Fall Lovin'

I love Fall, it gets cooler and it just feels so much more relaxed for me. It also means Nicki can play outside more, now that he's used to the idea I've seen a definite improvement in his attitude towards playing outside. The other day I caught him chasing lizards on the porch, and inadvertently knocking over our potted plants. He's in love with his ball even more now that he knows how to chase it into the yard. I found a home flyball set and I'm tempted but first I want to get a few things done. 

All of us here in Nicki's home hope you guys are having a great Fall so far!

Soccer Mom

Am I the only pet parent who feels a bit like a soccer mom? I'm constantly rushing around for different pet things and still managing to get my own stuff done. For example today Nicki has a groomer's appointment, one of the Guinea Pigs visits the vets for a check up, I have to go to our pet supply store for dog toys, cat toys, and Guinea pig stuff, and when I get home I have to clean up behind all of them and then feed them. I still don't even relax after that. I'm not a helicopter parent though, I let them explore as they wish as long as I know they're safe. Does this sound similar to anyone? I still manage to throw in my own little things to do but mainly my life revolves around my pets.

Smile!

I apology for the absence, we're been very busy recently (if you've been following Nicki on Facebook then you know just how crazy it is!) Although, I've noticed I always have time for a short photo shoot. No, I don't mean lengthy ones people would spend hundreds of dollars for. I mean short and sweet outside ones when it's cool out and Nicki is willing to run around. I have a small passion for photography and I love having him and all his fur siblings to be my models. I show a lot of photography on Nicki's page (Nicki's Life) if anyone was interested in taking a look. I have noticed Nicki is more willing to listen to me whenever we are outside and the ducks are out. He has finally listened to the "Leave It" command with every duck out there and even food that has dropped on the floor. Nicki will even sit and stay outside, although he still has a few difficulties. I will try to make blog posts daily now as I have gotten a bit more used to the new and busy schedule.

Lazy Days

Nicki seems to think every morning is the perfect morning to lay around and be lazy, I couldn't agree more! I guess it's because I'm not a morning person and I've rubbed off on him. Either way we're worked up a lazy schedule for our summer days

7:00 to 9:00- Lay around, eat breakfast and go out for a few minutes before it gets too hot

10:00 to 3:00- Get stuff done

The rest of the day- Lay around the house.

I think Nicki really enjoys this schedule, and to be honest I do to.

Tropical Storm Debby

I sadly had to leave Nicki behind with my father and two sisters while my mother and I went to Tampa to meet up with an Aunt. Of course, Tropical storm Debby decided to pay a visit while I was there. Nicki has remained calm, even though he hates having to go outside in the rain. It doesn't matter how badly he has to go, if he is going to be hit by water falling from the sky he isn't going. I have to bring an umbrella out and hold the whole thing over Nicki. A lot of people give me odd looks as they drive by, but as long as Nicki is comfortable I just shrug it off. At least when it's rainy out there are no other dogs to approach Nicki.

I have a question: Does your dog like rain, or hate it?

DINOS

Nicki is a DINO. Enough said, I hate it when people approach us during walks with their own dog and allow the dog to run over. I can just see Nicki's body stiffen and feel that it's going to end badly. Saying "MY dog is friendly!" isn't going to change what MY dog does. Please, ask before approaching a dog and if the owner says no, there's probably a good reason! Don't call the owner mean, or insult the dog. It's much safer for both DINO (Dog in need of space) and the other dog. Same thing in the vet's office, the dog already might  not be feeling well it doesn't need to feel stressed because of a random dog coming up and attempting to play with it.

Thunderstorms and Dogsitting

Nicki has been a real trooper this week, if you've liked him on Facebook you probably already know. It's been raining a lot here, and I've been dogsitting. Since it's been raining I've been playing with him inside a whole lot more than usual which means almost 'round the clock playing. Nicki prances around our feet if he wants into the room to get on his bed now, which is much better. When we replaced his old bed he seemed to think we had gotten the new bed for Bina and he wasn't allowed on it. Now he can be found lounging on it at night and early morning. On another note, I've been dogsitting with Nicki's aunt. We dog sit these dogs often, which means Nicki has gotten used to us coming home with their fur and scent on our clothes. We hope you guys have a very bright and pretty summer, hopefully we will soon! 

New Collar and a Sick Friend

This week has been very busy so far, and I'm glad the weekend has come so I can give Nicki a little more attention. One of his little Guinea Pig brothers has a small yeast infection and most of my time has been used caring for him. Nicki has been very patient with him, allowing Squeeky to sit next to him when he's being medicated and not chasing after him when he's drying off from his baths. Nicki's new collar has been ordered/made! It's a custom one from a woman who makes them at her home. For those of you wondering it is from My Dog Flair, and Nicki was very happy to be measured. Afterwards he wanted to play with his rope, of course, and ended up knocking stuff over.

Ducklings

Nicki has been a good sport about the ducklings that hatched in our bush months ago. Now that the mother has abandoned the remaining six, the tend to stay in our yard. Thankfully Nicki has gotten a little bit better about his instincts to chase the ducks. On their visit today I had him on short leash and allowed him to get steadily closer to the ducklings. He barked once, and I turned and walked back down the yard. Once he had become calm again I walked back, this time the ducklings ran right up to us. I had Nicki sit, and watched his reaction, he seemed confused about what the small things swarming around his paws were. I have to admit, I think he's making progress!

Inspiration

While I was working on a small speech I was going to give on behalf of all the neglected animals of the world, I looked down and saw Nicki. I couldn't really think of anything to write, and suddenly when I saw that dog sitting at my feet my head was full of thoughts. He was a survivor, all rescue animals are survivors. None of them deserve to die, they just need to find their place in this world where they can be loved and understood. Nicki was just one of the millions. My hands started typing like mad and I just couldn't stop, there was too much to write, I couldn't fit it all into one speech. The pain they must feel, the hope slipping away each day, but still burning eternally in their souls at the same time. I couldn't take it and a tear escaped my eye just thinking about it. Today's paragraph wasn't about training, it was about Nicki doing something he and other dogs do all the time: Inspiring people. Thanks to Nicki, I understand the world a little better, and the things in it even more. I hope the people whom I am giving the speech to will see the same things I see and understand after hearing the speech that Nicki helped me write.

More Rain

There was more rain today which altered training a bit more. Instead of working on outside training, we worked on his 'Drop it' command, he actually complied several times in a row, which means he is making great progress! Another thing I went over with him was his relationship with other dogs besides Lady, he's always had a slight problem, but he's making progress as long as it isn't near our home. 

Rainy Days

It was rainy today, which messed up a bit of the training we were putting Nicki through, but at the same time enhanced it. He was puzzled by the idea of rain falling from the sky and kept looking up at it, then back at me before he walked to the door and impatiently pawed at it. I think we made a little progress today, or at least we reached an understanding, I could play with, and mess around with him outside, but he would decided when it was time to go in. I'm fine with this arrangement, as long as walks will now be more enjoyable.

A Great Day

Today was a great day for Nicki! He officially got his first Facebook page, and officially doesn't go after the ducks, he has even seemed to make friends with one brave duckling nickname Butter since she's the only yellow one. This is a huge improvement from the same dog who used to chase after everything that moves! Also, he seems to have caught the hearts of many on Facebook as Nicki's Life. We're still getting him used to playing outside. 

Tennis Balls

Nicki has always had a love of Tennis balls, even when he was that small sickly puppy we saved from being put down. He almost always has one near him, or in his mouth. There's just one strange thing: He won't play with them outside, he just gets so distracted by other things, for example the neighbor's dog, Lady, that he just abandons them. A few days ago I decided to try an experiment, and threw the ball out the door just onto the porch and let Nicki chase after it, sure enough as soon as he felt the feeling of the porch he dropped the ball and began sniffing around in the grass. I tried it several times and got the same results. We're going to work on this, because we all love being outside and want to see if Nicki will find a way to concentrate on the ball so we can start bringing him to more dog parks, and other fun places.