As at Monday, May 19 an addition to our household is an Irish Terrier born December of 2002. We will be fostering this new pup until we (the breeder and ourselves) find out more about her future. Although, Reg has taken to her and she to him so I think this could be a lasting relationship. On May 24 we decided to name her Styx and/or River Styx.

She was easily accepted by Dogma and Karma. Within minutes Karma and Styx were racing around the backyard chasing each other as the stuffed toy would be passed back and forth between them. This makes us very happy, hoping that Karma will spend more time bugging the pup and give Dogma a bit more slack. Dogma has just been sitting back and watching the whole thing.

Our hopes are confirmed as Karma would rather go outside to play with Styx rather than Dogma. Sometimes, Styx is willing and sometimes not.

Within Styx's first week with us she been around the block several times. (Note: I like to discourage formal walks with puppies but as with most of us it's hard to resist taking a new puppy out for everyone to see and meet.) She has met several humans of a variety of sexes and ages and has responded friendly to them (although a bit cautious and with my okay). She came with me to the grooming shop and although was car sick going down was fine going home. She played and saw a variety of breeds and species including toy poodles, Lhasa crosses, and a very pissed off cat. She also, met more people and was exposed to a variety of sites and sounds. On the way home we stopped at the off leash park where again she was exposed to many sensations. Unfortunately, no planes came overhead (which is one reason I like to use this particular park for socialization to the environment) but the trains were very active with their squealing and banging. We spent some time in the front of the house where she could see people, bikes, cars, kids and more going by. At four months she watches and learns. She takes alot of her queues from Dogma (mostly) and Karma but for the most part just struts in the background. She's learning to keep out from under foot - she tends to want to circle her handler or get under foot - but is already making good progress. She also received one clicker session to which being new she was a bit hesitant but did well.

Styx will need continued exposure to sights and sounds - in particular sounds - as she tends to be a bit skittish with things falling and hitting the floor, and a variety of other noises (she hid in her crate for a while as she just didn't care for the stereo of the T.V. but by Sunday night she seemed to get used to it because she preferred to lay closer to the rest of the family). She also seems to be getting comfortable with the neighbourhood as she growls at certain things as we walk along. Mostly, I think it's as if she's saying "This is mine! Any takers?" but it could also be a bit of "What's that - I'm tough!" (Honest, really, um where's that big tough dog, Dogma, there you are! Okay, I'm tough!)

Prince Dogma surveys his kingdom	Princess Karma continues in confidence	Styx is ready to take on the world
Karma coming up - Styx heads down?	Styx here's something under the stairs Note I had a good shot just a split second before....	The community allowed hole - I'm hoping to arrive in China any week now.
Climb the "mountain" Gimmee what you got!	I'll go for your throat!	Mine, mine, mine (notice how little effort Karma is offering.
Please, Gimmee what you got!	Gnashing of teeth! Looks bad!	So what's this water doing here?
Really? This is fun?	As the finger went down everyone decided to look for the treat - they were all sitting so very very nicely...	Do my nails please . . .
I am precious aren't I?	I've had such a hard day	I'm not sure if I'm bored, tired or looking to get into trouble - heh heh

Styx has already joined Dogma and Karma as a working dog - or a dog with a job, if you will. I take my dogs with me as many places as possible and I use them to help socialize, demo, and train my client dogs. Dogma, the older one deals out discipline, makes sure no one gets out a line, is patient before action and is usually the good, trained dog. Karma is the playful one - she will play, and run with the pups, and generally cuddle up to other people. Karma is a lover. Karma used to be the "untrained one" that would work very well for demo's, provide an extra dog for a family member to train, or be bratty so I could demonstrate how to control the out of control dog. Styx is now to take on the "untrained" position but you couldn't tell yesterday. I expected her to bark and growl like she has been doing lately. But nope, a bit of pulling but other than that she just watched the other dogs make a fool out of themselves. Well, all dogs earned their cookies over the last few days as they've visited with clients, been to the grooming shop (to socialize), and been to the off leash park a few times.

Stay tuned for more details

Information on Irish Terriers:

• Dogbreed info
• Irish Terrier Community

Information re "Styx":

• River Styx began in the early 1970's when a group of poets and musicians began reading and jamming together in various St. Louis apartments...Both the magazine and the readings were characterized by energy, accessibility, humor, wit and a spirit of inclusiveness
• ...a deceased person (or shade) would find himself at the banks of the river Styx. Although some versions of greek mythology claim the existance of up to five rivers surrounding Hades, the river Styx was always the most well known, and the most sacred. ...Hesiod says that Styx was a goddess and daughter of Ocean, and that, when Zeus (the king of the Gods) summoned the gods to Olympus to help him to fight the Titans, Styx was the first to come and her children with her; hence as a reward Zeus ordained that the most solemn oath of the gods should be by her ... To the Gods, there was no oath more sacred than to swear by the river Styx. ... the river Styx bore a resemblance to the lake of fire mentioned in other, less interesting, mythologies.
• It's the name of a band, an album, and much much more...