Half Way Point

This next week I will have had Zoli for 6 whole months! I can't believe we're half way through this already. I can't imagine how I will feel 6 months from now when I have to let him go. Stephen informed me that I very well may have to load Z up in his crate and send him off from the airport (as Steve will be in DC prior to leaving for Africa). I immediately started crying! There is no way I will be able to watch Zoli being rolled away in a crate at the airport...it would absolutely tear me up! I can't even think about it! I will definitely have to have someone else do this for me if that is the case. Ugh! Who knew I'd become so attached to the little bugger?!

Of course, last night he had me up at 4am freaking out. We had two strange, LOUD pops of thunder which woke us both up. Z could not settle down and was trying to break down the front door. I decided that the fear of the noise literally made him have to go to the bathroom...ha! I ended up walking him in the rain so he could do his business. Good grief! That is love...of course it's also a fear of him pooping on my carpet!

I have not yet dealt with the "socializing" issue yet, and now time is wasting. I have to get him enrolled in some program to help him out. I must say, however, that he is getting just slightly better when we see dogs. He still tries to go crazy, but I seem to be able to control him a little easier. Of course, without his muzzle he'd still chomp on me!

He's getting too used to me being home, being unemployed and all! Each time I leave it seems to be harder for him. I need to really need to make sure I leave the house each day so he doesn't get too used to it. It would be good for me as well, of course. It's easy to become a complete homebody during times like this.

So... here's to our 6 month doggy'versary and to another fun filled 6 months to go!

Start a blog...and make it funny!

So, that's what my friend Michelle put on my FB page: Start a blog and make it funny! No pressure there, huh?! :) I don't think I'll be starting a new blog, but as I venture into this new world of unemployment I may add my thoughts/experiences in this blog. My year with Zoli is certainly turning out to be an interesting one, to say the least!

I said I'd add some Z pictures so here's one of him in his very own chair in front of the Christmas tree. He has started sitting on the sofa now, though. I decided that since I KNOW he's on it while I'm gone I will just let him sit there whenever he wants...which seems to be all the time! ;)

Z has also started sleeping with me. Sometimes on my feet...seriously... ON my feel. He will readjust over and over again through the night and always plop directly on top of my feet. Good thing it's winter and freezing... he's like a little heating pad. Other times he will sleep directly by my face...curled up in a little ball with his head on the pillow next to me. Not the best, as I turn over and see doggy booty in my face. It's funny though, in the past 5 months he's gone from sleeping in his cage, to the closet to my bed. Guess this means he's comfy with me. Stephen is screwed though, as I think Z will now want to sleep with him too...oh, well!

So... not too funny here, but it is an update at least! ;) Happy New Year everyone (or maybe the one person who may read this!!!)

Emotions

Zoli is very attuned to my emotional well-being. Needless to say, I have been a little stressed out over the past month. If you don't already know my job was "eliminated" and I was offered a separation package from P&G. It's been a bummer - frustrating/annoying and a little scary to think of being unemployed. Z definitely picks up on my emotions. And I've probably been a little more impatient with him too. That makes me feel bad, which he picks up on... and it starts all over! Ugh!! Today on his afternoon walk he PULLED the entire time. It was so frustrating! I wish he would realize that we will be exactly where he wants to be in like, two seconds!!!!! Then, the wind was kicking up and causing some bushes to move and he went crazy like there was an animal inside. Believe me, I looked... there was NO animal around. So now it's dogs, cats, birds, snakes (yes, we did see one!), the occasional backpack, anyone walking down the street and WIND! Fun times, folks... fuuuuuuun times!

Next time I write I will share the little songs I sing Z when I'm making him breakfast. My friends informed me I should NOT let anyone else know about this, but of course, that makes me want to share even more!! I will post some Z pics next time as well.

Hope you're all having happy holidays!!!

Jealous...

The other night my good friend Pat came over. A bunch of us were headed down to the big, exciting tree lighting (!) and he came over a little early prior to heading downtown. Well, Zoli did the obligatory smelling when he arrived and then when I went to give Pat a hug Zoli jumped up on his hind legs toward me, like, "ummm, excuse me? why are you hugging him!" Then, when Pat and I sat on the sofa Z popped up right next to me and when I wasn't paying enough attention to him would tap me with his little paw, like, "ummm, excuse, me? pay more attention to me, dammit!" I do believe Zoli was jealous!

It goes to show two things: One, Zoli is really starting to feel connected to me, which is great! Two, I obviously don't have men over to my place enough, which is pathetic!

Great Dane!

So, there's this HUGE dog living in my condo building... I think he's a Great Dane or something enormous like that. Every time he and Zoli see each other they both go crazy! The other morning I was taking Z out for his walk (a little later since I was working from home) and I guess this dog was waiting by the patio doors because as soon as he saw us he threw his huge body up against the doors and broke about three of the window panes! It made a horrendous noise and both Z and I jumped about a mile high! I just kept walking since I didn't know if this monster was now working his way through the cut glass to come devour us or what! As we hit the sidewalk I started worrying that maybe instead he was bleeding to death inside his condo. What to do??!! Luckily I saw one of the owners cross the street. I went over, introduced myself, and let her know that either her dog was in the process of escaping... or possibly dying (I'm sure I worded it better than that!). She rolled her eyes and informed me that it was not HER dog, but her roommates! End result, monster dog is fine, windows are taped up, owners are annoyed, Z is still crazy and I am resigned to my new life!

Life goes on...

Not much to tell really... life is just moving along (nine months to go - not that I'm counting or anything!). Z got to have a little "man time" this past weekend. I went up to South Bend for a Notre Dame game and Z moved in with Ray for two days. I'm sure they did lots of obnoxious boy stuff... swearing, playing on the floor, making a mess, burping/farting... you know, all the things girls never do! It went well, though, and that makes me feel better about the fact that I'm headed to DC next week and Z will be in a kennel! I picked a place over in Norwood (recommended by Vet) called The Pet Spot. Went there yesterday to check it out and it's very nice. I upgraded to a "villa" - can't have Z wallowing in a cage for three days!

Z also went to the vet and had a little grooming yesterday! Just a bath and nail trimming - he keeps himself pretty clean overall, but he was getting a little stinky! I figured that just because I'm watching him for the year doesn't mean I have to actually bathe him, right??!!! $24 later he smells like a flower and is no longer clicking on the hard wood floors! Well worth it!!!

Hummm...

I was reading Stephen's blog today and decided that it's seriously no fair that his is so exciting and mine is so very, very boring! I mean, he gets to write about Tel Aviv, shooting AK47's and walking in the footsteps of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusades and all I have to talk about are things like, where Z is scratching lately, squirrels, poop patterns, etc. Life is not fair!