Christmas 2014

This year has been an experience, and Maya has been nothing but the best thru it all. As we prepare for Christmas I look back at the year we've had.

The year started with a planned adoption of my kitten Marley. She was two months old and rescued from the cold winter in Maryland by the Washington Animal Rescue League. She was the only kitten found just weeks old with no Mama to care for her. She was a little over 2 pounds when I adopted her. When I bought her home and told Maya she was her baby Maya went into action looking out for her. She would sit with her and make sure she was ok. At night she would clean her. Now that Marley is bigger they try to clean each other at bedtime. They've become the best of friends. She's been nothing but gentle and kind to Marley who she now has to share me with.

Fast forward to late September early October. There is an Orange Tabby that is hanging around my house. She looks well groomed and totally out of place with the other feral/stray cats I feed. She sees me and runs to me.  She cries at the door for hours. It was in those early weeks that I said I couldn't take on another animal. Knowing deep down I would. Maya would sit at the door and watch her. While Marley would sit with her ears perked up listening for her. She just seemed to get along with them thru the door. When I would walk Maya she would just sit and look at her. In early November I noticed she started to have scars on her nose. The other cats were starting to reject her. She walks up to me and I noticed she has a wound on her side. She is still happy to see me, but she is moving very slow. This is when I decided to take her in. I would have to catch her and get her to a vet ASAP. That is just what I did. She has been vaccinated and I am keeping her separated from Maya and Marley for the next few months until I can get her tested for FIV/FeLV again. She tested negative. However, with the open wounds I want to be sure for Marley.

Thru it all Maya's personality hasn't changed. She's still just as loving and affectionate as the day I adopted her. She checks on Marley and now Macy. She is so well mannered with them and her temperament amazes me. I know that God placed her with me for a reason. She has allowed me to open my home to other animals in need, and I know this is something we will continue to do. 

This year I am thankful for Maya, Marley and Macy and my family and friends who helped me financially with saving Macy. Attached is our Christmas photo. I hope I can get them all to sit still together for a photo next year.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!!

Maya is 3 today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAYA!!!

1 year ago on July 20th I adopted Maya!! She had a super cute smile and was very friendly. She was surrendered twice. The second time she was returned she was infested with fleas. She was missing hair on her back from digging at the fleas. When she jumped up and licked the side of my face I knew she would be mines. Fast forward one year later, and she's been my constant companion. She has been a true joy. Her hair grew back in less then a month. She's taught me so much about her. I've learned she doesn't like her toe nails clipped, but I can file them down. I've learned that her previous owner was wrong about her not being house trained. She actually sits at the dog to go out; she won't bark. I've learned she's a true love bug with kids, my kitten and my family members. She's gone with me on road trips and greeted everyone along the way. She's also very protective of me. I think she has a sick sense for danger or shady people. I love her temperament and her need to be close all the time. She has to follow me EVERYWHERE (including the bathroom). I am so happy I adopted her. I sometimes wonder who would surrender such a loving dog twice, but then I am forever grateful they did. Their loss was my total gain. I chose July 26th as her Birthday since my parents Rottie Ace's birthday is the 25th and my dad's birthday is the 27th. She's right in the middle to be spoiled by all. Happy Birthday to my sweet girl. I pray she has many more!!!!

Watermelon

Maya is growing to be a big and strong Rottie!!! Yet she has been very gentle with her baby Marley; our  6 month old kitten. She follows, cleans and fusses with Marley like she's truly her child. It's hilarious to witness. They are both healthy. In fact, Maya has gained 25 pounds since I adopted her. She weighs 113 pounds. We are back to our long walks and cutting back on her treats just a little. She has such a sensitive stomach. I really have to watch what I feed her. I finally think we've found a food that will work for her. Lamb and rice by Nutro along with Lamb and Potato treats by Nutro as well. Nothing else or she has serious bowel problems. Poor thing. 

This brings me to Watermelon. Sade and I would share Watermelon starting in the spring then thru the Summer and longer if someone brought a few up from North Carolina. Sade was the kind of dog that would want to stay outside, and she would only come in if I yelled I had Watermelon or French Fries. My neighbors would laugh, because she truly loved the two. Well, this morning I'm cutting up Watermelon and out of habit I'm feeding it to Maya. She was thrilled to say the least. I can tell she has the same love for it as Sade. I feel bad, because I won't be able to share it with her. She's such a sweet girl. Telling her no is the hardest thing to do. 

I am loving watching her and Marley grow. I love their personalities and the fact they've been remarkable animals. I feel so lucky to have two great animals. Adopting is an awesome experience and very rewarding. Some days I don't know who rescued who. Either way I feel loved and I know they do too! 

Maya, Marley & Me

My Birthday was in January, and I really wanted a kitten. I looked everywhere and just couldn't find the right one. I told EVERYONE Maya and I are getting a kitten, but I hadn't found her yet. Then 2 days after my Birthday I received word there was a kitten available at the Washington Animal Rescue League. She was almost 3 months old and still under 3 pounds. I saved her picture on my phone, and I started claiming her as my own. I was told by one of the adoption counselors that several people showed interest in her, and I should be there at 12 when they opened Friday, January 24th. After speaking with the Agency Owner we decided I should go on my lunch break. I made a deal with my coworker that I would work late if he covered for me and off I went to adopt Marley. Her name was Cameron online, but I just knew it would be Marley. I was sticking with movie names. Maya was named after a dog in the movie Eight Below and Marley would come from Marley & Me.
When I arrived there was another kitten that was so cute, and he interacted with me thru the glass. I still was dead set on Marley. The volunteer took me into their cat room; which is really nice. This is where I had a chance to play and interact with her. I could tell Marley was shy, but somehow I gained her trust in minutes. The volunteer was even surprised. She didn't want to go back to her when I filled out the paperwork. An hour later we were headed back to my office. Marley would sleep on my desk for the next 4 hours until I got off work. She wouldn't eat or drink much, but she kept making sure I was there. I wrapped her in my scarf and off she went to sleep.
Once we arrived home Marley was wide awake. Maya was very interested in what was in the small crate. The initial introduction wasn't what I thought it would be, but once I got Marley in a larger crate she warmed up. She still was very sweet with me, but she made noise with Maya. By Saturday she was more relaxed. Fast forward to today, and they are doing well. They have their morning kiss when I let Maya out and feed them in the morning. That seems to be the only time they are truly interested in one another. I play with them both in the evening, and if one is out of site from the other they look for them. Maya doesn't sleep upstairs with me anymore. Once I fall asleep she's on Mama duty sleeping downstairs with Marley, and if Marley runs out of food Maya will wake me to let me know. I think they are slowly getting use to one another, and I am so glad I was able to adopt again. So, Now it's Maya, Marley and Me!! :-)

Merry Christmas!!!

Maya has been with me over 5 months now. This was our first Christmas together. She's still a great dog!! I am so glad I adopted her from a shelter. It's been a rewarding experience. I've learned so far that she doesn't like snow, or maybe because it wasn't a lot of the white stuff she wasn't interested. She loves to take the roll after I wrap presents and destroy them. For a young Rottie she didn't bother my tree much or the presents. There was one stuffed animal under the tree that caught her attention. That was the only thing I had to move out of her way. I love my Maya and all her silly spolied ways. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone! I'm sure there will be more to share in 2014!!!

Maya's First Bath at Fur Get Me Not

Maya had her first bath at Fur Get Me Not today. It's located at 1722 Florida Ave NW Washington, DC. A friend in my office building suggested the spot since you have to leave your dog for 3-4 hours at most Groomers. Maya was surrendered at the shelter twice before I adopted her. Anytime we leave the house and we aren't headed to my parents house, the vet or the park she cries. I can only imagine what would happen if I left her some place for 3-4 hours. This way I won't ever find out. We walked right in and the young man working the desk advised me to fill out the paperwork, and then he helped me get Maya into a waist high tub. That's right no bending over, no clean up after. They provide the shampoo (all natural), brushes, towels and blow dryers. Maya loved it. You would have thought she'd been there before. The young man that worked there said he was shocked how well she was doing, because most dogs don't like water. I paid $20 and we were on our way after 30 minutes. I would definitely take Maya again. This will be our bath location for the winter. I actually bathe her in my yard in the summer. She smells great and looks awesome. Best part they gave me an apron to keep me from getting wet during her bath. If you're looking for a spot to give your dog a bath check them out. The 10th bath is FREE!!! www.furgetmenot.com

Our Ups and Downs

Well, this week I thought I would tell everyone about Maya being fully house trained. Well, today I tell you this and about her eye infection.
I've left Maya out of her crate on and off when Ieave the house since the day I rescued her. Only for an hour or two and then I moved it to four. However, I would never leave her out of the crate the entire day while I was at work. All this changed Monday. I would see the look she would give me each day more as to say "Really, that again?!". It was the most pathetic look a dog could give you, and Rottweilers have some of the most pathetic looks.
So, the first day I opened the door reluctant waiting for a smell to hit me. Instead I found Maya waiting at the door with her nub waging. Second day the same thing. By the third day I knew she was a pro and didn't expect any less then greatness, and I wasn't disappointed. By the fourth day I'm snapping pics and that's when I noticed it. Her eye was slightly swollen.
I didn't pay it any mind at first. I layed down for a nap and she did to right next to the bed where I saw it again. Still not paying it any mind I dosed off for a bit. It wasn't until later when I got up, cooked dinner and was getting ready for bed that it looked even more swollen. I started snapping pics and sending them to my mom and a friend who works overnight in an Animal Hospital. Mom thought it was weird and thought it was a bug bite, bit there were two bumps. Could the bug have bitten that close to her eye twice? I was worried and then the worry turned to panic once I recieved a text from my friend suggesting that I take her to the vet.
By this morning the upper bump was much larger. I made plans to leave work early and take her to the vet. The few hours at work I wasn't with her were the worst. I've had a sick dog before, and I didn't want to think the worst; but the thoughts were swirling. When I got home to pick her up and take her to the vet the lower bump popped. I cleaned it and applied a warm compress.
Once we arrived at Al-Lynn Animal Hospital he took us back and immediately wanted to make sure this just happened. I told him I take pictures of her 24/7 and just saw this yesterday. He said then it shouldn't be a tumor. TUMOR?!?! See that's the word I didn't want to hear. That's the one that can change your life. However, he was almost certain this wasn't the case. He said it appeared to be an eye infection caused by bug bites. He prescribed Benadryl and Cephalexin with an eye oinment called Neopolu Baci.
$105 later Maya and I are at home relaxing, or should I say I'm trying to relax. He said the Benadryl would make her drowsy. Well, he doesn't know my Maya. Nothing has changed. She ate and played the same. Even after we had a little fight over her taking her pills.
I'm so glad she is ok and fully house trained. She is one spunky dog!!!
I almost forgot. She is now 88 pounds!!!