All of the Christmas decorations were hauled upstairs.  That alone had me wanting to sit, but I found my second wind.  The tree itself is up, but not decorated.  I'm giving Church a bit of time to check it out before we commit to the ornaments.  The mantle is decorated and a bit is up in the downstairs bathroom.  There is still a pretty big mish-mash on the kitchen table. With all of this I was so distracted that I didn't put the meat into the slow cooker earlier today -- and I'm not seeing something for carne picada in the instant pot, so that might be tomorrow's grub.

I did get a little time in working with Zero on the crate before church, but not as much as I would have liked.  Back to it after I get home and figure out dinner.  He hates it, but at least he's laying down and not freaking out ATM.  Still so many more increments on the to do list.

We are a day shy of 6 weeks and here is where we're at.  It is also day 4 of the dog being off leash and intermingled with the cat.  I have needed to yell a few times due to him being a little too much and/or chasing the cat (play, but still at his goober level intensity), but I'm very pleased with where we are at present and this is a huge relief.  He and Saffy are playing nicely too, with less nipping at her heels, but their relationship wasn't as tenuous from the get go.

The big remaining issue is the crate/separation issue.  The trainer was here on Monday and laid out a game plan for me.  It is tedious, but we'll see how it goes.  I did opt to hold off until today (Friday) to start working this as it gives me 3 days in a row to work the plan before I have to leave for a while, nevermind the longer Thanksgiving absence.  My reward for going to Tgiving yesterday was poo and a mess to clean, including a gross wall behind the crate.  Best part was his need to pee at 5am.  Too bad I didn't hear him whining; instead I heard the pee hitting the inflatable mattress.  So I got to clean that up at 5am.

Today the crate came downstairs and I am part way through our first session as I type this.  Wish me luck!  It is basically a process that seems 'logical' to me, but way more refined than something I would have figured out on my own.  It was good to hear someone echoing some of the things I was doing right and building on them.

Check in time!  4 week mark.

Not much has changed, it remains separation or leash -- and too much periodic lunges on that leash right now for my liking.  He destroyed the door on the old crate.  The door is bent in, which isn't too hard to do with the old plastic crates.  He then ate my ghostie bath and body works plugin *tears*.  I'll tell you -- it's impossible to find a heavy duty crate locally.

To my surprise I spotted a new in box of the make I was looking at on marketplace.  Yep, that went how you'd expect.  *sigh*  It was new, it does appear that it wasn't taken out of the box given the way it was in there, but all of the parts were missing (to screw the top on, to latch the door, and the caster/wheels).  The guy answered once to reiterate he didn't have it out of the box, but that was it - he didn't reply when I asked about him inquiring to obtain the parts.  Fortunately, my sister was here all week and she's way more resourceful than I.  She found the right sized screws to put the top on and created makeshift door locks.

Today while I returned her to the airport, stopped at Target, and went to church that is where he was.  He didn't get out -- but he sure made a mess.  He still drooled like crazy, but since this has openings on the bottom and trays the trays were soaked instead of him.  He also pooped, so that was fun.

He nips at Saffy's legs when playing and she's none too thrilled.  I've been trying to deter his mouthing in general.  I'm tired right now, that's for sure, despite having a bit of help w/ my sister in.

More on that -- we had our other sister and her daughter here early in the week to visit as well.  I am not a fan of the fact that I felt like I shouldn't go anywhere (other than for a walk with him).  It wouldn't be as big of a deal if I saw a light at the end of that tunnel.  We still had a very nice visit.

Progress update:

Zero is still 100% separated and/or on leash around the Church.  I have not dropped the leash yet either.  It's coming up on the 3 week mark, it took Saffy 2 weeks -- so I don't think I should lose hope yet.  Zero does relax a lot more and look away from the cat, so that's significant but I still, obviously, do not trust him to go further.

As a result of this process I have gotten to see Church hopping across the living room in the retro 'scaredy cat' pose.  I also got to take a video of him sitting on the couch swatting at Zero's tail while he wagged it back and forth.

Zero also has some serious separation anxiety.  I was told he did better in a more open crate, so I may order one, but I have not yet (need to get more confidence in my long term income first if you catch my drift).  The big issue is if he would continue drooling at the current level in a more open crate that the carpet would be drenched.  When I say he is soaked in 20 minutes you are not taking me as literally as you should be.

I did reach out to a trainer to see what they might have to say.  The reply indicated 'bad news' that the likelihood of what I am describing being resolved is fairly low.  He is getting better about not getting into things and even had one day where I felt comfortable leaving him out while I ran for Avery without destroying anything.  He is also not immediately scratching at the door or carpet if I put him in my room to eat dinner while I ready Avery for bed, so that's progress too.  The ultimate goal is to not need to crate him, but that might be a long way off.  It is hard to get out for a walk mid-day to tire him out a bit.  If I have a meeting to call into that doesn't require me to be at my computer I am trying to walk during that window of time.

I hate how easily strangers can effect me.  I try to allow school buses out in front of me where I can.  I do it in honor of Mom, who drove a school van, but also in these times they need a little hand and there aren't enough of them to go around, so we gotta be extra nice.

Today the guy behind me laid on the horn and started yelling out his window.  I hate that he ruined my morning.  I hate that he so easily drew me into yelling back at him -- at least I didn't swear.  Just settle down people.

Critter updates:  We now have a woolly bear caterpillar living in Avery's bug catcher container.  He was on a sweatshirt she brought in so I thought we'd try tending to him.  From what I read he just needs clover, grass, and a stick -- we have all of those right here.

Church and Zero (on leash) did spend time in the same room.  Zero's energy is still not quite right for me.  Church still struts around like a confident kittie, so that's good.  We (Church and I) are locking ourselves in the office during the work day.  Zero is starting to learn the rules *knock on wood* and chilling while outside of that room.  I'm hoping to have the energy to try more as the week progresses.

Now if we can just get him to stop turning on the drooly water works when in the crate.  I don't trust him enough to give him freedom while I run to and from getting Avery, so in he goes -- and out he comes a half an hour later soaked.

I spoke too soon on the woolly bears... I am finding 3-5 every day and moving them from the street/driveway to the plants.  Haven't been out yet today thanks to the rain, but with the doggo here, I'm going to need to get strolling soon.  I owe it to him especially today since he spent the longest stint (unfortunately in the crate) without me yet.

I had today off with Avery for some quality time.  I'm really glad on our previous day off (2 weeks ago) we headed out and did something bigger.  I sure didn't want to do be out all day today with the cooler temps and rain, plus... doggo.

We did still go out.  It was her first trip to a movie theatre!  I know I haven't been to a theatre in a while, but dang, it was nice.  Reclining leather seats with lots of leg room and a little table in front of you?  Nice deal.  The Addams Family 2 kept her interest - and mine, but I did have to fight off falling asleep part way though.  From there we hit Big Lots for a few things and picked up a grocery order from Iggle.

While we were gone for almost 4 hours he did ok.  He's drooly in that crate and guzzled/slopped water after coming out, but no accident inside and no bent crate door (I gotta admit, history had me concerned that would happen).  This also gave the cat a window of time to wander the house (outside of overnight) and with Saffy.  He deserved a few hours of normal too.

I saw three woolly bear caterpillars so far today - that's crazy, right?  I see so much in nature here that I never spotted in Jtown, but maybe it's because I have a kid and am simply more attentive to those things now.  Regardless, all three foretell a good sized band of 'orange' later in the season.  *fingers crossed*

I reviewed the tips for integrating dog and cat to refresh my memory.  As such, last night and this morning they had their meals on opposite sides of the bedroom door.  This guy is definitely a bigger challenge than Saffy as he wants to use those paws to scratch and reach, which isn't Saffy's go to.  There is a lot of adjusting he will need to do here in general. I on the other hand need to step up and get him more exercise, which is a good thing for me.

I have been monitoring calories for quite a while now.  I'm down 12lbs since June.  That's not much, but pretty remarkable since I haven't launched into exercise mode.  If I add in two walks a day to keep the dog exercised hopefully that will bolster my progress as well.  I gotta keep reminding myself how much tiring him out can help.

Yes, I have already had the "what did I get myself into" moment, but things will get better and time goes fast, right?  RIGHT?

He is a very lovey boy and enjoys attention.  He seems to be a talker like Satin was and even splays his legs out on the non-carpeted floor like she did.  He is still a bit puppy mouthy, we will work no that too.  It is all about boundaries boundaries boundaries.

Saturday Avery and I hit the road... it's the first time I have left the state in a year.  Our target?  Cross Junction VA to pick up a doggo that came north from Southern Siberian Rescue (my old friends from NC).  His name is presently Oshie and we're working on something else.  I was thinking "Bates Francis" in tribute to one of my favorite hockey players in NC (and also a nice tie to Norman Bates) and my favorite Penguin/Hurricane Ronnie Francis (which was also my Dad's middle name), but my Favorite Egg promptly indicated he was going to call him Master *sigh - boys*

He is a black and white pibald with the most interesting 'eyebrows', super soft fur, looks 'short' to me but I am sure that is due to years of being around non-standard sized siberians.  He is about a year and a half from their guesses and he's a bit wild/clod-like, so we will be working to calm him down.

Nothing like proving I am an unfit mother whilst going to get the new boy-child.  I managed to leave Saffy outside when we left.  There she was, assuredly quite unhappy about the situation for about 7 hours until my Favorite Egg got here *smacks forehead*  I had a neighbor message me too (which I didn't see on FB) asking if I was ok.  The good news is they recognize that leaving her out was uncharacteristic of me.  The bad news is they had to listen to her disgruntled complaints all day.

Saffy and he are agreeable, but she was not in a good mood yesterday.  I am guessing it was due to being tired and maybe even sore from being outside all day on Saturday and unable to lounge in her stacked beds.  She seems to be a bit happier today (her tail was up), but she is not wanting to roughhouse with him -- that might be a good thing if we can break him of that.

I'm glad Avery is bigger that she stands a chance of defending herself, but she isn't used to the dog being crazy and clod-like.  I am sure there will be a few tears, but who has a human brother that wasn't driven to shed a few because "Mommy, he did this".

Church's eyes about bugged out when they caught glimpse of one another.  Oshie was all super psyched.  Unfortunately, Church has been reverted to his room during the day (for now) and given total freedom at night.  We will slowly work forward as I did with Saf and Church, but please do say a prayer for us to help ensure we all become one big happy family.

The first casualty of a new doggo came this morning while I took Avery to school.  I came home to find my radishes on the floor (untampered with at least) and my dish scrubber chomped.  How I see it is that he is taking it easy on me.  He definitely has some anxiety (that was apparent on the drive home, but could also have been 100% from his looooong day on the road moving between vehicles).  Hopefully it will wane quickly as he learns our routine and sees that I will come back every time.

I realized that I ripped Church off.  He wasn't given a middle name.  So, Avery and I set forth throwing names back and forth.  Yesterday while she was at school the perfect name hit me... Noir!  Cat Noir and Ladybug are big with Avery right now so it played in well.  She liked it and agreed, so it is official.  Church Noir.

Happy (20th) antiversary to me.

While a lot of stuff is well and buried and I am very happy where I am today, it does still make me sad that I won't get those milestones.

I'm wiped - and blessed that I have one more day left of my weekend!  I took Friday off to spend a little quality time with the kiddo.  A few weeks back she was moaning about going to school saying she wanted to stay with me.  I took this is a reminder that I was long over due, so I planned two Fridays off here this October since there are so many awesome activities this time of year.

This Friday we drove north to the Living Treasures park off of 79 and we both really enjoyed it.  From there we drove over to an Ollie's that was near by (goodness  I miss living hear one of these stores).  Then on the drive home we side tracked to At Home and for dinner.  By the time we got home it was straight to the shower and bed.

Today we were up and moving to get to the Houston Pumpkin Festival's parade.  We hung around after to take things in there.  It remains one of my favorite events around here this time of year.

I was contemplating another stop tomorrow, but I don't know if I have the energy for it.  I really should get other things done here around the house -- we'll see.

I also have something else in the works that may manifest next weekend that could be a bit time consuming.  For sure it proves I am crazy.

This morning we loaded Saffy and Church into the car and took them to church for the blessing of the animals.  Many years ago (I can't find record of it here in my blog) I took Saffy back in Jtown.  She's getting older, time for a 'booster' dose.

There have been consignment sales and all kinds of goodies in the past few weeks - I do love the fall.