cgschooldaze

[cgschooldaze]

Harrison Ford

It has been a very long time since I have given a Harry update.  April was a horrible start for Harry.  He tried escaping his crate for the first two weeks and left his face with a few fresh scars.  Then came holidays and lots of mom time at home.  Let us fast forward to today.  We are now on day 15 out of his crate.  He has only had one bad day out of those counted moments as he adjusted to  freedom. Now he and I are both adapting well.  He sleeps by the door alot, he brings a leash to bed most days, or I have come home to see him walking out of his cage nonchalontly  One day he left his coat in his cage, and a leash on my bed. Today it was one running shoe in the living room and one in bed.  The boy is growing up....

[cgschooldaze]

Life with Harrison Ford is and always a learning curve.   He loves socializing and greeting everyne he meets.   He does not understand why they are not there at 5 am when we walk.  He is always disappointed when they are not on the porch.  My neighbour made a shower for him with her hose today.  He hated it.  Abby would have loved it.   He makes me turn on the air conditioners earlier than i would like and he hates fans.  The diva is getting his nails done tomorrow, I might go with pink or purple, I think it suits this guy.

[cgschooldaze]

Life with Harrison Ford

Today I watched a dog at two stores who was not tied up but waited for his owner. I was lucky enough to tell him what a great dog he has.  In reflection I  have a great dog as well.  He follows my erratic sleep and will go for walks at the flick of a leash.  He gets excited when we encounter friends, just like me...He loves  simple things and I have realized they are the most meaningful.  Watching him make snow angels on the melting snow, making me run (more of a limp and please stop,) on our walks, awakening me to hear the birds.  Enjoy your fur animals, they can teach you a lot. 

[cgschooldaze]

Life with Harrison Ford

The year has started off interesting for both of us.  Harry has decided that the sound of snowplows are evil and they will destroy the house as we sleep.  He wakes me and keeps me roused to warn me of the impending doom.When  we are out for walks, he ignores them....?

He loves sniffing the wind and playing in the snow, when there is ice on the walks, he pulls me across like I am skating.  And he does so effortlessly.  

Normally he accompanies me and a friend to market on Saturdays, he anticipates the event from the time he gets up.  Today was late market so he had to stay home.I prepared his cage and removed a towel he shredded yesterday while I was at work.  Lately he just waits for me to get home and let him out, but he must of hated the towel.  So I leave for market and return an hour or so later.  I walk up the stairs and look towards Harry’s cage.  I break out into laughter, all the remains of the towell that I had put outside of his cage to dispose of after market had miraculously returned to Harry lying on them inside his cage. How he did that will remain a mystery, but I do know it will not be the last time he makes me laugh or shake my head in amazement.

[cgschooldaze]

Life with Harrison Ford

Happy New Year everyone.  Harry is anxiously awaiting the end to the cold snap.  To adapt, he is quite skilled at the tripod walk and can run quickly if the affected paws do not enjoy the alternating dance.  Harry and I enjoyed our holidays, but the end was bitter sweet. I was 2 minutes away from the house, on my way to work when I had a feeling of loss.  I will miss my dog.  Today we will have a great walk avoiding the brutal temps and enjoy our Sunday.  

[cgschooldaze]

Life with Harrison Ford

This guy amazes me daily.  Since my accident he has walked very slow and looks behind to check on me.  The day of the crash,  I could not get warm.  Harry slept under the covers...  This weekend he has had me up early to look at the stars and in daylight I watch him make dog angels wrestling in the grass.  I have read a book and just relaxed which is awesome.  

[cgschooldaze]

Life with Harrison Ford

1102 days ago, I arrived at work to see a picture of this guy.  Jamie (still little Quinn to me) sent me a photo of a dog in need.  It was one week after losing Miss Abby to Cancer. I went to meet Harry on this thanksgiving weekend three years ago.  The minute I laid eyes on him, he knew he had a home.  It has not been easy until these last few months.  He has graciously accepted my trust and knows I come home from work everyday.  Schedule is big for Mr. Harry.  He has given me anxiety attacks, (I do not wish those on anyone) but   I am grateful for the patience he has taught me, the love that he emits and the great furry companion he is owning up to.  You have done well Harry :) 

[cgschooldaze]

Life with Harrison Ford

Yesterday was a milestone for Harry, a year has passed since our last roof visit.  This past week, getting Harry to his crate so I can leave for work has become seamless.  He goes in as directed without the fuss and trembling that used to occur.  He has not worn his thunder jacket for two weeks. Crate training for dogs with separation anxiety is very difficult, but he realizes now it is not punishment for bad behaviour.  I am just keeping him safe.  He loves everyone, gets treats from neighbours on our walks and he also loves the neighbourhood four legged friends we meet .  I worry less and love him just as much as the first day I brought him home. ( If not more ) 

[cgschooldaze]

Life with Harrison Ford -    Harry recovered nicely from his bout with the intestinal intruder.  Thanks to rice and pure pumpkin, no really thank you.  Today I was fortunate enough to acquire some sturdy reinforcements for Harry’s cage.  I intend to have a stress free September....and so does the Harrison :)

[cgschooldaze]

Life with Harry

Well the Mr. has had a tough week.  I dread the approaching month change as our roof escapes began a year ago September. The storms on Tuesday allowed Harry to become anxious enough to destroy some more of his cage.  I ignored him much of last night as  I have been taught by trainers, but payed the price.  Harry is too sensitive for that and told me by having the trots at 3 am, 430, and twice while I was at work.  How he managed to stick his arse out the cage and  trot on the carpet keeping his crate clean amazes me.  I will forever learn patience and understanding with Harry, he truly  makes me more aware of how we are supposed to respond to adversity. 

[cgschooldaze]

Life with Harry

This weekend marks a milestone with the Harold.  One year ago I was going to meet this cute guy who  had  the threat of being euthanized hanging over his head  Looking back...we have experienced more good than bad. I really hope that the year ahead allows Harry to realize he is more than loved; he is family and his reality returns to some kind of normalcy .The love that he shares is infectious and everyone loves the Harry.  He is just a work in progress ...............................

[cgschooldaze]

Life with Harry

Life with Harry is never going to be without a story.  We have begun week two of crate training without a dent or gnaw or movement of the crate.  Harry is happy because I have a wonderful neighbour who takes Harry out for adventures before I get home  His love for her is wonderful to see and Harry is certainly spoiled.  I have put in a full week and a half at work without a scary phone call and my anxiety is decreasing with the comfort of knowing Harry is safe.

His new trick with his new best friend is planting his butt on the ground a block before my house and putting on the stubborn Harry mode.  I wish her continued success as I actually watched him pull this yoga move tonight....now named the Harry.

Snuggle up with your fur pets tonight and give them lots of love from Harry.

[cgschooldaze]

Life with Harry

Well; this week did not end perfectly.  Harry and myself were humiliated being trapped on the roof.   Protecting the pooch; my legs fell asleep grasping the front peaks with my knees.  How I so wished David still lived here; he would as a roofer sorted that out instantly.  I have purchased a new crate for the Harold and a kind neighbour is going to check in on the boy. I am grateful for the help that I am never going to ask for and appreciate all the help I have received in trying to raise Harry.  It takes a village......

[cgschooldaze]

Life with Harry

Well we have had a relatively uneventful two weeks with Harrison.  Meaning the roof visits have stopped at three.  We are doing more distance training and he is getting lots of exercise.  He has done some minor destruction; but nothing compared to being out on the roof.  We keep trying different methods.  He seems to react favourable to the pheromone diffuser.He is on a different combination of medications to help control his behaviour when I leave the house.  I intend to keep Harry safe and eventually discontinue medications as he learns to trust and grow.  He really is a fantastic dog ; he just has a couple hiccups along the way

[cgschooldaze]

Life with Harrison Ford

Day three of escapes was yesterday.  The humane society now calls me by my first name and have my cell phone number.  I spent three hours yesterday putting up metal; plywood and metal.  On top of that I barricaded the path to the windows.  What I did not receive was a call from anyone stating Harry was on the roof.  I thought I was off free from a night of renos.  After a visit to a new vet; (closer to home and new opinion) ; I looked at the renos from yesterday and discovered a huge hole he had bored through the plywood.  Fixed it up fairly quickly; rearranged the barricade and hope for the best tomorrow with the universe behind me.  At least he was not out on the roof today and I was able to work a full shift.  Also bought a pheromone diffuser today; Having conflicting thoughts on where to install it. where he does the damage or where he goes when I leave for work.  Separation anxiety is a work in progress and not a prescription to abandon your pet.  That is what someone did to him in the first place. .....I signed up for a commitment to his safety and welfare and Harrison is definitely a work in progress.  I wish all our furry friends a wonderful night filled with safety and love :) 

[cgschooldaze]

Life with Harrison Ford

Well we were well on to a record breaking run for Harry,  He almost had 12 days free of destructive or abnormal behaviour. Yeah for Harry! Then the bottom fell out when I get a call from the downstairs neighbour who say’s “Your dog is on the roof”.  I said pardon and she repeated her self and I said I am on my way. I went running past my lead hand yelling “dogs on roof, gotta go”.  I raced home on the scooter and found neighbours standing guard ready to “catch” my dog.  I was in adrenaline rush mode, and I ran into my house and had to take the skylight apart to reach the roof.  Realizing I needed help I ran back down to get my neighbour and I see  the Fire department is in my back yard and two humane society vehicles  CTV news had also arrived and was parked on the next street.  With the help of my neighbour holding the window I dismantled.  I shimmied out on the roof and pulled Harry in by the scruff of his back and neck.  The humane society was very decent when I explained his anxiety issues and asked CTV news to respect our privacy.  Both of us were quite shaken up but after getting him safe and introducing him to the good Samaritans I only took two hours to calm down.  Thank you to all of the universe coming together today to keep my Harrison safe.  I love him too much for all this nonsense. 

[cgschooldaze]

Life with Harrison Ford

My guy has had an awesome 9 days.  He again has been the gatherer and not the master of destruction.  He has survived this evenings band of thunderstorms and was ready for his walk when the storm cells broke.  He explored our neighbours porch and received lots of loving and he mastered a new skill; drinking out of a hose.  Thanks I was a tad parched. I look forward to what we master next, because in reality it is a learning curve for both of us.