A dog person? Me?

I used to be known to say things like, "animals belong in the wild" and "i don't understand pets!". I think i am changing. Its been three days since this creature has entered our home and already i feel different about animals, for one thing I can go near this dog's mouth, and i can handle jumping and nipping, i get it now, and while i know this is just the beginning i think this project is working for my dog fear, not just this little pup but the way i am around other dogs i have seen. On top of that I dream of dogs, when i lay around and stare i see dog images in my mind, i see dogs in the patterns of my sheets, i search the internet for dog tips, i talk to my friend on the phone for hours about dogs and dog raising! Who would have thought? HA!

The children however are another issue, Eden is getting better, i have explained to her that the dog does not deserve her attention if he is not being calm and submissive (thanks Cesar!) until she realized that she would speak to Tandy in a squeaky excitable voice wanting puppy love only to receive puppy nips! He see's her as his litter mate and wants to roll around nipping and yapping with her. Kale has yet to understand some things too, he is trying, afraid Tandy will bite off his toes we are slowly showing him to be calm and relaxed while Tandy smells him. Both kids enjoy calling Tandy and having him come to them and throwing his toys to him. Also both kids and dog enjoy running and frolicking in the snow together, its a great site and makes my heart warm to think of how this project is affecting all of our lives. Thomas is the silent dog whisperer himself and as he does to us, enjoys massaging and interacting with Tandy.

Tandy now his license, while leaving for the humane society to get it Eden responded "I didn'tknow dogs could drive!"

Friends in the community!

Today I went out! I have not left since Tandy arrived! Anyway, i went to a clothing store and who do i see there but two NSD service dogs! I had a nice chat with them (not the dogs!), they had an 18 month old lab and a 17 week retriever, i asked them lots of questions they gave me tips and i feel much better! It was neat to see the young retriever so well trained and patient watching her raiser, i wonder what Tandy will be like!? I love seeing the purple coated pups all over town, its such a great way to socialize them of course but to spread the word about NSD. Anyway it was great timing and I will see them at puppy class on Monday, now i must take Tandy outside to pee!

Sponser Tandy!

This is the third day Tandy is in our home, he is doing well...at least i think i don't know a lot about puppies!! Last night he slept in his crate from 11-6:45 this morning, only cried for like a minute! We must have worn him out yesterday, we had a lot of family here to visit him and the kids and i ran around the yard with him. The only thing that is not going so great, that i am personally having a hard time with is his elimination procedure! I take him out and he does not go! I bring him in and ten mins later he goes on my floor! I don't get it, i will have to read up and maybe call the NSD for advice! I am sure it is normal for a brand new puppy, we are all learning here. I guess that is the whole idea of this project after all for us all to learn and enjoy eachother.

I have entitled this entry sponsor Tandy because at the NSD they have a fundraiser when the puppies are born, they like to raise $1000 per puppy to pay for the costs that they endure during their time with NSD, the money pays for vet bills etc, as you can imagine this organization helps so many children and requires donations from people in order for it to continue to help children. If you would like to donate money in Tandy's name you can contact the NSD and mention his name and donate, it is a tax-deductible donation. There is a link below to their website page where you can donate online, but Tandy's name is not there, you may be able to mention it when you put your info in!!

http://www.gifttool.com/athon/AthonDetails?ID=1327&AID=924

Call or email NSD to donate:
Danielle Forbes
dani@nsd.on.ca
519-623-4188

Tandy, tandy the night time dog..

Well, its 6am and i have decided this is a great time to get up! Ha! Considering all that Tandy had been through the day before i think he handled last night like a trooper! Slept in his crate for many hours before howling like a wolf, i took him out at 2:15 to pee and then back in his crate, he cried like the big baby he is in there and i decided to sleep in my bed while he did so. The information booklet we received with him said not to baby him and let him cry, that it will only last 10-15 mins!!! Let me say 5 mins seemed like an eternity!! But it worked he settled down and i was able to sleep too!! Whew! That was difficult, with all the nurturing bones in my body; but as Cesar says he is not a human he is a dog! So the next time he whined like crazy it was 6 am and i thought it is technically morning, there are people in this world that get up that early so when he settled and sat nicely in the cage with me outside i opened it up and took him out, now i get to enjoy some alone play time with this frisky ball of fur. Me and Tandy alone in the quiet morning of our home, getting to know each other!

...Oh wait, he just crapped in my kitchen...!

Tandy exploring our home!!!

Tandy is HERE!!!

Well he is here, nervous and adorable getting to know us and his new space! Stay tuned for more!!

Puppy is coming!

Tomorrow afternoon we get the puppy!! Someone from NSD will bring him here and go over everything with us!! We are all ready for him, puppy proofed the house, he has his own spot in the living room. We can't wait to see him! I will post pics asap!!

Big News!!!

Today the national service dogs emailed us back to let us know a puppy will be ready to come home with us on December 18th! It has all happened so fast, we sent in an email requesting more information a couple of weeks ago and now we are preparing our house for PROJECT PUPPY! The kids and i are calling this our project, we are raising a puppy for someone else and learning all about dogs. What a grand project it will be. We are actually going to bring home a male puppy on December 28th, whose name shall soon be determined, we know it will start with T. We were hoping to wait till after the holidays to start our project so they have agreed to keep the puppy there for a little longer. We are all giddy with excitement for PROJECT PUPPY. This blog has been created to share our story and as our own little keepsake on raising him! Stay tuned for pictures, trials and tribulations and the joys of PROJECT PUPPY.