Major Accomplishments

This has nothing to do with accomplishments. I just shamelessly hoped more people would read this.

Izzy is now 52 pounds! She looks so much like an adult, but I have to remind myself she is just a teen and a crazy one at that. It's easy for me to focus on what she is not doing but it's important to focus on what she is doing. Today I just wanted to share some really big accomplishments we've seen in the last week.

#1 Izzy sat calmly in the driveway and watched a herd of deer in our yard. She did not bark, she did not pull, she did not fuss. She just sat and watched. The deer initially were on alert but soon started grazing as she didn't present a threat. What a good girl!

The picture makes the deer look further away than they were. She did great!

#2 She is doing so much better in her crate. I've learned how much exercise and activity makes it easier for her. I also learned to move her crate back so she can watch TV. This dog loves Nat Geo Wild and Animal Planet. When I check her on the camera, she is often watching TV. Today, I heard a couple barks when she noticed we were leaving but nothing after that. When I checked 30 minutes later, I saw this.

I didn't think we'd ever be able to leave her but look at her now.

#3 Respecting the cats. This is huge! Cats are hard. They are potential playmates, they run, they rub on her. They are also very quick to react to any excited moves from her. Check out this video from yesterday. I was amazed Stitch was comfortable enough to stay near her but even more amazed that she calmly watched him. I know she really wanted to try and engage him, but she didn't. Go Izzy!

Izzy calmly watching Stitch.

#4 Last one. Going to the Emergency Vet and having to wait 3 hours and not only settling but then going to sleep. It was hard for her. Three hours of staying quiet would be hard for any puppy but she did so well!

Waiting patiently at the Emergency Vet. There was another dog in the waiting room and a cat.