Dogs

Looking forward to the food and sights of Toronto for Christmas! For the time being we're satisfying ourselves with our glittering Christmas tree ornament, the Christmas wombat, kinder sheep, and miniature wish bear!

Maya had some excitement this last weekend where we had a larger than normal dog-sitting experience. Raja, age 8, and quite the senior to our usual hyper active black beauty was over and the two dogs were quite inseparable. Course, they spent most of their time looking out wistfully at the park or sleeping. Then they'd tag team and attack either myself or Steph! It was a pleasure though I'm reminded that one dog is more than enough for me to handle at the present!

So the story behind Maya's origins remains a mystery - but that said - she was originally adopted from the Worcester Animal Rescue League and she came to the US via the Save a Sato project.  They have an informative video on their website as well as before & after shots of the rescue dogs.  It's hard to think of Maya starved with three puppies having been dumped at a church being rescued by a vet and then given to the shelter.  I think that only one of her puppies survived and has also been adopted in Mass.

As for her, I think she's also still recovering from the whole experience.  It's only been two months since she was first picked up! 

I've recently purchased the Gentle Leader Headcollar for Maya.  I stopped on the way back from Petsmart and did a quick read of the instructions before installing it on her head. 

I have to say - within five minutes she was readjusting to the change!  She stopped pulling, had about three frustrating episodes involving squirrels, and by the time we had walked 20 minutes had begun reacting to the squirrels by sitting down (as opposed to jumping through the air and diving at them!).

So I recommend this product with all the stars that would be available. 

Premier Gentle Leader Headcollar: Stops pulling, lunging & unwanted behaviors.  Immediate, gentle control. Painless, never chokes... #1 Headcollar recommended most often by leading vets & trainers.

Maya, the spoilt one, also has about a year's supply of doggie treats and a new black Kong.  She also chose a doggie toy that was on sale - man, my future kids are going to be SPOILT! 

Attached are images of Maya modeling her new training collar.  She's actually quite fine with it - but I managed to get a shot of her grabbing her snout!

I thought I'd give a little time and attention to Maya on my blog. She gave me quite the run around today. 

1. The Bullet: Maya has reached 'bullet' status as she's a turbo charged high speed race addict.  Playing with dogs is NOTHING compared to racing to the other side of the park and vanishing from sight.  By the time I've taken three steps in her direction she may have changed her trajectory twice.
2. Perfect Dog: On being returned to me (three times now), she is referred to countlessly as such a perfect example of canine beauty.  She has the sleekest black coat, beautiful form, kind eyes.  But more importantly, she's well behaved - sits and offers her paw without being asked.  Her soulful expression melts hearts and her natural energy and charm has won the attention and admiration of most of the dog lovers of the neighborhood. [Note - even the people returning her to me - refer to her as a perfect dog... uh, you're returning my wild runaway beast!]
3. Inutile ('Useless' in french): After a long day of playing with toys, working for treats, walking, chasing squirrels - Maya literally passes out on whatever soft cushiony dog-bed or rug presents itself.  Not only will she be completely comatose, but she will try to be comatose under your feet (not best practice when next to stove with boiling water!).
4. Pointer: True to her breed (or half breed), she points! She will go ridgid on the fly and I've taught her to sit to attention when she gets the urge to jump up to point at whatever has caught her attention.  She shakes with excitement when she's got something in her view!
5. Circus clown: Maya is a gem at playing with her toys - throwing them up in the air and catching them... bringing stuff in her labrador mouth.  She'll tumble and twist and twirl in the air.  I swear she's part cat.
6. The Destroyer: Yes, Maya is unfortunately a destroyer - she has chewed on the step of the deck, broken her crate (repairable), and eaten the plastic clasps for her doggie back pack (repairable).  She's eaten a water bowl and toilet paper rolls... and seems to have a preference to plastic or wood.  Strangely enough, her toys are all intact!
7. The Thief: She's discovered the trick for standing up at the counter to grab whatever is in reach.  She's eaten the plastic cover for the butter dish, helped herself to the bread, and there are bite marks on the squash which she must have deemed inedible.

AND we're both absolutely in love with her!