Foster Friday

I knew when we got up this morning that there was going to be something a little different about today. I didn't know what, but I could tell from the changed morning routine that the foster parents had different plans for us. Sure enough, a few hours after morning wake up, a mister and a misses came to the house in smurf-like outfits. The foster parents called the mister Doctor Bob. They told me that he was the vet that Prinnie and Digby had seen many times before when he worked at our regular vets office. He left there about a year ago, and after much searching, the parents found him in Orange County, and learned that he had a mobile vet service.

He came to the house today to help assess the health of Prinnie's teeth. She isn't able to chew rawhides or bones like me, and has had some difficulty even eating her kibble because it is too crunchy. She didn't like having Doctor Bob poking his fingers in her mouth, but I sure liked getting treats to help keep me busy. Then the parents asked Doctor Bob if he could scan us to make sure our microchips hadn't migrated and were still active. He put this hand-held wand over me and it beeped. Then he did it to Prinnie and she beeped, but brother Digby was having none of it. He wouldn't beep. So foster mom had to do it, and about 3 hours later (or maybe it was 3 minutes - I get confused), he finally beeped.

After the mobile team left, foster mom made some cookie

dough and as a reward for tolerating our unexpected visitor, we got to lick the beaters!!! This afternoon, I helped foster mom load up the gas lawn mower in to the car for us to take over to Palm Desert tomorrow for the lawnmower exchange. Goodbye green monster....I won't miss you!!!

A Busy Eskie

It was a busy day at the Barkery. Mom and I worked for hours on some updates to the web site, and finally got the changes completed late this afternoon. Then I urged mom to let me leave some posts on your blogs, which she helped me do.

I was so tired that I took a little nap, well out of range of the foster kid and brother, who were running through the house in the ultimate game of chase-wrestle and knocking things off stands.

After my nap, I had to organize the paperwork for our weekend plans, which include a jaunt over to Palm Dessert to trade in our gas-powered lawn mower for an electric one. We, as a family, are taking steps to become more energy-conscious; although it often feels like our puppy steps aren't enough. I offered the foster-kid up to serve as a wind turbine - they way she runs around so much and her tail spins faster than the fastest pinwheel! If only we could harvest her energy!!

Duck Pond Reward

Yesterday was a horribly scary day. The parents had taken us to Old Town for some social time (we all know the REAL reason was so they could get funnel cakes). What we didn't know was that yesterday was an 'Old West Re-enactment' in the same area we were. Digby is terrified of any loud noise that even remotely sounds like gun-fire. No guessing here - there was tons of gun-fire as they re-lived the shoot-out at the OK Corral! Long story short - after three or four gunshots, Digby was so frantic that he got out of his harness and ran off in terror. After mom screamed repeatedly for him, he came back, but was so traumatized that he couldn't stay still long enough to get his harness back on so some Mister came and helped mom wrestle him to safety. In the meantime, Atka and I (being tethered together) dragged a chair, knocked over a table and tripped mom as we tried to help chase brother. Some lady held Atka and I down while mom and the Mister were on the ground with Digby.

After we were home and safe in our parents arms (we all did "family pile-on" for hours, intertwined in each others arms, legs and tails), we took a family vote and decided that we had to get "back on the greyhound". When we got done with morning wake-up today, we saddled up and, with harnesses tightened, headed off to Old Town again. There were no gun shots, and brother felt much better. We didn't get out of the car there, but as a reward for our bravery, the parents took us to the Duck Pond - one of our favorite places. We saw turtles, ducks, geese, kids and lots of people. We had a blast. It was the perfect way to celebrate our family sticking together through tough times and always holding on together when we are scared.

Foster Friday

Hi bloggie buddies! Atka here!

Things in foster-land are going pretty well - of course that's from my perspective. I think I've gone Number 1 in the house only about 6 times this week and Number 2 - only twice and only in my crate. The foster parents aren't too thrilled with what they believe is at times an unattainable task of house training me, but I know that some day I'll get the gist of why I need to go out in the cold, damp grass to go potty.

I'm fully healed from my surgery now, which means Digby and I get to play as hard as we did before. I just love playing with him. He is so much fun. Prinnie has started to make efforts to play with me too. I look up to her A LOT. I bark when she barks, I run when she runs, I look for spaceships when....uh, WHY does she search for spaceships again?? Anyhow, I get to go for car rides several times a week, and am getting to be a pro at the routine of waiting to go up the stairs to bed at night until the parents are up there and call for us to join them.

Here's wishing you all a fun-filled weekend, and paws crossed that we get to go for funnel cakes tomorrow!!

Atka - out!

Sunday Stroll

Today was a beautiful, lazy Sunday. First, the moms, Digby, Atka and I took a leisurely drive around the area to look at what neighbors have done to help make their yards more drought tolerant and water wise. The parents have been talking for some time about reducing the amount of grass out front, so we were on the hunt for ideas. Then we hit our favorite place - STARBARKS, of course. Here is a picture of Atka and I placing our order...

Then we were off to do a little grocery shopping. Here's a picture of the sibs and I looking to see what goodies mom bought. We could smell those barbecue ribs a mile away!!!! Our mouths were watering for a taste - good thing we were harnessed in!

Thanks to Jake and Fergi's mom who has created beautiful photo memories, we decided to give SmileBox a try. This is moms first attempt at posting one, so hopefully you will be able to view it. She said to please forgive the duplicates in pictures over the past few days, but she is hoping to create a web-based keepsake for us all.

The stars of tonights show are Atka, Digby and Prinnie. And now for your viewing pleasure...

This photo slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Prinnie

A Day of Play

OK, it wasn't really a full day of play - I DID have some chores to do like teach Atka how to bark at the pest control guy, bite the irobot and torment the neighbors dog. When all of that was done, the three of us got down to some serious business....Digby and Atka played and I when hunting for my spaceships. Here are some pics of our fun - notice what a bad haircut I got - and mom complains that we actually paid for this!!

Having a Bad Day

"Well", mom said "Prinnie, you really did it this time" and she lifted me in to her arms and gave me a hug and nuzzle of love. Somehow she understood that there are moments from time to time that even the best of eskies have an off day. Yesterday was mine.

Our groomer was late arriving, and with my schedule so busy, I have little tolerance for that sort of thing. Anyhow, they asked me to come out to the grooming van, and because I wasn't thrilled, mom carried me out. Once there, I knew it wasn't going to be a good day and I began to screech and squeal and nip and bite and snarl at the groomers. They weren't my regular people, and I don't know about you, but I like my regular people. Why did they change it up on me?? Where was my Becky? Who was this other lady?

Mom came back out when she heard me tantruming and tried to tell me it would be ok, but I was hearing none of it. After another few minutes, the lady picked me up and took me back in to the house and told my parents that they weren't going to groom me because I was being bad. They said they would have Becky come and try to work with me later this week. That's when mom picked me up and cuddled me. When the lady left, mommy cuddled me too and told me it was ok that I was kicked out of the grooming van. They laughed in slight embarrassment that I had gotten the proverbial boot, but understood my fear and didn't get angry.

Today Becky came to our house to try again, and it was a better day all around. I decided it was ok for her to do her job, but when it was all over, my parents were less than pleased with how it turned out. They promised me that from now on, mom would trim me up, to which I jumped into her arms and gasped a big sigh of relief. I may end up bald and little frumpy looking, but it will all be done in love!

The Esteemed RAT Council Inauguration

Tonight was the grand induction party for the newly appointed RAT Council, hosted by no other than the amazing Mack and Sally Ann. It was a party like no other, with the Council in their formal best, and the background band soothing the souls of all attendees. Foster Sister and I were proud and honored to be part of the festivities, and were even prouder that our brother, Sir Digby, was appointed to this most important collaborative effort as a Rat Councildog.

Thanks to Sally Ann, CED, for sharing her picture of the council and for making such professional name badges for the Ratters. Carry on with your important work for all of us, and to you, many, many thanks!

Please be sure to visit Mack and Sally Ann's post to see more pictures of the festivities. The hard work shall now begin!

Foster Friday

This week has been very exciting for this young eskie! First my foster family and I started the week shaking and rolling from the big earthquake on Sunday. It was fun and scary all at the same time. On Monday I got my girly parts taken out. I am feeling great, and full of lots of energy. My foster parents are worried that I might harm my stitches, so I have to keep assuring them that I am ok. I didn't have to wear that lampshade once - I am being a very good patient and not licking the incision. I can't wait for brother and I to be able to play wrestle again!

Foster mommy thinks I might be a good swimming eskie. I was bored yesterday and decided to play in the water dish outside. It was fun to bat all the water out and stomp around in the wetness. Oh, I also learned another fun game - it's called "Shred the Paper Plate As Quickly As You Can", and I am already a semi-pro at it! Then today was my very first day of work. I am an official Junior Taste-Tester for the Barkery, and I love it! The bosses make us taste-testers stay behind the line to the kitchen, and when it is time for us to test a new recipe or a freshly baked batch, we come to attention and sit patiently awaiting our turn. Brother didn't get paid today, though, because he didn't show up for work, and the bosses said that he had to take responsibility for his job and as such, they wouldn't be calling him in. So Prinnie and I not only did our job, but we split the duties of his as well. It's a hard job, but very worthy! I wonder when I get a vacation??

I'm still learning the ropes on the housebreaking thing. I'm not sure I understand why I can't potty when and where I want, but I guess there are rules that I must learn to be a top-notch eskie! Here are some pictures of my handy-work earlier tonight. Quite the artist, hu??

From My Perspective....

So much going on...so little time for the parents to help me post it!! I've asked Bill (as in Bill Gates) to help this poor little eskie out by creating my very own pawware that we canines can use as a keyboard adaptor to the family computer. Maybe then we can post when WE want to and not when it's convenient for the hands that pet us!!

Anyhow, foster sis Atka was sprayed on Monday. I thought getting sprayed meant getting a bath, but what a day she had! She left in the morning and came home really drunk early that evening! She was staggering and staring, and cried all night. She was so drunk that she let someone shave her belly in a funny (and very unattractive) pattern. Kid can't hold her liquor. She was pretty hung over Tuesday, but by Tuesday night, was full of life and right back to her antics. Today, the parents spent the day trying really hard to keep her somewhat tamed, but they didn't have a chance with the whirlwind kid. They're at their wits end on how they are to keep that ball of white fluff quiet for 10 days!!! Those hangovers are a real killer, aye?? That's why I only drink water!

Loopy Atka

Our 3-Pack Earlier Today

Foster Friday

Hello everyone: Atka here!

This past week, I spent many hours perfecting my cutest faces, my softest snuggles and my pouncing puppy playtime in hopes that my foster family will make the decision to adopt me. I'm really starting to like it here, and feel more comfortable each day. Foster sister Prinnie "goes Cybil" on me a few times a day, but foster mom says that is because she is the big sister and is just teaching me the ropes. Sometimes she plays with me, and my foster family thinks that is a really big deal. Foster brother Digby, though, is the bestest playmate ever! He and I run zoomies for what seems like hours, and then we finish it off by play-wrestling. He is tough, and takes no mercy on my 19 lb little body, but it is one of my most favorite times of the day!

I am learning many things. I've learned that my foster family has a routine, and it is good. I've learned that I have to sit and try to keep my wiggly-butt in place before I can get my breakfast and dinner. I'm trying to grasp this whole potty-training thing, but some days are better than others. I've learned that if I nudge foster sister as we enter the Starbuck's drive-thru, the foster parents will give us treats in hopes that we won't bark so loud that they can't order their beloved drinks. I've learned that my "caves" (crates) are good places and I like to sleep in them. I'm learning that I can be loved - for no reason at all...foster mommy says "just because I'm Atka, and that's special enough".

My foster family says I have to get spayed on Monday (whatever that means!), and that they must make a decision about keeping me very soon. I hear them talking back and forth every day about what to do. I'm thinking that I like it here, although it would be better if they had a pool and personal eskie masseuse!!!