Saturday, October 24, 2009

"Mom...Raja's bothering me!" Raja Moves In!

"Mom, Raja boddering me!" Zaki exclaims from his room! I love it! Raja has moved in full time this month, and although earlier than I was originally thinking (or wanting) it has truly been such a wonderful thing! Raja is 9 months now and in full blown adolescence. For those of you who are 'dog people' you know that this time is characterized by the dog pushing the limit and boundaries - seeing how far they can go, and acting like they have about 5 brain cells in their head, with everything being negotiable. :) Even though Raja is a VERY intellegent service dog, he is no different - he still has to travel the stages of development like all dogs do.
Zaki sitting on Linda's lap with Raja and big brother Zarek
Raja is all Zaki all the time! On alert!Raja was very concerned when his boy went under the water, and about licked him dry when he came up!

Heather and Raja passing Intermediate class
I would have to say the most exciting thing that has happened this month for our family and reinstituted normalcy to some extent is Zaki sleeping in his own room with Raja. He has been in our bed or his brother's his whole life. We made a chart for Zaki who got to go to Walmart with Raja to buy goodies for a week in his own bed!
This was also our first trip to Walmart with Raja and he did awesome!

Zaki picked out a cowboy hat, guns, and ball and chews for Raja

The boys bedding down for the night.

Other exciting developments!
Zaki gets very bad leg pain at night frequently (med related). Raja gets a very yummy treat for going "night night" with Zaki. I had gotten Zaki in his bed and given Raja his treat. Those of you who know Raja know how he is about his food:) I left to go get the "rub" and a heating blanket. Zaki was crying and rubbing his legs. When I came back in Raja had not eaten his treat, and was curled around his boy's legs. Not until Zaki calmed down and was almost asleep did Raja eat his treat and go to sleep.
He has alerted to Zaki running away 3 times!
He was super concerned and on alert when Zaki went under in the tub water. Zaki was playing, but Raja didn't know that.
Zaki has been sleeping in his own room since Raja has come to live with us.
Zaki also spent about 30 minutes on the computer at the library - which he would normally spend less than 5 minutes on. Raja curled under the table, and Zaki rubs his feet on him.