On this week's episode of Hoarders...

Winnie says "I dare you... come and get 'em, big boy".

Here's the latest Winnie photo from Jillian. I find this hilarious because this is exactly how Winnie (then Emma) started 'flirting' with Brogan. First she took his bed, then his chewie bones, then she started hoarding toys. That purple sausage-shaped toy with the maniacal grin she has firmly in her grasp? That was her favorite toy at my house, too (though this current version is in much better shape). I even think by the look in her eye she might have a little crush going on, not that Buckley would see it that way. She's a cagey one, Winnie. She's training the big guy and only when he's fully in her power will she let her true feelings show.

Fingers crossed for a blossoming romance! In the meantime, Jillian says Winnie is playing fetch with Balloon the cat... whatever works for you, girl.

Unfathomable Cuteness...

That's one happy dog.

Hopefully I'm not committing 'doggie stalking' by posting photos of someone else's dog, but hopefully I get a pass as unofficial 'Auntie' to Winnie. Her person, Jillian, just sent me these photos so of course they MUST go on her blog. Jillian says Winnie is settling in very nicely and by the way she is happily cuddling on Jillian lap (above), it's obviously true. No word yet on how Emma is feeling about Balloon and Buckley (or vice versa), but I'm sure Winnie will eventually succumb to their charms!

Jillian and Winnie looking snazzy in matching pink gear and Buckley looking boyishly handsome in his everyday spots.

I used to think Winnie smelled like maple syrup behind the ears. Maybe Balloon thinks so too?

Winnie in her element: tucked into bed and so blissed out her overbite is showing.

Winnie Settles In with Her New Family

Emma is settling in very nicely with her new family according to her special mama person Jillian. Apparently she even slept in the bed snuggled next to Jillian the first night. Success!

Jillian and Fowler have decided to call her Winnie, so from now on I'll TRY to remember to call her by her new name. Since we'll never know Emma's first name and her first foster mom named her "Crystal Lee", Winnie quite rightly should have a new name for this new phase of her life. Of course to me, she will always be Emma... and Mimoo, and ChihuahuaWHAAAA, and Emma Bemma Memma. Isn't is crazy all the names we come up for our animal buddies?

It has been VERY quiet around my house without my pushy chihuahuaWHAAA princess, so I was thrilled to get some great photos and even a video of Winnie's first day from Jillian. Winnie looks happy and oh-so-stylish in her new duds. Here she is!

Yum! They know just how to treat a girl around here.

"I guess he's not THAT bad..."

"...especially if I get to keep this outfit..."

"...and take regular naps on this lovely couch."

"How on earth did I end up HERE?!"

I particularly love the expression on Winnie's face in the last photo with Fowler. It's just so her. I call that the "Mysterious Face of Mars" look: it's when she's trying to figure out if what is happening is really, really good or really, really bad. I have a feeling that by now she's figured out it's REALLY, REALLY GOOD. By the way, don't you love the clothes, collar strobe light (matches brother Buckley's), pink leashes and even pink potty bag holder? All that plus living right near the beach with two of the best humans she could ask for? Lucky, lucky, dog!

Your New Life Starts Today

Jillian, Fowler and Emma pose for her adoption photo.

Dear Emma,

Did you know your new life started today? You may have thought Brogan and I were your forever family. We sure do love you like you are. But really we were just a stop along the way. Your first family may have done the best they could, but they didn't do you any favors. Leaving you to starve in an abandoned garage with your six babies would have taught most creatures never to trust again. You're a tough little girl, though. You didn't much like being a mother at such a young age, yet you did your best. Your first foster home was a bit chaotic and you didn't feel very safe even though it was better than being alone in the garage. Then I took you away from your babies and made you put up with kisses and cuddles and (for the first few days) being milked. Frankly, Emma, I hope to never 'milk a chihuahua' again... no offense! You were stoic and put on your alien face of mars. Who knew what you were thinking?

Then you started to eat. And cuddle. And kiss. And sleep with me under the big fluffy duvet. And hoard Brogan's toys. And (miracle of miracles) play with Brogan though he outweighs you by 70 pounds. You put him in his place at your feet and me in my place on a pedestal. You let me hold you and love you and watch you bloom. When I first saw you I thought you were possibly the oddest little alien of a dog I'd ever seen. I knew I was lost when I looked at you and saw the most beautiful dog I'd ever seen. I love your fight and sass and I even have a grudging admiration when you take on every pitt bull you've ever met.

Today you went to your new family. They already love the idea of you and soon they will love the real you. They know you can always come back to me, but I don't think you will. I think you were waiting for them and they were waiting for you. There are wonderful dogs, and there are truly special dogs. You are both. Today you started your new life. May you and your new family be blessed by you just being you. I love you, girl.

Emma at the Beach (again!)

Emma watching the dog parade from my lap.

After Emma's big day of meeting her new family on Saturday, on Sunday I dragged both dogs to the Golden Gate Kennel Club show and then on to a short stint at Fort Funston. After ten solid days of rain, I couldn't resist! Of course, Brogan couldn't do much but sit next to the first bench on the trail and watch the dogs go by, but we still had fun. Here are some great photos (if I may say so myself) of our little adventure...

Emma surveying her domain (which includes Brogan).

Once Brogan has done the pittie meet-and-greet...

...Emma thinks it must be OK to join in the sniff fest!

Happy dogs on "their" bench at Fort Funston! :-)

Meet Emma's New Family

Fowler, Emma, Jillian and Buckley (kitty Balloon had to stay at home)

Miss Emma is one step closer to her forever home! On Saturday, Jillian, Fowler and their wonderful dog Buckley made the long drive from Sausalito to San Jose to meet Emma for the first time. Jillian had been looking at her pictures online for so long that she said she felt like finally meeting Emma "in the fur" was akin to meeting a celebrity.

As expected, Emma had to push Buckley around a bit at first, which he handled in stride. Let me just say, I'm in love with Buckley. It's hard to believe this marvelous dog hung around in shelters and rescues for over three years before being adopted by Jillian and Fowler. He is a dalmation and pointer mix, and like many white dogs, is deaf. Talking to Jillian was a real education on the challenges of having a deaf dog. But having seen the bouncy joy that is Buckley, I'm sure his people think he is well worth the effort. I know I would!

Buckley moving in for a kiss!

After their initial greeting, Jillian headed off to training class with Emma and me. Emma was seduced by a steady stream of turkeydogs from Jillian, and Jillian got to see Emma at her jaunty best as she showed off her heel moves. Then it was back to the house and another meet and greet with Fowler and Buckley and a little walk around the block without me.

Despite Jillian saying then and there that they wanted to adopt Emma, I imposed my standard "24 hour cute fuzzy puppy daze" contemplation period. Hey, I know the hypnotic qualities of dog breath... you need some time for your logic to return! Happily Emma's appeal survived the waiting period and I got an email yesterday evening saying that Jillian and Fowler will be inviting Emma into their two and four legged family.

Emma contemplates Buckley from her perch in my sun room

Though I will be extremely sad to say goodbye to Emma, this is why we foster and I am so happy that she has found such a lovely family. Both Jillian and Fowler are very active (Fowler has ridden across the US on his bicycle!) and Emma will get lots of fun exercise in the beautiful dog-friendly setting of Sausalito and Marin County. In addition, we all hope that as Emma bonds with Buckley and perhaps gets some specialized training she will be able to serve as a 'hearing dog' for Buckley and allow him a bit more freedom to safely run freely. In other words, this little girl has an amazing doggie life ahead of her.

PUPPY KISSES!!!!

It's Official: Brogan is a Registered California Assistance Dog!

Bouncing Baby Brogan: official California State Assistance Dog #246

Here Brogan goes highjacking Emma's blog again, but I was just so happy to get his Assistance Dog tags that I had to have a good brag about it.

A couple months ago I started looking into the process of getting Brogan certified as an Assistance Dog. I didn't really know what that meant or entailed, but have since become a newbie expert on ADA laws as pertaining to Assistance Dogs in the US as well as the UK, France and Germany.

The first step was to make sure that I myself qualified, then I started working on Brogan. He's already been through about 20 training classes and passed his Canine Good Citizen exam last summer with Dawna Caldwell at Happy Tails. The next step was to get a letter of recommendation from my doctor (a 'doggie prescription' if you will). Due to federal ADA laws, nothing much more is needed within the US, but as I wanted to start to take Brogan to more unusual locales (into stores and trains, for example) I applied for California Assistance Dog license through San Jose Animal Control. Given Brogan's breed, I felt it best to be as official as possible!

Though it took a while due to the Christmas holidays, getting the license was no bother at all and everyone at Animal Control was very helpful (special thanks to Dottie). The tag itself is a nice little gold-colored disk with an engraved outline of California, Brogan's license number and "California Assistance Dog".

Next step: getting Brogan tricked out in his Assistance Dog cape and patches and getting him out and about. His leg is doing much better this week and we've actually been able to start training again so forays into San Francisco to tackle BART, buses, escalators and the like could start at the end of March.

Ultimately my goal is to have Brogan certified internationally through a member organization of Assistance Dogs International called Top Dog. Top Dog is a non-profit training center in Tucson, Arizona which intensively trains and tests dogs using their handlers (i.e. me) as primary trainers. Hopefully Brogan will experience his first plane trip this spring so that we can pass his tests together in Arizona. Then whether it's the local Barnes and Noble or the FNAC in Paris, Brogan will be able to assist me and have the right to travel safely by my side. Good boy!