The Foster Chronicles: Tulip, Week 7

Day 1

When I got Redford and Violet, I taught them to wait for their food. They must sit and wait until I say, “OK,” before they start to eat. I can walk ten feet away and they’ll just sit there waiting for me to give them the signal. And drool.

I practice with Tulip. I tell her to sit and start to put the food on the floor. She lunges at it.

I pick it up, tell her to sit, and bend down again. She hurls herself at it again.

Last time, same story, but as she’s bolting toward the bowl, I say, “OK,” so at least she’s hearing the signal.

Day 2

We try the food thing again. She works herself into a frenzy. I manage a quick “OK” as she catapults herself onto her breakfast.

Day 3

What am I doing wrong here? She will not wait for her food.

Nelly texts me to say her circumstances have changed and it doesn’t look like she’ll be able to adopt Tulip. :(

Day 4

I decide to create a website to help Tulip find a fur-ever home. I get as far as setting up a username.

Day 5

She waits a half second for her food!

Day 6

She does not wait a half second for her food.

I spend about eight hours making this tumblr blog. (Will you please share it on your Facebook and/or Twitter? And encourage your friends and/or followers to do the same?)

We go for a walk in the rain. Back at the house, I leave Tulip sitting on the deck step tied to the railing, as usual, so I can unleash Redford and Violet. This time, it takes a little longer than usual what with the drying off. When I go back out to get Tulip, I find she has flung herself over the railing onto the deck.

Day 7

Tulip’s out; Redford and Violet in. Redford starts agitating—grumbling and sprinting back and forth between the living room window and the kitchen door. I look out the door. Tulip is across the street sniffing around. Guess I can’t leave her on the deck by herself anymore.

I call her. She looks up but doesn’t come. I head back into the house to grab a treat and, by the time I reach the door, she’s sprinting back.

She’s really cute when she runs.

Tulip and I attend the first session of her Feisty Fido class. We both learn a lot. I think this is going to be good for us.

She waits a full one-Mississippi for her food. Woot!

The Foster Chronicles: Tulip, Week 8