I first met Poppy at training on Sunday mornings at the farm (that is where McMuffin’s foster parents saw her too) and she was poppin’. She had the attention span of a gnat! She would catch on to the new command quickly, but start jumping up on the trainer, doing zoomies, and playing tug with her leash. Phil and I wanted to help her after Ozzie got adopted, because we saw her potential. We were not wrong.

Fast forward to now…On Saturday, she sat and waited patiently for the  hike to start with 11 dogs and several people walking around. We can get through a training session with her, and last night we took her to the car dealership as I dropped off the car and I had her sit while we waited and she did a beautiful job!

The first night Poppy came to our house she did not stop running, playing, doing zoomies, bouncing, leaping, or jumping for 3 hours straight. This dog is suppose to be 5 years old, but has the energy level (and manners) of a 6 month old puppy!

Fast forward to now, Poppy is learning to lay next to us calmly and sleep, she can now quietly be petted, and a really a good 20 minute romp around the yard or a nice 40 minute walk, and some mental exercise (training) she is calm and relaxed the rest of the day. She no longer jumps to get what is in our hands but sits, she does dinner downs while we are eating instead of leaping into our laps, and when we are working at our lap tops she goes and grabs a bone and hangs out at our feet  until we are done.

Poppy has a long way to go, but she is half way there. Next Wednesday, she begins her CGC certification training, and we will take her obedience to the next level. Poppy is going to make her future family very proud, she has made us proud.

There are many dogs like Poppy out there: high energy and “over the top”. When you channel their energy, give them boundaries, and let them be themselves, they shine. Poppy will never be a therapy dog, but she would be an all star agility champ.  She wouldn’t excel in a home that has cats and other dogs and young kids running around, but she will excel with the right person or couple wanting a single dog to devote their lives to. Poppy would make you the center of her universe, and that is true pit bull love.

She wishes everyone could get off the computer and leave the office to go outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. She says, “Go play with your doggies! and if you don’t have a dog, I will play with you!”

"This has gotta be the good life"

We went to the Pittie Trails hike last Saturday and Poppy saw her fellow Jasmine’s House friend, McMuffin. McMuffin told Poppy all about the Jolly Ball. Poppy asked me if she could have one too and because she is such a good Pop Star, I got her one. I think she really enjoyed it!

Catching her breath

Off again!

Poppy loves her toys,  I think the Jolly Ball was a big hit with her!

We left off telling you about Poppy’s great adventure. Phil sold his motorcycle and we drove to Connecticut to drop it off and Poppy came with us. She did so wonderful! She calmly hung out  in the car, enjoyed the rest stops, and politely sat while we paid the tolls. She is a wonderful road trip dog!

Poppy Rose has been up to some exciting stuff lately and wants to say We’re Back!

She is excited to be talked about again, really!!

NEW PHOTOGRAPHS FROM NY AREA!

By Two Wags and a Wiggle

Not only was the pop-star herself visiting New Jersey, she made a detour up the coast to through New York and up to Connecticut. Also, breaking photos from the morning confirm the vehicle she was traveling in.

Upon hearing word of Poppy’s latest adventure, our expert research team contacted other agencies in the DC metro area, and with their assistance procured the following photographs. Note that Ms. Rose appears sleepy, and the sun is rising in the East.

Our team believes that these photographs represent the rare “early morning” sighting of Ms. Rose, who is notorious for being quite snuggly in the morning. Is this a new side of the famous Pop Star, perhaps a New Year’s Resolution to become a bit more of an early bird? Our expert reporters will let you know as soon as they can!

By Two Wags and a Wiggle

Famous pop star Poppy Rose was spotted in New Jersey last weekend, and rumors are spreading that she’s bringing the party up the Atlantic coast. Our team of expert photographers caught word that she was en route to New Jersey mid-morning, and were on Interstate 95 within minutes.

Poppy Rose may be headed to NYC to Party

By 11am, they caught the first sign – a suspicious vehicle traveling northbound. Using high-powered cameras, they caught these rare photographs of what appears to be Ms. Rose at a rest stop.

Poppy Rose spotted at New Jersey rest stop

Later photographs showed her eating a Kong filled with peanut butter in the back of the vehicle.

Poppy Rose having a snack

It has been quite some time since the elusive pop star appeared in public, and our team of extraordinary reporters here at the Canine Examiner are hopeful that we will have more information for you, our loyal readers, shortly.

After Heather and I started talking about dogs, I thought I might be a mastiff person. They seemed like my sort of dog: loyal, independent, and perhaps a bit standoffish. A big Neopolitan mastiff lying on my feet, in front of the fireplace, while I read a classic novel — that sounded wonderful.

That was what I thought, until…

Until I was in the Raytown, Missouri animal shelter — a miserable warehouse of a shelter — and I saw a certain, wiggly, white-and-tan pitbull with an extraordinary large smile. Even though Heather and I had two dogs in a one-bedroom apartment on the second floor, I knew we had room for one more. We went home to “think it over”, and I spent the evening thinking of names. As we were lying in bed talking about all of the reasons we shouldn’t adopt another dog, I thought of it:

“Olivia. Olive for short.”

That was the beginning of my love for pitbulls.

I’m excited to share all of the wonderful experiences we have had, and the ones we’re having now. Thanks to Heather for letting me borrow a piece of her blog, and I can’t wait to hear from all of you!

We love cooking!

bbrrrrrr, it is cold outside!

Poppy Rose is the perfect nest builder. She works hard to make the coziest little nest for herself.

The Game Face

The Turn Around

The Lean

The Settle

The Sleep

When it is time to get up, like all naps on a cold winter day, it’s hard to wake up, even for a Pop Star.

If you are interested in a warm snuggly Poppy for the rest of her winters, contact us at waitingbetweentrains [at] gmail [dot] com.

The recipient of the Kreative Blogger is supposed to reveal 10 facts about themselves that were not previously known. Since I am so new to everyone here, this shouldn’t be too hard!

1.) I come from a huge family. I have 2 older brothers, 2 older sisters, a younger sister, and 2 younger brothers. My younger sister has a baby on the way to join my other 2 nephews. Lets just say that I am one proud aunt!

Some of us are missing!

2.) I worked in 2 different Missouri shelters for a year, at the intake counter. I was currently working for MO Humane Society when they rescued the 400 pitbulls from a large multi-state fighting ring and helped with intakes after a puppy mill raid. I have almost seen it all.

3.) Phil and I love trying different wines and beers. We will be brewing our first batch of homemade beer soon! We got the kit as a wedding present and we are so excited to try it. We are also preparing our soil to grow grapes to make wine! mmmmm

4.) We live on close to 2 acres of land and I love [the idea of] gardening. My herb garden was a success last year and will be planting an entire 46ft by 52ft plot this spring and summer! Wish us luck, we have no idea what we are doing.

Small Lettuce Garden from last spring

5.) I am also the Foster Home Coordinator for Jasmine’s House. I couldn’t be happier supporting our wonderful foster families, which without we couldn’t survive. (This also explains why I am spotty with posts, sometimes things get busy!)

6.) I am involved heavily in politics (Sort of my day job). I believe it could be a vehicle for the change we want to see in our country. I have also seen first hand how policies affect people’s lives. My 19 year old brother took his life while serving in the Navy. My family is working closely with our Congressman to tell Matt’s story and I believe it can make a difference.

7.) I moved here from Belton, MO. A small city outside of Kansas City. No one has beat Kansas City BBQ!

8.) Phil and I met while serving in the Peace Corps together. We were in the Republic of Georgia the summer of 2008 when the Russian/Georgian War happened about 10 miles from where we were living. We were the 8th group to serve in Georgia and the war broke out on 08/08/08 during our 8th week of training. How is that for numbers!

Georgia

9.) Phil and I live in an 1880s farm house that used to be the general store for the lime kiln workers. We are having a blast learning how to fix it up. I will probably grace you all with pictures as projects get done, because I am so proud of us!

10.) I LOVE training dogs (ok, you probably knew this already). My favorite dogs to train, and in general, are the dogs like Poppy Rose. She has so much energy and drive that she makes training fun and easy. I have some big plans in store for my pack (Ernie, Copper, and Tilly) and our fosters this summer. I hope you stick around to see

The second award I received was the Liebster Blog award. This award asks the recipient to identify five other up and coming blogs – it’s a way to highlight blogs that the recipient enjoys and wants to share with their readers. Well, to be honest with you the blogs I read are either large blogs or the wonderful ones that gave me this award! Since I can’t give it back, because that defeats the purpose I re-visted a few blogs I stumbled upon and enjoyed. Since then I have begun to follow them! Woo hoo! It is working

• From the Pits. Nevie works at Montgomery County Humane Society and blogs about the wonderful pets up for adoption there. Stevie, the handsome fellow featured now, was just pulled by Jasmine’s House! I enjoy reading her insights about the shelter work, because sometimes, I do miss it.

• The Rufus Way. I have enjoyed learning about Rufus and their journey with him. I love mutts, having 2 of my own (4 if you count the pibbles)! She works at a boarding kennel and fosters, so lots of fun dog stories to read here!

• Smart Dog. Laurie Luck is a wonderful trainer here in Frederick, MD. She also trains service dogs and is an instructor at Karen Pryor School of dog training. This blog is a wonderful resource for all things training!

• Hound Dog Mom. As much as pitties, I love the hounds! Hound Dog mom has some wonderful stories to share about her 3 rescued basset hounds. They are all just too cute for words.

• A & A Friese. Alaska. Pitbulls. DIYers. Need I say more?

I have enjoyed this and getting to know everyone here a little better. I hope the ones that received the awards keep it up!