Jake Revisited

The boy in the backyard

It has been suggested, repeatedly, by a dog mom friend that I have Jake professionally groomed. She thinks he needs to be shaved and put into some type of Schnauzer cut. Uh huh.

Who knows what his DNA is. I don't care. I happen to think that his scruffy fur matches his personality. He is still a puppy. I'll never know exactly how old he is. The vet seems to feel he is around 18 months. I'm thinking younger, and the pet sitter agrees with me. Again, it doesn't matter.

Jake has been with us for almost 6 weeks now. This is 6 weeks of good nutrition, being combed and bathed, getting lots of love. We walk every day, go to the dog park whenever possible, and have plenty of interaction with Gracie. His coat has filled in and is growing longer. Perhaps someone had tried to trim him at home before he became a stray. The fur on his back was extremely wiry when I adopted him, and now is getting softer.

He is one happy little guy. We love him a lot.
Linda

Amusing

Playtime is almost a constant thing in our house now. But Gracie, smart little Aussie that she is, has found out that the best way to avoid mom is to play with Jake. Like when I pull out the shedding rake and comb. Gracie hates to be combed, no matter what you use. I can understand the Furminator, because it can be a little rough, but the shedding rake is a wide toothed steel comb that gently releases the undercoat. Doesn't matter. The Diva hates it.

So when I pull the implements of torture (in her eyes) out of the basket and head for the deck, she will go out with me, but immediately engages her brother in play. Mom is patient. I wait them out. They will play hard, chasing one another, rolling around for about 5 minutes. Then it's a short break.

Today I got a pile of undercoat out of her. For those not familiar with Aussie's coats, this is like the finest angora. Very light. I had a pretty good size pile that I laid down next to the deck, and Jake took off with it. Fur everywhere, had to pull a bunch of it out of his mouth. Sigh.

Jake loves to be combed. So far, Jake loves everything about me, Gracie, and this home. Life is very good.
Linda

On being a dog mom

Jake does not like my camera. I imagine it looks imposing, this big, black thingy pointing at him. Who knows? Perhaps someone terrorized the little guy with a gun, and he associates the camera with that memory. So to get any decent pics of Jake, I have to be sneaky.

Gracie, on the other hand, has had her photo taken since she was 5 weeks old. She is so used to it by now, I swear she will actually primp up, knowing she wants to look her best for the blog. But she is an Aussie. And female. Need I say more?

The dogs get along great about 95% of the time. Sometimes we play too rough. Sometimes we get a little too aggravated with our sibling. And sometimes we forget who was here first. Gracie no longer rules as the Diva Princess of Avon. There is a lot more give and take on her part. I think once Jake learns some more manners, it will all even out. But whatever problems I have encountered are nothing compared to the sheer joy I see on the two dog faces as they play.

I wouldn't give Jake up for anything. We love him a lot.
Linda

Jake

The boy likes his comfort, doesn't he? This has been an interesting 12 days. At first, Gracie didn't know what to make of this little guy. Then she started to play. Then he came home from the vet with that plastic cone on his head, and Gracie was terrified. She wouldn't go near him, to the point I had to blockade Jake in the kitchen in order to bring Gracie in from the yard. A good dog friend told me to take the cone off and watch him like a hawk. If he went to his incision, put the cone back on. If he didn't, leave it off. It's been off for 5 days now.

With the cone off, the play resumed. We had one bad day, where there were several serious altercations, and I was wondering if I had made a mistake. But it was simply Gracie asserting her position as alpha dog, the first dog in the house, and once that was firmly established, the play began again. Jake has a lot of energy, being only 18 months old, and will chase Gracie around the house, around the yard, until she lies down with her tongue hanging out. I love it.

Gracie has also shared a lot more with Jake than she ever did with Sarge, and this is due to Jake's more assertive personality. They sit together in the leather chair in the living room, looking out the window, side by side. I really need to get a pic of that. The bed in the guest bedroom is also shared, looking out that window, watching the neighborhood. Toys and bones are shared, where they never were before. I have made a good choice. This is a sweet dog who just needs some minor work on his manners.

We love him a lot already.
Linda

Jake

Gracie and Jake in the backyard, looking like they have known each other forever. This is the new addition to our little family. I went to the Hendricks County Animal Shelter on Monday. You put a hold on a dog, then wait a day. There are multiple steps you are required to perform before you walk out the door with a dog or cat. That is a good thing. Makes you think about it.

I thought for 2 days, and he came home Wednesday morning. He is adorable. About 18 months old, playful, friendly, and loves to cuddle. He was in my lap a lot yesterday. Today he was neutered, tested, and received all of his shots. I can pick him up later today.

Gracie warmed up to this guy almost immediately. He started to chase her around the yard yesterday, and one thing Gracie loves is to be chased. They play, they rest, laying down next to one another, looking around at the world.

This is a very good thing. Life is good.
Linda