I went to Santa Barbara to help out Kaity while Danny was on a research trip. While I was gone, Jesse and the kids found Maggie at a shelter, paid for half of her (probably the friendly, non-aggressive half), and let me know I could pick her up the day after I flew home.
We've been looking for a companion animal for the family and especially Miriam. So the fam chose Mags. She's a Cairns Terrier, the same breed as Toto. The shelter thinks she's around two, but who knows.
And guess who Mags loves? Just call me Alpha Mom. Finally, some respect! Although having a small dog at your feet all day can be kind of crazy. I do a bit of tripping over her a couple times a day. She has run with us in the morning. She goes my pace and never complains when I want to walk. Not incredibly motivational, but it's fun.
Maggie was a breeder for a puppy mill, so she has quite a few hang ups. Strangers, cars, trains, other dogs, children who try to leash her... Um. Should I go on? The ASPCA has some great pages on training, disciplining and taking care of your puppy mill dog.
It has been a challenging four days. I will be so excited when she poops outside, I'll probably brag about it more than when my kids potty trained! Her aggressive behavior towards other dogs is very challenging. She has little (wo)man syndrome plus puppy mill (un)civilization so we have out work cut out for us.
