All about Gem (Pocket) and Gillmore (Rocket)

All right, these two have to be the cutest little things ever. We call them Pocket (because she loves to sit in places like pockets to watch the world go by) and Rocket (because he can climb onto the couch using his claws (just like a cat) and when he wants down he rockets himself off with no hesitation.

The little girl, Gem-Pocket, is still recovering from her airplane ride, but in between naps she's a fiery little thing. Gillmore-Rocket always wants to play, so he runs madly in circles around her. She puts up with it until he actually touches her, and then she gives him a bark and a snap and he scuttles away.

They will be difficult to part with. They're not like real dogs at all. Pocket likes to snuggle with my daughter, Jessica, either sleeping or watching the goings-on around her. Rocket likes to hang out in the crate by my desk, but whenever I get up and walk away I can hear his little paws behind me. They both shiver a lot, so their little jackets only come off at night.

They sleep together in a crate and are quiet all night. Once they're bigger and stronger (well, once Pocket is bigger and stronger) we'll separate them to prepare for adoption. For the time being, we're trying to fatten Pocket up so that Jack the Cat doesn't conclude that she's a mouse.

Gem says ...

"Are you my mama?"

Ginny says ...

"I will speak to you once I have identified your species. Until then, think of me as your Queen."

Gillmore (aka Rocket)

Why little dogs get to go more places.

It's all relative.

We thought Gillmore was tiny until Gem arrived!

Gem ...

... in her camoflage Warmani jacket warming up her tummy on the printer.

A Conversation

Gem (aka Pocket): "You sure don't look like a dog."
Buddybear: "I'm not supposed to look like a dog, because I'm a bear. You on the other hand ..."

Cute x 1.5 = Gem + Gillmore

Gem

... in her new leg Warmani jacket.

A (shivering) dog's life ...

"If you think it's so cute, why don't you wear it?"

Resistance was Futile

And who can blame me? Look at that little face!

I did well for five days after the last of Maggie's litter was disbursed, and while I was painting walls I thought I might have had enough fostering. I even turned down the first request. But the paint was still drying when someone asked me if I could take Gillmore. Don visibly sighed (you know, where your shoulders kind of droop because you know there's no hope?) He didn't say anything though (because of the hope issue).

I picked up Gillmore this morning. He's a chihuahua-terrier cross. At 8 weeks, he weighs about 2 pounds but he's a sturdy little fellow who will have strong legs and tons of personality. His first lesson started today: no grrring at the big dogs while he's eating! That's the only lesson he's had so far except that it's nice and warm inside people's shirts. Tomorrow, we'll spill him out onto the floor to find his place among the rest of the pack.

Gillmore's little sister, Gem, is recovering from puppy jet-lag, and then (I hope!) she'll be coming to join him. Fingers crossed!

For information about adopting Gillmore or Gem or many other adorable little mutts, visit http://www.littlemuttsrescue.org/adopt/index.html

For more information about Toph...

Go here ... http://www.123puppyspot.blogspot.com

Ready for a Walk!

Even though they look sleepy here, they stayed awake for the whole walk. Just too many things to see! When we got home, I made them come outside and help me clean up the yard. Their job was to chew on sticks, and they were very good at it.

Fur Bundle #2

This is Toph ... tiny little brother of Katara. He'll snuggle with anything!

To adopt Toph, visit http://www.mistycreekdogrescue.com/.

To see Katara, visit http://www.123puppyspot.blogspot.com/

Toph Watching the Olympics

As is usually the case when we have new puppies, I spend a lot of time standing up. I'm supposed to be watching for the 'about to pee or poo' pose, but here I got distracted by the Olympics. Toph decided this would be a good place to go to sleep ...

Sammie pUpdate

No picture today because Sammmie is still napping and it's just oh-so-boring!

Sammie and Kids: I should have had the camera on last night's walk. In front of us was a dad with his dog and a little girl about 7. Sammie spent most of the walk beside the little girl, plodding along as though they were the best of buddies. It was very sweet, and I think Sammie belongs with children. So far, she has never jumped up on one - she just seems to be really content each time she finds one.

Sammie's Secret: Sammie can jump into the truck by herself now - the secret was to get her to take a run at it and then she's up and in before she realizes what happened. I say "was" because Sammmie has figured out the secret, and has developed a counter-secret. Take a big run at the truck, but come to a dead halt once your front legs are up and then someone will come and lift your back end in, just like the good old days.

Jumping Bean Solution: There's something about food and walks that gets poor Sammie into a tizzy. I swear she levitates. But she also has a bad habit of pawing and jumping on the bringer of food and leashes. So far, I've been able to reduce the habit by about 40% with the Off! command, but there we hit a wall. This morning I think I found the solution. As soon as she starts pawing, I walk right into her and just keep walking. She immediately backs up and finally turns away. I'm going to perfect it and report back... my bet is she will be cured of jumping in two more days.

Breathing Blues: We should get some lab results back tomorrow to find out how to clear up Sammie's nose ... she's just like a kid with a bad cold. When she sneezes, I try my best to get there with a kleenex before she sticks her tongue out. I love her to pieces, but it's oh so disgusting!

Couch Pirate

Guess who finally learned to get up on the big chair all by herself!

Lazy Dog

Nothin' like a good snuggle to put a girl to sleep.

Can you guess....

... which one is saying, "Oh, you are just my best buddy in all the world!" and which one is saying, "Help! Help! ... ?

Toy Hog

Sammie's breathing has been way better over the past couple of days. Mornings are still noisy, but even that is down by a few decibals. Hmmm. The only new thing is hypoallergenic food. Maybe it's just allergies! She has way more energy too, and I had to kick her and Ginny outside this morning because they wouldn't stop fighting over the toy.

Test results should be back in a day or so -- fingers crossed!

What? Did you say "treat"?

This is how fast Sammie spins around when I say, "Sammie!" on the walks.

In case there's a treat, her mouth gets to the front while the rest of her is still coming around.

Sammie's Tuesday Adventures

Sammie was allowed to go for her walk off leash today, because she comes instantly when I call her. Except, that is, when we got back to the parking lot and she decided she wouldn't mind getting into a car with someone. Any car with anyone would be just perfect, said Sammie, and she went completely deaf.

Her respiratory tract check was been delayed until tomorrow morning, so until then, enjoy these pictures of Sammie's walkabout!

On the way to the dog park

This is Sammie's favorite position: right between the two front seats, head nestled right into the best Treat Receipt position. This used to be Iggy's spot, but you know what girls are like!