Maya's Come Home!!!

Well, Maya arrived on Sunday, August 16th. Everyone was happy to see her. Maya is doing well. She transitioned with no problems. She is the sweetest, most mellow dog that I have ever met. As a matter of fact, when the trainer arrived on Tuesday, we had to wake her. She didn't even hear (or care that) the doorbell rang. The trainer. Lisa, is helping to teach "come here", "visit" and "heel" to name a few commands. We also started a technique that will help with the stay command.

The kids are so happy. Each one is developing their own relationship with her. This is the great thing about North Star. Although she is here for (and because of) Nikki, she is a family pet. I couldn't imagine telling her siblings that they couldn't play with Maya.


Maya seems to have an intuitiveness about Nikki. She will lick her unbelievably. I can't even explain it. She will sit with (and sometimes on) Nikki with and without prompting.

It's been a great first week!!!

Our First Sleepover - Yeah!!

I have been a little technically challenged recently so I have lots of catching up to do. Last week, we had our first sleep over. It was a very exciting and fun time for us!! Nikki was thrilled to see Maya... She (Maya) was such a good girl. She slept in her crate.. Honestly, she slept better than I did. The next morning, after waiting to be released from the crate, she followed me into Nikki's room. I carried Nikki to the top of the stairs.. gave Maya the "wait" command and she did!! She waited until I got to the bottom of the stairs and called her down. She smothered Nikki with kisses. She definitely has a connection to Nikki. She sits patiently by her with no prompts. She even tries to rest her head in Nikki's hand.

Okay.. so for the part that I wasn't expecting... Obviously, Nikki's brother and sister are excited to get a "dog". They want to help.. some nay-sayers state that this will pass . However, I believe that Maya is starting to fill a gap that I didn't think was there. Nikki is involved in her siblings life (soccer, dance recitals, etc.). Actually, we've always considered ourselves a "typical" family. However, Maya now gives her siblings the chance to particpate in Nikki's life. They really want to help with training, walking, etc.

In just one day, she has made quite an impression on us!!

Treasures

Okay, so every night, I have this routine with my son. We have three stories that we have made up over the years. I surprise him with one of the stories each night. Last night, it was the pirate story: He is on a ship with all his pirate friends, their parents, his family and everyone's pets. They are in search of a pirate treasure. When they get to the island, they find the spot on the map. They dig until they find a treasure chest. Inside, there are lots of special delights: (in no particular order) wii games, ds games, chocolate covered pretzels, spaghetti (w/butter), soccer ball, lentils (for his sister – one of her favs), and much more. They also find a smaller treasure chest. Inside are dog bones, meow mix and yarn. That’s for their pets.
He then says... “Oh wait, Mommy… “There’s another treasure chest!” “It’s bigger than the small one and smaller then the big one!” He says “They open the chest and inside is ****’s Dog!” “That would be a great treasure, Mommy, right?!”

“Yes, it would!” I say.

BooBoos

So, my 5 year old decides to start a conversation: “How did she (her sister) get a booboo on her brain?” Well, I say that she was just born with it. She says, “I feel sorry for her.”
So, I suck it up and proceed to explain how happy she is... That she loves her brother and sister... that they make her so happy... and that we are getting a special dog for her...

Thanks for the diversion!! It worked!