I completely forgot that I had ordered the wonderful "No, I'm NOT a freakin' Chihuahua!" t-shirt for Stevie's Christmas from the rescue group I work with (IMPS - Internet Miniature Pinscher Service - see www.minpinrescue.org). It came yesterday, so I took it over on my visit today. Even though it's the smallest size, and even though Stevie *is* getting bigger, she still has a little growing to do before it truly fits. But she looks cute in it, in spite of the fact that she acted like it was probably the worst idea anybody ever thought of. She kept biting at the legs and edges of it. We snapped a few photos and then took it off of her to go for our walk...

I have to say that Stevie's first "official" leashed walk was an unequivocal success. At first, she didn't want to go onto the sidewalk... something about the concrete must spook her, much like the tile in the kitchen. I had to lie down on the ground and pat my hand on the concrete for several minutes, calling "Come here, Stevie" before she finally, reluctantly, ventured on to the sidewalk. A few minutes after that, she was fine, going off the grass onto the sidewalk on her own. The parking lot pavement didn't seem to prove as big a hurdle -- thank goodness, since who knows what Megan's neighbors thought about me lying on my stomach in the parking lot, half on concrete, half out on the pavement. I kinda hope nobody was watching... Oh, well, hey, what's one more crazy dog lady?

At one point, Megan said maybe we should turn back -- she didn't want to over-stimulate the pup, but Stevie had other ideas, so we pressed on toward the little park that is out behind Megan's apartment complex. There was a mom and little boy playing there, and I told Megan she might as well get used to people asking if they could "pet the puppy", so we went over and said hello. The boy was maybe 4 and delighted with Stevie. We explained she was blind and that she was 4 months old. Stevie gave the mom kisses and generally charmed them both, big surprise.

It was pretty windy out, so we decided to head back to the apartment. Stevie walked most of the way, then we saw a big American Staffordshire Terrier (sometimes referred to as a Pit Bull) out walking with its human. We picked Stevie up and went over to say hi. The big dog was just a friendly galloot (sp???), all legs and enthusiasm, still a pup, albeit a really large one. The wind had turned rather cool, so Stevie rode inside my jacket the rest of the way back to the apartment. Then it was time for a "S-N-A-C-K" (her favorite word) and a nap while mom and Aunt Ginger went to lunch. We were both very proud of her, she didn't pull and tug on the leash the whole way (only sometimes) and she seemed to follow the sound of our feet or voices very well.

After lunch, we played Scrabble again, a much more difficult proposition at Megan's apartment because her table is currently standing in for a "catch-all", with school related items all over it. So we sat on the floor and had a TON of "help" from Stevie. We did manage to finish the game, but I must say it was one of the most animated and interesting games of Scrabble we've played in a while. It's kinda hard when SOMEBODY keeps trying to make off with the letter tiles!

Unfortunately, I didn't have my digital camera, so my film is at Wal-Mart for developing. I'm hoping Megan will post her photos to http://foreverwidget.photosite.com long before I get mine back...

Have a safe and happy New Year, everybody! Here's to more Stevie Chronicles!

G

Stevie got [another] new toy today... Megan was trying to describe it to me, but all I really got out of it was that it has a bell on it and that it's rather a large toy that she will have to "grow into". But I could hear the bell ringing in the background, so obviously, Stevie's not waiting around to grow into anything!

Plans are for me to make the trek out to south Austin again tomorrow for my weekly Stevie fix -- and to see my sister, of course! Actually, her having a puppy (she still can't believe this -- she keeps telling me, "Who knew?") has been good for us, opening up a most excellent excuse for us to get together more often. We plan to take Stevie out on her first "official" walk tomorrow, weather permitting. I'm sure there will be lots to report.

On the phone today, Megan kept repeating, "I love my puppy, I love my puppy, I love my puppy!" Then she paused. "I never would have thought in a million years those words would come out of my mouth..."

I just smiled. Because, ya know, it's all MY fault!

G

Stevie and Megan have been working on "give", the command Megan has chosen to ask Stevie to let go of something. Megan throws a ball that has a bell inside and Stevie follows the sound and retrieves the ball. Then Megan tells her to "come" and "give". Megan says that she will do well for a bit, then evidently decide, "Hey, whaddya mean give??? Whose ball is this, anyway?!", and she will take the ball and go sit down.

I forgot to explain to Megan that this is probably what trainers call an "extinction burst", a behavior that occurs when a dog has been working on a specific command, trick, etc., for longer than their attention span will allow; they suddenly refuse to perform any longer and, in some cases, can become downright aggressive in their refusal to perform a simple command that they have been doing just fine on for the last 15 times in a row. In any case, it's still pretty amazing that they are able to have their version of "fetch" and Stevie seems to enjoy it immensely.

Also, during the storms in Austin over the last couple of days, Megan has discovered that Stevie is very frightened of thunder. This is common in many dogs, and as she grows, the fear should lessen. However, if anybody out there has some ideas about how to acclimate a dog to that sort of noise, it would be appreciated!

Oh, yeah, then there are the fireworks... being this close to New Year's Day, people have started buying and setting off fireworks nearby the apartment complex (never mind that it's illegal inside city limits). Megan says Stevie just sits there and shakes... Again, I'm not sure how to help her get Stevie adjusted -- at least somewhat -- to these loud noises. Li'l Darlin' was always afraid of thunder, but now, at 9, she runs outside to bark at it. It's actually kind of funny. But I don't think I ever did anything to help her; I think she just grew out of it. Both my dogs bark and bark at the fireworks, but don't seem afraid.

So if anybody reading this has some suggestions about ways to help desensitize Stevie to loud noises, they would be appreciated! I did remind Megan not to pet her and hug her when she's afraid as that just reinforces the fear behavior as one that brings affection. She told me she already knew that. I keep "forgetting" she's a Psychology teacher and that *most* of what she knows about human psychology can also be translated to canine psychology. That's my sis: she's one smart cookie!

Cheers!
G

More comments on Stevie:

"I just love the Stevie updates! The pictures of Megan and Stevie show just how much they have bonded. Stevie is a very lucky little girl that Megan came into her life, or vise versa. I sure it was blessed by Widget who wanted someone special to watch over Megan, since she no longer could. Stevie is a very special puppy that was sent from heaven. I love the one of you and her with her peeking out of your sweater. She is a real ham. - Joan"

"Those are too sweet ... I shared the last pics with all the girls. She looks so happy ... I'm glad her story ended up happy. Thanks again ... and keep the pics coming ...
Lynette Flint
Kennel Attendant
Garland Animal Services"

Lynette is the nice lady who contacted IMPS when they got Stevie (who was first Penny, then Mattie). We are trying to keep her updated along with everyone else who is interested.

Megan is having a problem keeping Stevie from eating paper, hair, fuzzies, strings, cords, and just about anything else on the floor. I reminded her that, to a dog's way of thinking -- especially a puppy -- everything on earth has been put there for their amusement. Or to eat. Or both. She will eventually grow out of a lot of that, but I suspect some of it has to do with her being blind, too.

Stevie's next vet appointment is on January 5, and that will be another milestone. Just one more set of puppy shots and then no more for a whole year (I think)! Hooray!

Stay tuned for more updates to come.

G

Below are some comments others have posted on our Yahoo Groups pages after I wrote:

"You gotta go to http://foreverwidget.photosite.com and check out "The Stevie Manifesto" (Stevie's photosite album that Megan created). She just posted about 10 new pix from Christmas Day. Be prepared to say, "awwwww!"

You can play the "slideshow", but it crops a lot out of the pictures,
and you don't get to read the hilarious comments that Megan provides,
so I recommend going through them manually...

Enjoy! (NOW get back to work!)

G"

"Awwwww! You were absolutely right - couldn't help
myself. It looks like you all had a great day. It so
fun to see Stevie growing up and how close a bond she
has with Megan. Stevie is just way too cute and looks
unbelievably happy.

Megan mentioned she is taking Stevie to an eye
specialist - keep us posted when that happens. Will
be curious, as always!

Ginger, you did the best thing in the world getting
Megan to take Stevie. I'm sure Widget sent a special
blessing on this one.

Katherine"

"Wonderful! Thanks for brightening my day. Now off the computer and to work.

Margaret"

"Thanks for showing me to the pictures! Stevie is just getting cuter and cuter! If that is possible. I love the picture of her with Megan sitting by the fire. I liked them all, both you and your sister are truly gifted with the camera. Of course, having a subject as cute as Stevie helps.

Joan"

It truly is what we in dog rescue call a "happy tail", and we're always eager to see more photos -- just can't get enough! Check out Megan's site and sign the guest book or leave your own comments; we love sharing.

Cheers!
G