kapachino

Author: Kathleen

  • We’re Getting The Hang Of This Dog Thing

    This is such a busy week for me, and I should be studying right now but I somehow have a hard time really focusing on my schoolwork unless I have other little things taken care of. And I just wanted to check in.

    At this moment Cleo is sitting on the floor at my feet IN MY ROOM. This is a huge deal. It is the first time since I’ve had her that she has come into my room on her own and hung out in here. She is kind of weird in that she is afraid of new rooms. For the longest time she wouldn’t go down any halls, into any rooms, or the kitchen. If I tried to walk her in there on a leash she would refuse. So my answer to this was to carry her into the room, make her sit there with me for awhile, and then let her go. Then I waited a few days and I caught her exploring, cautiously, on her own. And now she’s apparently feeling comfortable with it.

    Furthermore, I no longer have to push her up the second set of stairs leading to our apartment. She will walk up on her own, though slowly. And she’s eating completely dry dog food, from her bowl, in her room. Also a huge accomplishment.

    Over the weekend my roommates and I went out of town, so I left Cleo with Boyfriend David. He has two dogs at his house already, Eddie and Sydney, and boy were they excited to see Cleo. The only other time I’ve seen Cleo so scared is when I took her to the vet. But by the time I came to pick her up the next day, she had two new best friends and I don’t think she wanted to come home.

    Boyfriend David has a poster of The Kramer up on the wall in his living room. It is the ONLY wall decoration that he has up. Apparently, Cleo caught sight of it through the window from outside and began to bark at it. Then she crept up toward it slowly, growling all the way, before crouching in front of it and barking for about twenty minutes. Cleo hates Kramer!

    She also picked up the habit of jumping up onto couches during her sleepover weekend. My roommate Amanda doesn’t appreciate that because it’s her couch and we’ve caught her on it several times since last weekend. Yesterday Cleo was left alone for a short time while Amanda went to Starbucks, and when she came home Cleo had shredded some mail.

    When I saw it I thought it was the cutest thing. Her first tear-up! If this is as bad as it’s going to get, then I think we’ve got it pretty good. After having owned a dog for exactly 10 days (even though she’s Amanda’s dog too, I do pretty much everything for her besides feed her in the morning), I can say that it definitely puts limitations on my life but it is completely worth it.

  • Got Guts?

    Over the weekend I went to Austin to run in the Got Guts 5K, which benefited celiac disease awareness. Conveniently, one of my best friends and ex-roommate Carmen now lives in Austin so I got to stay with her. Also, she ran the race with me which made it a lot more fun.

    This was an interesting race because it was almost completely run on grass. I’ve never done an off-road race before, and I wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t like it at first, but by the end of the race I was used to it. Also, all the food provided was gluten-free. I tried some of it, and there were some cookies that I really liked! I brought home a whole lot of gluten-free snacks to give to the people I know that have celiac disease.

    Other running updates:
    >I still really want to run the Texas Independence Relay, but my team is up in the air.
    >I’ve been following a marathon training schedule and it’s going really well.
    >I’m going to join a gym soon because my schedule is making it difficult to get to the park at safe times.
    >The next race I’m signed up for is the Tabor Homecoming 5K on October 20.

  • Are You A Goldilocks Kind Of Reader?

    From Booking Through Thursday:

    So, this is my question to you–are you a Goldilocks kind of reader?

    Do you need the light just right, the background noise just so loud but not too loud, the chair just right, the distractions at a minimum?

    Or can you open a book at any time and dip right in, whether it’s for twenty seconds, while waiting for the kettle to boil, or indefinitely, like while waiting interminably at the hospital–as long as the book is open in front of your nose, you’re happy to read?

    My answer is no. I am not a Goldilocks reader. I think that I could read in almost any situation, although I do better without TV or music because I do get distracted by that. Not that I don’t still read at those times, just slower. Some places that I have been known to read (other than on the couch or in bed):

    >The bus (frequently)
    >The checkout line at the grocery store
    >On road trips (when other people are driving)
    >My car (when I am driving – I know, I know, this is probably my worst habit so spare me the lectures!)
    >The bus stop
    >Waiting rooms
    >Pretty much anywhere when I have a spare minute and a book with me

  • The First Two Days Of Dog Ownership

    I do believe that I might have come across one of the sweetest dogs of all time. There are so many good things about Cleo. She hardly makes any noise; I’ve only heard her bark once. She loves everybody and gives cute little kisses that aren’t overwhelming. She’s extremely calm, which is perfect for apartment living. She knows how to sit and shake, and she’s pretty good at “come.” This morning, as I was rushing out the door she squirted past my legs and ran to the stairs (we live on the third floor). But when I said, “Cleo, no!” she stopped, and when I said, “Cleo, come!” she came back inside! I think that’s pretty amazing for our second day together.

    Cleo

    Here are the things we’re struggling with. I think that these will get better as time goes by, but if you have any advice I will receive it gladly!

    >She does not like going up the stairs. As I said, we’re on the third floor. The first day I pretty much had to carry her up. But I decided I’m not going to keep doing that. Now I say to her, “Cleo, up!” and I push her from behind until she is forced to take a step up. Then when she gets to the top of the flight I praise her, and if she gets all the way up to the apartment I give her a treat. I think she is getting a little better.

    >She isn’t eating her food or drinking much water. I’m not sure if it’s because she’s nervous or if it’s because she’s a snob about what she eats. Hm.

    Other than that she’s adjusting pretty well. She doesn’t move around the apartment much, but just kind of curls up in her little spot by the couch. I think she just needs more time to feel at home, and to know that she doesn’t have to go back to the shelter!

    Her car ride home:

    Best buds already:

    I love her!

  • Meet Cleo

     

    Beagle/ Hound mix, female, 2 years, brown/white. The lady that found me has two dogs and can’t keep me. I get along with older kids, adults, other dogs and am very quiet and sweet. I already know some commands and would love to learn more with you! Come and take me to my forever home!

    My roommate Amanda and I adopted her today! I have been wanting a dog for an extremely long time, so this is a momentous occasion. We didn’t actually get to bring her home today, because she still has to be spayed. But we pick her up tomorrow, and then I can get much better pictures. I love her already!