Zap's Fourth Day At Home.

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PlacentiaSoccerMom · #1 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 3:05 pm

I will add more to this later.

Zap had a really good night last night. I gave him one of my pillows and he burrowed into it.

When I took him outside to go potty, he didn't even look at the cats. We puttered around the kitchen a bit, then went back upstairs.

I knew that I was leaving him to go volunteer at Hemopet for a few hours, so I tried to get in a little more cuddle time. Because of AnnieCamaro's suggestion, I let him get on my bed. (Jeff wasn't happy!) He burrowed under the covers and gave me a hug. While he was burrowed and relaxed, Lily jumped on the bed. He was so content with the snuggling that he ignored her and she got closer and closer to him.

Maddie and I went to Hemopet for a few hours. The plan was for us to help, then Jeff and Emma would bring Zap to have his toenails clipped.

We helped for a while. Everyone wanted to know how Zap was doing and I said that he was a wonderful dog. They said it was normal for him to be excited the first few days. Because it was Bubble Bath Day, there were a lot of new volunteers, but they needed to be trained, so Maddie and I moved the dogs in and out of their crates to the dog runs. For the first time today, I had two dogs on a leash.

When Jeff arrived with Zap, I finished working, though Maddie continued. A lot of the rescued dogs come to this event, so I got to see some of
the dogs that I know who have gone to their forever homes.

Everyone was really nice to me when I told them that I had just adopted Zap, although some women were kind of obnoxious about his hairless butt. One told me that I needed to put him on thyroid medication and the other told me that her dog's acupuncturist had recommended melatonin and it really worked on her dogs.

Anyway, he got his nails clipped and was very good throughout the process. Many greyhounds were wandering around the event and they all had impeccable manners. There was some butt sniffing, but the dogs were very civil to each other. It's amazing how much more relaxed the adopted dogs are than the dogs who haven't been adopted.

There were many vendors selling Greyhound related items. One man had started a Dog Treat company named after his Greyhound, Sweet Sue. He offered samples to Zap, but Zap didn't like the cookies. (I felt embarrassed that my dog dissed his cookies.)

We bought Zap a new collar. The collar works like a martingale collar but it's made out of fleece, so it's really soft on his neck. In addition, we got him a fleece jacket. It's getting colder here and Emma is concerned that he doesn't have enough meat on him, so he's going to get sick.

When it was time to walk to the car, we had to walk near the entrance where he usually went back in after his walk. He was very scared, almost as if he thought I was leaving him here. The girls and I surrounded him, so that he couldn't see the door and kept him moving. When he saw my car, he got very happy and got right in.'

When we got home, we put him in the yard for a bit, then took him upstairs for a nap. At exactly 1:30, he popped his head up and ran downstairs, because wanted to go on his walk to meet his friend the Postal Carrier, so the girls took him out.

Beebs52 · #2 Post by **Beebs52** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 3:09 pm

This is great! It made me cry a bit.

Ritterskoop · #3 Post by **Ritterskoop** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 3:17 pm

We should all have such good days!

peacock2121 · #4 Post by **peacock2121** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 3:19 pm

Don't let those other competitive moms influence you.

Tell them to bite you and your four footer.

MarleysGh0st · #5 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 3:45 pm

I thought they were going to do his toenails on Tuesday?

I can imagine that going back to Hemopet so soon would be unsettling for him--was this just a visit and not a new home after all?

BTW, do Californians often get acupuncturists for their dogs?

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #6 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 6:17 pm

MarleysGh0st wrote:I thought they were going to do his toenails on Tuesday? I can imagine that going back to Hemopet so soon would be unsettling for him--was this just a visit and not a new home after all?

BTW, do Californians often get acupuncturists for their dogs?

Apparently some do. I don't plan on it though.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #7 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 10:50 pm

There was a small victory tonight. Jeff and the girls were eating dinner while I went to the store for snacks for the Quiz Bowl tournament tomorrow.

Zap was on the floor next to the table and Jasper walked in. Zap looked at Jasper, then looked at Jeff, then put his head down. He was given a "good boy" and a piece of meat for this good behavior.

Later in the evening, he was watching TV with Emma and not one, not two but three cats walked into room wanting their dinner. He watched them, but did not get up.

I am happy the cats are starting to come into the same room with him. I hope that after next weekend I will no longer have to watch him 24/7 to make sure he doesn't eat my cats.

kayrharris · #8 Post by **kayrharris** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:13 pm

I'd say he's adjusted to the cats quite nicely. I'm very glad. I think he's very happy and things are going to be just fine.

Ritterskoop · #9 Post by **Ritterskoop** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:50 pm

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote: I am happy the cats are starting to come into the same room with him. I hope that after next weekend I will no longer have to watch him 24/7 to make sure he doesn't eat my cats.

He knows who the bosses are, and he won't eat them.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #10 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:00 am

Ah Jeff, there is a big black dude in our bed and he won't get out!

a1mamacat · #11 Post by **a1mamacat** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:22 am

I am loving this saga.

sunflower · #12 Post by **sunflower** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:37 am

Zap sounds like he is a sweetie and a happy addition to the family!! I am so happy for you! Now I want one too!!

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #13 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:46 am

sunflower wrote:Zap sounds like he is a sweetie and a happy addition to the family!! I am so happy for you! Now I want one too!!

Here is a rescue place near you:

http://www.regapct.com/index.html

silvercamaro · #14 Post by **silvercamaro** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:49 am

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:
sunflower wrote:Zap sounds like he is a sweetie and a happy addition to the family!! I am so happy for you! Now I want one too!!
Here is a rescue place near you:

http://www.regapct.com/index.html

You know what? Annie and I voted for Eileen for Animal Planet's Hero of the Year last week!

Synchronisty strikes again. It's a very small animal planet.

sunflower · #15 Post by **sunflower** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:51 am

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:
sunflower wrote:Zap sounds like he is a sweetie and a happy addition to the family!! I am so happy for you! Now I want one too!!
Here is a rescue place near you:

http://www.regapct.com/index.html

How beautiful they are!! I cannot have dogs in my condo (and even if I could, I probably wouldn't because they wouldn't have room to run and play)...but you better believe as soon as I get a house I am getting a dog!!