JessicaRabbit
Just got a message from Jessica. She's in SUPER high gear (and still took a moment to help me out on something - so sweet!), thus the absence. Jay is home and helping out, unfortunately little Miss Piggy is acting up a bit.
BUT she sends hugs to all!! Silly Rabbit, she's the one that needs the hugs!! So here's my official HUG to Jessica!
*BIG Squeeze*
Comments
Hugs! Hope everything slows down for you soon... Piglet will come around, just give her time - she has been through a lot and things have been changing a lot in your family the past few weeks (new home, new pup, etc...)
Plus you have a Shikoku pup... god help you.
Hi all, I am at work right now so I have a moment (who thought going to the office 2x a week would be my rest). Here is whats up...
As you may or may not know I have been participating in a "Train the trainer" course for volunteer animal workers. After Piggy started acting up (she bit 2 of the cats, and Himiko; the cats at their food bowl, Himiko when she was in between Piglet and Jason) I contacted my teacher, who specializes in Bully breeds. My confidence was really rattled and I was very fearful (not an ideal environment, especially when I am supposed to be alpha). She said the cat thing is was food related. I am now keeping them separated when I am not home, cats upstairs, dogs down.
The Himiko incident was of more concern to me. She says that since Jay has been absent so much and has always been less dominant (apparently I am alpha in marriage too) Piglet considers herself higher status than Jason and therefore was claiming him from Himiko. When I have had Himiko Piglet licks her and is very sweet. I had Jay walk Piggy to see if this was really true. Piggy pulled him everywhere. I took the leash and immediately Piglet walked right at my side. She obeys my commands 98% of the time (cats in neighbors yards is where we lose our 2%). Jay is home with everyone right now. I told him he needs to be more active in his role with Piggy and to be the boss.
He is going to attend the class with me Sunday, and we are bringing Himiko too so Sue (my trainer) can observe their dynamic.
I know that this is transitional and Piglet sure as hell has been through a lot. But it freaked me out, and undermined my confidence. I am feeling better after talking to Sue, and I smudged my house and that is improving the energy a bit (yes even I can get new age-y). I will keep smudging for a full moon cycle and hopefully that will clear any bad mojo that dog training can't.
But I miss the hell out of you guys. I promise more pictures soon.
The other thing...apparently I was coddling Piglet. ...I have sucked it up and remembered who was in charge (ME dammit) and Piggy is already falling back in line. I just have to make sure my anxieties don't take control.
Also, last night was my first night getting ANY sleep in 2 weeks. I don't sleep well when Jay is gone, and then puppy stuff.
Good news, Himiko is now letting us know when she needs to go out.
Bad news, she is 9 weeks old and needs to go out A LOT!
It's so easy to coddle dogs, especially when they have had it rough. Everything will get in line, you will make it so. Jay going to class with you on Sunday is a big step in the right direction. Hopefully a bit more sleep will help out.
What the hell is smudging?
never really understood the whole of it, just following suit of
tradition in my family..
I use a combo of white sage, juniper, and lavender.
Romi- Thanks. Last night was my first night of adequate sleep in weeks.
Is Sage and Sage Brush the same? If so, we have plenty of Sage Brush for you to burn... just let me know, I'll send some right over. :c)
Dear Jessica,
Please send some Himiko/Moto/Piglet spam when
most convenient for you - even though you have your hands full - I just
can't wait to see more of it.
Sincerely,
Jen
Here are more pictures.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessica_rabbit/sets/72157604609999055/
Is it just me or does Piglet look really sad?
Such great pictures though. I love it.
I took those to specifically get her little smile.
Oh my mistake >.<
Now that you say she's smiling I could see her smiles. Maybe my mind was expecting sadness because of the difficulties you've had with her about bringing Himiko home.
Piggy has been kissing Himiko through the cage. We have been taking Himiko on the morning and evening 5 mile walks (obviously carrying her much of the way, to her chagrin) .
She so wants to be a big dog. She is learning very quickly. She knows sit, lets us know when she needs to go out, and knows her name. She is way ahead of where she is expected to be, but that seems to be expected for a shikoku.
I am being cautious with her and Piglet, just because of the size difference. I will likely always keep them separated when I am not home. But they are doing quite well.