Obviously I've been lax on updating this blog. The last one was well over 3 years ago and, apparently, in the midst of obedience training.  Zuki passed the training with flying colors, for those wondering. 

Since the last post, Zuki has developed a significant case of separation anxiety.  From what I can gather this is from a rather interesting series of events:

• moving from her original home of two years to a much smaller place in a different climate 
• Her primary "people" changing from time to time
• The loss of her big brother/alpha/protector/mentor
• Changing homes once again and
• Being the only dog in the house

These were a major series of events occuring over the course of two years.  Once we moved into the latter location and she became the lone dog in the house I think Zuki realized that the pack needed an alpha and she was it, by default.  This was most likely the final straw and sent her into a panick. 

Initially the anxiety manifested itself through destruction of the plastic floor in her kennel.  This went on for a bit and was mitigated through a sheet of chipboard being placed under the kennel, mainly to prevent destruction of the carpeting or the girl's paws.  This seemed to be fine for a while. 

Then, on one return home, I came into the house to find a loose Akita roaming the house leaving bloody paw prints and nursing a lacerated snout.  I believe this happened at the start of a long weekend which gave some healing time before being introduced to "Doggie Day Camp"  on the following Monday.

Inappropriate picture placement 1

Zuki has been going here on any weekday in which she would otherwise be alone.  There are many folks working and having worked there who take amazing care and provide lots of affection to the monster. 

The girl trots into the store in the morning and greets anyone willing to pet her.  She walks into the manager's office up front and is usually welcomed with a "ZUKI!!" to which she responds with the dropped-back ears and wagging butt.  Then she prances through the rest of the store occasionally letting out an "oof" where ever she feels like it.  Depending on the day, either Stef, Ali, Sage or one of the other great folks seem lit up to see the girl who seems just as elated to see them. 



In the afternoons when I go to pick the girl up, I make it a habit to sneak down the aisles so that Zuki doesn't know that I'm there until I get to the glass.  She's a 90lb cat and usually asleep, but occasionally I catch her playing with other pups in the playroom. Regardless of her state, once she sees me she sets off the rest of the dogs into a barking and playing frenzy.  I do feel bad for the folks monitoring the room, but not THAT bad... :-) 

Generally she gives out some "wooooo!!" and some dirty looks to anyone not letting her into the break room.  Then I head into the lobby to get the girl.  Lately Kelsey has been there quite a bit, another of the great folks that all love the monster, and who also describes Zuki's "woo"ing as "yodeling".  Makes perfect sense! 

When it comes down to it, I would love for Zuki to get over her anxiety and we are working on it.  However, the fact that I can bring her to a place like this where I have no worries whatsoever about her make me very happy.  

On most Fridays, though, Zuki "the spoiled" gets to go to a good friend's house for the day as she works from home and has another Akita named Ko to beat on the girl.   Even if Zuki's anxiety disappeared I'd still bring her there on Fridays to give her time with someone else who loves her and another butt-head to play with.  We started this trend way back with Daed and Kodi (miss you both) and it worked out very well with them.

Anyhow, the girl is sleeping behind me and seems to have the need to be pet.