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Articles from March 2021

Maggie

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Maggie was a member of a loving family until the situation with their landlord changed and he demanded they get rid of their dogs. No fault of the dogs, but they lost their home … or they decided to move to Alaska, whichever.

Last updated Dec 19, 2021

Eager to play fetch

Base Info:

  • Arrival date: March 30, 2021
  • Breed: Dutch Shepherd (breed info)
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: Youth (less than 1 year)
  • Birthdate: @ Dec. 3, 2020
  • Weight: @ 25 pounds on Mar 30
  • . 50.0 pounds on Oct 5
  • Spayed: Yes
  • General Health: Excellent
  • Temperament: Playful, energetic, affectionate.
  • SAFER Test performed: Yes – Passed
  • Departure date: April 26, 2021 (ADOPTED)
  • Return date: August 23, 2021 (from Newport Animal Control)
  • Departure date: undetermined

Adoption Information

  • Start by submitting a completed Adoption Application (Now an on-line, mobile friendly form).
  • Contact information for your veterinarian is required and we will do a reference check.
  • If local, schedule a meet-n-greet after your application has been processed. If you have another dog, bring it. A home inspection and interview will be done after a successful meet-n-greet.
  • If not local, adopter needs to contact a reputable rescue in THEIR area and request that rescue pull the dog from us after performing a home inspection and investigation of their own. You will then adopt the dog from them.
  • Local adoption fee is $200.00  This includes spay surgery, vaccination against Parvovirus, Distemper, Adednovirus, Rabies, and Bordatella and a thorough de-worming. This dog has been microchipped and will be registered in the adopters name. Any health issues we found were addressed and are described below.

Progress Summary

Detailed progress notes are listed below the summary and photo gallery

Relational Behavior

  • Relates well to other dogs: Yes, eagerly greets other dogs
  • Can eat food/treats near other dogs: Doesn’t bother her, but she’s piggish: will get into other dogs dish
  • Preferred style of play: Likes to frolic and jump on play mate. Great at playing fetch! Learning Tug
  • Is affectionate: Yes
  • Is good with:
    . Men: Yes
    . Women: Yes
    . Children: Yes
    . Cats: No: plays too rough.
  • Jumps up on people: Not any more.
  • Mouths: Not any more.
  • Walks well on a leash: Fair

Commands

  • Comes when called: Yes
  • Sits on command: Yes
  • Will “Stay” (See the video)
  • Go Potty: Yes
  • Down / Off: Yes
  • Shake / Paw: Working on that
  • Kennels on command: Yes
  • Crates on command: Yes

House Dog Training

  • Willingly enters her crate: Yes.
  • Is calm/quiet while in crate: Mostly, unless she gets lonely or needs to potty.
  • Understands going outside to potty: Yes
  • Alerts me of need to go outside: Goes to the door and bounces on it.
  • Is destructive of bedding and/or toys: No
  • Engages in kitchen counter cruising: Probably – now that she’s big enough.
  • Stays off people furniture: Working on that. If we’re sitting on the sofa she wants up there too. Otherwise, yes.

Diet

  • Purina One puppy kibble now transitioning to Victor Classic – Professional Dry Dog Food
  • PMFC Peanut butter cookies given as rewards for compliance.
  • Occasional snacks include:
    Retriever Beef Basted Sticks
    Jones Beef Hooves
    Knuckle beef bones

Gallery

  • Resting after being spayed.

Progress Updates

March 31

She did excellently last night. I brought her in around 8:30. Marie played with her for a bit then I settled her in her crate. We fiddled about for a while getting ready for bed, then slipped off. Both of the new girls remained quiet and slept through the night. I got up once around 3:00 to greet John and they stirred, but did not fuss. I went back to bed and so did they. I got up at 4:00 (as is my habit) and took each of them outside to potty, gave each a drink, and began my study time. Both behaved splendidly!

I have taken her outside to potty several times today and she always produces. No bashfulness here. Has kept her crate clean today and been a very good girl.

April 4

Maggie is settling in well. after a couple of the other dogs snarled at her for being a pest she has reigned in her exuberance and is better about inviting others to play rather than demanding. She’s also developed patience when I leave the room with her crated, she knows I’ll be back and does not fuss.

April 11

Maggie is getting big! She’s only gained 4 pounds but she’s 50% bigger than she was when she arrived. Longer, lankier, leaner. Looking like a dog not a puppy. I’m feeding her at plus 50% of her recommended rate for weight because she is a puppy and growing fast. Also adding cheese for the added calcium she needs.

April 14

Maggie was spayed yesterday. While she was out we also had her chip implanted, heart worm test done, and brought all her vaccinations up to date. She did well with this procedure and is heart worm negative (a good thing). She did not feel well last night, but that’s to be expected: spaying is major surgery. She did not feel so bad as to refuse dinner last night though!

This morning she’s looking really thin. Gaunt even. Can missing ONE meal do that to a puppy? I’ll increase her feed amount to get her filled out properly again. This morning is is wanting to lick at her incision. We cannot allow that. I tried a wrap, she defeated it. I tried a cone, she hated it. So I switched to a donut. She’s doing better with that.

Maggie will need about a week to recover, then she’ll be ready to adopt.

April 18

Maggie had an excellent meet-n-greet this afternoon with a lady who wants her as a service dog (she’s hearing impaired), and the trainer who would turn her into a service dog, and a fellow who will help with it all. They all loved her, and she loved them. We submitted our observations to Dennis, our Adoption Coordinator (who was out of the area this weekend) and we’ll see what he decides.

Maggie is undergoing a growth spurt. She is 50% larger now than when she came in a couple of weeks ago and the growth is mostly in her legs. I am over-feeding her, and adding extra cheese for the calcium she needs, to keep up with her nutritional needs. As you would expect, she’s a bit awkward as she learns to use her new stilts.

April 26

Maggie has been adopted by a woman who is going deaf. She has been searching for a suitable candidate as a service dog for two years. Both she and her service dog trainer think Maggie is just perfect. So Maggie has a new home and a new purpose in life. We’re so happy for Maggie!

  • Maggie’s new Mom, Tracy
  • Snoozing on Tracy’s feet
  • All worn out!
Maggie in her new home

August 23

Maggie was surrendered to Newport Animal Control on August 7th, but not by the person we adopted Maggie to. It’s a confusing, conflicting story and we’re sure we’re not getting all of it or maybe not all of it is true. Whatever. Maggie was stuck at NAC while we finished rebuilding our kennels. That was completed at 2:00 this afternoon. At 4:00 Doug went into Newport to fetch her back here.

When she left, her step-sibling (Baby) was twice Maggie’s size, now Maggie is twice Baby’s size! Baby seemed to recognize her despite the shelter stink she wore. Maggie definitely recognized Baby! Blondie says she needs a bath.

So Maggie’s story starts anew…

Sept 21

Maggie loves to play with all the other kennel dogs. She is pretty rowdy, but the others are big enough to play along. Maggie will play both the dominant and the submissive roles in play, and will allow short rest breaks when her companion requests it. Blondie Bear is a senior and does not play much. Maggie respects that and does not press the issue. Maggie should get along well with any non-aggressive dog of similar size.

Nov 5

Maggie has learned to play with all her neighbors. Each one has a different play style and Maggie adjusts to suit their style. She comes (enthusiastically) when called and will go right into her room. I no longer have to remind her not to jump on me, and she has stopped “mouthing”. Occasionally when we’re playing tug she’ll nip me, but that’s an honest mistake: I just need to be careful. She’s getting more affectionate too. Still a little aloof, but seeking short periods of petting more often.

Nov 16

The past few nights have been getting down into the low 30’s: too cold to leave Maggie in her outside kennel. She does not have one of out in-out runs where the dog can come inside to escape bad weather. So I’ve been walking her around and bringing her inside at bed time. She stays in our Mega Crate at night. I expected her to resist this, but she seems to remember her crate training.

After the first night, every time I let her out of her kennel she runs to the gate leading to the front of the building and paws at it, “Let’s go in, I want to be inside.”

I put her to bed at 8:30 pm. When I get up (4:30 am) I go outside and bring her into the play yard to pee and poop. She quickly takes care of business and is ready to go back inside. She crates right up and settles in to rest until breakfast.

Breakfast for the kennel dogs is around 6:45. Each dog eats in their room, then gets let outside to attend to their “needs”. Most come right back and want to be back inside. Maggie is no different except that eating is a poop trigger and she needs to go out as soon as she finishes her meal.

If it’s real cold I’ll bring her back in and crate her until 8:30 when I start cleaning kennels. Then she gets a play session in the yard with one of the other dogs while I’m cleaning their kennels.

So far, by this time it’s starting to warm up and she can stay outside.

After kennel cleaning they all get a special treat. Today I handed out Kong toys. Maggie is quite bright and figured out ho to get the biscuit very quickly.

Nov 29

We’ve spent a couple of weeks doing the inside-in-a-crate-at-night thing because it gets cold at night and Maggie is not equipped to handle cold. She has short fur and is lean, so she has little to insulate her. Fortunately, she does not mind going indoors and sleeping in her crate. On the contrary, she is eager to get inside! I use a short slip-lead to walk her to the kennel door because we have to go outside the play yard perimeter fence. After she goes potty, she will often come back to me and place her head inside the loop of the lead, then start walking toward the gate, “I’m done. Come on, let’s go inside.” She makes me laugh.

As long as I get her out at 4:30 am she keeps her crate clean and dry all night. I take her out every two hours during the day until it warms up enough to stay in her outside kennel. Once the sun comes over our mountain (about 10:00 am) she likes being outside.

Dec 18

Maggie has a meet-n-greet today. It’s raining now, but that may abate before her guests arrive. She’s being considered as a playmate for a full sized (120 pounds) GSD named Rascal.

Rascal is looking for a best friend and playmate.

Dec 19

We got word from Maggie’s potential new Dad about progress:
“The drive home went very well, she’s a good traveler. She actually fell asleep on Pat’s feet.”
He included this photo to show how the two are getting along.

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Baby

Posted on: by: Comments: 5 Comments

Baby and Maggie were members of a family who loved them, but were neglectful, until the their landlord decided they were a nuicance and he demanded they get rid of their dogs. No fault of the dogs, but they lost their home.

Last updated: Aug 28, 2021

Base Info

  • Arrival date: March 30, 2021
  • Breed: Border Collie
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: Adult
  • Birthdate: @ 03/25/2019
  • Weight: @ 40 pounds on March 30
    ……………..42.8 lbs. on May 12
    ……………..37.7 lbs on June 11
  • Spayed: Yes
  • General Health: Fair (HW+ being treated now)
  • Temperament: Exceptionally sweet, gentle, affectionate
  • SAFER Test performed: Yes – Passed
  • Departure date: Undetermined

Adoption Information

NOTE: Baby has tested Positive for Heart Worms. We cannot adopt her out until that is treated. Treatment will take around 120 days, and it will be EXPENSIVE! We will need to raise the funds to pay for it before we can begin treatment. Baby will not be available for adoption for several months.

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  • Submit a completed Adoption Application (Now an on-line, mobile friendly form).
  • Contact information for your veterinarian is required and we will do a reference check.  We do not adopt to people who neglect their dogs.
  • An adoption Contract must be signed by PMFC and Adopter.  This is a legal document and an actual signature is required.  If the form must be mailed back and forth, allow time for that to happen.  Electronic PDF is allowed if you can print/scan.
  • Adoption fee is $200.00  This generally does NOT cover what we have invested in medical care and room & board.  But it helps.

Progress Summary

Detailed notes are below the summary

Relational Behavior

  • Relates well to other dogs: Yes. Gets territorial about her crate, but relates well when in the open.
  • Can eat food/treats near other dogs: Oddly, she is guarded when in her crate, but not when eating or taking treats in a loose group.
  • Preferred style of play: She likes to run in the yard and gentle tussling.
  • Is affectionate: Yes, very much so.
  • Is good with:
    . Men: Yes
    . Women: Yes
    . Children: Yes
    . Cats: Unknown
  • Jumps up on people: Yes – but doing much better.
  • Mouths: No. Does nose-bump my hands
  • Walks well on a leash: Yes

Commands

  • Comes when called: Yes
  • Sits on command: Yes
  • Down / Off: Yes
  • Shake / Paw: Yes
  • Kennels on command: Yes

House Dog Training

  • Willingly enters her crate: Yes
  • Is calm/quiet while in crate: Yes
  • Understands going outside to potty: Yes
  • Alerts me of need to go outside: Yes, goes to the door.
  • Is destructive of bedding and/or toys: Bedding no, plush toys: yes but not terribly so.
  • Engages in kitchen counter cruising: No
  • Stays off people furniture: Most of the time. See notes for May 10 below.

Diet

  • Victor Classic – Professional Dry Dog Food
    1/3 cup kibble and 2.5 oz home made stew, AM and PM (needs to lose a little weight)
  • PMFC Peanut butter cookies given as rewards for compliance.
  • Occasional snacks include:
    Retriever Beef Basted Sticks
    Pet Factory (USA made) chip rolls

Gallery

  • Found a shady spot
  • Giving some smooches
  • Getting some love from Marie
  • She likes resting in her room.
  • Good girls get to “free range”
  • She enjoys exploring the yard
  • Hoarder of Toys

Progress Updates

March 30

Baby arrived this morning. All new intakes go into a kennel for evaluation and dog-dog testing with our “staff”. Most stay in their kennel for a while because most intakes are wild-eyed, hooligan, street dogs pulled from a shelter. Baby and her sister, Maggie were beloved house dogs. They should progress well.

This is raw, unedited footage. I’ll replace it with a cleaner version when I get the chance.

March 31

She did excellently last night. I brought her in around 8:30. Marie played with her for a bit then I settled her in her crate. We fiddled about for a while getting ready for bed, then slipped off. Both of the new girls remained quiet and slept through the night. I got up once around 3:00 to greet John and they stirred, but did not fuss. I went back to bed and so did they. I got up at 4:00 (as is my habit) and took each of them outside to potty, gave each a drink, and began my study time. Both behaved splendidly!

This afternoon I was baking dog cookies. I moved crates for Baby and Maggie from the den to the living room where they have a good view of the kitchen. Baby is reliably house broken and a pretty calm girl, so I let her out of her crate to wander the front part of the house while I worked. She found a comfy spot in the kitchen with a better view of the stove and lounged on a blanket.

After a few minutes, Maggie got lonely and started fussing. Baby got up, went back into her crate (beside Maggie’s crate) and laid down. Maggie stopped fussing.

How sweet is it that Baby cares that much about her little sister?

April 2

Baby has been with us three nights now. Each night she has retired to her crate for the night around 9:00, after her last potty run, settles in quickly and sleeps the night through. I hear her stir if I get up in the night to use the bathroom. but she settles again when I do.

I was told that she’s never been crated and would resist being crated. It found it is just the opposite. She finds comfort in her “room” and prefers to be in there when not playing or being petted. If she has toys, treats or food in there, she will be grumpy toward other dogs who approach her crate, warding them off. But if I cover the crate with a blanket – just on the side where another dog might be – she is calm and mannerly.

I have not noticed any aggressive behavior in her at all when out of the crate. She is friendly and playful with everyone, but at the same time respectful. If the other dog does not want to play, she will withdraw her attentions and seek entertainment elsewhere. I have not tried giving her toys or treats outside the crate with other dogs present. Not yet. I’ll give her some time to get more comfortable with The Pack first.

April 11

Baby is doing really well. She is super-sweet and smart as well. She loves to cuddle – can get a little pushy about that sometimes, but I’m working on that. She plays well with the other dogs – mostly. She sometimes gets a bit rough with our “delicate little flower” Josephine. But Callie Roo is good at reminding her to be gentle.

April 13

Baby is at the clinic to be spayed and vaccinated against rabies. We also have them implant the microchip and do the Heart Worm test while the dog is unconscious. Unfortunately, Baby tested POSITIVE for Heart Worms. We are proceeding with the spay surgery, microchip, and vaccinations. We will have to get a quote from our vet on treating her for the Heart Worms, but it will delay any adoption while she undergoes treatment. We know it’s expensive. We will need to do a fund-raiser for her treatment.

April 20

May 4

Baby is progressing very nicely. Her major annoyance for me was her habit of greeting me by standing up and raking her front feet down my belly and legs. This is just poor training: something that was cute as a tiny puppy, so it was allowed, maybe even encouraged. When the dog gets older it’s no longer cute. Being a Border Collie, she instinctively wants to be “touchy” with her forelimbs. I’ve been working with her on channeling this and we’ve compromised.

May 10

Baby is scheduled to begin heart worm treatment on May 12th. That should be completed 120 days after that.

Baby has been good about staying off the people furniture, except that she and Marie have decided it’s okay for her to come up on the bed for some bedtime belly rubbing.

Baby was insistently affectionate when she got here, often interrupting my work at my desk by crawling onto my lap and punching my arms with her nose (making it impossible to type), demanding petting. We’ve been working on that. Now when she wants petting she comes over, stands on her hind legs and places one paw on the back of my chair and one paw between my shoulder blades. If I don’t respond in a few moments she will start tapping my back gently with that foot, “Sir, please sir, may I have a moment of your time?” It’s very sweet, and it never fails to get her some snuggle time — as soon as I get to a stopping point. She is one bright dog (Border Collies are) and she’s willing to compromise to make everyone happy.

May 14

Baby has begun heart worm treatment. The initial phase is to kill the microfilaria in her blood and reduce inflammation and risk of infection with Doxycycline and Prednisone. Typically this goes for 30 days then she gets the first Immiticide injection. This process will take months and is expensive (typically runs around $1,600.00 for a dog her size). If you want to help us pay for her life-saving treatment, please do so below — and we Thank you!

May 30

Baby’s energy level has declined quite a lot. She no longer goes out to play with the others in the yard. Most times she will not leave the walkway, but insists she stay right beside me. She pees and poops on the gravel then wants right back in the house to lounge in her crate. Whether this is due to her medications or the worms chewing on and clogging her heart I cannot say. We elected to save $300 by opting out of the x-rays and blood panel prior to treatment. She seems in good spirits and still has a healthy appetite.

She eagerly anticipates snuggling with me in bed while I read before lights-out. When I go in to change into my PJs she repeatedly peaks around the corner to see if I’m ready. If not she ducks back into the den where her crate is. When I’m settled into the bed with my big reading pillow she comes in and sits beside the bed, her little tail stump wiggling madly, until I say, “okay” then she leaps up on the bed and flops down beside my legs. It makes her SO happy.

June 11

A quick update on Baby.

She spent the day at Cedarwood Veterinary Hospital, P.C. to get her first Immiticide treatment. They say she did very well and all of the staff (and everyone in the waiting room this evening) think she is the SWEETEST most loving dog. And, of course, she is!

When she got home she trotted up the walkway, in the back door and straight to her room, her sanctuary, until I had dinner ready to serve. Eat, go out to potty, then right back to her room, with her toy treasury. She’s sleeping now, glad to be home.

She goes back in a month for her second round of shots, then begins a 30 day recuperation period with strictly limited activity. Basically this is crate rest to keep her from forming an embolism in her lungs. That would be bad: she could die.

July 31

On most evenings it is Doug’s habit to take a shower then sit in bed and read for a while. When he comes out of the bathroom Baby (Bae Bae) is generally lounging on the people bed ready for evening snuggles.
Last night, as he was heading for the shower, he stopped to grab his PJs and heard a soft “whump”. Looking beside him he found Baby already in position, “I’m ready for snuggles.”
“They’d be stinky snuggles, let me shower first.”
“I like stinky stuff. I’m a dog.”
“I’m going to shower first anyway.”
“Whatever. I’ll be here waiting for you.”
And she was.

Baby is doing really well with her heart worm treatment recovery.

She is becoming a bit of a nuisance with her habit of stepping in front of me as I’m walking down the hallway, flopping down on the floor and rolling up on her back to demand a belly rub. Normally I just step over her and keep going, then come back to offer a belly rub when I’ve accomplished my task. I want to discourage her from trying and trip us.

August 21

Baby has gone on several home visits with her prospective adopters including two visits where Marie and I left her there with them. The latest one was for two hours. Baby did well: no anxiety over us leaving her.

The next morning, Marie was readying to leave the house and Baby was dancing by the door, “Let’s go, let’s go, I want to go see my other family again.” She was disappointed to find that Marie was going to work.

Baby is scheduled to begin her Foster-To-Adopt phase next week. Here a quick look at this cutie being silly.

Aug 28

Baby napping on floor

Baby (now going by Babe) is on a two week trial, or foster-to-adopt, session in her new home. She has visited several times, so these people were not strangers to her. Martha sent this shot this morning: Babe seems to be settling in well. She and Dick spend their days hanging out together, going for walks and taking naps. They snuggle up together at night. She even gets along with their cats. Looks like a success story in the making!

More will be added as this sweet girl progresses. Subscribe for notification of updates.

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Luna Luvpitt

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I met this sweetheart Monday March 15th. We’ve been watching her for a while but didn’t have an available apartment for her. Now we do. She is skittish, but willing to be friends – once she got used to me and as long as Lee was there. She gets along great with the NAC staff now. She’s four years old and until Newport Animal Control rescued her she had spent her entire life in a dog box. Not a kennel, a hunter’s dog box! She was terrified of everything and everyone at first, but she’s learning to like this vast new world.

Last updated: Sept 27, 2023

Base Info

  • Arrival date: March 22, 2021
  • Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: Adult
  • Birthdate: Jan 2017
  • Weight: 70.4 Pounds on Jan 15, 2021.
    ……………. 57.8 healthy pounds Aug 1 2023
  • Spayed/Neutered: Yes
  • General Health: Good
    Temperament: Shy, skittish, easily frightened, but affectionate
  • SAFER Test performed: No
  • Available for adoption? YES | Rescue? YES
  • Departure date: Undetermined

Adoption Information

  • Start by submitting a completed Adoption Application (Now an on-line, mobile friendly form).
  • Contact information for your veterinarian is required and we will do a reference check.
  • If local (within @50 miles), schedule a meet-n-greet after your application has been processed. If you have another dog, bring it. A home inspection and interview will be done after a successful meet-n-greet.
  • If not local, adopter needs to contact a reputable rescue in THEIR area and request that rescue pull the dog from us after performing a home inspection and background investigation. You will then adopt the dog from them according to their policies.
  • Local adoption fee is $200.00  This includes spay surgery, vaccination against Parvovirus, Distemper, Adednovirus, Rabies, and Bordatella and a thorough de-worming. This dog has been microchipped and will be registered in the adopters name. Any health issues we found were addressed and are described below.

Progress Summary

Detailed notes are below

Relational Behavior

  • Relates well to other dogs: Yes. She avoids aggressive dogs, but will play rough with a dog who is not out to hurt her. She is also happy to just “hang out” with another dog.
  • Can eat food/treats near other dogs: Yes, she and Blade often enjoy a meal near one another. She also shared a kennel with Pearl for a while and they both ate in the kennel together.
  • Preferred style of play: She likes to run and bump and mouth-wrestle. She does this cute ninja spin to bash her opponent with her butt.
  • Is affectionate: Yes
  • Is good with:
    . Men: Yes
    . Women: Yes
    . Children: Undetermined. Too rowdy for small kids.
    . Cats: No. Cat aggressive.
  • Jumps up on people: No
  • Mouths: No
  • Walks well on a leash: Yes

Commands

  • Comes when called: Yes
  • Sits on command: Yes
  • Down / Off: Most of the time
  • Shake / Paw: Yes
  • Kennels on command: Yes

House Dog Training

Not yet applicable

Diet

Victor Classic – Professional dry and Purina Pro Classic Ground canned.
PMFC Peanut butter cookies given as rewards for compliance.
Occasional snacks include:
* Milkbones
* Bil-Jac liver treats
* peanut butter stuffed bones

Getting to know Doug
Loaded and ready to ride
Not sure she wants to get out
I’ll just watch from here, thanks
But I don’t WANT my room cleaned
She loves having a blanket

​Progress Updates

March 23, 2021

Luna’s first full day here has completed successfully. She stays in her bedroom on her Kuranda dog bed. Partly because her next door neighbor, Blade, likes to cow her by throwing himself against the tin privacy panel between them. NOISY! I’m going to replace that with plywood. That will take the fun out of it for him.

She has been out in the yard with me for walks several times. Trees creaking in the breeze and loud trucks rolling by on the hard road spook her at first, but she learns to ignore them. She walks well on the leash when using a Martingale collar so she can’t pull out of it – which is her first inclination when she gets spooked: pull out and run away. But some petting and soothing words calm her down quickly and we resume the walk.

March 26

Two big steps taken today. First, while we were on a walk I dropped the lead and let Luna wander freely. In the past she was circling around my legs all the time, today she was going off a little ways to check out interesting smells in the grass. She stayed within 6 feet of me as I canvased the yard doing a poop pick-up. Then I got the pruners and did some tree trimming. While I was focused on that, Luna wandered off. She was way over by the fence, looking out toward the road out front. But she glanced back to be sure I was still where she left me.

When finished I called her. At first I got the tilt-head of confusion. But I started slapping my knees and calling her in a high pitched voice and she came trotting back to me. We walked back to her kennel. I bribed Blade to not scare her, and she went right inside and on through to her bedroom.

Later, while cleaning kennels, I gave Luna a bath. I used a bucket of soapy water and a wash cloth, not a hose, then towel dried her. She did really well with this, even licked my face to let me know she wasn’t mad. She smells better too.

April 12

Luna has made a good deal of progress. She is no longer afraid to come out of her bedroom and is not afraid of other dogs coming up to her kennel to chat. She reacts well to friendly dogs. If one goes aggressive on her she will return the same.

She now responds enthusiastically to the “Come” command, (see video above) galloping all the way across the yard if need be. Just in the past two days Luna has mastered the “sit” command.

Her appetite is also much improved. She generally finishes her bowl of food within 20 minutes of receiving it instead of taking many hours.

April 21

I moved Luna from Apt 3 to Apt 1 yesterday. She took to the move well, no pouting or cursing like Blade did when I tried to move him once. Being in Apt 1 will help to socialize her because it brings her out of the back corner and into the Lime Light kennel. She needed the seclusion at first. But she’s doing much better now. If things get overwhelming, she can always retire to the privacy of her bedroom. And she truly likes having a patch of sunshine to lie in in the afternoons. She never got that in Apt 3.

May 5

Luna has done well in learning her commands and is becoming more social. Not really friendly with anyone but me yet, but at least she is curious – wanting to come out and visit when we have guests who are playing with other dogs.

July 17

We have had a number of guests come through here lately – human and canine – and Luna has reacted to them in mixed fashion. Some she accepts readily, others she is quite fearful of. I’m not sure what determines her reaction as there is no common denominator that I can see.

Oct 5

Luna is still insecure around strangers, but she warms up quickly to those who will persist and allow her to get to know them on her terms. Once she’s comfortable, she is quite affectionate and obedient. She is good at amusing herself with a chew toy, but has not chewed up her bed. She plays well with the other kennel dogs and Blondie Bear but HATES Callie Roo (one of our house dogs. I do not know why, but I suspect Callie stirs the pot with Luna. Callie is known to do that.

Dec 18

One of our Board members, Jennifer, has been coming in weekly to work with Luna. At first, she was skittish but once Jen sat down (to reduce the apparent threat she represented) Luna warmed up to her and quickly became affectionate. Luna’s last name (Luvpitt) is appropriate because she is quite affectionate once she gets comfortable with someone.

I’m going to try various calming agents to see if we can’t get her settled enough to the veterinarian for spaying.

January 2022

In January our resident manager was down with COVID and PMFC Board of Director members (and spouses and friends) came to pitch in and care for the dogs so Doug could heal. This experience proved quite beneficial to Luna as she was exposed to a variety of people repeatedly.

March 2022

A while back we moved Luna to Apartment 4, which is a split unit consisting of a mega-crate indoors and a good outside kennel (tile floor, not dirt). I did this because Luna is best suited to sleeping in a crate. And in fact she loved her new bedroom with a thick blanket folded up to snuggle into. But she did get jealous of Zoey being in her old home and would go over to harass her through the fencing, “Why are you in my house? Get out of MY house! That’s MY house!” then she’d wander off. She’d had her say and was done.

As things evolved, Luna got her old apartment back and seems happy to be “home” again.

April 7, 2022

Luna was spayed today. She did really well. As she recovered, and was still a little drunk on anesthesia, she noticed a tiny newborn goat in the kennel across the hall from her. She kept the staff in stitches watching her try to figure out what kind of puppy that was.

Luna also passed her heart worm test. All results on the 4Dx text were negative. vaccinations are up to date and she’s been microchipped as well.

August 15, 2023

Luna is a lovey, affectionate girl with those she has gotten to know. For most people earning her trust takes only a few minutes if done properly. She plays well with most other dogs but gets skittish with those who get too rough or demanding.

Luna should NOT be given plush toys. She ate one recently. I don’t mean she tears them up I mean she CONSUMED it. That caused a bowel blockage and we almost lost her. But with IV fluids and prayer she moved it through and was fine once again.

She does enjoy having a blanket to sleep on at night, I just pick it up in the morning so it does not become a toy and get torn up (and the scraps eaten).

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