Week 2!

Well, Friends of Fiona, here we are at the 2 week point!

<---Day 1  

 Day 14 --->

Fiona is SO happy to be feeling better and to have been given a second chance, and it shows all the time.  For the most part, the sad, worried expression is gone from her adorable little face.  She still has that look at bath time...lol!  I would think she'd look forward to bath time and the delicious treats she gets, but NO, not exactly. 
She got her 4th bath today..here are some more photos to compare...

<---Bath 1

Bath 4 --->

If you click on these pictures to get a closer look, you can see how red and blotchy her skin was in 1st bath as compared to her much happier looking skin at bath #4....YAY!!!  

More importantly, this little girl  FEELS so much better!  By no means do I intend to brag with the posts on this blog.  All the credit goes to Dr. Jones and Mindi for getting her out and on the mend. And, of course, mad props to Fiona....she is, as I've said before, a little warrior!  She knew as soon as she got back into a home environment that she was now safe and she no longer had to fight for her survival, she just had to rest and get better...she has done plenty of both!

Now that she is no longer feeling unloved, neglected and miserably itchy and sore--she is SUCH a normal dog. Someone had posted on her original FB thread that I'd be surprised what a happy, normal dog she is, aside from a roaring demodex infection...and she was SO right!  She doesn't seem to be the least bit traumatized after being neglected to the point her skin infection got out of control, then dumped in a box and left for shelter staff to find when they opened.  She is smart enough to look forward and focus on a happy future rather than letting the past freeze her with fear.  I'm so glad to have her with me to remind me of this little life lesson. 

Here are a few shots of Fiona, the happy, normal puppy dog, loving all the attention she gets.. 

Shameless! 

Is that a SMILE I see?!

And with all her new-found energy, she loves to play with her favorite buddy, Vito...






And if that isn't cute enough for you...her is another Fiona video!  This was earlier today just before her bath and it features a walk-on cameo by Ms. Blanca!  

And now, time for the ♥ Pawsome Twosome ♥ to rest...Good night everyone!!  Hope you all had a great holiday weekend!  

Diva Feva'!

Hello again friends of Fiona!  It's been a few days since I last posted but I've been dying to get back here and tell you all about her terrific progress.  I think Dr. Jones is going to be VERY happy with the doggie he sees on Tuesday, at her 2 week check up. 


Check out all the little sprouts of hair!  This picture was taken 2 days ago...today, it looks like there are about twice as many little sprouts.

She continues to show us more and more of her funny personality.  This little girl is not just a Princess...SHE is a diva, she'll have you know!  Last night I placed her in her lair, just like every other night and she has never given me any grief at bedtime.  But last night she was very loudly yapping, whining, squealing, scratching, thrashing around...just making a scene!  So first, I take her out real quick to see if she has to pee, NO, that was not it, I figured when she immediately turned around and stomped back up the stairs to the house.  I put her back in her crate and the conniption begins all over again.  It occurred to me this drama may be over the diva having to sleep with her e-collar on!  I took it off and she buried in her blankets and was almost done, she was still whimpering and restless.  O YES, of course, I forgot to cover her up and tuck her in.  MY bad.  After that, she didn't make a peep.
Friday, Toodles was away with a trial adopter (and I was missing him very much ), so I decided to take advantage of having one less dog and took Raleigh, Fiona and Vito on a walk ALL the way to the park!  This was the first long walk that Fiona's been on since we got her.  No surprise she loved it.  She is very outgoing, yet stoic, and just loves to take everything in.  I really love her...she is SUCH a cool little dog.  I just cannot believe someone wouldn't want her!



So here are a few pictures of Fiona and her main squeeze, Vito, at the park...









Ahhh...a back rub in the sunshine, this is livin'!




Next we headed over to the shade for some treats and a quick rest before heading back home...




Even though she looks like she hates my guts in this picture, she was really just far too excited with the park to be confined, lol!  And the search for a nice picture of her and I continues...

Imma gonna help and carry the treats home, hmmmk?

A Full House!

Hello followers!!  Welcome back to Following Fiona!  Sorry to leave you all hanging for a couple of days...we've been so busy!  Thank you all for supporting this sweet Chi doggie.  We are so happy to have 50 likes already and lots of page views too!!  Maybe we will reach the 300 mark this weekend??  You know, if we had just $5 from all the lookers...we'd be able to cover Fiona and then some!  PLEASE donate, even just a little, if you've enjoyed reading our blog. 


It's been a wild and crazy few days here at Ally's Chi-wawa haven!  We have a new La Dolce baby staying with us this weekend.  A sweet old gal named, Blanca.  Also my other foster, Toodles, has an interested party so I spent a big part of yesterday doing a meet and greet, home-check, then follow up home check and finally dropped him off for a trial sleepover late last night.  Whew!!
As I am sitting here relaxing with Fiona by my side SNORING, I decided I should take this 'down time' to update you all on her progress...which I couldn't be happier about! 

I guess it's been a while since I was working in vet hospitals, or Fiona is really exceptional, but she has come SO far in less than 2 weeks!!  When I look at her today, playing with the other dogs...running around the house trying to get someone to chase her and chowing down on any kind of treat of food I give her, I am just astonished!  2 weeks ago when we got her, she was so sad and miserable, but willing to fight...little did I know just then what a warrior there is inside this little gal!

She is certainly living up to her Princess status.  Earlier this week, I had her out for a walk and one of our Chi-loving neighbors came by to say hello to Fiona and Raleigh (my 9yo dachshund-pictured to the left).  She first greeted Fiona and she was totally eating it up.  Rubbing against her legs, licking her hands, etc...but when my neighbor then went to greet Raleigh...well, Fiona would NOT have that.  She wiggled her way in between them and play-nibbled Norma's hands, insisting that she remain the center of attention.  It was so funny and it was the first time I really saw her personality on full display...and that is the silly girl I've had the pleasure of knowing this week.  She is completely assimilated to her pack of friends and everyone gets along so well.  She's even gotten my Raleigh motivated to run around and act silly...I think she reminds Raleigh of our late Sweet Pea too.  Those 2 were so bonded, the best of buds...here is a pic of the two of them, back in the day:

Fiona is feeling good enough to beg too!

Here she is with Vito...discussing their plan of attack...
the reward if the mission is accomplished: a big bowl of Cheerios!


And after a long day of beggin', barkin' and bathin', the Princess rests with the commonfolk...

I love this picture!  There lie 3 dogs that went from death row in the shelter to snoozing on on soft, fluffy Chi-wawa cloud 9! ♥  Does it get any sweeter than that?

The Princess Speaks!

WOW!  What a difference 1 week makes!  It was one week ago yesterday Fiona was sprung from cing-cing and it was yesterday that a brand new Fiona started to emerge.
She has such a cute little personality!  She is very playful and funny.  She loves to initiate play with the other dogs...but it's kinda funny because, once she gets someone to bite and they chase her or engage her in play, she runs to her bed, unsure what she should do next.  She'll learn, Vito has taught a pup or two how to play 

Since she's been feeling more frisky, she also has more energy to lick and scratch...SO, she's needed to wear her 'party hat' more these days.

I don't think she enjoys wearing her hat very much...what do you think? 

She is especially happy during her walks.  She moseys on up to her walking buddy and paws at them trying to get them to play.  She also is full-on running around outside too!  Here are a few shots of us yesterday sitting in the grass...enjoying one of So Cal's many BEAUTIFUL days...



What cute chops you have, deary!





I also put together a quick, cute video of Fiona out on a walk with Toodles.  As you can see, she has found her voice!  She was having lots of fun barking at some other dogs she saw and running all over the place.  I'm no professional camera gal..so, sorry if its a bit choppy...I tried to cut out most of the windy or shaky parts.  Hope you enjoy seeing Fiona out and about!  

Weekend Visitor

This weekend we welcomed back a previous foster! Fergie was rescued from the OC Shelter with Toodles back in March.  She stayed with us for a bit and then went to a live with her new foster mom, Molly.  From time to time, we still get to see Fergie when her new foster mom needs a sitter 

Fiona spent most of the weekend resting...she wasn't confined to her crate, she just prefers to hang out in there.  Fergie must have thought Fiona looked super comfy because she kept cruising into Fiona's crate and looking around, burrowing, but then eventually went back to where her BFF Toodles was hanging out.

As I mentioned in the last post, all the dogs like to visit the sleeping beauty...here is another cute shot of her boys looking in on her...

Fiona always likes her visitors.  Even though she probably still feels pretty lousy, she is always sweet and friendly with everyone ♥



...even when it's time for her yucky medicine 




Another short and sweet blog...even though I LOVE seeing my Fergie girl come back to visit, it sure is a lot of work with 5 doggies in the house...WHEW!  I was a little envious of Fiona this weekend...every time I looked at her she looked so cozy and happy to be RESTING, something I need to do a lot of tonight... 

So, good night friends of Fiona's...don't forget to check back for tomorrow's blog to see Fiona's 1st video!