German Shepherd Rescue Alliance of Wisconsin

Update 11/22/06

Hi Dawn,

I know we haven't given you any Roxie updates lately, so here is the latest.  She is as playful and energetic as ever!  She is in daycare one day per week and she loves it.  She also enjoys the dog park, long walks, and playing keep away.

Roxie is also a quick learner.  Since our obedience training in Spring, she has learned many new commands including: wait, off, go to your place, high-five, paw, touch, and speak.  Roxie is still very protective to visitors to the house, but continues to get better.  She is great with dogs and people outside of her "territory."

One of the attached pictures are from daycare and the rest are from the past few weeks, when she helped me rake the leaves.

Lance

Update 4/26/06:

Hi Dawn,

Thought I would give you the latest on Roxie.  We met with Frank Allison for a session and we learned a lot.  We've incorporated what he taught us and we are also in the middle of obedience training at HAWS (Waukesha Humane Society).  She still has minor issues to work on, but overall has made great improvement already.

When someone comes to the door she MAY jump up once, but that’s about all.  

She is much better when Katie's parents visit, I assume its partly due to getting used to seeing them around and getting comfortable with her new environment.  We haven't had many other people over recently, but she has been good around neighbors and people at the park, etc.

To get Roxie more socialized with other dogs we brought her to the dog park in Johnson Creek twice.  She loves it and loves playing with the other dogs!  The only problem is that she doesn't come when called, because she is too distracted having fun with the other dogs.

We are also contemplating bringing Roxie to a doggie day care once a week so she can socialize with dogs.  Do you know anyone who has good or bad feedback regarding doggie day care?

We've attached some pictures of Roxie at the dog park (tired out), as well as some of her toy Budda. We had a tragic accident this past week. Our beloved Budda had past away.  Budda was Roxie's best friend, her toy porcupine (at least that's what we think she is).  Roxie loved her so, but this past week she turned on her and tore out her insides, very gently and neatly, but needless to say she left Budda lifeless.

Katie felt it was my fault as she left Budda in the crate with her while she was gone. We know you shouldn't leave stuffed porcupines in the crate with a dog, but Roxie insists she be with her when she sleeps. Roxie had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that she murdered her. She would pull her from her grave, the garbage can, and carry her lifeless body around the house.  To take her mind of things we went to the dog park, went for a run, but still her focus was on Budda.

Well our hearts gave in and we went out and found her another Budda so life can go on. Roxie was thrilled, but confused, when the new Budda came into her life. As you'll see in the pictures of the meeting of the two when I brought him home.  I also attached a few photos of the after math, of the dog park and run with Roxie. She is so tired when we're done that she loves to just lay with her water bowl and chill in her sunglasses.

Lance and Katie

Hi Dawn and Michaela,

Thought I would give you both an update on how Roxie is doing.  To put it
simply she is doing fantastic.  She had a little difficulty sleeping the
first night, but the last three nights she's slept like a rock!

She loves going on walks and playing keep away, which we play in the large
and open rec room area in the basement.  She is an excitable girl that loves
to stay active, which is great for Katie and my lifestyle.

And she absolutely loves the snow!  She has been rolling in it, diving in
it, lying in it, digging her nose in it, etc. all night.  In fact, I had to
bring her in because she still didn't want to come after 30 minutes.

Also, we've attached some pictures of Roxie in action over the past few
days.

Thanks again,

Lance and Katie