OTTO AT HOME 14 APRIL 2008

This is post hair cut . . . His personality is really starting to show. My mom has been letting him out in the morning (a couple of hours after I leave for work), and all he wants to do is love & play with everyone! It is so sweet. I got him this 97-cent squeaky chew toy from WalMart the other day . . . and he loves it . . . it's all he wants to play with! He still hasn't eaten his dog food. He's had some doggie treats, but I can't get him to eat his dog food. Do I just wait it out? I figure if he's like a kid, he'll eat when he's hungry? Our vet appointment is April 29. They are very excited to meet him, too! It's all those years of clipping hogs! Although that was soooo much easier, as they used to be harnessed. Funny story with that - I used to have a barrow that we showed at pig shows all over the state and his favorite part would be the clipping. He'd lie down in the pen we had set aside to clip hogs and I could crawl over the ground to clip him the way I needed. Just had to give him Oreo cookies when we were finished Otto has realized that he can get from my laundry sink to the top of the washer and escape! So I have to be quick. I have to tell you: I was afraid at first I had gotten myself in over my head. But I have to say it has all been worth it. He is so funny. as he becomes more acclimated with the house. He realizes if he doesn't pee on everything, he can have pretty much free range and he is becoming less tentative. Yesterday when I was doing my closing markets for [radio station] WIRL via the phone, he put his paws on the couch and looked at me while I was doing the report and start his happy panting & tail wagging. I couldn't help but giggle! I was so excited to see him wag his tail yesterday. Saturday night & Sunday, he was still so scared and his tail wouldn't come up from between his hind legs; now it hasn't gone back down. I've also found he loves playing fetch! Especially with that stupid squeaky ball!!! Thank you, Gayle, for putting that ad in the paper. This has been such a great experience!!

Some more updates, via Gayle . . . Sherry, from Lori Bell: Sherry peed for the first time in the grass today, likes being outside and seems to be paying attention to their dog for direction. Sherry is 10 & has been a mill girl all her life from what we know about her. So, they may have a long way to go yet. Monday she did give Lori a kiss and today her tail is up and wagging at times. Progress, for sure! Molly, from Sandy Arnold: Vet visit went well. Molly came to us unspayed, so that is in the works. Has a tooth that needs watching. Adjusting well to the household. There again, [the foster] seems to take directions from the Cairn in the house. Seems to have figured out what the grass is for. Loretta: Wednesday, Bob & I are meeting Shell in Dwight, Illinois, to pick up Loretta who is going into a home here in Peoria. Going to be a perfect match: A senior living in a retirement community with her husband needs a lap dog; Shell has had Loretta since Saturday and says she is on the clingy side and a lap dog. Good Match!

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