On Thursday, September 3, we all got up early. It seemed like a normal work day, except that the people let me come with them in the car. After about an hour of driving, we ended up at a adoption kennel. After another hour of meeting a few different dogs and the people testing them with smaller dogs and manners, I'm happy to say that I have helped select Tiki to be my new roomate! This comes a little late because I've spent the past week and a half training her and teaching her about all the great things about living in a house, but here are some Questions and Answers about Tiki the Greyhound.
Q: What does Tiki look like?
A: Like this:
Q: How old is she?
A: Tiki is two years old and a few months. She was born on May 28, 2007. You do the math.
Q: Was Tiki a racer just like you?
A: Tiki wasn't even as close to as skilled as I was on the race track. In fact, she flunked out of racing school on account of not chasing the lure. She never even raced a real race. That's why she was adopted at such a young age. I'm just happy I have this to hold over her head.
Q: What is Tiki's personality like?
A: The people have nicknamed her "Happy" because she seems so happy about everything. Unfortunately this meant that, in trying to come up with another of the dwarves nicknames to refer to me, I am now sometimes called "Dopey" or "Sleepy." Tiki tends to do a lot of tail wagging and smiling about nearly everything. She likes to talk (say "roo rooo wooo") when one of the people comes into the room or she gets excited about something else. She's a little hesitant around strangers and doesn't quite know what to do around other dogs yet, but I'm trying to teach her. She has even started being a little playful with me in the living room. Mostly we just bark at each other and wag our tails.
Q: How is Tiki adapting to living in a house?
A: She loves it! She's already learned about the soft beds and the nice blankets, dinnertime, walks, and treats. It took her four or five days before she wasn't afraid of the stairs, but now she's zipping up and down with no problems. She was house trained within two days. I don't know how she did it. It took me two weeks before I got the hang of it. This morning, Tiki learned about the wonders of the Kong toy filled with peanut butter. The people neglected to give me one and I was highly disappointed. I even said "please" for them as they were leaving in the morning to remind them.
Q: Will Tiki write a blog?
A: I doubt it. She doesn't even know how to sit, much less how to type and write HTML.
Q: Will the name of The Ajax DogBlog change to The Ajax & Tiki DogBlog?
A: Hell no. It's mine!
Q: Do you like Tiki?
A: Yeah, for the most part I do. I am a little jealous that she gets more food than me. Apparently they're trying to get her to gain weight. I keep telling them I could stand to gain 15 or 20 pounds but they just won't listen. Luckily for me, she rarely finishes her dinner because she gets distracted easily and wants to go smile at the people, so I swoop in and finish it up for her. Other than that, she's been fun to play with the last couple of days as she gets more playful. She takes up some of my room in the car, but I'm very quick to get in and lie down in the back and claim my space. I am still getting just as much attention from the people. She gets some too. I think they're just spending more time with us than they used to, which was already a lot.
Q: Where does Tiki sleep?
A: The people fashioned a little room for tiki with folding chairs that keeps her confined at night on the side of the bed. She actually really enjoys it. Each time she comes up to the bedroom she goes straight to her bed and stays there. I still sleep on the bed with the people and I am enjoying the implied status that I'm better because I sleep up higher. Plus, I am. I mean, I'm Ajax!
Q: Is Tiki named after a former NY Giants player?
A: Officially, no. Tiki is actually named after Tiki-bear who lives in various places in the people's house based on how much they remember they have him and is a big Giants fan. He usually makes more appearances during football season to taunt Cassandra when the Giants are winning and/or the Cowboys are losing. Either way, it's funny. The people thought it was a fun name and named the new greyhound that. Cassandra wouldn't want me telling you all of this, but it's all true. Every word. Greyhounds don't lie. Or forget. One of those.
Q: Is Raynah jealous of Tiki?
A: Nope, she doesn't seem to be at all. I still think I like to play with Raynah more than Tiki. Those two get along very well together also. We make a good threesome. (Not like that, sickos)
Q: Does Tiki do any tricks yet?
A: All Tiki really knows so far is "Go to jail" which isn't really even a trick, it's just a command. She also knows to stay out of the kitchen and come when she's called. Once she has the basics down I'm sure they'll teach her more as she gets more confident.
That's all for now. If you have any more questions, send them along!
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