Holy cow, it's been almost a year!

Things have been busy on our end as well as a little rough, but I'm glad to say that Annie is still up and doing well!

So what's happened since the last post?

We've moved to the suburbs.  What?!  Yes.  The suburbs.  We traded neighbors who throw their trash on the sidewalk for neighbors who get drunk and puke off the side of the house.  Yep.  We really classed it up.  But the apartment is much bigger and there's a nice little backyard for us to play around in when Annie isn't trying to gnaw apart someone else's pet.

Annie has spent the past few months really sick, but she's finally OK and it apparently turned out to just be parasites (who knew you could get hookworm despite being on anti parasite meds?).  Too bad we couldn't find that out before the hundreds and hundreds of dollars we spent on the vet... can I get an amen in here?

Rather than bore you with words, I'm going to just give a few pictures for now... and hopefully update more later.

Annie taking a little nap after a long day-- and yes, she does curl up with her head on my pillow like that if I forget to baby gate the bedroom.

Oh, it's been too long....

What has the Annie Doo been doing?

Quite a bit, actually. Right now mom is on vacation in North Carolina visiting her brother in the USMC and I'm off at Ken's house being spoiled absolutely rotten. I'll update that once the weekend is up so you know exactly how much fun I've been having.

I've started to go hiking! I'm the master at flat paths that are just a few miles long. Especially if there is water to swim in and ice cream to eat at the end (which mom only gives once in a blue moon, but I keep hoping). Ken takes me hiking too, and it's lots of fun. I am really excited to do more as the summer and fall goes along!

Here are some more pictures, since those are easier than words most of the time.

Zoinks! Going off-path during one of the hikes

I love swimming! But what's better than swimming? Swimming where I can eat some grass, too! I just love grazing!

Sleeping on the funky rug at Grandma's house, 4th of July

Walking down the bike path with my Ken

Wouldn't it just change your whole worldview if this is the dog and the gun they were talking about in "Annie get your gun?"

Being a good girl and just taking in nature.

Annie's doggie ice cream treat for being such a good girl.

We'll do what we can to keep this updated a little better in the future! Sorry to all of you who have been suffering from Annie withdrawals via the web.

Memorial Day Weekend recap!

The long weekend came and went, and for this little girl it was quite an adventurous one! It was so exciting that last night she slept almost 12 hours!

Doesn't she just look like she's getting into some sort of mischief?

Friday afternoon was the most laid back of the days, hanging out, napping, and going for walks. We knew that Sarah was coming to town, and we couldn't wait! Annie was just so excited to meet her new two-legged friend from Albany!

Saturday and Sunday were pretty standard days on the weekend, with walks-a-plenty and the ability to meet new two-legged friends! First, it was Sarah, who just loved Annie's kisses and gave her tons of pets and hugs-- and thought the fact that Annie snores a little bit was hilarious! Sunday Annie met Chris, who came along for our nightly walk.

On Monday, we went out for an awesome BBQ over at Sara and John's house, where Annie's friends Bran and Morrigan were ready to play! But before that, we stopped to visit Memere and Gramps up in Tewksbury so they could meet their newest four-legged great-granddaughter. Annie had so much fun jumping in Memere's pool (ssh... don't tell her though, she'd flip out if she knew) and going for a quick swim before spending the rest of the day in the sun.

At Sara and John's house, we set up a little pen for Annie so she could be outside with everyone, and she wanted nothing to do with it! So we let her run free for a while... bad idea. She promptly ran off into the woods exploring EVERYTHING she could get her little four paws on. After two missed tackles by mom (that was never my skill in rugby anyhow), she was finally put back on a leash while trying to get into the neighbor's front door. So she was kept on a leash when she was outside, which didn't keep her happy.

Here's the girl in the pen, looking up at me on the porch.

John filled a kiddie pool for the pups to play in, which Annie LOVED. She just couldn't get enough of it. Every time we went for a walk around the people, Annie hopped in. She'd also sit and roll around, letting the water go everywhere!

We may need to get Annie a kiddie pool for the back porch.

Annie just waiting to get a taste of that Bacon Explosion.

We made the Daily Poppy!

http://poppymckee.blogspot.com/2009/05/puppies-are-coming-out-of-woodwork.html

For those of you who aren't familiar with Poppy's blog, I highly recommend it!

Annie and other dogs... together?!?

Yes, you read that right! And now you can see it! That's Annie in a room with other dogs!

Tonight Annie had a playdate with two of the cutest black labs Bran and Morrigan, and aside from a bit of anxiety during the meet and greet, did smashingly! I am so proud of her!

Granted she did mostly stay in the corner completely devastating their squeaky toys and pulling apart their Wubbas (this makes three that she's demolished in record time), but when they were together, they were fine. In and out of the house, as long as Annie wasn't climbing on Morrigan's chair, or Bran wasn't getting a little too close to the squeaky toys. It was a great first step!

The best part of the evening was when I had treats for all of the dogs, and I got all three to sit right next to each other and not fight over the treats!

I think the biggest part of the whole thing being a success was myself, Sara and John (Bran and Morrigan's parents), and Dave not getting too excited when things didn't seem like they were going to work. All it took was a bit of butt sniffing, a couple quick snaps, and calm parents to keep Annie at ease. And I think the fact that Bran and Morrigan were so laid back didn't hurt, either!

YAY ANNIE! GOOD GIRL!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy mother's day (or feliz dia mama, in my hood) to all the fur mommies out there!

We went for a little walk this morning that took TWO HOURS!  It's amazing how small my neighborhood is, and how you don't really see how small it is until you're walking through it.  

Rather than go through the Greenway today, we headed deep into Eastie, up a few streets and over by the harbor.  We really only got one shot that actually made it to the save file area... one day I'll walk with my camera instead of the Blackberry, and actually get good shots.

Here's Annie in the park by the Harbor, behind some middle school (which had a no dogs allowed sign on the fence.. oops!)

Week 1, done!

After getting to spend two wonderful days at home with me, Annie had to watch me go to work.  First was a half day, then a whole day, and then an awful Friday where I was gone for hours. Not to fear, the Annie Doo had the company of her new friend Tiffany, dog walker extraordinaire!

While Annie was off enjoying her day, going to the park and meeting new people, I was sitting at my desk trying to figure out how to get a copy of Annie's spaying certificate (well, when not working, that is).   Her rabies paperwork was included in the stack of papers I received, but there was nothing specific saying "hey, I was spayed!"   The man on the line with City of Boston Animal Control wasn't altogether helpful, either.    He kept insisting that the vet should have a certificate proving she was spayed, especially if it were done in MA, and I kept trying to tell him "she came from Tennessee, not MA"... but it didn't sink in.  I even called her vet in TN, who told me that they didn't see her until 2003 (she was born in 1998), and don't have anything on record, but a vet should be able to see that she was spayed.   But they were ridiculously helpful with trying to get everything straight, and offered to be on call for me if needed.  So tomorrow I will swing by the office in Roslindale and see what I can muster up.    Her rabies certificate says she is a spayed female.  Maybe that's good enough?  If anyone has any ideas, let me know!

During Annie's walk today, she went to the Greenway over by the airport, watched a soccer match, met people all over, and even stopped in a salon!  On our walk at 11:30, Annie met some men on the street who didn't believe she was actually 11!  But I did have them fooled when I told them she was part tank.  They "didn't realize tank was a dog breed".  Doh!

And I must say, nothing makes me happier than coming home to a happy Annie!  Or waking up to a happy Annie, too.   She's so loving and (as weird as this sounds) attentive, and I was amazed that she and I connected so quickly!  

Here's a few pictures of the little pooper in action!

She LOVES sleeping on the bed!

Why do you insist on taking photos of me?

Annie Doo at the park, taken by Tiffany

Look at that tongue go!

Annie is finally in her forever home!

This past Sunday, Annie came home with me, and we couldn't be happier!

I was going to start a new blog to share Annie's adventures, but someone gave me the bright idea of keeping this one up.  I figured, why not!  This way the people who know and love her can keep tabs on her, and those who are just getting to know her can get a good amount of her history.

Within the first few hours of having her, I just knew Annie and I would get along well and that she's truly something special!  I had to make the quick stop up by my mother's house to pick up a few odds and ends (and of course to introduce Annie to her new two-legged grandma!)   So we headed up from Boston to Salem NH where the grass is green and plentiful.  

Now, I bet you guys didn't know that Annie is a championship diver!  Yes, that's right!  Annie walked right up to grandma's koi pond, saw that there were some nice big fish swimming inside, and decided she should swim too!   I haven't ever seen a dog jump so high to jump into water before.    Usually they just kind of slink in, but not Annie!  

Overall, Annie seems really happy and as if she enjoys life in Boston.  She's figured out how to make a little bed in my closet where she buries her toys (in a pile of blankets).  She loves loves loves sitting near the window and watching the pigeons and people on the street when she doesn't think I'm watching her.    I think the Bruins are her favorite sports team, or at least it seems like it because she parks right next to me on the couch and wags her tail when they score!  Smart dog!   She's met her new friend Tiffany, who will be walking her once or twice a day when I'm at the lab, and I bet they'll be fast friends too!  She loved giving her kisses!  The car is a favorite place of Annie's, too.

I'm going to keep up the blog with Annie's adventures, as she's certain to have quite a few!  We're already planning trips to NY to visit friends, a trip to Maine to spend time in the woods, and much, much more!    So stay tuned!  

Annie has been Adopted!!

ANNIE HAS BEEN ADOPTED!!! :)

Thank you for all your support and interest in Annie. She has been adoped into a loving home in Boston and I wish her and her new owner the very best!

I will have a new blog posted soon for my next foster.

<3
Alaina

Waiting....

Annie the 30 lb. Boston Terrier from TN is still waiting to be adopted... she is very well adjusted in her temporary home with me here in Norwood, MA however she needs her forever home! The sooner Annie can get into a permanent home the better for her. For anyone new reading this blog, Annie loves to curl up in a patch of sunlight or snuggle up on the sofa for an episode of LOST! She is also very energetic during the day and loves long walks -on or off the beach. :)

Annie is still available and waiting for her forever home. Please apply on petfinder.com if you are interested. Also, feel free to email me with any questions. alaina.swanson@gmail.com I would be more than happy to fill you in on details.

Annie and the Economy.....

I should have posted this blog back when I got Annie but... better late than never, right?

When I first picked Annie up she was wearing a little hoodie jacket that clearly brought her irresistibility to a new level! She was very obedient from the start. It was obvious that she had already become friendly and familiar with her foster folks in Maine because as we drove away she was looking out the back window for them :'( It was very sad but I knew it was for the best. For those of you just reading now, Annie was previously with a foster home in Maine that had other dogs that she did not get along with so FOHA (friend of homeless animals non-profit org) organized a transfer for Annie to a home without dogs or cats (my house!).  After the initial shock of being separated, Annie calmed down and sat patiently in our back seat. She was panting a little but overall not stressed, She lied down eventually to rest. I couldn't resist her adorable face, so I took this picture with my cell phone and immediately texted all my friends exclaiming, "Annie has arrived!".  Each response was with eager anticipation of meeting her as well as support for the rescue of another homeless animal... Annie is an innocent victim of home foreclosures and the result of the economic slump. :( Everyone feels it - some without knowing it! To assist in fostering or adopting homeless animals please visit the FOHA website as well as the list on petfinder.com of adoptable animals.

Annie's glamour shots....

back rubs!!!

Quite the ham.... Annie, don't pretend like you don't love the camera!

If this isn't a sassy pose I don't know what is!

Updates on Annie in Norwood, MA

Hello! 

This is my first post since I've taken in Annie - the southern belle from Tennessee! She is a joy to have in my house and I am certain anyone who adopts her will be pleased with how quickly she adjusts to a new home. Within only a few days, this boston terrier was into the groove of a new schedule. She is great at home alone, and we've never had an accident yet. She's very good at keeping herself occupied. 

One of the first things I noticed about annie is her desire to give kisses. I don't allow it, so she has broken the habit rather quickly, however if someone leans in too close she still can't help it! Smoooooch!

Annie looooves to go on walks too, she knows how to stay by my side without pulling now and she is great on runs too(despite her age of 11 years)! Everywhere we go people stop and say, "Is that a boston? She's BIG!" She is quite the tank. 

This is a new pic (above) was just taken today after her walk. ;) 

If you are interested in adopting Annie please contact me by email 

alaina.swanson@gmail.com or you can visit her page on petfinder.com to apply.

Annie: 2 Month Update

Annie has been with us for almost two months now, and she has been progressing so good! She is SO much calmer on the leash around other dogs. We even had an incident last week where a young viszla came running off-leash on our street, and even though Annie obviously got worked up at first (hey, you can't expect miracles, right?), when the owner grabbed him and we were calmly talking, Annie not only calmed down, but sat down without me even asking her! And this is with a strange dog no more than 10 feet away! I was SO proud of her!

But she is not ready to be living with other dogs, and frankly I don't think she'd be happy living with other dogs. She wants to be your best buddy, snuggle on the couch and chew on her toys, and there's no room for other dogs in her world. At this point we'd just love to see her more comfortable around other dogs out and about so any potential adopters will have a happier, more relaxed dog...

SO, we have come to the conclusion that Annie would be happier in another foster home without other dogs. The poor girl is living separated from everyone at our house and is really not getting the time and attention that she needs and deserves. So this upcoming Sunday, February 1st, Annie will be going to her new foster home in MA where she'll be spoiled rotten and doesn't have to worry about our little howlermonkeys...

Alaina, her new foster mom, will continue to update the blog, and we'll stay in close contact to continue helping Annie find her perfect forever home...



In the meantime, we have had such a wonderful time working with and living with Annie! She is such a great girl and it's bittersweet to see her go. I would have loved to see her through to her forever home, but at this point it's not fair to her and she'll be much happier with Alaina. She is so much calmer and more relaxed than when she first arrived (and I'm sure she'll be even more relaxed once she gets all the attention!). She is not nearly as reactive on walks and is really learning to pay attention, and that attention pays off! Good behavior = yummy treats!
She will also completely ignore my franticly barking dogs in the other room, as long as she know that there's something in it for her. She is a smart girl and a quick learner, and she knows what she likes. Her favorite toys, a soft dogbed and a butt scratch, that's heaven!

She has also lost a significant amount of weight! I'd say she's down from an obese 40 lbs to a slim, muscular 33 lbs! She really looks like the beautiful Boston Terrier that she is now, and no longer like a potbellied pig... :)

Keep checking in as Alaina will continue telling Annie's story, and feel free to contact either one of us about Annie!
-hannaspidermonkey@yahoo.com
-alaina.swanson@gmail.com

Update: Week Three

So, the holidays stress is over and we have had some more time to get to know Annie better...

I really must say, I am very impressed with the progress she is making! She still has her issues with other dogs, things like that don't go away over night, but I really did anticipate a lot more hard work with her as far as obedience and all around manners go, but she is very eager to learn and is a true lady!

She listens very well and responds quickly to corrections. In the house she'll come when I call, sit and wait nicely before eating, sit for treats and take them gently. She also learned to catch treats, it's so cute! She has learned to release toys when asked, and hasn't growled a single time with a toy since I corrected her almost 2 weeks ago! She is learning to wait and let you pass before her through doors, instead of bullying her way ahead like she used to, and she will now sit nicely when putting on her collar, sweater and leash for walks (Yes, she gets a sweater, we live in Maine and it's cold! ).

But most of all she has learned to ignore the other dogs barking! I am very happy about this, and it's great progress! They are all aware of each other's presence and for the first week they would all get very worked up hearing each other. Annie doesn't bark (I have never heard it!) but would jump on the door and get very agitated, with a few corrections she would learn that the door to the rest of the house is off limits (I just don't want them obsessing over each other). She would try to sneak over to the door and sniff under it, and now all I need to do is a warning "a-ah..." and she'll come strutting over to me again. And when she hears my dogs barking she completely ignores it! Huge progress!

She is visibly more relaxed and comfortable here. She loves her people time and will sit next to me any time she gets a chance. She loves snuggles and scratches, and will give lots of kisses! She has been wonderful with everyone who's visited and adores people! We had a bunch of people over for Christmas and she was wonderful with everyone! Just cruised from person to person to get her butt scratched...

She has a tendency to jump on people when greeting them, but a quick "Off" command and lots of praise when she gets down has been taking care of that! She really just wants to please and to be part of the pack... She loves her toys and can spend forever chasing her Orbee-ball, or play with her kong. (She has strong jaws and require heavy duty toys! Others she'll rip apart and could choke on loose pieces! For potential adopters, I have a great list of tough toys for strong-jawed dogs).

She has also been making great progress with her weight. Lots of walks and a healthy, controlled diet, and she is down to a healthy 35 lbs! She could still stand to loose a few pounds, but she is no longer obese and her breathing is so much better! She is still completely housebroken, not a single accident since she got here!

She is still a bit reactive on walks, but is much better and as she has gotten to know us and feels more comfortable she also listens better. We are taking it nice and slow with her training but will move further along in the coming weeks and hopefully in time she will be able to interact comfortably with other dogs...

When I first met her I really thought she was going to be more of a bully, but she is proving me completely wrong! She is a big, headstrong girl, but who just wants to be loved! She is turning out to be such a great girl and I am really falling for her! She will make someone a great companion...

Annie is here...

Annie arrived on saturday December 6th and we now know quite a bit more about her...

First and foremost, Annie is NOT good with other dogs. She had an incident with our dogs the first night and we have determined that she would do best in a home as an only dog.

We had been told by her former owner that she was good with other dogs. I don't believe this was a lie since she has lived with other dogs, but I do believe that she has not necessarily been exposed to strange dogs, and in combination with the stress of being separated from her family and the long transport from Tennessee, she lashed out aggressively.
We are currently working with a behaviorist and are laying out a behavioral modification program for Annie, and as her foster mom, and a behaviorist in training, I will be more than happy to continue working with her with her potential adopters, even after she is adopted...

Annie is not, however, aggressive with people. She is living separated from the other dogs in her foster home, and is an all around happy, friendly girl with all people she meets! She is very affectionate and loves to snuggle. She loves to go for walks and is very good on a leash. She is a large girl, overweight at about 40 lbs, but even at a healthy weight she should probably weigh in at about 30-35 lbs, so she is just a big girl. Because of her size we would not recommend her to a home with young children. Homes with older children or teenagers will be considered on a case basis.

She can be a bit bossy if given the chance and might not be a dog for an inexperienced dog owner. But with a calm, assertive approach she listens well and is a very good girl! She has shown mild toy possessiveness by growling, but a firm "no" and removing the toy until she is calm takes care of it. She is still very stressed and will act a bit worked up, so by encouraging calm behavior she gets a chance to relax.

She is an overall low energy dog and an all around couch potato. She does love her walks are they are great for her to socialize and get exercise, but that's really all she needs. She is a content dog that just wants to be around you. She loves to sleep in bed with you (but will sleep on a dogbed or crate if you prefer). If she can lay on the sofa next to you while you watch TV she'll be the happiest girl in the world...

She had a rectal prolapse 8 years ago (scroll down to a previous post for a link on the topic), but had surgery at it is completely under control, as long as she is on a low-fat dry dog food (right now she eats Solid Gold Hund-N-Flocken). NO human food! It could aggravate a reoccurrence... But overall, besides being overweight, she is in great shape and no one would ever think she was 11! She has a sweet, young face with no grays and a beautiful velvety soft coat.

She would make a wonderful companion for a couple or single person who doesn't mind that Annie can't be around other animals. She is a great people-dog and would make someone a great buddy!