Play? or aggression??

Tommy came into the office with me yesterday and spent most of the day chasing flies and laying in the sun. At home time, I decided to take him to Victory Park – its normally one of my favourite walks…

When we got there, there were four other dogs in the middle being walked by three ladies and a girl. One dog was hastily picked up by one of the ladies, who was there with the girl and walked off. They called a Westie along and walked out of the park. I’m not sure what happened, but Tommy and I carried on round the outside of the park for a while and then I decided to cross over the middle of the park (something I never do!) to let Tommy play with the remaining two dogs.

Tommy saw the dogs and ran over to them, greeting a (what looked like) beagle JRT x, (intact male I’ll add here) with bounds of energy and a ‘chase me’ stance. From where I was standing, about 90 mtrs away, they looked like they were playing and having fun. A bit of chase, some boxing, and rolling around on the floor, but the owners body language told me otherwise. I sped up my walk across the park. ‘Is he being mouthy?’ I said. ‘He’s aggressive and shouldn’t be allowed off lead’. Humm, I thought. I called Tommy to me, he was having fun and not really interested (the other dog didn’t look too bothered either if truth be told!). The dogs were running round; both play biting, and bumping shoulders. I called Tommy but he was having way too much fun to notice I was even there. I launched myself at Tommy when he was on a return run, slipped on the wet grass, which made Tommy look. I called him again, with my finger in the ‘wait’ position, which he did. Lead goes back on. The other dog then starts circling Tommy, running off, coming back and play bowing. ‘I’ve owned dogs all my life and your dog is just nasty, if I see him off lead again I’m going to report him’. She was trying to get her dog back, so she ‘could look for bite marks’. I said ‘can you call him back then please, I’m not leaving this park until I know your dog is ok’ (I knew he would be!). The dog was having a whale of a time playing tease with her, not wanting to come back. He came several times back to Tommy though! I was making sure Tommy wasn’t looking at the dog, and I held Tommy’s muzzle. There was no way I was going to let Tommy sniff this dog again. The lady walking the other dog said ‘I don’t know what’s up with him today, it must be the weather’. I decided silence was golden; besides, I was fighting back the tears.

After the lady had caught her dog and said ‘no he’s fine’ I said ‘that’s good’ and carried on walking Tommy, on lead towards the other end of the park. Walking along the fence was the old lady with her aged collie and cocker spaniel bitch. I walked along with them. Tommy being excellent on lead and not even pulling towards the bitch. I felt so sad, but I managed to get home before I burst into tears.

Emma of Waggy Walkers fame asked how the move was today. I said good, flat is lovely but it took Tommy until Wednesday to really settle in’. ‘He’s such a sensitive soul’ said Emma. ‘Well, yesterday I got told he’s really aggressive and if he’s ever seen off lead again in this park he’s going to be reported’. ‘Really, what park?’ said Emma. ‘Victory, near Sutton Road’. ‘Oh I don’t go to that one' 'The other dog didn’t seem that bothered though’. ‘The dogs never are. It’s a more common thing this reporting to the authorities. (sigh) Next time you should say ‘he's goes to a behavourist every week. Talk to her about dog behavour’. We talked a bit more about how hated the dog world now is and went our separate ways. It made me feel a bit better (or maybe justified) talking to Emma, but I still feel sad about Tommy not being able to go to Victory off lead anymore.

He's back!

At last! I've missed the annoying playful thing he is!

Tommy had eaten some of his breakfast and the rest went into his treat ball. He was staying at home today by himself. I couldn't get away lunchtime so dad took him for his walk.

I left him with the radio on and his treat ball. When I came home tonight he was so pleased to see me! No change from how he normally is but his kong was empty and he'd been knocking his treat ball about as there was only a couple of bits of kibble left. When I went in the garden he was in full tail wag mode with nose down investigating allot more than what he had done all week. He was enthusiastic on his walk and greeted b/f with wags and play bows. And he ate all his dinner!

Welcome home Tommy.

Still not eating...

Tommy came into work with me today. He ate a bit of his breakfast (and I put some olive oil on it to make it taste nice!) but he left most.

He moped most of the day at work. Not interested in his treat ball or the flies. He had his kong lunchtime stuffed with a bit of pastry but otherwise he seems really down. Even the foreman noticed!

We went over Victory on the way home. He showed some interest in his tennis ball but after about five retrieves he'd had enough. We went home where he went straight to his bed and didn't eat his dinner. He did come through to the front room after allot of cajoling from b/f and I.

His skin is very bad (and bald) again at the base of his tail where he keeps itching. He has no fleas and his treatment is up to date. Oh when will Tommy come home??

1st 'Pick me' day

It's Tommy's 'Pick me' day today! As we don't know when his birthday is, I've decided to use his adoption day as his special day and named it his 'pick me' day. I think it sounds great!

What a year its been, some lows, lots of highs, and allot of general getting to know you stuff. I'm still unsure sometimes of Tommy. He still has some issues and sometimes I wonder why I chose him. Then he rolls on his back with his nylabone in his mouth... What a cutie!

Here is one of Tommy's first photos -



And here he is now. (I couldn't get him in the pose I'm afraid!)





As you can see, he's put on some weight! But seems allot more relaxed in his surroudnings.
We didn't do anything special to celebrate - I'm more worried about him settling into the flat to be honest! He's still off his food...

Worried!

Tommy is still not eating. I had to go out for quite a while today and b/f said he was looking for me most of the time. He (Tommy...) seems really quiet and all he wants to do is stay in his bed in the kitchen. He doesn't want to play or sit with us in the front room...

I hope it passes soon.

All done!

Well, we've moved. Tommy was well behaved all day. He loves running round the garden and didn't bark at the guys helping us move. He kept a very close eye on what was happening but only ate his breakfast quite late in the day. I hope he settles quickly.

Moving date (at last)

We have our moving date at last! It has been a struggle but on the 3rd September we shall pick up our keys!

Tommy has taken to living around boxes no problem. The only time he took any notice was when I packed some of his toys, his treats and his coat. He laid by the box in the small room for a very long time then!

I wish I wasn't so stressed about it all. He is going to Waggy Walkers for an extra day on Thursday so I can get on with packing and not worry about his walk. Emma can't take him on moving day as she is going to Burley horse Trails... It may work out better in the end as he can see all the 'stuff' being moved into the new place. I hope he settles.