Laila

Pennsylvania 16

6/19/13: Anya and Laila are both doing well. Six months in and Anya still barks at the kids when they walk down the stairs, make too much noise, walk into whatever room she is in, but overall she is much better. Both now LOVE their walks, it was a tough haul getting them to that point but now both are excited as heck when the closet door is opened, even if you are not reaching up for their leashes!
House training has been a challenge, Laila no longer pees in the house, Anya does if she needs to go (she does not always remember to “tell” me she needs to go out), but it’s getting better progressively. The odd poop here and there but I try to make sure they get out RIGHT after eating and that seems to help. I have a dog walker come in on the days I am in the office and again it was a long haul to get them to let her touch them but they are all friends now… they will even let people we meet out on walks touch them, which is HUGE for them especially Anya. They were initially quite destructive when left alone, that had almost diminished but for some reason the other day “someone” stole a shoe and a toy. I think the turning point for letting people touch them was we went away on vacation in May and they were all boarded (together) for 10 nights… I had left them there for a night in March as a test run. The kennel said they were great, they followed Dawson everywhere and when let off leash in the play yard they always went back in ok and let the staff touch them.
They know some basic commands, sit, “inside” (I yell that at the door and they are in like a shot!), drop it, they still pull a bit when walking but again much better and no longer bark when someone enters the house, well initially out of excitement but then they chill out and go lie down 🙂
Laila’s coat is stunning, she is so silky and soft. Anya has a thicker coat, but they are both filling out beautifully and love to be brushed!
They both adore the cats, and the cats them (yeah!). Two new pictures below.
 
1/30/13: Laila is “resisting” house training a bit but has improved ALOT in the past week or so. She is NOT liking going outside in the cold and I have had to drag her out of her crate and “push” her out and then she stand at the door looking at me…..I have spent alot of cold time outside! This could be part of the housetraining issue. The cold seems to bother her feet as she will wimper and pick up her feet…hoping this improves with time. She loves scratches (will roll over for belly scratches) , gives kisses and wags her little tail…lots! She knows her name, comes when called (most of the time), sits on command and will “shake a paw”, she basically ignores the cats but if Anya is following one she will join in. Laila more so than Anya will come seeking attention. She also loves her treats and come fast when she hears the cookie container opening! Laila is more accepting of the kids and will let them scratch her now most of the time. Walking with Laila is not bad, she still pulls a lot but does not do the circling anymore when walking, but does circle a bunch of times when going to lie down. She is however VERY happy to get home! She seems to tire very easily still, once around the block or 5 minutes of play and she is in for a nap. My vet had me increase both of their food intake, and they no longer inhale it in mere seconds. She is starting to understand playing and will play bow with me in the yard when I lunge at her. She is not overly interested in the ball but did chase one once and then looked at me like “what was that about?” She LOVES the crate and nearly always goes in to nap. I do wonder now if she is the one with more separation anxiety one as tonight I had to go out for an hour and I crated her and left Anya out…came home and the house was as I left it….hmmmmm…will try that for school drop off tomorrow as well and see how that goes.
She has finished her Doxy for the Lymes…so am hoping now that she can put on some weight and build up some muscle and endurance, although I suspect the hookworm also plays a part in the lack of weight. Everyone who sees them thinks they are just puppies basing it on their size.
I find it so odd to walk a dog that does want to stop and sniff something every 2 feet
Two new pictures are below:
– A tired Laila
– A happy relaxed Laila
 

12/23/12 Update from their new Mom: An update on how Anya and Laila are doing…..in a word amazing! I am stunned at their behaviour, I was totally prepared for the worst and it’s been great.

My 7 year old daughter and I met Danielle’s SIL in a McD’s parking lot, we took the dogs out one at a time to let them pee and stretch their legs….they wanted nothing to do with anything and literally jumped into my car. I had brought one big crate for the both of them and while it was tricky getting one in without the other getting out it was done! Not a peep out of the for the next 5 and a bit hours. I had to stop at a store to pick up a few things and my daughter said “I’ll stay in the car with the dogs to keep them company” and she insisted on placing the portable DVD player where the dogs could also watch it! I thought they would know “Gangham Style” by the time we got home 🙂 We made it home and one at a time I got them out of the car…..our house has 4 steps at the front, Laila bounded up and my sister held her leash while I went back to get Anya. She was more sceptical of the stairs but she did them. Once inside it was almost a lovefest. Both of them getting scratches and loving and loving it! Up to today they were my shadows everywhere I went they were right behind me, outside they stick pretty close by also. They both seem to know their new names, especially Anya and come when they are called. Anya’s personality is coming out and I do think she is younger than 2…..she is so playful…. grabbing Laila’s tail and tugging on it, chewing toys, picking up shoes/stuffed animals/socks and running off with them. She has a devilish glint in her eyes! Laila is a sweetheart and her little tail wags alot, but gently. She seems to be easily tired, one little jaunt thru the yard and she’s in lying down. Guess she’s just not used to the exercise. All in all though they are both pretty calm. Anya is ok outside with just me, but if I take Laila out by herself she is at the door looking in for Anya, it’s like she knows to look out for her. Dawson, our almost 12 year old Sammy, is loving it as he is getting more attention from us than normal to ensure he does not get jealous. They are not playing together with him yet, but I am hoping that will come. Anya and Laila are both pretty spry….the surprised me by easily jumping the baby gate and the couch to get out of the kitchen, needless to say I need to be more creative and have not left them out in the kitchen when I leave the house. The crate is definitley what Laila especially is used to and she goes in there to nap on her own. I am crating the 2 of them at night and I curse whoever taught them that 6:15AM was a fine time to get up! House training is coming along….. not bad on the pees, but the BM’s….. we can be outside for 20 minutes…. we come in and no less than 3 minutes later… sigh… it will come it’s only been 3 full days. They both now bound up and down the full flight of stairs, and they have learned to slow down on the way down so they don’t slide across the floor at the bottom!

Thanks to the other parents who have posted about their pups, I do notice they both drink a lot of water, but I think part of that is that they are not used to being inside and they are hot, I will continue to monitor that. Also with the barking, I realized this morning I had not heard Laila bark, and then outside she did….it’s a very deep bark, she also whimpers alot when we are outside. I have not heard her “woo”…..

On a funny side note, my 2.5 year old has one of those “furreal”puppies and Anya was carrying it around last night, I took it from her (teaching them “drop it” and Anya is getting it!) then I placed it on the floor and pushed the bottom and thee puppy whimpers and barks the 2 of them were over to me in a flash, pushing the “puppy” with their noses, it was cute… sad but cute.

They are a bit cautious of my kids, I think the kids have too many sudden moves for them, but we are also working on that.

All in all I am pleased to report that Anya is not fearful, she comes willingly, gives little kisses and I’ve been able to take things out of her mouth, open her mouth, and take the food bowl away when she is eating, she’s been fine with all of it, and she’s a leaner!! Laila is also a total sweetheart, she gives big kisses and I can also do pretty much anything to her, but she is not fond of the eardrops. I think I will take her to the vet tomorrow to have them show me the proper way to do it as I’m not sure if I am or not!

One good thing about them not ever eating human food is unlike Dawson they lie down when we eat and don’t beg!!! They have not met our cats yet……they have been banished to the basement, Anya was in the crate the 1st night and one walked by and she had a full out barking fest….. will introduce them all after Christmas.

Diane, Ciera and Tienna

12/21/12: PA10 (Rina) and PA16 (Seraphina) are on the way to Canada.

12/9/12: Pictures posted of PA10 & PA16 together.
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12/7/12: For a new video of Saraphina, click HERE.

12/6/12: Saraphina is being spayed while I type, no tumors on her so I expect all to go well. (Lymes+)
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