March 17, 2012

It’s time to set the record straight! This is Crystal, and I want to tell you the real truth. Look at my cute border collie ears, and smiling face! Can you imagine I would behave anything but perfectly?

I am always a very happy girl, and everyone tells me how pretty and smart I am. Do you think you have room in your heart and home for me? I love it at my foster mom’s house, but I really want my own people.

This new place has not been easy for me. I have to listen to my foster mom now, and obey the house rules she sets. I think it would be better for me if I set my own rules, but that is not happening! I used to be able to bark anytime I wanted to. Now I am only supposed to bark to alert people, and if I need to go potty. I am really proud of my bark, and have worked a long time to perfect it! I don’t quite think this new rule is fair. And I can only get on furniture when she tells me it is ok. I never had to ask to before, what’s up with this?

A great thing about this place is the food is really good and tasty too, but it’s hardly enough for a pup. Foster mom says I am “big boned” and have to get in to shape. A fun thing I have learned is to play ball. There is a lot of land here, and foster mom uses this thing to toss the ball which makes it go really far. At first it was really tough, and I had to take a lot of breaks but I am running faster all the time! I sort of like Frisbee too

A couple of weeks ago foster mom brought a new little dog home here, and this intruder is trying to outrun me. I am showing her up every chance I get! She and I like to tussle around, and I like to show her who is boss.

I love helping foster mom work in her office! At first I got told to lie down or go away a lot, because I thought I could do a lot of things better. Now I know my place, and get told I am a good girl! The new girl is the one who gets in trouble now by jumping around the office, and I hide my head so no one can see me snicker.

If you think I could be the one for you, please apply to adopt me! I am waiting for you.

January 28, 2012

Wow, what a difference a couple of weeks can make! Crystal has lost 5 lbs., and her favorite snack is mini carrot pieces. She gets those as rewards/treats several times per day. She is a beautiful girl, inside and out. She has been patterning my border collie, and becoming a wonderful office dog. She is quiet and undemanding, at least until I get up from my chair!

She would be great for someone who wants a friendly and outgoing dog to go to work every day. Crystal is becoming more playful and energetic in and out of the house. She’ll need some good play every day, and a long walk or two to keep her happy. Her lead manners are improving. It has been very rainy here so we have not walked a lot this week.

She also is barking less, however she will still bark when I leave the house. She has improved 90% but still needs to work on this behavior. Crystal has fit in my house very well. My cat now goes up and rubs against her, and she does not pay attention. She gets along well with my border collie, and I think she would love to play with her but my border collie is not a playful type. Tomorrow we have a new foster dog coming in, so we will see if we can get some play time going!

Next time Crystal is going to write her own update! She said I am too picky, so it will be time to tell her side of the story….

January 20,2012

Crystal is definitely a charmer! She is always happy, and loves to sit in front of you smiling and wagging her tail. She wants to be near you all the time, however she is content to be a few feet away. So far she has been wonderful with everyone she has met, from a 6 year old child and adults to several different dogs. She and my cat get along fine now, other than if he runs she will chase him.

We can only guess at Crystal’s background, as she was found as a stray in Missouri. She is quite “self-assured” (aka stubborn), and is not always happy to find out she cannot make the rules. Although she is very good in the house overall, she pokes her nose in the refrigerator as well as trying to survey whatever is on the countertops! She is good natured though, and learning the human is in charge

Crystal knows some basic commands such as sit and come. She is a quick learner, and has learned down, up and wait so far. She already knows how to fetch a ball, and retrieves it most of the time. She loves it! As she needs to lose over 10 lbs. it is a very good thing she likes to chase the ball.

Crystal’s only significant issue is she barks when she is not with a human. Initially she barked a lot of the time, however she has improved tremendously. Another challenge for Crystal is her manners on lead, she thinks she is doing the “walking” and the human should “heel”. We are working on this as well.

We estimate Crystal at around 4 years of age. She is in good health, up to date on immunizations and tested heartworm negative. She will soon be spayed and micro chipped.