Libby goes home

What a joy and an honor to take Libby to finally meet Cpl D! Libby was a little shy at first, but after Cpl D took her for a walk, she seemed to connect with her and I feel very good that this is match made in heaven.

This was my favorite picture even though it's a little blurry...

Here are a few more pics and a video of the introduction that is priceless.

To top it all off, Cpl D made me my favorite cake - chocolate/cherry! Yum!

I'm sure they will live happily ever after.

Last full day

Today is our last full day with Libby! It's a very exciting time for me. Many people ask me about my attachment to the PFV dogs I train. It's a common question I get asked after explaining how the program works and that I typically have the dog in my home for 4-6 weeks. Of course it would be disingenuous to say that there is no issue here - yes, I do love these dogs and I do have an attachment to them - and visa-versa! They get to know and love me too. But the overwhelming difference is I have seen first hand what these animals can do to help their veterans manage their PTSD and other physical and emotional effects of having served in the military! When I think about that, there is no reason for me other than to be excited to finally get to match a dog with a veteran - and in this case, Libby will soon meet with Cpl D - and, I am excited!

Libby is 100% ready to go. She will be delivered with all the fixins (as we say in the south) - crate, bed, blanket, toys, treats, food, bowls, leash, tags, all veterinarian paperwork, brush, nail clippers, 6 month supply of Flea & Tick preventative, 6 month supply of Trifexix (for heartworms), microchip registration, and probably a few more things I'm forgetting. :-) Yes, Libby is a little spoiled now, but just WAIT till Cpl D gets her, I'm SURE she will get a few more goodies. :-)

When I met with Cpl D to do the preliminary paperwork last week, she told me that she wanted to bake me a cake... WOW - that is certainly not necessary and it is completely humbling that she is so very thoughtful and appreciative of the time and effort spent to get her a very special dog. It really wasn't me though, it's just what God is doing thru me. I think I will also eat the cake for Him! :-)

Thank you Lord for finding Libby for me and allowing me to keep her and train her for Cpl D. I hope and pray I did Your will and Cpl D and Libby will be able to share their love together and help each other thru the events of everyday life.

Libby will finally be in her forever home after a long journey thru abandonment, shelters, living with me temporarily, and now finally to Cpl D - and Cpl D will have Libby to love and care for and in return, Libby will provide her support in a way that only Libby can!

Who couldn't be excited about that! :-)

Busy Day!

Libby and I had a busy day yesterday! I took her to PetSmart to get a few remaining items she needed and get her name tag.

She went to the vet (McDonough Animal Hospital) and got her annual rabies vaccine and a microchip. Then, we came home and went for a long walk. I also trimmed her nails and we did a little more training for "stay". She's making progress, but still likes to follow me everywhere I go. :-) Libby is just such a sweet dog and I can't wait to deliver her next Tuesday to Cpl D!

I met with Cpl D last night to do the preliminary paperwork and she is just as excited as I am - maybe even more so! I'm off to Dallas this weekend for a Pet's for Vets conference to learn even more about the program. I hope to share some insights with the other trainers from around the country.

Here are a couple more picture I took yesterday!

I played this video and Libby heard it on the computer and got all excited - all over again! :-)

Libby does talk!

Libby doesn't bark much.  She has barked maybe three times. Once when Pam came in the door and once when the doorbell rang. I think maybe one other time, but it's rare - and I cannot get her to "speak" on command - yet.

I just took her out in the backyard... She's so good, I don't even need the leash! We saw a squirrel in the yard - she didn't see it right away, but I did... :-) When she DID see it, she alerted, and took off like a rabbit! Of course, the squirrel saw her coming and jumped up a tree - and Libby was so excited! She came right back to me and her tail was going a mile a minute! (wiggle butt)

Libby sure does enjoy being outside - actually, I think she enjoys doing anything that I am doing! :-)

Weekend weather!

Libby has got to spend much of this weekend outside. Yesterday, Pam and I went to the Baxter property to cut/split wood - Libby had a great time. She got to run free in the yard for a while and relax in the shade while we were working. Since it's mostly wooded, she was entertained by the birds and I think she saw a few squirrel - she loves to watch the squirrel at home as well.

Today she enjoyed being in the backyard. She can get around to most of the yard, but she will try to stay as close to me as possible if I'm out there. She doesn't mind laying in the grass and watching for anything that moves.

I just noticed my shadow taking these two pictures.

Libby likes it outside, but she is also very comfortable to be in the house. I actually think she would prefer to be with people 24/7.

Still cannot get her interested in any sort of toy. She ignores everything - the ball, squeaky toy, and rope. She has no interest at all in any of these things.

Wiggle Butt

It's so fun to be with Libby when she gets excited - and that's really very often. She wags her tail so hard that her butt wiggles! It's the cutest thing!

She's adapted well to the "routine"! She's so smart. She knows in the morning when she wakes up, she will go for a walk.When we come back, she knows she has to "go to the crate" - which she obviously would rather do something else... :-) So I tell her, "OK, time to go to the crate" - which she immediately recognizes, but is hesitant. Sometimes she goes in the bedroom and goes under the bed. But I just call her, and say "Come here Libby" and she comes right away - and with another "Go to the crate", she'll go. Then, when I get home, here comes the wiggle butt. :-)

We (myself, Pam and Libby) went for a walk the other night on the walking path and she saw a bunny run across the path - boy she got excited then! She really wanted to chase the bunny. She did very well maintaining composure though and in a few short minutes, she was back to the regular walk.

I did talk with Cpl D earlier this week and we made a date to deliver Libby to her on 21 Oct. Cpl D said "You made my day". I'm really looking forward to that day because I know how much Libby will mean to her. Libby is such a very sweet dog and I know she will be perfect for Cpl D. God surely has His hand in this match and I know He picked the perfect dog and answered our prayers.

Libby knows

Training Libby has been challenging and delightful - all at the same time. She's the most Beta dog I have ever worked with! She is SO eager to please whatever I say, I think she get's confused when trying to get her to do multiple commands back to back... Individually, she knows them all like the back of her paw, but won't do them easily when used together. Sit & lay down are an example - I had previously been able to teach dogs the difference and get them to sit from any position - even laying down. Libby only likes to sit if she is standing. If she is already laying down - forget it... :-)

It's cute - really. And getting her to "stay" in any place other than the crate is also been challenging - now, she will stay in the crate with the door open - in fact, I know she likes it there and she's VERY comfortable in it.

Forget all the tricks - Libby is a smart dog and I know Cpl D will have her doing all kinds of crazy tricks one day!

Libby's personality is very, very sweet. She has a lot of manners! She will try to stay close to me, but will always move out of the way - I never have to ask her to "move". She's also very dependable and catches on quick. She knows now when I get in my chair in the late evening just before going to bed, she is welcome to come sit in my lap, but she never comes up unsolicited! She waits till I call her or tell her it's "OK". Then, right up she comes. She also will give "kisses" - again, not unsolicited... When you ask her for some, you get some... it's really very cute.

When she gets up in the morning, she has to stretch. She will use the floor if I'm "busy", but if I'm near her, she will want me to tap my legs so she can use me - again, it's like she asks first... And when I get home after not seeing her for a few hours (or in the case of last weekend a few days) she doesn't jump up unless I let her know she can. All she wants to do is please whomever is near her.

Sometimes we will sit outside and she loves to watch the squirrel. She doesn't try to bolt after them - just watches. Then, when I talk to her about them, she just wags her tail in excitement. When she wakes up, I ask her if she was dreaming about catching one of those squirrel and she gets all excited.

 I'm going to make the post a little longer since I haven't posted in a few days - I took a short trip to FL to go fishing with my boys.


Anyway, Libby is up to date on all her shots and had a clean bill of health straight out of the shelter. I have also checked her over pretty good and she looks great. She still weighs 19.2 lbs so I'm pretty happy with that. Her ideal weight would be about 1-2 lbs more.

She will need a rabies update and I hope to get that this week - along with a few other treats for her and Cpl D - like a green harness and leash! :-)

Pam had Libby for the weekend and she really did great with the grandkids! She was obviously nervous at first around little people - and she seems to still be that way when we walk her on the walking path - she will try to get as far away from them as possible... Adults she will all but ignore - and other dogs, well, she can take 'em or leave 'em. If she is introduced, she remains calm even if the other dog goes wacko.

Well, it's off for a walk tonight - oh, that's another thing - Libby will walk in the dark, but she certainly prefers the daylight. :-)