Molly's walk

Last Wednessday we were able to take Molly on a nice long walk.  We started from our house and headed to the library where I wanted to pick up some holds and then on to Jerry's IGA to grab some canned food for the kittens, and finally Hessell Park.  When Molly first arrived she was extremely sedate on walks, but on this walk we realized this was just a part of her insecurity  and she can benefit from a bit more experience on a leash.  By no means is she unruly  or a puller, but now that she is more comfortable, she is also  bit more likely to jump for squirrells, insist on being way out front or to react to other dogs.  She has such a gentle nature, though, that she is truly a pleasure to walk with, even without much obedience training.

Along the way we met lots of people, and even a fire engine wailing down the street.  She really enjoyed watching the kids at Hessell  and would have loved to join in the play.  Unfortunately, a thunder storm was brewing so we cut our visit short.  I wouldn't worry about Molly in a storm though.  She was just fine, even with the thunder booming right over our heads.

On Thursday, I had a garage sale, and I let Molly hang out under my table to meet lots of people.  She was enjoying herself thoroughly, until one customer was unsure of her -- and Molly became very unsure.  I ended up moving her farther away where she could still see everyone, but they wouldn't walk right up on her.  She didn't like that as well and ended up chewing through her leash.  So I moved her closer, but not right under the table, and this spot worked wonderfull. 

Molly has a variable pitch bark.  Most of the time her bark is nearly silent and wheezing from a very tight throat.  She almost squeeks it out and it is mostly just the sound of escaping air squeezed through her vocal chords.  Yet, she can really bark -- she just doesn't do it very often. She did bark at the insecure woman at the garage sale.  And she has barked at another dog we met on a walk -- one that was raising absolutely all sorts of cain at her. Her normal high pitch squeek is what she has consistently used when she wanted out of the crate, or bathroom, or any time she can see me, but can't get to me for some reason.  Her full bark is reserved for being left in the crate when we are not at home -- she doesn't seem to do this when we leave her in the bathroom, or for something she deems a truly serious situation.

The pictures below and in the post below show the day that we let her actually meet the kittens.  She had been sniffing them unrelentlessly under the crack of the door, and they were obviously very interested in her, and not scared a bit. She had met them through the walls of the crate, and they never showed even the slightest bit of apprehension.  So I brought them out and let them meet.  Molly wanted her nose right up in their faces, or the other end, and Midnight did her give her one very mild hiss.  Which made her immediately drop to the floor and roll over on her back.  She finally got up her nerve to come back, and this time Midnight was just fine.  She sniffed and sniffed, and then began grooming them with her tongue.  I am not really clear on whether dog saliva is particulary healthy for growing kittens, so I ended the visit, but they were content enough to have gone to sleep together if I had let her go on.

So MUCH to tell -- So many pictures to show you!!

We are having SUCH a good time, with Molly and the kittens. Molly has been on long walks.  She has been to the park, grocery store, library.  She has watched Fire engines go by, sat through a yard sale, gone for rides in the van, met boys on skate boards, been outside when thunder boomed overhead -- just a plethora of experiences.  We have learned that the biggest thing she has trouble with, is people who are insecure themselves.  She reads fear quickly, doesn't like it, and doesn't quite know how to react to it.  But friendly, confident, open people, especially with quiet voices,  bring 'em on, she loves them all.  And she LOVES the kittens!!  And they LOVE her.  I am so tired, and I have so many stories to share with you, and so many pictures of this beautiful dog. Tomorrow, though.

Kittens and Molly

Well, now we know the kittens get along with a dog -- and Molly likes kittens.  Molly didn't seem to mind giving up her crate at all, and has been rather intrigued by the new occupants.  The kittens are not startled in the least when she has briefly been in the room where they are -- and she sticks her nose up against the wire sniffing loudly.  I let the kittens out for awhile today for a romp around the room, and Molly laid outside the door sniffing at the crack much of the time -- with a kitten on the other side sniffing back.  There was no raised fur, no arched back, no hissing, absolutely nothing.  They seemed to think that perhaps another kitten was on the other side.

But after I had been in the basement for awhile I came in -- intent on getting ready for work, not thinking about kittens and tossed the door open.  Dexter and Midnight were right there at the door, and they bolted out right under Molly's feet.  I snatched Dexter, but Midnight got by.  But she seemed a whole lot more intent on her amazement at the new space than she was startled at the dog.  In fact, when I found her, she was still right by the door and near Molly just bouncing about under the rocking chair.

Enjoy a few kitten play pictures!

Picnic Molly

Molly had a major outing today.  We went to a picnic at Hessell park.  She met babies, watched children splash in the water, listened to music, walked past other dogs -- all with her usual calm.  She preferred young children that were not attached to wheels -- but she seemed a bit more used to strollers by the time we left and one young man travelling on his own two feet got a kiss on his ear.

But she did absolutely none of the dropping to the ground and submissive peeing that we have seen at the Humane Society.  She really is affectionate -- and just prefers a secure situation.  She will make a great dog for pretty much anyone, old, young, family, single.  She doesn't like being in the crate, and she does bark when we leave her alone -- so an apartment might be difficult for her.  One thing we have learned is that she loves to ride in the van.  She views the back seat as her own -- and she sits back there very calmly -- but excitement in general for Molly amounts to her ears perking up, and perhaps a bounding step for a moment or two.

The pictures above show Molly meeting a total stranger.    The picture to the side is Molly with me.  She may be on the timid side, but you can easily see how truly affectionate she is.

Three Kittens

For the first time since we began fostering we have more than one visitor.  Molly really doesn't need the crate -- she is only here for socialization, and the humane society has had a lot of kittens come in lately.  So we have made the crate available for three young kittens.  It's been awhile since we had cats, and we do enjoy the kittens antics.  Check out Dexter's eyebrows on the left!!  Snowy is in the middle, and Midnight on the right.

Molly continues to be a sweetheart.  She loves to go on a walk, and is a real pleasure to be with.  She alerts and is quite interested in the squirrels, but doesn't jerk my arm out of its socket the way my own dog does.

The Lazy Lady --

Don't get me wrong -- she is pretty -- but lazy lady is definitely more fitting.  Nobody told Molly that her breed is known for being 'athletic!'  Whatever she is mixed with must be a very laid back sedate breed -- because a nap is pretty much  her favorite activity.

Our new pretty lady -- Molly

We are told she is an Australian Cattle Dog mix -- and she certainly has the coloring, but her hair is a bit softer and with a bit of a wave to it, that just adds to her charm.

She is here with us for socialization.  She was scared and skittish at the Humane Society.  But she has settled in here within a day.  Last night she wanted some cuddle time and reassurance, and I let her lay on my lap for a couple of hours.  But today, we very gently told her to stay down, and she has been very content to follow me about and lay at my feet.  She doesn't shy at the cats, or try to interact with them at all. 

I took her for  a walk today and we went around the perimeter of West Side park -- which is hosting the Taste of Champaign today.  She behaved exceedingly well.  She was never skittish a bit, met people easily, never balked, never pulled.  She preferred to stand and watch the BMX racers for awhile before walking past them, but then she proceeded just fine.

I am looking forward to enjoying daily walks with this true sweetheart in the next few days.