Three months ago today, a beautiful little Ninja came home to live at the Ranch. This little girl was a puppy mill survivor and needed a whole boat-load of socialization and instruction on how to become a dog. Luckily, she had a good teacher, nope not me, but instead Sam, the best big brother a novice dog could have to show her the ropes. Although the process has been ongoing and we often take two steps forward and one step back, the little girl who must not be named (Sam insisted I continue to refer to her in those terms though I think he may come around to actually referring to her by her name at some point soon), is definitely bringing joy and laughter to the Ranch.
Some of the more salient observations are:
- She who must remain not be named is affectionate in her own way. She obviously took good notes when learning the efficacy of the Standard Poodle trademark nose nudge whereby the upright’s arm appears to be flailing around like a whirling dervish. And she is never dissuaded to stop nudging until it supports her timetable.
- Even though she is still as quiet as a Ninja warrior, she is becoming more vocal and definitely discovering her voice. “I am Elsa, hear me roar!” She has taken to given the Akita dogs next door the ‘what for’ whenever she goes out to pee despite both of them being much larger and more dog aggressive. She will stand next to the fence and let both of them have it for several moments then suddenly and without warning, merrily bounce toward her spot and quickly squat. It’s as though she’s mocking them over her shoulder. “Oh yeah. well take THAT, you stupid fur-ball Bozo heads, up yours!” Love this new-found canine confidence that likewise is assisting her when she meets dogs on our walks.
- Her tail is becoming more animated with each passing week which provides my heart a warm, gentle hug. I love it when it wags as she greets me. And while she will never compete on the same level with Mr. Happy himself, the fact that she’s doing it more and more is progress and reassuring.
- I love how this little girl can plop on top of a freshly folded pile of laundry without a care in the world and fall fast asleep in a nano-second, but when she retires for the night, she must dig and scratch like a Chilean miner at her bed for as long as 5 minutes. Uh…hel-lo…we’re trying to sleep knucklehead (whereas Sam just circles 87 times and then plops down and lets out a huge sigh)! This “Princess and the Pea routine” makes me happy. When she drifts off to sleep and snores like a Maine woodsman, I smile even though it may keep me awake. She’s demonstrating a level of comfortableness in her own fur, with her pack and that’s progress in learning how to become a dog. There are no late night stress induced heavy panting sessions in Elsa’s world [shhhh, don’t tell Sam I said her name].
- Knowing that the medication she is taking to control seizures is probably responsible for certain odd reactions, it amuses me to see her stand stone silent for moments on end and then without warning, inexplicably bursting into a frenetic zoomie. The joy she clearly and suddenly experiences when she tries to turn me into her very own human kite as she races down the street on early morning walks making me giggle like a breathless school girl. Way to love the moment, kiddo!
These are just a few of the many subtle things I’ve noticed about this little girl’s progress into life around the Ranch. No doubt, the list will grow as she refines what it means for her to be a real dog and not a puppy mill producer. I only hope the next 3 months are as interesting and smile inducing as the first 3 were. Smile inducing, except for that whole munching of multiple eyeglasses thing. We can do without any more of those moments.
As an additional note of progress on her ‘wagiversary’ timeline, she is now two months seizure free. Stay strong and keep making progress, little Ninja.
Live, love, bark! <3
Lady would like to invite Elsa over for a play date. Bilbo has offered to keep Sam company for the afternoon.
We’ll call the ‘next time we’re in the neighborhood.’ LOL
That would be great. We could all head off to dog beach.
Sounds like the pawfect date with something for everyone!
Such a sweetie – it’s lovely to see how quickly she snuck right into your hearts, ninja style! 🙂
She’s a pill that’s for sure…the little eye wear assassin. 🙂
She is wonderful, going to keep you young.
I don’t know about you but one of the best things in the world is to sit back and watch dogs have that “YAAAAY I’m so happy!” freak out. Sounds like Elsa’s coming along just fine.
You’re right…there truly is nothing quite like enjoying those joie de vivre moments!
Don’t you just love noticing the character complexities of each dog??!
They are as different as night and day.
Your written account of Elsa’s progress and personality made me smile and LOL – I can only imagine the joy you must feel experiencing this now health and maturing girl. Congrats to both of you for all the progress and the joy she who will remain Elsa (sorry Sam!) has brought into your lives.
She’s a pill for sure, but one that makes me smile. Just like human teenagers, girl pups can be tough-just ask Sam! 😉
What wonderful wagiversary milestones!
Yes, it’s like Christmas has come early around the Ranch!
I rejoice with you over this great progress into happiness, trust, security, and dog-ness!
Thanks Amy. We’re taking loads of baby steps but are seeing progress for the patience. <3
Paw bumps for seizure free days and your wagiversary!
Your Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
happy waggiversary
thanks for the update. such great news.
Aww … beautiful post. There’s nothing better than watching your furbaby come into his or her own and learn to OWN everything around him or her. All the strange quirks, all the craziness that tells us they no longer have the weight of the world on their shoulders and they finally just get to be dogs/cats 🙂
Well put, MommaKat! 😉
Seeing a rescued dog (or cat) blossom is the ultimate joy. We never know their “story” they way they do but to see them happy in the moment is worth any chewed up glasses (mostly).
Rescuing is the least we can do for such unconditional love from our fur-babies.
Such a great update <3 Happy wagiversary!
Thank you, we are keeping our fingers crossed the progress continues. Happy Friday…wine should start arriving soon. 😉
Yes, happy Friday…you guys need to celebrate!
Every dog has personal quirks. When they cross the bridge, you remember the quirks most and with fondness. We parrots have no quirks-SQUAAAAAAAWK.
What a wonderful and loving post! I’m so happy Elsa [see, I can name her!] is doing so much better. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that she’ll get better even. I hope I can meet her when I’ll be in Denver soon. That would be great.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Pit
We’d love to introduce you to the Ninja otherwise known as Elsa!
I’ll contact you when I’m there. Looking forward to meeting the “Ninja”. 😉
Sounds like Elsa is doing great and wonderful news about being seizure free for 2 months! Love the tail wags. Your descriptions were excellent.
Thank you. Her progress continues to inspire me and I can’t help but be thrilled this Ninja warrior is taking life to whole new levels.
Yay I am glad she is adapting well! That’s awesome that she has been seizure free for 2 months woohoo!!! 🙂
It is exciting and we couldn’t be happier. Well Sam perhaps not as much, but I’m tickled pink! 😉
I love hearing how well Elsa is doing – she is a lucky pup to have you!
Aw, thank you. She was given a chance to blossom and I hope we can help her succeed, both emotionally and physically.
That’s great news,,, and some of her “coming out” reminds me of Ray, and he is still “coming out” after 3 years! Give Elsie (sorry Sam but she deserves a name) a cuddle on our behalf!
Thanks, Colin. Yes, I think rescued dogs in particular are constantly evolving. Happy upcoming weekend. Give Ray an ear scratch from us.
Yea! Yea! Yea! What fun to see her develop. She is so pretty. Cole seldom wagged his tail. On two hands I could count the times in 14 years. He was very quiet. Ninja is the word for him too. I want to come to your house and let both of them wag for me!! Love, LeeAnna
The kids are just waiting to be able to shower Auntie LeeAnna with puppy kisses and tail wags.
Awesome post! The needs of our four-legged loves are no different than us “uprights.” Love, caring, patience, and companionship….the prescription for most ills in this life! Brando has certain quirks too–and seems to be developing new ones, in his 8th year. For instance, recently due to our cold snap, he’s back to licking his poop, something he did as a puppy. He hasn’t done this for years. Apparently dogs are smitten over frozen poops —poopcicles! And, as of a couple of weeks ago, he has stopped “asking permission” with that poodle nudge to get on the sofa. He jumps right up, and immediately curls up in a tight ball as if to appear invisible. We’re scratching are heads over this change. Happy Friday. 🎄🐩🎄
I think everyone develops quirks as we age; some more than others. It’s the way we all cope with life but it’s always interesting to see how they manifest themselves in our behavior. Happy Friday and happier weekend!
You must be so happy with her progress!
Els….. er, TDWSNBN needs to teach me how to fall asleep right upon laying down. Maybe I should start sleeping on top of my laundry…
I hope the seizure monster sleeps for 87 years or it is far far away… happy waggiversary :O)