Welcome Callie: Catching Up

So sorry it's been awhile since I've posted an update on Rascal and Macy. We've been trying to enjoy the summer weather while we can because school starts in one month! Already!

Both dogs continue to do just great. I'll start with Macy. As I type this she resting near my feet happily chomping on a bone (Rascal is next to her curled up in the dog bed). We went to Great America a few days ago and my sister-in-law let the dogs out during the day while we were gone. She had never met Macy or Rascal and they had never met her. She reported that they were both very good and that Macy even climbed up into her lap to take a nap while she was sitting outside. Macy really wants to play with my dog Holly and with Rascal. But, neither of them are really into it. Holly is probably 13 years old (she was a rescue so we're not completely sure) and he favorite things in life are food, tummy rubs, sleeping and herding. In that order. So, she will brush off Macy's play-bows and play-bites and go lay down. Macy is good with it. Rascal also is not interested. He is a happy guy and loves everyone (people and dogs) but seems like he's not interested in some tumbling play. HOWEVER, when a spontaneous game of "chase Miles" (that's my male dog) breaks out it's all hands on deck and they're all racing around trying to see if they can catch Miles. It starts like this. Miles will get a little spunky and start running around. Then Holly's herding instinct kicks in and she starts chasing him and barking. And before you know it the other dogs join in. Holly and Macy are typically tied for second and Rascal brings up the rear. It's really fun to watch them all having fun. We took Miles, Macy and Holly to the tennis courts one day recently and they really enjoy racing around there. It's much bigger than my yard and they all really pick up speed on the straight-aways. I'll be taking Macy to the vet this week for a check up. She's made really great progress from what I've seen. Her skin looks great and she's at a healthy weight. She's still the super sweet girl she always was but more playful and healthy.

Mr Rascal continues to do great as well. My daughter and I took him to the pet store today to get some food. He did so well. There were two larger dogs there (a collie mix and some sort of big golden mix) and he happily sniffed both of them. No barking, no hiding, no posturing, just a happy greeting. When he first arrived at our home I didn't think he could do the large staircases so I was carrying him up and down. Then, one day I went into the basement and turned around there he was. He was tricking me the whole time! Sort of, anyway. I found that he can do the carpeted staircase to the basement both ways, up and down, just fine. He's still unsure about going up the wood staircase to the bedrooms although he goes down without hesitation. The few steps from the house the yard are no issue for him either way. When he was in Alabama waiting to come up to IL his prior foster family said he was about 90% housebroken. I'd say he's close to 100%. In the couple weeks he's been here he's had a few accidents but that's it. When I take the girls to camp I leave him un-crated in the house with the other dogs and he does just fine, no mischief, no messes. He might just need for me to keep him on a more consistent routine to eliminate the accidents completely. He might even be one that could be trained to go on piddle pads. He's small enough that I think those would work for him. I'll add that he's not a "marker." Some male dogs will want to mark their territory in the house. That's not him, he's just had a couple of "oops" and I think with time he'll hit 100%. Finally, I'll also add that he's great in the crate. So, if I'm going to be gone for more than a hour I will crate him and all is good.

He is just a happy guy who has a cute prance and who aspires to be the best lap dog he can be. He is good with my girls and their friends (8-11 yrs old) and all the people he's met. Like Macy he had a rough start in life. You can tell he had fleas in the past because the hair on the back half of his body is thin but it will fill in. He has typical dog-breath and could probably use a cleaning. But, he'll return your TLC by being your little white shadow and lap warmer. He got several compliments at the pet store today. He's an adorable guy and will also turn some heads as you walk down the street!