I Adopted Out a Dog Today

 I foster dogs. 

No, it's not easy. 

I adopted out a dog today. His name was Carl and he was the sweetest little boy. Carl was joy in every sense of the word. He loved snuggling on the couch, following me around no matter what room I went into (we did have a discussion on the bathroom but he didn't seem to understand my point of view) and chasing squirrels. 

I adopted out a dog today. He took a piece of my heart with him and now I can't seem to find my smile. 

I adopted out a dog today. My couch is empty and there's no reason to open the back door 20 times a day to play let dog in, let dog, out. 

I adopted out a dog today. There are tears in my eyes and a sadness around my shoulders. I miss his little face, his wagging tail and happy eyes. 

I adopted out a dog today. He's going to another home where he'll be loved and have another dog to play with. I'm happy  his furever home is a good one where they'll keep up on his vet visits, shower him with toys and feed him well. 

I adopted out a dog today. And now my home is open to save another life. Because that's what rescue is all about. Saving one more little life. 

Have a good life little one. 

New Foster Pup!

 

This sweet pup came into rescue from a shelter a few hours away. About 12 lbs, Maybe 5 years old and he's the sweetest little boy ever!  He's slowly getting used to our home and is a bit shy. 

When I picked him up from rescue he was trembling. On the car ride back he wanted to be in my lap. I made him comfortable on a blanket beside me and he settled down.  

When he met our dog, a basset/boxer mix, they did the butt sniff and then just ignored each other.  Mostly because our 8 year old dog doesn't want to be bothered with other dogs. 

So, no this little guy needs a name. Hopefully there will be a decision by tomorrow. I've got a list of names and read them off to him but get no reaction.

 

Problems with Dogs

 Hey! He's a good dog but.... 

Yeah, I hear that all the time.  Mostly because people don't know the basics of dog training or where to turn to for help.  

So you adopted that adorable dog. Cool. Now let's help him unpack. 

    He came with a past. Before this pup got to you he was somewhere else. Either with his mom and siblings or abandoned or maybe with a different adopter or a rescue. When he was there he learned their ways (not your way) and knew what was expected of him there. Now he comes to your house and doesn't even know where the bathroom is or if he'll be fed today.

   So what do you do? First thing on your list should be patience. He may not pick up on your clues the first time, or the second or even the tenth. But he'll get there if you give him time and patience. Be consistent. Use the same command every time. If you say "Go out!" a couple of time then "Go potty!" it could be confusing. Make sure the whole family knows the commands and what they mean. 

   Dogs are usually treat driven. BUT be smart about this. The dog gets the treat for good behavior. Make sure its a healthy treat and don't give too much. 

One of the first things you should teach your pup is to sit on command. That way they should sit when getting a treat. They'll soon know sit gets rewards.  Don't force their butt down but encourage the sit by repeating the command and slowly moving the treat backward over their head so they sit. Once that butt is down give lots of "GOOD BOYS!" and the treat. Repeat, repeat, repeat. 

Off topic I once had a Golden Retriever who went after the mailman. She raced out the door before I could grab her and raced toward him. Terrified the poor mailman jumped up onto the hood of the mail truck. I yelled the one command I knew she understood well, "DUSTY, SIT!" The dog dropped in her tracks, sat down and looked back at me.  This is a good example of how knowing the right command at the right time can help. :) 

    

Now about all that unpacking. Your dog might come with some quirks like they're jumpy when you move your feet or cower when you pull out the broom. This could be a sign that they were abused with that before they got to you. Solution? Go slow with them. Trust is earned and not automatic especially in dogs that have seen rougher times. 

   If your dog jumps every time you get up from the couch and move your feet then give them a warning. Say, "It's okay, good boy." as you get up. This alert them you're going to move and they won't be so startled. 

   If your dog panics at the broom or other item? Take them out of the room so they don't see it. Direct them to their bed or other safe place like the couch. My dog sits on the couch and watches me vacuum. It's all good. 

   Rescue dogs are the best but they just need time to learn what you want from them, where the bathroom is, what time they eat and what to expect from the household. 

Time and patience are the key to a happy dog and a happy family. 

   

To Foster or Not to Foster

I hooked up with another Animal Rescue. I go once a week to take care of the pups and work in their store. Cleaning, stocking, and, my favorite part, playing with the pups.

There's a little dog there named Bindi. Doxie mix, brindle like my Love Bug, and sweet and shy. Maybe a few years old, tossed in a shelter, very pregnant. She had the babies under the kind guidance and care of the wonderful people at the rescue. I soooo want to foster Bindi.

Right now I'm watching my daughter's cat while she tries to sell her house. Will the dog get along with the cat? Should I wait till after the cat goes to her new home?

Some foster dogs bring chaos. Some bring hugs. I don't think this little one would be a problem if she gets along with LoveBug.  LoveBug is pretty laid back. Eight years old, just wants to hang on the couch, maybe go for a couple of walks. Eat good food and score a couple of treats. Yep, that's LoveBug's ideal life.

Decisions, decisions.....
What do you think, LoveBug? Need a little sister?

New Puppy

How to Prepare for a Puppy
Pour cold apple juice on the carpet in several places and walk around barefoot in the dark.
Wear a sock to work that has had the toes shredded by the blender.
Immediately upon waking, stand outside in the rain and dark saying, "Be a good puppy, go potty - now hurry up- come on, let's go!"
Cover all your best clothes with dog hair. Dark clothes must use white hair; light clothes must use dark.
Float some hair in your first cup of coffee in the morning.
Play "catch" with a wet tennis ball.
Run out in the snow/rain in your bare feet to close the gate.
Tip over a basket of clean laundry; scatter clothing all over the floor.
Leave your underwear on the living room floor
because that's where the puppy will drag it anyway...
especially when company is coming.
Jump out of your chair shortly before the end of your favorite TV program
and run to the door shouting "NO, NO! DO THAT OUTSIDE!"
Miss the end of the program
Put chocolate pudding on the carpet in the morning;
don't clean it up until you get home from work in the evening.
Gouge the leg of the dining room table several times with a screwdriver...
it's going to get chewed on anyway.
Take a warm and cuddly blanket out of the dryer and immediately wrap it around yourself.
this is the feeling you will get when your puppy falls asleep on your lap
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