Zemek's Updates

Thanks To Canine LifeLine by Abby

Karen & gerard — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:24:11 GMT

I am so proud of Barb, my foster mom, for starting Canine Lifeline, a bunch of volunteers who open their homes to dogs who are scheduled to be euthanized like I was due to overcrowded shelters. I was so lucky she cared enough to let me come stay with her to give me more time to find my forever home here with Karen and Gerard. She even put my adoption story on her website under a tab called “Happy Tails.” If you are thinking of getting a dog, please check out her website to see what ones are available right now at www.caninelifeline.org and be sure to stop by the "Happy Tails" page to read the success stories, including mine!

I Lost 20 Pounds In 4 Months! by Abby

Karen & gerard — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:00:19 GMT

When I first arrived at the Zemeks the end of June, I was overweight at 55 lbs. Gerard quickly started taking me for several walks a day. At first, on the hot days of summer, I would stop and lay down along the way to rest. I usually found some shade to rest in for awhile. When we got home, I would just lay down breathing hard. Karen would pet me if I laid near the computer where she usually was and tell Gerard he tuckered me out.

I began losing some weight and ate the Iams weight management food twice a day. I got better and better and started being able to go on longer walks without getting worn out. Now I can go on six walks a day including some really long ones and don’t have those love handles anymore. My owners can feel my ribs now. Of course, the cooler weather helps too!

I can easily do an hour walk now and everyone says how good I look. I can even beat Gerard up the basement stairs now and jump in and out of the car, jump up on the couch and on the bed much easier too! I’m on the regular Iams adult dog food now since the vet said I could stand to gain a couple pounds. I think they need to give me more treats! With winter coming up, I’m sure I won’t be getting as many walks as when the weather is nice so I’m not worried about losing too much. Oh, Gerard lost some weight too and is in great shape!

Walking is good exercise—do you go for a nice walk or two every day? Hope all my doggie friends get lots of good walks in and if you are a human who would like to lose some weight, I suggest you get a dog to take you on walks with them. I bet those extra pounds will fall right off. Woof! Woof!

Trick or Treating is Fun by Abby

Karen & gerard — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:13:15 GMT

I got to go outside with Gerard on Halloween to help him hand out the candy to the trick or treaters! It was so much fun to greet the kids and I got a lot of pets! Manny and Spunky Doodle watched from the dining room window. They didn't want to come out but liked to see what was going on. Here's a short video of some of the highlights of my evening--Woof! Woof!:

My First Halloween Party by Abby

Karen & gerard — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:15:58 GMT

Bartels (the place I went for my spa day) had a Halloween party for pets on October 17 so we went. It was fun! I wore the scarf with the owls on it that I got after my bath but other dogs were even more dressed up!

One even had wings! I am going to sniff her in the picture but she was very nervous and shaking. Sorry you can't really see her too good in this picture, but you can see me. Notice how busy my tail is? I was wagging it the whole time I was there!

Another little doggie was pretending to be a horse and had a little doll riding him.

There were a couple really big dogs, one wore an Ohio State sports shirt.

The biggest one moved as Karen snapped the picture so you can only see part of him, too bad his head is missing (hee, hee).

I liked meeting and greeting lots of dogs but the best part was the treat lady who gave me a couple doggie cookies. Karen didn’t really seem to enjoy it much because she was too busy trying to get good pictures while Gerard and I were always on the move. We did sit down on the way out by the decorations by the door so Karen could get a good picture of us. I wonder what the next fun thing for me will be! Gerard says that if it’s warm enough outside on Halloween, he’ll take me on the porch with him so meet all the trick-or-treaters who come. Maybe I’ll get more pets.

What are you Halloween plans? Did you ever go to a Halloween party? Happy Halloween--Woof! Woof!

So I Ate A Little Cat Poop--What's The Big Deal by Abby

Karen & gerard — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:53:24 GMT

I recently found out that upstairs (where I'm not allowed) there is sometimes some cat poop--yum! One day I ate some and was very happy I found it, but Karen wasn't. She made a big thing about it and now is trying to come up with all sorts of ideas as to how to keep me away from it. She even took me to the vet to make sure I was all right. It did smell awful when I vomited it up on the upstairs carpet. Karen smelled it as soon as she came in the house from work. (Sorry, no picture of my vomit--it was gross!)

She completely took away the litter box that was in the kitchen, but the cats really didn't use that one much anyway although the one day I found some in it too. That time I was good and threw up on the linoleum instead of the carpet which made Karen happy. She watches me more closely now too. As soon as I started up the steps yesterday, she told me "OFF" so then I came over to her. I think I'm going to lay low for awhile and maybe she'll forget about it. I am a dog after all. Woof! Woof!

Today I Went To Church!

Karen & gerard — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:16:19 GMT

Today Gerard walked me up to Parma Heights Baptist Church to surprise Karen. It was a great walk--45 minutes but I was full of energy because it was a cool day and I was so excited to get to explore a new route and go to a new place that I never was at before. There's quite a bit of grass and some trees and I had fun chasing some squirrels as soon as we got there.

The people there were very nice to me, probably because I was a first-time visitor. I got lots of pets and was told how nice and good I am. I even waited in the hall nicely until Karen's Sunday School class let out. I didn't want to barge in and disrupt her. See what a good doggie I am?

I sort of wanted to stay for the 11:00 service but Karen hurried me out. I liked church! You should go some time too! Woof! Woof!

To read how surprised Karen was to see me, check out her post: A Visitor Came To Church Today

Pampering At Bartels by Abby

Karen & gerard — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 18:49:05 GMT

Friday Karen took me to Bartels Resort & Spa for doggies. This place let her stay and watch and also video my whole experience there! They were very nice to me and fussed over me quite a bit. I felt so special! I didn't have to go in any cage like I did at All Paws and they gave me treats too! I didn't mind getting wet at all, but wasn't too crazy about the blow dryers coming at me. I had three people working on me and it only took about half an hour!

They gave me a special Halloween scarf to wear and made me smell real nice too. When I got home, Karen gave me a meat stick treat. Karen was able to get me home and get to her radiation treatment right on time! I was glad I didn't have to be there by myself.

I highly recommend Bartels--they were very nice to us! Woof! Woof! Here is a video Karen took of me at the spa:

Go Browns! by Abby

Karen & gerard — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:14:46 GMT

Last sunday I watched the Browns game with Karen and they finally won their first game of this season against the Buffalo Bills. Being a dog, of course I am a Browns fan.

In honor of their first win of the season, Karen gave me this cool Browns scarf. I proudly wore it when Gerard took me out for my walk, but it was getting in the way of my sniffing so Gerard took it off.

In my dog training class, I would bark along when everyone clapped for a dog who did something well and my trainer called me a cheerleader. I enjoy barking along when Karen and Gerard cheer for their teams while watching sports on TV too.

Spunky and Manny still get scared of me when I bark though and usually take off. It's actually pretty funny to watch them run away together! Hee, hee.

Do you enjoy watching sports with your family? What teams do you like to cheer for?

Poor Gerard, It's All My Fault by Abby

Karen & gerard — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:45:54 GMT

Poor Gerard got hurt again because of me, although he told me it wasn't my fault. See, he has to walk me before going to work and he leaves so early that it's still very dark outside. Usually, we don't even see anyone else at all on our morning walks. He usually takes me for two. One at 5 a.m. and then again around 6 a.m. for a short quick one. He feels so bad that I'm inside all day while he's at work.

This morning, the first time we got back, his key wouldn't open the door so he rang the bell and Karen had to come let us in. (That wasn't my fault but the next part is.) You see, when we went out the second time, he tripped on something and fell on his face on the sidewalk because it was so dark outside! We were two streets away too and his upper lip was bleeding or else it was his nose, we really couldn't tell for sure.

When we got back home, Karen was very upset too when she saw him and heard what hapened. If I didn't need to go out, none of this would have happened. Karen did find a flashlight for him to use from now on. In the summer it wasn't so dark but now that the days are shorter, it is VERY dark! I felt bad that he fell and got hurt walking me. He says it wasn't my fault, but I think it really is. Karen says she's going to look into getting our backyard fenced in before winter so he doesn't have to walk me far. She says they could just let me out in the backyard. I don't know about that, I like my walks! Our yard is very small. Woof! Woof!

Related Post: Read "Sorry Gerard" to find out about the first time he got hurt because of me.

I Graduated! by Abby

Karen & gerard — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:28:02 GMT

Yesterday I graduated from my beginning dog training class. They took my picture with my graduation cap and gave me a treat and certificate. Karen and Gerard have the certificate hanging on the refrigerator until they can get a frame for it. My doggie friend, Odot, also gave each of us in the class a goodie bag with some biscuit treats inside! I had one of those this morning--it was very good!

Sad to report that Killer dropped out so did not graduate. He was coming along too! Chewy and Odot graduated with me. Chewy even brought a bunch of people along to watch our graduation day. It was a bit distracting to have them there. When Chewy's owners called her over, whe went to his grandma instead! It was funny! The trainer said she enjoyed our class and tried getting us to advance to intermediate training. I would like to. I am going miss Chewy and Odot.

If you have a dog, you should try some dog training classes--they are a lot of fun and will help give you a closer relationship with your pet. Woof! Woof!

The Dog Park Was Fun! by Abby

Karen & gerard — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:39:43 GMT

On Labor Day Karen and Gerard took me to a Dog Park. It's a park for dogs although their owners are allowed in too. There were no "No Dog Owners Allowed" signs up anywhere. My first time there I met four new dogs. They all came over to welcome me. Lots of sniffing going on! I noticed though that they were all off their leashes except for me. See, in this picture you can see me on the leash and all the other dogs coming over to me.

This is a picture of the dogs running by me. I am in front of Gerard so you can't see me in this picture but you can see we're right on a main street and the two dogs running along the fence. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention it has a fence all around with a gate so that is why the dogs are allowed of the leashes.

At one point the Boxer came hopping up at me. Karen and Gerard didn't go for

that so we left shortly afterward. It's name was Rusty. It looked like it might rain and they wanted to get home before it did so I went to say good-bye to all the dogs I met there and we left.

My next trip was even MORE fun because there were EIGHT dogs. Unfortunately, Karen didn't bring the camera or Flip along that day so I don't have any pictures of that. This time they let me off the leash. It wasn't as much fun as when I got off the leash at the big park, but this time I could run along with the dogs too if i wanted. Most of the time though, I just pretty much stayed with either Gerard or Karen. Karen and I ran to the far fence together and tied. Gerard stayed around the middle and I came right away if he called me. This made him very happy! Then I went to Karen when she called me right away too which made her very happy. They practiced some of my simple commands, sit, stay which I did and they were amazed. I heard my dog trainer say that it's necessary to practice the commands both inside and outside in different places with lots of distractions. The other dogs were running around, one was playing fetch with a ball, the other dog owners were all sitting or standing around the two picnic tables. The only thing missing that would have made it really hard was a squirrel. I thought there's no place with more distractions that this so I practiced like she said I should. I got a nice meat stick treat when we got home!

Gerard wished we had a video of this but Karen isn't up to fussing with doing a video yet. She's still recovering from her surgery and tires easily still. Gerard doesn't have a clue how to get it to the computer, but he does know how to use the Flip camera.

Here's the link to Karen's post about our dog park visits: http://zemeks.blogspot.com/2009/09/abby-never-ceases-to-amaze-us.html

Have you ever been to a dog park? How was it? I am such a lucky dog to have a dog park so close by. Woof! Woof!

Dog Trainer is Impressed With Me by Abby

Karen & gerard — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:44:25 GMT

After being off for a week from my dog training class to let my trainer go on vacation, I was happy to be back. My trainer keeps telling Karen and Gerard what an "awesome" dog I am and that they were really lucky to get me. Many shelter dogs have issues like Killer and Odot have. They are very scared and Odot doesn't listen at all to her owner when she's outside. Killer pretty much is afraid of everything, even the little bell his owners used to try to get him to go outside to do his business.

I made her laugh last Saturday when I barked to let her know when Chewy moved and didn't do it right and called me a "tattletail." I was just trying to help. She tried setting me up to do it to show Karen and Gerard what I do, but I didn't do it then. She said I was very alert and have a lot going on in my head. I'm not sure I really like her letting my owners know my secrets. She's very perceptive!

We had fun practicing stay, wait and walking with our owners without the leash! Gerard was surprised I did it but Karen wasn't surprised at all because she pracitices with me doing that around the house and knew I could. I did follow Chewy though for part of the way. She weighs 90 lbs. and we are now friends. Odot made me look very good when she grabbed the trainer's glasses that were in the glass case laying on the bench. It was funny! Karen laughed and Odot's owner was embarrassed but got the glasses out of Odot's mouth with no problem.

I only have two classes left. My trainer says we're going to work on some fun things next week--can't wait! Maybe I'll learn a trick or two. Woof! Woof!

I Can Be On The Bed Too Now by Abby

Karen & gerard — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 23:09:07 GMT

To get your way I have these words of advice: be persistent, be nice and be patient and be adorable! I am now allowed on the bed--yippee!

On Friday, when Karen decided to sleep in and Manny was on the bed with her, she actually called me up to be on the bed too! I guess Karen wanted to see if it would be all right with him. Manny was at the bottom of the bed on her left.

I was so excited and happy that she finally let me lay on the bed with her! I love being close to my humans. Since it was okay with Manny, I guess it was okay with Karen then. Thanks, Manny, for staying even when I came aboard! The cats rule you know.

So, Saturday morning, while Karen went on the computer and Gerard was still in bed, I joined him too! He, of course, didn't mind at all and called for Karen to take our picture. I am so happy I have fully been accepted now and almost have equal rights around here! Upstairs is still cat territory only--no doggies allowed. Woof! Woof!

Yea For Garbage Day by Abby

Karen & gerard — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:39:19 GMT

Wednesday mornings is my favorite walk time all week because it's our garbage day. I get lots of interesting scents to sniff along the way and Gerard likes it too. Can you guess why? Because when I make my poops he doesn't have to carry it with him. He doesn't like carrying it because I make real stinky poopers. He always says there's nothing wrong with my plumbing! Sometimes I'll even go several times on the same walk so since he had to pick it up in his hand once he brings along a whole roll of those pretty colorful poop bags. Woof! Woof!

Marvelous Monday--I Got Groomed! by Abby

Karen & gerard — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:13:40 GMT

Monday, August 17, was marvelous! Karen and Gerard were both off work so I had a great time going for an extra morning walk with both of them. Then we practiced the "come" command outside and I got a special meaty stick treat when I came. Karen was walking me up the street and Gerard called me from the backyard so I went back there and he gave me a treat. I had fun rolling around on the wet grass too! Spunky was watching me from the back window.

Then they took me to the groomer for the first time. It was bad at first because they put me in a cage which brought back bad memories of when I was at the shelter. I barked and barked because I didn't like it in there and Karen and Gerard left without me. Karen wanted to stay and take some video of me getting a bath but they wouldn't let her! Oh, I was so scared! But then, the nice lady gave me some treats and I calmed down. She made me smell nice, gave me a bath, and brushed me real good with a furminator. She even gave me a pretty pink bow on my collar. When Karen and Gerard came back they hugged and pet me up and I was so glad to see them. The nice lady told them I liked it and did real well for it being my first time and that I deserve a special treat. Karen kept saying over and over how nice I look and how soft my fur was. She said she's going to buy a Furminator.

Gerard is rubbing my tummy, I like that! See my pretty bow that the groomer gave me?