I was found as a stray in South Carolina, I really don't remember the circumstances behind my being a stray. I don't think I was on the street long before I was picked up by the animal control folks. I ended up staying with the Anderson County PAWS people for a while and they called me Charlie.
Then my life changed. An organization called Operation Little Brown Dog came and got me, I think they saw something special in me. I went to my foster home in Prosperity, South Carolina. The folks that cared for me really treated me well and I got along with all their other dogs and children.
At some point, you know dogs have a very short attention/memory span, my pictures appeared on the internet. My fosters were trying to find a good home for me. Time went by, thought I would never find a home.
Then one day, my fosters started calling me Flynn, wasn't sure what that was all about, but hey they fed me and loved on me and kept me safe. So a name change wasn't a big deal.
One day, I think it was November 7, 2015, we went for a ride to Lexington, South Carolina to visit my fosters mom. They took me for a walk and when we got back to the house a strange car was there, along with two people I had never seen before. The man got on one knee and called me by the name of Flynn. Then the lady started petting me, she called me Flynn too. I wondered, I've never seen these people how do they know my name?
They and my fosters chatted for a while and then the guy put a new collar and leash on me, hmmm, embroidered on it was Flynn and a phone number I did not recognize. Strange, but hey I got a new collar. Then they led me to this strange car and opened the door. At first I wouldn't get in, my fosters said it was okay so I got in. Everybody said goodbye and we drove off. I remember after a while we stopped at a house in Aiken, South Carolina, the people there seemed nice and they had two Boykins. We didn't stay long. The strange guy and lady, Lee and Stan, put me back in the car, harnessed me up and we drove off.
I never wore one of these before, but I felt safe. I had plenty of slack so I could sit or lay down. It was a long ride and I remember it raining. We stopped a few times so I could go to the bathroom. I know it must have been tiring for Stan. At one point I heard him cuss and say something like hold on. I sat up and saw this big fire truck with one of those long ladder things skidding across the highway right in front of us. Stan got our car stopped, looked like he was pretty close to that big truck. Sounded like he was pretty excited as was Lee. All I can say is Stan did a great job dodging that truck and stopping safely. We headed off again. Wasn't far down the road when we stopped, Stan said something about his heart pounding, I think it had something to do with that big fire truck.
We stopped for the night and in the morning we headed out to my new home in Little Rock. Another long ride. When we finally arrived Stan told Lee they had driven 1500 miles and spent 24 hours driving in four days. Not sure what all that meant, but it sounded serious.
My new home. The surroundings were not familiar to me, all the new smells and sights. We went into the house and I was introduced to the four cats, yup, four of them! I don't think they liked me much.
It was a bit strange being in such a quiet home, I mean like it's just Lee and Stan and cats. No children or other dogs to play with, I guess I'll have to adjust.
We all have some learning curves to get through; new voices and new commands. I hear them mention Simon every now and then, not sure who he was, but it sure sounds like they loved him and miss him. Every now and then they call me Simon, then they say, I mean Flynn. I think that's pretty special.
In just a few days I will have been with my new family for two weeks. I think things have gone well. They took me to meet my new doctor, he seems nice. I also had a visit with my groomer, she trimmed my paws and clipped my nails and was very gentle with me, Then one night just before bed Stan took me out to potty, we came and Stan told Lee I had worms. What??? I have worms?? What kinda worms, am I going to be okay??? Next morning Stan brought me back to see the Vet, I got a shot and some meds and I'm really doing fine.
The cats are still pretty standoffish, guess they don't realize I just want to play. We've been going on walks and playing with a giggle ball in the back yard. I'm really enjoying my new home, Lee and Stan are really good with me. They are patient with me even though I've had a few accidents.
This is Stan my new dad, he looks happy.
This is Lee my new mom, she let me get on her bed.
I think these are all the updates I have for now, I'll do another update in a week or so, so check back. Here is a link to my photo album My Photos & Videos
11/24/15 Boy am I lucky, mom and dad got me some new toys. They got me a new kind of ball, it's called a Ruffwear Huckama. It really is neat, it is not round and when I drop it it goes everywhere and I can chew it without tearing it up. They also bought me a rubber ring that is very tough, dad said he got it at Goughnuts.com. It's very very tough and he told mom it was guaranteed. If I chew through the black and find a red or yellow color that means it's not safe to chew anymore and they send it back for a replacement.
Really, do I look happy or what!!!!!
11/28/15 Hello once again. Just wanted to pop in to provide a quick update on what's been going on. Today marks the three week anniversary of meeting my new mom and dad. Wow, has it been that long!
I think things are going pretty doggone good. Well, for me any way. Didn't have a really great day yesterday, not sure what happened to me. It was the usual morning routine. Dad got up, let me out of my night time crate and we did our morning do. Everything was going fine until I decided to chew on my nice orthopedic memory foam bed.
Then dad got really excited when the guy in the brown truck dropped a package off. I watched intently as dad opened it. Oh my gosh, it contained two new big extreme Kong Goodie bones. Dad told mom that these should do the trick. He stuffed the ends with some healthy treats and gave one to me. About an hour later mom picked up my bone and showed it to dad. I guess I wasn't supposed to chew through the rubber. Sheesh, a dog would think that someone out there would make a dog toy that I couldn't chew through. Oh and don't get me wrong, dad wasn't mad at me, he said something about emailing the Kong company, guess that's who made this inferior toy.
My mom and dad are really dedicated. It rained all day yesterday and is still raining today. Mom bundled up yesterday and took me for a walk. This morning dad got all bundled up and took me for my walk. I felt bad for him cuz his knee is still hurting him. He said something about gutting it out, ya know he was Marine and a Soldier for a long time, so he is pretty tough.
All in all life is great at my furever home. I miss all my playmates and my foster parents in South Carolina, but I guess I couldn't stay there forever. I really am happy here, just wish the cats would play with me;) I'll post again soon and as soon as dad takes more photos I'll get them added to my album on Flickr.
12/6/15 Guess what day today is? It's the day I came to my home in Arkansas one month ago. Pretty amazing. I think things are going pretty well. Dad really yelled at me today, he was carrying scissors or something and I jumped up on him. He really scolded me. Oh it wasn't bad, he didn't hit more or anything, he just yelled. He told me I can't do that cuz I could get hurt or I could cause someone else to get hurt. I felt really bad.
So far life is pretty good. I go out for a walk everyday, even in the rain. And most days mom or dad take me out back and I chase after the Giggle Ball.
I've been to see the Vet a few times, mom and dad are just making sure I am okay. I have an ear infection and I get ear drops everyday. My skin was itching pretty bad so they got some special pills that I get once a day, it's helping a lot.
I got a new house to sleep in and stay in when mom and dad have to go out. I really think they like me. I'm lucky because they are home most of the time. Mom signed us up for what she called "obedience" classes that start next month. I thought I was well behaved, I really think I am, guess I have a few issues that need to be addressed. I know they don't like me to jump up, but I'm a dog and I'm supposed to do that, aren't I! I admit I have issues with sit/stay/wait, they just don't understand that I only want to be with them. Today while they were outside putting up Christmas decorations I managed to jump over the gate in the living room. They weren't mad at all, but they did check me over to make sure I didn't hurt myself. Then I gave mom a hard time when she was going outside, I wanted to go, she wanted me to stay. Obedience school here we come!
I am very happy and they keep telling me this is my forever home and I never have to leave. I really like that.
Dad may have added a few more photos to the Flickr album, he and mom try to snap photos a lot. Well it's just about supper time so I better wrap this up for now. Thanks for reading my blog and keeping up with me. Will post again soon.
January 3, 2016
Well I have to say the holidays were pretty special for me. Oh we didn't have any big parties or anything like that, mom and dad said the holidays would be quiet this year. We didn't have a Christmas tree cuz the cats would think it was a play ground. So we decorated the outside, dad put up lights and mom made this really cool snowman out of pumpkins from Halloween.
I made a neat little card for mom, with dad's help of course, and mom really liked it. I got a few new toys for outside. I really love my ring toss toy. Mom and dad take me out a couple of times every day and let me run amok with it. They throw it, but I don't give it back. I put my nose through the center and run like the wind. One time it blocked my vision and I ran through a bush, that was fun!!!
I have made friends with Maggie the older black cat and Sawyer tolerates me. Gracie is not friendly at all, every time I walk up to her to try and play she swats at me. Phoebe is okay, she just doesn't like me pushing her with my nose or pawing at her. She actually tried to bite once, good thing I've got some Aussie in me, I'm pretty quick and she missed.
I always go in dad's computer room when he is there. He has a little refrigerator with magnets of places mom and dad have been. They must have traveled a lot before they got me. I heard mom talking with a friend the other day, she was telling someone to have a good time on their cruise and that she was sorry she had to cancel. She said she just didn't feel it fair to me to get me and then leave me with a babysitter. I think my new parents are pretty cool. They treat me really good and I really like it here. They let me roam the house and I haven't really done anything bad yet. Well kinda, dad left a sandwich on the counter yesterday and left the kitchen for a minute. I jumped up and took the top slice of bread, I wasn't quick enough though, dad caught me and made me spit it out. I'd say counter surfing is the only bad habit they don't like.
Mom and I are starting obedience school next week. I'm not sure what thats all about, but I've never been to school before so it should be fun, I think.
So for me 2015 was good. I had a great foster home for several months and then I got adopted, yay for me. I really like my new home. In a way its cool being the only dog child, I gets lots of loving and cuddling. It would be nice to have a playmate, but then I'd have to share the attention I get, so I'm cool with it.
I think dad updated/added some photos to the above link, he is always taking pictures and videos. I'll close for now and will do another blog entry in a couple of weeks. Until then I wish everyone a happy happy New Year and hope all my fostered and sheltered friends get as lucky as me and get adopted.
February 2016: Finally poppa let me have some keyboard time. It's almost four months since I joined my new furever family. Things were going super great. I've been going to obedience training and I'm doing great, I graduate next week. The final day of class will also have a round robin competition. The teachers will test us on all the stuff we learned. The one that does the best will receive a ribbon. I've worked really hard and mom promised to work with me this week so we can beat the competition. I really think I am doing the best out of all the dogs. There are twelve others so my work is cut out for me. I've already been enrolled in the next level of training which is the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) class. Mom says I need this if I really want to be a therapy dog. I'm really excited cuz the classes are fun and it makes mom and dad happy and proud when I mind well.
So I said earlier things "were" going super great. A few weeks ago we all got in the car and drove all the way to Birmingham, I was a little worried because I remember making this drive when they first came and got me. Mom and dad promised they weren't giving me back, they said something about going to get a sister. A sister, you mean I'm not going to be the only dog child anymore? Oh man!
So yup, we came home with an older sister. I guess she didn't have the best life and someone gave her away and she really needed a new loving home. Hey I can surely say this is a great home to be chosen for. It's only been a little over two weeks since Penny has joined the family. I guess she's okay. We've had a few fights that mom and dad had to get in the middle of, but nothing really bad. Hey isn't that what sisters and brothers do!
My life hasn't changed much. Sister uses my crate at night and I still sleep on the sofa. Sister is really really a good dog, not as good as me, but good. She's had a few accidents in the house only because she never lived in a house and doesn't realize we have to do our business outside. She's gotten a lot better and we enjoy running around outside together.
So all is good and I am enjoying the high life. Lots of love and cuddles and tea parties. Aah, I guess I should explain tea parties. Usually about three times a day mom and dad give us a tea party. We get a couple of dog cookies. Never know what we'll get, flavors could be Granola, Peanut Butter & Molasses, Natural Cheese, Grilled Chicken or Bacon & Cheese, needless to say we love them all. When we hear "it's tea party time" we get all excited, sit, wait and share politely. Bet there aren't a lot of moms and dads that give their dog family tea parties, we are lucky, lucky, lucky!
I think I've covered all the latest news so I'll get this published so everyone can read how well I am doing.
March 28, 2016
Figured I should bring everyone up to date with whats going on. I'm enrolled in my new Canine Good Citizen class and have attended my first session. My classes are on Tuesday evening for an hour. When I was introduced to all my classmates I couldn't help but wonder, really all you guys passed beginner obedience class! Some of them are rude and very misbehaved, unlike me of course that just happens to be an angel.
Mom makes me do homework a few times a week to help me hone my skills. I think it's gonna be fun and I really am going to try hard to win some first place medals.
My new sister, Penny, is doing well. I had to teach her what to do with an antler, she still hasn't figured out the ball or the fetch things yet. She enjoys running outside and chasing the birds out of the big bush we have out back. Hey if that makes her happy so be it.
It amazes me how patient mom and dad are. Mom is more patient than dad;) Dad raises his voice, but never hits us. I know deep down he loves us cuz he takes such good care of us. Poor Penny has had a few diarrhea issues, a few in her crate at night, not pretty. Dad is the first one up and all he does is apologize to Penny, he says he should have gotten up earlier. He picks up my sister and as we pass the bedroom he shouts to mom saying "I need your help." After we go outside mom and dad go about the cleaning up and making things nice and fresh. I think mom and dad take turns giving Penny a shower when these things happen.
Penny will be celebrating two months being with us next week, she sure has come a long way and we have gotten to be pretty good friends. And I will be celebrating five months with my new furever family next week.
Life is good and I'm having a lot of fun. Here's a photo of us helping dad fold laundry.
Hope everyone in Little Brown Dog world is doing well. Will do another update when dad lets me use the Mac.
May 15, 2016
Well it's the Sunday after my big test day to get my Canine Good Citizen certification. Ugh, I blew it! Yup everything was going fine until they made me walk by this big furry overweight Collie a second time. I growled at him as I walked by cuz he was giving my momma an evil eye. I was just warning him that I was going to protect my momma if he got ugly. Well the evaluator didn't see things the way I did and she disqualified me. So no blue ribbon and no certification. I know my momma was disappointed, but she gave me hugs and kisses and told me how proud she was of me. I let her down, but her safety is way more important to me than a blue ribbon, just sayin.
Everything is going pretty good. My new sister Penny and I are getting along just fine. We've worked most of our issues out. I think we've both learned to respect each others space, food and toys. Boy, I'll tell you that even though she's older than me, she is one pretty good looking chick;) When we first met her she was quite scraggly looking. Her foster mom and dad did a really good job with special baths etc. Mom started using some essential oils on her when we got home and just a few months later her coat has grown totally back and it looks really healthy.
Poor Penny doesn't know how to fetch yet, I don't think she's really interested. She has more fun digging up the grass, that doesn't make mom or dad happy. Eventually she'll learn how to chase balls and outside toys, then again maybe not. Given the life she had before, mom and dad are just happy to she her happy, she loves cuddling.
Not sure what came over me a few weeks ago, out of the blue I started behaving badly. Chewed up a few things, ate a napkin and destroyed a few things mom left on her end table. Seems they, mom and dad, weren't too concerned about what I destroyed, they said they're more worried about my health. They check my poo each time hoping to see stuff pass:)
Although I know they were angry with me, they just talked to me and they started letting me sleep with them. I really didn't plan it that way, but hey, I'm not complaining. At bedtime I settle in at the foot of the bed and sleep all night.
My new life as Flynn is pretty darn good. Not sure I could've ended up with better parents. They love me a lot thats for sure.
Well it's almost supper time so I'm gonna close this out for now. Will post again soon.
