Introductions of Molly and Me

I started this blog thinking I would do it from Molly's point of view, but now think that I will change it over to my point of view.  I am Clarissa, Molly's owner.  I work full time as an elementary school teacher's aide and part time as a Graphic Designer at a silk screening shop.  Molly came into my Fiancé's and my life on January 20, 2013.  It was a Sunday and we had just moved into a house of our own after being without a home for over a year.  We had had to give up the Golden Retriever that we had had while he was in the Air Force in New Mexico.  It was not something we wanted to do and we miss that dog to this day, but we were having issues finding jobs and knew that it would be unfair to Indi to drag him along, not knowing where we were going to live and when we could feed him.  We bypassed putting him in a shelter and interviewed many families before choosing one that we thought was a good fit for him.  We wanted to make sure we were stable before getting another dog into our life.  We didn't want to have to give another pet up!  That's what lead us to that faithful day last year.  We had just moved into a house and both had stable jobs.  We decided to go to Woodward, Oklahoma and got to the animal control there to see if they had any Golden Retrievers.  We found a greyhound that we liked at first.  Older.  We talked about getting her, but the shelter was still looking for her owners and had a lead on them.  We walked around some more and I saw Molly.  She was laying in her kennel just watching people go by.  There was a tag that said there was a hold on her.  We asked about her and why the hold and were told that someone brought her in from Fargo, OK.  She was found wandering the highway and the person brought her in and told her who she belong to.  The owners had been contacted three days prior but had never come in like they said they would.  They contacted the person that found her and that person said that as long as she wasn't going back to Fargo, that she could go home with us.  She was so calm in the truck, falling asleep on the hour drive back to southwest Kansas.   She even whined when she needed to potty.  That's when we decided that we got a great dog and that she looked like a Molly. 
It wasn't long before we figured out she wasn't house trained but that only took about three days for me to get through her head.  What really surprised us though was her reaction to people.  She could care less about them at the shelter, but it soon became apparent that she had reactivity issues.  When I tried walking her, she would try to chase cars (and if she could bolt out the door when one went by she'd go for the tires while it was driving down the street).  She would bark and lunge and people and other dogs while on leash.  I could barely take her for a walk.  When she was on leash and another dog approached her, ignoring her barking and lunging, she would calm down and greet them.  But her greeting wasn't normal.  She sniffs the other dog's face.  Most dogs in this small town, while not thrilled about the wrong way of greeting let her slide with it and she has made many furry friends.  She loves playing with other dogs.  I have come to the conclusion that her reaction to people is anxiety/fear based and am currently working with her to overcome that.  Her reactions because of other dogs?  That's excitement.  She sees other dogs and immediately wants to play so she gets frustrated that she can't go to the other dog.  Another issue I am working on.
Since we got her, she has met and stayed with an elderly man and woman.  The man got around in a scooter/wheelchair which she didn't even try to chase.  She adored them both at first but began to dislike the man as he was starting to mentally abuse my fiancé and me while we were there visiting and he even started bad talking Molly.  Stating she had fleas and other things. Even though she didn't like the man as much, she didn't get aggressive with him.  She just steered clear of him.  Then Molly and I went and stayed with a middle aged couple.  She was reactive at first but had not settled in with them and adores the woman and tries to get the man to like her better.  He is indifferent to her.  Since we got here, she has been spayed and has even gotten to have a little off leash play with other dogs. 
Yesterday I got to do more training with her and people.  Some relatives stopped by of the people we are staying with.  I moved Molly away to where she wasn't barking and got her interested in her frisbee.  I slowly moved closer to the people, watching Molly the whole time.  We moved toward the water spigot which was about 10 feet away from the people and put some water out for her to play in.  She played in it with her back to the new people knowing they were there.  Later she wanted to calmly go to them and sniff them.  We ended up sitting near them and she ran through her obedience for me.  Another set of people started heading our way.  I moved her back again to start the process over.  There was a kid with them.  He is one of the kids in my 2nd grade class.  I was giving Molly treats for not reacting and she was doing okay watching them.  Of course, the kid came towards me and Molly started barking some.  I told the kid to stop and go back.  He ignored me and she ran at him barking and nipping at his shoes. (She is a herding breed, so she was trying to herd him back, still unacceptable.)  I called her back and got her to sit/stay and his grandmother got onto him for not listening to me in the first place.  I moved her back to where she wasn't reacting and start the process of working with her again.  Finally, putting her in the pen nearby so that I could go talk to the kid.  I'm upset that she reacted and nipped his shoes, but also mad that the kid, a 2nd grader, didn't listen to me at all when Itold him to stay back.  But I've learned from that mistake and will work with adults for now until she is flawless with them then start with children.  In the meantime, she will be put inside or in her pen when I see a child approaching.  I wish I was closer to a bigger city to get her formal training, but for now, I am all she has.  She has made strides since I got her.  She now accepts 6 other people aside from my fiancé and me and she is getting better with listening to me around other dogs and I have even gotten her to where she is less reactive to cars when they go by.  I have been slowing closing the distance to the street and treating her for looking at the cars but not chasing. 
My goals for Molly?  I'd like her to be a therapy dog one day.  Be comfortable enough with people that she can help them.  I'm also interested in getting her her Canine Good Citizen test done and compete in agility and fly disc with her one day.  It will be lots of hard work and she may never be comfortable enough to reach all those goals, but we will work hard and see where we can get her.  My ultimate goal is for her to live a life free from fear and anxiety.  Feel free to follow our journey.  Our triumphs and mistakes as we try to figure everything out!

It Has Been a Long, Long Time

So, I'm back again and boy do I have a lot to tell!  Currently I am writing this entry from what seems to be an outdoor jail.  It reminds me of the jail my parent sprung me from in Woodward, Oklahoma.   This morning started out different than normal.  Mom came outside around 8 and had time to play with me and hug on me.  She asked me it I wanted to go to the vet.   I was just happy to go for a ride in the car.  When we got here there were so many interesting smells!   I put my nose to work and went right into this building when the doors were open.  There were 3 people in there and I was handed off to one of them.  I kept investigating.   It wasn't until mom started filling out paperwork that I figured something was up and went runninng back to mom.  The man said no so fast and told me to go with him.  So, I went.  Nose to ground investigating all the smells of friends I have yet to make.  Now I'm out in an outdoor kennel.  I can hear dogs barking inside.  I want to go meet them!  I have no idea why I am here but have heard the word surgery and shots thrown around.  I guess I'll just have to wait and see what all that is! 

I'm back!

Sorry I've been MIA the last few weeks.  We havent really been up to too much.  Every Sunday the weather has been pretty nasty so I haven't been out too much.  I've got my walks and all, but haven't gotten to see the calf or go out to the pasture to play.  I'm hoping now that spring is here, I will get to go to the pasture more often.  My parents went to the big city on Sunday and left me all alone.    I made the best of it.  Mom had made up a Kong for me and left me with a bone and some rawhide.  They were gone for what felt like forever.  I had started wondering if they were coming back.  I was happy to see Dad but miffed at Mom since she's the one that told me I had to stay behind.  I didn't stay , ad long though.  They brought me a HUGE rawhide bone and they even brought a tag home for me with my name and address on it.  I did get to run an errand with Dad on Saturday.  He was supposed to be taking me out to potty and next thing I know, we are in the truck, going to the convenience store.  I was good for once.  I didn't try  to get out of the truck at the store and when we got home, I didn't rush Dad to get out of the truck.  Dad was proud of me.   Anyway, I think I'll go play.  I hope everyone is doing well!

Making New Friends.

It's been pretty boring this week.  With all the ice on the ground, it made it unsafe for my walks.  Monday we were supposed to have a blizzard, but that didn't pan out.  Just a little more snow.  Thursday was busy though.  I got to see the plumber again!  The first time I met him, I had been with my parents a week or so.  I wouldnget between him and mom, but that was it.  This time, I barked at him the whole time.  Mom used it as an opportunity to teach me the "quiet" command.  By the time he left, I was wanting to play with him.  Dad also found me a visitor.  Wally found dad at work and Wally followed him to the house.  I was a little intimidated at first because Wally is so big!  I was looking out the window this morning and noticed Wally walking along the street, so I convinced mom to take me out.  Wally and I played tug rope for 30 minutes.  I love making new friends.  Now I have 2.  Tucker and Wally!

Watch Out for That Cow!

Well, it has been a very busy week for me this past week.  Friday Tucker got out of her yard and we played outside for 45 minutes.  I loved being able to play with another dog.  Granted, it did spit some snow at us!  We didn't mind though.  She also got out Saturday but dad came home early and took me out to a pasture filled with cows and calves.  At first I didn't know what to think.  Dad told me to push them up the hill, which I did.  Then he told me to keep them from coming down.  Again, I did.  Then they took off and when I went to get them, a momma cow ran full blast at me and I had to use my running skills to get away.  After that, mom amd dad took me to an empty field and let me explore.  Then we got to meet some horses.  I barked at them a little but was told I am to work with them.  Sunday was an interesting day too.  I got to go to a big city with my parents!  I enjoyed being with them all day though I scared them when they came out of Wal Mart.  I had hidden myself to nap and they thought someone had stolen me.  I heard them talking and came out of hiding.  Thenrest of the week has been pretty boring until yeasterday.  I woke upnearly and heard something hitting the windows.  I looked and it was all white outside.  Snow!  I wanted out to play in it and even got some off leash time.  Then this morning the power went out and it thundered.  There was even more snow.  Over a foot!  I just love jumping, running, and eating it.  I've been out multiple times this morning to play in it.  Anyway, guess I'll wrap this up.

Happy Valentine's Day!

So, it's Valentine's Day or so I hear.  I have no idea what it means.  From what I can tell, it means that some strange woman comes to our door and mom won't let me get to her to run her off.  This woman gives my mom a half dozen roses and some weird red thing that makes noises.  Dad was all happy when she got the stuff and showed her how to make the red thing sing.  It sang some song called, "Hunka Burning Love".  I'll admit, I was entranced by it at first.  I stood against the table looking at it, then sat on the floor and was cocking my head, contemplating the thing.  Dad said it was a dragon.  I have no idea what they are, but I wasn't aware that they were small and sang!  Then mom took the ribbon off the package the "dragon" came in and put it around my neck.  She didn't tie it on tight, so it stayed there until I had an itch.  This week has been the norm basically.  I get my daily walks, though didn't get the one this morning...Dad told Mom to stick close to home for a "special delivery".  I guess it was that stuff that woman brought.  Sunday was my day to see the calf.  I got to ride in Dad's truck there, then went under the corral some and barked at the calf.  I really wanted to see what Dad had put in the trough.  Then Dad said he needed to put another bale in there, so we went to the shop and got in his work truck.  It was WAY taller and harder to get into than his personal one.  I managed to get in though and enjoyed finding all the new smells in there.  I really enjoyed the smell of cow crap.  We went back out to the calf and picked up the bale with the truck then we DROVE INTO THE PEN WITH THE CALF!  I couldn't believe my luck.  I got to be in the pen with the calf!  Granted, I had to stay in the truck while that happened.  After all that, we went back home.  Monday was Mom's birthday.  She came home carrying a bunch of those flower things.  I was impatient to go out and she had to set them outside so I could go do my business.  I wouldn't leave her alone either.  Hehe.  Mom did teach me to "Shake" this week.  And today, while Dad was home for lunch, he let me off leash in the yard.  I think it was because he was tired of me playing with my leash instead of doing my business.  I did my business after he took the leash off then ran around the yard like crazy.  It was very freeing.  I mostly minded and came back when called, but I got a little brave towards the end.  I ran back behind the garage and disappeared.  Dad and Mom called for me and I ignored them.  They go and look and I'm in the yard next door.  I come when Dad called, but wasn't done running, so I ran full blast across the alley to Tucker's house.  I wanted to play with him.  He sneaks out of his yard sometimes and once came over here when I was out and played with me.  I peeked through the fence at him but all he would do was bark at me and wag his tail.  Dad tried calling me, but I ignored him, so he had to go over and get me.  I happily followed them back into the house after that though.  Tonight I'm going to get to play with my Kong again.  Mom just put it in the freezer a few minutes ago.  She put some turkey gravy in there then mixed my dog food in the gravy and with some peas and put that in there, then she put it in the freezer.  I'll get it either when they eat supper or head to bed.  Man, was I drooling though while I watched her make it and put it up.  I left a trail of slobber on the floor!  Mom teased me about that.  Anyway, I guess I've written enough for today!  I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Walkies!

I did not get my exciting Sunday I was promised this week.  I did get to go see the calf, but was hustled along back into the truck when dad was done feeding him.  I didn't understand why we were so quick out there this week.  I mean, I know mom was sick.  She wasn't able to take me for my walks, but we made up for it with lots of snuggle time.  Dad was feeling bad Sunday too, but  I didnt think it would stop him.  I was decent while they were sick, though I started going stir crazy a few days before mom was able to take me on walks again.  I did manage to break my leash earlier in the week.  Mom tied It back together, but I've been allowed off leash a little more.  Only if I mind and I make sure to.  Mom and I took a walk to main street today.  She saw dad's truck and left me in there for a few minutes while she went to the post office and grocery store.  I waited patiently, but was glad to get out and walk home!