The sky is falling!

[Boxergirl]

Al thinks the apocalypse has started. Someone put a sign up across the street early this morning. He noticed it immediately. He's very, very concerned about it. He's spent the day checking to see if it's still there and then praying (and licking his feet) for it to go away. Some people think he's not smart. They're wrong. He's extremely smart. If he were less intelligent, he wouldn't find so many things to be concerned about.

 

[Zeela]

Al thinks the apocalypse has started. Someone put a sign up across the street early this morning. He noticed it immediately. He's very, very concerned about it. He's spent the day checking to see if it's still there and then praying (and licking his feet) for it to go away. Some people think he's not smart. They're wrong. He's extremely smart. If he were less intelligent, he wouldn't find so many things to be concerned about.

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Ha ha, that's great, they are so smart.

 

[Steven C]

Al thinks the apocalypse has started. Someone put a sign up across the street early this morning. He noticed it immediately. He's very, very concerned about it. He's spent the day checking to see if it's still there and then praying (and licking his feet) for it to go away. Some people think he's not smart. They're wrong. He's extremely smart. If he were less intelligent, he wouldn't find so many things to be concerned about.

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Let Al know that he is not alone, I think it has started also in back in 08.

 

[Nik]

Aw poor Al. As someone who also struggles with anxiety I know how tough change can be. I hope that the sign stops upsetting him or disappears soon.

 

[Jarena]

Poor Al! Too smart and observant for his own good! Someone better move that nasty sign

 

[Boxergirl]

We spent a good amount of time sitting outside with a clicker and some good treats. We were able to get as far as the front sidewalk today. That's decent progress for him. Of course tomorrow we may have to start over again. He's like the Tom Hanks SNL character Mr. Short Term Memory Guy sometimes.

https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/shortys-game-show/2868098

 

[April Nicole]

Poor Al... What a clever guy he is. Glad he is working through it.

 

[April Nicole]

And he really does look like he's praying. I love seeing pictures of him. He is just so cute. And you can really see how sweet he is in his expressions.

 

[Boxergirl]

And he really does look like he's praying. I love seeing pictures of him. He is just so cute. And you can really see how sweet he is in his expressions.

Aww, thank you. He's such a hard dog, but he's probably the sweetest dog I've ever had. I think if he were a human we would have a diagnosis of something in addition to severe anxiety. He feels everything very strongly. You can see it in his face. He had a hard time when each of his girls left home. This is him when they came home.


Bambilegs


And this is my favorite picture of him. He has mediocre days, but he doesn't often have really good and carefree days. If you click on it you can see his full, smiling face.

 

[Jarena]

Aww, thank you. He's such a hard dog, but he's probably the sweetest dog I've ever had. I think if he were a human we would have a diagnosis of something in addition to severe anxiety. He feels everything very strongly. You can see it in his face. He had a hard time when each of his girls left home. This is him when they came home.
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Bambilegs
View attachment 60573

And this is my favorite picture of him. He has mediocre days, but he doesn't often have really good and carefree days. If you click on it you can see his full, smiling face.
View attachment 60575

Oh. My. Goodness. That last one might be my favorite picture ever! Knowing a little about him and how much you love him.... ugh that one might have made my eyes water a bit. And the other pictures with your girls, he looks so happy, like he found his home in their laps. This made my day, thanks for sharing!

 

[April Nicole]

I agree Jarena he is such a special guy. Love seeing his smiling face. Is he doing better today w the sign?

 

[Boxergirl]

I agree Jarena he is such a special guy. Love seeing his smiling face. Is he doing better today w the sign?

He's still having a hard time. It's windy here and the sign is moving a lot. To add to things, we uncovered the pond yesterday so that's another different thing that he's not liking much. And to do the pond my husband drove the truck into the yard which is VERY unusual. It was also a bad night for him. He sleeps curled up close to my side. On a bad night he seems to have sensory overload and his body quakes when I stroke him. There's usually no rhyme or reason to it, but I think he was just overloaded with changes yesterday and he couldn't deal with it. I have him in clothes today. He has several kinds of anxiety wraps that help. I also gave him his Composure Pro. We won't be working outside today at all. He's having a hard time disengaging from the moving sign and the uncovered pond to focus on me. I think we're going to play some clicker games. He likes that and he's successful at it, and it's important that he's successful. I'll work on the front porch where he can see the scary things, but at a distance that he can focus on working. This probably all sounds so dramatic, lol, but everything really is dramatic for him. Tomorrow will be a better day.

 

[Boxergirl]

I'm ordering this ribbon for Al. I'm going to make him a new collar. He's always a bit saucy when I get him new clothes of any kind and it makes me happy. He tries so hard to be brave that I thought this would be perfect for him. He's also a Harry Potter fan. His full name is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledog. We're nerds.



And maybe this one for Roy and Otis. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." I haven't found a good one for Ella yet.

 

[Nik]

oh my goodness that last photo of Al smiling is so adorable. <3

I have seen that same worried look on Kahlua's face that you mentioned as well. Change upsets her and stresses her out. Strangers and strange animals upset and stress her out. But, she is nowhere near as anxious as Al. She is able to calm down and be happy when the source of stress is not around.

Diesel has weird anxiety about wanting to patrol or be in certain rooms at certain times. He goes into full blown panic attacks if he feels it is time to be in bed or time to be on his bed in the office (new one since moving) and we don't comply. Usually I can mitigate that by putting him in his crate but he still is clearly stressed with panting until he gets to go to whichever location he seems to feel he needs to be in. I have to wonder if part of this is just sensory overload or him being tired and needing to decompress somewhere he feels calm. I am thinking of buying him more beds for more rooms in the house so he can retreat to a bed no matter what room we are all in.

Since moving Diesel has been stress humping. He hasn't humped in so long and suddenly he is humping his bed, humping kahlua all the while panting and yawning. Stress humping is a real thing. The only thing that calms him when he starts stress humping is for me to come over and put him in a down position and then crawl on top of him in a giant bear hug then he slowly calms down until he is normal again. I am pretty sure this will stop as soon as he is used to the new place and my husband joins us again. Part of the stress is likely Sean being gone in addition to the new location.

Change is hard.

Also love the collar choices. Mine like new clothes too. Odd little fashionistas.

Oh and the lying curled up by you.. Usually that is Kahlua with Sean so it has been me since he isn't around right now. But, after our early morning potty when I returned to bed the little minx crawled under the covers with me! First time she has ever tried that little trick. I guess she thought it was a chilly morning.

 

[Jarena]

OMG speaking of Harry Potter! I had this on my wish list and I got it for Christmas! I love Harry Potter!

 

[Boxergirl]

That shirt is the best!

Today is proving to be a better day.

 

[Bailey's Mom]

Boxergirl...YOU ARE THE BEST HUMAN AND DOG MOM I HAVE EVER HAD THE PRIVILEGE KNOWING. The care and love that you give to your dogs and daughters...the safe zones you make for them and the understanding you give...Amazing. If I never said this before...I'm saying it now.

I've been down difficult roads with family dogs, and I know it's a massive commitment. And kids....oh boy....you know. Dogs and Kids aren't throw-aways, they need rules and boundaries and help with their problems, but they are definitely WORTH IT. Thank you for doing what you do for both your two-and four-legged family!

 

[Bailey's Mom]

Sorry, I misspoke.... Thank you and your husband for being the best human and dog parents. Give your DH a big hug from me.

 

[Boxergirl]

Boxergirl...YOU ARE THE BEST HUMAN AND DOG MOM I HAVE EVER HAD THE PRIVILEGE KNOWING. The care and love that you give to your dogs and daughters...the safe zones you make for them and the understanding you give...Amazing. If I never said this before...I'm saying it now.

I've been down difficult roads with family dogs, and I know it's a massive commitment. And kids....oh boy....you know. Dogs and Kids aren't throw-aways, they need rules and boundaries and help with their problems, but they are definitely WORTH IT. Thank you for doing what you do for both your two-and four-legged family!

That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. Thank you. My husband would say that he doesn't do anything, but he'd be wrong. He supports me 100% in everything. He's the best. Even if I am enjoying having my house to myself, lol.

 

[Bailey's Mom]

oh my goodness that last photo of Al smiling is so adorable. <3

I have seen that same worried look on Kahlua's face that you mentioned as well. Change upsets her and stresses her out. Strangers and strange animals upset and stress her out. But, she is nowhere near as anxious as Al. She is able to calm down and be happy when the source of stress is not around.

Diesel has weird anxiety about wanting to patrol or be in certain rooms at certain times. He goes into full blown panic attacks if he feels it is time to be in bed or time to be on his bed in the office (new one since moving) and we don't comply. Usually I can mitigate that by putting him in his crate but he still is clearly stressed with panting until he gets to go to whichever location he seems to feel he needs to be in. I have to wonder if part of this is just sensory overload or him being tired and needing to decompress somewhere he feels calm. I am thinking of buying him more beds for more rooms in the house so he can retreat to a bed no matter what room we are all in.

Since moving Diesel has been stress humping. He hasn't humped in so long and suddenly he is humping his bed, humping kahlua all the while panting and yawning. Stress humping is a real thing. The only thing that calms him when he starts stress humping is for me to come over and put him in a down position and then crawl on top of him in a giant bear hug then he slowly calms down until he is normal again. I am pretty sure this will stop as soon as he is used to the new place and my husband joins us again. Part of the stress is likely Sean being gone in addition to the new location.

Change is hard.

Also love the collar choices. Mine like new clothes too. Odd little fashionistas.

Oh and the lying curled up by you.. Usually that is Kahlua with Sean so it has been me since he isn't around right now. But, after our early morning potty when I returned to bed the little minx crawled under the covers with me! First time she has ever tried that little trick. I guess she thought it was a chilly morning.

"FASHIONISTAS"! You crack me up, Nik. I can practically see your pack working the catwalk....oops, dogwalk(?)...tee hee.