On your mark... get set... GO!

Every night Zoli and I have our last walk of the day... an easy stroll around the courtyard. No drama, no pulling. It's always very pleasant. When we get inside he will sort of look at me like... "Okay, are we sitting back down or is it bed time?" I go around and turn off the lights, TV and space heater and then... the race is on!!! (Lately, Z has decided that his spot of choice on the bed is MY side with his head on MY pillow!) We both take off running for the bedroom and basically whoever gets there first wins the prime spot. Believe me... I do not always win. I have to sort of trick him into being behind me when we hit the bedroom door. That is the only way I will make it to the bed in time to claim my spot. I've worked hard to create the perfect Homer Simpson dent in that bed...it's mine! If Zoli gets there first he is IMPOSSIBLE to move. I usually end up sort of curling myself around him...hoping I can grasp a few inches of blanket. If I'm lucky he will either readjust or flat out move when the lights go off. Last night he moved about a foot down and then stayed put! I contorted myself around him and off to sleepy land we went. I'm hoping for a better outcome at tomorrow nights race.

Snow, snow and more snow

One would think that two years in Russia would prepare Zoli for a snowy winter. I think his hot Bangladeshi blood is shining through lately! Stephen told me that Z liked to frolic in the snow... I have yet to see one ounce of frolicking. I have seen avoiding, tip-toeing, smelling, contemplating, but no frolicking! He will barely walk in it! We've had so much now that he really has no option, but he will avoid it at all costs. Our walks consist of Z smelling every inch of snow as he walks and me gasping for breath as I trudge through the snow (seriously, it's exhausting!). He will now just do his business right in the middle of the sidewalk since it is the best cleared area we can find. Good thing I am always prepared with doggy poop bags (every coat, every pocket of every pair of jeans!) So... three times a day I brave the winter weather - like a postal worker...neither rain, snow, sleet, etc. will keep me from walking master Z.

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!