Progress And Things To Work On...

I'm making progress!!!!  Yeah me!!!!  Chica was the first to trust me to control Bailey.  I do my absolute best NOT to lose sight of her, but it does occasionally happen, like last night...And when she does go after Chica or Curley, they are quick to let me know it!  It's usually Curley because he's also a Cocker and must remind her of her Mom.  I don't think they'd mind her...if she wasn't always trying to bite them...but I guess that's how puppies play.  When Peanut was a puppy we didn't have any other dogs in the house, so I didn't see this with him and when we brought Chica home, she was so submissive she didn't dare go after him.  There is NOTHING submissive about Bailey, though.  She's just a happy-go-lucky, love-me-to-death puppy!

And as long as I keep her sufficiently exhausted, the other two will lay near her.  To that end, we continue to go on mmmaaannnyyyy walks every day.  So many, in fact, that I lost almost four lbs last week!  Since I was off, we started with a walk to the corner and back as soon as everyone was up (Curley's the late riser).  We'd usually go around the block once everyone was up from their morning naps.  They'd go down again until after lunch and since it was hot out we'd usually go up to the corner and back.  Then, as the sun was setting, we'd go around the block one more time.

Things are a little different this week because I headed back to work.  Half-days today and tomorrow, then leaving at 1:00 Wednesday, with full days Thursday and Friday.  I wanted to gradually get Bailey used to staying in her crate for extended periods.  So last night we went for a walk and then we were all tucked in bed a little after 10:00.

The alarm went off at 5:20 this morning and because I'd gone to bed so early, I didn't have any trouble getting up.  In fact, I was up a little before it went off.  Jumped in the shower, put my pjs back on and took Bailey and Chica out.  Then I blocked Bailey and I in the front hall while I did my hair and make-up.  I left her there with breakfast while I ironed my clothes.

By 6:40 we were heading out the door.  We had enough time to get around the block!  Then it was off to work for me.  Alex came home about 9:45 and took the kids out.  He called to say all had peed and were back in their respective homes with Bailey being the only one protesting her lot in life.  And before I knew it, it was 11:30 and I was on my way home.

After lunch, we headed up to the corner and back as it was too hot to go much further.  They went back to sleep and didn't get up again until Alex came home.  He kept them amused while I made dinner and then I grabbed Bails and we headed up to PetSmart.  I needed to get some cleaning solution for her ears and a water bottle for her crate.  I also picked up some bows for her hair. The ladies there made such a fuss over her.  They couldn't get over how well she walked on a leash for being so young!

Back home again, I picked up Chica and Curley and we set out for our evening walk.  Our street was crowded, so I headed down Summer to Norwood and up Norwood.  Instead of turning down Bryant, I headed up to West Utica and turned there, then down Ashland.  We met many nice people (thanks to Bails, of course!) and at the end of our walk had gone a full mile!  Everyone is now happily snoozing away!

But it's not all beans and rice in the Cedeno household!  Over the last day and a half or so, some character flaws with Curley have come to light and I think a lot of it has to do with him being deaf and blind in one eye.  He does NOT like runners.  He lunged at one on yesterday morning's walk.  He does NOT like other dogs-he has been barking at them and pulling with the leash to the point where he's up on two legs.  And he does NOT like little kids on scooters.  So, Alex started working with him on our walk last night after the bit about the kids reared its ugly head and I continued to work on the other dog problem this morning.

We switched Curley from the flexi leash back to a short leash and Alex had him walking by his side.  Curley was tense at first, but then relaxed and walked right next to him.  On this morning's walk, we ran into some dogs and the timing on my corrections was so spot-on there was no growling or pulling.  He only saw me.  This evening's walk my timing was not as good as we came around a blind corner to a woman walking a lab or some other large breed.  Since I was looking behind me to check on Bailey, he saw them first and got off a bark or two before I was able to correct him, but there was no pulling and no temper tantrum.  He again looked to me.  I do not think it will take us long to iron these minor problems out since Cesar has taught us so well what to watch out for and because I stayed calm and assertive when Curley barked, he responded to my pulls instantly.  I have not had to resort to a touch to snap him out of it.

And as for my Chica...it's takes some convincing to get my little home-body started, but once I have her going, she walks like the pro she is and although Cesar would disagree with my use of a flexi leash and allowing her to walk ahead of us, until Bailey gets bigger, this method is working best for me.  She follows Chica's example and isn't getting strangled if Chica gets spooked by an unexpected sound.  There will be plenty of time to get the three of them to walk behind or beside me in the years to come.  For now I just want to keep them happily exhausted....

Bailey VS "The Evil Water Monster"

My Twilight books will never be the same....sssssiiiiiiiggggghhhh.....

Before Sue brought Bailey and her brothers and sisters to their new families, she gave them all baths.  When she placed Bailey in my arms, she told me what a good girl she was in her baths and when she was getting her blow-out.  That should have given me a clue of things to come because we weren't home very long when she showed us all what her favorite toy is...

After she got away with this once because I couldn't believe what she was doing and twice so I could get photos to send to Sue for her blog, I started stopping this little game.  That led to some serious pouting...

And then a little anger...

But it's all good now!

The Gang's All Here! Meet Bailey Glory...

On Sunday, May 27, 2012, High Calling Cocker's Snuggie and Rio gave birth to seven beautiful silver Cocker Spaniel puppies-four males, three females.  On Thursday, May 31, 2012, at 4:38 p.m., Sue sent out an e-mail with a link to a web page with all their pictures to everyone on her waiting list.  And I was ready!  She'd given them all patriotic names in honor Memorial Day weekend and I chose "Glory", keeping that for her middle name.  Here's her first photo...

Two weeks later, Sue posted new photos of the kids...

And at three weeks old, more photos!  We couldn't believe how quickly she was changing!

The final photos came at six weeks old...

Before we knew it, the eight weeks had passed and I was on my way to the Holiday Inn on Niagara Falls Blvd to finally meet Sue in person after months of e-mails and bring our new little girl home.  Unfortunately Alex couldn't be with me, so Bailey and I stopped by the restaurant to see him before heading home.  What a fuss everyone made over her!  They all thought she was adorable!

For as far back as I can remember, the kids and I have gone to McDonald's for lunch on Sundays.  Since I saw no reason to break with tradition, I stopped at the apartment to pick up Chica and Curley and the three of us hit the drive-thru so we could spend the rest of the day getting to know each other.

I'm afraid Bailey wasn't the hit with Chica that Curley was.  In fact she won't be winning any popularity contests with either of her siblings any time soon, but she's sure got her Mom and Dad wrapped around her paw!

The Gang's All Here! Meet Curley...

Thank God for my Dad!  He offered to drive me from Albany to Long Island and back, then I would drive Curley and I back to Buffalo.  I'd never been to the Island before and the traffic was really intimidating.  But he knew all the short cuts to avoid traffic on the way home.

We got to Dolores' a little early and went to a great restaurant called Jackson Hole for lunch.  Then it was off to get our little boy.  Dolores was very nice and we were able to take Curley for a little walk.  The contract was signed and he was ours!

Back at Dad's, we let him explore the yard a bit and then took him inside.  He drank a little, then we went for a walk around the block and set off for Buffalo.

We stopped at a parking area near Rome and wandered around for a few minutes before the final leg of our journey.

By the time we pulled into our parking lot, it was after 11:00 at night.  Alex brought Chica out and it was incredible~tails wagging everywhere!  We went for a walk around the block and when we got back to the apartment, she welcomed him in with open arms!  And they've been best friends ever since!

Twelve hours later, Bailey joined the family, but more on her later...

We have been on many walks over the last six days and when we aren't walking, Curley loves to sleep.  Sometimes it's on a bed...

Sometimes it's on the hardwood floor...

And sometimes it's in Bailey's crate...

Went to the vet on Monday and did well.  Got a little scared, but who wouldn't after what he's been through with each appointment.  And now he's been groomed, courtesy of his Daddy!

We're so glad he's joined our family!  Welcome home, Curley!!!

Coming Very Soon...The Power of the Pack

After months of waiting...and studying...and learning...the time has finally arrived.  I will be picking up Curley in less than 72 hours in Albany.  What I have learned...the importance of calm assertive energy and exercise-discipline-affection...will finally be put into use and more important than I could have realized if this is really going to work.

Dolores called today to say that Curley's dental cleaning is tomorrow and he'll be ready to come home either Wednesday or Thursday.  I'm hoping for Thursday because I'm off for 9 days as of 4:00 on Friday afternoon.  But it will be a journey fraught with challenges.  He has been fabulous with each new dog he's met since coming into rescue, but they've all been Cockers and his size.  Over the weekend, she introduced him to a Springer Spaniel and he got really, really scared.  She thinks it was because of his size, so is recommending we introduce him to Chica slowly.  And if it doesn't work out with the two of them, we will have to return him to her.

I am counting on all I've learned from Cesar to help me make sure when Curley comes home, it's to stay.  I will practice nose-eyes-ears when we meet.  I will practice no touch, no talk, no eye contact when we meet. I will be calm, I will be assertive.  I will take him for a structured walk around Grandma and Grandpa's house before we continue our journey home to Buffalo so we can begin building trust.  And when we reach home, I will have Alex and Chica meet us outside where we will go for our first long pack walk before we introduce him to his new forever home.

Dolores advises he has not been introduced to a crate since coming into rescue, so she is not sure how he will do if that is something we choose to implement.  He does not have accidents inside as long as he is taken out regularly and has been trained to go on wee-wee pads.  If we go with the crate, we will introduce it slowly.  It will be his decision to go in...perhaps with the help of some food bribes:)...and we will never close the door until he is calm and completely relaxed.  We learned our lesson...a crate is supposed to be a haven, a place to feel safe and secure.  It is not to be used as a time-out or means of enacting punishment or discipline.  From day one, there can be no negative association with his home within a home.

Then...72 hours after he comes home...I'll be tossing Bailey into the mix!  I'm sorry to say that Alex will not be able to be with me when I pick her up.  NYS requires that the pups remain with their mother until they are exactly 8 weeks old, so our plan of welcoming her home together on Saturday when he is off is not meant to be.  As she is driving to Syracuse that day to bring 4 of Bailey's brothers and sisters to their new families, she has offered to meet me before they head out, either bringing her to me or meeting me near a Thruway entrance.  Don't tell Alex, but I'm kind of glad!  I had no idea how I was going to wait alllllll day for him to get home from work!  I'm still working out how I'm going to introduce her to Chica and Curley.  I'd planned on leaving Bailey outside with Alex and coming in to get the older two, then setting off on a pack walk, but I think I'll have to introduce her to the apartment and dogs at the same time, then immediately set out on that walk.

Time to get my "Tssss" on!!!  The kids are coming home!!!!

Bailey's First Haircut and Curley's Little Friend

Sue put up six week pictures of Bailey and her siblings this week.  She gave them all their first haircuts and they're all adorable!  She'll be seven weeks old Sunday...only nine short days 'til she'll be home!  It's gone so quickly!

And as for our little guy...this is Curley's most recent picture.  They haven't said who the little girl is, but she's adorable.  Dolores and Abandoned Angels have been very busy the last few weeks.  They've taken in a few more Angels and are participating in tomorrow's "Broadway Barks" benefit hosted by Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore, so they have not had time to schedule his dental cleaning yet, but Ellen assures me she'll stay on top of it and have him home to us just as soon as she can!  I always had a feeling my kids would be coming home within days of each other.  It will actually be perfect timing because I'm off work for a week starting the 23rd, so having them come home together will let me save some precious vacation time for when Bailey has her surgery in the Fall.

And I've got to throw in a picture of my precious Chica!  With all the fireworks last week I splurged and bought her a Thundershirt.  I cannot believe how amazing this shirt works!  She did not shake, she did not pace, with 5-6 shows going on all around us.  Worth EVERY penny and I'm not the only one that thinks so. One of my co-workers bought one, too, and she had to WAKE her dog up to get it off him when the show was over!  If your dog has any anxiety GET THIS SHIRT!  You won't believe the difference it makes, but it may take a time or two before you notice the difference.  It was subtle the first time we put it on her, astounding the second!

It's so hot here today I treated her to daycare.  My purpose for this was two-fold:  I want her to remain socialized and she deserved to spend the day in air conditioning just like her Dad and I.  Been home less than an hour and she's already snoozing away in front of the fan...which is good because her Dad and I are heading out to dinner to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary tonight!