Hey People! Smitty here...............

It has been 6 weeks since I found my forever home. I have settled right in. My mom, Jacky, and I go for daily walks which I LUV! I even go off leash now. I am still nervous of people but am slowly improving day by day.

My foster mom came to visit last Sunday. She said that I have gotten bigger and am starting to fill out........I am getting rid of my lankyness! This is the first time she has seen me since I moved into my new digs. At first I didn't know who she was and she spooked me. I went into guard dog mode and was protecting my mom and I of this strange visitor.

Then my foster mom went and got Moblee and brought her out back so we could go for a walk. When I saw her, I just about turned myself inside out!!!! Hey..........hey.........I realized that was my foster mom that I was making a stink about. Once I figured that out, I came up to her for some TLC and after our walk, I sat beside her on the couch.

I am very very happy in my new home with my new mom and my new siblings (too bad they are all of the feline decent)! That's all folks.................just thought I better let all of you know how happy and lucky I am!

Hey people! Just wanted to let you know that I have moved into my FOREVER HOME. Finally - I thought the day would never come when I would find someone to love me as much as my foster mom and dad do. My Human Mom and I are still getting to know each other but I am going for LOTS of walks and car rides. My foster mom bought me a squeaky chicken for my new home and it makes my new mom laugh when I make him squawk!
My foster mom forgot her camera as she wanted a picture of Mom and I to put on my blog. Hopefully in a few weeks she will be able to come over and snap a couple photos for you all to admire! Bye!

No picture today folks! Mom is recharging her battery for the camera. I just wanted to let you all know that I have met a nice lady. She has had me visit her home twice and I am going there again on the weekend. She seems to have an abundance of treats available when I am there. And...........I don't know if mom told her about how much I LOVE liver treats but she had a bag of those too!
She says that I am so handsome and she and I are working on becoming BFF's! I will keep you posted and hopefully this will be my forever home soon!

Hey! I graduated to a bigger collar! Mom went and got a fancy green Martingale for me. While she was switching over my tags, I decided to take the old one off the coffee table while she wasn't paying attention. I thought it tasted so good I chewed it apart. Mom wasn't too impressed with me. She asked why I have to be such a puppy! She's silly - because I AM A PUPPY!

My Dad never made it to class with me. Something was said about a leaky sink..........so it had to be fixed. Oh well..............I got to hang with him after the sink got fixed and watch the football game. GO STAMPS GO! HA! Stamps kicked Edmonton's butts again!

Mom and I went down to the park today. I got to sniff the grass (and had a couple mouthfuls too). Then we hung out at the bench for awhile. When I was walking in the park, a little boy came running full blast at me...........................eeek!!! Mom asked him to stop and explained that I am nervous of people so that he could only just look at me from where he was.

My mom said my right ear is doing the "funky chicken" again. She said that it is very silly that at 8 months old my ear may decide that it is a stand up ear instead of a flop ear!

Anyway, I am in the house now, away from those BIG RAIN CLOUDS!

Happy Long Weekend Everyone! My mom and dad never went away so I got to stay home! ;o).

Haven't done much this weekend except play outside (when it wasn't raining). Mom and I went for a couple of strolls in the neighborhood but we didn't venture too far.

This week I will be attending my class at Sit Happens, but instead of Mom taking me, my DAD is!!! Mom said something about getting together with the girls that went to DogTown. I also thought you might like a couple of pics of me "working the room" at Sit Happens. I get to wander around and collect all the treats off the floor!

I am so glad that Auntie Rita gave me "a heart blanket" as it keeps me toasty warm on these cooler days!

I WAS AT THE ADOPT-A-THON

Woohoo!!! Did I ever do great! I was at the Adopt-a-thon today. Mom said she was SO SO proud of me (Dad even called Mom to check to see how I was doing!) Trudy from Sit Happens (http://www.sithappens.org/) was there and when she saw that I was going to come in she offered to help my mom try and keep me calm. Mom brought me into this big building that had lots of dogs and people everywhere. Some of the first people I saw though was Uncle Dale and Auntie Sarah.....................I LOVE them!!!

I was very nervous and did not want to do anything but shake and stick close to my mom. She sat on the floor with me for awhile and as the day progressed, I became braver and braver. Auntie Sarah and Auntie Clarissa (one of my rescuers) actually spent some time with me, making me feel special.

By the time the event was over, I was getting lots of pets from strange people and was snacking on liver treats from my mom. I met my real mom, Angel, again. She is up for adoption too. She loved my mom's liver treats. I told Angel...............Ruff, rrrr, owww,rrrr, bow wow" (translation: My mom ALWAYS has the best treats).

Oh and last but not least................I would like to thank Auntie Loralee for taking pictures of me so that my mom could post them on my blog!

Wags and Licks,

Smitty

Hi there people.
Summer is winding down.................it is getting a little chilly in the morning when I go out for my morning pee break!
Yesterday I went for a car ride with my mom. She said it was a surprise.................. I was so excited to see where we were going. We pulled up to Dale and Sarah's house!!!!!(they were my temporary foster home a couple of times when Mom and Dad were away).
Mom tried to get a bag of food out of the van BEFORE getting me out but I wasn't having anything to do with that.....................I wanted out! Mom hooked me up and walked me into their yard where Sarah was waiting on the steps for me. I was wagging my tail but not sure if I was ready for a cuddle or not. I sniffed around the yard for a bit and then decided that it was time to have a visit with them.
Dale brought me a little BABY pup out to see! I gave it a sniff and wagged my butt the WHOLE time. Then Dale brought another one out!!!! How many did he have in there you ask??? EIGHT!!! But I only met two of them. They are so cute and wiggly...............
Did you all know that there is an Adopt-a-thon on Sunday??? I am going to make an appearance. Mom said we will stay and visit for awhile - it would be good for me!

Aren't you glad to see that smoke go away. It was getting hard on my little canine lungs! So I met the potential adopters last night. They thought I was a pretty sweet dog but they said they need to do some thinking. Understandable as a dog is a big commitment.

So today I hung out on the deck with my mom. She decided to take an hour out of her day and read. I got to sit by the flowers which I was amazed I was allowed to because just this morning, I thought I would check out the pot of pansies! Crash over they went, and then the screen door open and out mom came! She wanted to know why I was on the "other" side of the fence where I wasn't allowed...................oops!

Mom, Moblee and I are going to go for a stroll later. Mom said we have to wait till after her and dad have dinner. I really, really hope they eat soon!

Hello Mom!!! I need more blogs!!!!

oh..........oh..........Hi People.........sorry about that. I just had to let my mom know that she is slipping with snapping the pics of handsome young me!

I have been behaving myself on the most part, --enjoying the nice weather and not having to do my "business" out in the rain. Did I mention how much fun it is to take the empty toilet paper rolls out of the bathroom garbage? Apparently my mom does NOT like picking up all the little pieces of cardboard.

Guess What! I have an application on me! They are coming to meet me on Friday night at Sit Happens. Mom told them ALL about me. They know that I am unsure of new people and mom has talked to them about how to handle me when they first come see me! Most people have a real hard time not to make eye contact with me as I am one of the most handsome dogs ever! But it is really, really important for me to get comfortable on my owner terms.

Mom took me for a walk on a new route yesterday. A cyclist went by and I just "kept on truckin". Then we took a route down an alley and there were dogs barking and human voices and I just "kept on truckin". Mom said she was really super duper proud of me..........no woofs or growls.

Anyway - I just got my evening treat..............a chew stick so I must go gnaw!

Hey Humans!!!

So I went to Sit Happens (http://www.sithappens.org/) and met two really nice trainers. I was very nervous at first and growled and woofed a bit. They decided to give me some frozen cream cheese....................YUM!! That seemed to calm me down some. Then they started tossing liver treats at me................can you believe it! My dream come true............liver treats everywhere!

I eventually went and took treats right out of their hands. Mom said I did a really awesome job!

Today we had company over. I gave them a woof so mom hooked me up to the umbilical leash. I settled down right away. She decided to let me off the leash and I got to go outside and supervise dad and his friend fixing the roof! Then we all came inside and I laid quietly right my mom and dad's friends feet (well - two feet away.................his feet were kinda smelly! ;o) )

Thought I would show a picture of me and my big brother. His name is Dexter. Did you notice we are holding paws. Now that I am getting bigger, Dexter sorta likes me!

Time for another update!!!



Friday I am going to Sit Happens for an obedience lesson! I am a little excited but pretty sure I will be overwhelmed once I arrive there. But that is okay............it will be good for me. The more exposure to the outside world the better. And Monday Dallas, from Calgary Dog Walkers, is going to take me on a "pack" walk. Mom said that I may be nervous at first but Dallas goes to really fun places and she will make sure I am safe!

The other night when mom and I were out walking some cyclists went by. I was really brave and didn't bark but I kept my eye on them the whole time.

Last night my mom's cousin came to stay with us. Mom told her just to ignore me! Unbelievable!!!! Mom kept me tethered to her and everytime I thought I would "talk" at her cousin, Mom made a correction on me. Eventually I just decided to ignore the 'cuz and eat the treats that mom had. Today I didn't even bother with her. Mom told me what a great boy I was for that........................

Hey - I had mom take this picture to show you how big I am getting. I am just about too big for the Costco bed when I am stretched out!!!! I weighed in at the Vet's last week and was 22.3 kg!

Gotta run.......................I hear the bag of Elk Tendons rattling!

Here Kitty, Kitty

Come down off the back of the chair and lets play.........................hee, hee

SMITTY'S VACATION BLOG
Here's the scoop on my 'vacation home'. The service was pretty good - lots of big fluffy beds, and liver treats. But I don't like change, so I was quite nervous they won't be able to care for my needs.
My first morning I decided that vacation is no vacation without Mom and I should go get her. I managed to get into the neighbours yard through a tiny space under the fence behind a bush, but sadly she wasn't there. Laura, 'the vacation home lady' came and got me.
That first day Laura said I had a new collar for me to wear. She put it on which worried me a bit, so I decided to get all anti-social in my crate. But the collar smelled nice - like flowers, and like the mum I had when I was a tiny puppy. I decided the 'vacation home lady' wasn't so bad, and maybe she wanted company. So I came out of my crate and laid on the bed on the couch beside her. Later she suggested I come up onto the couch with her. Not sure about that - it's not allowed at home, but i agreed - it is vacation after all. It's a comfy couch.
I got to spend some time in my crate (nothing is better than a crate) until Laura would force me out to join in the vacation activities. Don't get me wrong I quite enjoyed the liver treats, chicken treats, comfy bed, and endless ear scratches and pets - I was just feeling a bit antisocial. Laura also often insisted we go for a walk. She really doesn't get the concept of anti-social, does she? So we went out….that is one big scary world out there….although some of it smells pretty good. I admit, these walks were kinda fun.
I gotta say the food at this 'vacation home' was great! Breakfast was mostly beef liver treats, chew sticks, and pig ears, lunch was my regular dog food with canned food - YUMMY!! And I even got a bit of something called 'people food'.
Overall not a bad vacation - lots of cuddles. But there is no place like home. I hope I find my forever home soon!
Smitty

Well I am back home now and was glad to see my big foster sister Moblee! We did a big chase in the yard first thing along with a very long pee (Yes Laura - I went!).

My dad gave me one of those good rubbin' s that I love so much. He even told me he missed me and asked how my visit with Laura and Jim went.

Mom said that I made huge progress there as I let Laura give me good pets and lots of TLC and she let me lay on the COUCH with her! She is going to give my mom an update for my blog and some really REALLY REALLY cute pics of me!

Hey - just wanted to tell you all that I am visiting at another home this weekend. The Lobsinger family said they would take me for the weekend while mom and dad are out of town.
I was very nervous about going to a strange house but I am slowly settling in. It might have something to do with the abundance of liver treats, chicken treats and chew sticks that have been offered to me. What a way to get to a dog's heart - VIA his stomach! Arf, Arf, Arf
Laura said she will take some candids of me so when my mom gets back I can have her give you an update on how I did and post some new portraits of moi!
Bow Wow for Now and remember.......................it is going to be SUNNY this weekend. Don't forget the sunscreen people!

I am back to give you an update from my Vet visit. I weighed in 21 kg! I am getting to be a big boy!

My mom took me to McKnight Vet the night before my surgery. She figured it would give me a little more time for exposure to other people other than her and Dad. I was very nervous but I did not bark at anyone. Once I had my leash on when they took me out of the run, I pranced along behind them............still shaking though!

Then Thursday afternoon I had my neuter. It went very well and I came out of recovery and then got to go home. My mom said that it didn't slow me down at all. I bounced in the house and grabbed my toys and headed to my Costco Bed like it was a normal day. She gave me some bland canned food to see how my tummy would react. I gobbled it down as I was STARVED! After about a half hour I got some more...............gobble, gobble again! Then before bed I got some of my kibble and it was SO DELICIOUS!

Mom said I have been a super duper pup and have left my incision alone so I don't have to wear a cone.

Anyway..............it has been a long day of playing so I think it is time for me to hit the crate!

Howdy Folks!!!!! Hope you are all having fun Stampedin'! I am back home now. My mom and dad got back from the Okanagan on Sunday night. My papa came to pick me up on Monday evening and I was SO excited to see him!!!! I had a lot of fun at Sarah and Dale's and I would like to thank them for taking such good care of me. I keep really really busy there with all the dogs - I needed to come home and rest.......hee, hee! I have to be honest - I missed my sister Moblee.......I don't like her to really know that as she thinks she is so special!

Thursday is my big "snip snip" day. I am not looking forward to it but a dog has to do what a dog has to do! Isn't that the saying??? Once that procedure is completed I am ready to start searching for my forever home.

I do have a few pre-requisites! I would like a home that is going to work with me to overcome my nervousness of humans. My mom finds if I am hands free leashed to her I feel much more safe when strangers come in the house. She actually tried it on me tonight and I felt quite comfortable. And my new home must have a stock of LIVER TREATS. I drool just thinking about them! And I do love my toys and my dog pillow. Other than that just lots of TLC and time to spend with me. That's not too much for a guy like me to ask for is it?

Fantastic News! and not so Fantastic News ;o(

I went to see Dr. McBride on Wednesday and I was cleared of my demodex!!!!! YIPPEE! I must say - - I will definitely miss Dr. McBride's pocket of liver treats.

Then last night I went to get my vaccinations at McKnight Vet. I weighed in at 20.4 kg and the Vet said my weight looks really good and she wouldn't want to see much more body fat........maybe just a little more. I explained to her that I do a lot of chasing and being chased by my foster sister......................that's why I am a lean, lean running machine!

I am going to stay at Foster Mom Sarah's house for the next week. My mom and dad are going on vacation for a week. I will miss them but at Sarah's I get to hang out with Celia and Boo! Grrrrrrrrrrrrr (I am practicing my tough voice)

Now the not so fantastic news................................... I touched my mom's Pansies again and I climbed over the fence to do it...........I was in a little bit of trouble................ but she still loves me!

Just thought I would drop by and say HI FOLKS! I had my bath tonight and after getting dried off I was feeling a little frisky. (of course that was after my SNOOZE)

Boy does a bath every wear a guy out! I can't even put my head on the pillow!

How about a face massage Moblee?

Have you cleaned your ears lately? I can smell wax!

Will you settle for a leg massage?

How about an eye lift? It will make you even prettier!

Let's hold paws and be BFF's!

Thank goodness the weather is suppose to be nice this weekend. Mom said something about that we drive her koo-koo when we are in the house and not getting enough excercise due to the rain.

I turned 6 months..................my mom said she knows by my "behavior". She said that I have become a little bit of a B-R-A-T. Not sure what that is! Did you know that the stuffing in toys is SO MUCH FUN to pull out!?!?! Did you know that stealing socks out of the bedroom is like winning the lottery???!?! Did you know that you can shred a Kleenex into 1068 pieces???!!!? I am practicing on being a guard dog too. Moblee and I patrol the fence and ward off any evil that may pass by or try to enter. Apparently barking in an "unattractive" habit and we are corrected when we try and verbally tell predators to stay away.

My mom went to help with a spay/neuter round up that AARCS and Pound Rescue put on. While she was gone................I thought I would just sniff the pansies...........I couldn't quite get my schnoz right in there so I gently pulled the plant out and put it on the ground so I could get a good whiff of it. My dad was in trouble for some reason.....................something about NOT watching us close enough!

Did you hear the news???? (wag, wag, wag).............. Celia AND Boo are both up for adoption..............now if only I can get that status!

Gotta run.....................the day has only begun and I have to get lots accomplished today................I heard the food hit my bowl..........I must go energize!

My mom has been slipping in giving you my update. Women.................you can never count on them!!!
So I went for my check up on Thursday and I weighed in at 19.4 kg.................I would say a pretty svelte figure! I was also mite free!!!! I have another appointment on June 30th and if that one is clear..........then, maybe then, I can get my vaccinations and the "snip snip" (ouch - I am not looking forward to that.
Last weekend Ma and Pa went to BC so I went and hung out with Celia and Boo. Man.......they were not happy for me to join their pack. Once they figured out what a wonderful, social guy I am, they decided I was worth letting me join their "play club". I have to admit, they have a lot of energy and they are a lot of fun. I was quite exhausted when my mom picked me up Monday night. Of course, when I arrived home, Moblee was excited to see me and wanted a game of tug-o-war and a couple of wrestling matches.

Whew......................not sure why my dad hasn't put the air conditioner in the window but I sure could use it this weekend!

I had my friend Jessica (okay sorta friend when she feeds me liver treats and doesn't stand up too fast, I like her) bring her dog, Cooper, over to visit me. We figured Cooper would be a good dog to introduce me too as he is a real gentleman.

Cooper and I went for a walk with our humans and then we stopped at a little playground park down to road. We had a great time - - eating liver and duck treats and playing with the dandilions. After that, Cooper and I came back to my house and socialized in the back yard. Thanks for the playdate Cooper! And Thanks Jess for driving him all the way over here!

Oh - my dad said that I have the biggest tongue ever. I have no idea why he thinks that?!!!?!

Rain, rain, rain!!!!

I was getting a little stir crazy so mom had to entertain me somehow. She filled the Kong bone with treats and I was busy for over 3/4 of an hour!!!! The reward was worth it.

Finally!!!! NO RAIN!!! Mom and I hurried outside when the drizzle stopped and we went for a nice stroll around the neighborhood. Below are pictures of my "tour"

Mom........Can I open my eyes now to see where we are going?

Man am I getting brave!!! But mom gives me a little reassurance

I was very curious if I could pull these "flowers" off the bush! Mom said no wrecking plants or bushes

Then I spotted a bird........cocky thing hopped along for two houses looking at me.............."if I could only get off my leash, you would be feathers!"

To Pee, or Not To Pee.........that is the question. Oh, ya.......I still squat

Look at me........perfect positioning beside my foster mom! Oh ya......and look how handsome, smart and obedient I am.

Now I am heading back home and we are moving at a fast pace!!!! Better run!

MIKEY IS HOME!!!!!! I knew my prayers would work! Love you buddy!

I'm back.......................and wanted to give you an update. So.......my brother Mikey is missing. He was adopted and just had gone to his new home. He got spooked and took off and unfortunately he isn't sure what to do. I know he is out there somewhere. His new home is by Medicine Hat.................let's all say a little "Safe Doggie Prayer" for him to come home. Lots of people are looking for him. Please spread the word and contact AARCS if you think you have spotted him. They are working with his new mom and dad to try and find him.

I also wanted to let you know that my mom was hanging around other dogs tonight. I was not too happy about that! Apparently she was helping with a Spay/Neuter clinic for Pound Rescue. I hung out with my dad all evening....................and I am not about to tell her what dad let me get away with..................she wouldn't be happy with him............but boy did we have fun.

When she arrived home she smelled different....................I smelled a Rotti and a Daschund and a Shepherd mix on her!!! She must have been busy. The good thing is that these dogs are now "fixed" so no unwanted puppies will be brought into this world.

Pssst....................just wanted to tell you all that I got in a little trouble last night. Apparently the potted plants on the deck are off limits. They were quite fun to pull out and take for a joy run around the yard. I blamed it all on Moblee as she participated in this "activity" also. How could anyone get mad at a face like this!?

Tonight I went over to Loralee's house for a visit. She took me for a walk around the cul-de-sac and I did really well. I got to sniff around her yard and she gave me some really gentle pets.

Then I came home and played in the backyard with Moblee. When it was time to come back in I got to get my lovin's from my dad. He is the bestest at giving me a good rub down!

Now...............I wonder if these kitty paws will give me a good rub too!???!

It was bath time tonight................................my least favorite thing in life but my mom tells me I need to have them so that it helps my coat. I was getting very, very itchy so the special shampoo helped me.

She took a picture of my body so you people can see what a nice shiney coat I have and what handsome brindle legs I have too!

My mom gave us extra treats tonight. She said I was such a good boy in the bathtub that I deserved a few of my favorite treats..................Purebite Dried LIVER!!!! Bet you humans are really, really jealous of me getting spoiled with such a delicacy!

Moblee and I both posed for the camera and sat very still....................for one out of the 50 pictures my mom tried to take!!!!