05/07/2007 11:19 am
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YIKES - what a weekend! This entry is going to be done with several entries since there is so much to say and I'm trying to do this at work!
I'll start with Saturday. Well, we got up early and out the door by 10:30 a.m. - hoping to get there by 11:30 - which we did, but by the time we were sent in the right direction, two people had already signed up for puppy interviews AND for "Charma". So, of course, trying not to get my hopes up, I keep thinking, "we're not going to get her - it just isn't meant to be".
While the first family (with two young kids in tow) were being interviewed, Charma & Mac (her foster) showed up. I was hesitant about going over to see her, just because I didn't want to fall in love, but I wanted to be polite, so introduced myself to Mac and of course he started talking. How it's been with her, the little quirks she does (like barking at you when she wants to play), etc. Then someone came over to "separate" us - they were actually sending him over to go to the interviewing family - but I'm sure it doesn't look good to have an "in".
They were interviewing the second couple while this was going on too. I think they talked them out of her because I overheard them mention some of the other names listed on the website.
So we were interviewed by the first person and then the second person (Jen) and Jen mentioned that they were leaning towards us, since we don’t have any kids and “Charma” had been returned for nipping at a toddler. Even when she said – “Congratulations, it’s a girl”, Dan and I looked at each other in non-belief. So they handed her over to us and we went to fill out the paperwork. While Dan was filling the paperwork out and we were also waiting around, Esa was playing with the other dogs. There was one dog that she REALLY enjoyed playing with – he just basically rolled over and let her play with him.
We found out that she’s had a hard life. Besides being returned, she and her littermates, along with their mom, were surrendered to the Spotsylvania Animal Shelter when the pups were a day old. The owner wasn’t given a choice so they were basically taken. She had the mom & pups outside and it’s unacceptable – especially when there are babies involved. February was a cold month for us too.
Even when we were filling out paperwork, people were coming to see “Charma”. Not sure what happened with the second couple, but the father of the first family came up and shook our hands to congratulate us. They took home Randall, a black lab mix. Then the shopping began. We had to buy EVERYTHING but the crate, since we brought Babe’s old crate. It’s ok for right now, but she’ll be growing out of it shortly. When we got home, we realized that we didn’t get small “good girl” treats, so I ran out to get some.
She’s really good at going when she’s outside, but we’ve had 4 accidents so far. First accident was at Petsmart. I knew I should of taken her out, but didn’t. Second accident was in front of her first visitor, Suzanne. Third was in our bedroom – she was running around and Dan wasn’t right behind her. The fourth, in the family room – no idea when that happened. So not bad – 4 times in 2 days. We definitely realize that right after she wakes up from a nap, she needs to go out. That seems to be when the accidents happen.
She had some quirks that we didn’t know about. She likes to bury her (milk)bones if she doesn’t feel like eating them right them. The first one I gave her (a full small Milkbone), she took and started going behind the furniture and then I realized, she was trying to bury it! She then went to the door, so I opened it, she went running out to the side of the house, Dan goes running after her and watches her move the stones on the side of the house, drop the bone, and cover it back up! So, she has bones “buried” throughout the house. She usually goes back and eats them about 30 minutes later though. One of the bones was “dropped” into the empty food dish while she took a drink and she picked it right up after taking her drink! Pretty smart!
One bad habit – she’s a nipper – no wonder she’s not good around kids. Of course, we understand that she’s just a puppy who is teething. We just keep directing her towards her toys and doing “timeout” if she’s bad. She does only do it when she’s playing so that’s good.
This is all on the first day! Saturday night, she was really good. She went into the crate at about 10:30 and didn’t wake up until about 5:45 a.m. Not too bad.
Sunday, we all went for a walk and then Dan went to work. The girls by themselves. We went for a walk and hung out on the porch. She enjoys just hanging out and watching the world go by, soaking it all in. She’s not sure about the cars. We were almost back from our walk when the neighbor across the street brought his dog out and the dog was READY TO COME FLYING across the street. Esa stood there, and then started backing off. Remember – this is from across the street! Poor puppy – she just wants to play.
One thing that kills are the farts – yes, the farts – man, can she stink up a room. It might be the all natural food or changing from one food to another. We’ll see. She might just have an upset tummy. She went #2 a lot yesterday (all outside luckily!).
Last night didn’t go too well. I put her in the crate she whined a little, but not too bad. Next thing I know, she’s out – the screws weren’t all in place. I put her back in, with a little whimpering and went to bed. Then about 30 minutes later – it got BAD. Just whimpering like you would not believe. I finally had enough and went downstairs. I tried to get her to calm down, no luck, so let her out and then outside. Sure enough, had to go. She came back in, I put her in the crate and sat there few and she went to sleep. I didn’t hear her again until this morning. Dan said that he let her out when he got home and put her right back in. She whined a little, but went right back to sleep.
When I got out of the shower this morning, both Dan and Esa were up. Dan said that she started whining while I was in the shower. I didn’t hear her before I got in the shower so I figured, Dan could get her if she cried. She was full of energy, so Dan took her for a long walk even before I left for work.
So starts the story of Esa Wentz. She’s named after Esa Tikkanen, a former Capitals player. It was Esa or Calle and I didn’t want Calle because I have a friend who’s daughter is named that. Zed will have to wait until we get a boy – more than likely a cat. We just didn’t think Zed would be a good girl’s name.
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