We finally took Tzipporah to our groomer for the first time, a few weeks ago. I was nervous about how she would manage being with strangers, but other than a small panic attack when the groomer got to her front paws (she told us to pre-medicate Tzipporah with doggy Xanax next time), she did surprisingly well. The best part is that I can see her eyes again, and that means I can see how much her facial expressions have changed since she first came home. She looks curious and interested now, instead of frightened and exhausted.
I was so inspired by how well Tzipporah did at the groomer, that I brought her to therapy with me the next day, to show off her new haircut and to test her ability to sit in the car by herself (instead of with Grandma holding her). She survived the short trip by flattening herself on the backseat, totally unlike Cricket’s habit of climbing every which way while I was driving (though I’m still planning to get a car harness for her, just in case), and then she sat on my lap during therapy, and listened intently to what ended up being a long conversation about how freakin’ cute she is.
And, yes, she is still spending most of her time marinating in her bed, but she’s usually awake now and looking around intently for clues about her new world. She even twists around in her bed to watch me when I leave the room, or, God forbid, leave the apartment altogether. She still hasn’t barked, but she makes the most of her soft voice, waking us up in the morning with her persistent cry, like a tiny car alarm. She’s usually looking for Grandma, to give her breakfast or a treat, but sometimes she even comes looking for me, and then she waits until she’s made eye contact and then runs back to the living room, expecting me to follow.
After her success with the groomer, I decided to move her food and water bowls halfway to the kitchen, rather than near her bed, to encourage her to walk around more often. And I even added toothbrushing into her daily routine (she loves the chicken flavored toothpaste!), and she seems to be tolerating the indignity quite well.
As the weather warms up, the next big challenge will be teaching her how to tolerate walks. She still looks at the leash like it’s a boa constrictor about to strangle her, and when I try to put her on the ground out in the yard, she shakes, so there’s a lot of work ahead. Maybe she’ll have to take some doggy Xanax for walks, as well as for the groomer. In my imagination, I see her running along the beach in the wind, and playing with Kevin-the-Golden-Doodle in the backyard, the way Cricket used to do (except without the violence), but that might be asking too much. We’ll see.
I’m trying to moderate my expectations and just be happy whenever she makes progress, but then I worry that I haven’t challenged her enough or given her enough opportunities for growth. With that in mind, I brought one of Kevin’s squeaky tennis balls into the apartment one day, hoping the smell of him would interest her. I threw the ball a few times, and squeezed it to make it squeak, but Tzipporah just watched intently, with no signs of wanting to participate. She hasn’t quite figured out that life is supposed to be interactive, instead of a movie to be watched from the cozy seats, but I have the same problem, so really, who am I to criticize?
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How adorable
She’s starting to realize how cute she is!
Glad to Hear it
i was hoping for a post focussed on Tsipporah!👍🏼
Me too!
I didn’t realise the canine toothpaste was chicken flavoured. I wonder if human toothpaste could be marketed with roast beef or roast lamb flavours. I’d probably brush my teeth a few extra times each day. 😂
Tzipporah gives the chicken flavor a big paws up!
“She hasn’t quite figured out that life is supposed to be interactive, instead of a movie to be watched from the cozy seats, but I have the same problem, so really, who am I to criticize?”
Indeed Tzipporah. I like to watch life from the cozy seats as well just with keyboard in hand. You? Do dog stuff and get that lady of yours out of the house, for more than just the basic alright? Get some extended air (says a guy from his sister’s basement.) HeHeHe. Cheers you three.
Thank you!
How cool that Tzipporah accompanied you to therapy. She is really adorable with her new hairdo.
Ellie went to therapy with me for quite a while and it helped her, and me, a lot!
Tzipporah is so cute with her eyes showing! You guys are really making progress!
Thank you!
She is adorable! I had no idea there was chicken-flavored toothpaste. My cats just laughed and laughed when I told them. “Haha, Mom. Don’t even think about buying that stuff for us!” 😹
Tzipporah is taking baby steps which work just fine for her. How exciting!
Tzipporah is the first dog I’ve ever had who was willing to have her teeth brushed. I tried with Cricket and Ellie but they gave me some very potent side eye.
She’s beautiful!
Thank you!
What a little sweetheart she is!
Thank you!
Tzipporah reminds me so much of Murphy! If her progress is like his, it will be closer to summer before she feels comfortable outside. A few months after that she will be asking you to take her for walks.
Murphy never got the hang of playing with toys like stuffies or balls, but he likes to chew bones and hooves and those yak cheese treats. Maybe Tzipporah will like chewing as well.
(Murphy didn’t bark until a stranger came to the house. Have you had company recently?)
So happy to see your pretty girl’s intelligent eyes!
That’s so reassuring! Thank you! She’s had strangers around, but no barking.
It’ll come!
What a changed little dog she is. A little love goes a long way!
It really does!
Aww, she’s really settling in well, according to her own rules. I’m pleased for both of you!
Thank you!
She’s adorable 😍Her personality is coming out slowly. Don’t rush it and be careful what you wish for 😂 sometimes in my experience when a dog is quiet and experiencing life from the sidelines that’s just right. A crazy-get-into-everything pup is a handful!
I’ve had those crazy dogs!
You are making progress.Good. Tzipporah has cute eyes.
Thank you!
What a cutie. I’m so glad you have given her such a caring home that will let her grow as she sees fit.
Thank you!
I agree with so many others. She is such a gorgeous cutie. Maybe you’ve opened her eyes about her new life with this new look. Cheers, Michael
Thank you!
What a cutie pie. She’ll come around. It just takes time. Was she stuck in a crate the entire time before she came to you? That would freaking break my heart. I’ll say a prayer for her. But she’s loved and she knows she’s loved so that’s the most important thing. All else is fluff.
I definitely think she spent her life in a crate, so having a safe place to return to feels right to her.
Bless her little heart.
With new eyes to see, I bet
Oops she’ll make great
Strides and everyday exposure, she’ll be on her way. She’s adorable! I play with my pups feet and ears and teeth everyday for desensitization and brush him and it’s working when he gets groomed which isn’t often. 💕
She’s getting used to being handled; it’s still not her favorite thing, but she’s not scared of it anymore.
Soooo awesome 😎
She looks like she has a bounce in her step..it might be slowl going but it is still progress. 💓
It really is! I’m so proud of her!
Yay for your sweet pup…she’s making great progress…with baby steps, but progress nonetheless.
May I give you a bit of advice about the teeth brushing? (If the answer’s no, just skip over this.) Most store bought dog toothpaste contain carcinogenics. I use coconut oil. I melt it and mix in neem oil. Maybe 3 drops to about 1/3 cup oil. I say “Who wants their teeth brushed?” and I have 3 dogs running and “assuming the position.” Hope this was helpful.
Thank you!
It’s so heartwarming to hear of her progress. She is so beautiful, and you and your mom are both doing so much for her. Bless you!
Thank you!
She’s adorable…bright eyes!
Thank you!
Aah. So cute.
Thank you!
She’s so adorable! Glad it wasn’t traumatic for her.
Thank you!
What beautiful eyes!
It’s a beautiful pair of eyes that you’ve uncovered.
Thank you!
I’m so happy Tzipporah is making progress. She’s adorable, and she has beautiful eyes.
Thank you!
A lovely blog! You are such a great doggie mom. And what a beautiful girl with such seeking, intelligent eyes. God bless y’all – and your mom.
Thank you so much!
I will try to get back to you on Word Press when I return from vacation in May. Thanks for checking in.
cute puppy
She’s a cutie!! 👏👏👏
I love this post and I love the patience that you have to let Tz ( couldn’t find the spelling while I was writing) grow at her own pace. And how you see every little sign of hope!!
“She hasn’t quite figured out that life is supposed to be interactive, instead of a movie to be watched from the cozy seats, but I have the same problem, so really, who am I to criticize?” I thought this was a really great line! Here’s to both of you becoming more interactive! V
Thank you so much!
She is so adorable!
She is so cute!
Thank you, on her behalf!
When I was on WP before I followed your blog. It was nice to see you still have your blog.
Thank you!
She looks calm
She’s calmed down a lot!