THEEYO IS HOME AND LOVING IT

Coordinating for a dog to fly to their home can be like solving a puzzle.  You get a flight but it doesn't work for the people or you get everyone's schedule lined up but the flight is booked too full.  When you finally get the combination of everything right you hold an excited breath and wait to see it all fit together.  You feel guilty leaving the dog at the airport because you're sure they don't understand what they're doing there, but then you could jump for joy when you hear they've landed safe and sound and are settling into their new home.  The end justifies the means.

Theeyo gets a kong with peanut butter in his flight crate the night before

He has no issue with going in and out of the crate...I think he likes it in there

Crate is all ready with itinerary attached to the top, extra supplies, water dish etc

The first leg of his journey was flying Harbour Air from Richmond to Victoria.  I've taken dogs to Harbor Air a couple of times and have always been super impressed by the staff and how they treat their guests - 2-legged or 4-legged.  He was greeted in Victoria by Marie (thanks Marie....you're awesome!) who had him overnight and put him on his flight with Pacific Coastal (also an awesome company to fly a dog with!) to Prince George where he was picked up by Rob.  Unfortunately, timing didn't allow for both of his new humans to be there but Betty-Jo was back home by tonight and anxious to meet Theeyo too.  So they are now all together and I received the update that made me smile and made me happier than happy!

Theeyo - asleep on Rob's lap....looking so content!

Hi Lisa....
Holy cow is he cute! So much smaller than I imagined he'd be....so, so cute! And a sweet little personality. I've been home for 2 hrs, and it's obvious he is a great fit for us. I think he might be Rob's dog....pretty devoted to Rob's every move......its precious.

What a cuddler, he is curled up on Rob's lap, eyes rolled back in his head, he's so chilled out. He's great, we love him, you have nothing to be sorry about. He is our little guy.......

Oh, he's been on 3 off leash walks and seems to love it....did very, very well I'm told. Had some bliss moments rolling in the tall grass and clover, very nice. I look forward to joining them tomorrow!

He is just doing beautifully, we are thrilled and grateful. He and Frankie have been chasing each other and having a blast. Life is good. Happy Birthday to me!!
Betty-Jo

Theeyo has two dog siblings and the dog he has already been running around with is Frankie who is a TG alumni.   Thanks Betty-Jo and Rob for giving Theeyo such a great home...I know he will be well loved!  I notice in the email update no mention of Theeyo's name....perhaps a name change is in the works?? 

THEEYO'S CLOSE TO BEING HOME

Theeyo has an adoption pending and we're just working out the logistics of getting him home.  His journey will include a short plane ride but it will be well worth it. 

In the last week Theeyo has started to change a bit.  He's more settled, walking better on leash, making more eye contact with me, barking at less things, and trying to eat less things off the ground.  He is a great little dog with oodles of potential.  We have continued to change his dinner routine to add more challenge.  I can now ask him to go to his bed and wait for dinner and he won't move until I give him the 'okay'. 

He has the sit and down hand signals figured out and is getting pretty good at 'stay' too.  He seems to have a bit of a delay and its longer or shorter depending on what you're asking of him.  For example, if you invite him up onto the couch he'll wait about 5-10 seconds and then come up.  You only need to ask once and then ignore him and he will do it.   Sometimes if I ask him to come to me you can see him process it, he pauses and then he'll come.  He does better if you ask once and then give him time to think about it vs. asking over and over.   He is also better about not barking if you ignore him vs. talking to him about the barking or trying to correct him.  If he is more worried about something when he is barking, then I hold him close, no petting, and remain quiet and he calms faster than any other methods.   He hardly barks at noises outside of my home anymore. 

Something caught his attention outside...but no barking ; )

Much more relaxed when he knows its my dinner being prepared, not his.

On Sunday, we went to MacDonald Beach and it was the first time I'd taken him there.  He loved walking on the sand and I was happy to see that he didn't think the sand was worthy of eating.  I was hesitant to let him off leash because so many smells and other dogs were catching his attention.  I don't think he'd run away but I do think he'd get caught up in checking things out and maybe lose sight of me.  We walked one end to the other and he was so happy to be there.  Probably the happiest I've seen him so far.  He was bouncy and playful with some dogs we met and he really wanted to run.  So, towards the end of our walk I unclipped him and he raced back and forth on the sand.  He ran about 50 or so feet away and turned to look at me and I ran the other direction and he caught up and then ran back again with me. I had no problem getting him back on leash and he'd burned off some steam.  It was awesome to watch him run full tilt like that!  

He was hesitant about the water but he followed me in a few times and I picked him up and put him in and he swam a few paddles and then looked quite pleased with himself.   I think he will take to water quite easily especially if he has another dog to follow in and show him the ropes.   He was really relaxed about me taking him in but I didn't push my luck and only went a few feet from the shore.   I wish I had my camera with me for the day but first time to a new place I find it easier to focus on the dog's experience without taking pictures or video.

Theeyo loves the antler.  Its one of his favorites.

And I wanted to take a picture to show just how much Theeyo has come along in the last 7 weeks.  The picture on the left is Theeyore in the first couple of days with me and the one on the right is a couple of days ago. 

Theeyore isn't so much of an Eeyore anymore!

SOCCER ANYONE?

"Does this angle make my nose look big?"

Theeyo has some real soccer potential but only if the ball has treats inside.  His favorite toy by far has been the orange treat ball.  Its been funny to watch him progress with it.  He's getting faster at getting the treats out and he's also bashing it around harder too.  You should see him when there's just one left and he can't get it out of there.  He really has at it then.