Puppy of Terror

I have the bravest dog in the world, until someone or something looks at her, at which point she usually hides behind me.  I find it hilarious that when she sees someone in the parking lot or down the hall, she'll bark non-stop and pull on her leash like crazy.  But when she gets to them, she'll immediately cower in front of them or hide behind me.  Like I said, brave.

A few nights ago, we ran into another dog from the complex, a sweet lab that must be at least 10 years old.  We were walking back home when Maya spotted the lab, and she turned into a crazy puppy, barking and pulling like always.  At which point the lab ran and hid behind her mom!!  Poor dog, but I had to laugh.

I picked Maya up (the only thing that will get her to stop barking) and apologized to the lab's owner.  She explained that her dog is scared of little dog.  Apparently, her mother has a couple of little yorkies who always bully the lab around.  So now she's terrified of all little dogs, included my sweet innocent little puppy.  I felt bad for her, but I was funny to see this big dog scared of this tiny puppy. 

Ewww, Carrots!!

One day, when Maya isn't very puppy like or isn't around any more, I'm going to think back at all her antics and smile.  But in order to make that happen, I need to remember those antics.  And that's where this blog comes in.  I've been pretty back about keeping up on it, and that needs to change.  I would say that I'm going to write something cute or funny or annoying or whatever every day, but we all know that's not going to happen.  So instead, I'll just say that I'll write when I remember something cute she does.

So today -- Maya's introduction to carrots.

I never give Maya people food.  Or I almost never give Maya people food.  There are two exceptions: I use Cheerios as her treats and for training, and I give her plain rice (maybe a little plain chicken with it) if she's sick or has an upset tummy.  But that's it.

Last night, I was munching on some baby carrots and accidentally dropped half of one.  Maya was in the kitchen with me, and she immediately jumped all over it, carrying it to her favorite spot under the table.  Then she set it down and smelled it.  And then she tried to bite it.  And then she dropped it again and tried licking it.  For the next 5 minutes or so, she kept trying to figure out what to do with it.  She couldn't seem to actually bite it, and licking it wasn't doing any good.  After many attempts, she finally did manage to crack it, at which point she tasted it for the first time (I think). 

She doesn't like carrots.  After finally getting it cracked open, she set it down on the ground and walked away.  I guess I don't need to worry about dropping any carrots on the ground.  And the best part?  I grabbed the camera and actually got her reaction on video.  =)

Sweet Puppy

I've decided that I have just about the sweetest puppy ever.  And as proof, here's what happened this morning.

Since it's getting dark earlier, we've been going on our evening walks a little earlier than we used to.  So instead of potty break at 7ish, walk and final potty at 9ish, it's just walk and final potty at 8ish (or just slightly later).  But because she goes out earlier than she used to, she also wakes me up to take her out earlier in the morning. 

Since last Saturday, I've taken her out and gone back to sleep.  Usually, I walk into the bedroom and Maya follows me in; I crawl into my bed, she crawls into hers, and we're both out for about an hour.  Today, she didn't follow me into the bedroom.  I didn't really pay attention to where she went, but I assumed she went to look out the window for a while.  I crawled into bed, and just as I'm about to fall asleep, I hear this teeny tiny muffled little bark.  Now I'm awake.  I listen closely thinking maybe I was imagining it, but about 30 seconds later, I hear it again. 

I quietly got out of bed and peeked into the living room.  And that's when I saw her.  Maya was lying on the floor, head resting on her front paws, staring at her empty food bowl.  And then another teeny tiny little bark.  My poor puppy was hungry, but she didn't want to wake me up!  You could almost see her little brain thinking: "I'm hungry, but Mommy is tired and I don't want to wake her up.  But I'm hungry.  Maybe if I bark really quiet...." 

Of course I went and got her some food.  Then I crawled back into bed.  After filling her tummy, Maya came and joined me (in her bed). 

Now admit it, I have the sweetest puppy.  :)

"Play With Me!"

I've been very busy with work lately, so my poor Maya has been left to her own devices much more often than I like.  She usually does pretty well, but sometimes she just really wants some attention.  This morning was one of those times.

I was in the bathroom getting ready for work when Maya comes looking for me.  She has one of her favorite balls in her mouth, which she drops at my feet.  This is the universal sign for starting a game of fetch.  I look down and tell her I can't play, that I have to get ready for work.  She looks at me with those big brown eyes, picks up the ball, and drops it at my feet again.  I ignore her.

I hear Maya leave the bathroom, only to reappear moments later with another ball in her mouth.  Again she drops it at my feet, and again I tell her I can't play.  She leaves again and comes back with another ball.  Eventually, there are five balls at my feet, and Maya is looking up at me with those big brown eyes.  Her tail was wagging slightly, almost tentatively, and you could just see the hope in her eyes.

That's when I decide that a ponytail would be a great look for today, and for the next 20 minutes, Maya and me enjoyed a nice game of fetch. 

Park Scare

For the first time in months, it was cool enough to go for a walk in the morning.  Maya and I joined a few friends and their fur-babies at the local park, where I almost immediately had a mini-stroke or mini-heart attack or mini-something.

The local park has a duck pond that the dogs love.  It's not so much the water that draws their attention, but the ducks.  Pretty much the only thing I don't like about this pond is that it's relatively close to the street, so I always keep Maya on her leash until we're on the other side of it, just in case.

Today, just like almost every other time we've gone to the park, one of the dogs took off running towards the pond.  And just like almost every other time, Maya decided to follow.  She was still on her leash, so I didn't expect her to get very far, but the next thing I know, she's almost at the pond and I still have her leash in my hand.....with her collar hanging off the end.  Yep, the clasp on her collar broke.  And that's where the mini-stroke/heart attack happened.  Luckily, she decided to run after the ducks in the pond and not the squirrels crossing the street.

And needless to say, we were at Petsmart picking up a new collar before the day was over.  I did not like that feeling, and I'm hoping it doesn't happen again for a long time.

Spa Visit

Maya went to the groomer yesterday for her last summer cut.  I've been to this place before, and I really like it.  And since Maya practically dragged me in through the front door (or as much as a 10-lb dog can drag someone), I figure she really likes it too. 

I have to admit that I wasn't thrilled with her cut.  She was shorter than I wanted, and they did something odd with her face.  I can't put my finger on it, but she just looks......different.  There are only two groomers at this place, and a different one did her this time, so I'm sure that's why.  She still a cutie, but I'll be sure to request the other groomer next time.

And in case you're wondering, here's how she turned out. 

Told you she was still cute.  :)  And I don't know what the deal with the bows is.  I forgot to tell them no bows, so they gave her a couple.  I'm not a big fan of yellow on her (or in general), but this isn't the first time someone has put something yellow on her, so maybe it's just me.  And probably the most shocking of all -- the bows are still in!  Apparently she doesn't mind them as much when they're tiny like these.

Harness Time

If you ever read this blog, you probably know that Maya is a puller.  If you didn't know that, well now you do.  Although I've looked into getting a harness for her before (click here), I never actually bought one.  But after a day of horrible pulling and gagging, I decided it was time.  I rather spend a few bucks on a harness than a few hundred bucks on a vet if (and when) she hurts herself. 

I already knew the selection at the local Petsmart wasn't very good, so I went online instead.  And I soon realized that I needed a measuring tape.  I own two of them, but I had no idea where they were.  So I did the next best thing -- I grabbed Maya's leash and a ruler.  In no time I had the measurements I needed, jumped on Amazon, found a good harness, and it's on it's way.  Hopefully it will arrive before my puppy decides to choke herself to death....

To be continued......