It has been almost four months since we adopted Elsa the Great, the little rescue dog who shivered and shook en route home and who is still frightened of strangers and strange noises or quick movements.
In spite of being a cowardly little girl dog, she exhibits signs of mighty-ness, especially when she succeeds in training her new caretakers.
Elsa has learned many things.
BEGGING WITH BIG EYES REAPS REWARDS
We vowed we would never feed her from the table. Like most New Year’s resolutions, there are now infractions. But Elsa’s on the chubby side so it’s mini dog treats (only 5 calories each) for her. And we even break those in half. But she’s still getting noticeably rounder. Could it be the little extra bits we give her for being good, for being cute, for just being Elsa?
ELSA IS COOPERATIVE AND WILL COME WHEN CALLED (IF THERE IS NO OTHER DISTRACTION)
It snowed one night and she loves to eat snow.
Else loves to eat period.
And if she is released into our little fenced yard (for business purposes), she will stroll around devouring snow and ignore all calls to “Hurry Up!” “Do your business!” “O.K. COME!”
WHOOPIE! LOOK AT MEEEEE!!!!
The sweetest moments are when she gets the “Zoomies.” Evidently that is when a pup is extremely happy, excited and feeling just – well, WONDERFUL!
It happens when she comes in from a walk and is suddenly thrilled to know we are both on site, and again when we return from the outside world and she has been alone for even an hour, or even when she has had a long drink of water.
She literally tears around the house aiming for a collision with first Bill, then me then back and around the house again and again. It is a grand show of enormous energy and leaves us laughing at each display of unbridled joy.
KEEP ‘EM WORKING!
I am thinking of starting a new business selling pillow stuffing!
I never thought about it but Elsa has turned out to be a SHEDDER! And I mean a MEGA-SHEDDER.
In a day or two I can see hairs floating before my eyes. And she sheds multi colors since she is a tri-colored dog to begin with. She’s a combination of black, white and beige/brown. Take your pick!
Life with a mega shedder takes on a whole new meaning. It means more exercise for me (good for Big Foot?) with more vacuuming and dusting and cleaning and brushing.
Elsa is now family.
We love her but
we are all still “in training.”
It’s a fact that those “little bits” can make a big difference. I’m learning that lesson myself, having cut out my own little bits, and discovering that yes, indeed, the pounds begin to drop. As for the zoomies, my dear cat used to do the same thing. It was extraordinary. She could go from napping on the sofa to full speed laps around the place in a matter of seconds. All you could do was laugh.
As for the shedding, I sympathize. Even after ten months without her, there are bits of Dixie-fluff around. It’s amazing, really.
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That’s right – they train us.
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We seem to have a whole lot in common! 🙂
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Congratulations Dora, Join the club. I simply love this post and yes all the things you describe are exactly the same that Koko does. They bring such joy don’t they. Now you know yourself eating little treats puts on weight, but what the hell !! We have to treat ourselves and our animals once in a while. Koko gets away with having a treat because he has to take a tablet a day so I disguise it within a treat, its less stress. You sound so happy now you have Elsa.
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I’ve got a German Shepherd so I too know all about the shedding! It’s constant! Oh & yes the begging with the eyes 👀 how are they always hungry? Lol!
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I totally identify with this post. Aren’t dogs wonderful!!
Have a great weekend. 😘 Julie
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Dogs make our lives so much better! To me, they are entertaining and can do no wrong because they show such unconditional love!
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I am such a sucker for big puppy dog eyes while a dog’s muzzle rests mournfully on their paws. I read an an article recently about how domestic dogs do this on purpose, having learned over centuries that humans are quite susceptible to the “big, sad eyes = starving” trick.
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She is so sweet! Is she young? My heart melted thinking how frightening it was for her going home with these strange people! I love when pets are joyous and bursting with energy. It’s one of the things that is sure to make me smile.
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Miss Lotte also had the zoomies. the running madly around the house for all and any reason. Enjoy Elsa.
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It sounds like you are settling in for a wonderful life together. We have no pets, but we seem to have mega-shedders. If I made a list of things to choose (if we had a choice of choosing family), I would list people who don’t shed. I would find it acceptable to dust once a year.
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Glad she is settling in. Love the ‘zoomies!’
Our Wren sheds enormous amounts twice/yr. I save some of it to hang in net bags for birds to use in the nesting season. It’s fun to know that she is helping nestlings stay warm and cozy.
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You are so right Rita. The dogs in our lives add a great layer of joy.
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I love Shepherds! Our last pup was a mix. And then we dog-sat for a beautiful one too. They are so graceful and sensitive – wonderful dogs.
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Thanks Julie and Yep, dogs are wonderful. And this one wiggles just like Teddy! 🙂
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You are so right Al! Sometimes I wonder now how we waited so long to fill the void of the last one lost.
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Aha! I always suspected that dogs have figured us out and know all the tricks to make us melt.
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They say Elsa is 6 years old but I think she may be younger. There are signs that she was abused. Like when we go to pet her she flinches.. So now we are trying to be even more gentle with her and she seems to be responding and a bit more trusting.
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I know you must still miss Lotte. We have them such a short time.
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Hahaha! I would like to make up that list too Anne! There are a few people in my life who tend to shed! 🙂
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Yes, I will donate Elsa’s fur to the birds. It is so soft it is carried aloft by the breeze and will surely come in handy for spring nesting.
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I love that she is settling in and finding her way; if only she could tell you her story, but perhaps we don’t want to know. A routine and lots of love will help her with her shudders. Vacuum tip — get a Shark or Dyson – both are AMAZING for pet hair/dander! I am loving her from afar ❤
MJ
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It takes time. Poor pup. So glad she landed with you.
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Oh, this post makes me happy for more than one aspect. Elsa is now in a loving home. She has food to eat, a warm place to sleep, and people to love her. And I love how much joy and laughter she gives you and Bill…well, except for the fur shedding thing. 😉
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Definitely 🐕 💓
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Nothing like a lovey dog.
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Loved reading this post Dor! So glad Elsa is sharing her happiness! And what a great idea with the hair – donate to birds to make their nests! That would make a great post…How would you do that? xoxo
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Love her 😍. Glad she is training you well and making her mark in the family. 🙂 She sounds such d sweetie.
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I have a friend whose dog is very sensitive (and fearful) of loud noises. They have purchased a product called “Mutt Muffs” and once they put them on the dog, the dog is good to go when they take the dog up in their plane.
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Oh my Dorann this is such fantastic news and read. I have missed plenty, but so very happy for you and Bill – especially Elsa. She is the official princess of Virginia News!! I’m thrilled to meet Eliza. Good to see you again!
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We are loving you from afar too emjay! Elsa seems happy but reveals to us every day how she must have lived in an abusive environment. We are so sad for her and love to see her when she has the happy zoomies.
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Thanks Kate. We are glad she landed with us too.
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Thank you Cindy! Elsa really is a joy to have around in spite of little flaws like mega shedding. 🙂
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Elsa’s lovely and loving too – somehow it all works and we are a family. 🙂
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She’s not as funny as Munch but she has her moments when she makes us laugh. I love having a dog in my life again. It has been far too long.
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Thanks for the tip Margy. I have looked up Mutt Muffs and may give them a try. There are also DVDs that overlay thunder sounds onto calming classical music. You can graduate until the thunder is ignored. Ha! We shall see. 🙂
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Thanks Mary! I am so glad you are back and that I can share our adventures with the new addition to our family – Elsa-the-rescue-dog. Every day it’s something new and we are all adjusting. 🙂
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Hi Emmy, Dunno why but your comment wound up in Spam. Elsa is adjusting and so are we. Since you were “there” when she entered our lives you should be the first to know of her progress. We recently learned she was truly abused. It is maybe another story for a blog post. As for the dog hair bird nest material, I just let it fly in the wind now but someone suggested storing it in plastic bags for release in the nesting season. Love and Hugs, Dor
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You can tell that Elsa is loved and a welcomed addition. I couldn’t believe how much she sheds, but I’ll bet she loves being brushed and petted, and just loved by you two. She has lucked out like no other being in your care ~ I would say it is a win-win for everyone. I’m so happy for you guys.
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They bring so much joy into your life don’t they? ❤
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As for Elsa and Munch – they bring a whole lot of laughter!
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Thank you Mary! Elsa is truly a gift. She is so different from any other dog we have had and every day is another discovery. She makes us laugh and that alone is a lovely thing.
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She couldn’t be loved more – she is one lucky furry partner .
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My beagle loves to eat too. I’ve done better controlling his weight by adding two big handful of green beans to his food. He gets 1/2 cup of dry dog food plus the beans and he’s actually got a waist again!
I buy the big cheap bags at the grocery store and an constantly thawing them out. I don’t cook them. And if they aren’t thawed enough, he gets them crunchy. He doesn’t care.
Nancy
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Thanks for the green bean tip! I tried putting 6 or 7 in Elsa’s breakfast food and she left them on the floor. But tonight she ate some at dinner. Go figure.
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She must not be that hungry! My beagle is a vacuum cleaner. I don’t think he even tastes them.
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