Music Monday ~ Biko and Duckie

Yes, we did it. We got  a pup.
Or should I say toddler. He is a doggy toddler.

We named him Biko.
He is a rescue doggy, and it has been quite the journey so far. I keep reminding myself of The 3's - 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months.  It has proven to be true and helpful to remember the stages.

We are approaching the 3 months soon, so of course I had to do a Music Monday with the inspiration song, even though I mentioned on FB that because he chewed my laptop charger, a sock of mine, a bra of mine, hubby's earbuds, my running shoes, and now countless toy ducks in less than 10 minutes, he didn't deserve mention.

But here I am, dedicating a blog to the loving and quite gentle, though energetic, coconut loving, Boxer-Pit-Something else mix, Biko. Named after a Youtube music listening session and going through a long list of names. We thought Biko was a good fit. He is a rescue, and was abused, and had a skin irritation. We took him in when others just couldn't. Biko rolls off the tongue and is a good doggy name.



Meet our Biko.

Biko when we first got him.
He was called Oakley by the foster parents, but we think Biko is a better fit.

It has been a test of patience, for sure. As a rescue, I understood it would be different than getting any of our other pups. We got all the rest of our puppies at a much younger age, right from their mamma. This guy would need lots of love, attention, training, and patience. This poor pup was found tied to a light pole, abandoned and hungry. Hi skin was in a sorry state. Since then, he had been passed around from one foster home to another. He went from one home to another, from those who took him in but then gave him back because they obviously didn't understand how to take care of a powerful rescue dog, and from chaotic places with loads of dogs all together vying for attention.

He wasn't properly potty trained, and at 10 months, it is actually hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Jumping up when you see him circling, the pre-poop action, is jarring at my age. Just sitting down and then hearing chewing to have to get up to see what the dog is destroying is tiring. Child proofing the house after years of not worrying about it is challenging.

But, he does have his good moments. For instance - How cute is he?

Biko when calm.

He has grown since that picture. When we got him he was 37 lbs. Last weigh about a month ago he was 53 lbs. So walking him is also my new workout. Teaching him not to jump up on you has been challenging too. He loves to play by grabbing your shirt, shorts, or pants, and pulling, thus hubby has now lost a tee shirt and a pair of shorts to large rips.

But he does love them coconuts. They are much more fun and durable than tennis balls.

Coconut loving Biko

His favorite place is by the back sliding door. He loves to watch the lizards, and is always searching for that cat across the canal. He doesn't like cats. At all.

Biko ever diligent at guarding the backyard.

Biko on night watch.

The rest-guard posture. It is tiring watching sometimes.
Thankfully, so far, he is leaving the flip flops and yard shoes alone.

Some days, we feel we just can't keep trying with him. Some days are just perfect. This is the way of rescue dogs, I have learned. I have learned the crate is a godsend, and he doesn't really mind the crate. He actually goes in it when we are eating dinner sometime all on his own.

It didn't help that we decided to invite us in to our home, and then a huge life change happened for us. A sudden change in careers left us reeling a bit. Adding a doggy toddler to the mix has left us reeling even more. In a state of uncertainty, it has been hard to offer stability. Our nerves are pretty shot, and then add to the mix a toddler doggy who is rough and persistent and needs attention when we feel already spent.

Though there was something about this dog that made me want him, and I am not sure what it is yet. Unless to remind me my troubles are not as bad as they could be. To remind me to be patient. To give us love when we are going through some rough time. To remind me we have it good really.

And if there is anything that shows how love and affection can change a being, well then get a rescue dog. He tries so hard to please, he loves being loved, and adds as much laughter to our lives as he does frustration. Sometimes he just wants a hand on him to know he is safe and loved. Sometimes he purposefully steps on your foot and just stays there, and then nips your hand playfully, but it hurts, man, and you just want him to get off your foot as he is heavy and his bites do sting. But he never ever does anything viciously, well except bark at cats.
It MUST be some kind of lesson, having to dig deep in my emotions for this doggy. I am convinced it is a lesson, but the same as dogs, it is hard to teach and old me new tricks. We are both learning.

So after saying my dumb dog doesn't deserve a blog honoring him, he really does. Even though he is a chewer, a poop-er by the front door (ugh), a lover and a big frustration, plus slightly expensive (second dog bed so far, chewed all the stuffing out  of the first one and well on the way to emptying the second one), here I am doing a whole long blog about the darned pup.

For ta bonus video on this Music Monday, enjoy Biko with one of his new toy duckies. This one lasted maybe a day. The one we got him after this lasted maybe a half hour.



Just remember, things could be a lot worse. If you are loved, life isn't too bad.
And that when love is shared, it gives you back more love than you can imagine.
There is nothing better than seeing that in the eyes of a doggy either.