Foxy Steele: Notes on a foster dog

Posted on: April 24, 2018 by: DougB Comments: 1 Comment

Although this young Husky looks a little rough at the moment, she is indeed one foxy lady! Even more so once I got her brushed out.
Last updated: May 18, 2018

Base Info:

Foxy

Arrival date: April 24th, 2018
Breed: Husky
Sex: Female
Age: @ 1 year
Weight: @45 pounds
Spay/Neutered: Yes
General Health: Appears healthy. Has had her vaccinations and worming. HW test was negative.
Temperament: She’s SO sweet! A real snuggle-bug. Quite gentle.

History

Foxy was surrendered by her owner to Animal Control. She stated she had given Foxy away to two other families, both brought her back. That’s the factual information.

I would conjecture that this is yet another case of someone adopting a Husky pup because she was SO cute, but without knowing anything about Huskies. The pup was likely raised without any training until she got big enough to become a nuisance by being her bouncy, happy-go-lucky self. Then it’s “we have to get rid of this dog, she’s out of control” time.

And of course: it’s the DOG’S fault.

Fortunately N.A.C. recognized that Foxy would not do well in a shelter and called Steele Away Home. Jen already has her placed with a Husky rescue, I’ll work with her until that transport and Foxy will find a home where her people appreciate the strong, quirky personalities of these wonderful dogs.

Foxy went on rescue transport on May 18th for adoption

Known Issues & Progress

Hindering Houdini: How to Prevent Dog Escapes From Your Yard

Posted on: April 20, 2018 by: DougB

Anyone who owns a dog knows that dogs love to run and play. Perhaps a geriatric dog would rather lounge in the sun and warm his aching bones, but most dogs want and need exercise. Walking on a leash with Master is seldom enough so, unless a dog park is nearby, a play yard is required. If planning a play yard, preventing dog escapes is a critical aspect to consider.

Why Your Dog Escapes

Most dogs are protective. Some are natural hunters. Therefore dogs will want to drive away perceived threats like other dogs, school bus monsters, delivery service trucks, and cars with loud exhaust systems. Some will chase prey: cats, squirrels, bunny rabbits, and birds. Others are gregarious and want to play with passers-by. Some have an adventurous spirit and occasionally get the wander-lust.

Our “Houdini dog”: Blondie Bear, fell into these last two categories. She likes to make friends, but also has (or had) a strong wander-lust. She’s a big girl: 90 pounds, but powerful and surprisingly agile for her size. She posed quite a challenge in preventing dog escapes, until I learned a few tricks. Tricks on preventing dog escapes that I will now share with you.

Chain-Tether-Run

Some dog owners opt for the simplicity of putting their dog on a chain or vinyl coated steel cable that is attached to something solid. As a permanent solution to dog escapes, this is a terrible idea. Many communities are passing ordinances making it illegal to tether a dog for more than a very short time (like an hour). No one wants to see a dog living his live on the end of a six foot chain staked to the ground. This is abuse and can result in criminal prosecution.

If no other solution is available, using a cable & trolley run to extend a dog’s range while keeping him secured is better than a simple tether, but still presents problems especially in the area of potential injury to the dog.

Dog Bed Repair: Man Style

Posted on: April 5, 2018 by: DougB

Every once in a while, the dogs get revved up because something exciting is going on outside and I’m not in the house to calm them down (because I’m part of what’s going on outside). When they get all wild-eyed they sometimes decide they need to “kill” a dog bed. The damage is not intentional. If they flap a blanket, damage is minimal. Flap a dog bed and it tends to tear the cover. Once the cover is torn, stuffing pops out. Once stuffing pops out, everyone *needs* to help pull it out. There is just something about dogs and fiberfill!

Callie earns bedroom sleeping privileges.

This is mostly Callie, but Blondie sometimes gets into it too. Callie is usually very good to her bedding, but when The Beagles get nusto and run through the house Barroorooing, that gets Callie excited too — if she’s loose. When crated she sits calmly and watches them. So if I have to leave the house for more than a couple of minutes, and can’t take them out with me, I crate Callie and Buddy. The rest will be fine.

When a bed gets torn, the proper thing to do would be to put the stuffing back inside and sew a patch over the hole. But I don’t even know where the needles and thread are kept, much less claim to be adept at using them. So I use the skills and materials I do have: