So, we're 10 mos in

and Moxie Brown, aka Monkey has made lots of improvements in her social skills.  She is still afraid of parked vehicles and people she doesn't know (especially men), but she warms up to strangers more easily than she did when we first brought her home.   I'll be honest.  Some days it can be really frustrating.  But, then I think about how she's changed in 10 short months.  She'll come in/out of the house without me having to follow her until she hunkers down in submission, she's gotten used to living in a house and most of the noises that go along with it (she's still not a fan of the hair dryer), we can actually take her for a walk and have her walk on lead, and not try to bolt constantly (although, she still does if something "freaks" her out).  We're still working on when we take her out in public into a confined space (ie vets office and pet store). She doesn't do well in those situations, even though I have a pocket full of yummy treats to bribe her with. I've learned to take a couple of poop bags with me whenever I take her out, because when she's stressed, she poops (thankfully, she's NEVER done that in our house!) and she's probably going to make a lake, so I try to keep an eye on her and keep my fingers crossed that we make it out before that happens.  It hasn't gotten easier for me, when it comes to the looks I get from people when she has her moments.  It cuts me to the core to see her shaking, drooling like a St Bernard, panting and giving the great whale eye at things/people that scare her, and then watch her turn to a statue with her heart pounding or the great look of fear in her eye as she tries to run to get away from thing/person that scares her.  It makes me sad for her that she's so traumatized, and it makes me angry that her former "owners" made her the way she is.  So, we keep plugging away at it, and when we're at home and she's in her element, I wish others could see the great personality of this funny little brown dog that we greatly love.

So, a new adventure for us tonight.  I signed Moxie up for a very basic beginners agility class.  She's one smart cookie, and has been walking over some items in our yard that will be similar to what she'll experience in an agility class.  Honestly, I'm only doing this for the socialization.  At this point, I don't ever see us going out of our trainers yard, and don't know if I'll ever be able to have her off leash (she's a runner).  Nevertheless, I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best!

It's a Dorgi!

We  added a new family member to our household on May 2nd.  She is a Corgi/Doxie mix that just happens to look like a dingo.  Her name is Moxie Brown and she is between 2-4 yrs old.  My daughter's entire 1st grade class took on our local animal shelter as their community service project.  They collected items the shelter needed and then took a field trip to the shelter.  Unfortunately, my daughter was sick the day of the field trip and didn't get to go.  She was still grieving Leo so badly and wanting a dog of her own to love on, that we decided it might help her get of the funk she was in.  She took his death harder than her cat that died a year before, and she really loved that old stinky cat.  RIP Rudy.  So, a friend and I went to the shelter to see what they had available for adoption.  Most of the dogs were huge and too much energy for a household with two kids the ages of mine.  I was getting ready to leave, when I decided to squat down and see if there was a dog in this apparently empty run, and that's when I spotted her.  LONG story short, she was an owner relinquish from the county.  We were the ONLY ones to look at her during her 5 month (yes 5 mos!) stay at the shelter.  She's had lots of babies and is horribly unsocialized.  She's afraid of everything that she knows nothing about.  She's never been in a house or car.  She's never been loved on and treated as a family member. She is very sweet, loving, gentle, housebroken, a GREAT watch dog  and sometimes over the top, and we love her to death!  Every day is a new adventure, and every day she comes out of her shell just a little bit more. She's made SO much progress just in the past month since she's been here.  I'm hoping that having an entire summer with her new family will bring her even more out of her shell.  I hate that  her previous owners didn't love her and take care of her like they should (thank GOD they didn't physically abuse her), but I am thankful that they decided to have the shelter come pick her up so she wouldn't/couldn't have any more babies and could be given a chance to find a home where she was wanted and loved.  I'm also thankful to Columbia Animal Services for taking care of her until we found her.  So, we begin a new adventure this summer with Moxie Brown.  She's helping heal our broken hearts, and she's keeping Cosmo from being so lonely.  I do think Leo has reincarnated in her at least a little bit-- she's a chewer too, and like Leo, I hope she eventually decides to chew only on her ample supply of toys!

September 29,2007 - February 16,2011

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Until we meet again my sweet and funny little orange boy.......

Leo's finishing pic

Finally! Here is Leo's pic from finishing Aug 1, 2010 under Mrs. Pluis Davern in Greenville. Very happy to report that his eye's CERF'd clear, he's FN clear by parentage, Optigen A, and his OFA rated Excellent. All very good news we just got in the past week! I love how the judge, handler and cookie jar are all sporting the exact same shade of blue!

Announcing CH Amawalk's Beam Me Up A Faerytail

My boy did it! He finished on Sunday with his fourth 3 pt major! He is the 20th champion sired by his father, Ch Amawalk's Dunelm Clansmen, ECM aka Scotty and the 61st champion bred by his breeder, Betty Ganung of Amawalk Kennel. Leo was expertly groomed by Mindy (also Leo's co-breeder and the breeder of Cosmo), and handled by Rick Day on Fri and Sat, and by Kristen Mooney on Sunday. I am so happy and so proud! There was a nice line up in Greenville this weekend, and LOTS of orange. Usually, we're surrounded by the blue roans/BRaT's...but not this time. I enjoyed being a spectator, although I had to hide from him as I didn't want to jinx us (he's a mama's boy). Betty took a couple of pictures of him, and I'll get a copy of his winning picture when I get it in the mail. Hopefully it won't take too long. My daughter is glad her "peanut" (he's really not a peanut) is back home after being gone for a week. I'm glad to have my goober boy back. It sure was lonely without him!

SNOW in SC!!!

We RARELY get snow in SC and I've NEVER had it on my birthday or more than a dusting. Well, we got over 8 inches of the fluffy white stuff!!! The boys weren't too sure what to think about it. Cosmo kept shoving his head under the spots he dig out and Leo looked like a gazelle hopping through it. Both were happy it was warm and dry inside the house =)

Leo's first BOB win!!!

This weekend was the show down in Ladson SC. This is where Leo got his first 3 pts last Jan, a major no less. Well, even though the weather was AWFUL. Not only was it freezing out, but the rain and flooding of the grounds was unbelievable. I stayed in soaked shoes and socks and wet clothing for 14 long hours. However, it was worth it. Leo won first place in his class, and for the first time he also won BOB!!! The kennel club handed out really nice rosettes and I was so proud of my little orange boy! Chelsea showed him for me and when we finished, we took him back to re-fluff him and wrap his ears. Then he took a little siesta until it was time to go in the group ring. He made me proud in there (even though he thought the judge had bait in her hand and had to jump up and check her out). He made the cut for a second look by the judge (the only small sporting dog to do so). Even though he didn't place in the group, I couldn't have been more proud of him! Leo took second place to his look alike in his class on Sunday. So, our point total is now 12 (with three 3 pt majors). Not too shabby with him having limited showing if I do say so myself =)