Topic: Luna & Rocket
Sherry,
Like the names? Lynn came up with Rocket as in "rocket to the moon (luna)". Anyway these names are also quite different from our kids' names to help avoid confusion when they are called, once they learn them of course.
We got through the night all right. We placed the crate they travelled in back in the x-pen. As you suggested Bob and I tried to gently herd them into it because they wouldn't go in on their own. We finally gave up, not wanting to stress them any more, and left them out. (Maybe that crate helped to relax Rocket because it smelled like them, who knows.) Bob and I stood outside their pen for quite a while just talking to them while our dogs were in the house. This seemed to calm both of them, especially Rocket, down. I checked on them a couple of times last time. They were snuggled together in a corner of their pen and seemed perfectly happy to be there. I'm not sure they've been on grass, albeit covered with cedar chips, before. I think they are enjoying the texture. Rocket didn't bark again until this morning when I let my dogs outside.
We've had a few "discussions" at the x-pen fence line. Rocket was quite protective of Luna last night. He has already relaxed that attitude a bit. Hormone boy Zephyr has been the biggest problem. I've brought him in a couple of times when he got to be too obnoxious. Trekker has had a couple of talks. Once Langley had his sniff he just walks by ignoring the newcomers. He's such a good alpha dog. I think Rocket is a little intimidated by Langley's size. He's growled at Langley a couple of times as Langley walked by the pen. Suzie, as expected is a non-issue. Rocket is already learning that "uh-uh" means cease and desist your barking. Smart boy.
I am starting to see some tail wagging from Rocket when Zephyr approaches the fence. At least until one of them cops a little attitude with the other. I think Rocket will be a good play buddy for Zephyr when Rocket's ready for that step.
As the day has gone on all of my dogs are following Langley's lead and ignoring the newcomers more and more.
Rocket ate most of both breakfasts this morning. Poor Luna wouldn't come out of her corner. She hasn't eaten tonight, but Rocket did leave some food for her. I'm hopeful she'll eat when I'm not sitting by the pen watching. I had the food by the fence, but Zephyr and Rocket started having a discussion about who the food belonged to so I moved it into the middle of the pen by one of the crates.
I did get some food down Luna when I wormed her this afternoon. It took some doing, but I got her into the crate with a door. I had to use a black garbage bag to gently herd her into the crate. I didn't wave it around (heaven forbid), I used it like you'd use a piece of cardboard as a barrier and direct her where I wanted her to go. It worked fine. I placed a dish with canned food and the worming powder thoroughly mixed in with her. Afterward I shut the door and left Luna alone for a couple of hours. When I returned the food was gone. Rocket was a little worried about Luna shut up in the crate, but he settled in by the door and waited until I released her. I'll repeat the process tomorrow.
I'm still experiencing some pretty loose stools. No poopy butts and it hasn't been constant, just icky (and smelly) piles. I'm sure the worm meds, plus stress of moving to another new location is contributing to this problem. I'll keep an eye on it of course.
We'll get a tarp over the shade cloth this weekend to keep rain out. Not that there was any sun today, but the shade cloth will help to keep them cool when it returns.
They are both looking up with ears forward, and Rocket starts toward the fence line, when I come out the door. They are very curious, so its a matter of building that trust. I spent at least a couple of hours outside in about a dozen sessions sitting in a chair next to the pen just talking to them.
Now here's the funny story for the day. Of course Rocket has picked a couple of places to pee on the fence and of course my boy doggers have to go pee on top of it. Well this morning I set Rocket and Luna's breakfasts down by one of those pee spots, not even thinking that might be a bad location. Sure enough, Langley comes along and lifts a leg peeing in one of the food bowls. I know he wasn't purposefully peeing in the bowl, it just happened to be in the "line of fire". LOL So the little bit of food left went down the toilet and the bowl received a thorough scrubbing.
I think that's it for today. I feel we've all made some good progress for their first day.
BTW - Penny and Rich are bringing a check for the rescue fund to the AKC show tomorrow. I'll run it by this weekend or drop it off at Posh Puppy early next week. I've heard from several family and friends planning to send money to you. Bob's sister sent my message on to her dog lover friends so you may receive additional $$ from them.
Denise
Sirius Dreams American Eskimo Dogs
email hotshoe@dogstardreams.com
http://www.dogstardreams.com
“Chaos in the midst of chaos isn’t funny, but chaos in the midst of order is.” – Steve Martin
Updated: Thursday, 11 June 2009 12:54 PM PDT
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