Storm Summary:

He was a neglect case that was finally surrendered to Cheaha after a few good neighbors made a stink and wouldn't let his mistreatment go. He'd been put in the yard with no human contact for I think 3 years. He didn't always have food, water, or shelter, and he was sick with a horrible ear infection when he was turned in. He wasn't doing well in the shelter. He was shutting down, and getting aggressive with the staff when they tried to treat his ears.

When he came here, Shaun and I had to drug him in order to muzzle him in order to treat his ears. That was twice a day, every day. The problem was that he was so smart and he didn't like being drugged, so he started to pick everything we tried to feed him apart. Thankfully, he started to realize that we didn't want to hurt him, so we started being able to hold a treat in front of him, treat his ears, and then give it to him, no drugs or muzzle needed. He never liked it, but started tolerating it.

He's been a work in progress. I wasn't too sure about him at first. His face isn't as expressive as my dogs, and he doesn't have a tail, so he was hard to read at first. He also can't hear well due to damage from his ear infection, and I'm honestly not sure he can see well, either. So he's a weird one, but he's come a long way in 6 months. We just take precautions when doing new things to him.

He would honestly be a foster failure for me, but one of the people who were involved in his initial rescue wants him, and they went through a lot to find me, check on him, and arrange the adoption. Since I have so much going on between school and work, it would be nothing short of wrong to deprive this dog of the good life that is waiting for him in Virginia. The wife is flying in Tuesday and driving him home on Wednesday, if that tells you how badly they want him.

I feel accomplished. Shaun and I bathed Storm.

I feel accomplished.  Shaun and I bathed Storm.

Unfortunately, since he's so strange sometimes (hey, if you were neglected of most human contact for 3 years you might be strange and sometimes a little wary, too), that we weren't too keen on picking him up without a muzzle.  Decided that it might be better to bathe him out front with no muzzle (it's plenty warm enough), rather than lifting him into the dog tub.  That was a big, fat, NOPE from him.  🙁

Since we had him leashed (easy to do because that means he's going somewhere, usually, which he enjoys), we marched the half-wet, angry dog back through the house and muzzled him.  Shaun put him in the raised dog tub and he promptly started thrashing, so then I tied him at the collar for safety.  Once we got started he settled down.  I guess "wet petting" isn't as horrible as he thought.  🙂  He got plenty of treats and love afterwards, so maybe he won't hate being bathed forever.

To avoid freaking him out further, and because he was muzzled, and because I didn't want to risk getting water in his easily-bothered ears - I did not wash his face.  Maybe I'll go and pet him with a baby wipe later.  LOL

Turns out he was plenty dirty, which is not surprising to me.  Cheaha bathed him for me the day he came here (back in January), and he hasn't been washed since.  We had other issues to work out with him, so what he smelled like was the least of our worries.  Anyway, I guess since he was left alone outside for so long he's very comfortable being outdoors, keeping an eye on things.  Since we have a doggie door, he comes and goes as he pleases.  He's more than happy to spend time with us if we're around, but when I'm at work and school all the time he's got plenty of long days to lay around in the dirt.  Maybe he won't get too funky before his mom picks him up in a few days.  🙂

I am up WAYYY too early for it to be a Saturday.

I am up WAYYY too early for it to be a Saturday.  I should still be asleep until at least noon.  LOL  I had to take Shadow to Crystal Springs for a birthday party, though, so I'm awake!

I think I'm going to give some reptiles new dirt today.  And maybe give Storm a bath if he'll let me.  LOL  I might have to call in Shaun on that one.  And then I think I will do my nails.  😃  Sounds like a good day to me!

Oh my gosh.

Oh my gosh.  For the last few days Storm is killing me.  LOL  He's always been more subdued in his attitude, but the past few mornings I get my hug, then he exuberantly bounces off me and makes some happy little circles.  That's new for him!  I think someone knows his life is about to change.  🙂

Today is the first day all week...

Today is the first day all week that I haven't woken up with a terrible headache.  Woohoo!

Also, my hat and driving gloves were waiting for me when I got home yesterday.  I just got my sunblock and the stuff to put on my car.  Just in time to keep me from getting sick again!  Maybe I can be ok now.  🙂

So... I tried another gradient!

So... I tried another gradient!  Diagonal this time.  And once again I ended up with all of my nails the same.  I think I have been getting so into what I'm doing that I forget to not do all of the nails.  Also, I have felt like crap, so my creativity is not at its peak.  Anyway, to switch it up a little I added a few stones. The two on the nail were not enough - I had to go off-nail this time!

I SUPER LOVE the way the stone on my skin looks.  I just used nail polish to adhere it temporarily, but they make some eyelash glue that is flexible and would probably hold for longer.  I've also had a run-in with some semi-permanent eyelash glue... that stuff is no joke, (just trust me), but that's what I'd use if I wanted this stone to stick all day.  😛

Just spoke to Storm's new mom.

Just spoke to Storm's new mom. She is picking him up next week! It's bittersweet for me because I will miss him, but I cannot deny him an awesome home. I can tell that he will be well cared for and loved. I am so happy for him. ❤🙂