Wednesday, January 26, 2011

How's Miss Minnie doing?

I've had Minnie for a little over a week and I'm really loving her (I have a soft spot for the peanuts)!  I'm only on my 3rd foster dog here but it seems that it takes at least a few days to have any idea of what these guys are really like, they've been through some things and are naturally cautious or frightened so the personality doesn't always reveal itself right away.  Minnie came home with me the day she was spayed (super uncomfortable I'm sure!) and with the standard issue case of Kennel Cough, definitely under the weather, now a week later I don't think she's sore any longer and the Kennel Cough seems to be easing up.  So what are we seeing??  She's very sweet with me, a born snuggler!  and she's starting to get more playful, wriggly wrestling sessions:)  but very cautious with strangers, I've had 2 visitors this week and she nervously growled and barked at them when they came in, and periodically while they were here, but in both cases no one reacted much (except me telling her no) and by the end of the visit she was curiously sniffing them and more relaxed, allowing herself to be pet a little.  Also happy to report she's pretty quiet in the apartment, when she starts barking I tell her no a few times and she does settles down quickly.


Hiiiii!  My name's Minnie!

Notes on Minnie:

What we know:

1. 2 year old female miniature pinscher, 8.5 lbs, spayed, vaccinated.

2. Found on the street in the Bronx.

3. Not reliably house trained or paper trained.

4. Little nervous around strangers.

5. Trustworthy in the house, hasn't chewed up anything.

6. She's a serious snuggle bug, would happily lay on your lap all day, or make a little blanket nest.

7. Very alert and curious, she checks everything out!

8. Starting to learn sit, little bit at a time but it's a start.  Also usually come's when called.

9. She's very affectionate with me now, wants to be on the lap and be luvved up, throws me a few kisses  now and again:)

10. Not food aggressive.


I call this her "silly face" :)


and her lovely profile...


What might need a little work:

Let me preface this section my mentioning "Small Dog Syndrome" which folks who are looking into getting a small dog should be aware of.  Simply put it's a tendency to become fearful mini-tyrants if not treated, trained, and socialized as you would a larger dog.  I'm talking about growling at people, trembling with fear, jumping all over the place, peeing wherever they like for a few examples.  I love this website, it really goes into details and spells out what to look for and how to prevent problems, also another site to fill you in on min-pin personality traits good and bad!

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/articles/smalltoydogs.htm

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/miniaturepinschers.html

Our Minnie is doing pretty well for a small dog as far as I've seen, she's not too yappy/whiny, seems calm in the house, walks pretty well on the leash, has never bit me!  There are things I haven't been able to assess so far and those are how she does with other dogs (hasn't been going outside with the freezing weather) and I'd like a better idea of how she is with people, when she is recovered from her cold and has grown back her bald spots from surgery we may venture out to stores and peoples houses to see how she reacts out in the world outside my apartment.  At the moment she is basically a house cat confined to a small area for potty training, not so fun for either of us but necessary, no one wants to adopt a dog who pees everywhere!

1.  Since she is so small I have made a point of really manhandling her (after we established some trust of course).  I play with her with my hands all over her face and ears, and am always rubbing her all over her whole body, her lips and nose, check her teeth etc... if this is happily going on at playtime she is less likely to feel threatened when you need to check something for real.  Not sure how well she'd take it from a stranger yet but it's a start to desensitizing her.  She's started seeking out "wrestling" sessions:)

2.  Potty training (see earlier posts for this drama) "notorious house breaking difficulties" indeed!

3.  Socializing!  she is a little nervous with strangers in the house and barks at people when she's outside on leash, an effort will need to be made so that she really likes people/dogs (honestly she's been indoors with me so much that I can't yet assess the extent of this...) She's so small that if she is friendly she can go everywhere with you, my 7lb Maltese Lulu was the life of the party and was welcome everywhere and was rarely left at home, she hiked, she swam she went to BBQ's and was spoiled by everyone!  it's worth the time to do this, how awful for a dog to be a shut-in because they are too frightened/aggressive to be out in the world.

4.  Cat's? not sure she can be trusted yet with cats, she does like to chase mine...  If she went to a house with a cat I'm sure they'd eventually work it out but I'd keep an eye on them in the beginning.  (haha, check out cat/minnie video in an earlier post)

5.  Barking.  She's really not that bad!  and when she starts up it's totally appropriate, something is happening in the hallway or there's an unusual noise, if I tell her "no" and "shush" she does quickly quiet down, and if she goes over to the door I shuffle her backwards and tell her no.  Not a problem now but something to keep an eye on.

6. Growling.  I've seen this from her a few times if she's comfy on the couch and you want to move her or pick her up.  Also when a visitor she didn't know tryed to pet her while she was resting on the couch she growled.  Hasn't growled at me recently but the last time she did I kept my hand there and talked to her, she never snapped at me.  Now I purposely disturb her once in awhile when she's in her spot to check on this and to make sure she isn't too possessive of her space.

7. Biting.  She play bites while playing sometimes, hardly any pressure at all! and if you make a loud "puppy yip" she instantly stops:)  good girl Minnie!

8. Can't say whether she likes kids or not but she's sooo tiny that I think better to go to a home with no kids or older/super gentle kids.  Those tiny chicken bone legs of hers make me so nervous!  if a little kids ever fell on her...


snuggled up in her favorite spot!


look at those sweet eyes!


Minnie is such a sweet little girl and I'd love to see her in a home where the owners took the time to really socialize her so she could be out and about and enjoying the world and other doggies.  She needs lots of love and snuggle time as well as some very firm/gentle leadership to avoid the "brat-trap" that so many little ones can fall into!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

My "consistency" v.s. Minnie's bladder

This weeks mission is to paper train Minnie!  She's an occasional house soiler, and we can't walk her outside at the moment because it is 6 degrees out and she turns into a popsicle (and is still recovering from kennel cough so we don't want to prolong that).  But this little pup is STUBBORN, even though she enjoys peeing on my floors she doesn't want to do it on the pads... Came home from work at 5:45pm and she'd been holding it since 8:00am, right into the bathroom with the pads "go potty, go potty", nothing, got her some water which she drank, nothing, hung out for an HOUR, nothing, back to the crate for 1/2 hour, back in the bathroom, "go potty" nothing, back in the crate, nothing, 8pm, finally success!  Luckily I was there for the blessed event so I made the biggest possible fuss with treats and delighted squeals and hopefully this will sink in that we LOOOOOOVE IT when you go potty on the pads, and then you are free to roam the apartment and assume your position on top of the couch. 

aaaannd something else good did come out of all our quality time in the ladies room, we are in the beginning stages of learning to sit!  Time well spent I guess...  This is a really helpful command, Minnie is a little willfull and it will be good to use SIT for the whole "nothing in life is free" stuff, I will milk this sit for everything I can think of!  Her little butt will have to sit for every treat, meal, walk, and this will hopefully keep her from becoming a tiny tyrant ; )


I don't wanna go on the pads!


nope, just going to sit here....





I apologize if this is the grossest video post ever
 but after all that I needed to document her success!


post potty freedom!  if you would only learn to use 
the pads you can hang out on the couch all day every day!




She's learning;)

Update:  Next morning... FAILURE...

Put her in the bathroom first thing for 20 minutes.  Decided to feed her breakfast, perhaps add a little internal pressure?  She was eating while I held her leash, I looked away and smelled pee, arghhh, she does it in a flash, any chance to pee on shiny hardwood floors and she goes for it!  I think she needs to stay only in an area with wee-wee pads and no hardwood floors for a few days, have to reconfigure... why Minnie, why?


ok, we'll try this for the day.  
Crate sized comfy area with toys/food...
actual bathroom/new doggie bathroom.


...and we'll even mostly close the door to the bathroom 
so she feels it's a different room and hopefully won't feel 
like its the her area and hold it to avoid messing her bedroom!
as recommended in this episode of Dog Star Daily
http://www.dogstardaily.com/radio/202-–-loo-logistics

I think this will be a long week, she clearly prefers going on the hardwood floors (they say they have surface preferences?).  So although it will be a hassle I'm going to try to leave her only in the bathroom area unless she's on the couch with me.  It's a hassle but she's had quite a few accidents so far and if it continues it will become a solid habit, hopefully it hasn't already... The toughest part is feeling like you are keeping her in "jail", obviously you want them to be free and able to play and follow you around but confinement it is till we figure this out, house soiling may have been the reason she ended up in the shelter in the first place!  Wish us luck!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Special guest on Fosteroni!

My friend Jess fosters as pups as well and has a young Chihuahua named Pepper for adoption!  Little Pepper hasn't been getting any attention yet despite being so adorable/sweet/fun so we thought we'd give her her very own post (Chihuahua oversaturation on petfinder? she's on the last page!)!  From what Jess has said it sounds like Pepper is fun and easy going once she gets to know you, also sounds like she's up for excursions with her people and playing with other pups, big fun in a pint sized body (she wants to be a little buddy not an accessory!)!  I love little dogs who are fun and well socialized, you have all the fun and personality of a big dog for $15 worth of dog food (and teensy weensy turds) thats a pretty good deal!  Please consider Pepper if you want a doggie companion to share you life and home with, Chihuahua's are little comedians and will keep you smiling!

We are hoping to have a Minnie/Pepper pee-wee play date sometime soon!  The little ladies are looking forward to it!



"Hi! My name's Pepper!"


Below is all Pepper's info from foster mom!


Peppers Info:
Breed: Chihuahua
Size: 7 lbs
Color: Black
Sex: Female
Age: 9 months

Pepper is:
Already Spayed
Housetrained
Good with Dogs
Purebred
Up to date with shots
Pepper is a 9 month old little black chihuahua. She's about 7 lbs. She is a little shy at first, but opens up quickly and loves to follow you around. She is a great lap dog, and loves to cuddle. She likes playing with other dogs and being chased. She also loves playing with her toys. She is pretty good at entertaining herself, but loves to be with people. She is working on potty training and does a good job waiting until you get home to be let out with out having any accidents. She is very affectionate and very sweet. She would love a forever home that loves her to pieces! If you're interested in Pepper, please call her foster Jessica (646) 599-5958 with any questions on her, or email her at jessicairenecox@gmail.com. Her adoption fee of $400, includes her spay surgery, full vaccinations, microchip insertion and registration, 30 days of pet insurance, deworming, heartworm testing and prevention, flea and tick prevention and travel expenses.


Cozy for the winter!


Her first vacation to New England!



Saturday, January 22, 2011

Personality

Minnie is has been kind of shy since she's been here, she's up for some cozy snuggles and being stroked but she hasn't gotten super melty yet, but twice yesterday I got a few glimpses of "the sillies", they were brief but they were there!  So I think this may be a good sign of things to come :)  


Video from her first day home.
She's so cute!



fighting like cats and dogs....sigh...
could be a whole new story a week from now. 

Friday, January 21, 2011

Make lemonade?

It looks like my newest houseguest isn't house trained, or not reliably house trained anyway... She's been mostly crated and out only when I'm home and can watch her but she's already had a few accidents and there was one this morning between me putting on her halter and getting her jacket on to go outside, she ran into my room and squatted, couldn't hold it!  But this is good (gross but good), if she's an instant morning pee-er it might not be hard to paper train her!  The new strategy will be to take her out of the crate in the morning and put her in the "doggy toilet" area of the house, my kitchen at the moment, wee-wee pads down and hope she pees while I'm watching and then there will be lots of clapping, compliments and free flowing high caliber treats!!!  At the moment she is in the little kitchen shanty town I've put up with wee-wee pads as well (I'm not sure yet if she could hold it all day in the crate) and perhaps she'll start to get the idea while I'm at work.


as long as she's got her fluffy blanket she's happy anywhere.


she's got a bone and toy selection, plus a mini kong.


pretty sad view, hope she figures this out sooner than later!
a small price to pay in the meantime...

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Still figuring this one out...

So this is my second day with little Minnie and she is still not quite herself, and by that I mean not totally relaxed and at home.  She is recovering from the spay surgery so we've been keeping her in the crate mostly and because her belly is shaved she gets cold really quickly when she goes out for a squirt, even with her fleece jacket.  At the moment I am just waiting and watching for her real personality, I think she likes me ok and am hoping in a few days she'll be feeling safe and happy here (and a little less sore poor thing)!  Getting her appetite back though and no vomiting today at all, she got my bed pretty good last night!



snug as a bug.


She seems interested in me and comes over willingly but is still a little reserved and seems a kind of stiff and trembly when being pet, can't tell if she's cold or nervous!  Unless she doesn't speak English I don't think she was trained at all, not even to sit for treats, but she does walk well on the leash and comes when called.  It's hard when you are first getting to know each other because you're not using their real name (she's a stray, we have no idea what her owners called her) and you don't know their history at all!  She's good with the food bowl but growled a little when I pet her while she had her bone, although she would let me take it away, also growled a little when I tried to move her last night, we'll see if that persists when she gets to trust me a little more, she's a good girl but may have been a little spoiled like many tiny dogs!  Pretty quiet in the house, little warning hruffs at the people in the hall but not really a yapper!

I can't wait to see her really happy again, she has such a sweet little face!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

My new little lady!

Judy the Chihuahua ended up with another foster but I have come home with Minnie the tiny min-pin.  She had just been spayed this afternoon and I expected a space-case but no she was lively and friendly and had plenty of that nervous tiny dog energy (who can blame her she just came from the streets and then the shelter and then surgery)!  The subway ride was no fun for the poor little thing, trembling the whole time and then home and thrown in the bath for a quick shampoo (she smelled like poop, trust me everybody's happier!)!  Now after a terrible day she is home and safe, cozily snoozing under a pile of fuzzy blankets in a giant crate.  Tomorrow perhaps we'll have a better idea of what she's like!


her shelter mug shot, 
we'll go for glamour portraits and videos tomorrow!

What we know:

1. Stray, 2 year old female Miniature Pinscher found roaming the streets in the Bronx.
2. Very friendly:)  kisses, waggy tail!  didn't bite when I gave her a bath  (and she didn't like that one bit!).

3. They mentioned she doesn't like her mouth touched and shouldn't go to a home with small children.

4. She's a little cutie!  

Not much to go on I realize!  I'll fill you in as I learn more, see if she knows commands/tricks etc....  I'm going to try to paper train her since she is so small, I know a lot of little dogs who won't go potty outside in inclement weather, of course she'll be walked too just nice to have the option and for her not to have her legs crossed all day!

I can't wait to see what her personality is like when she is relaxed and feeling better!

False alarm!

Looks like Judy was placed today before I had a chance to pick her up!  Hope she's heading someplace great, good luck little one!

Monday, January 17, 2011

We're downsizing!

I was just asked to foster Judy the 10 year old malnourished BLIND chihuahua.  Jeez, how do you abandon your pet when they are old and blind?!  Thank goodness she was found and thankfully rescued the day before going on death row, I'll be picking her poor scrawny self up tomorrow and hopefully she will do a little better ownerwise the second time around...


look at those ribs... I can't wait to fatten her up!


look what a sweet face she has, I can't wait to meet her...



Info from the shelter volunteer:

Judy is a 10 yo female Chihuahua, a stray at the shelter since 1/11/2011.  She is underweight at 8lbs. Little Judy's face is eaten up by her giant cloudy eyes, made even bigger by the dark fur around them.  She cannot be missed.  She is waiting at her door, waiting to be taken out.  Judy loves to walk, she doesn't bump into anything.  She is a socialite and meets gingerly with other little dog, the cats do not bother her.  Judy could be housetrained although some little dogs can be partially paper trained too. 
Judy enjoys being picked up, pet and issed. She has a great appetite. She has a lot of weight to catch up on. Little Judy is just adorable in her Irish red coat. She is at the Manhattan and ready to meet her new family.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Spinx is officially a Brooklynite!

After only 5 days rooming with me my "little" buddy Sphinx (now Spinx, inside joke!) the puppy was adopted!  Jean and Joel of Brooklyn are very, very happy with the new addition "He's PERFECT!!!", Kowie the bordercollie mix is warming up to him and the 2 cats Wan and Rabbit remain unconvinced (thats a lot of dog to get used to all at once!).  So, another happy ending, a backyard of his own, an older doggie sis, local dog run, trips to Prospect Park and summers in Maine (say hi to Bronx for me!), not bad for a shelter mutt and he certainly deserves it!


The proud new parents and sister Kowie!
(the dogs were a little distracted by a yorkie coming their way.)



passed out on the way to his forever home, awww....



checking out his new digs!



playing tug with his new Pop at Prospect Park!  
finally a fair fight!  I was no match for him.


Jean and Joel have been super cool about sending pictures and updates and we are delighted (but not surprised!) to hear that all is going well! Thanks for giving our big mushy sweetheart a great home!

(and thanks for all the updates you guys!!!)

Hi April and Laurie--notes on Spinx! He's PERFECT!!! we are so so so so so happy with him! And so is Kowie! The cats, well, they're not really that happy. But they're fine--that will take some time, I think. One our of kitties, Wan (big orange creamsicle guy) totally stands his ground, hisses, tries to bite spinxx's tail, gives it right back.  He is a super-cranky old-ish guy, doesn't really like any other animals. Our other guy--Rabbit--has been spending lots more time in the basement than usual, but there has been some sniffing and peering curiosity. He comes up for his food, and he'll figure out how to outwit Spinx in short order. 





We took him and Kowie to Prospect Park this morning--Joel sent pictures, right?--and had a blast! We felt that we could trust him off leash, and he did not disappoint. He comes when we call him, even though he's the life of the party and enjoying every minute of it! He's just amazing, with dogs, with people, with us--we're totally thrilled. Thank you both, so much! Miss Kowie is happy to have some doggy company, and she plays with him--not quite like a puppy, but enough to show that she likes him just fine. She is suddenly the calm and mature one in the house; it's so funny!


We'll send more pictures as we have more adventures..

Thanks so much--
Jean & JOel

Keep us posted, would love to see him what he's like when he's all grown up (and how big he'll end up!!!)!



I'm sure gonna miss that silly doggie smile around here! 








Thursday, January 13, 2011

House trained? Starting to look that way (phew).

After being left alone and uncrated for 9 whole hours I am happy to report zero accidents and zero destruction to the apartment!  And since I told him everyone enjoyed yesterdays shampoo video he has added to his bathtub shenanigans ;)


Good one buddy,
you are earning your keep!

Bigfoot!!!

Sphinx the puppy has been with me for 3 days and my best description of his personality is a cross between Marmaduke and Gilligan from "Gilligan's Island", clumsy and sweet and not yet getting everything right...  I love the "little" guy, he's super snugglie and he loves everybody and every critter!

Notes on Sphinx:

1.  You just won't find a sweeter dog!  he's all wiggling good nature!  not a mean bone in his giant body.

2. Super friendly with other dogs, also super friendly/too excited with cats.  He LOVES my cat but has not yet learned her subtle social cues (hissing swatting), he's excited to see her but doesn't know how big he is, when he is calm she does come and sit on the same couch/sleep on the same bed.  She's not afraid just teaching him boundaries, in a few days I'm thinking they won't have to be in separate rooms when I'm out!  He loved to snuggle Lauries kitty which we have photo evidence of in the last post!

3. Loves to play fetch and ball, I gave him a big stick and he proudly carried it all the way home ;)

4. Great off leash, stays in orbit, comes when called, most of his exercise with me has been at the dog run!

5.  Not food aggressive at all, and will reluctantly give up his bone (he'll sometimes make a grab to get it back but it's more playful than aggressive, "hey that's mine!").  I've been giving him cookies when I take his bone away so now he's not quite so worried about it and gives it up more and more easily!

6.  House trained?  I'm not totally sure yet?!  He had 2 accidents in my place so far, and one was my fault.  he was home alone and loose for 5 hours yesterday and he held it, today he'll be home for 8 hours and we'll see how he does (I'm not sure he's had to hold it for that long yet in the other places he's stayed, I put down newspaper in the bathroom.).  I can say that he usually pees right away when he goes outside so he IS trying to hold it!  He had no accidents at Laurie's and was taken out every 4 hours with the rest of the dogs.

7.  Quiet in the house, I don't think I've ever heard him bark inside?  We've been practicing with the crate while I'm home and he does whine a little for a bit, nothing ear splitting just pathetic little whimpers, usually ended with a few firm "NO"s.  He likes the crate and is happy to hang out in there with his bones he's just happier with option to come and go!  also heard a few little growls when he heard something he didn't like outside the apartment, will probably be a good watchdog!

8.  Training?  not overly trained yet, knows sit, comes when called, stay is a little shaky but he's getting there.  Trying to teach him "up" so he's allowed to jump up sometimes.  He's eager to please and very food/affection motivated so training shouldn't be tough at all!

What needs a little work:

1. Pulling on the leash!  He's strong and I'm not very big so I have a little trouble walking him!  If you are really consistent with him (turning around and walking the other way when he pulls, praising him when he stays close etc... calling him back to you when he gets too far ahead ect...).  This will take some time and consistency but when you keep on him he does get it!  There, his worst flaw is out of the way!  and it's not even that bad, he pulls but at least isn't a crazy maniac!

This Ian Dunbar podcast is what I've been trying to implement to correct the leash pulling.
http://www.dogstardaily.com/radio/109-pulling-leash

2. Jumping!  I'm 5' and when he jumps on me we're face to face!  When I'm in the kitchen and I look to the right there are 2 big feet on the counter and a doggie face asking what he can do to help??  He's a big dog and he wants to be up where the people are, say hi face to face!  It's actually very cute so I'm trying to teach him to do it only on request, and of course to learn down as well, sometimes you want a doggie hug but strangers my not want a surprise face to face doggie encounter!

3. Those BIG OLD FEET!  There is no doubt in my mind that he is part boxer, those feet are constantly in play!  He uses them to get your attention, to get the cats attention, playing with other dogs!  These weapons need to be channeled into many great tricks!  I have already gotten swatted in the face quite a few times and it's time he put those feet to more appropriate good use!

4.  He's a little mouthy!  He uses his mouth to get your attention and some while playing!  Grabs a glove, a sleeve, your hand... If you give a convincing enough "puppy yip" you will see the most horrified and apologetic face ever and there will be lots of kisses to make it up to you!  This should be easy to get rid of!

That's all I know so far, the good is very very good and the bad is pretty minor and totally fixable, a small price of admission to pay for a great puppy who will no doubt turn into an excellent dog!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Washington Heights romance.


not food aggressive :)



enjoying the fresh snow!



His new girlfriend Jade and other neighborhood friends.


He was standing with his paws on the edge of the tub while I showered this morning.
Must've been hatching his shampoo bottle plan! 
Why buy toys when recyclables will do?



CHICKENMAN!




Here you go Audrey!
the kitty is hard to spot since it's black, look next to Laurie's leg!


Tuesday, January 11, 2011

An admirer already? we're not surprised;)

Young Sphinx has already impressed a few folks! I was gonna post these tomorrow but why wait, let's show his admirers even more of his sweetness (he's so freaking cute in the second one your hearts gonna pop!)!


Not bone possessive!  he'd raaather not give it up but who would?
 I counted my fingers afterwards and they were all there.



He knows sit, he's learning stay, and he's got cute down pat.  
(Did you see him biting his lip, and catch those sweet puppy dog eyes at the end?)


Here comes trouble!

So Sphinx is home with me now and holy cow I hadn't realized he was mid puppyhood, only 7 months old!  I'm not complaining, this is gonna be fun (I haven't had a silly puppy in at least 7 years) I can't think of a better way to beat those winter blues!  Edwina was only a few months older but somehow seemed so much wiser (and more coordinated!), perhaps it was the teen pregnancy, she probably had to grow up fast.  Anyway, this one has "GIANT GOOFBALL" in neon lights flashing over his head with cartoon hearts around it,  he is a big clumsy softy with big ol' puppy feet!


What we know/don't know:

1. Nothing about his story, I think he was from the Baltimore shelter as well, no idea how he ended up there.

2.  Breed? our best guess is Lab/Boxer etc... and when I look at his profile and build I'm wondering if he's not a part Irish Setter or something like that, anyway he's a kitchen sink mutt and he's gonna be pretty big!  He sure is handsome though, poster dog for big brown puppy dog eyes with extra long fringy lashes!

3. Personality, happy, happy, happy (!!!) sweet, sweet, sweet!  loves everybody and is not stingy with his kisses!  Also I'm told he gets along great with other critters (I saw the "sleeping with kittens photo" with my own eyes!) and he was curious but polite with my cat Josie, and we're going to the dog run later, maybe I'll get some doggie relations footage!


Introducing Sphinx the giant puppy!
(after being here an hour or so he mellowed right out, chill pup indeed!)



Sitting for cookies, you gotta start somewhere;)

More later, we're just getting to know each other!

ok, it's a little later and we've been to the dog run.  Video proof of excellent doggie social skills!



Woo hoo!! he's a joiner! 


and a ball dog (you gotta learn to hand it over buddy;) )

Number two!

Since the first foster dog experience went so smoothly I happily agreed to sign up for another cutie, so this afternoon it's off to Brooklyn to pick up Sphinx.  I've heard only good things about this handsome fella and I can't wait to meet him, when asked if he gets along with cats Laurie laughed and said she could send me a picture of a kitten asleep on his head ;)  I believe you but please send it anyway (I think we'd all love to see that)!!


I'm coming for ya buddy, can't wait to officially meet you!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Meagan and Ben are the BEST!

I have been getting frequent updates since yesterday afternoon from Edwina/Dingo/now Bronx's adoptive parents Meagan and Ben!  Thanks for making the adoption so painless you guys!

A few reports and pictures of everyone's favorite pup and her new fam (keep 'em coming, we love this stuff!)!

Hey,
The dogs are getting along great. We tied a long rope to edwina's collar and let her run on the beach with Rush and a few other neighborhood dogs. They had a great time getting muddy and chasing sticks. The cat is friendly to Edwina,  purring and chasing her tail. Sometimes Edwina gets too excited from the attention and the cat swats her. We are more worried about the cat hurting Edwina now! Ben is taking both pups to the pet store to pick up a few things (Edwina prefers chewie toys and Rush prefers squeaky toys!) and then bringing them to the big Portland dog park.
We will send more pictures! I'm a bad photographer so Ben is taking over!




as promised, morning walks on the beach!

Hey,
The first day has been great! Rush and Edwina have been cuddly all day, they have had a few quarrels but that is to be expected. We have nicknamed Edwina, Bronx, because she is a city-dog. She is getting along much better with the cat, but sometimes she does corner her.  The cat can't be too upset because she will buzz Edwina's legs while Edwina is eating! I attached a picture of the pups eating and the cat stealing Edwina's food.

Edwina met a bunch of neighborhood dogs, including the dreaded Popcorn! We also introduced her to everyone at our local pet store, dog park and video store. She has been a great hit and everyone loves her!
My friend lives in NYC and has a husky he rescued a few years ago and has been looking for a cattle dog mix. He is teasing us about stealing the only cattle dog mix in NYC so if you foster another one, he would be a great candidate!


looking like they've known each other all their lives;)
How many spots do you think they have between them??  


and kitty makes 3!  I'm thinking she'll be the boss of the house...








Sunday, January 9, 2011

That went well! (thank goodness...)

Today was the day I had been dreading for a week!  THEY CAME FOR HER.  Thankfully the anticipation of it was so much worse the the reality.

Meagan, Ben and Rush (their pup, a cattle dog mix!) from Orchard Beach Maine contacted us about a week ago with a really sweet email of interest.  Later a lengthy phone call, lots of questions from us both and then the formalities of adoption forms, reference checks etc... and they were accepted!  In the meantime Edwina and I had really been bonding making the handoff loom pretty large, I'll admit to some serious second thoughts, it's scary and unnatural to give your dog away and at some point I had started to consider her MY dog!   But the new situation was tooooo good and the final decision was made and stuck to.

This morning Ben and Meagan drove down from Maine with Edwina's new "sister" Rush and introductions were made, doggie romper room in the lobby, toy snatching in my apartment and the 4 of them becoming acquainted.  By the time we made it up to the dog run they looked like a family and the dogs were playing/tormenting each other like real sisters!


meet her new family:)






speckled twosome.


the sounds that are coming out of these 2...


Ben and Meagan have generously promised many updates, pics and perhaps a video or 2 which I will be happy to post (her NY/NJ friends will miss her and be glad to know what she's getting up too!).  I am sooo glad they were my first adoption experience, can't imagine feeling more confident that a dog was in good hands.  Thanks you guys! 


the little family, plus a cat at home, Edwina will have a new kitty to love.


happily ever after!  sigh....



ALREADY an update from the road!  perhaps it was my tears and trembly chin? 
 anyway you guys are the nicest!



 "they are sharing a rawhide munchie and cuddling.  Thanks for letting us adopt such a sweet dog!"-Meagan and Ben













Saturday, January 8, 2011

Snow day!

Today was my last full day with Edwina (aka Dingo) so we made it count, hiking in the snowy mountains with my friend Tracey and her friend Max!  I apologize in advance for the baaad/shaky video quality, but those 2 are so cute I thought I'd post it anyway! 


The last 2 times we went hiking I felt I could trust her enough to drop the leash! she loves to run and play but she most certainly keeps an eye on her people (don't try this till you're totally in with her!).  She loves poking around and even spotted and chased a squirrel, her dream come true! of course she was obsessed with the tree it went up for about 5 minutes after ;)


what excellent listening Dingo!  of course having a pocket full of treats doesn't hurt;)

 

What dog doesn't love to roll in smelly stuff?  sigh...


Pooped pups on the ride home!

Monday, January 3, 2011

Welcoming committee;)

Oh boy,we're in the home stretch, references are being checked by Dan and miss fuzzypants could be moving on shortly!  Soooooooo someday soon somebody out there will be coming home to this crazy maniac!  She can be a little shy with some people at first, but when she decides she likes you she reeeealllly likes you;)


check out the "mouth hugs" :)))


For the record jumping on people is frowned upon and very naughty so she is usually asked to sit, buuuut just this once...

Sunday, January 2, 2011

The big picture.

After two weeks on petfinder.com we have several REALLY promising adoption applicants(!!!), ideal non-urban situations for Miss Edwina complete with doggie brothers/sisters and the great outdoors, exactly what I was hoping for (and secretly dreading)!  

My friends first foster pup Ruby was adopted last week by a great family with great kids and a yard and still Jess was crushed, you want to find them the perfect home but when you do...well that means they leave your home, and for the unseasoned foster mom that means mini-heartbreak.  The thought of it makes me misty, and it will probably take a few dogs to adjust to my new role of halfway house.  Hopefully the people who adopt our dogs will fortify us with some heartwarming "after" pictures/updates of the pooches living the good life in their forever home, that would make letting go so much easier!

If you are neutral or indifferent to dogs you probably wouldn't sign up to foster, and if you love dogs and want to help them out it can be tricky to modulate your affection and act solely as caregiver, dogs are easy to love and connect with and that will probably mean attachment every time... Darn you Edwina, couldn't you have been less lovable and awesome?!  But when Edwina is adopted that means a space opens in my apartment for a new foster pup, another dog is off death row and a space is free in a shelter, so more furry lives are saved.  That's the big picture, the little picture is the sweet doggie face I've been waking up next to for the last 2 weeks...

She snores a little;)