Just Like a Big Boy!

Alvin made my night tonight!  It's interesting how accomplishments are measured differently with Alvin.  I was out back tonight and had shut the door.  I heard one little paw scrape the glass door which immediately caught my attention because none of the three dogs here paw at doors.  I was wondering who it was and before I turned around I had already concluded that it must be Stevie.  I turned around to see Alvin's cute little face pressed against the glass.  I immediately opened the door because I wanted to reward the behavior and he came right out and went potty.  The icing on the cake was that it was wet and raining outside and he still came out to potty.  As you all know, Alvin can't signal when he has to go out and hasn't demonstrated an ability to hold it until the door is open.  He also tends to go potty inside when it's raining and so this was a triple accomplishment. Boy, oh boy, did I praise him and of course gave him a little treat.  He may have demonstrated an increasing amount of intelligence but he still hasn't figured out that his "treat" is just a kibble of his regular food.  He deserved more because that was just plain smart!

Gracie finally growled at Alvin a couple of nights ago.  She periodically growls at Stevie and has even snapped at her but she has shown nothing but patience towards Alvin.  We were having our bedtime snack on the bed and Gracie wanted some, which she usually does not.  I made her a little bowl and Alvin finished his sooner than she did.  He then kept insisting on trying to get some out of her bowl and she gave him a growl.  Alvin seemed oblivious to it and I don't know if it was because he can't determine the direction of sound or that he just didn't get it.  He kept stressing me out by trying to go back to the bowl so I closely supervised in an effort to help him keep both of his ears.  The number one rule in this house is that NO ONE can be mean to Alvin but he pushed the envelope with that one. 

He remains just as cute as he can be!

Alvin Gave me the Scare of my Life!

Last night I carried my foster dog home from my mom's house.  She recently had surgery and has to be carried.  I brought her into the house and settled down to watch TV.  About 15 minutes later I got up to feed Stevie and I noticed that Alvin didn't come running.  I knew something was off and so I began searching for him and because the house is less than 900 square feet I quickly realized that he wasn't in the house.  I opened the back door and called for him but I knew that was futile because if Alvin had somehow gotten stuck outside he would be plastered against the back door.  It was then that I felt shear panic because I knew that he had somehow gotten out the front door.  Alvin can't determine the source of sound and is skittish and so I have always known that if he got out that it would potentially be a disaster.  I ran to the front door and started yelling his name as I was opening it.  It was then that I saw Alvin nearly fall through the door because he had been leaning so hard against it trying to get in.  I have never been so relieved to see him and quickly told him that he could potty anywhere he wanted in the house just as long as he never sneaked out the door again.  I have always feared Alvin getting out because I assumed that he would trot off, and have no idea how to get back home.  I can't believe how lucky I am that he stayed next to the door.  He looked very afraid when he came in and I think he got scared being locked out and stayed put.  I started to praise and pet him but quickly realized that he didn't want to be touched, he wanted food, and food he got!  I keep looking at him and feeling so grateful that he is here.  I would never get over it if Alvin got lost and I couldn't find him.  I do wonder if he first went to grandma's house and when her door didn't open whether he came back or if he stayed put the whole time.  He doesn't bark or scratch at the door and so had I not decided to feed Stevie, who knows how long he would have been out there.  Poor baby, as you may recall he is afraid of the dark (I don't even know how that is possible in dogs) and I think he was scared and cold out there all by himself.  Lately he has started trying to bolt out the front door and I am hoping this scared him and he won't try it anymore.  You can imagine how careful I am going to be from now on because my heart simply couldn't take it if I lost him.  I really, really love this little guy!