FINALLY! A Love Bug Appears

I've made it no secret that I love Macy Blue far more than I know she loves me. I loved her the instant I saw her soulful eyes on the Internet. When we still weren't best buds at the one year mark, I started to fear that this dog may never love me. But a convo with the therapy dog handler at the high school made me realize that all Macy has been through makes her need more time. Plus... how do you live somewhere for THREE YEARS, end up in a shelter, get adopted for three days each,  three more times and then expect the new place with the new weird lady is permanent?? No wonder my girl is so blue...

She's made progress. A lot of it is thanks to Sue living here. Macy would always stop at the back door even if we were side by side... I'd get in the house and realize she's sitting there not sure if she should come in. She holds her potties from 5 pm until 10 or 11 the next morning! Even though I take her out, and keep her between me and the door, she's so afraid of being locked out, she'd rather be uncomfortable. Toys and play time were a mystery. 

But Sue... Our beloved Sue passed away in November peacefully at her new Portland home.  But she remains Macy's greatest teacher! And I don't think we'd be where we are today without Sue's loving training!

I've known and loved Sue since she was a pup. And the first time she came over, she, her brother Hank and Mabel all made themselves comfy in my bed as Mabel showed them around! I live in a big dog house...there is very little off limits. But Macy Blue had been here 15 months when Sue moved in and she still didn't get it. Macy would pause at the back door and Sue would simply walk around her and come on in. Sue would sleep on the sofas, climb in my bed and come up to me and demand some affection. Sue grew up being treated as an equal. Macy would stare at Sue in astonishment...  You walked in the back door! And Mom doesn't seem to mind...

 

Macy took it all in. But she didn't change...yet.

There was the day that I started getting texts at work...Macy has cleaned out the toy box... and she's playing with toys! Macy loved playing with Sue and seemed to get it when Sue naturally included me and her mom in the games. Oh.... we all play together....hmmmm.

When they left for Portland, Macy and I were both so sad, I took her to the store and bought her a bunch of her own toys. Since she didn't play, she only had one that wasn't Mabel's... and it had been deaded by Macy and Sue. And she let me play with her ... a little bit.

But this past week, it all shifted...in the weirdest way! It started a when for the first time ever, I remembered the school has a late start on Tuesdays. I had more morning time at home with my girl! I was walking from the kitchen to the living room and gave Macy a gentle scruff pinch. I do this to all the dogs and think nothing of it. But Macy screamed so loud and so hard! She always seems certain I'm trying to murder her! I dropped to my knees to offer her comfort, she rolled over and pissed herself! I petted her, I cleaned the floor and spent the day alternating between tears for my sad girl and anger at whoever made her this way!  Momma did not get mad at the pee on the floor...hmmmm.

And just like that, she came up to me a few nights ago and... she wanted me to play with her! She brought a toy! I got on the floor and we played for an hour straight. She even allow me to chase her around the kitchen and living room! And we've played every night since!

But that's not all!! I have gotten a full on sofa cuddle and she even allowed me to hold her!!! She slept in my lap! I've not gotten one of these without fireworks in the neighborhood!

And friends have noticed too... she comes up to them willingly to offer a greeting or to get pets! And, with lots of treats, she is FINALLY opting for a potty break before bed. She knows, no potty, no cookie! And she even asks to go out early in the morning without me walking all the way in the yard...is she trusting that she won't be locked out???  I pray this is permanent...that my girlie is starting to trust and know that she is loved!

Just a reminder of the contest going on to guess Macy's lineage. Please comment on that post.

What Am I? We're Taking Bets!

After spending the last year and a half trying to understand my strange little dog, I've decided to have a DNA test done. I admit it...I'm used to the rottenweiler personality. I like it....love it. The constant, in-your-face, in-your-business, HEY, I'M HERE, petmepetmepetme neediness that the rottweiler offers. I've been loving rotts for over 30 years! 

But the one thing I despise about the breed is their short life span. Eight is average! When you believe in dog rescue and not puppy mills; and considering rotts are the slowest dogs to leave the annoying puppy stage (age 3!), that's not much time to spend on your pup before your heart is breaking again. 

Straight on, Macy looks like a rottie...

 

Mabel Lou was my first mixed breed (and my first and only puppy). I feel this led to her living a blessed long 12 years! There was so much I adored about her, including that tail (another first for me!). When I friend asked me to describe my ideal dog...it was Macy Blue! I love a rott mix...or at least the four eyed cattle dog look; I wouldn't mind smaller as my shoulders are so awful, sweet and a tail! 

Still I was shocked and disappointed at Macy's tiny size ... 55#! I was hoping for more in the 65 - 75# range. By that point, I had fallen in love with her deep, soulful eyes I had seen on the Internet. And she was clearly sweet. But after I got her home, she was so quiet, so unintrusive, it's like not having a dog in the house at all! 

Other times, she looks like  a mutt...

I've never had a dog that did not want to be in the same room I'm in! And her fears! Oh her fears! Running outside when I tried to play with her. Wanting to hide in the car all day. Sheer panic when she couldn't see me on the trail to the point she would run right past me as I was screaming her name and not see or hear me! A complete lack of understanding of toys. 

I just keep thinking if I knew more about what she is, I could help her feel safer with me. We did the test shortly after Christmas. There was much crying and rolling on the floor on both our parts. Macy Blue as certain I was murdering her. I was crying in commiseration. And so, we're waiting.

Her nose can be most pointy at times...

So we thought we'd have a little fun to pass our impatient waiting. Let's play a game!  Just comment what you think Macy Blue is made of and the closest to accurate choice will get a box of Macy's favorite bedtime treats from Sojos!

You can see how petite MB is next to her beloved Otto Rotto

If we get more than 20 entries, I will add a prize for humans too!!!

Da prize (flavor depending on availability at the time of the prize announcement)

 

So, take a guess and let's see who reads body types the best! ;-)

Product Review: Zuke's Super Yummy Berry Blend Dog Treats

Hello good pups and peeps of Blogville, Macy Blue on the job. Here we are again. Last day of the month... and year. Geesh, it sure is hard to get a good secretary! In Mom's defense, it has been a busy month! She was sick and working a lot, Granny came from Louisiana, Christmas (Mom really hates having to decorate and, as she says "take it down six months later and then do it again six months after that! BOL). And... our weather turned gray and dreary so we did this review in TWO photo sessions! And Mom (Miss snooty continuity expert from the film industry) forgot she had me in my Christmas collar for the first shoot. So... apologies all around!

OK Momma, what did Chewy.com send me this month?? 

Zuke's Super Yummy Berry Blend Dog Treats are up for review this month. Check out that super colorful packaging!

OJ Momma, torture me while you show off how big they are:

I say they are decent bite sized treats. Momma says she would cut them down for training but they are fine for non training snacks. OK...lemme have one Mom!

They are berry chewy... 'scuse me!

Still chewing... OK Mother, may I have another??

Creekhiker here: Zuke's Super Yummy Berry Blend Dog Treats have some terrific ingredients: 

Ground Oats, Tapioca, Beets, Vegetable Glycerine, Cranberries, Blueberries, Gelatin, Molasses, Raspberries, Blackberries, Cherries, Sunflower Oil, Natural Vegetable Flavor, Phosphoric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Rosemary, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Citric Acid, Mixed Tocopherols

 These are a good way to get some antioxidants in your pup's diet and I also like that it has turmeric, which is an anti-inflammatory as Macy has arthritis. These are a good price and we'll add them to our rotation as Macy Blue loves them! 

Did you hear that??? Princess Pocketbook says we can re-order them!!! Whoooo Hooo!
 
I give them four paws up and Mom gives them two thumbs up!!! 

Neither Creekhiker nor Macy Blue were compensated for this review. Chewy.com gave Macy Blue one case of  Zuke's Super Yummy Berry Blend Dog Treats to devour...or not.
HAPPY NEW YEAR YA'LL!!!!

My Life According to Facebook

I always dread these type of year in review things on Facebook...mainly because I just don't "do" photos. Most family members know this but there is  always some people on the fringe of the family that just don't get it and upload and tag...ugh.

And the last few years I've done these...it was all about death. My dead sister, my dead dog. Yeah, that's a real fun year Facebook.

So I was super surprised and oh so pleased to get this:

Apparently 2015 was all about the Mace! Macy Blue!!! From L-R: at the beach; our Thanksgiving hike, on the porch sofa (hanging with our house guests), in Auntie B's backyard, the day she figured out stuffies; our painting from Chewy.com, MB's paw on my shoe - her little safety trick when we are away from home and she wants to drift off to sleep but she's afraid I'll leave her. This was when I knew she liked me finally! (Back on the left) After getting skunked, stalking my coffee; With all the toys I bought her when our houseguests left us. We were sad...we needed toys! And playing with her elephant.

It's so wonderful to see how far she's come!!

Product Reivew: Blue Buffalo Blue Mini Bars

Hello good pups and peeps of Blogville! Macy Blue here with another review for the most fabulous website of the whole Internet: Chewy.com.

O.K. Momma. What did Miss Sydney send me to review??

Blue Buffalo Blue Mini Bars Natural Mini Dog Biscuits baked with Blueberry and Yogurt - well that sounds yummy... No Momma! You're not gonna tease me again are you???  ARGH!!!

While I'm here starving, Momma wants to show you the size... Yeah, they're mini. But come on Momma! How do they taste??? Gimme GIMME!!!

 Excuse me while I chew .... Mom?

Creekhiker here: Blue Buffalo Blue Mini Bars with Blueberry and Yogurt are a great small treat and Blue Buffalo is a highly trusted name. Here are the ingredients straight from the Chewy.com site: 

Oatmeal, Whole Ground Barley, Ground Whole Oats, Blueberries, Yogurt, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Cane Molasses, Carrots, Canola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Calcium Ascorbate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Salt, Calcium Carbonate

They are a fair price for quality treats and right now, Chewy.com has a 20% off special when you set up your first autoship!! What a perfect time to try!! 

Back to Macy Blue:

Wow! Those Mini Blue Bars sure were tasty! Mom, I thnk we need to add these to my autoship....

I give them four paws up and Mom gives them two thumbs up!!! 

Neither Creekhiker nor Macy Blue were compensated for this review. Chewy.com gave Macy Blue one case of  Blue Buffalo Blue Mini Bars with Blueberry and Yogurt to devour...or not.