Monday

Trina's busy week

Trina had a wonderful but busy weekend.  First I took her to my brother's on Friday for lunch.  Trina does great in the car and I have a confession to make, I let her sit on my lap while I drive.  She snuggles into my lap and stays there resting without moving.  At six pounds she fits easily on my lap without affecting my driving.

She did great at my brother's.  When we got there I took her in the back yard for a potty and once back in the house she sniffed around some but eventually found a spot to nap while my brother and I enjoyed lunch.  He was amazed at what a good girl she was.  So calm and seemingly comfortable in a completely new place.  That's my girl!  She's a very balanced girl in my opinion.  I haven't seen anything that throws her off balance.

After my brother's we stopped at our neighborhood dog food store to pick up some treats for Trina. The employees loved her.  They even gave us some free samples to enjoy.

The next day the fun continued!  We decided to stop by to the Libertyville Dog Days Festival for an hour.  There were about 40 vendors there including pet food stores, vet offices and rescues.  There was a police K-9 demonstration and a dock diving competition.  The place was packed with people and their dogs.  Trina did great again!  No problems.  I put her "Adopt Me" bandana around her neck so she got lots of attention from the vendors and people passing by.  She was picked up and cuddled by a dozen people and just about everyone, including the veterinarian who adored her, remarked at her great disposition.  Of course, her cuteness level is off the charts and that's what drew everyone to her.

The Dog Days festival was having a multi-denominational pet blessing the next day so Trina got to go back for a second day.  That second day started with some Starbucks for us and for Trina too.  She loved her "pupachino" (whipped cream).  She received a blessing from one of the ministers at the event.  The minister said thanks for saving Trina and prayed for a home of her own.  She cuddled and caressed Trina.  What a wonderful blessing.

So, in addition to an active weekend Trina has been doing great in our home.  We've settled into a nice routine.  She does great with all three of our dogs.  She sleeps soundly through the night in a crate in our bedroom.  She hasn't chewed anything she shouldn't.  She plays nicely with toys and shares them with the other dogs.  She naps in the dog bed or on the sofa while I work during the day.  She likes to play with a tennis ball and I don't know how but she manages to carry it around in her petite mouth.  She's even started to ring the bell on the back door to be let out!  She's rung the bell 4 times now.  She hits it with her nose to let me know she needs to go out.  Of the 40+ foster dogs we've had here over the years only a few have learned to use the bell.  Trina figured it out on her own.  Now, that said she has had a few accidents in the house...but explainable.  She didn't like the heavy rain a few mornings ago and I've learned now that when she leaves my basement office during the day and goes upstairs it's because she needs to go out.  She sticks with me and her going off on her own should have been my clue that she needed to go.  Other than those few accidents she's done great in the three weeks she's been here and learning to use the bell is a great step!

Here are some pictures from the last few days

One of the people who saw her at the Dog Days Festival thought that Trina might be a Brussels Griffon.  When I got home I looked up the breed.  I wasn't convinced but I saw that a related breed is the Affenpinscher.  Bingo! While we believe that Trina is a shih tzu mix (hence the underbite) she sure could pass for an Affenpinscher.  I like what the AKC site says about the breed (below).  So, who knows she very well could be Affenpinscher.  What ever breed she is thought she sure is adorable!
The Affenpinscher is a balanced, wiry-haired terrier-like toy dog whose intelligence and demeanor make it a good house pet. 
Shopping for treats


Dog Days Festival

Fun!  Watching the dock diving dogs at the festival

Trina enjoying her first "pupachino"

That was Yummy!  


One gorgeous girl for sure!  

Walking with my daughter 

Receiving her blessing

Look at that shiny hair!  Such a difference from three weeks ago.  Note the little bit of tan hair on  her head.  So cute.  Women pay lots of money for highlights like that and Trina has them naturally!  

With my other daughter at the festival

Back at our house.  Missy (standard poodle), Holly (sheltie mix) and Trina

Trina in one of the dog beds, enjoying her tennis ball  (Missy's head in there too)