Halloween Two

So, this is where I have to ask for your help.  As you can see from these pictures, I was SO cooperative.  I even got up on the agility table (hey - I told you I'd be able to do stuff soon, didn't I?) so that The Old One wouldn't have to bend over so far.  Did that help?  Obviously not. 

She made the costume, you'd think she could remember how to put it on.  Can somebody help me find a real personal assistant, because this non-union stand-in is just not up to my standards. 

Disaster struck. I had to run off to get some help for myself.

Halloween One

This has been the MOST incredible day.  First, I want to share with everyone how WONDERFUL I feel and how handsome I'm getting to be. 

When I first got here, I was pretty listless, and I only wagged my tail tentatively.  I bumped into stuff all the time, I didn't care about anything (even food), and I was really concerned about my future.  I wondered if there even was one for me.   It was a crossroads.  And now, just like those football players running out of the tunnel and onto the field, I AM HERE!!!!!! 

I used to walk carefully (on lead) up the little stone walkway, then to the driveway, turn left, walk carefully down to my field, and then I'd be safe in the fenced area. There wasn't anything in there that I could fall over or that could hurt me, and I knew the way.  I was never alone.  And I started to feel safe.  On Friday, I discovered a short-cut, and now when I leave my field to go into the house I zoom right across the grass and run to the door and bang on it.  Then today, I got to be off lead in the yard - I got to go everywhere and look at everything and sniff and explore - all by myself (though, of course, my foster parents were right there watching to make sure nothing happened to me).  It was the best.  And I want to share with everyone some pictures of me running and leaping.  I was SO happy!!!! 

My hair looks better, my skin looks better, I've gained some weight, my eyes are better every day and I see more and more, and my hearing seems to be improving - maybe just because now I have something to listen for, like people calling my name and the rustle of treat bags (my favorite sound)!

Here I am - I hope everyone can see the big change in me in just a week.  Sometimes I think I look like a lion!  And sometimes I'm so happy that I kick my heels up with glee!

All Howl-O's Eve

From October 30

Life just gets better and better!

Last night, I got to sleep for the very first time on my (drum roll, please) four inch thick orthopedic foam mattress!!!!  It was like being on a cloud - I can't believe my good fortune.  On top of the mattress, which has its own cover, is one of my usual folded comforters, and then a nice soft fleece.  Desmond (that's my duck's name) and I got the very best sleep ever last night.  Our foster dad reported that he could hear us snoring!  It was great.

Today I had a little bit of an accident out in my field first thing this morning.  I don't  know how it happened.  I said I was attacked by a monster - it was the only thing I could think of to say.  Somehow my coat fell off - I swear I didn't do anything to make that happen.  And then it got trampled on and got some mud on it and (cringe.....) poop!  So I tried to hide it in the leaves, but it was discovered.  I was mortified.  I was sure our new bed was going to be taken away and that Desmond would run away from home, but nothing bad happened except that I had to wear a PINK coat when I went outside around lunchtime because the blue one was in the washing machine.  Oh well, I'm so manly that probably nobody noticed.

Tomorrow is Sunday - that's my bath day.  My foster parents say that my skin is looking better and better every day, and I hardly smell at all now.  A few more nice baths, and a couple of more weeks of special care, and I should be just about ready to go to my forever home!  I'm so excited!

And tomorrow is Halloween - I hope I get to wear a costume and get some special treats.  Who could refuse me if I knocked at the door????? 

Happy Halloween Everybody!
Love, Magoo

Takin' it to the Street!

From October 29

Well, fall is here!  I could tell because it was quite chilly when I went out this morning - good thing I have a new home now and i don't have to worry about freezing to death.  I got to wear my "medium weight" jacket when I was outside today - just enough to keep me warm and toasty even though it was pretty raw out there with the wind and all. 

I was hoping to have a ride today, but my foster mom had a migraine and we had to stay home.  Boo, hiss.  Maybe tomorrow. 

Some men came in a really cool truck to service the water treatment thing that's in a closet near my room.   I was a wonderful host, and welcomed them into my home, showed them several of my favorite toys, and I even shared my drink with them both.  It was a little hard to ferry those mouthfuls of water out of my bowl and over to them, but I managed.  They were VERY grateful - they said all that hard work made them parched.  They were especially appreciative of my efforts to make them feel like part of my family, and they were both shocked when the discovered that I am partially blind.  We had a nice chat.  One of them has a Golden Retriever (she's a girl, so I didn't mind hearing about her) who turned FIFTEEN last week.  I sent my congratulations to her!

Because I was such a thoughtful and helpful guy today, I got to go for a little walk in the road.  I wasn't really keen about going too far, since I was afraid the old broad might get lost (you know how people can be) so I only let her venture down to the corner and back.   We met one of the neighbors in a shiny black SUV (very Soprano-esque) and she called me over to say hello.  I couldn't get too close to the car because The Old One was planted firmly on the side of the road, mumbling about scratching the car.  Harrumph.  My new friend said to just come right on over, so I pulled, and I finally got there and tried to climb in the window.  Her car has some much needed decoration now - I think I did a really nice job of detailing, if I say so myself.  She laughed and giggled, so I think she liked it too.  My foster mom was sort of hiding in the bushes.....

Here's me (of course) out for my walk!

Let there be TOYS!!!!

From October 28

So, another day, another discovery......TOYS!

Ever since my first day here, there's been this fuzzy yellow duck in my crate.  I figured he must be an orphan too, so every so often I'd give him a little squeeze so he'd know I was there and he had a friend.  He'd quack back, and I felt good - like maybe he was thanking me.

The foster parents, of course, thought this was all random.  As usual, they were wrong.  When she was cleaning my room the other day, my foster mom moved the duck to the other corner.  I put him back where he belongs.  This morning, she abandoned him on the floor!  I rushed to his rescue and carefully tucked him right back into his favorite corner.   A light went on.  She put a few more toys on the floor, and soon I had a crateful!  There was hardly enough room for me to turn around so I could zoom back to get the next one.   When she came down to take me out later, all of my companions were carefully lined up along the back of my crate, in a very  neat row.  While I was outside, she (of course) took everything out and gave me fresh blankets, as she does every time I leave my crate, so things are sparkly and I have nice smelling stuff to snuggle in.  Well, either that, or she just likes to do laundry - I'm not really sure which.  It's not like they're dirty or anything - I keep a very neat crate.  Maybe she has OCD (yes, I watch Oprah sometimes too), but I digress......  I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw my duck in our crate, in the appropriate spot.  Then I noticed that I had a basketful of toys that I could choose from!  I picked two and brought them in.  I played with them for a little while, but when it was time for a rest, I lined everybody up, and we all had a nap.  This is how we looked when she came down again to give us our "midnight snack" and last walk for the day.   And another one when I came in - I chose the black bear to join us overnight.

A rainy day in NJ

Blogdate October 27 (can you tell I watch Star Trek sometimes?)

It was  a dreary, drizzly day here in NJ, so I didn't think I'd have too much to report in the way of new adventures, but I was wrong!  Most of the day was spent quietly with a few quick trips to the outside, plus lots of food and water and snuggling in bed.  It was just that kind of day.  If it had been a little more seasonable, I think I might have asked for some soup and hot cocoa, but it was mostly warm and humid.  Ick!

Anyway, it cleared up in the late afternoon.  My foster mom wasn't home when The Dad got in.  I heard him get home from work, and greet the upstairs dogs.  Oh well, I figured I'd just roll over and go back to sleep.  But NO!!!!  THEY had to stay in and The Dad changed his clothes and came right down to take me out.  And it wasn't just a quick trip to my field - it was a walk around the property again!  Two days in a row, and this time with The Dad.  Even though he's very manly, I figured I'd better keep him on lead too, just in case those bears were hanging around.   We went all around the street end of the property today, and I got to check out the agility equipment which I think is VERY intriguing and I plan to try a tunnel or two one day when my nervous foster parents aren't watching - they think I can't do stuff, but I really can.  I'll prove it to them.  I can do lots of stuff.

My favorite slave arrived home while The Dad and I were out for our stroll.  She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw us out there together, since he NEVER takes anybody for a walk unless he's asked to.  She said he must really like me a lot.  We all went inside so I could have my dinner (and cheese, of course) and I overheard them talking about how wonderful I am and how much better I look.  The Dad said that they cannot be hasty in looking for a home for me - he wants me to stay here for a good long time until I'm feeling and looking great.  Personally, I think he'd like me to live here forever, but that's not really possible as long as there are five dogs living upstairs.  I'm not inclined to share.  Still, it's nice to be wanted, isn't it? 

I'm trying my hardest to do everything right and so far I think I'm quite successful.  They're especially impressed by my housebreaking skills.  I've got a foam mattress and lots of blankets now, but I think I'm getting a big pouffy mattress in a day or so.  I can hardly wait to nestle in!

Until tomorrow.....

From October 26

A blog from The Blob - I am EXHAUSTED.

Today, I had my usual nap after breakfast, but this afternoon when I was outside, I decided that I really needed to broaden my horizons, so my foster mom and I went for a walk around the property - OUTSIDE the confines of my field! Needless to say, she was on a leash so that if there were any problems, I'd be right close by to help her out.  I wasn't going to take a chance that she could get lost, or run away, or fall into a hole or something.  I'm very responsible, you know.    

So off we went, exploring.  There were so many exciting smells - some clearly canid, like fox and coyote, but there were other fascinating aromas to sniff out and examine too.  My foster mom said some were from deer, and some from groundhogs and rabbits, and maybe even opossums and raccoons.  Ho hum - I could manage those easily if they popped up out of the woods.  No problem for a big guy like me.  But then she mentioned BEAR - yikes!  Good thing she was holding the leash so she wasn't scared, right?

Anyway, after that, I redoubled my efforts to pee EVERYWHERE just to let all of those critters know that Magoo is in town and on patrol.  I am here, and they'd just better take care not to scare my devoted slave.  After all, who'd feed me and take care of me if something happened to her?  

We're back inside now and I had another special privilege too....I've been such an amazingly good boy in the house that I was allowed to be loose in my area while she made me lunch and got me a fresh drink.  I was careful to look nonchalant and not overly interested in any of the furniture and stuff, and really careful not to make any bad moves, like peeing on anything.  Of course, it helped that I was pretty well drained by the time I got back in here.  Drained?  I feel like a raisin!  Well, maybe a prune....I am pretty big you know. 

Heading back to my crate for now so I can get my beauty rest.