Penny for a Selfie

In order for there to be joy in the sunshine, we have to take in some rain.

My Dog Is Not A Pit Bull...

... but, if she were, I'd love her just the same.

When I first went to write this post I wasn't sure what to write about because it's getting later into the night and if you follow my blog you know my brain starts shutting off around now. After a few moments of recalling my day I knew I needed to write about Penny.

Today Alex and I took her to the dog park and she's gotten used to the regular dogs on Tuesday but none were there today so there was a whole new set of dogs for her to meet. Everything was going good, she was running around, trying to get other dogs to play, pooping, and giving her goofy-sweet dimple smile. Then a new dog was coming in with a prissy woman. She seemed to me to be a new dog owner because she saw all the dogs crowding around the entrance to greet the new dog yet she was pushing for her dog to go inside. Instead, she let the dogs into the entrance-greet-through-the-gate area (including my Penny Cake) and they all got excited and on-top of each other. If you know about dogs and their interactions/pack mentality, you know that this will stir some dominance growls and the like. I'm not sure exactly what happened but there was some dominance-barking but when I looked closer at what was happening, this woman was very clearly considering hitting Penny (who was among other dogs in the entrance-greet area).

Finally all the dogs were in the actual park area and they were running around. The whole time, this woman was giving Penny the scrunched-brow look as if Penny was the cause of all trouble. 

It is not uncommon for people to look at my sweet Penny and think of her as a Pit Bull. While there is nothing wrong with making an easily inaccurate analysis, there is indeed something wrong with stamping on all negative traits imposed upon Pit Bulls due to shitty ass owners and non-compassionate monsters who consider themselves human. If you look at my dog an think Pit Bull, fine. But don't act like my dog is going to run over to you and rip you and your dog to shreds just because you're there and she appears to be a Pit Bill.
If you take the time to observe Penny and spend time with her you would see that what my dog really is is a big bundle of love that enjoys giving kisses, snuggles, belly rubs, kitty swats (she lets Rinpoche play with her then he runs when she mimics his swats), and running with other dogs. If you want to know about genetics, she is, genetically, half Weimaraner and half Boxer.

Penny really enjoys playing with other dogs. She is a rough player and (to the woman who gave my sweet girl the ugly eye) if she tries to play with your dog but your dog is very timid, it is not considered aggressive-- your dog is just not socialized enough to know what playing with other dogs is like. This is not my dog's fault that you have failed at being a dog owner. If you bring your dog to a dog park, be prepared for shows of dominance, timidness, some aggression when dogs don't click well (it happens just like it happens with people). Just be prepared and attentive but, my best advice is, don't be a prissy bitch who glares at my dog who's being a dog at the dog park. Don't tell your dog to go play but the moment they go play with other dogs you call them back to you. Don't yell at your dog for climbing up on the bench next to you or eating the grass while you gesture and command them to stay near you. Instead, try not being pretentious, wear clothes you don't mind getting some dirt on, and, if your dog needs encouragement, get off your lazy bum and walk them over to the other dogs to get them to play.

Also, when you see a dog who's been in the park for a while (who has not shown any true signs of aggression towards the dogs already in the park) get into a brawl with a new dog, don't start fearing for your dog's life as if my dog is going to decide she likes the taste of blood and comes for yours next. Instead, observe how an owner handles the situation and what is done to correct and understand the issue.
So, woman who judged my sweet fur child, read up on dog behavior, let your poor dog run free, and fix that hideous face of yours-- I'm sure you'd look more attractive with a smile and a warm heart open to all creatures, no matter the prejudice put against them.

I'm not saying Penny is perfect; the fight with the other dog today at the park proves that. I'm just saying there's a difference between dogs being messed with by other dogs and dogs who are just plain aggressive.
I'll put it simply: Penny is an angel that doesn't put up with any shit. If a dog is nipping at her or trying to dominate her, she will growl or bark at the other dog to stop then, once the other dog stops, she'll stop. Usually. Today, the new dog introduced was extremely excited and displayed very dominant traits from the start. When they came in there was a tousle but it was stopped. Thinking back, I should have pushed Penny to her back to make sure she knew she wasn't dominant and just cut down on her excitement (exposing a dog's underside is equivalent to making them submit to you. You as the owner should always be the alpha dog). Instead, I pulled her from the other dog (totally ready to get bit and shove as needed) and made her sit out from play for a few moments. Then I released her to run and play.
And then the dog nipped at her. Like I said, Penny doesn't take shit. Unfortunately this dog continued after Penny's initial growl/bark "Don't nip or dominate me!" And there was a brawl. I ran over and I don't know how I got to her so quick or exactly what was happening each moment but I remember seeing Penny's jaw clamped on the back of the other dog's neck (this is a "I'm done with your shit, you're going to submit so I don't have to deal with this anymore"). Alex informed me the jaw is clamped here in order to mount the dog and obtain dominance but the other dog was fighting it. I was scared for the other dog and for Penny so I jumped in there and shoved my fingers between Penny's teeth shouting for her to let the dog go. (Alex's tip is to move your fingers towards the back of the mouth towards the throat to make it more uncomfortable for the dog-- this will cause them to want to release). Then I somehow got Penny to let go. The other dog continued to try to nip but Alex intervened and moved it away. (Yes, all this was occuring while the other dog's owner didn't seem phased. He was there but was not alarmed as he should have been. Him and the pretentious bitch should have switched and then everything would have been appropriately handled). Alex pushed Penny to her back because she was indeed partially at fault because she continued to push back at the other dog.
I apologized to the other owner and made sure his dog was fine. He said she was and not to worry. I remained worried. I checked Penny up and down and did notice a bite on her face by her mouth and near her eye (thankfully her eyes are okay). It was definitely time to leave.

The reason I've shared this story is not to share aggression but to share events that happen at the dog park and how to handle them. So many people think they can bring their dog to the park and just do whatever. NO. A dog is a child, you need to watch their behavior and make corrections as needed. You need to stop your dog from trying to dominate all others and help ensure that all dogs agree to a neutral pack formation.
I'll leave the internet with one final tip: don't bring an in-tact (non-spayed or neutered) adult dog to the park. This will cause more trouble that it's worth.

Here's a super cute video to give you a big smile for the weekend!

Post by Pit Bull Fans.

He Said "Lost My Girlfriend In IKEA"

No, I didn't really get lost in IKEA. I totally could have though. All those simply beautiful furniture pieces and kitchens just waiting to be built? Yes please.
Today Alex and I took our second trip to IKEA and of course found numerous things we love and hope to someday go back for and use in our future home. We were looking because today we also filled out applications to move into a new apartment in September. The new one will be far bigger (two floors) and we will be rooming with Aaron. I admit I will miss walking around in my undies but this will be good. The bigger space will allow Penny more room to roam and Rinpoche more places to hide and leap out to attack! I am a little nervous because this will be the largest place I've lived in outside of my parents' place. There will be more surfaces to clean, and more space to work with. Space is good but it also means new and more furniture (thus the trip to IKEA).
After IKEA Alex and I took Penny to the park. We weren't there that long but she ran around after other dogs pretty much the whole time. A pooped Penny is a happy Penny.

Oh yeah, I have a blog to work on.

I know I missed my post last week. It was actually a pretty busy week but not as productive with school work or the gym as I would have liked. I found shoes for my brother's wedding, got Alex's car fixed, went to St. Pete for the first time, ate Spinach Pie and the best Falafel I've ever had. Looked at dresses for my brother's rehearsal brunch but no luck finding the one. My best friend Kaitlin and sister Kate did Dance Marathon and raised money for sick children. Alex took down and rebuilt office spaces for the big race in St. Pete. Aaaand work was very busy at Worm's Way. I don't know yet if I passed my Regular Part Time Sales Position test but it would be awesome to be able to receive commission in addition to my pay.

I actually typed up a post on my phone on Friday but I didn't post it. I think it was really romantic with strong reference to mythology. I'll have to post it sometime once I take another gander at it. I also did take my measurements and pictures of myself for my weekly post last week but yet they did not make it to the post that did not get posted.
I've been struggling with getting going these past few weeks. I've been sluggish with my work and missing my drive for the gym. Penny is doing really good though. Her and Rinpoche actually play together. She even lets him near her food bowl (like his face right next to it. When she gets a treat she breaks it up into piece and Rinpoche has after them but when Penny is ready to eat that piece he's after, she just moves him aside so gently with her snout and eats it.

Well I have lots to do and catch up with. I made a detailed list and divided up the wants from the need to dos. Obviously the wants are rewards or things to do when taking a break from school work... come to think of it I did not include this blog post. Oh well, I did it and it's a want more than a need but it could be a need since I didn't post one last week.

One of the wants on my list is to go for a bicycle ride and I realized very recently that Alex and I have stopped doing our rides together. It seems to have stopped around the time we got Penny. Getting a dog really is like having a kid. You feel bad every time you leave them. I think the weather just hasn't been in our favor on nights when we can go out and then we're both busy otherwise or just dead tired. I think even if we're tired we should go for a quick one.

I hope you are all well and you're buckling down on school work better than I am. I wish you the best and luck during these last stressful weeks of the semester.

Updating... Updating... Hi I'm Penny!

So I had written this on Friday while on my lunch break at work but the weekend happened which, for me, is: work, being tired, tidying up the apartment, and trying to get in some much needed social time. But, here it is along with my current measurements and a picture of all that's going on here in our little family (though I think once you have two kids -ahem- pets it's a normal size family).

This is what I see when I do my forward fold. 

I want to say right away that Penny is doing great. Alex and I took her to the vet on Thursday and they gave her antibiotics for what they believe is an upper respiratory infection. Afterwards we took her to this beautiful dog park in downtown Tampa. At first she just wanted to smell everything but then other dogs came and she sprinted to play with them. I don't believe I've vet felt so nervous. It was my first time ever at a dog park let alone at a dog park with a dog. The first meeting between dogs at the park is very interesting yet frightening because it starts friendly but then they make growl-y bark noises and it's just frightful. Proves I'm a cat person because although I love Penny and all animals, I don't enjoy that part of dogs-- that inherent nature for territory, boundaries, and sometimes aggression. Of course a well trained dog will have all these natural instincts minimized and controlled. Penny isn't aggressive but I strongly believe she has much to learn before I feel entirel comfortable with her with other dogs and other dogs with her.

Also at the dog park we met a nice woman named Gabbie. I am so happy to have met her because it's been so long since I've met someone new who is so open to new people and wants to get to know them. We stayed at the park for two hours talking with her and watching Penny play with the other dogs. I wish I had taken pictures but you know how it can be when you're having a grand time; you're in that moment-- like really in that moment-- and you don't worry about preserving the memory of how gorgeous the day was or how cute Penny looked while having a grand time. 

It truly was a lovely afternoon and even though Penny got paw blisters and she's super pooped I know she will be happy to go back again. 

I was super tired too and almost forgot that I had made plans with Kaitlin. Luckily I still had my I'm-so-tired-that-I'm-awake-again energy to hang out. It's always worth it to lose some sleep for friends. Especially when you don't get to see them often. 

Oh! I almost forgot to share that we re making great progress between Penny and Rinpoche. What we did to get Rinpoche comfortable again was put up a baby gate between the kitchen and bedroom and feed them both at the same time on opposite sides of the gate. Rinpoche was so unsure at first and continues to be hesitant about being in view or proximity of Penny but he eats his food wherever we place the bowl now. He's also left the bedroom. We took down the baby gate because he was sitting at it like a prisoner even though he could easily jump over. Now he explores areas where Penny is as long as we are there too.

One of the best pictures I've ever taken. My heart, my soul, my spirit.

Since Alex and I went home for a couple of days to see family and friends, and adopted Penny, I haven't had the chance to head over to the Rec Center. I miss my weights. More-so now, though, I miss riding my bicycle. My tube and tire blew up two nights ago so Alex and I headed over to Target to get replacements. Unfortunately, the new tube managed to pop on me, too. Both explosions occurred while in the apartment while immobile. I think my bicycle is giving up on me-- it knows I'm saving up for a new one. I'm not sure what bicycle I'll be getting but I know it's one with a step-through frame so I can hop on easier. I also know it will not be single speed nor fixed gear. I like my gears. I like adjusting to the situation and being able to press on breaks.
So I'm missing the gym but I signed up for an Amrit Yoga class tonight. I'm not sure what to expect as none of the yoga classes I have been to have claimed to be Amrit. From what I read it sounds like it's about holding the postures, breathing and meditation. I myself am a Vinyasa girl (breathing with change of poses/motions) but it's good to try different approaches to the practice.

My measurements:

9.5" biceps

39.25" shoulders

33" chest

29.5" underbust

26" waist

35.75" hips

37" butt

21.5" thighs

13.5" calves

Can't forget a Rinpoche fan-pleasing picture!: