05/28/17 update on Shorty - good boy

Shorty has written a new story on his blog with cute pictures of him and Fionn and Gunnarr. Visit: mydogShorty.blogspot.com. He tells the story in his own voice.

Three dogs are indeed a lot of work. But Shorty is making such progress and is really one of the pack or team - if you like. He usually comes when called, and I try not to use the command give me a kiss too much as he seems to not be able to resist! I save that for special occasions. Especially since he still gives me lots and lots of puppy kisses. He is also adapting well to new people and a dog sitter starts this week. He met her on Saturday and is clearing smitten. She is in the 5th grade and they really seemed to hit it off. Fionn and Gunnarr like her too and it will be a big help for me to have someone come in during my longer days at work to let them outside.

Shorty has learned to do many new things, including wearing a harness, walking on a leash, sleeping indoors, and having two active little dogs near him at all times. he has learned to stay in the condo/pen when I go to work, he does not make a mess in the house nor does he do any damage. One thing he likes to do is to steal toys from Fionn and Gunnarr's beds and my socks and put them in his bed. He has moved in! One thing he does not do is watch tv. Unlike Fionn and Gunnarr who have every commercial with a dog in it memorized, Shorty has no clue whey Fionn and Gunnarr get up to bark at the tv. He has learned to deal with it and no longer runs out of the room.

And as you can imagine, outside of work, there is very little else I do now besides cooking cleaning and walking and training the dogs and gardening. I hope to get the sailboat in the water soon and I look forward to a little alone time on the water. I also sleep well at night! So if my blog sounds boring, bear with me. I have a few trips planned - one mission trip to Honduras and one pilgrimage - for later this year. Have to make sure there is peace in the valley before I venture out for any extended period of time!

The boys! Playing together. Try getting three dogs to look at the camera at the same time!

05/23/17 Three times a coincidence? Maybe not!

It is the habit of all three dogs now to bark at the door if someone comes to the house and I am home. I have been told that when I am not home, they just look up and wag their tails! My watch dogs are not guard dogs.

Three evenings in a row, shortly after I start the shower the Fionnegan and Gunnarr leave the bathroom and all three dogs start barking - loud. The first night I thought that the neighbor had stopped over to say hello as I just came in the house from working in the yard. The second night when it happened I thought - two nights in a row I miss the door. Hmm. But on the third night of barking as soon as I stepped into the shower, the barking started again, and  I thought something must be  up.

So I was quick about it - which was a real surprise to them. No, there was no one at the door. They were running around the atrium and dining room chasing each other and playfully barking at each other and wrestling. Fionn has a "come play with me bark" and he was enjoying the effects on both Gunnarr and Shorty. They were happily barking back at him. They must have been having quite some fun.

Well when I suddenly appeared and said - what are you boys doing, they all stopped and lined up in a row facing me, tails wagging and big smiles on their faces and looking very ornery. Caught them! That would have been the picture.

Yes, they play together. Shorty is a little rough, but he is being as gentle as I think he can. He is used to a good wrestle with the dogs in Yap, but he is now the biggest dog and not the smallest, so he cannot be as aggressive as he once was. He is learning to play nice with both. And I do love to see Fionn and Gunnarr give nose bumps to Shorty at bedtime. It is really so cute.

And Shorty seems to love his walks. He now lines up at the door when I say let's go for a walk, allows me to put on his harness and waits for the leash to be attached.  I get him ready first and he patiently waits for me to get Fionn and Gunnarr ready. A lot of progress for a dog used to running the streets freely. He likes to set the pace - fast - and he likes to lead, but Fionn is at his heels as he was the previous leader. But by the end of our walks, they are all exhausted and the pace is casual. A tired dog is a good dog!

It is hard to get a picture of them playing as they start when I am either working at my desk or in the shower. But I did manage to snap a couple of the blur of action! You get the idea.









All three join in the fun!





No better pillow than your brother. Fionn and Gunnarr are both resting after an intense few minutes of three way wrestling. Shorty is under the desk sleeping, not seen in photo.

05.15.17 Making good progress

Well, life has been hectic and fun since Shorty arrived. This past week Shorty has shown a lot if interest in playing with Fionnegan and Gunnarr, a very good sign that they can co-exist together in a friendly environment. While Fionn and Gunnarr growl and jump on each other, Shorty joined the fray with sticking his nose in between then, tail awagging. Then over the weekend they were chasing each other around the yard and jumping up on each other. Fionn, who has tried to ignore him, even gave Shorty his "come play with me" bark.

We go for long walks in the park and I must say they all do well together. Shorty still leads, but I see Fionn making the move to resume his leadership role. Gunnarr almost always stays close tome as he always does. Gunnarr is my protector.

One of the cutest things happened last night. Before we go to bed, I always give Shorty a tummy rub and head rub and tuck him in his bed. I also cover him up with a blanket to keep him warm. But last night Fionn and Gunnarr gave him the sweetest nose bump before they went upstairs to sleep and Shorty was so happy - he just wagged his tail and smiled. As soon as the weather breaks we will resume our walks in the park. They all enjoy them. Shorty is eating well, does not bother the fluff muffins when they eat, and at the end of the day they all are sleeping in my study as I work.

I really am glad I brought Shorty here. I have no idea what would have happened to him had he stayed in Yap. With the threats by the landlord and the news that Connie and Daniel are leaving, Shorty would have ended up a true street dog with probably a short life span. Here he is flourishing and safe and looks very, very happy. I get so many "puppy kisses" from him that I know this was the right move to make. Shorty is in his "forever" home with his brothers Fionnegan and Gunnarr.

A tired dog is a good dog. Here are pictures of them asleep as I work. They do move around a bit but go fast to sleep.

Shorty








Fionnegan on his perch by my desk.







Gunnarr










Am still working on the ideal leash to walk three independent minded dogs. I found one on Amazon.com but still need to modify it to keep me from getting tangled! Am looking forward to warmer - and drier - weather so the dogs can run outside.









They all look happy.

05/05/2-17 Nose bumps

It was a rocky start adding Shorty to our household, but not unexpected. Now, the boys are getting used to each other, know what food bowl belongs to whom, and everyone lines up to go "Outside" and "Inside" and "Pause for the paws". The cutest thing is watching Gunnarr give Shorty a good morning nose bump. Shorty also gave him a nose bump through the gate when I was getting Fionn and  Gunnarr ready for their bath.  Shorty joins us to watch an evening program, although he just sits on the couch next to me. He doesn't watch TV, and runs out of the room when Fionn and Gunnarr bark at the dog on television. Fionn and Gunnarr not only watch tv, but they know what commercial has a dog and know the theme songs and or voice of the announcer. So they wait in anticipation of the tv dog.

While Fionn tries to stay away from Shorty as much as possible, today Shorty gave him a nose bump as neither wanted to go outside to empty out in the rain. They are beginning to share beds and Shorty even jumps into the two boys "condo" that they stay in while I am at work.

We also had been out walking around the soccer fields and Shorty is doing fairly well on a leash. He doesn't like it, but I keep a firm hand on it and let him set a pace that is a bit fast for the two little ones but one that will tire Shorty. Then we went to the baseball field and I let all of them off leash. Bold move, but I had to know what Shorty would do if free. He walked along side of me and the boys then Fionn was cute and ran off and Shorty ran with him. Binding maybe? Bit Fionn ran on the infield and rolled around in the dirt buying him a bath as soon as we got home. Shorty fortunately just stood and watched him. Loco pero, I said. Shorty and Gunnarr agree.

Sorry to say not many pictures of them all together as it is a challenge to keep track and be sure there is peace in the valley! 

Here is a picture of my co-pilot and navigator. We took a road trip to Pittsburgh for Easter and they were great companions. Yes, they are connected to the back seat by a seat belt and extend themselves to reach as close to me as possible. Cute little fluff muffins. Happy, too.

The boys playing on the back deck one evening.

Shorty is really very happy and gives lots and lots of puppy kisses. He is also a nipper, so I have to be careful and try to break him of that. Look at those canine teeth. Ouch!

Behind bars!  Stuck in the kitchen when I had company.

Locked outside!

Let us in!

Shorty's nighttime sleeping quarters.