Cleo

I've been wanting a second dog as a playmate for a Millie for a while now.  I wasn't quite sure I wanted another commitment so I thought I would try fostering.  I contacted savethetails.org after seeing them at a community pet expo.  The first response I got was "Are you available immediately?"  Er... I guess....  I didn't quite get a chance to explain to her that I am gone 10 hours a day during the work week before she already made plans to get a pup up from King George's county.  I didn't quite get the orientation and meet & greet that I expected but late on Friday I got Cleo, a 4-5 month old pup.  She was quite malnourished and was underweight, but she was one happy pup with a tail that wouldn't stop wagging.

A walk through Bles park

Cleo was in the shelter for probably 2 months before she came to me.  She wasn't house trained and doesn't know her basic commands.  She had couple accidents the first day but got better on the second day.  Her leash walking needed a lot of work too.  Despite all the challenges, she was a real sweetheart.  She followed me around everywhere I went and her tail was wagging all the time.  She just seemed so happy to be alive.  She also loved her bed.  Every once in a while, she'd go hop in it to lay down.  She also liked chasing the tennis ball around.  Millie would go fetch it when I throw it, and then drop it, and Cleo would pick it up and run off with it.  We'd repeat this a few times and I was quite entertained by it.  I think Millie liked it too, tho she was a bit of a bully rest of the time.

On Sunday afternoon I had to drop her off at Leesburg Petco for an adoption event.  Since I couldn't keep her during the work week they arranged for another foster home to take her, so it was good bye time.  It was really sad leaving her.  I was trying to hold back tears and it took me a long time to actually leave.  I found out later that day that she did not get adopted at the event.  It breaks my heart, but there's still hope for her yet.  I hope she finds her fur-ever home at the next event next week.

Chow time.

Dad's Visit

Millie and her Grandpa

Less than a week after my mom flew home to Japan, my dad and one of my cousins came over to help me paint the house.  Actually, they did all the work, and did a great job of it.  My dad kicked back on occasions, but my cousin was working pretty hard late into the night most days (tho they started late most days).  They got through the first and second floor where the kitchen, living rooms, and the spare bedroom are.  I totally love the new colors I chose for the rooms too - especially the kitchen.

Kitchen

The guys were here a week, but it wasn't all work.  We did make it out to DC one of the days.  It was a gorgeous day out for walking around and seeing the monuments.  Millie got to come with us too.  We also checked out the new Star Trek movie in 3D at the new Alamo Drafthouse cinema that just opened near me.