On 24 September, Jeanne tells Sidney:

Another night, and LILLY let us sleep!!!! She didn't have to go out during the night and was quiet in her crate at the foot of our bed. I took her out back first thing this morning and she peed but no diarrhea. Her tummy must be improving. We then went for a walk during which she sniffed EVERYTHING!!! because it was drizzling/had rained and it was all soooo interesting.

I have learned that hiding the metronidazole in a piece of string cheese doesn't work but it works if I hide it in cream cheese . . . same with the Pepto Bismol. We just had a stroll around the back yard a few minutes ago; I thought she wanted to go out because she whined, but I think she smells Jack and misses him because at the moment she is lying in front of the door to the bedroom you & Jack slept in.

Her breakfast this morning was rice, chicken broth and some chicken. Tonight I'll cook up some hamburger and do the rice thing. Unless we get a lot of rain, the plan is to take her to the lot again and do the walk with Mookie & Fronzie.

Now this . . . when she exited her crate this morning, her tail was UP!!!! YEAH!!!! and she was following me around the house. And while we were out on our walk she got another "what a cute dog" she is. People just think she's the c*t's meow . . . ooops . . . dog's bark.

And she just stood with me when cars, bicyclists and joggers went by and wasn't pulling away in fear like she has in the past. All dogs she wants to play with but so far the dog owners aren't willing to introduce their dogs to her so she watches wistfully and makes wags trying to convince the humans that it really is OK.

I do think, once LILLY is bonded to us, that we need to get another Airedale buddy for her and I think a male would probably be best. Time will tell.

Thursday, 25 September, brings an update on PHOENIX from Lessa:

As deep as my desk is, I should be working on that, as this is the first admin day I've had to be in my office in weeks, but I HAVE to give you the update (you can tell where my priorities are).

While Jay was here for part of last week/weekend, during one of our short errands, we left the gate to the x-pen open so PHOENIX was "free" in the apartment. Yesterday, when I went back to court after my "lunch" (aka "let the dogs out") break (thank doG the judge is a pet lover), I left her free again. No problem either time! So, she's free this morning, and I will go home in a couple of hours for lunch to check.

She was REALLY unhappy with the seven inches of rain we got last week. Friday was particularly bad. I was off for the day. She had piddled, but refused to poop since Thursday morning. So, Friday afternoon, when Jay had to go to McAllen for a meeting, I put on a tank top and shorts and baseball cap, no raincoat (what's the point, it had soaked through), and took Rogue &l; PHOENIX for a walk by the lake. NO ONE else was crazy enough to be out in the rain, so Rogue got to run off-leash, and she was having a ball. I told PHOENIX that I didn't care how wet we got, we were out there until she pooped - and she finally did (what Jay calls a "trucker poop").

Once PHOENIX figured out we weren't rushing to go in, she didn't seem to mind the rain, and she had no hesitation in splashing through where the lake was up on its banks. I don't know how she & Rogue knew how to avoid where it dropped into the "deep" (two-foot) water of the regular lake. They both enjoyed chasing the tennis ball off-leash in the fenced tennis court. Rogue chased the ball, and PHOENIX chased Rogue. The ball wouldn't bounce, but only would roll through the puddle-lakes. Lots of towels when we finally went home! Then PHOENIX curled up on the ottoman and SLEPT (I took a picture, which I will send when I get it downloaded from the camera).

We made a visit out to the kennel on Saturday, so PHOENIX could see it once before staying there. She was shy of Linda, the owner, but amazed us all by walking right up to Eric (the "kennel boy") with her tail up and wagging! When she & Rogue stayed there, she fit in very well, and loved Tom, Linda's husband. [I'm wondering if she takes to men quicker? She bonded with Jay in the hotel in Arizona, and didn't really click to me until we got to Harlingen. Then Eric, then Tom, ...]

Her bed fetish continues. While Val has first priority to be on the bed with me at bedtime, once she leaves, PHOENIX tends to be on the bed with me for the rest of the night.

We are all so glad to hear LILLY made it home safely! I was away from email during the Houston trip with Valkyrie, but asked Ellana and was delighted to hear she was safe.

Speaking of LILLY . . .

Jeanne is searching for a safe way to give LILLY exercise and socialization with other dogs. Her first stop was to check out a place called Shaggy to Chic, recommended by her vet:

I just visited the above place and I don't think it's the place for LILLY. It's primarily a small grooming and boarding set up and there's no place for LILLY to really romp (as explained to me . . . she can't be romping around if there are any dogs there being groomed).

However, after explaining LILLY's tale (pun), she called a friend with a Lab who we are going to set up a doggy play date for tomorrow afternoon for about an hour at the business. Additionally, the owner (Tricia) will bring her two dogs in and we'll let them all get acquainted. Over the weekend, I will check out the Pooches in Paradise set-up and see how that is. Based on their brochure, it appears it is a much larger facility and I suspect set up for real doggy play.

Will keep you informed. Will be so happy when the Dog Park opens.

Tonight . . . walk scheduled with Mookie & Fronzie.