Tammi: An Adoption Update

Just wanted to let you know that Tammi is doing great. She is free to run around the yard to take care of her business and comes running to the door when we call most of the time! If she doesn't come back right away, she shows up shortly. She does like to check out the whole perimeter of the yard at least once a day. She also likes to chase cats out of the yard. Unfortunately, a neighbor cat likes to use a section of our yard as a sandbox and Tammi has discovered this and loves to eat the kitty poody. I've been trying to keep it picked up (whilst cursing that darn cat) to prevent this. I just bought some granules to discourage both the cat from using this area and Tammi from eating it. We'll see how that goes. Tammi is also training up very nicely--we make a game out of it. Treat time! Both dogs get very excited.

Tammi now comes into the kitchen with Alfie and excitedly 'demands' food. She also follows Alfie around the yard when they both go outside. She likes her regular schedule and often gets into her crate when she 'knows' it's time for me to go to work. Mostly, though, she loves sleeping on our bed if I'm too busy for her to sit in my lap. She sleeps down by our feet (Alfie tries to wedge between us) but inches her way up for morning cuddles. I have the luxury of a late-day/evening work schedule, so I make it a point to spend extra time cuddling with the dogs in the morning.

We haven't been walking much, just running around the yard, which is plenty of exercise for both dogs. We will resume a more regular walk schedule as the weather warms up. We've had loud construction going on across the street from me--not directly across, but close enough to make Tammi freak out on walks. A house that recently sold (old beater) is getting a complete makeover. Tammi really doesn't like loud noises or cars when we walk.

We made a trip to the lake the last nice weekend we had. Both dogs in separate carriers. Tammi was a little nervous, so we kept her safe in her carrier (we do that with Alfie, too) until we were underway on the houseboat. Her carrier sits between me and Gary in front seat of the truck. Happily, Alfie's smaller carrier fit on the floor between us, too--so everybody fit nicely. She seemed to like the close quarters and really enjoyed walks with Alfie (Tammi still on-leash) on the lake shore. We were greatly relieved that she seemed to enjoy it. Our bed on the houseboat is a little smaller and it got pretty cold that night, so Tammi enjoyed sleeping next to me under the covers--Alfie and Gary on other side of me...very cozy!

Tammi has also started becoming a bit more vocal. Not a lot, but a little here and there. She barked at me the other night because I hadn't noticed she was sitting behind my chair--she wanted in my lap and Alfie was in it. So she politely barked very softly to get my attention.

Alfie is still a bit aloof, but he's gradually getting closer to her. Tammi seems to understand his reluctance and is giving him his space and defers to him as the alpha dog. They have both started eating on the same towel. There's been a couple of very minor squabbles over fallen food crumbs. It's always instigated by Alfie, but very minor. Tammi just backs off and lets him be in charge.

She's a very sweet dog and we are really enjoying her. Her legs are a bit of a problem for her--she is careful jumping up on things and her knee joint does occasionally pop out--sometimes, I can just rub the area gently and you can feel it pop out--so I'm extra careful with her. The vet wasn't able to make a really good determination as to how severe it is. We've decided not to take any invasive action unless it's really bothering her--which it doesn't seem to be. She does do the handstand pee most of time, which tells us (from what I've read on it) that it is uncomfortable for her to bend--or that she's afraid of them popping out. She's probably developed that practice over the years. It's a pretty good guess that she's had this condition for some time. Happily, it doesn't seem to bother her too much. I'm hoping that a good diet and a few choice supplements may help. Since my other dog has arthritis, it's easy for me to give them both the same stuff. They've been ! getting raw eggs and salmon oil a few times a week, which is supposed to be helpful. That along with raw meaty bones and bone marrow--full of naturally occurring glucosamine and chondroitin.

Tammi is a very good girl and we are optimistic that her shyness will diminish over time. She still hides in the bedroom whenever somebody else is in the house, but she now comes out to greet Gary and recently begged food from my son who visited last week. Normally, I don't encourage the begging, but we let her get away with it because we want her to associate people with "good" things.

Stay tuned for the photos!