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by CrysBuck25 on 22 July 2009 - 19:07
Hi all,
Hubby is still home, hasn't left to go out of town, so I still have high-speed internet. I realized that I've been so busy that I haven't posted any new pics for a while, or any updates, and that everyone was likely wondering how Oakley was doing.
Well, she's doing quite well. She's about twice the size she was when I brought her home, and now, a month later, she's doing spectacularly. Her coat is awesome, shiny, and wonderful, and she's getting some nice muscle build on her hind and front quarters. She's not fat, but I don't want her that way, anyway. She's getting about 3 cups of kibble per day, one cup per feeding, and I have been adding some raw chicken to that in the evenings, and her coat's really getting nice now. Her eyes are so clear and nice, but as far as I can tell, she hasn't regained any sight, which isn't a problem for her, anyway.
She's learning to the stay, and has learned sit really well. She does great on leash, and she's really easy to handle. She's no longer clingy, doesn't panic if she's away from me, because she knows that I will always be there. I haven't seen any separation anxiety issues, either. She's confident, and willing to go new places with me, try new things. It's really incredible that she has blossomed so much.
She's come a long way since this...
To this....
We were having a cookout, with some family, and I got this shot of the two dogs lying on the back porch...Oakley and Misty are very good together.
Then there's this one, taken a couple of days before that...
She can't see the TV, but who says you have to see it to 'watch' it?
Oakley is doing really well. We do some basic obedience with her now. My mother in law, who has a very poor opinion of GSDs in general, says she's really stupid, and vicious, to boot, but I chalk that up to ignorance. Oakley is very sweet, and not vicious or aggressive at all. Just because she carries on and makes a lot of noise when she's playing with another dog doesn't make her vicious.
To me, Oakley, while needing to have more obedience training, and the tracking I want to do with her, is the perfect dog for me. She's got heart, determination, guts, and is still happy to just sit with you when you need a friend. We've even stopped most of the puppy nipping. I love this pup. She's really good, and I think she's enjoying life, even without the eyes.
This one was taken the same night as the last one...What a pretty girl!
After all, she's only 14 weeks old! I'd say she's doing very well.
Crys
Hubby is still home, hasn't left to go out of town, so I still have high-speed internet. I realized that I've been so busy that I haven't posted any new pics for a while, or any updates, and that everyone was likely wondering how Oakley was doing.
Well, she's doing quite well. She's about twice the size she was when I brought her home, and now, a month later, she's doing spectacularly. Her coat is awesome, shiny, and wonderful, and she's getting some nice muscle build on her hind and front quarters. She's not fat, but I don't want her that way, anyway. She's getting about 3 cups of kibble per day, one cup per feeding, and I have been adding some raw chicken to that in the evenings, and her coat's really getting nice now. Her eyes are so clear and nice, but as far as I can tell, she hasn't regained any sight, which isn't a problem for her, anyway.
She's learning to the stay, and has learned sit really well. She does great on leash, and she's really easy to handle. She's no longer clingy, doesn't panic if she's away from me, because she knows that I will always be there. I haven't seen any separation anxiety issues, either. She's confident, and willing to go new places with me, try new things. It's really incredible that she has blossomed so much.
She's come a long way since this...
To this....
We were having a cookout, with some family, and I got this shot of the two dogs lying on the back porch...Oakley and Misty are very good together.
Then there's this one, taken a couple of days before that...
She can't see the TV, but who says you have to see it to 'watch' it?
Oakley is doing really well. We do some basic obedience with her now. My mother in law, who has a very poor opinion of GSDs in general, says she's really stupid, and vicious, to boot, but I chalk that up to ignorance. Oakley is very sweet, and not vicious or aggressive at all. Just because she carries on and makes a lot of noise when she's playing with another dog doesn't make her vicious.
To me, Oakley, while needing to have more obedience training, and the tracking I want to do with her, is the perfect dog for me. She's got heart, determination, guts, and is still happy to just sit with you when you need a friend. We've even stopped most of the puppy nipping. I love this pup. She's really good, and I think she's enjoying life, even without the eyes.
This one was taken the same night as the last one...What a pretty girl!
After all, she's only 14 weeks old! I'd say she's doing very well.
Crys
by steve1 on 22 July 2009 - 20:07
Hello Crys,
She is growing on well and looking good, a nice happy Pup, Congrats
Steve
She is growing on well and looking good, a nice happy Pup, Congrats
Steve
by CrysBuck25 on 22 July 2009 - 20:07
Thanks, Steve.
How is your new girl doing? I bet she's a handful...Loved the pics of her. And people wonder why Shepherd people love the breed so much? If they only knew!
Crys
How is your new girl doing? I bet she's a handful...Loved the pics of her. And people wonder why Shepherd people love the breed so much? If they only knew!
Crys
by TStrickland on 22 July 2009 - 20:07
She's looking fantastic!! I'm so glad she's working out for you. Congrats again!
Tracie
Tracie
by SitasMom on 22 July 2009 - 20:07
So good to know that she is loved!
by CrysBuck25 on 22 July 2009 - 20:07
She is very much loved, and always will be. Even when I'm feeling a bit down on myself, like I have the last couple of days, Oakley and my babies are there to tell me they don't think any less of me! Who could ask for more?
Not I...
Crys
Not I...
Crys
by DebiSue on 22 July 2009 - 21:07
Crys,
You are doing a fantastic job with her! She looks great. And boy has she grown. Must be all that good tender lovin' care. Good to hear she has no separation anxiety. Your mother in law needs an education. Keep Oakely away from her because someone that ignorant and fearful may strike out and hit the pup. She may not mean to hurt her but the damage to Oakley's psyche would be done. If she thinks Oakley makes noise she should see and hear mine when she sees someone she knows! Echo is up on her back feet, pulling on the leash and she makes the most awful sound...it looks and sounds like she is trying to get to them to kill them. It freaks strangers out. (Nothing like seeing a young mother gather her kids and run for the house!) And yes we are working on this because it is a pain in the ass. But if my girl likes you...she really, really likes you! Keep those pics and updates coming. You could title it Oakley's Diary.
Deb
by CrysBuck25 on 22 July 2009 - 21:07
The mother in law doesn't believe in hitting dogs, or lashing out at them in any way...So Oakley is fine in that regard. It's the owner (me) that she lashes out at.
The funny thing, Deb, is that she's not afraid of Oakie, or any other dogs...Not at all...She's just snide with me, sarcastic about things. As far as she's concerned, she knows everything about dogs, despite the fact that she's only owned borders and border mixes her entire life, and not many, at that. Complete lack of experience doesn't make you an expert, about anything.
Sometimes I wonder if the only reason she hates GSDs is because I like them...Lord, listen to me. I shouldn't be mentioning her on here, venting on the very thread I started to update everybody on Oakie!!!!
Anyway, I won't pay her any mind where it comes to GSDs, or anything dog related. They had herding dogs growing up on the dairy farm, when she was a child, but she seems to think that those dogs weren't trained, that they just instinctively learned what the humans wanted, and did it, and if your dog has to be trained, then it's dumb...NEver mind that my dogs lie down after one or two commands, and her border mix might lay down after being told to a dozen or more times. And that's when she's not excavating huge holes in the lawn....
Sorry. I'm shutting up now...This is about Oakley and how wonderful she is, not how annoyed I am with my mother in law. I'm breathing deeply right now.....
There. I'm going to go out and mow the lawn in the high 90's and see if I can give myself heat stroke, and I'll come back on here a bit later and post some new pics....
Crys
The funny thing, Deb, is that she's not afraid of Oakie, or any other dogs...Not at all...She's just snide with me, sarcastic about things. As far as she's concerned, she knows everything about dogs, despite the fact that she's only owned borders and border mixes her entire life, and not many, at that. Complete lack of experience doesn't make you an expert, about anything.
Sometimes I wonder if the only reason she hates GSDs is because I like them...Lord, listen to me. I shouldn't be mentioning her on here, venting on the very thread I started to update everybody on Oakie!!!!
Anyway, I won't pay her any mind where it comes to GSDs, or anything dog related. They had herding dogs growing up on the dairy farm, when she was a child, but she seems to think that those dogs weren't trained, that they just instinctively learned what the humans wanted, and did it, and if your dog has to be trained, then it's dumb...NEver mind that my dogs lie down after one or two commands, and her border mix might lay down after being told to a dozen or more times. And that's when she's not excavating huge holes in the lawn....
Sorry. I'm shutting up now...This is about Oakley and how wonderful she is, not how annoyed I am with my mother in law. I'm breathing deeply right now.....
There. I'm going to go out and mow the lawn in the high 90's and see if I can give myself heat stroke, and I'll come back on here a bit later and post some new pics....
Crys
by Krazy Bout K9s on 22 July 2009 - 23:07
Thanks Crys for the update pics,...I am so glad you got her and are loving her. She was meant for a special person and you are that special person...
I am sorry you are feeling down, hopefully nothing too serious...???
Beau my male talks up a storm and even lifts the edge of his mouth where his HUGE canines are when he greets someone, but he would never hurt a flea...Big tough open the door for ya GSD....some GSD's are just talkers...
The pic with Misty is showing me that she is keeping one eye open and watching you....
Keep the photos and Oakley's Diary coming....I really miss her mischief...
Take care and give her a hug for me, her former MOM misses her...
Steph
I am sorry you are feeling down, hopefully nothing too serious...???
Beau my male talks up a storm and even lifts the edge of his mouth where his HUGE canines are when he greets someone, but he would never hurt a flea...Big tough open the door for ya GSD....some GSD's are just talkers...
The pic with Misty is showing me that she is keeping one eye open and watching you....
Keep the photos and Oakley's Diary coming....I really miss her mischief...
Take care and give her a hug for me, her former MOM misses her...
Steph
by CrysBuck25 on 23 July 2009 - 01:07
Oh, Steph, I'll give her a hug for you!!! I give her lots of hugs and love.
When you take pics of her doing things, it's like she can see, even though I know she can't. I know you really miss her!
I'm just feeling down a bit because of my mother in law's incessant negativity toward everything I do and say. It's not a mental health issue, or anything like that, but sometimes, the woman can make me feel like a steaming pile of those horse pies you mentioned on another thread. The logical part of my mind tells me she's just being negative because she's got financial issues, like everyone else, but the other side of me takes it personally. I am not an idiot just because I'm 40 years younger than she is, and wasn't raised on a farm.
On the bright side, I got my lawn mowed, and didn't get heat stroke...Guess I drank enough water.
Anyway, aside from all that, Oakley is a really bright spot to my life. She's curious about things, and very sweet. She does like to nip a bit at mealtimes, especially if I should forget it's feeding time. She's also very vocal at that time, in case I still don't get it:-)
A little whistle gets her to do some of the cutest head tilts...
Oakley is everything I thought she'd be when I first saw the pic of her, the top one I posted above. What a character!
Also, I've never had a dog that was so easy to deal with at mealtimes...She's very easy to handle, and sits immediately when she hears me pick up her dish. Then I tell her stay, and put the food down. I still hold her, but she's not pulling anymore, and she knows that Okay means she can eat.
When we eat, she's not obnoxious, either. She doesn't get pushy about trying to get our food, and all I have to do is tell her no when she starts sniffing at the edge of the plate, and she will go lie down. If I want her to stay outside when I come in, or if I want to go through the door first, I tell her to wait, and then call her in by name. Misty is always trying to get in, too, but I feed them separately, so that there are no food aggression issues. Oakley is totally relaxed with her food, and I don't want any competition stuff over food, since they both get plenty. As I get their training a bit better cemented, then I might go ahead and started feeding them together.
Maybe she can't see things, but she's got all the hills, obstacles, fences, everything all figured out, and she's not having any trouble with any of it any more. I'm pretty happy with how quickly she settled down into my home. From the beginning, there were certain rules, and we followed those rules, and as a result, Oakley knows what's okay, and what's not. For a pup, she's a lot easier to live with than Misty was at her age, and she's shaping up to be real lady. I take her to town with me when I can, but these days, I don't go to town much, just stay home, and when I do go, i have a lot to do, and it's too hot to drag the dogs with me, even tethered in the back of the truck, so they stay home where it's cool, and there's lots of cold water.
Oakley is completely reliable with the recall, too, which is really nice. Even if she's got something she shouldn't, she will come to me, and I praise her for giving it to me. I love having a dog that is reliable off leash, and on, and both Misty and Oakley fit that bill, so I'm happy as can be there. Now, to teach them to stay, reliably, off leash....I'll get there eventually. Just takes a little work.
Actually, it's not really that much different training Oakley in obedience work than it is with any sighted do
When you take pics of her doing things, it's like she can see, even though I know she can't. I know you really miss her!
I'm just feeling down a bit because of my mother in law's incessant negativity toward everything I do and say. It's not a mental health issue, or anything like that, but sometimes, the woman can make me feel like a steaming pile of those horse pies you mentioned on another thread. The logical part of my mind tells me she's just being negative because she's got financial issues, like everyone else, but the other side of me takes it personally. I am not an idiot just because I'm 40 years younger than she is, and wasn't raised on a farm.
On the bright side, I got my lawn mowed, and didn't get heat stroke...Guess I drank enough water.
Anyway, aside from all that, Oakley is a really bright spot to my life. She's curious about things, and very sweet. She does like to nip a bit at mealtimes, especially if I should forget it's feeding time. She's also very vocal at that time, in case I still don't get it:-)
A little whistle gets her to do some of the cutest head tilts...
Oakley is everything I thought she'd be when I first saw the pic of her, the top one I posted above. What a character!
Also, I've never had a dog that was so easy to deal with at mealtimes...She's very easy to handle, and sits immediately when she hears me pick up her dish. Then I tell her stay, and put the food down. I still hold her, but she's not pulling anymore, and she knows that Okay means she can eat.
When we eat, she's not obnoxious, either. She doesn't get pushy about trying to get our food, and all I have to do is tell her no when she starts sniffing at the edge of the plate, and she will go lie down. If I want her to stay outside when I come in, or if I want to go through the door first, I tell her to wait, and then call her in by name. Misty is always trying to get in, too, but I feed them separately, so that there are no food aggression issues. Oakley is totally relaxed with her food, and I don't want any competition stuff over food, since they both get plenty. As I get their training a bit better cemented, then I might go ahead and started feeding them together.
Maybe she can't see things, but she's got all the hills, obstacles, fences, everything all figured out, and she's not having any trouble with any of it any more. I'm pretty happy with how quickly she settled down into my home. From the beginning, there were certain rules, and we followed those rules, and as a result, Oakley knows what's okay, and what's not. For a pup, she's a lot easier to live with than Misty was at her age, and she's shaping up to be real lady. I take her to town with me when I can, but these days, I don't go to town much, just stay home, and when I do go, i have a lot to do, and it's too hot to drag the dogs with me, even tethered in the back of the truck, so they stay home where it's cool, and there's lots of cold water.
Oakley is completely reliable with the recall, too, which is really nice. Even if she's got something she shouldn't, she will come to me, and I praise her for giving it to me. I love having a dog that is reliable off leash, and on, and both Misty and Oakley fit that bill, so I'm happy as can be there. Now, to teach them to stay, reliably, off leash....I'll get there eventually. Just takes a little work.
Actually, it's not really that much different training Oakley in obedience work than it is with any sighted do
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