Skeeter

September 2009

Skeeter is quite the character. He is almost clownish with his adolescent personality and large body. Despite the routine comical acts, Skeeter is really a lovely "little" dog. Recently Skeeter and I went for an adventure into the woods and down to the creek that is on the backside of our property.

Our journey begins on leash as the sheep are out in the front field and there were some people working ducks on the "B" field. Down the drive way, past the barn and the large duck pen with the "lucky ducks" and down to Bev's house we walked. Bev has put up a temporary fence for the horses to eat the grass behind her house, so I stepped on it and we walked over and then stood it back up again. The horses gave us a sideways look, but Skeeter didn't notice them. He was so happy to be going somewhere, just me and him. When we got to the gate that blocks off the woods, I took off his leash and turned him loose.

The flowers and grasses are finally back after the flood we had a few months back. Skeeter has never been to this part of the farm before and I was testing his off leash responsiveness in a new area. Of course I brought the camera in hopes of getting some pictures that captured how pretty he really is, and at the same time let his silly personality come through.

Off he went, running down the hill, and back, up and down and around. His long legs clearing the way with ease. I had no trouble calling him back, in fact he came back a little too quickly and all i could get was a bunch of blurry pictures.

Skeeter also has the biggest tongue I have ever seen on a dog. That thing gets to flip floppin everywhere when he is running and it is always quite comical.

Skeeter is a HUGE fan of water. In our normal play field is a stock tank with water in which he enjoys to "swim" digging and splashing the water everywhere. He loves to bite the water from the hose along with the other dogs. He can sometimes get carried away, but is easily settled with a "that's enough" or a "lie down".  Knowing how much he loves the water I thought we'd make the trek down to the creek. The first place we come to there are fish splashing around and Skeet was very ready to go down and get himself some dinner. Only problem with that was it was close to a 5ft straight drop and I didn't think he'd get back out. I was in no mood to haul a 50lb dog up a steep incline with a bum knee either. Even tho he really wanted to jump right in, a good "hey, i don't think so, back up bub." was enough and we continued on down to the one spot where the dogs can get in without too much trouble.

When we reached that spot I expected him to just jump right in since he was so eager before. Apparently me fussing at him not to jump 5ft down into the water made enough of an impression for him to be hesitant on entering the water here. A stick cured him of that. He had the best time swimming around in the creek. Again he was easily called out, even when he had swum a good distance away.  We played a little more fetch the stick and then decided to head back on up the hill to the house.

In our normal day to day routine, Skeeter is a joy to have around. All the other dogs love him and everyone who sees him for the first time comments on his tonge. He still has a lot of spirit that can at times be too much for him to control and he needs a reminder to settle down. He is house and crate trained. He does not bark in his crate unless he REALLY needs to go out. In the morning he is turned out the front door with the rest of my dogs to potty and play a little.

Inside he enjoys to cuddle and loves all the attention you will give him. If left unattended he will find something to de-stuff. Skeeter loves to play with toys, and is pretty good at bringing back what you throw for him.

May 2009

Skeeter has continued to grow, both physically and mentally while in foster care. He has reached his maximum height of 24" at the shoulder and he is slightly high in the hip with maybe another 1/2" - 1".  He weighs in around 50 pounds give or take depending on activity level.

Skeeter is much more reliable in new situations, tho he does on occasion still react to some men, mostly tall heavier set men. When he is unsure he barks and growls and can at times be a bit daunting due to his size. He is easily corrected for the behavior and I have found it best not to press the issues, but rather to get him to do some obedience and if the person is willing to just stand around and be a passive distraction.

Skeeter needs to have structure and activity. He is not a good couch potato dog at all. Skeeter can preform nearly all the Rally Novice exercises and with a little more consistent work could be ready for the show ring in no time. He does a little forging and he likes to kick is butt out a bit, but straightens out with some left turn work. He is food and toy motivated. Skeeter has been on sheep and circles both directions and has a good lie down. He could get a PT with little effort. He does not know any directions other than "out". He likes to play frisbee and ball.

Because he is so big, and still pretty young it is quite comical to watch him try to maneuver. He is a clown at heart and there is not a moment he doesn't make me laugh. He plays great with all 6 of my other dogs including the 5 month old puppy.  In the house he is definitely the "bull in the china shop" he has no concept of how big he is or how fast he is moving. He is crate trained and house broken. At this point he is not left out over night as he does enjoy de-stuffing.

I have had no problems bathing him, I even blow him dry with no trouble. I have had considerable issues trimming his toe nails. I have yet to be able to trim his nails by myself, I have had to take him to the vet for assistance. Because he is so big he is difficult to wrestle.

Overall Skeeter is a really great dog for an active family. He needs to be doing stuff all the time and have a clear definition of what is and what is not acceptable behavior, and those rules need to be in forced. I do not think Skeeter would be good with young children, just because of his size.

9/15/08

Hi there! My name is Skeeter, but you can call me Skeet. I'm a high energy workin' kinda boy, and I would really love to have a job to do. Right now my foster mom has me doing this thing called "obedience" which is human for "you gotta do what they say, the first time they say it". I'm starting to see that if I do what she wants, I get what I want, which is to play! Sometimes I get food, and thats a pretty good deal too, cause they got some really good food around here.

I love tennis balls, and frisbees, tho Im still working on catching them. It takes a lot of thinking to coordinate this long body of mine. I'm still a baby so sometimes the front end doesnt talk to the rear end and I can be kinda clumsy.

I like farm living alright, there are these big white things called sheep in the field next to the yard. Foster mom says when I learn how to lie down and pay attention to her that I can go herding, tho Im not sure exactally what that is yet. All my foster brothers and sisters say it's a lot of fun. Foster mom said I would get to go watch, so after that I'll be able to tell you if I think I might like to do that or not, but from what I've been told it sounds pretty exciting!

I am the tallest dogs out of all the dogs that live with my foster mom. Im not sure exactally how tall, but I think around 22" at the whithers. I get along really well with the other 6 dogs I share a room with. Even tho Im bigger than them, I dont bully them around at all.

Im still learning a lot about life and how to be a very well behaved boy, my foster mom says Im doing pretty well so far, but that I shouldnt get a big head about it cause I've still got a lot to learn.

Well, that's all for now!
Skeeter

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