Watch This: Unlikely Animal Friendships on National Geographic Channel

I'm a dog.  I love to make new friends.  Everyone I meet (dog, human or otherwise*) wants to be my friend.  Or at least I want to be their friend, and don't really give them another choice.

I also like to watch television.  Unfortunately, Matt and Alicia are cheap and don't subscribe to cable.  Fortunately, I'm taking a road trip this weekend to meet some family members in New Jersey.  And they have cable.  And a DVR!

So on Friday night at 8pm, I'm going to plop myself down in front of the television and watch Unlikely Animal Friends, a documentary on National Geographic Channel.  Here's a little preview:



Tune in and tell me what you think.

I wish I could meet an orangutan like that. We'd have so much fun.

Oh, and if you love animal friendship as much as I do, you can also get the book, which came out just this week!

*Ok, ok, except for that cat I met yesterday who hissed in my face.  But I'm going to work on her.

Chew On This! (I Know I Will!)

I'm a dog.  I've taken a few day break from blogging because Alicia was away at a conference in New Orleans. While I am the author of this blog, Alicia is the one who does all of the typing (what with me lacking fingers and opposable thumbs).  I tried to get Matt to type up a post, but he refused. Rude.

That's okay though, I showed him who was boss.  While he went out on Monday, I took the liberty of taking a little tasting tour of his golf umbrellas.  Sure, I have a bunch of "dog" toys, but sometimes a dog just wants to chew on something else.  Especially when she's a puppy.

Surveying the damage I caused.

Needless to say, while I thought I was sticking it to Matt, he was plotting revenge.  Sure, he purchased me a bunch of new toys, including the Nylabone Puppy Starter Kit (my favorite is the Healthy Edibles Chicken Bone), and I thanked him by chowing down on the handles of his golf umbrellas, but I figured he would let it slide.  Instead, he took this as an opportunity to go back to crate training.

The Chicken Bone, which is not edible,
and looked like this in thirty minutes.

I'll write more about the crate training later.  Right now I need to go and do some more chewing.

Surrounded by chew toys.

But I choose to chew toes.

Awesome Animal Videos: Dancing Dog

I'm a dog. Back when Gail came to visit, she tried to teach me to dance.  Gail has never been much of a dancer, but this year she competed in Providence College's Dancing With Our Stars (look for her cutting a rug at 1:20) fundraising event.  So she decided to try and teach me a thing or two.

I only had two or three practice sessions, so I'm still not that good.  Maybe if I practice, I can be as good as El Willy here.



Does that chihuahua know how to move, or what? Matt is convinced this is a fake and no dog could dance that well, but I believe in El Willy.

Thanks to Best Week Ever for pointing me to the link.

What's For Dinner?

I'm a dog.  I eat dog food.  Dog food, in general, gets a bad rap.  And if you look at the labels of most of the kibbles available in the grocery store or Target, it's easy to see why. Dogs are primarily carnivores.  While veggies and grains are a part of a healthy diet, they should be a small part.  Brands like Purina, Hill's Science Diet, and even Iams are packed with corn and its derivatives.  Have you ever seen a dog eat corn? I didn't think so.

In the shelter, I was eating Hill's Science Diet Puppy Lamb Meal & Rice.  Unsurprisingly, lamb and rice were the first two ingredients.  Off to a good start!  But then, the ingredients list went downhill, with whole grain wheat and corn gluten meal.  The folks at the shelter knew that this wasn't the best food for me, but it was what they had.  They recommended to Matt and Alicia that I stick to a "grain free" diet.

Grain free basically means no wheat or corn.  Rice is okay.  That's why they switched to Avo Derm Chicken Meal and Brown Rice Formula - Puppy Dog Food.  While Alicia says they went with this brand on the recommendation of a friend with a pit bull mix, I think she really chose it because it's made with avocado, her favorite food.  The natural oil in avocado helps keep my skin healthy and my coat shiny.

Chowing down!

We just finished the transition from Hill's to Avo Derm this week.  I eat 3 cups of food per day, so I'd get 1.5 cups of Hill's Science Diet and 1.5 cups of Avo Derm each day.  Matt and Alicia also give me bits of all-beef hot dog when they're trying to get me to do something I really don't want to do, like get in the car crate, or when they want to encourage me to make the right decision (poop and pee outside, sit on command).

Mid-scarf.

One of my favorite treats, though, is frozen green beans.  Yup, you heard me right.  Frozen green beans.  Alicia likes to use these while training on commands or just as a hot afternoon treat after a walk.  Typically, dogs who are overweight go on "The Green Bean Diet" (just Google "green bean diet" and you'll find tons of recipes and recommendations on how to incorporate green beans into your dog's diet).  If anything, I was a little bit underweight when Matt and Alicia first brought me home.  Instead of substituting green beans for other food, I just get to eat green beans.  The great thing is that green beans are a great source of fiber.  Delicious!

Mmmm...Green-uh-muh-beans!

Family Dinner

I'm a dog.  I have a family.  Usually it consists of just me, Matt and Alicia.  But on Tuesday, all that changed.  It was on Tuesday that we had a family dinner.  Of course, "family dinner," I'd like to point out, is a misnomer. They fed me around 6:30 (us usual) and then they ate dinner at 7:30, while I was cooped up in the kitchen.  But I digress.

First to arrive was Mom.  I'd heard she was going to be a tough nut to crack, but we got along just fine.  I went right over to her and sat down, silently asking for pets and scratches.  She immediately caved! Then I tested her out by putting my paw on her lap.  She was okay with that.  Then I blew it my trying to give her kisses.  Oops.

Next to arrive was Dad.  He was very excited to meet me and gave me all the attention I needed.  While Mom and Dad were great, neither of them wanted to get down on the floor with me and let me sit in their laps while giving me pets and scratches and letting me lick their faces.  They also didn't offer to rub my belly.  Luckily, Ben and Amanda came along.  They had no such reservations!

Snuggling up with Ben.

Going in for a kiss with my Dogmother, Amanda.

We played for a bit and then everyone (but me) ate dinner.  After dinner, we sat around and they talked about me while giving me lots of love and attention.  Then we took a group photo.

Sneaking a kiss in the family photo.

All in all (even with the failure to invite me to sit at the table, which I'm still grousing about), it was a great dinner.  I hope we can do it again.  Next time though, I plan to get a place at the table.

Awesome Animal Videos: This Cat is Barking Mad!

I'm a dog.  I bark.  This is a cat.  It's not supposed to bark, but...

Back to Reality

I'm a dog.  Yesterday, we came home from our first family vacation to Cape May.  I had such a great time and didn't want to leave.  I asked Matt if he wouldn't mind just leaving me in the house with the toys and propping the backdoor open so I could play in the yard.  He didn't go for it. Oh well.

Now that we're back and there's a better Internet connection, I can post some videos Matt took of my first time on the beach!

Getting My First Taste of the Beach...


Taking the Plunge (and quickly running away)...


And here are a few other photos Matt and Alicia snapped of me enjoying our beach vacation.

Made in the shade on the bay beach. Note the hole I dug
under Alicia's chair, where I liked to lay my head.

Sopping wet after Matt hosed me down. I did NOT like it.

A new ear style I tried out.

Snoozin' in the yard. I love the yard. I miss the yard.

Caught snoozin' where I shouldn't be. Oops.

I had such a great time.  It was so hard to leave.  Literally.  I made it very difficult.  I refused to get in the car, and Matt had to pick me up and put me in my crate.  I'll miss the sand (which, incidentally, I have discovered is NOT edible) and the sun.  I'll miss the yard and the dog toys.  I'll miss sneaking onto the chair in the front room.  Most of all, I'll miss spending all day with my humans.  Is it too soon to go back?

Thank you, Aunt Nancy, for making our first family vacation possible.

Worthwhile Websites: Animals Being Dicks

I'm a dog.  I'm not one to talk negatively about anyone.  That's mostly because I want everyone to love and play with me, and I don't want to jeopardize that.  But sometimes, animals do sneaky things. Sometimes they pull pranks.  Sometimes they get so excited that they accidentally knock down small children.

And that's why the website Animals Being Dicks exists.

Awesome Animal Videos: Debbie Loves Cats

I'm a dog. This lady is funny.  And she has it all wrong.  It's not cats that she should want to see in a basket, wearing bow ties or on rainbows. It's dogs!

Family Vacation: More Fun in the Sun

I'm a dog.  With a sunburn. It's true.  Matt and Alicia put sunscreen on my face, but still, the sun reached through my pretty white fur and burned my face.  Alicia tried to take a picture, but I kept turning my head.  What part of "I'm hideous! No pictures, please." doesn't she understand?  Even though I can't post a pic, I assure you the skin on my snout, around my eyes and my white ear is bright bright pink.

But it was worth it.  The way I got the sunburn was from a lot of fun in the sun!

We went back to the beach today, and though I was still a bit scared of the water, I went in a few times, trying to drink as much water as possible before quickly running out to try and escape the waves.  I'd like the ocean a lot more if it stayed a consistent depth, but those waves that keep me guessing about how deep it is are just confusing.

Since I love walks, Alicia and I went for a walk on the beach.  On the walk I met two nice ladies and their dogs.  Both of their male dogs kept trying to mount me.  I know I'm cute, but they need to control themselves!  At least they were neutered and I'm spayed, so all attempts were futile.  Plus, Alicia kept pulling me away.  I also met a nice lady who wanted to feed me crackers.  I was all about it, but Alicia said "No" (which, incidentally, is her favorite word!).

When we got back to the umbrella, Matt gave me some water.  He and Alicia just wanted to sit there reading, but I still wanted to play.  So I did what any fun-loving youngster on a beach would do, and started to dig.

On my way to China!

I was having so much fun digging out the sand beneath Matt's chair that I didn't want to stop.  But I did, in order to roll around in the sand and get my snout sufficiently sandy.

Enjoying my handiwork.

I knew I was finished when Matt's chair almost toppled in...

Relaxing after a well-dug hole.

I had a great time.  This is what being at the beach is all about: meeting new friends, frolicking in the waves and digging in the sand.  Too bad about that sunburn, but it'll heal, right?

Family Vacation: Hitting the Beach!

I'm a dog. I'm staying at Aunt Nancy's house, which is a block from the bay beach in North Cape May.  I've never been to the beach before, so I asked Matt and Alicia if they would bring me over.  They were very excited about this and made sure to bring along the camera.

Walking to the beach.

When we first started walking on the sand I couldn't figure out what was happening.  The ground was slightly sinking beneath my feet.  I tried to grip it, but it kept moving.

I sniffed around and then decided the best course of action would be to try and eat the sand.

Apparently, sand is NOT food.

It did not taste good.  It was not very edible, either. I wound up hacking it back up.

Then, there was the water.  I love water.  I drink water every chance I get, and here was the biggest bowl of water I'd ever seen.

Crouched down in my play stance.

The funny thing about this water was that it wanted to play.  It kept coming close, and then running away.  So I did what any self-respecting dog would do.  I chased it.

And it got me!  I was shocked.  And I would not get that close to the water again. (Matthew took a video of it, but he says the internet connection is too slow to do an upload.  Maybe when we get home.)

As we continued walking, I came across lots of interesting things, like dead horseshoe crabs (which I licked until Alicia pulled me away) and lots of sea grass.  I was so excited that I pulled Alicia down the beach as I skipped along.  Then I hit the jackpot.  Alicia was behind me and couldn't figure out what I found, but once she saw it, she shouted "No!" Turns out I'm not allowed to play with dead turtles or little sharks either.

Sometimes Alicia can be no fun.

We walked a little bit more and then it was time to head back to the house.

I'm still not sure about the big bowl of water, and I don't recommend eating sand, but the beach is a fun place.  I hope we go back tomorrow!

Family Vacation: Day One

I'm a dog.  I work hard at being dog, so it's only fitting that I get to take a vacation after a week of joining my new family.  This morning Matt and Alicia packed up my bed, kibble, food bowls, toys, treats, and leash and packed me into the car.  I do.not.like.car.  When I ride in the car, they lock me up in a crate.  As you know, I do.not.like.crates.  And boy was I in for it this time!  Almost four hours cooped up in my crate with only a bone to chew on and one stop halfway through to stretch my legs, lap up some water and not go to the bathroom.

Vacation was NOT off to a good start.

But then, we arrived!  As soon as we got to Aunt Nancy's beach house, Matt and Alicia directed me to the back yard.  And took off my leash to allow me to explore the fenced in yard.  It was heaven on earth!  Why don't we have one of these at home? I sniffed everything.  I ate some grass. I plopped down in the shade of a tree.  I lapped up some water from my bowl.  And then, I repeated the above.

Vacation was getting better.

Then we went inside the house.  I sniffed around for quite some time, exploring the different rooms and then finally settled into the back room.  That's where I found the mother load!  The dog bed was a treasure trove of toys.

Snarfing around to uncover toys.

First, I found this little guy.

Then I found a few bones!

The entirety of my bounty.

Clearly, my cousin dogs have a human who love them more than Matt and Alicia love me.  Either that, or for each dog in the house, the number of toys grows exponentially.  But the fun wasn't over yet.

Later on, we went back outside, and Matt brought out a new toy for me.  A ball!  He knew I'd been wanting a ball ever since I stole Moxie's ball over the weekend, and made it a special vacation treat.

Vacation is awesome! (and we haven't even been to the beach yet)

After I capture my new ball, I like to chew it.

I also like to run around the yard with my ball in my mouth.

I'm very good at chasing after the ball when it is thrown across the yard.  Once I get close, I pounce on it.  I usually miss capturing it with my mouth, so I have to hunt around a bit to see where it lands.  Then I grab it with my mouth and run around the yard with it.  Eventually, I either drop down and chew at it a bit or just leave it in the lawn and then hope that Matt or Alicia come over to throw it again.  They keep asking me to bring them the ball, but I don't understand why I would do that, if they're only going to throw it across the lawn again.  Humans.

Still, I like vacation.  I could get used to this.

You Gotta Have Friends

I'm a dog. I love dogs.  And I love humans.  I'm not sure how I feel about cats. They don't seem too interested in me, so I haven't tried to play with them...yet.  Over the weekend I had a great time playing with the dog friends on my block (including my best dog friend, Moxie).  I also met two pit bulls named Fiona and Ginger.  Ginger is a white pit bull, like me, and Fiona is a brown puppy.  I love playing with them because they play just as rough as I do.  We bit each others faces and ears and pounced and knocked each other around for over 30 minutes. It was great.

Then, on Sunday night, I made a new human friend!  Her name is Gail, and she's Alicia's childhood friend.  She's staying at our house for a few days and she loves to play with me and also lets me snuggle with her.  Snuggling is the best.

Every day on my walks I make new friends.  Most people are surprised at how friendly and snuggly I am.  There are lots of misconceptions about pit bulls being vicious creatures.  I'm working to set the record straight.  Whenever I see someone (human or dog) that I want to play with (which is whenever I see anyone or anydog), I crouch down and wag my tail really fast.  Then, I wait for the person or dog to come close enough and then I jump out at them and begin licking (for humans) or sniffing/nibbling (for dogs).  After a few seconds, you're likely to find me splayed out on my back with my belly exposed for all to see.   My human neighbor Nels calls me a "ferocious beast" and teases me for how mean and angry I am.  The neighborhood kids all know my name and I love when they come running at me.  While they give me nice pets and scratches, I lick their faces and make them giggle and squeal.

I hope someday I get to meet you.  I will lick your face and gladly accept scratches and pets.  If I really like you, I'll even snuggle.  So, when are you coming over?

Don't Fence Me In

I'm a dog.  I like to run free.  Tonight, for the first time, and just by happenstance, I met up with a bunch of my neighbor dogs (including my best friend Moxie) at the end of my early evening walk.  We tumbled around, pawing each other, jumping and biting faces, and just had a great time.  I wore myself out so much that I didn't even make it to my bed before collapsing in a heap.

They shaved my belly for surgery last week, so it's still growing back.

So far, I haven't met a dog (or human) that I don't like.  And everyone seems to like me too!  My only complaint is that while the other dogs were allowed off-leash, Alicia held tight to me the whole time.  I think she doesn't trust me yet.  And what have I done to deserve that? Nothing.

Except for maybe all of my hijinx over being confined at night and when they go out.

Speaking of which, Matt and Alicia upped the ante today.  They're going to take a break from crate training (yes!) because I am so afraid of the crate I won't look at it or go anywhere near it and if Matt or Alicia go towards it, I run and hide.  I had hoped maybe that would mean I'd get to roam free at night, pooping and peeing as I saw fit.  Instead, Alicia went out and purchased two 41" Extra-Tall Walk-Thru Pet Gates to barricade the kitchen.  These things are tall. Extra tall.

Think I could fit through the cat door?

Yeah, that's pretty tall.

We're talking taller than the kitchen counters tall.  If I can't figure out a way to push them down, I'm going to be sunk.  No more late-night partying for me.

I think I must've partied too hard last night.  Between pooping and peeing on the carpet and throwing up just as Alicia came downstairs, I was a mess.  Then we went outside and I threw up four more times.  It was not good. I spent the morning and into the early afternoon feeling very lethargic, refusing to eat or drink and just laying down on the grass went we went outside.

Sleeping puppy sleep and dreaming puppy dreams.

Matt and Alicia were worried and kept saying things like "poor puppy" and "think we could get her into the crate now?"  And don't think I didn't hear them giggling over my intense dreams that had my paws twitching and mouth huffing every once in a while!  Anyway, I think the sickness was due the distemper shot I got at the vet's yesterday.  Luckily, I seem to be fully recovered now.  I perked up around 2pm and so glad I was feeling better for my early evening romp with the neighbor dogs.  Next time, I hope Alicia let's me run free.

A Few of My LEAST Favorite Things: Car Rides and Crate Training

I'm a dog. I thought I'd outsmarted my humans for good with this whole crating and baby gating business, but it looks like they've called in reinforcements.  I'd heard them talk about going to pick up a new crate from a friend, but I didn't put much stock in it, since I'd cry and they'd let me out anyway.  Things were going just as I'd hoped when they put me in the kitchen and baby gated me in as they went out for a bit.  Then I realized that they'd put the gates a few inches off the ground.  Guess I wouldn't be scaling them.  But you know what they* say, "if you can't go over it, you gotta go under it."  And so I did.

I see myself kind of like the great escape artist, Houdini.  Lock me up and throw away the key.  I'll get out! And then I'll pee on the floor. Serves them right for not taking me out before leaving and then locking me up.  Needless to say, they weren't happy when they got home and Alicia went back out to get the new crate.

Alicia pulled my new crate out of the box, and as she worked to put it together and position it properly, I hid behind the couch.  I don't like metallic sounds and I definitely don't like crates.  I was steering clear of this bad boy.  But then, Alicia put my water - my beloved water! - in the crate. I cautiously went over and drank from my bowl.  No door closings, so I was in the clear.  By the end of the night I'd snacked on hot dogs and kibble and lapped up a bunch of water in the crate, and nobody tried to lock me in.   When it was time for bed they even let me sleep on my bed out in the middle of the living room. I'd outsmarted them again!

Then, while they slept, I pooped and peed on the living room floor. At the time I thought I was sticking it to them.  Alicia's face as she cleaned up my mess this morning, however, showed me that this fight wasn't yet over.  Just as I was settling in for my mid-morning nap, she stirred me, suggesting we go outside.  Before I knew what was happening, she'd walked me to the car, picked me up, and locked me in my car crate. I wasn't sure where she was taking me, but it didn't matter.  I hate car rides and I hate crates.

When we finally got to our destination though, it wasn't so bad.  Turns out we were going to visit the veterinarian at the Alexandria Animal Hospital.  

For whatever reason, this photo WILL NOT show up portrait. Sorry!

The best part about the vet's office is that it is full of other dogs!  While we waited for my appointment I got to play with Teddy, a bulldog whose face is fun to paw at and bite.  Dr. Bartl (my vet) was also very nice. She didn't rough house with me, but she gave me treats and pets and scratches.  She also cleaned my ears and gave me my distemper shot, but that wasn't so bad.  Not as bad as her mechanized scale/table that makes a loud noise as it comes down to the floor for you and then another loud noise and rising motion once you've been coaxed to stand on the platform! I tried to jump off, but Alicia and Dr. Bartl wouldn't let me.  Soon enough, we were done and it was time to go home.  Which meant getting back in the car, in the crate, which I hate!

When we got home, more bad things were in store.  After lunch, Alicia took out the vacuum cleaner.  Now, as you know, I'm a dog. Dogs do not like vacuum cleaners.  At first, when she put my dog bed and string bone in the crate, I thought Alicia was trying to rescue me from the evil vacuum by locking me inside the crate with my favorite possessions.  I was ever so grateful for the protection.  Then she finished cleaning and left me there.  For thirty minutes total!  It was agonizing.  She clearly didn't think so though.  She filmed this video, which I'll be submitting as evidence in my case against the torture of crates (and don't feel like you have to watch the whole thing, it's long and I'm just crying and digging my way out):



Thankfully, after I gave in to my confinement and total despair, she finally let me out and rewarded me with a walk and some frozen green beans (my favorite!).  She put me back in tonight when her and Matthew went out for a few hours.  They'd read that I would cry and then give up and go to sleep.  But I am strong-willed and cried and dug the ENTIRE four hours they were gone.  It was so bad, they got a series of texts from the neighbors who were concerned.  Just as I'd planned, they cut their evening short and came home to rescue me.  This crate doesn't stand a chance.

And those are a few of my LEAST favorite things. 

*I don't know who "they" are.

The Puparazzi Just Won't Leave Me Alone

I'm a dog.  I'm an adorable dog.  I'm an adorable, energetic dog.  I'm an adorable, energetic dog that everybody wants to pet and play with.  They can't help themselves. I don't blame them.

So of course, I've been here all of two days when a local photog is begging me to come to her studio and do a shoot.  Alicia thought it was a great idea.  I had toys to play with and walks to take.  My time is precious.  She tried coaxing me into the studio, but I was having none of it.  Then she picked me up and plopped me down inside.  I had no choice.  So, I figured I might as well give 'em what they want.

Here's a preview of some of the shots that Sine, photographer to the stars (aka dogs and children), was able to snap of me...

Serious:

Shy:

Happy-Go-Lucky:

What do you think?  I think Sine did a great job capturing just how attractive I am (if I do say so myself) and also getting at my different personality traits.  The camera doesn't lie.

You Can't Stop Me; You Can Only Hope to Contain Me!

I'm a dog.  I like my bed*.

I don't like my crate.

I put up with the crate the first night.  But last night, I plotted my escape.  After Matt forced me inside (there was no way I was going in there willingly!) and gave me my Kong, I proceeded to cry.  I wish someone had been filming it, because my performance deserves as Oscar.  I cried so loud and so long that Matt and Alicia had no choice but to take me out of the crate and barricade me in the kitchen for the night, or suffer the wrath of neighbors with crying babies and howling dogs.

Once in the kitchen I snuggled into my bed and went to sleep like a good girl.  When Alicia came down this morning I was waiting for her, tail wagging and ready to go outside for my morning walk.  When Matt and Alicia left for work, instead of forcing me into the crate, they put me back in the kitchen...just as I had hoped! My plan was working.

You see, last night, I was too tired to do anything about being trapped in the kitchen with baby gates blocking my every chance at freedom.  But this morning, with a good night's sleep, morning walk, some kibble, and a few laps of water, I was ready to plan my escape.  When Alicia got home from the middle school graduation at around 11:30, I was there to greet her at the door. Boy was she surprised to see me!  The gates were still intact, but there I was, on the outside.  She couldn't believe it and even called Matt to see if maybe he accidentally put the gates up without putting me in the kitchen.  No such luck.

Determined to get to the bottom of things, she opened one of the baby gates and called me into the kitchen.  She had food, so it was hard to resist.  Before I knew it, she'd trapped me inside again, and then climbed over the baby gate.  Fooled!  Then she waited on the couch in the living room and watched me cry and beg for her to let me out.  But she wasn't budging.  There was no way I was going to stay cooped up in the kitchen while she sat on the couch with her hands (that should have been giving me pets and scratches) on her hips.  So, I did what any self-respecting dog would do...

I scaled the gate.  Yup.  I climbed it, and toppled myself over.  Sure, I landed on the ground with a big thud, but then I was free! Free!  FREE!

But maybe I shouldn't have done that, because I overheard them talking about picking up a large crate for me tonight.  Oops.

*A gift from my dogmother, Aunt Amanda!

Awesome Animal Videos: Driving Dog

I'm a dog.  I love internet videos of animals doing silly and amazing things.  I think I get this from Alicia.  Anyway, when I come across something that tickles my funny bone, makes my jaw drop in amazement or gets me all teary-eyed, I'll post it to the blog.

Here's my first video.  I'm only 6 months old, so I haven't learned to drive. Yet.  But check this out!



Someday!

There's No Place Like Home

I'm a dog.  Two big things happened last night.  First, the shelter staff finally let me out of the cone of shame. Don't I look ridiculous?  Thank goodness I can put that behind me now.

Then, Matt and Alicia finalized my adoption and brought me home! Here's our first family photo:

While I think they're the greatest, I wasn't so sure about getting in the car and riding home in the crate.  When we got home, I couldn't wait to explore and mark my territory in the grassy area by the front door.  Then we went inside and I took a tour of my new digs.  I sniffed all around and then took a little break.  I was getting tired.

In addition to my crate, I have a fluffy bed (which I haven't yet slept on, but I did chew) and two nice stainless steel food bowls. I love to drink my water!

Before bedtime, I snuggled with Alicia and watched some television with Matt (I think his new TV is the greatest!).

When we went outside for one last breath of fresh air before sleep, I met my first dog neighbor.  Her name is Moxie and her human's name is Mike.  I ran and jumped and wore myself out!

I have a Kong toy and a Busy Buddy Twist-n-Treat, which they've been filling with snacks and using to coax me into my crate.  I'll be honest.  I'm not the biggest crate fan, but I only whimpered once and then buckled down and went to sleep!

This morning Alicia and I went out for a walk in the neighborhood and I met two of my canine neighbors.  I didn't get their name, but they were both very nice.  I can't wait to meet and play with more dogs!

On My Way Home!

I'm a dog!  My name is Molly Manute.  I am a six-month-old pit bull terrier mix.  I currently live at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria*, but very soon (Tuesday), I'll be going to my forever home with Matt and Alicia.  I can't wait.

I look a little silly right now, wearing a "cone of shame," because I was just spayed and the nice people here at the shelter don't want me fussing with my stitches.  Once I get this thing off though, watch out!  I am so cute that you won't be able to resist giving me scratches and pets and letting me lick your face.

That's all I have to say for now.  I'll check in with you once I've reached my forever home.

*In celebration of their 65th Anniversary, AWLA has adjusted the adoption fee from $150 to $65.  What a steal!  You should go over and get yourself a dog too!