Puppy Pool Play

Today was really hot outside (94, and it's not even June yet), so mom pulled out the blue water monster and filled it up with freezing cold wetness. After I helped mommy throw one of her favorite balls in the water, I nudged the kid and told her that all she had to do was put her face way down in the wet stuff to get her ball. The silly youngster fell for it, and not only put her mouth in, but covered most of her head before she realized she couldn't get the ball that way. He He!

After a few minutes, she figured it out. It was fun to watch her bob around. When she was done, she looked really funny! She has black spots on her skin around her snout. Mommy called them "love dots". Anyhow, I was the only smart one and stayed far away from the blue monster. Tomorrow, mommy said I can be the lifeguard again as they hope to teach the kid how to swim.

Thanks, my BFF!

We thank my BFF, Siku Marie, for sharing this award with us. The rules say that we must share seven facts about ourselves and pass the award on to bloggers who we think add something special to the blog-world. I decided I would have our 3-pack do it in honor of my bff, who had her brother post his list as well, so we will do our best to post new things about ourselves that we haven't shared in the past:

Prinnie's List:

1. I don't like Pasta or pasta sauce (definitely a sin in our house)
2. My middle name is Hope in honor of my mommy
3. I wake my parents up each morning by jumping on the bed for our private snuggle time and licks - tons of licks
4. I only bark because it gets me lots of attention
5. I'm a true blonde - no dye job here
6. I'm a great little referee when brother and sister get playing
7. I secretly like it when sister looks up to me and emulates my behavior (shhh, don't tell the moms!)

Digby's List:

1. I look like I'm a tough boy but I'm really very sweet and have a very gentle soul
2. My favorite food is pizza bones
3. I play wrestle with my sisters with just the right amount of energy for each of their little bodies
4. My favorite pee spots are at PetsMart
5. My BFF is Dragon Guerrero-Cappetto and he lives far away
6. My favorite part of the day is snuggle time with my mommy as we sit on the big couch at night together
7. Today is my day - the day I was saved and came to my forever family! They love me very much!

Atka's List:

1. It's been almost three weeks since I've pottied in the house - I go outside to do that now....I think I'm on to something here
2. I look up to my big sister Prinnie, and when she barks, I bark
3. I'm glad my pack finally decided to let me in to their family - I like it here
4. I love to shred anything; especially paper products
5. I have separation anxiety - I don't like to be without my humans, but I am grateful that I have my brother and sister
6. My favorite food is......EVERYTHING. I like everything.
7. My favorite activity is to nose-plow our food dishes throughout the house (and hide them) and make mommy look for them at feeding time

Now I am supposed to pass this on, so if you are reading this, consider yourself the blog we choose. Many of you have already posted your list, and those of you who haven't yet, please take this and share with us what makes you you!!!

What a Bored Eskie Does....

What happens when a young eskie is out of site for 10 seconds......

Sunday Stroll

We had our Sunday family outing today - to the same place where brother got so terrified from the gunshot sounds a few weeks ago. Mommy said that each time we go and have nothing bad happen, brother will gain a little more confidence that its ok to be there. He was so scared that he shook and climbed in to mom's lap, but he made it through it and we were all so proud of him. He was a brave boy.

Our turtles, Clover, Rover, Charlie Bubble and Mud Head have come out of hibernation and are rustling around as they always do this time of year. Here are some pictures of them and their condo....

My brother, the kid and I wish you all a successful week filled with much happiness.

She's legal

Mom is a crazy woman with the camera. She thinks EVERY move I make needs to be captured in pictures. Today started no differently - mom with bed-head, a cup of coffee and the camera! I must admit, though, that today was one of my better days - my hair was quaffed, my mascara perfectly in place and my blush glowing a slight shade of bisque in the early light of morn. What do you think??

The rest of the day was family time. We all loaded in to the car and headed for the local animal shelter. We all waited in the car with mom as she instructed mommy NOT TO BRING ANYTHING OUT EXCEPT THE LICENSE! We all barked in agreement. We were there to get Atka licensed now that she is one of us, but mommy forgot her blinders, and that typically means she would come out with as many four-leggeds as she can carry! Fortunately, mommy behaved today and only came back to the car with the stamped documents showing our sister's legal registration. I think it means that we can all travel legally from California to my BFF Siku Marie's house in New Mexico. :)

No More Foster Friday - I'm Official

Atka here.....

Fridays had been reserved for me to tell my story of happenings from my perspective as a foster eskie. Those days are over. I am no longer a foster eskie. I am a forever eskie with my forever family in my forever home. It was exactly what I had hoped and crossed my paws for from the start. It just took my family a little while to realize just how loveable and sweet and funny and, well, precious I am! Good thing they figured it out! Geez!

I asked my big sister, Prinnie, if she would continue to allow me a day a week to share my growing up experiences with you. She agreed that I could continue to have Fridays as my day. From now on, Fridays posts will be "Fridays and Forever with Atka".

To start off this week, I'd like to share a silly picture with you of sister and I. Aren't we hammin' it up?? Mommy told a funny joke, and we couldn't help but laugh! Then mom bribed us with treats to get us to sit still long enough for yet ANOTHER picture of our three-pack. You'd think they were forgetting what we looked like or something! Anyhow, my brother is the best playmate ever, and I love him. My sister is teaching me everything I need to know about being an eskie, and my parents - well - they just bake the treats.

Silly, Sweet Girls

I've been a little reluctant to say it, but I really am glad the kid is back. Today, we played together - really, really hard. It was one of the first times I've ever played with anyone, and my parents were really proud of me. I chased Atka all over the yard as we both did zoomies. I was able to keep up well with the youngster, and when it was done, could see that she was a little winded! Afterwards, she and I took a rest together - see us in our video...



One thing is for sure....the kid follows my lead. Some times I can get her in trouble by letting out a little "woof" because I know she will then bark loud enough for the parents to come see what is going on! It's a fun game, and I like it when the parents say "Atka, no no bark"!!

Oh, and a really happy side note.....the parents found out tonight that the wonderful woman who was going to adopt Atka is getting a 3 month old eskie pup from an LA rescue tomorrow. We are all so excited and happy for her. She certainly deserves all the love we eskies have, and will most definitely be an amazing eskie mom!

Doctors and Drugs...What a Start To The Week by Prinnie

With all of the excitement of Atka coming home last night, I somehow got a tickle in my throat that caused me to cough, and cough, and cough....all night long. I kept the whole family up - seriously, all night. I didn't mean to, but as mom said, I was barking like a seal and sometimes I would spit up. Mom left at 4:15am to find an open drug store. She drove around the whole valley and was frustrated that nothing was open. Finally, at 6am, she found a grocery store that was just starting their day, grabbed some medicine, and came home. The medicine didn't work, so as soon as our dog doctors office opened, mommy called to get me in.

I wasn't happy to be there, and let the doctor know it. I did my "Cybil" impersonation. He wasn't buying it, and told mom I needed to be muzzled. Oooooh, did I tell him a thing or two then! If I could have made my head spin all the way around, I would have. Anyhow, he gave me a shot and as the song from mom's era goes..."I have become comfortably numb". I haven't coughed since, but I'm feeling pretty loopy. The doctor said that there was nothing more wrong with me than an irritated trachea. He gave me enough drugs to float around on these clouds for three days - wohooo!

The sibs, Atka and Digby, played outside for hours after the sun was up. They ran zoomies, played chase and wrestled, all while I watched from inside. I was in "the zone". I might end up having to share my medicine with the parents though. They are a little grumpy. They still haven't slept. I don't know why they can't just curl up on the floor like we do. If it works for us............just sayin'!

Welcome Home, Atka

It's been a whirlwind of a week, and we have some amazing news to report....

As you saw in our last post on Wednesday, we had taken Atka to her new mom. Her mom was this amazing woman who we knew was going to give Atka all of the love, training and attention that she would need to live her best life. What we never expected was what happened next. As soon as we got home, Digby and Prinnie could sense our sadness and joined us in missing their foster sister. As the hours passed, the loss of our baby eskie was heartbreaking. Digby would no longer play - even when bribed with treats. Prinnie was nasty and sullen. Shar and I - well, we went through boxes of kleenex and couldn't even talk about her without bursting in to tears.

We gave it a few days, all the while remaining in regular contact with Atka's new mom. Atka was doing well. We, on the other hand, were a mess. On Saturday, I sent an email to Atka's mom and told her of the impact that Atka's leaving had on our family. I told her the truth - that we had made one of the biggest mistakes of our lives. I asked if there was any chance she would allow us to have Atka back. Shortly after the email was sent, she called. She was so incredible - she was kind, and compassionate, and willing to help mend our four broken hearts. I know it couldn't have been an easy decision for her, but she was totally selfless and committed to doing what was best for everyone. We made arrangements to bring Atka back, and hung up the phone.

The four of us hugged and cried and danced with joy. The little foster eskie that never was given a last name was coming home. We made a promise to the eskie gods that we would never fail her again. She was a part of us - our family, and without her, we were not complete. She would have her own name tag, and it would say "Atka Kaya (Marie) R---S---", meaning 'Guardian Spirit to stay and never go back'.

So today, we took the final journey to pick up our baby girl and bring her back to her forever home and family. All because a special woman gave us a second chance. For that, we are eternally grateful. Today, we welcome home our youngest family member, Atka.

Letting Go

Today, Atka began her new life with her forever family. Prinnie has allowed us to write this post tonight, because she and Digby decided they wanted to stay home while Shar and I took Atka to her new mommy. We cried most of the way to our meet-up point, as Shar held the young pup in her arms and the three of us reminisced about her antics while with us. We remembered the good, the ...well...not-so-good, and the precious times that all three dogs were playing in harmony together. We believed we had made the wrong decision in allowing Atka to go, but it was a decision that we could not change. We had the adoption contract made out in our names just a few weeks ago, but after further reflection, decided that Atka should have the chance of being the #1 dog in a family that could give her the world. Today, she IS the top dog.

We drove to meet her new mom and grandmother at our designated point. We took one final deep sigh as we pulled in and parked, and held our foster as tight as we could without harming her. We hugged her and kissed her and whispered in her ear. Then we opened the door. There stood Atka's new mom, literally radiating with pure joy, and a true love for her new little white Eskie. Watching the two of them together healed our hearts. We saw a happiness that we didn't expect. Shar turned to me as we walked to the car, and with tears streaming down our faces, said "she is Over The Moon in love with our baby".

Just a bit ago, we got an email from "Daisy's" mom (Atka's new name) saying that everyone was adjusting well and our little white fluff was taking a nap. She is settling in, and on her way to a good life; a really good life. Hopefully soon enough our hearts and heads will meet, and allow us to take comfort in knowing that we did make the right decision after all.....

Bandanas and Boyz!

Today, Digby and I decided we wanted to send Atka off in style to her new home. We asked the parents to take us to PetsMart so we could get her a bandana to wear when she greets her new mom. She and I rode in the cart together while silly brother tried on cowboy hats. Seriously! Boyz!

The Kids' New Family??

Today we went as a family to Old Town and then over to the Duck Pond. After a while, this really nice lady and her dad showed up and joined us on our walk around the pond. They were there to see Atka. The nice lady was there to see if she might like to be Atka's forever mommy. She really liked Atka, and was very kind and gentle with her. She was excited to teach the kid new tricks and to help Atka walk by her side. After an hour or so, the nice lady and the mister left, and we all piled back in our car and came home.

On the way home, mommy explained that the nice lady had been really sad because her eskie had just gone over the Rainbow Bridge. She said that the nice lady was hoping to share her love with a new eskie - a forever eskie. Mommy said that eskie is Atka and although we will miss her terribly (we can't think of her leaving without crying), we know that Atka deserves the best and would be so happy with her new family.

She will have a loving, dodding mommy, a bunch of friends, two step-doggies and two very loving grandparents. She will be right near the beach and will hike the canyons. She will get to play and go for car rides. She will get to sleep with her new mommy. She will be loved.

I told mommy all of this was well and good, but one thing Atka won't get to do is have a big sister as amazing as me. I also won't have a youngster to boss around. Hmmmm - not sure if I want the nice lady to take the kid or not.

Foster Friday

We think I may have a new forever home. In the past 24 hours, my foster parents have received three different parties asking about me and starting the adoption process. One lady who lives close in San Diego County is really interested, and has even completed all the paperwork.

Tomorrow is the big day....I get to meet my "maybe mommy" at the Duck Pond - one of our favorite places to go. I will get to see if I like her and if she likes me. We'll get a chance to play and walk and snuggle. Maybe I will like her. What if I don't? How can I tell my foster parents what I want? What if I want to stay right here?

Prinnie and Digby promised me that none of them would let me go anywhere unless and until it's the perfect family for me. I am excited...more tomorrow.....

The Cave

When it's time for Atka (aka "the kid") to go into her "cave", mom and mommy give her a treat. She goes in her upstairs cave to sleep at night and while jobs need to be done in the master bedroom, and her downstairs cave at night for quiet time. She often runs in her cave on the "hopes" of getting treats, and soon comes back out once she realizes we are doing something else that is more fun. Yesterday, though, I decided to take a cave trip with "the kid" to see what it was like. I remembered my cave from a while ago, but would hers be the same? Would it have the great view mine did?

I walked in to wire box and laid down. Mommy asked me to come out so she could close the door, but I decided to "go for the gusto" and stay. Soon enough, "the kid" and I were layng side by side, snuggled up in a pile of white fur. I thought mommy was going to lose her mind - she kept saying the same words over and over again..."Oh, how cute, oh how cute, oh how cute....".

Anyhow, after dinner last night, I decided to show mom (who was now home from work) what I had done earlier in the day, so in to "the kids'" cave I went again. Mommy closed the latch, and we hunkered down for a ten-minute siesta, but who can sleep with a wiggly, uncoordinated white thing breathing in your ear??

Mommy snuggled me up and told me how proud she was of me for allowing "the kid" to share such extremely close quarters with me. I kissed mommy's arm and told her that I had to, as the big sister, teach "the kid" the art of growing up.

Fixed the Video??

I think we fixed the issue with blog friends not being able to see the video of May 2nd. Mom thinks she clicked a box that would not allow broadcast of the video, but has since changed it, and asks that if you'd like to watch it, please try again!

Thanks!

Why the Eskie has a Migraine

A Bit of Green

We went over to Palm Desert yesterday for the lawnmower exchange program. I was really thinking that the green monster was gone for good, but I soon found out that we have a NEW monster - an Orange one, and boy is he mean!!

We saw a sea of pin-wheels from the freeway. Mom said they were wind mills that produced a large amount of electric power, and thus began the lessons about sustainable energy sources that the parents shared with us the remainder of the trip. I've committed to making sure that I help put the bucket of composting materials in the composter each week. Brother committed to making sure his dog-pod is unplugged when not being used, and Atka committed to doing 50 zoomies a day so we can harvest her energy.

We found a great park in Palm Desert, and after hanging out there for a while, even found a dog park. Guess what we saw?? Another eskie!! Mommy said she was in eskie heaven. On our way home, we stopped one more time so that Digby, Atka and I could share our first A & W hamburger. It was soooo good. We are fans for life! It was a perfect day full of family, fun and new adventures.