Busy Easter

Chloe had a very busy Easter. She came along to cheer Rio on at an AKC agility trial. Look Ma, no harness! I definitely feel comfortable enough with Chloe now to not make her wear a harness all the time in public. Notice she is standing next to a stroller. This stroller had triplets. She wasn't too interested in getting too close to the kids, but she did just fine.

Once at home, Chloe and her sibling got to have their Easter basket treat. The Easter bunny had brought them yummy beef straps. He didn't wants them getting "rabbit" ideas. Chloe went to town on hers!

Chloe was pooped after her treat and her long day at Rio's agility trial.

All in all, a great holiday weekend.

Reunion

Chloe and her former housemate, Laramie met up today for the first time in 3 months. Chloe and I joined Laramie and his new mom, Tammy and her daughter, Nona for a wonderful hike on Cheatham Hill Trail at Kennesaw Mountain Park today. My what a beautiful day for a hike and getting these two cuties together was fun.

It was interesting to watch them the first time they saw each other. They clearly recognized each other. Both dogs have trimmed up and look great. We all enjoyed our hike. We also ended up doing lots of mini Meet & Greets along the way.

We had a great time together. Chloe cracked me up. She was there to hike. When we stopped to talk with folks or to take a break, she'd stop for a minute or two then she was ready to go again.

Chloe and Laramie were so cute together.

We're looking forward to more "family" get togethers in the future.

Resilient

For a shy dog who is almost 7 years old, Chloe is pretty darn resilient. She attended her first agility trial this past weekend; lots of people, dogs and smells. She was nervous at first but she settled into her crate right away. She enjoyed coming out for walks and eventually started meeting people.

Initially, she was very nervous around new folks. Fortunately, at an agility trial, MOST people are pretty dog savvy. Most approached her sideways or turned around in front of her offering treats from their hands while they faced away.

After a few meetings with folks, she began taking treats from them! That's huge. When Chloe is stressed, she will NOT take treats--even from me.

She is really great meeting other dogs--large or small. Dogs don't seem to make her worry--just new people. I am so impressed with her willingness to trust. She is an amazing girl and I am so blessed to have her be part of my "family."

Early Sunday morning, we even got a photo shoot with Phyllis Ensley in. Chloe is such a sweet, pretty girl.

Here she is with her canine pack, Blaze, Rio and Cori

Chloe's Busy Social Calendar

Chloe didn't realize when she joined this family it would be go, go, go. Thursday, she helped co-host the women's club meeting/party in our neighborhood. Ok, well, she came down from the bedroom after about half the guests left. She's still not fond of crowds. She was worried and a little scared, but she did go up to a few ladies for a quick sniff.

Rio and Blaze are old hat at entertaining. This was Cori's "first" party and she was nervous at first, but after watching Rio and Blaze, she began making her rounds to attend to all the guests. It will take Chloe more time, but that's fine. Every new postive thing is a setp in the right direction.

Then today, she had a spa day appointment along with Cori and Blaze at the SEGA kennels. She wasn't too thrilled to get in the grooming tub, but she did it. She did fine with the bath itself and she was lovingly dried off. Then all 3 pups went home and watched while Rio got her own spa day at home. All four pups retired for a nap and been relaxing all day in between romps in the yard on this beautiful preview of spring day!

Special thanks to Miss Ginny and Miss Tara and the Dirty Dog Deputies (Heather and Rhonda)!

Pack Walk

Today, Chloe, her brother and sisters, and I ventured out bravely (and probably crazily) for a walk on this beautiful day on some trails near our house.

This is the first time we've attempted an actual pack walk since Chloe joined our family. It went better than I expected, but we do need to work on it some. Rio forgets she is on lead and walks under the hounds which creates a tangled mess as you can imagine. Plus, everyone was excited to try and sniff everything.

For obvious reason, no photos were taken on this walk. The REAL test of strength came when walking back to the truck, 3 female deer were walking (and then running and leaping once they saw us). My heart dropped to my stomach because I thought how in heavens name I am I going to hold onto all 4 dogs. The deer were probably less than 50 feet in front of us.

Cori and Blaze saw the dear and froze. Their ears went up and they tried to dash. I held on, TIGHT. Fortunately, Rio and Chloe were just enjoying their walk and didn't see them until they had just gone down a ravine. Phew--disaster averted.

All in all, we had a nice little walk.

Chloe's Latest Outing

Today, Chloe went to watch some of SEGC's Old Mill Stakes (lure coursing) at the Old Mill Farm in Cartersville. She brought Rio along for company and confidence. She LOVES going for a ride so our drive to the Old Mill Farm was a nice, pleasant ride. She got out of my truck no problem. Once out of the truck she became a little nervous.

We had arrived during the break for lunch. Pretty much everyone there knew her story so everyone approached her calmly and from their side, not making eye contact. She sniffed a few folks as long as they ignored her. She would not take treats though, even from me. Although she was nervous, she was not panicked, nor did she try to bolt. She was fine greeting other dogs, so no worries there.

We just walked around calmly and slowly so she could investigate the area. Rio greeted everyone she came in contact with, human or canine, which was great for Chloe to see.

Then lure coursing started back up after lunch. Someone obviously changed dogs on me. Chloe was a totally different dog once the the lure started moving. And oh my heavens if dogs were chasing it, you would have sworn this girl was a lure coursing champ. She tried very hard to go join the dogs running after the lure.

Her ears were up. Her eyes were focused and she even did some happy squealing. She even let people come up and pet her. SEGA's Toni Kane sat on the ground and petted Chloe. Chloe did pretty well with that and one point almost stepped on Toni so she could get a better look at the lure. She would even watch the golf cart going around to restring the line when necessary. After all, sometimes the golf cart had the lure and she just didn't want to miss a minute of it.

The whole fun adventure was confirmation of what I already suspected. Chloe will adjust just fine to a new life full of activities, travel, people and dogs. I could not be happier because I am considering today Chloe's "Gotcha Day." Yes, I am so smitten with this little girl that I am adopting her myself. My dogs and I are thrilled to welcome her to our little family.

Let the fun begin. Hang on Chloe, you're in for the time of your life.

Taking It Slow

Chloe met her first child, Arisallia (3rd grader), since she's been in foster with me. She was quite nervous and stayed "hidden" for the first hour or so. Because this little girl was very calm and gentle, and Chloe's foster siblings were interacting wih Arisallia, Chloe actually came out for a little visit. The little girl sat next to Chloe just petting her, talking calming, quietly and sweetly to her. Chloe did ok as evidenced by the below picture.

Chloe then posed for Arisallia in a cute close up.