My trip to the scary place.....

This morning was like any other day. Well at least to start. The Big Oaf and Foster Mom went out first, then it was my turn. Except when I went in my crate, there was no food. How can I make all gone and get out of here if there is nothing to eat? Foster Mom was walking around getting stuff and she carried my old crate downstairs and outside. She came back and got me. We went up to the big red thing and she opened the door. My crate was there on the soft place. "Come on, Blue" and she threw a yummy piece on the low part. Oh no! I don't want to do that now. She tugged my leash. Nope, I want to eat and play with the Big Oaf. We were there forever. Nope. I wasn't gonna budge. Foster Mom put my crate in the room with the moving wall and made me get in. The nice man came and they picked me up and put my crate in the big red thing. What's going on? I'm getting scared.....

The big red thing moved, just like the big yellow bus. I watched to see where we were going. Finally, we stopped and Foster Mom got out and left me. Left me all alone! She came back and got in the big red thing next to me. She opened up my crate and put on my leashes. Then we both got out. SLAM! That scared me, but I followed Foster Mom. Where is she taking me? It smells funny. What will happen to me? I don't want to go away again. I like Foster Mom and the Big Oaf. I was sooooo scared. She went to the other side and opened the door. I jumped back in the big red thing. Right up onto the soft place, then over to where Foster Mom sits and down on the ground. I was so scared. The big red thing smells like Foster Mom and the Big Oaf. I want to stay here. SLAM! Foster Mom is coming, she's over me, she stopped moving and tried to wiggle a little. Next thing I knew the big soft thing made a noise and started moving away from me. Then, Foster Mom opened the door and she was sitting on the ground.

A lady came along and helped Foster Mom to stand up tall. Foster Mom made me get out of the car. I tried not to, but she pulled hard on the leash. I jumped out and headed towards the woods. "Come on Blue" and she pulled me towards the building with the other lady. We went in, the ground was slippery. I kept trying to go back outside, but Foster Mom pulled me along and we went into a room. I was so scared. I had an accident.

Another lady came in. I was scared, but she seemed nice. She was down on the floor and talked to Foster Mom. Even when she stood up tall, she didn't look at me and she kept turning her head away from me. She had good manners! She handed Foster Mom something. Foster Mom came over to me, and gently slipped something over my muzzle. I couldn't open my mouth. I got scared. They made me get on the cold board and clipped something on my collar. I couldn't move. I kept looking at Foster Mom and she didn't seem upset. The polite lady put something cold on my chest and tummy. I jumped a little, cause it was cold. She touched me all over. Another lady came and then they stuck me with something so that I bled into a little bottle. Ooooh. It hurt, but I didn't cry. The ladies talked to each other but not to me. They didn't look at me either. I kept looking at Foster Mom and she would look at me sometimes and move her mouth in that happy human way.

Finally, they let me off the cold board and I ran over to Foster Mom, then I walked around and around and around and around. The ladies left. Foster Mom took off the soft thing holding my mouth closed and started talking in a soft voice. Not to me, but just outloud. I think humans call it reading. I don't know what she was saying, but I felt better hearing her voice so I sat down near her to listen and watch. Some other ladies came in and out. They would look at me and talk to me. I got scared - do they want to eat me? Are they going to hurt me? Why are they looking at me? So I ran to the other corner to hide.

Finally we got to leave. I ran to the big red thing and jumped right into my crate as soon as Foster Mom opened the big red door. She fixed up my leashes and locked up the crate, then went back in the building. No! No! Come back. She came back and made the big red thing move. When we stopped moving and the big red thing stopped making noise, Foster Mom got out and opened the door, she came in like before and then tried to get me out. Nope! I'm not moving. Where are you taking me now? What is going to happen to me? What! She closed up my crate and left. Where are you going? Come Back!! When she came back and opened the door, Big Oaf jumped in and looked at me. I was soooooo glad to see him. Foster Mom made him leave and she shut the door. This time when she opened the crate I ran out, she opened the big red door and I jumped down to be with Big Oaf. Then, I knew where I was! I ran as fast as I could to the house. Come on, Foster Mom, faster, faster. I was sooooo happy, my tail was wagging and everything. Big Oaf ran after me and he kept smelling me. I must have smelled like that bad place....

Yummy Chicken.....

Today Foster Mom put some food in her hand and held it out for me. It was really strong smellin'. Big Oaf came flying across the room and snatched it from her hand. Hmmm.... Maybe it's good. I was too scared to take the treat and it didn't smell sooooo good that I would take a chance. She got out a little black bag and the Big Oaf got all excited.

Foster Mom made him sit beside her in the corner. He had to give her his paws and do other things, then he got this really good smellin' stuff. Oooooh it really smelled good. She put a piece in her other hand and held it out. She didn't look at me. I could smell it. I got real close, but was too scared so I walked away. The Big Oaf kept doing his silly things and Foster Mom gave him the good treats. I wanted one real bad. Once I got so close I nosed her hand and the treat fell off. I quick grabbed it and ate it. It was sooooo good. I wanted more. Foster Mom held out her hand again with another piece. I nosed it again, to see if it would fall down. It didn't. What do I do? I walk around a bit. Came back tried again. Nope. Walk around some more. I tried alot of times. Finally, I just grabbed it right out of her hand. Oooooh so good. Foster Mom said "Goooood Girl". She put another piece in her hand and held it out for me. I walk around a bit, but just HAD to have that yummy stuff, so I took the piece right out of her hand. "Goood Girl". Okay, I can do this. I did it again, and again.

Then Foster Mom put the Big Oaf on the other side of the little fence and sat on the floor in the room with the soft floor. She put more of the yummy stuff in her hands and put them behind her back. I made lots of circles. I could smell the yummy stuff. I kept getting closer and closer. Finally I grabbed a piece. Then she put more - lots of pieces - in her hands. It was too much. The smell was sooooo good. I took a piece, ate it. "Good Girl". Took another, ate it. "Good Girl". Oooh it was so good. I started eating all the little pieces right out of her hand like I eat the food in my dish. "Good Girl", "Good Girl", "Good Girl".

Wow, I got really yummy stuff and I was a "Good Girl"!

I guess I like it here....

Haven't written in a few days. My Foster Mom, that's what I call the lady now, has been real busy clicking and clacking in the little room. She put a real soft bed in there, it's almost as soft as the big thing that I jump on sometimes and get told "Off". It smells like the Big Oaf and other dogs, too. She put a real soft fuzzy thing in the bottom of my old crate. Foster Mom said it's only for good girls who don't mess their crates and don't rip up stuff. I'm a good girl, I only chew the bone she gave me. I have not had a single accident in the crate or in the house, that's what we call the building.

I like sleeping in my old crate where I can see Foster Mom and the Big Oaf all night. In the morning, Foster Mom and Big Oaf leave for a while. It's okay, because they come back and then I get to go outside. Then, the Big Oaf and I eat. I have to eat in the new crate that's in the pen with all the doors shut. But, I eat real fast - but, not as fast as the Big Oaf - and I let them watch me 'cause as soon as I'm done, Foster Mom lets me out.

Yesterday while she was clicking and clacking, I smelled her leg. Then I licked it. Oooh?!? What will she do? Foster Mom said "sweet girl" in that voice I like. So, I did it again. She reach down to rub under my chin, just like I like, so I licked her hand. "Such a sweet, sweet girl".

A Word from Foster Mom (Jody)

Blue has been making great progress. We are still working on building trust. She will not take a treat from my hand, but is recognizing the 'treat drop' and pouncing on it. After every walk she gets "towel time" whether she needs it or not. She will allow me to touch her front paws and her hips, but the rear paws are off limits. Even through her frightened haze, she shows signs of that famous ES intelligence and need to bond with her human.

I did not know until late last week that she was listed as the only member of her group at the time of seizure. Which means she was isolated from the other dogs, probably chained or kenneled. Whether she was picked on by the other dogs because she chained or isolated because she was being picked on is unknown. Blue has an incredible desire to be with the action although she will not always participate. She has bonded very strongly with my Aussie, Max (Big Oaf).

Max has been great with Blue. He's become quite the caretaker always checking on her when she's in the crate. If she whines, he runs to her crate and comes to tell me. His favorite job is showing Blue normal canine-human interaction. All the "free" lovin' has presented some of it's own issues with Max who is on "Puppy Probation"/NILIF for life. So, we made an extraordinary effort to get to Obedience Class on Sunday morning where we could work on proper manners without upsetting Little Girl Blue. In spite of his problems in class, he was a perfect gentleman at PetSmart (a first for him). After walking the store for 30 minutes and checking out, I had to make a tag for Blue. The machine was next to the grooming salon and even with a number of dogs on their way in and out of the groomers, he remained relatively calm! Okay - one barking fit with a snarly one who invaded his space, but the cashier had my back with the other "handler" (a term I use very loosely).

For now, we are continuing to work the Taming Protocol and introducing new things on a slow basis. She will nose me for a pet and started giving "kisses" today, first a lick on my leg then a lick to my hand. Maybe a treat isn't far away......

To Catch a Thief

After dark, the lady walked me and took me upstairs. We went to that room we do not go in alot with the really big soft place. I jumped up on it once and the lady said "off". My old crate was there. The lady put me in the crate. The Big Oaf laid on a rug beside the really big soft place. I could see him. The lady laid down on the really big soft place. And everything went dark. I wasn't afraid. I was in my safe crate, the Big Oaf was there and so was the lady. I didn't cry. I wasn't alone.

When it got light the lady took the Big Oaf away and I heard the wall move below me. I cried a little, but not too much. She came back and I went outside to be a good girl. She put me in the new crate with my food and went up the stairs. I cried. I didn't want to be alone. Don't leave me. Pleeeeeease. The lady came back and took my food. This time she gave it back to me and something smelled really, really, really good in the dish. I wanted to eat, but the Big Oaf and the lady were still there. It smelled soooo good. I grabbed a quick piece. The lady said "Good!". I grabbed another and another "Good". Both she and the Big Oaf were watching me, but I ate anyway the lady kept saying "Good!" everytime I took another bite. When it was all gone, the lady opened the pen and my crate and I ran out. My tail was wagging. The lady was happy.

The Big Oaf played with the things that squeak. I like one - it's round and part is soft and part is hard. It has the biggest squeak noise. He laid down by the lady. He couldn't see me, I quietly walked over to the big round squeaky thing and picked it up. I took it back to my rug in front of the shiny thing where the water comes out. Then, I was real quiet. I kept watching the lady and the Big Oaf. I got the big bone. The one with the treat in the middle.

It has soft little nubs, it feels so good on my mouth.

What's the click noise? Uh-Oh. The lady sees me.

I didn't do it. Wasn't me.

The Big Oaf is still asleep. The lady is quiet. I am going to take a nap. That was a lot of excitement.

I don't like being alone, not at all

They turned off all the lights and left me. I heard them over my head. I don't want to be alone. I want to be with them. Near them, but not too close...... I tried to knock down the pen. I started crying. Please don't leave me alone. The Big Oaf came down and sniffed at my pen. The lady called him and he left. I was alone again. I cried some more. The Big Oaf never came back, but I heard him cry a little too. Did he miss me? I cried some more.

When it got light again, I waited. I heard them over my head and I started crying. Please, come down. I don't want to be alone. I cried and cried and cried. Finally the lady and the Big Oaf came down. They went outside and then they came back. It was my turn. I was so happy. I didn't want to eat, so the lady took my dish away and put up the little fence and I could be with them. I was happy. But, then she took away my crate into the room beyond the little fence. And then she put my pen on the floor and started making lots of noise. I got scared and kept walking and walking and walking. I jumped on one of the soft places and she said "off". I jumped to the next one and knocked things on the floor with a loud bang. I was so scared. What will she do? What will I do? What? What? What? The lady cornered me by the shiny place where the water comes out and put my leash on me. She moved the little fence. Oh good we are going outside! Oh no, I don't want to go in the crate. She made the Big Oaf stay with me and put up the little fence again. I was scared. She still made the noises and more noises. But the Big Oaf was with me. He wasn't scared. He looks out for me. Maybe, I'll be okay.

She let us back in the room. My pen was back in it's place and a new crate, a see-thru one was there. The lady put me in the new crate and took the Big Oaf outside. I was alone. But not for too long. When they came back I was so happy. Must have wagged my tail, because the lady got all happy and said I did. After I walked outside and was a good girl, I got some food and they left. I was hungry so I ate it all pretty fast. The lady came back and let me out. We went up the stairs to the little room. I went to my usual spot and laid down. Put my head on the lady's paw. Then, I got up and sat beside her, put my head on her knee. She touched me on my shoulder and scratched a little. At first I was scared, but it felt good. I leaned against her hand. Then I didn't know what to do. I went back to my spot. Sometimes I would sit up and put my head on her knee and she would scratch behind my ear, or touch my face. I liked that.

I was alone, all alone.....

The day started normal with our walks and the lady putting me in the pen with my dish of food. She and the Big Oaf went upstairs. I wasn't hungry. I wanted to be with them. I tried to open the door. I couldn't. I kept trying, but the lady didn't come like she came before. I started making noises in my throat. Still no one came. I made louder noises, I really whined. Almost as bad as that Big Oaf does. Still the lady did not come.

Finally, she is here! Oh good, I can get out and be with everyone! What? Back in my crate? Why? I want to be in the action. The lady has a box that makes noise. The noise is not loud, it doesn't scare me. Then she puts a black thing around the Big Oaf's chest and behind his legs. And, they leave. Guess he's getting another walk. What about me? They are gone a really long time. The box makes noises.

I've never in my whole life been totally alone. There were always other dogs, lots of other dogs, around. I could hear them, smell them. I was always the bottom dog. The others would steal my food, even at Metra. When Donita found out, she made them go in their kennels so I could eat. But, I have never been all alone. It's scary. It's been such a long time and no one is here.

Finally, I hear the wall move and the lady comes in. She leaves and comes back right away with the Big Oaf. He runs up to my pen all wigglebutt. The lady lets me out of my crate and the pen. I am free to run around the rooms. I walk and walk and walk. I sniff Big Oaf. He smells like another dog. He really smells like another dog. Was he in a fight? He's not hurt. I keep smelling him. The lady says "Eau de Brutus". Huh? He gets down on this front legs with his wigglebutt in the air. He keeps acting like a puppy who wants to play. He's really goofy today. He finally lays down.

After a while the Big Oaf gets up and starts tossing those things that are always laying around in the air. He makes some of them squeak. He's all wiggly butt happy. He goes down on his front legs and sticks his wigglebutt in the air. He has one of those squeaky things in front of him. He's a giant puppy, he's so silly. I can't help myself, I went down on my front legs and hopped around. My tail wagged. Then, I got scared and backed up. He grabbed the squeaky thing and stuck it in my face. I pretended to grab it. My tail started wagging again. I just couldn't help it. He's so silly. I got scared and froze. The lady said you "you go girl". I wagged my tail again and tried to grab the toy. Then the Big Oaf ran away with it. Kept looking back to see if I was chasing him. I got scared, so I started walking around again.

The lady went over to the Big Oaf and started touching him. He was all wiggly butt with her. He tried to stand on his head, but fell over. Then he rolled over and the lady was touching his belly and he was acting all happy. Not scared or afraid. Very strange.

I don't think they are going to eat me...

After my walk this morning the lady put my dish in the pen and went upstairs, like usual. Of course that Big Oaf had to follow her. I was all alone. I don't like to be alone. I want to be around the action. I hit the door with my paw, but it wouldn't open. I tried again and again. Finally, I heard the lady and the Big Oaf above me. They were looking down from the high perch. I ran back in my crate, but just had to look back to see if they were still there. They were. The lady made that strange noise humans make when they are happy. They went away, but I didn't hear them come down the stairs. I watched and listened. Suddenly they were coming. I got scared. Ran back in my crate. Then popped my head out. The lady came over to me and let me out. I ran around the room. Sniffed the Big Oaf. And walked around and around and around. The lady picked up my dish and put it on my crate. I didn't eat. If I don't eat right away she takes away my food.

We spent all day in the place with my crate. The lady left then came back and made big flashes of light. Like lightening. I don't like lightening. I got scared when she made lightening. I walked around and around and around. I'm still scared and not sure of what's going on. Sometimes I would lay down. I lay near the lady. I don't understand humans, I don't know what they are going to do. But, I think this lady is nice. Like the ladies at Metra. Sometimes I touch her and she lets me.

After a long time, the Big Oaf went over to the soft ground and started throwing things on the ground in the air. Some of the things made squeaky noises. He would pounce on them and make them squeak. His butt was wiggling the whole time. He was acting all happy. He looked like a giant puppy. Dogs don't get to play. Only puppies play. But he is a big dog and he plays? Once I went over to him and he got down on his front paws with his wigglebutt in the area. Just like a puppy who wants to play. I couldn't help myself, I lunged back at him and he started to chase me. Then I got scared. Is he mad, will he hurt me? The lady made that happy human noise and said "good girl".

We went for our walk and the lady put me in the crate with my dish. She and the Big Oaf (of course) went up the stairs. Can she go anywhere without him? It was dark and the nice man came. He let me out of the pen. I made two circles of the room and then remembered the lady and Big Oaf was up the stairs, so I ran up there. She was in the little room. I went under her clicky clacky. The man came up and tried to pet me. I didn't bite him, and I am not so terrified any more. Just a little scared when they touch me. The lady said I can't be out of my pen without my leash. No, I don't like leashes! The man went away and called the Big Oaf. Then the Big Oaf was back. He had my wire leash around his neck. Dang! The lady put the leash on me. It's okay. I'm happy to stay right here. I touched the lady a couple of times. One time I put my chin on her leg, just like the Big Oaf does. When he does that she touches him. NO! She might touch me. She might get mad at me. She didn't do anything. But, I pulled my head back - what was I thinking? The lady said "Blue, you are a sweet girl" in that nice soft voice I like.

Hmmm. Maybe I'll try that again, another day.

Still Haven't Been Eaten

Maybe I won't be eaten. I'm still pretty scared. I kinda know how they do things here. In the morning (loooong after sunrise) the lady takes me for a walk and feeds me. Then she takes the Crazed Dog for his walk. I usually don't eat right away, so she goes upstairs after Crazed Dog eats. If she leaves before he finishes, he follows her. He doesn't want to eat alone? He's Crazy Crazed. I won't eat when humans are there. They might get angry and yell at me for eating. This morning I finished my food. I don't like to be left out of things. I hear the Lady talking to Crazed Dog. He's probably wiggling his butt and being all happy. He always acts happy. All wigglebutt and happy mouth. I've never seen a grown dog act so happy all the time. Maybe I can get out if I hit the door with my paw. Okay, I'll hit a little harder. Ooooh, the lady and Crazed Dog are looking down at me. I run back into my crate.

They come down and put up the fence by the stairs. The lady opens my pen door. I run out and sniff Crazed Dog's ear. The lady is all happy with me. Everybody in this place acts happy. The lady makes that noise humans make they think something is funny or they are happy. The humans at Metra used to make that noise too. I'd never heard it before. So the lady and the Crazed Dog play on the soft ground. The big oaf tries to stand on his head while wiggling his butt. He's such a dufus! I was a little bit scared. Walked around alot. Sometimes I'd walk over near them to watch. It looked like fun, but I don't know.....

The Big Oaf laid down. The lady left. NO! Don't leave me here alone with him. He's going eat me. He jumped up, I ran. But, he just went over to the fence and watched up the stairs for her. I stood behind him and watched for the lady to come back. She came back with a slim red box, sat down at the human eating place and started making those clicky-clacky sounds again. I walked around & around & around. Then, laid down. I'd get up and walk around then lay down. Each time I got a little closer to the lady. The Big Oaf was asleep on the ground next to her. I laid down on the other side. The lady acted happy. She didn't make any human noises. She knew I was there, so I guess she won't hurt me. Maybe it's okay if I lay here?

It got hot. The lady took us each for a walk, then we all went upstairs to that other room. I went under the table and laid right down. But this time I stretched out. Every so often I would touch the lady with my nose. Nothing happened. She didn't get angry or yell at me. Sometimes she'd say "good girl", but not always. The Big Oaf laid down behind her. Sometimes he'd get up and be all wiggly next to her. She'd touch him and say "good boy".

The nice man came after dinner. The lady took me down the hard slippery stairs. She kept telling me "good girl". She said she sees some agility in my future. What's that? Will it eat me? She gave him my leash and the Big Oaf had to stay there too. Then it happened!! Vroom, Vroom noises over my head. The Big Oaf turned into Crazed Dog again. I was scared. I don't like those Vroom Vroom sounds. It must be something really bad because Crazed Dog was really crazed. I walked in circles the whole time. Finally, the noises stopped and the lady came to take us back to where I live now. What happened to all my hair? It was right here on the soft ground. It's not there, it's not on the slippery floor either. Wait! There's none in my crate or the pen.

This is a very strange place.

Will They Eat Me?

I'm still here. I had a pretty wild night. First, I got stuck on my fencing. I was really scared. I heard the Crazed Dog running around and whining over my head. He was looking down at me from above. I got more scared. I have to get back in my crate and hide. I pull but I can't get away. CRASH! Suddenly this black and white streak was coming. Oh no! He's going to eat me! He comes to the fence looks at me and runs away. His paws don't even touch the ground even when he goes up the stairs. I think he can fly like a bird. I hear him make his silly noises. Then he is back. He's fast for a big dog. His nose is on the fence next to me. The lady comes down and reaches for me. I'm free!!! I run in my crate. She crawls in and puts the leash on me. She calls the nice man and they put my leash on backwards. Then, they take off my collar, do some things to it and put it back on. I go back in my crate, glad the day will soon end.

It gets dark and everyone leaves. Finally, I can sleep. What's that? Oh, just cats fighting. No biggie. Woof - woof. What is Crazed Dog's problem now? CRASH! Oh no, here he comes! It's dark I can't see. I hear him and smell him. He's beside my crate. He's gonna eat me for sure. The light is on. The lady is coming. Crazed Dog runs off. Runs around the house. Comes back and lays down in front of my pen. Oh no! No, lady don't leave me here alone with him! He's gonna eat me! He finally leaves and I can get some sleep.

After our walks, the lady gives me food and leaves. She comes back a while later with Crazed Dog. She makes me get out of my crate and shuts the door to my pen. No where to hide! Okay, I'll try going behind that big thing. Nope. Lady blocks me and puts a big thing so I can't get back there. I tried to hide under the table, till she pulled me out and put something in my way. Nowhere to hide. I walk. I walk. I walk. Around and around and around...... The lady sits on the soft place. I keep walking. The lady has her hands all over Crazed Dog. His butt is wiggling. He acts happy. I walk and walk and walk. Crazed Dog lays down and goes to sleep. I was tired of walking. I sat in front of the shiny thing where the water comes out. It was as far from the human as I could get. Finally, the lady opens the door to my pen and I run in. She and Crazed Dog leave. I took a nap.

They came back! The lady and Crazed Dog went outside. I watched them. Then the lady came back and put the leashes on me and we went outside. When we came back I headed for my crate, but the lady said "no, this way". And, walked up the stairs. The lady kept saying "Good girl". What? Didn't she know I can walk up stairs? I was scared, it was all new. We walked down a long hall to a small room. The lady sat down and I was still on a leash. I walked but couldn't go very far. Finally, I ran under the table. The lady's feet were there, but I could go in the corner against the wall next to the big black box. I stayed there. I could hear clicking and clacking over my head, but it wasn't too scary. Crazed Dog was asleep behind her. We stayed there until it was dark. At first I was really scared. But after awhile it was okay.

I'm beginning to think they aren't planning on eating me.

Max Here, We Have a Situation.....

Hi. Max here. I'm the resident Aussie. Mom and Uncle Greg brought a new dog home. They wouldn't let me check her out. Mom knows I have to check everything. She brings a Walmart bag home, it's my job to check it. I look at, but cannot touch the grocery store bags. She moves a chair, I check it. She knows it's my job to check anything new in this house, in the yard, in the neighborhood.... Finally when Uncle Greg was there they let me check out the dog they call Blue. OK Mom, she can stay. Scaredy little thing. Okay Mom, let's play. I'll do a headstand. Look Mom, I'm doing a headstand and wiggling my butt. Play with me. Uncle Greg, play with me.

Mom put Blue dog in her pen with her dinner. What, no sit-stay to eat? Have to go upstairs with Mom. I go wherever she goes. She puts that silly baby gate across the stairs. She knows I can jump it. But, I am not allowed to jump it.

What's that noise? Better check it out. Sounds like trouble. I can see Blue dog from the balconey. Looks like trouble. Gotta check it out. Stupid baby gate. Not allowed to jump it. Another noise. Okay, removing baby gate. I'm coming Blue! Uh-oh she's stuck. I can't fix it. Mom is calling me. I need an opposable thumb. Aussies should have thumbs. We could fix anything with a thumb. Gotta get Mom. Mom, hurry. No, Mom you have to come. Oops. Not supposed to jump on Mom. I push her knees. Ooops, not supposed to do that either. I run back to Blue. Mom's coming little girl. She's got one of those thumbs. She'll get you loose. Mom look: Trouble. Mom reaches to unhook her. Tells me away. But, I got to help. "No Max away" she says. Okay Mom. Mom did it! Blue is unstuck. Mom gets her out of the pen. Yells for Uncle Greg down in the basement. I'll get him Mom. You need him? Uncle Greg comes up and Mom takes off Blue's collar. Something about her Rabies tag hook being left open. Mom and Uncle Greg fix up the collar. Uncle Greg can fix anything. He has lots of tools.

So later, Mom puts Blue in her crate and says "night-night". We go upstairs. Mom puts stupid baby gate across the stairs. Mom goes to bed. I take my spot on my rug. We all go to sleep. What's that noise? It's outside. Gotta check it out. Oh those dumb cats. They are fighting again. Hey, knock it off! I said knock it off! "Max, sssssh". Okay Mom. Wait! Is Blue dog okay? Can those cats get her? I better check it out. Stupid baby gate. Not allowed to jump it, so I'll have to remove it, again. "Maaaaaax". I'll be right back Mom. Have to check on Blue. She's in her crate. I'll look thru the holes in the side. You okay girl? Hi Mom, she's okay. Grammy doesn't like you to say that word. I'm going to check the house. Do a full perimeter search. No cats. Doors and windows shut tight. Blue's sitting up in the corner of her crate. Looks scared. Okay girl, I'll stay with you. I'll lay right here in front of your pen and watch.

Okay Mom, you go back to bed. I'll stay here til I know order is restored. Grammy doesn't like that word either. What? We are going to paint the wall? I can help. Do you want to do it now? All is quiet. I report to my usual post on the rug next to Mom's bed. Stupid baby gate is behind the door where it belongs. Better tell her I'm back. Mom, Mom..... She can't hear me. Have to make sure her ear is okay. Boy, it's a good thing Grammy's not here. Mom would be in trouble.

I know they will eat me today

Yep, I'm gonna get eaten today. I don't trust humans. The ones at Metra were okay. But the ones I knew before scared me. All humans scare me. Crazed Dog Who Wants To Eat Me charged down the stairs towards my fence. The lady said "leave it" and he ran away. They went thru the door to the strange room with strange things and the moving wall. When they came back she gave put food in a dish and put it in front of Crazed Dog Who Wants to Eat Me. But he just sat there and looked at the lady. The lady filled up another dish with water. Hey, lady let him eat his food. Maybe he won't eat me. Finally, she said "OK" and he ate his kibble. When he finished she made him go away.

The lady put the leashes on me and made me come out of my crate. I couldn't see Crazed Dog Who Wants to Eat Me, but I could hear him above me. We went to the strange room with strange things and the wall moved again. I was outside. I'm going to try and make my break before they eat me. Dang leashes! I can't get away. We walk and I was a good girl, the lady said so. When we come back I go in my crate and the lady gives me food and leaves. I don't want to eat. I'm too scared. I made myself real small and got as far back in the corner of my crate as I could. I wouldn't look at anyone even when they talked to me. All day the lady and the Crazed Dog Who Wants to Eat Me come and go. They play, he acts happy and likes to be with the lady. His butt wiggles when he plays. He follows her everywhere. The lady took my food away because I didn't eat.

The nice man came back and he took me for a really, really long walk in the fields and woods. I made lots of circles. He sat down on a log, I ran behind him and waited. When he wasn't looking I tried to run. Dang Leashes! I couldn't get away. He took me back and put me in my crate. I made myself even smaller and went back into my corner. The nice man and the lady ate some food. They fed the Crazed Dog Who Wants to Eat Me. The lady makes him sit in front of his food while he watches her. Please lady let him eat! She finally says that OK word.

After he eats she takes him away and comes back with a fence. She puts the fence in my possible escape route to outside. The nice man opens my fence and says "come on". Oh no! I'm not coming out of my corner. He crawls in my crate and puts my leash on me. He pulls me out of the crate. Then, he drops the leash!! I head for the strange room with strange things and walls that move, but the lady and the fence block my way. I run around the room, I keep walking and walking and walking around the room. The lady leaves and comes back with Crazed Dog Who Wants to Eat Me. The man grabs my leash and the lady lets the big monster thru the fence. Oh no! I will be eaten!

Wait. Did he just put his head down and turn it away from me? The man lets go of my leash. What do I do? The Crazed Dog walks up to me and we sniff noses. Then, he tries to sniff my butt, but I jump away and give him "that look". He jumps away from me. The lady and the man play with Crazed Dog they have a squeaky ball. Maybe he doesn't want to eat me. They play a long time with him. I walked around the room. I walked back and forth. I walked and walked and walked. I stayed away from the people. Finally, Crazed Dog laid down. He was panting alot from so much running. I was panting too because I was sooooooo scared. He was laying where I was walking. Do I walk past him or nearer the humans? I know dogs, and he didn't act like he wanted to hurt me. I don't know humans so well. So I walked near Crazed Dog. Finally the lady said I was making her tired, so the man picked up my leash and we went for a walk. The lady put a leash on Crazed Dog. We walked near each other. He didn't bark at me or act crazed like that first night.

Next Steps

The truck stopped and the doors opened. The new man and lady picked up my crate and put it in this strange place with all these strange things around me and then put the leashes on me for a walk. The lady opened the door and a really big crazed dog was there. She kept him away from me, but I knew he wanted to eat me! What am I going to do?

The nice man took me for a walk. Then I saw the lady with the crazed dog. EEEEEEW! I tried to run, but the leashes stopped me. The lady told the wild dog to "leave it", he was barking now. But, then she went another direction and I was safe. We came back to the house and crazed dog was there! I was so scared I couldn't think, how do I get away. The lady took him in the house. The nice man put me in my crate and they carried me in the house, past the crazed dog who kept jumping at my crate. The lady got mad at him. They put my crate in a fence. It was so strange, I was inside a building. But, I'd never seen a place like this.

Crazed Dog Who Wants To Eat Me kept coming up to the fence and looking at me. The lady says "leave it". I don't know what that means but he walks away when she says it. He wants to eat me, I know it. Crazed Dog Who Wants To Eat Me came to my fence again. The lady charged at him like an angry momma dog. Crazed Dog got upset, but I felt a little better. Maybe she won't let him eat me. Maybe. The lady gives me food and water, they leave. They take the Crazed Dog Who Wants To Eat Me with them. I could hear him making his whining noisy from above. He wants to eat me, I know it.

The man and the lady come and go all night. Crazed Dog Who Wants To Eat me came once and the lady sat on the ground while he ran around her. She kept touching him and putting her arms around him. He acted happy. He doesn't have a tail so I'm just guessing. But, I'm pretty good at reading other dogs, he sure seemed happy.

The lady left with Crazed Dog Who Wants To Eat Me and the man came back. He put the leashes on me and made me leave my safe crate. First the floor was slippery, then it was soft like grass but not grass. We went back out to the strange room with all the things and and the wall made that loud noise and went up in the air. Oh outside! I know outside! We went for a walk. I was scared and kept making circles around the man.

We came back to the strange place and he put me in my crate and closed the door. I could hear Crazed Dog Who Wants To Eat Me whining over my head. I cannot see him, but I hear him. It got dark. I will try to sleep, but I am scared.

They are going to eat me in the morning, I know it.

New Beginnings

The humans tell me I'm a English Shepherd. I guess they call me Blue because I have "blue" ticking on my chest and collar with freckles on my face and legs. I look like a little lady all dressed up with a fur stole and long gloves.

I was born about 2 years ago in Yellowstone County, Montana. My first home was not a nice place. There was never enough food and too many dogs. Lots of dogs were very sick and died. I am very small for my breed because my mom and I never got the good food we needed when I was a pup. On a cold December day last year, a bunch of humans came to where I lived and put 180 of us in crates and took us away. It was really scary. We went to a big building and more humans looked at us. They were nice, but I was still scared. I wasn't used to humans. I'd never been petted or held before, so it was really scary to have humans touching me. The one man said I was very thin and my skin was very dry but I wasn't going to have any puppies.

Other humans took us to another place where there were wooden walls and lots of straw on the ground to sleep on. They called it the Metra. It was cold, but there was no wind, the ground was dry, there was roof over my head and it smelled nice. Some other humans gave us food and water. They would do that every day! Wow! It was a lot of changes for me, most of the time I was scared. But, I liked to eat every day, so I figured I could learn to live with it. One day two really nice ladies came to talk to me and they spent a lot of time with me. It took a really long time, but I finally let Dorita and Jane touch me. I don't know how long I was there, but it was cold for a long time, then it got nice, and then it was hot. But still, the nice ladies came and so did their friends. And every day I got to eat. I like to eat, but I don't like people to watch me. They put a thing around my pretty blue neck and taught me to walk with a rope, they called it a leash. I had to learn to "sit" and "down".

Some of the other girls had puppies and they went to live at another place with their babies. Some of the puppies were very sick. But, others were okay. In the end there were over 220 of us.

One day there was lots of excitement with the humans. They said we could go to our new homes. Oh no! I don't want to leave this place. It's noisy and scary with all the dogs here, but a new place is really scary. Some new people came. They made us walk up and down stairs and took us for walks. It was all so new again. One day they took me for an operation so I won't have any puppies. The other dogs started leaving the Metra. There was so much going on.

Then, they put me in a crate - I didn't like going in those things, bad things always happen when I go in one. Well, things sure did happen! My crate was in a big yellow school bus. Two humans were with us: Rick (I'd seen him around) and one of the new ladies named Jan. The bus started moving and just kept moving. Long after it got dark we stopped and met some new humans. We took long walks. I wasn't interested in investigating too much. Some of the dogs got off the bus and didn't get back on. We started moving again when we stopped, a new lady, Nancy, got on the bus with us. The humans were nice to us, they gave us food and water. I was a real good girl, I didn't mess or chew anything in my crate. When it got dark, we stopped at another farm, it was getting a little interesting so I checked out the new place a bit. Some more dogs stayed at the new place. The next day we moved again. It was a long day. We stopped a couple times. Every time more dogs got off the bus. We spent another night at another new farm. The lady, Heather was there. I saw her before at Metra. The next morning we took really long walks and most of us got back on the bus. We stopped once and some dogs went away with a new lady. It was just starting to get dark and raining when the bus stopped again. This time, I was the only dog who got to take a walk with Jan. I like Jan.

This new lady came up to Jan and me. I don't like new humans. I'm always scared. She talked to Jan. She didn't seem too bad. I even walked between her and Jan over to the man Nancy was talking to. Rick brought out one of the crates, not mine - but just like mine. They put me in the crate and lifted me up into a truck. I got scared. But, the new man kept talking really nice to me. After a while, we drove away. I was really, really scared. Where am I going? Are any other English Shepherds there?