So, What's New With Me?

Hi Friends, so much new with me since we last chatted. My new profile pic for one, it is a happier face for me so I want to use it now for when you look at my blog.
Mom took me to PetSmart and I rode in the seats of the car, I rode in the back seat then crawled to the front seat. I sat tall and pretty watching the world go by. Mom said I was a very good boy in the car. PetSmart was a brand new place for me, so many smells and things to see. I got so excited I lifted my leg on some dog beds to tell mom I wanted one of them. We saw two other dogs that mom said were like me, she says I am a Pit Bowl - whatever that means. They were girl dogs and barked at me a lot! I stood by mommy and played "statue" like a good boy but one girl in a pink harness and leash kept barking at me and calling me bad names, this hurt my feelings so I finally mustered up the courage to give her a very quiet, muffled 'woof' - that'll teach her.
Anyway, I did not get the bed, I got SHAMPOO - whatever that is. Later, Miss Maryanne came over and she oohed and awwed over me and I showed her how brave I have gotten. She was so proud of me and told me many times she loved me. It's nice to be loved. Then she helped mommy give me a bath - wow, that was super scary! The water was scary, the tub was scary..the shampoo smelled nice. Mommy played Zen Doggy music for me and Maryanne gave me treats to "enhance my spa experience". I was a good boy for my bath, it was nice having two people who love me help me with my scaries. Miss Maryanne took photos of me and my mom put some on her social page.
I also saw my reflection in the mirror which while initially scary I couldn't resist the handsomeness of the dog who kept staring back at me - he's a real looker!
Roast Beef came back to see me and took me for a quick ride in her car - it was fun!
Yesterday I got a little ahead of myself because I was feeling so much love for my mommy that I forgot to be scared and kissed her two times on the lips! She was so happy but I was a embarrassed because I have never done that before and I couldn't look at her for several minutes afterward. (Dad says that is a typical guy thing to do)
I also learned it is ok to get on the couch and lay next to mommy. This makes her very happy for some reason. But, I was sleeping on the couch one time and she gently put her hand on my back to pet me, I got startled, forgot where I was and scurried of the couch so fast and cowered on the floor. This broke moms heart, she said I had a flashback from where I used to live when people were mean to me. She wants me to forget all about those days and only have happy days, I want that too.  

Me Is A Good Boy!

Hi Friends, I have been watching tv (another new thing for me) and many ads say New & Improved. Well, mommy says that's what I am. I have made so much progress in less than two weeks I am practically a brand new boy! Here are some of my achievements: I get playful now, I am fully housetrained, I am not scared of the dishwasher or vaccuum cleaner, I like my foster daddy now, I am learning to play with toys, I am non reactive whed dogs behind fences bark at me on my walks (mommy is more reactive than I am).
Yesterday I met a nice lady who will be keeping me for a few days to give me new experiences. I call her Roast Beef, but mom calls her Miss Debra. She had a bag of tasty, juicy roast beef so I call her Roast Beef.
A week ago I would have cowered and tucked my tail when meeting someone new, yesterday I went right up to Roast Beef with my head held high and tail not only untucked but wagging! I was so confident and I liked Roast Beef instantly, before long I was giving her googly-eyes and she was just as smitten with me. I can't wait for Roast Beef to take me for a visit to her house.
Also, the other day mom and dad went to dinner and someone didn't lock my kennel so when they left I gently snuck out and roamed around the house...shhh, don't tell. But I was a very good boy! I only did three things: I tore up a paper towel left on a low table - fun, I pulled mom's jacket to the floor (she usually has treats in her pocket but no such luck this time) and I drug my leash into the other room. See! Me Is A Good Boy!
Anyway, I greeted them at the door when they came in and you shoulda seen the shock on their faces. My tail was wagging and I didn't bark or get scared. I was so proud of what I did they said they've never seen me so happy I actually had a pitty smile going on! They were very happy too that I was such a good boy but promised to double check the latches from now on.

Fun Things

Hi Friends, yesterday my daddy played ball with me in the yard and I had so much fun. I was running back and forth really fast.
Yesterday I got my very own Sporn harness, I think it makes me look really sporty on my walks. I also got a fancy light up collar so I can be seen in the yard at night. The light is red and looks so cool with my black fur. My wardrobe has really grown since I have been here.
Today, I nosed open the baby gate on the stairs and snuck upstairs when mommy wasn't looking - only problem was I had to come back down the stairs after she found me roaming around up there. Oops!
I didn't bark at daddy tonight when he came home - that must mean I am getting used to him. This makes mommy very happy. She has a nickname for me. She calls me her little black jelly bean.

Surfing Lessons for the Brave

Hey, FB Friends, Mommy let me write this one. Today I have been in a real home for one week and things are still scary but I am slowly learning to trust...slowly. I have learned so many things. I learned I sometimes get the zoomies which are real fun. I butt-scoot around the house as fast as I can for like two times then I am all tired out - mom got it on video today and said I am now a movie star!! The other day in a big act of bravery I stood on my back legs and put my front legs on the kitchen counter - it was scary but I was brave and I sniffed the recycle box. Mom saw my act of bravery, she was shocked and happy I had the courage to try this but then she gave me a little talk about surfing and how it's really cool but is not appropriate doggy behavior. Well, I think I am super cool because I can surf!! Not too many dogs surf from what I hear. I got on the internet and ordered me some board shorts. Mom will have to help me put them on when they get here.My dad has been home with a cold the last couple days and we have tried to "bond" as mom says. I am still scared of guys but I try really hard to remember that he's a good guy. We've had our good moments and I am really trying but it's gonna take a while for the good memories to push out the bad memories.
Yesterday some kids behind us were swinging on their swingset, I pressed my nose thru the fence and watched so quietly for the longest time, then I quietly whimpered because I wanted to play with them.
Mom went to an event last night and I stayed home, when she got back I didn't bark at her. I got excited, had a waggy tail and got a little burst of the zoomies. I like mommy and mommy said she missed me while she was gone. It's nice to be missed.
Mom let me go upstairs for the first time ever because I was barking at the stairs a lot. Dad was up there and I kept hearing noises. I saw a room and daddy was in there. He talked sweet to me and I didn't bark at him. Then, Oh Boy, I had to go down the stairs! I don't know if I have ever done this before. The stairs were open on one side and I could see a long way down. I was so scared! I froze at the top, the only thing that got me to come down the stairs was chicken! A piece on every other stair and before I knew it I was down stairs. That was so scary!
So I have learned I love surfing because I am brave but hate the stairs, I am not that brave...yet. One cool trick at a time.

One of Those Days

So every day will not be filled with victories and roses. Today was one of those days. Lazarus is continuing to be afraid of Shannon and this greatly stresses me out. I know they only see each other a few hours a day but Shannon loves Lazarus and Lazarus is fearful of Shannon. Shannon is kind of an imposing figure and moves much quicker than I do and has a louder deeper voice than I. Lazarus seemed a little unsure of me today too, spending much of the day watching me over the arm of the chair. I am trying to find the balance between encouraging him while not coddling him, training him to do commands without pushing him to hard. Mastering the “Sit” command proves elusive.  He did find his voice today.  We’d been told he’d been “trained” not to bark (trained is to be translated as having the bark beat out of him – insert tear drops here) but he barked today which is sort of a victory that he feels safe enough to bark. For the record he has a smokers bark, sort of hoarse and squeaky at the same time. He barked at a lady walking down the street, barked at the mailman across the street, barked at Shannon – which stressed me out again. Shannon is my rock, he talks me down from the ledges, believes in me and my mission to help pit bulls and repair their tarnished reputation. Yet, the one who needs Shannon the most right now is frightened of him. How long can I expect my rock to stay strong? We need a breakthrough. I know raising Lazarus will involve hard work, setbacks as well as victories and it will be stressful too. I just need help maintaining focus, perspective and momentum. Some days are much harder than others; this is one of those days.

A Valentine Gift

This blog is from Chris, the proud foster mom of Lazarus. Today is Valentine's day and I must express how our hearts are over flowing, bursting at the seams with the love Lazarus has brought into our lives. He was terrified of affection when he came into our lives just 5 short days ago. He trusted no one, was confused and scared. Our hearts broke for him as we realized the effects of his tragic past and watching him try to make sense of this confusing, new environment. We wanted to show him he was safe and it was ok for him trust but he had to figure out these things on his own. The confusion and fear in his beautiful eyes was so sad but he always had a spark of curiousness that kept him from shutting down completely. We encouraged the curiousness at first by greatly rewarding him with soft, kind words and treats, then built on it with joyful praise, ear rubs, body rubs which he now welcomes.
He has made great strides! Just this morning he came out of his crate with a delightful case of the zoomies!! Round and round the house he went butt scooting as fast as he could then he grabbed a toy and flipped onto his back and wiggled with glee! I was overjoyed. This afternoon he flipped on his back right in front of me (a very vulnerable position for a dog) and let me give him a proper belly rub, I even found his tickly spot.
These steps he's taken have shown us what faith and trust can allow you to do in a safe and loving environment. To see him blossom in front of our eyes is better than any valentine rose ever given. For him to allow me to gently rub his soft, warm fur and hold his sweet, smooshy face in my hands is better than any box of chocolates ever received.
My heart is overflowing with compassion and love for Lazarus on this very special Valentine's day. As my husband and I share a pizza tonight we will gaze in awe-filled, loving amazement at the best Valentine's gift we have ever received, his name is Lazarus and he is a perfect example of the power of love. I cannot wait to tell potential adopters all about this special boy, and watch as he changes their lives too.
Chris

Small Steps I Take

Hi Friends, I had a great day today! I was woken early today by my daddy singing: "Good morning, Lazarus" to me, mommy told him I liked it when she did it yesterday, but today it was still dark, I was still sleeping and all of a sudden I hear daddy singing - ugh. All was forgiven when he fed me breakfast and baby talked me. He and I had a little "guy time" outside and I met the neighbor lady over the fence. I didn't run away, I was brave and cautiously checked her out as I hid behind a tree (I don't think they saw me peeking). Then her little boy came out and put his hand thru the fence - YIKES! I still didn't run though, I just backed away. Daddy said I was very brave. He threw the tennis ball for me and I chased it...once.
I got really excited in the house and did a running lap in the house I even did the Tom Cruise slide on the hardwoods. Mom said I was adorable. That's the first burst of excitement I have had. They also left me alone today for the first time and I did GREAT! Mom was super worried but I just slept.
I also gave my first kiss today! I gave it to my dad on his hand as I walked by. He was deeply touched, mom was too excited about my progress to be jealous but I am waiting for just the right time to give her a kiss - she tells me she's a big smoocher and because it scares me to get kisses on the head, it takes all her control not to smother me in kisses but she's doing real good not scaring me. I think I will come around soon.
I took a big, long nap in the sunshine of my crate - it's my safe place and it's super cozy.
On a sad note, I did learn that I have something called heartworms. Having worms in my heart is just not right! After everything I have been through, why do I have to deal with this?? Can anyone tell me? Mom is very upset and she and dad said they will do whatever it takes to make me better. She tried to be brave but I know she is scared for me - she loves me a lot.
To end on a good note - my tail is wagging a lot today and that means I am happy!
Hugs and Kissies to you,
Lazarus

A Brand New World

Hello, my name is Lazarus and yesterday I began a brand new journey, I am living in a brand new world.
I previously lived my life on a chain with a metal barrel as my only shelter often though my chain was so twisted that I could reach my metal barrel. My life was so lonely, void of parental affection or attention. I had very nice neighbor ladies who took as good care of me as they could. They tried for years to get me removed from my terrible, lonely life. Only after I was confiscated by the police and animal control did I get out of there. But, my hopes were dashed when I ended up in a noisy, scary place they called the county shelter. There were nice volunteers there who were nice to me but this one time another dog got mad at me and we got into a little tussle that landed me in an even worse place. They called it quarantine, but I wasn't contagious so I don't know why I was put here. It was very, very scary and sooo loud. The nice volunteer ladies couldn't spend time with me any more. I was here for months, I was loosing hope, I was so scared and frightened. I don't know what I did wrong to deserve any of this stuff. I am just a dog, just a dog who wanted to be loved.
My foster mom says there were a lot of folks pulling for me, trying desperately to get me out of there so I thank them from the tip of my tail to the tip of nose and with all my heart. My foster mom was even approached a couple times asking her to foster me - and she said no (sniffle, sniffle, tear drop, tear drop). She had just lost her boy dog and was heartbroken. If only she knew that I would help mend it for her I bet she would have brought me home sooner.
But anyway, my story is long and tragic so let's move to the good part! Two days ago this lady and a guy came to meet me. I was terrified, my ears were pinned back, my tail was tucked, my eyes were wide. I hadn't seen many folks since I'd been in lockup...I mean solitary...I mean quarantine so I didn't know what these people wanted from me. They gave me chicken, which was yummy and then I heard them say something about fostering me - whatever that meant. A nice lady I did know was there named Maryanne and she said something about getting me tutored the next day. Things were looking up for me, I like to learn and getting tutored may just get me out of quarantine if I could prove how smart I am. Soon the strangers left and I was back in my cell, I was scared, sad, alone...
Well, I DID NOT get tutored! They did something else to me that was not fun but I was really mellow afterward and feeling no pain. The stranger lady came to see me again. She said I was coming home to live with her as a foster doggy. She stuffed me into a tiny crate in the back of her car and off we went. We pulled into a garage and the strange man was there to greet me. He seemed really happy to see me, said hi and asked how I was doing.The rest of the night was a blur, I was woozy from surgery and went into my crate and slept until this morning.

Chris here, Lazarus' foster mommy. He is making huge strides in just this one day. His story is so sad but we plan on making all his tomorrow's loving and safe and fun.  And, yes I did say no to fostering him at least twice. Do I feel bad about this - Yes! I was not in a place where I could give any dog what they needed as I was still very much grieving the loss of my boy, Patch. But now that we are finally together, we will make our days together count. Future blogs won't be so long, I promise.