My New Puppy … Hates Being Confined

Millie – Otherwise Known as Houdini the Puppy

Curtis isn't thrilled when Millie cuddles up. But he allows it....sometimes
Curtis isn’t thrilled when Millie cuddles up. But he allows it….sometimes

For several years I have been thinking about getting a new dog. I thought my other dog, Curtis (also known as Curtis D. Ellis) would enjoy having company. When I found a house with a fence I decided that the time was here and I would get a fully grown dog, probably another lab, in the spring.

I Go to Florida

The photo that stole my heart.
The photo that stole my heart.

In November, 2014, I went to Florida to see my sister and her family. My sister was involved with a rescue and showed me an adorable picture of a tiny puppy. A tiny, black puppy with a funny colored eye and an intelligent looking face. I could just see from her expression that she was something special. I was in love. I went to meet the puppy and that was that. The puppy had two names, her original name was Petry and her second name was Millie. The second name came from her original adoptive family who returned her after a month. I liked the name Millie, so I kept it.  My sister kept Millie for a couple of weeks until arrangements could be made for a college student to drive her to me over winter break.  Millie came to live with me shortly before Christmas.

 

I Haven’t Moved Yet

Millie came to live with me before I moved. My move was actually in mid-January. But I didn’t want to wait. It was a bit challenging having Millie in my townhouse and she was already beginning to show me that she has a major issue. She hates crates. A lot.

Millie in her new home.
Millie in her new home.

Millie Makes a Fuss

When I put Millie in her crate she wasn’t happy. At night, she would scream every two hours. Since I lived in a townhouse, I couldn’t have that. As a result, Millie got to stay in bed with me and Curtis. When I wasn’t home, she was in her crate. I gave her a safe toy and covered the crate. I didn’t know how unhappy she was about this.

Millie Eats her Crate

The person who drove Millie to me was uncomfortable with a heavy crate. So I ordered a soft-sided crate and had it shipped to Florida. I planned to get a wire one when I got a chance. I came home twice to find the crate unzipped and Millie free. The third time? Mille had eaten a hole through her crate. She was in the process of crawling through the hole when I arrived home. I didn’t stop to take a picture of her crawling out because I was worried she would get hurt. Enter Millie’s wire crate.

I wonder how it tasted?
I wonder how it tasted?

I Move

I moved. Now, I work long hours which isn’t great for a puppy. But I did my best with Millie and I kept her loose with me whenever possible. I knew she didn’t like her crate. But I still didn’t know how bad it was until….

I Set up My Security Camera

I had a security camera in my townhouse. I set it up for security reasons, but all it ever did was pick up Curtis wandering around. I didn’t have it set up when Millie arrived. This camera sends me a picture every time it detects motion and noise. Well, I set it up again last week. This is when I learned how much Millie really hates her crate. She hated it to the point that I was afraid she would injure herself.

I think maybe she was getting a bit big for this crate. But, there is actually about 2-3 inches of space above her head.
I think maybe she was getting a bit big for this crate. But, there is actually about 3 inches of space above her head.
I don't even know how she gets in these positions.
I don’t even know how she gets in these positions.

 

So…I gave Millie Curtis’ crate (he doesn’t use a crate.) Curtis is a 100lb dog. His crate is huge. When Millie is in it, there is easily half a foot between her head and the top.

This is Curtis' crate. It is huge. Millie sure can stretch.
Impressive leaping, right?
Curtis puts in an appearance.
Curtis puts in an appearance.

Gate Time

I had a baby gate from when I first got Millie (I didn’t want her going upstairs in my townhouse.) So I decided I would let Millie hang out in a safe room, and use the gate. When I got home, Millie was loose.

Enter the nickname - houdini dog!
Enter the nickname – Houdini dog!
The camera clicks. After this, the camera moved somehow. I didn't know she was out until I got home.
The camera clicks and I guess it got her attention. It also moves on its own, so I didn’t get pictures of her actually climbing out. It was aimed the wrong way.

 

New Gate Time

I headed to the store and bought a different baby gate. I thought maybe Millie wouldn’t be able to get over it.

How did she even do this?
How did she even do this?

 

Fortunately, I was right. She couldn’t quite get over.

Will She or Won’t She

I am concerned that Millie will hurt herself. So I ordered a taller gate. In the meanwhile, I put the old gate over the new gate. (Alas the taller gate was too flimsy. With no almost no effort I could push it back and forth at the top.)

Challenge accepted!
Challenge accepted!

 

Millie actually had a rather relaxed day. Or so it seemed as of 5:00 today.

A nice stretch after a long nap.
A nice stretch after a long nap.

She did get a bit anxious for the half hour before I got home.

There is a tiny ledge she can get her foot on. Too bad I cannot move the gate beyond that ledge.
There is a tiny ledge she can get her foot on. Too bad I cannot move the gate beyond that ledge.

Millie is Entertaining

People are telling me on Facebook that they are enjoying Millie’s antics. So, I decided to write this post and put everything in one place.  Will there be future Millie and Curtis posts? I don’t know. I guess it depends on whether she remains so entertaining while I am out of the house.

 

 

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