Obedience class in March

Beginning March 9th Oliver will go to obedience school! It is through the Capital Area Humane Society. It goes for 6 weeks.

New feline friends?-One down one to go.

Our cats Gypsy Rose and Lola are quite curious about Oliver. The at first cautious play between Gypsy and the dog has now become more relaxed. Gypsy follows him and he her. She rolls on her back and bats at his nose and ears. They like to watch birds together. Lola is still cautious around Oliver but is not showing more than minimal stress. She still sleeps in the bed while he is in the same room in his crate. She does not seem interested in play but otherwise seems fairly normal. I am sure this will improve with time.

A Thief at the pet store

Tonight we took Oliver to a pet store and agonized over the best quality treats and bones we could get for him. He thoroughly enjoyed the new smells and went crazy for the birds. While in the check out line the dog noticed some strategicly placed dog cookies. He grabbed it and started chomping. It was only .99 cents but I thought that it was pretty disgusting to put unwrapped dog cookies at dog level just so that they could pimp us for one more buck before we left!

Oliver acquired a bit more freedom in the house today. We introduced him to the cats again and he touched noses with Gypsy. He had the priviledge of being able to access the living room in addition to the bedroom (where he has stayed with the baby gate in place). They are very curious about eachother.

He loves to learn and play...

This morning Nathalie and I shared a morning walk and coffee with our canine pal. Late last night we felt there was a definite similarity in the dog's pleading soulful look to that of Oliver Twist as he asks for another bowl of gruel. We feel it suits him and in just a day he seems to respond to it and show's no preference for his former name. A name is really for the humans and we need to relate to the name of our fur kid. I hope his former foster mom will not be put off by the change. I had no problems with the name 'Moki' but he seems like an Oliver to me.

Oliver is learning to walk on his leash like a well mannered boy. After about 20 minutes of concentration I let him run loose in the back yard and we play and act crazy together. His appetite has not been immense but he is eating. I think he is very stimulated by all the change. He is unusually quiet even when I had to put him in the crate today. This evening after our walk, he responded to the collies' barking with a jubilant cry of his own.

A New Addition

Moki, a blue merle cocker spaniel, has come a long way in his young life already! He was discovered at the residence where a pit bull terrier was about to be picked up after a complaint had been made to Ingham County Animal control. He was mistaken for a black plastic garbage bag tangled in a chain and garden hose. When the officers realized that the bag was actually a dog, he was confiscated along with the other canine. His hair was a matted, shaggy, filthy mess. He was also starving. Judging by the doggy mugshot, he looked hollow, broken and lifeless.

When Nathalie and I met him he was being fostered by Jana, owner of Gone 2 the Dogs in the Old Town part of Lansing. He was starting to put on weight and was acting like a normal dog. He had love for everyone and only a bit of anxiety around some larger dogs. It didn't take long before we both wanted to give him a trial run at our home.

I just picked Moki up from the shelter today after being neutered and given a Rabies vaccination. I cannot believe how playful and affectionate and bouncy he was after having his manhood severed! It is like nothing happened to him at all.

He met the 4 collies downstairs upon arriving. It looks like they will be friends. He also met the three little chihuahuas down the street. Two out of three seem to like him.

I started teaching him what the clicker means and why good treats come from it. He already knows how great it is and I taught him that his new dog bed is his place to sleep not on the bed with the cats. Oh the cats. They are scarce and wary but they have let me know that they still love me even though I brought that stinky thing home. Moki loves his new beef nylabone but seems reluctant to try the crate. Now we are going to walk to LCC to pick up Nathalie from her class. Moki loves to learn and food is a perfect motivator. I think he is a very trainable dog at one year old.

I will post pictures and will give more updates soon to all of his fans that are wondering about him.