Koda's Pagoda!

Ryan’s been taking me on more walks lately. He doesn’t even use the harness, cause he says I walk like a perfect gentlemen with my collar. So when they took me to another dog park yesterday, they didn’t bring the harness. I think they regretted it when we got there b/c I got a little too excited when I smelled all the dogs there! I lost all of my manners! I couldn’t go play in the offleash area on account of being too excited, so we practiced my leash walking in a field instead (it wasn’t so bad, I got some glucosamine treats). Then we went to the Humane Society store and exchanged my first halter for a toy. My first halter required me to step into it with both of my front feet. That’s tough to do when you only have one back leg to balance on! The new halter’s much better, it just snaps shut behind my front legs.

I was so tired by the time we got home. I get tired pretty easy. And, when I’ve slept it off, my back leg’s pretty stiff for awhile when I get up. Ryan and Ari have started lovingly calling me their “Tricera-Hops”!

Yesterday I met my other pawrent! Ryan got home from the airport, and I surprised Ari by barking at him! Hey, I didn’t know who this guy was, walking into my apartment. Really I was just saying hi though. I like him a lot–he brought me a dog treat all the way from FL. I forgot he lived here too by the time he got back from errands, so when I heard the front door open when Ari was already here, I barked again. She had to know somebody was in our place!

The cat taught me how to growl at people in the hallway (real quietly). What a good idea that cat had.

I talk to my toys, too. I sound like, “Rawaarrrrrarrrrroooo”. I think it’s a lab thing.

I sure do like meeting new people. Yesterday, I had a couple of people stop me to pet me and ask questions about my missing leg. Can I get around okay? How do I do this, and can I do this? I’ll stand there all day while Ari answers them, as long as somebody’s scratching behind my ears.

This morning Ari took me to an off-leash dog park, and I showed those 4-legged dogs a thing or two! I fit right in with the pack, even though I think I’m the boss. Ari learned that when you bring a tripawd to a dog park, you will be asked “what happened to his leg?” many, many times. Somebody said there’s another tripawd that comes to the park too. I frolicked until I was very tired, and then she helped me up into the van, and I slept the whole way home. I had a blast!

I also decided that I like having ointment rubbed on my paws, that fish oil tastes great, and that I like playing in big leaf piles. I’m learning to keep all of my toys in one spot, and the cat and I are getting along really well.

At home, we spent all day working on my separation anxiety. I was just nervous b/c I lived at the Vet and shelter for four months, and I’d seen so many people I’d liked leave and not come back. All day long Ari put on her getting-ready-to-go stuff, but then didn’t. Or she did, but would come back before I even got a chance to whine. I’d be waiting on the other side of the door when she came back in. It got to the point where I didn’t even bother getting up when she left, because she kept coming right back anyways! So now I’m not too worried about it, she leaves and comes back a lot! Although the longest she’s been gone so far is around 15 minutes; I’m not sure yet what I’ll do when she’s gone for hours.

Anyways. Another great day!

Ari realized today I get a little anxious when she leaves, so we did some short periods of separation training. She’d get all ready like she was going to leave the apartment (I get very excited when she gets her jacket and shoes on), and then she’d leave and close the door behind her. I whined, and ran around looking for her. She could hear me crying from down the hall. She opened the door real quick and say “Quiet”!, then leave again. I was pretty confused and upset, but when I quieted down a little bit, she came back in. She didn’t say anything or pet me for a couple minutes, but then she did! I’m not sure what it all means yet, but I guess we’ll keep working on it.

Then we went to the local pet store! Everyone fawned over me. I was pretty good but that place was so exciting. I got a new harness so I can’t pull so hard, and some pig snouts (Man, I Love those!), a chew, rope toy, and a kong that I only get when she leaves. We walked around a playground.

Then after we took a nap (Ari’s a graveyard-shift worker!), we took a walk around the neighborhood. It was opening night at the theater and there were so many people who pet me! Lots of lights and cars and stuff. We walked around a park and I jumped in a fountain and splashed around! Ari didn’t know I loved water so much but now that she does, I think she’ll take me swimming.

A clerk let me into the store while she bought a soda, because I’m so special!

When we got home, I spent some time with the kitty. She stares at me a lot and hisses if I walk up to her too fast but she’s getting closer and closer to me and sniffs me when I’m asleep. I can’t wait to be friends with her.

As you can see, I’m very tired. What a good day!

Ari was so upset when she and her boyfriend inexplicably fell asleep on Wednesday, because that’s they day they planned on going to the Humane Society to adopt a dog. They both woke up at 6:30pm–exactly when adoptions close for the day!

It’s strange that they both fell asleep like that, but I think it was fate. See, I only got there on Thanksgiving (Thursday). So when Ari showed up first thing Friday morning, I was waiting for her!

Four months ago I got hit by a car, and my broken right rear leg got infected. They needed to amputate but I don’t even miss it. I did miss having a family though, because I’d been living at a vet clinic ever since.

I’m so happy to have a home of my own now! I’m being very well-behaved–I love going a rides in the van and I haven’t even chased the cat, even though I’m tempted. I follow Ari everywhere, and when I do something good she gives me glucosamine treats!

Ari’s never had a tripawd before, but she’s been researching real hard and trying to collect all the supplies I may need to have a long, happy life. I think we’re both real grateful to have found each other, and an online community like this. Tripawds unite!