and was tired on the way home. She got a little anxious about half a mile from the house. But overall, it went well.

To be honest, I did walk in just now to find her on the rug next to my bed, with my CPAP mask in her mouth. Not the best behavior. But her mouth is remarkably gentle for a baby, and there doesn't appear to be damage. Luckily, I haven't opened the package with the replacement mask, so if there are holes I didn't see, I'm covered.

Emotional Growth

Inspirational song: Dance the Night Away (Van Halen)

That dog is bigger than when we picked her up on Saturday, I'm pretty sure. Whether or not she is physically bigger (I do think she is), she is intellectually and emotionally a significantly advanced pup. She is learning tricks, developing her personality, and overcoming fears. It's that last one I'm most proud of. 

Yesterday's panic attack in the car was rough on Saoirse. She really thought we were going to go on another four hour drive to change her circumstances yet again. The stroll around Petco wasn't long enough for her to regain equilibrium. I was determined to keep trying, so she gets over her fear and learns that cars usually end up someplace fun in short order. When my daughter asked me to come hold the baby for a while so she could rearrange her house, and said I could bring the puppy, I agreed.

The drive was barely a mile. The dog screamed like I was skinning her alive. I didn't know what do think. So once I got her settled in the back yard, with the grandbaby in my lap, downing a huge bottle of milk, I googled my problem. There were tips about convincing puppies to approach the car slowly, using lots of treats, not starting the car right away, and cuddling before getting latched in to drive. Other than needing to start the car fairly early on, because it was uncomfortably warm, I did all that. She was quiet by the time I latched her harness to the seat belt. I gave her treats as we rolled slowly down the block to the stop sign. I petted her and praised her for staying quiet. She was calm the entire way home. I couldn't believe it was the same dog. I intend to go somewhere with her tomorrow, doing the same process, starting from zero, to make sure it sticks. 

She has already shown me how much she appreciates being allowed to sleep on the bed, and surprisingly, I don't mind it. More shockingly, Athena is tolerating sharing the space. There are still sudden swats in the dining room between them, but as long as Athena gets the right side of me, and Saoirse gets my left, there is peace.

Well, there is peace for everyone except the raccoon toy. As I keep saying, "That raccoon knows what it did."

Saoirse was calm, even when the baby grabbed her face (and baby was calm when Saoirse licked her nose). They love each other, and the above picture led directly to the below (after we quickly removed Dino's hands from the puppy eyes).

Start As You Mean to Go On

Inspirational song: We Belong (Pat Benatar)

Aw, crap. I had a long run. I went half a century without intentionally inviting a dog in my bed. The time that my mom's bed-hog dog Barbara crawled in bed with me didn't count. Technically I think I was in her bed. And that New Years holiday when Sheba slept under my covers didn't count either. There were fireworks going off all night and she was out of her mind with fear. I just didn't kick her out. But to make a conscious decision whether to invite a dog into my space, knowing it would become a forever thing? I have never done that before.

I have spent two and a half days bonding with Saoirse now. Some communication is getting easier, some is remaining difficult. She hates her cage, and expends a lot of energy telling me loudly how much she hates it. Today I needed to go run errands, and had the brilliant idea that I would take her to Petco for a name tag and a new crinkly toy (I've learned that's her favorite kind). She panicked the whole way there. Good thing there is a direct route most of the way there through low-traffic neighborhoods, so I could hold on to a freaked out pup with one hand and drive with the other. We bought a harness while there, to attach her to the seat belt, and even that turned into a Gordian knot experiment. It was a mess. She didn't calm down again until I pulled into the parking lot for curbside pickup at the pharmacy across town.

I have been struggling with the deep urge to pick this baby up every time I'm sitting down. My life-long no-furniture-dogs rule is fighting with this urge, and I'm stressed. I asked the Mr to help me talk through this, but I did most of the talking. It boiled down to a few things. I have clearly proclaimed that I want Saoirse to be my service dog, and thus fundamentally attached to my hip at all times. One of the benefits that service dogs offer is deep pressure therapy during bad moments--they lie on you during anxiety or pain crises, and become a weighted blanket that is nice to pet. In two days I've already devoted a lot of time to leaning over and pulling things out of her mouth, like phone charging cables, because she is bored on the floor and out of direct line of sight. And finally, I just freaking want to cuddle this big-pawed bunny. 

So guess where she is right now?

The Right One

Inspirational song: Just Between You and Me (April Wine)

We had a lovely getting-to-know-you kind of day.  There were a few attempts at training, but I have discovered early on that Saoirse is not a terribly food motivated puppy. And what's more, she doesn't exhibit the unextinguishable energy I expected. Girl sleeps a lot. A lot. And she really enjoys lying down even when she is awake. I assumed the Aussie Shepherd side of her ancestry would be dominant, and I would struggle to keep up with her. Instead, for the first day at least, she is all Pyr, more interested in snuggles than training. I am going on the record now as not holding this against her. If she doesn't have the drive to be a service dog, she may have the temperament to be an excellent therapy dog. We will go with her strengths rather than fight them.

She made quite a racket last night. It was her first try at crate training. She yipped for about half an hour before finally getting quiet. I stayed mostly silent, only occasionally interjecting an "I'm still here" into the gaps. I have learned through YouTube not to reinforce behavior like that with soothing. It teaches them that screaming wins calming praise. My gambit paid off. She slept until about 3:15, and when she started pacing around, I zipped her out for a pee in the front yard, and then back in the crate. She protested for about the same amount of time, and then slept on through morning.

Three cats are pretty chill with her, but Athena is still a jerk. I hope it doesn't take long for them to find a way to coexist. The older dogs are pretty interested in her. When we go to the side yard to train and eat grass, Murray watches every second. He gets really jealous when she goes through the gate. He's convinced she gets a truck ride that he wants. Elsa watches through the sliding glass door. I keep telling her she has to wait until she has the next set of shots before I let them play in the same space. I think I can keep them apart that long.

If it isn't obvious, I am enjoying Saoirse's company every bit as much as I thought I would. I'm pretty sure she is fond of me too.

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

Inspirational song: Me and Bobby McGee (Kris Kristofferson)

This was worth waiting for. I'm stretched out on my bed, sore and tired from driving 8 hours, round-trip, watching a puppy chew on an orange and black, grunting raccoon toy. She's lying below me on the flokati rug, and if her papa is any example, when she is an adult, her fur will look remarkably similar to that gray and white rug.

Saoirse is the most beautiful pup. The rest of the litter (or those remaining who I met) were lovely, but in my eyes, she was always the fairest of all. Something about the pale gray of her body fur and the charcoal of her ears just pierces my heart in the right way.

I had set up a half-crate in the way back of my car, complete with a blanket and toys. She stayed there until we reached the gate to the alpaca ranch, and then she whined and climbed over the seat into my daughter's lap (she was riding in the back so she could give the baby all the attention she needed). Saoirse yelped for the first ten or fifteen miles, and then gave up and snuggled my daughter for the rest of the four hour drive home.

I got to meet her parents, and wow, is her daddy a large boy. When he stood next to me, he leaned his head into my hip. He was as loving and beautiful as he could be, and I hope she grows up just like him (but maybe a few pounds smaller). Mama was nice too, but not as interested in me. I thanked her for making such lovely babies.

We have now met everyone in Smith Park. The cats are interested but not amused. The only one to be outwardly rude was Athena, and no one here is surprised that she has swatted already. I'm not letting her mix with the older dogs until her second set of shots, so we go around to the side yard where the woodpile is to pee. Murray watches her through the old remaining chain link fence, whining that he can't get closer. The cats keep getting a few feet away and just sniffing the air around her. I have hopes that she is enough of a baby that they will just fold her into the family now, before she is as big as all four cats combined (so... Easter?)

(that is a chew stick, not a poop)

Packed and Ready

Inspirational song: The Puppy Song (Harry Nilsson)

It feels wrong to be anticipating great joy on a night when millions of people are reeling from the loss of a giant of the judiciary. I note the passing of RBG, but for all that I admire the heck out of her, I have no original contributions to add to the national discussion. 

Instead, my head is filled with thoughts of dog (nod to the great Twitter account). I leave early tomorrow to drive to the southern part of the state, not far from the Great Sand Dunes national monument, to pick up Saoirse. Finally! I have waited a long time for her. Longer than you might realize, even. I grieved when Bump died, two and a half years ago. But then my heart healed, and I started having little bursts of hope that there will be another puppy in my life someday. As time went by, the desire for a puppy grew and grew, until the dream became an obsession. I tried to fight it, knowing we still had a house full. But as my mother said, "you'll know your dog when you see her." It was so true. I got one glimpse of a photo, and I knew in an instant that it was her, the one I was searching for.

I worry about being so sure from only photos and video, but I do believe she is the one. Tomorrow I will be with her and I expect to have my hopes confirmed. 

I have packed as if I were going away for the whole weekend. I have snacks and drinks for me and my daughter, plus a whole collection of things for Saoirse: toys, food, water, a collar, a leash, a carrier, and cleaning supplies. I hope she does well in the car. If not, it won't be for lack of preparation on my part.

Loose Ends

Inspirational song: Money (Pink Floyd)

The last few real estate documents have been submitted to my admin account. I dropped by the bank on my way to babysit, and deposited the commission check into my brokerage's account. I'm pretty sure I have tied up all loose ends. Once my boss gives it a once over, he will transfer my share to me. I don't know whether any of you have gone two whole years without an earned paycheck, but take it from me, it is not a fun feeling. Granted, I had quite a bit going on, and wasn't focused on money the whole time, but it came up often enough that I was miserable about my failure to contribute to the economic engine of this household. I am a long ways from the next similar lump of income, but at least now I have my sea legs back. I'm reasonably confident that more will eventually follow.

I took no photographs today. I was just too sore and tired from everything I attempted to do this week (and succeeded in much of it). Pictures were the last thing on my mind. I did share a video on the puppy's Twitter account. They built a cute little barn for chickens on the ranch, and off on one side of it, they put in a straw-lined nest for the puppies. They will get to be outside a lot now (and being half Great Pyrenees, they will be absolutely fine during all but the worst weather). The owner of the ranch was out in the puppy side of the barn, lounging in her jammies in the middle of a pile of sleeping dogs, under the red glow of a heat lamp. It looked like fun, and Saoirse was very attentive to her, getting all sorts of cuddles. I will make another pitch for anyone who wants to follow her to go to @helpersaoirse on Twitter. As of now, she does not have a Facebook or Instagram. She will appear on the Smith Park Facebook often enough she won't need one, and I just never took to Instagram. I haven't logged into my account there since I got my new phone a year ago. Don't even remember my password. I expect the Twitter account to be pretty active. 

Closed

Inspirational song: Our House (Madness)

Success! The last week of stress was no fun, but by the middle of the day, the uncertainty was over. Everything settled out, and the closing went off like a dream. The clients were ready to go, boxes loaded in their cars, and in short order, the new house started to fill with stuff. I left before actual furniture showed up, so I wasn't comfortable lazing around. Besides, I had a grandbaby to snuggle. I had her all the way past 8 this evening. Now my shoulders are sore and tired, from baby holding and from the tension that always comes from driving in Denver. My hips and legs are sore from trying to sit on the floor at the new house for the hour or so I was there. And I finished my evening sitting up at a dining room table, when I wanted to be reclined on my bed. Long day, over now. Time to pay myself on the back, say job well done, and get some sleep. Now that this deal is done, I need to prepare for the condo I'm about to list. I'm back in business.