There is a bewildering array of pet food brands, and products within brands, out there to choose from. Products ranging from dry kibble, to canned, to fresh-frozen, to raw meat are available. All have some benefit, all have some risk. How do you decide which of these are best for your lifestyle and your pet’s health? Here are some tips to help you wend your way through the brand maze and select the best products to consider.
#1: The Pet Food Company
Many pet owners don’t trust larger pet food companies, thinking that a large corporation is by nature callous and uncaring. Smaller brands are more closely linked to their customers and likely to make better, safer products. However, statistics tell a different story.
One of the great things about being a dog is our social order. We do not have to guess about who is in charge, we always know. In our pack (home) HairyFace is the pack leader because he provides us with food. That earns him the right to boss us around (he calls it ‘training’) and we comply because there is generally food in it for us. And because we love him, but mostly because of the food.
I am Hairy’s second in command. He calls me his Sergeant at Arms because keeping the pack secure is my primary job. I also mentor the fosters, and make sure the snuggle beds don’t escape (I suppose that too falls under security). It’s not that I’m a vicious dog.
When the Peoples take me out in public, I’m very friendly: encouraging people to scratch my head and pet me. For those who are truly deserving of such an honor I will even flop over and present my belly for a good rubbing. HairyFace calls me “a big moosh-baby”. I’m not sure what that means, but I’m pretty sure it indicates non-violence.
Out there.
Here at home, I am Guardian of the Realm. It is my job to keep my pack safe from horrible threats like murderers, robbers, school buses (they eat children you know: I’ve seen them do it), loud cars, marauding stray cats, garden munching bunny rabbits, and the wind. Here at home, I am … intimidating (eye-brow waggle). And I do it well.
That’s why I was just aghast when I went off to deal with a heinous threat and upon my return I found this:
Would not you agree that this was totally unfair and demeaning? Imagine, sending me off to sleep in Volt’s bed so Volt could take my favorite place. SO unfair.
But, Hairy is the Leader, so … I hear and obey, because I’m a good dog. And I will be wanting dinner this evening (sigh).
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As Marie was leaving for work she used her “good bye” treats to get most of the house dogs into their crates so I could go outside to clean kennels without having to worry about anyone starting trouble or tearing up a dog bed while I was outside.
When I was finished with the kennels and had the outside dogs back in their rooms, I let the inside dogs go outside. They rushed past me as I held the door like a flood or fur and raced around the corner to bark at one of the many vagrant cats who like to walk by, flipping the tips of their vertical tails in arrogance because they know the slavering pack of hounds cannot escape the fence to come after them.
After a bit the cat moved on and the dogs settled down to sniffing the grass and freshening their markings. All except Blaze. I could hear his distinctive hound dog bawl coming from around the house on the back porch. It occurred to me while I was watering the garden that while I do not think Blaze can get over the retaining wall back there, he was making a convincing try of it last night. Maybe I should go bring him around to where I can watch him.
As I walked to the house the barking stopped and as I rounded the corner I expected to see Blaze laying on the porch waiting for me to come open the door for him so he could go inside to lounge around in greater comfort.
But he wasn’t.
In fact he was nowhere to be seen! Just then the baying started up again, but it was just over a rise where the trees take over. “Oh, no! He got over the wall and is chasing that cat!” thought, I; painfully aware that today, of all days for this to happen, is when I’m supposed to deliver Blaze to the rescue van for his long ride out east.
The baying wasn’t moving. Maybe he treed the cat. Maybe I can get to him and bring him back. But first I need to secure the other dogs.
I called them and, to their credit, every one of them came running. Just for good measure I called to Blaze again, but he remained fixedly baying at the cat. I turned to open the door to let the herd in so I could crate them and there, peering through the door glass at me, was BLAZE! He was looking at me as to say, “What? I was sleeping. Why are you yelling for me?”
I was so relieved I gave him a big hug, which really confused him.
But who the flibbiddygibbets is out in the woods sounding just like Blaze? Doesn’t matter I guess, Blaze is here and safe. And … maybe I’m getting too old for this job!
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This is a foster dog diary post about Louis. New information will be added to the end of this post so all info on this dog is kept in one place and in chronological order. If you subscribe for updates, a short note will be sent when updates are posted. If you don’t subscribe, check back periodically to see what’s been added.
Last Updated: Sept 15
Pulled from Newport Animal Control by Steele Away Home – Canine Foster and Rescue. PMFC is fostering.
Base Info:
Arrival date: Sept 7, 2019
Breed: Hound
Sex: Male
Age: Puppy, Young Adult, Mature, Senior
Weight: 39.4 Pounds
Neutered: Yes
General Health: Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor
Temperament: Typical for a hound
Gets Along with Dogs: Yes
Gets Along with Cats: Unknown
Gets Along with People: Yes
Crate Trained: No
Housebroken: No
Departure date: Sept 12, 2019 going to S.A.V.E.
History
Unknown
Progress Summary:
Detailed notes on this foster dog’s progress are posted below the summary.
Dog to Dog Behavior
Relates well to other dogs: Yes
Can eat food/treats near other dogs: No Yes
Dog to People Behavior
Is affectionate: Yes
Is good with:
. Men: Yes
. Women: Yes
. Children: Yes
NOTES:
. Has a scabby spot on lower back which looks to be from chewing or rubbing against kennel fencing.
.
Diet
4health Salmon & Potato recipe kibble
1¼ cup in AM, 1 cup in PM
Progress Updates
In chronological order, newest at the bottom. Some pictures are linked to a more detailed Doggy Tale about that update, click those to open the related story.
Sept 7th
Louis making like a frog
I picked Louis up from Animal Control this morning and took him to Steele Away Home’s medical day for neutering. He crated up and rode well, deciding that making like a splayed frog was hes best way to ride. It worked and he rode there and them home like this without peeing or pooping in his crate.
I’m told he was good while he waited to: no fussing or carrying on in his crate. He seems to not be bothered much by his surgery, and has not been licking at his incision.
Sept 12
Louis left us today, heading to New Jersey to find a forever home through S.A.V.E. He rode well, walked politely to the staging area and crated up without a fuss. He’s a good boy, a handsome boy, and I hope he finds a home again quickly. Safe travels Louis!
Sept 15
ADOPTED!
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Departure date: May 8th, headed directly to her forever home in New York!
History
Picked up as a stray July 31, 2019 and never claimed, Faith is in search of a loving home. After having been at Animal Control for too long, Dr. Sandra Manes DVM pulled her, to be sure she was safe, and asked Piney Mountain to foster her. Faith was overweight and in need of some serenity. We have been addressing both of those issues.
Faith Lou-Ellen’s Progress Summary:
Detailed notes on this foster dog’s progress are posted below the summary.
Dog to Dog Behavior
Relates well to other dogs: She now does well with all dogs. Avoids confrontation.
Can eat food/treats near other dogs: Yes Has done so in her kennel/crate with other dogs just outside. Have not tried free-ranging this yet.
Style of play: Her favorite thing to do while shes out in the play yard is to flip on her back and wiggle-scooch down a hill. Now that she’s losing weight she enjoys running. Bounces around a little with Blondie Bear.
Dog to People Behavior
Is affectionate: Yes
Is good with:
. Men: Yes
. Women: Yes
. Children: Yes
Jumps up on people: Yes – but getting better
Mouths: No
Walks well on a leash: Doing better – working on this. She likes to walk herself! (see Dec 16)
In chronological order, newest at the bottom. Some pictures are linked to a more detailed Doggy Tale about that update, click those to open the related story.
Sept 9
Faith was supposed to be coming here today, a foster dog who was supposed to be leaving on last weeks transport got bumped to next week’s run. So I don’t have a vacancy yet. This should be corrected on Thursday the 12th. Once she’s here I can begin the evaluation and provide more detailed information.
Sept 12
Faith has arrived. She rode well. When I let her out in the play yard she peed, pooped, then rolled on her back and wiggle-scooted all the way down the hill. She’s a hoot!
Due to a sudden change in The Plan a dog that was supposed to have left last week didn’t, and a change to Faith’s recent housing brought Faith here a little early and I do not have an empty kennel for her. But I will in a few hours. So Faith is lounging in a crate until Louis and Sable leave this afternoon. She seems content with that for now, and the whole gang has come by the say, “howdy!”
Sept 13
Yesterday I found blood on the floor of her kennel, and blood on her foot, though she wouldn’t let me have a good look. This morning I found her Benebone chew toy bloodied up. Her gum is bleeding around a tooth, left side, lower jaw, about half way back.
I removed the Benebone and replaced it with a rope toy. I’ve alerted Dr. Sandra, we will see what needs doing next week. This might be why she’s not eating the kibble too. I have some canned food. I’ll try that until she see’s her vet.
Sept 16
I made an appointment with Cedarwood Veterinary Hospital to sedate Faith and have a good look at her teeth – and trim her toenails. Since I removed the Benebone I’ve seen no blood on the floor or in her mouth. She is eating kibble now too, apparently without discomfort.
Sept 18
I took Faith to Cedarwood Veterinary Hospital this morning. I put her in a harness to avoid choking her when she pulled on the leash. She rode well and did well in the reception area.
Faith allowed the good folks at Cedarwood to examine her teeth and gums without being sedated. They found indications that she had scratched her gums (probably with that chew toy) but that had healed. Her teeth and gums are in great shape with only level 2 tartar. She’s also down to around 61 pounds! Yay!
Sept 23
Faith is doing better with the “come” command. She is settled into her kennel and seems to like spending time in her dog house. She lays on her Kuranda dog bed in the afternoons when it gets warm.
Faith & Blondie “play”
Hiding from the hose as I clean neighboring kennel
Being my gardening assistant
Siesta time
Sunning while I clean her room.
Sept 25
Yesterday I bought a couple of Bully Horns for the doggos to chew on. I particularly wanted one for Faith because the Benebones I bought them tend to “fuzz up” and that roughness was scratching her gums and making them bleed. So I took it away and gave her a ropey toy. She would rather have a proper chew toy and has tried to steal Rosco’s through their common wall.
I was hoping to post a video yesterday of how much Faith liked this new chew toy, but, alas, she ignored it all afternoon and evening. But this morning, when I went out to clean kennels, she was doing this:
Oct 4
It’s a brisk 68° this morning and Faith is running all over the place. The nice cool temps help, but so does the fact that she’s lost about 8 pounds since intake.
Oct 11
Since Faith has been here, she has been going out into the yard with Blondie Bear. Faith pretty much ignored Blondie until this past week. One day early in the week I noticed the two of them bouncing around and playing a bit while I cleaned Faith’s kennel. It didn’t last long then, Faith wandered off. A couple of days later they were at it again, and I got my camera out to record their fun. But as soon as I turned my attention to them, Faith’s attitude changed:
As you can see her tail is low and slow,her eyes are round, mouth closed, and she’s licking her lips. All signs of tension. Violence was about to break out. This is not the first time with Faith, she has gone after Major and Callie because they were close to me. This is jealousy driven. Acting this way toward Blondie Bear is new.
I called Faith with a happy, excited voice. Faith broke off from the impeding confrontation and came running over to me. I kept her in her kennel while I finished cleaning.
The next day, everything was back to normal as the girls ignored one another. Faith was happy to lay in the sunshine. The following day they were again playing and seemed to be keeping it civil. So I kept an eye on them, but out of the corner of my eye, not looking directly at them, and I skirted around them as I cleaned the yard. They played for a while, then Faith came to see if her room was done and I had a treat for her. Much better!
Oct 17
It’s been getting chilly at night – and will get chillier in a couple of days – and Faith has short fur and a bare-naked belly. So a couple of mornings I took two old polar fleece blankets out and put them in her dog house after I cleaned her kennel. Faith saw me carrying the blankets and was excited by them. When I let her back in her room she flew right past me and her treat, dove into the dog house, ran a couple of laps inside, then settled in the door, “THANK YOU!”
Poor Faith is accustomed to finer living. She obviously was a house dog, house broken, accustomed to furniture privileges and a lot of attention. But because she needs to be an only dog (she gets jealous with *some* dogs) the rescues we’ve approached won’t take her. She needs to be good with *all* dogs for them to want her. She is not a mean dog and if she were integrated properly into a house with another dog as she bonded with the people it should work out fine. We were not able to do that with her here because we already had FIVE dogs in our little house.
We’ve started bringing Faith inside at night. She and Callie have had issues and one major spat, so I cannot allow Faith to roam the house until we get that issue resolved. But Faith is delighted to be inside, even if it’s just barely inside. And she likes Glen Miller music, she even keeps rhythm with her tail.
Nov 15
Faith has done well in allowing the other dogs to parade past her crate on their way to and from the door to the outside. Weekends are special times for us at PMFC, a time of extra togetherness. Faith has been moved from the laundry room to the main room where she can see and — to a limited extent — participate in these increased activities.
Over the weekend we will experiment with letting Faith out – on a very short leash – to interact with the other dogs. If she does well, it will be a major step in certifying her as “adoptable”.
Nov. 24
This week Faith received another housing upgrade: she moved into a wire crate to allow her to be more “connected” with the other dogs. And by setting up the space heater near her crate we encourage the other dogs to come camp out near her so she gets used to their presence.
Buddy Beagle is fine with her being here as long as she is in her crate, when I take her out to go potty, get a drink, or have some free-play time Buddy has to go outdoors to a kennel or he bays and hollers at her. She pays him no mind, but it annoys me. All the others have adapted to her, and she is mostly tolerant of them. Two incidents of her grousing at the others: one awoke her from a sound sleep and may have been triggered by a dream. The other, Josephine was sniffing at Faith’s hoofie, which had gotten shoved into a corner of her crate. No issues at feeding time, though Blondie and Josie routinely eat right beside Faith’s crate.
Typically Faith paws at her crate door only if she needs to go out to potty or if she needs to get a drink. The rest of the time she lounges peacefully, grateful to be in the house with us.
I want snuggles too!
Today after church, she pawed at the door. I secured the loudmouth dog and closed room doors leaving the way to the backdoor clear, then I let her out of her crate.
But she didn’t trot off to the back door so she could potty. She didn’t scamper around the kitchen island to get a drink. She rushed to where Marie had settled to pet Josephine, Faith wanted snuggles too.
Nov. 30
Faith is getting depressed. Too many grey days, too much time spent in her crate while 5 other dogs get free-run of the house. So this morning I crated everyone but Blondie and Josephine and let Faith out to free-range for a while. She decided all she really wanted was to spend some time in my company. So we snuggled for a while as she got some scritchies. Then she settled in nearby while I took care of some bookkeeping and communications work.
Faith really needs to find a home to call her own. The safest bet would be a home with with no assertive dogs. She does fine with mild-mannered dogs, but reacts badly to dogs who get in her face. Other than that, she is an absolute sweetheart, exceptionally loving, and calm most of the time. She’s also a complete homebody. She likes to lay in the sun when that’s available, but otherwise prefers to be indoors.
Dec 9
Faith injured her right front foot end of last week. Of course, injuries ALWAYS occur right before the weekend while the vet is closed. I took her in this morning for an exam and eval. Currently waiting for a call-back …
Over the weekend, Faith enjoyed some added freedom in the form of free-ranging in the house. She has been doing MUCH better about not getting jealous and possessive of The Peoples attention. She has had weeks of resting in her wire crate, watching how family dynamics are supposed to work, and has decided she’d like to be part of that.
Sharing with Josie
Not begging
After meal scritchies
Snuggles from Marie
The word came: they don’t know WHAT that is. She came home with an antibiotic and I’m to keep her from licking at it, and they’ll recheck in a week. Dr. Sandra suggested putting a baby sock on it — everyone has baby socks laying around — to cushion it when she walks.
Since we never had (human) children we have no grandchildren and no baby socks laying around. So Marie bought some. I doubled a pair (one inside the other) and we managed to get it on her and held loosely in place with medical tape. So far she’s being really good about leaving it alone. When she goes outside in the snow and mud to potty I secure a baggie over her sock while she’s outside. Doggie galoshes. Or Galosh, since it’s just one.
Dec 15
Poor Faith’s foot is still sore. We’ve tried a number of things to cushion it and to keep her from licking at it. The socks worked well until she started licking at the sock, then that would get wet from the saliva. I coned her for a day, but had to relent on that because she practically went catatonic on us.
On the positive side, Faith has been integrating well into our gang. I suppose I should say that our gang is accepting her, since the tensions were coming from Buddy and Callie, not Faith. But Faith would react to those tensions. Faith is no longer reacting, and the grumpy ones have backed off.
So much so that Faith and her nemesis, Callie Roo actually shared a sun puddle today. Partly because there is a shortage of indoor sun puddles, but also because these two have put their rocky history behind them. They once got into a tussle and chewed each other up a little. Callie holds grudges.
Buddy Beagle has finally decided he doesn’t need to scream “INTRUDER INTRUDER” every time she comes in, or goes out, or moves from one room to another. I don’t know what makes that old boy do that, it’s just Buddy’s way.
Dec 16
We’re off to see the veterinarian about her foot again, but Faith says, “I’m a big girl, I can walk myself.”
It appears Faith is going to need surgery to remove that growth from between her foot pads. That’s not good news to her or us. But at least she did get to stretch out on this thick rubber mat. That’s her favorite part of a vet visit … next to the truck ride. She LOVES truck rides.
Dec 19
Faith spend the day at Cedarwood Veterinary Hospital today, where Dr. Courtney Phillips and the support team removed that mass from Faith’s foot. She is home now and resting. Blondie Bear is filling her usual role as nurse.
We used a Kong Cloud e-collar instead of a cone because when we tried a cone to keep her from licking her foot a few days ago she shut down completely, refusing to move at all. She’s doing much better with this … if it is effective in keeping her away from that foot.
The incision needs to be open to the air to promote drying out and healing. We’ll put a boot on her to keep it clean when she goes outside. But otherwise, the Doctor wants the air to be able to get to it.
We took out a Care Credit loan to pay for the surgery and are hoping donors will step up and help us make the payments on the $515.00 charge.
Dec 26
Faith Lou-Ellen is recovering from foot surgery. To keep her from licking I affix a baby sock. THis also cushions her foot as she walks around. To keep that clean and dry when she goes outside I fashion a boot out of a sandwich bag and duct tape.
Dec 29
The histopathology report on Faith’s foot lump came back — benign neoplasm. Doing a happy dance! Neoplasm means “new growth” and most are caused by some abnormal cell reproduction – often cancer. But benign means that even if it is some sort of cancer it is not malignant: not likely to spread.
The final analysis:
COMMENT Histiocytomas are benign neoplasms that often occur in young dogs, although dogs of any age can be affected. Despite incomplete excision, recurrence and regrowth are unlikely.
Good news indeed!
Also, Christine Plouffe of A.R.N.N.E. sent us a proper boot for Faith to wear to protect her foot while outside. Faith thinks it’s hilarious and really enjoys going flump-klomp, flump-klomp, flump-klomp, as she runs around in it. The duct tape and baggie boots I’ve been making make a swish-swish sound that is not nearly so satisfying to her.
Jan 14
Faith Lou-Ellen’s foot is all healed up and the biopsy came back as “Benign, and should nor recurr”. We’re sending out a big “Thank You” to those who contributed to the Faithy’s Foot Fund. A balance due remains, so if you wanted to help before and couldn’t but can now … we’d sure appreciate it.
Faith is again seeking a home. She is the sweetest thing, would love to snuggle with you and discuss her day. She is quite the chatty one, in her cute grumble-speak. She gets along with most dogs, cats, people, but probably not monkeys: monkeys are annoying.
Faith is an older gal but still has plenty of life and vigor in her. She just wants someone to love.
Jan 20
Hanging out with Cheyan
Hanging out with Blondie Bear.
Helping Doug bake dog cookies.
Feb 8
We had a snowy day today. A great opportunity to recline with Marie by the fireplace and just relax.
Feb 17
Buddy and Faith have been getting along fine today. Until they didn’t. There have been a couple of times where Buddy was coming in and Faith wanted to go out and I let them “pass in the night” at the doorway. I also found that Buddy doesn’t yell at her for being loose in the house if he’s not in his crate.
I was feeling really hopeful when they ended up sharing a sunny spot in the den. Faith was on a bed, Buddy was on the carpet. Josephine was at the door wanting in, so I got up to go take care of that. No sooner had I left the room but I heard Buddy issue one sharp bark and Faith came scooting out of the den ran to her room and sat there looking sheepish. I closed her in and went to see about Buddy. He was on the dog bed in the sun looking quite self satisfied. My suspicion is that he bullied her into giving up the sun-bed. So he’s spending some time in his crate too.
March 9
Meal times at Piney Mountain Foster Care are an adventure: some dogs get this kibble some get that kibble, some get stew, some get canned food, some get a combination of these, some get additives like glucosamine, or fish oil, or liver powder, or medications. Often, every bowl is different. Faith Lou-Ellen Snugglebug gets straight kibble. But she smells the other yummy stuff and if I place a bowl of plain kibble in front of her she gives me this look:
But … there’s nothing special in MY bowl.
So I always have to remember to give her a dab of something tasty even though she doesn’t need it. Just because she is SUCH a sweetie. And this sweetie really needs a home to call her own. Won’t anyone adopt Faithy?
March 20
I’ve been crating Callie and letting Faith out to wander the house while I’m inside to monitor. She’s done really well: challenged no one. Even when Buddy Beagle walks up and grumps at her, “I want that bed, you move.” she DOES! So it’s just Callie she doesn’t get along with, and Callie starts that.
I posted Faith to PetFinder.com. Maybe they can help us find her a home.
April 17
Faith Lou-Ellen Snugglebug has slept in a crate at night since she became a house dog. She has been earning Good Dog points and has earned the right to roam freely during the day, so she can pick any of the available dog beds to rest in during the day.
Sometimes she still chooses to rest in her crate, with the door open, especially if I’m in the kitchen cooking.
Then Faithy decided to start calling me to let her out 2, 3, sometimes 4 times during the night, claiming a need to go outside. But it became clear, when it was chilly or raining out, that her need was not to go use the yard, but just to get out of her crate. So I decided to expand her bedroom at night, giving her access to the living room and the snuggle beds in there. But I warned her that if I caught her on the sofa, it was back to the crate for her. She has complied with that edict, so she remained able to call the living room hers at night. Until last night.
Faithy Lou spent the evening snoozing on a bed in the den with Phoenix. Time for bed rolled around and I began running dogs outside for their bedtime potty run. Faith declined. She had been out recently and I know from experience that if she does not need to go, she will just stand on the porch staring at the door, then expect a treat when she comes in because she WAS outside. So I encouraged her to move to the living room so I could erect her barrier to keep Callie from causing trouble in the night. Probably unnecessary because once Callie goes to sleep she is usually out for the night and won’t move again until morning. Usually, but not always. So I barricade for safety.
But Faith was comfy where she was and began “mooing” at me in her funny grumble-speak that she wanted to have a sleep-over with Phoenix. Phoenix said she would enjoy the company too. So I dispensed bed-time cookies, tucked Faith in, barricaded the den door, and went to bed.
The night was quiet, no interruptions to my sleep. At least not by canines, my bladder woke me once. And I checked on everyone. Everyone was fine.
After breakfast Faith and Pheenie went back to their positions and even when Blondie Bear brought her stick-treat in the den to eat it, Faith didn’t budge. She’s a good girl, and becoming more of an accomplished house dog all the time.
April 22
When Faith Lou-Ellen first arrived here she was accustomed to being the only dog and was jealous of any other dog getting attention. She was demanding when she wanted something another dog had – like a bed or toy. This led to several confrontations, a couple of them bloody.
But she has since learned to get along well with everyone except Callie. Callie hold grudges. But any animosity between them is entirely on Callie.
Here is an example: Faithy has become accustomed to hanging out in the den with some of the other dogs when I’m in there working. She is particularly fond of the bed closest to my book case. Today she walked in and found Buddy sacked out on her favorite bed and all the other beds taken. But rather than make a stink, she accepted what was left: a completely sub-standard resting place, but at least she’s in here with the rest of us. She could have gone into the bedroom and had her choice of cushy beds, but she’d be alone. Sometimes, she’s fine with that. Today she wanted company and was willing to compromise to get it. Good Girl!
May 1
A few weeks ago a family who has adopted one of our dogs before (also a boxer) said they would like to adopt Faith as a companion and playmate to him. But travel restrictions in their state have blocked that happening until now. So I have scheduled an appointment for a health certification so Faith can travel interstate and we hope to have her on her way next Friday, May 8th.
May 11
Faith Lou-Ellen’s health certification and transport went off without a hitch, and she is settling in with her new family. Faith’s Mom has been keeping in touch, supplying photos and descriptions.
Faith is stand-offish at first.
Their other dog, Julian, is (as I expected) being just wonderful with Faith. She was a little touchy at first about his curiosity (and sniffing) but he gave her some space and they are now friends and companions. Not really playmates yet, Faith has never been much into play. She’s a cuddle baby.
Julian has always been “Daddy’s Boy” and Faith is showing a preference for the Mom, who loves Faith too. Faith wants to be with Mom, who is working from home, all the time but is uneasy with the flight of stairs she must scale to get to the upper level. Faith always did fine with the 4 steps on our back porch, but a whole flight of stairs is probably daunting to a stumpy legged gal. Losing a few more pounds would probably help. I’m sure she will get past that inhibition.
But she has no trouble getting up on their sofa! Faith DOES love sofa snoozing!
The family also have a couple of teen-aged younguns to help entertain and care for Faith so she should have no lack of companionship.
It’s been a long road for Miss Faithy, but she’s finally home.
May 19
Faith and Julian have become great friends. Their Mom posted a video of Faith taking Julian for a walk: she has the leash in her teeth (as she is accustomed to doing with her own leash) and is leading Jules all over the place, and he seems pleased as punch to play along with this game. What a great pair they make!
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Jasper has been with us for a week now. He came to us from the local animal shelter because he had been returned to them from a rescue because his bad behavior was deemed “unmanageable”. I was told this meant that he is extremely energetic, jumps on people and cannot be dissuaded from this. This is bad behavior in a small dog. In one that is around 70 pounds it can prove terrifying to an unsuspecting recipient of such affection. And he does mean it as affection or play.
Jasper doesn’t look like a terrorist does he?
This description immediately popped a couple of presupposition flags in my mind:
1) It seems this behavior is often the result of a family adopting a puppy but making no attempt to train it. While it’s an adorable ball of fluff, jumping up on your legs eager for attention is cute. When it becomes a 30 pound dog, it’s less endearing. When it’s 50 or more pounds, the poor dog ends up at the local shelter because it’s a major nuisance and “they can’t do anything with it”. So of course this bad behavior is the dog’s fault. The truth is that no one took the effort to teach it good behavior.
I started Monday morning by loading up the truck with all the stuff I was going to need that morning, for I had an unusually busy day of running around ahead of me. Once that was done I did a quickie-clean-up of the kennels. I planned to do a thorough cleaning later in the day when I did not need to be watching the clock. I needed to be at Animal Control, with Martin, at 10:00 and time does tend to slip by when I take my eyes of the clock. So I took care of several short chores and watched that clock to be sure I got all the dogs who were not going with me secured, and Martin loaded in time for me to roll out with enough travel time to get there at (or before) the designated time.
When Martin and I arrived (just a few minutes early), Roxy was waiting on us and she had brought a leash. Early AND prepared, I like that! We finished up the adoption and Roxy took Martin (now renamed Guinness) home with her.
Before I left, Lisa (Animal Control’s manager) asked me to look at a dog with her. Tucked away in the back room and huddled against the back wall trembling like a leaf was a smallish dog who clearly was at least part Blue Heeler, but beyond that we could not tell anything: size, weight, age, even sex, because of the way he (as it turned out) was all hunched up. He was terrified.
When the staff arrived that morning, Chip (Newport’s Animal Control Officer) came in the back door and found a crate that someone had left during the night. The crate contained this guy and a cat. They got him into one of the kill cages, but could not get close or handle him at all. We both agreed that he was not going to do well there. I said I’d have to talk to Marie before I could take him home – and I’d need to go get a crate anyway. And I went on.
I delivered a display full of dog cookies to Kathy’s Grooming Parlor. Our rescue uses her a lot and she always does a great job and treats us well. She came to the Quilts & Canines thing on Saturday and wanted a display for her place to help Steele Away Home. So I delivered that, we discussed terms. Then I went on.
I stopped at the bank to exchange a bag of small bills and quarters for big bills. The drive-through teller, Pam, is a long-time friend and helps us at the Q&C events. We chatted until another car pulled up behind me, then I rolled on.
I went down the road a bit farther and up the big hill to Linda’s house. She’s Steele Away Home’s treasurer, and I needed to hand off the people food sales money Marie, Pam and I took in from Quilts & Canines. I would have given it to her after the show, but they left before we did.
From there I went out to Cedarwood Veterinary to deliver Roxy’s and Martin’s paperwork and microchip (with injector), and to make payments on Steele Away’s vet bill with funds I’d raised that week. $92.00: not bad, but not near as good as we did at last year’s Quilts & Canines.
Then home to e-mail Marie. I explained the situation and she said, “Go get that poor dog!” I needed to check with her because we are, technically, over capacity already and she is concerned that I’m working myself too hard as it is. But … Blue is not going to do well at all there and I’m sure Steele Away Home has no vacancies since we are just two weeks before a transport.
So I loaded a transport box in the truck and went back. The process of gaining enough of the little fella’s trust to let me maneuver him into the transport box took quite a while. But once done, we loaded him up and I took him home.
Piney Mountain worked it’s blessedness on him, and he started settling down within minutes of arrival.
Resting after his walk
After some decompression time, I took him out for a leash walk, but ended up having to carry him back. He’s a bit opinionated about where he wanted to go.
He was infested with fleas, so I gave him a Capstar in cat food. Cat food is my secret weapon against stubborn dogs who will not take a pill hidden in peanut butter, cheese, hot dog, lunch meat … and I tried all of those. He refused them all. But Mom had some tins of cat food her cats now refuse to eat and gave me one of those to try.
He also stunk to high heaven, so later in the day I brought him in and Marie and I bathed him in the kitchen sink. He did NOT like that, but neither did he get nasty about it.
But even through all that he still had live fleas on him. So I took him back outside to let that Capstar continue to work. He seemed happier outside in a kennel than inside in a crate anyway … until about 1:30 AM. Then he started in on a high-pitched howl that sounded like banshees. That got all the house dogs barking. I decided to check on him and decide whether I would bring him inside or crate him in the shop to muffle the noise. It had to be bothering our neighbors.
As I entered his kennel he jumped up and danced on my legs, “I’m so, so happy to see you! I thought you abandoned me too!” Okay, you’re lonely. Bringing you in should fix the problem.
So we settled in the living room. Lil Blue in his crate, me on the sofa with my Kindle, which I later traded for my lap top because I was not able to get back to sleep, so I might as well get some work done. This was partly because he was restless too. About 4:00 AM he finally settled and went into a sound sleep. But that is when I need to be up and starting my day.
And that was the Monday Lil Blue arrived at Piney Mountain. I got quite a lot done “out there” but precious little done here at home. I never did get to a deep cleaning of the kennels, just a pick-up and hose out a few times. Today, Blue and I will continue to get acquainted and I’ll try to get him to walk with me on a leash so I don’t have to carry him all the time. Not that that’s a big deal, he only weighs about 25 pounds. But it would be better for both of us if we got that worked out. That’s one of the necessary skills he’ll need to be considered for adoption. Eventually he needs to come when I call so I can let him run freely in the yard. But I have to go gently with him, he’s been hurt enough already.
This is a foster dog diary post about Martin. New information will be added to the end of this post so all info on this dog is kept in one place and in chronological order. If you subscribe for updates, a short note will be sent when updates are posted. If you don’t subscribe, check back periodically to see what’s been added.
Last Updated: Dec. 24, 2019
This sweet, affectionate little fellow looks like a puppy, but he’s not. He is almost 2 years old, thus fully grown, and a really good boy.
Base Info:
Arrival date: Aug. 23
Breed: Golden Retriever / Black Lab / Husky
Sex: Male
Age: Puppy, Young Adult, Mature, Senior
Weight: 47 Pounds
Spay/Neutered: Sept 4th, 2019
General Health: Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor
Temperament: Gentle, sweet, well-behaved.
Gets Along with Dogs: Yes, loves to play.
Gets Along with Cats: Yes. If they run, he will chase. If they confront him, he backs down.
Gets Along with People: Yes
Gets Along with Children: Yes, he loves kids.
Housebroken/Crate Trained: Yes.
Departure date:August 26thOctober 21, 2019 November 8, 2019
History
This precious boy was removed from an abusive environment, along with several other dogs. He was living in a small pen on someone’s porch. But you would not know it by his behavior, he is as loving and eager to please and any dog from a perfect home. Martin was adopted, and well loved, but had to be returned due to no fault of his own.
Progress Summary:
Detailed notes on this foster dog’s progress are posted below the summary.
Dog to Dog Behavior
Relates well to other dogs: Yes
Can eat food/treats near other dogs Yes
Dog to People Behavior
Is affectionate: Yes (gives great hugs)
Is good with:
. Men: Yes
. Women: Yes
. Children: Yes
Jumps up on people: Not really, gives gentle hugs
Mouths: No
Walks well on a leash: Yes
House Dog Training
Willingly enters his crate: Yes
Is calm/quiet while in crate: Yes
Understands going outside to potty: Yes
Alerts me of need to go outside: Yes
Is destructive of bedding and/or toys: No
Refrains from kitchen counter cruising: No
Stays off people furniture: Mostly We allow him on the people bed, not on the living room furniture.
Commands:
Comes when called: Yes
Sits on command: Yes
Down / Off: Yes
Shake / Paw: Yes
Crates on command: Yes (with bribe)
Medical
DA2PP: 08/21/2019 (NAC)
. 10/28/2019 (PMFC)
Bordatella: 08/21/2019 (NAC)
. 10/28/2019 (PMFC)
Wormed:
. 10/26 – 10/28/2019, Fendbendazole, 10 ml
Heartworm preventative:
. 10/18/2019, Ivermectin/Glycerine, 0.5 ml
Progress Updates
In chronological order, newest at the bottom.
Aug 26
We only had the privilege of fostering this sweet boy for a weekend. We “borrowed” him from Newport Animal Control because we knew he was gentle, calm, and affectionate, as well as being a really good looking dog. The Quilts & Canines event was coming up and we figured that would be a great venue to help this boy find a forever home.
I picked him up on Friday and took him to our favorite groomer: Kathy’s Grooming Parlor in Newport. She brushed all the under fur out and bathed him. He came out looking and smelling so much better. He came home and spent the night with us. and we took him to the show on Saturday.
We put him in a portable kennel in front of our booth. It had a roof to keep the rain and or sun off of him. Many people came over to visit with him. Almost all commented on what a well behaved boy he is. Several said they’d adopt him in a heartbeat if it wasn’t for (something).
Someone we are familiar with who was also a “vendor” at the show, came to visit him several times. Finally she said that she just loved this boy and would adopt him in a minute, but can’t afford the adoption fee right now. Another near-by “vendor”, Cathy, overheard this conversation. A little while after Ms. R left, Cathy came and asked if she could take Martin for a walk. We know Cathy well and were confident in her ability to manage Martin.
They walked around the perimeter of the show and ended up at Ms. R’s tent. There they stood and talked for a while. Then they called me over. We discussed several things including what was involved in an adoption and what the adoption fee covers. It’s really quite a bargain, there is no “profit” involved for either Animal Control or the Veterinarian.
Then Cathy said, “If I pay the adoption fee and a couple months of food, would you adopt Martin and give him a good home?”
Ms. R said, “Yes, I’d be happy too” and just then, Martin stood up and hugged her! We were all near tears at that point.
I filled out the adoption paperwork with Ms. R and we agreed on a time to meet at Animal Control so they could finalize things and schedule Martin’s surgery.
That appointment went off without a hitch this morning, and Ms. R took her new family member home with her.
Oct. 18
But it seems the fencing Ms. R has around her yard is not high enough to keep Martin in her yard and she’s afraid he’s going to get hurt by running loose. So, with a broken heart, she returned Martin. We will begin looking for another home for this sweet boy.
Later that afternoon …
It has been an afternoon of whirlwind communications. The connections that were made here are multi-faceted and difficult to explain, but there was a lady, Martha, who stopped by to visit with Martin several times while we had him at Quilts and Canines. She was thinking about adopting him but wasn’t sure she and her husband were ready for another: their last dog had died of old age not long ago. By the time she decided she did want to do this, Martin had already been adopted by Ms.R. Martha was disappointed, but thought, “If that wasn’t Gods plan for them …”
Today I put the word out that he was available again and it worked it’s way quickly back to Martha. Martha called me. We discussed things. I liked what I heard, she liked what she heard. We have a meet & greet between Martin and Martha and her husband scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. We are excited and hopeful.
Oct 19
Martin came in after he had dinner to join our gang for Friday Sci-Fi night. The dogs all got chewies while Marie and I ate dinner. When the dishes and tray tables were cleared away Martin came out to cuddle with Marie in front of the fire.
Teach me how to Facebook, Doug!
At bed time Martin went back to his crate and did fine while we were milling around getting ready. When we settled and the lights went out Martin got lonely and fussy, so I went to sleep on the sofa to be near him. That made him happy and he slept through the night.
This morning he got up and went outside to pee with the other house dogs, then Martin and I went to the den to kill time on the computer. Martin wanted to help.
I took Martin outside and he played with Blondie Bear while I cleaned kennels. He was ZOOMING around and having just the BEST time! That wore him out and when we went inside I trimmed his toenails, wiped the dust and dirt off of him with a damp cloth, then brushed him out. He gave me no trouble at all with any of this. He is SUCH a good boy! He’s resting in his crate with a hoofie until it’s time to go meet his potential new family.
Martin says, “Yeah, I’d like living here.”
The meet-n-greet went well. They loved Martin, Martin enjoyed running around in their large fenced back yard, which includes a large gazebo with a BED in it! A large house with lots of rooms to explore, and he was perfectly well-behaved — well, except for eating a bowl of cat food. But no one held that against him since it WAS on the floor. He liked both Martha and Dick, and wanted to meet their cats, but the cats were hiding.
“I need a snuggle.”
Martin came back home with us for the weekend to give his new family time to prepare for him to move in. We will do the paperwork and make it all official on Monday. Dick and Martha have a history of taking in unwanted dogs and keeping them until they pass on of old age. They have no dogs at the moment, their last one having been euthanized to end her pain after having been with them for 16 years. They said they weren’t going to get any more dogs. But then Martha met Martin … well, one more.
Oct 21
We all met at Newport Animal Control so the management there could fill out the paperwork and make the adoption legal. Then Martin went home with Mommy and Daddy who are having a tough time remembering to refer to martin as he or him because their past several dogs (all long term pets) were female and that pattern is ingrained. Martin says, “I don’t care, as long as you love me.”
Oct 25
We are 0 for2 with Martin, and the reason for the return this time is even more sad than his losing another home.
Martins new dog Daddy is the one who stays home with Martin during the days. Mom works most weekdays. It seems having a bouncy 50 pound dog around has brought home to them just how bad Dad’s health issues are. Martha told me, “I don’t know which is worse, losing Martin or realizing that my husband is so sick.”
Martin even came to an understanding with their cats.
My heart goes out to them, this is really hard for them both.
Martin is back here with us, and we think we have a solution for him. I’m waiting on a return message, then we’ll know.
UPDATE: Animal Rescue Network of New England has accepted him and has made reservations on a rescue transport that rolls through here Friday, November 8th. He needs a couple of tests done and a Health Certification before he can travel across state lines, but three times should be the charm for this charming boy.
Nov. 1
Martins Health Certification went well yesterday. He is healthy over all, free of heartworms and free of intestinal parasites. So he is cleared for interstate travel next weekend. He likes playing outdoors in this chilly weather, he should do well in New England. He’s also quite entertaining at meal times. We enjoy dinner and a show with him around.
Nov 2
We have a ‘No Dogs On the People Furniture’ rule in our house. Guess who feels he’s above the rules?
Nov. 8
This morning we were admiring Martin’s wonderful feet. When we were done he said, “OK, I let you see my feet, now you owe me a belly rub.”
On the way to meet Martins ride to New Hampshire, Martin decided he liked looking out my window best. Once we met up with the PETS Transport, Martin was eager to ride in the BIG truck. At one point he was standing on his hinders with his fore-paws up on the ladder trying his best to get up there by himself like the driver had. He could not quite manage that so I lifted him up there once the driver had Martin’s roomette set up for him with the blanket and hoofie we brought along.
Safe travels, dear Martin!
Dec 24
Martin, has been traveling the East Coast with his foster-to-adopt family. That family has decided they officially LOVE this boy and officially adopted him today. They’re calling him Duncan. Martin says, “That’s okay as long as I get to sleep on the bed.”
The young man in the photo is a home-schooled teen who is his best friend. He takes him for walks several times a day and rides his bike with Martin running alongside. He spends a lot of time with Martin.
This is another example of shelters, fosters, and rescues working together to save canine lives and improve human lives.
A tip of the hat to City of Newport Animal Control for pulling him out of a bad situation, and Animal Rescue Network of New England for finding him the perfect forever home. Merry Christmas, Martin!
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This is a foster dog diary post about Lil Blue. New information will be added to the end of this post so all info on this dog is kept in one place and in chronological order. If you subscribe for updates, a short note will be sent when updates are posted. If you don’t subscribe, check back periodically to see what’s been added.
Last Updated: Oct. 12, 2019
Lil Blue had been dumped in a crate outside Animal Control during the weekend. The Manager asked me to look at him. He was scared to death and not doing well. Clearly he could not stay there.
Detailed notes on this foster dog’s progress are posted below the summary.
For a listing of Doggy Tails that include Lil Blue [click here].
Dog to Dog Behavior
Relates well to other dogs: Yes
Can eat food/treats near other dogs: Yes
Dog to People Behavior
Is affectionate: Yes
Is good with:
. Men: Yes
. Women: Yes
. Children: Unknown Probably fine with older kids, may be too energetic for toddlers. In either case, keep his nails trimmed, they get cat-like sharp.
Jumps up on people: Sometimes, but doing better
Mouths: No
Walks well on a leash: Yes
House Dog Training
Willingly enters his crate: Yes
Is calm/quiet while in crate: Yes Unless he needs to go out or is lonely/scared.
Understands going outside to potty: Yes
Alerts me of need to go outside: Yes
Is destructive of bedding and/or toys: No
Refrains from kitchen counter cruising: Yes
. He can’t reach them (lol)
Stays off people furniture: No, but he knows its bad behavior. Likes to test that boundary.
Commands:
Comes when called: Yes
Sits on command: No
Down / Off: Yes
Shake / Paw: No
Kennels on command: Yes
Lil Blue’s Medical
DA2PP: Aug 28, 2019 (PMFC)
Bordatella: Aug 28, 2019 (PMFC)
Wormed: Dates | Product | Dose | By
. Aug 28-30 | Fendbendazole | 5 ml | PMFC
Rabies: Sept 7, 2019 (Claws and Paws)
Spay/Neuter: Sept 7, 2019 (Claws and Paws)
Heartworm Test: Sept 7, 2019, NEGATIVE (Claws and Paws)
Flea/Tick preventative:
. Aug 26, Capstar, 25+ lbs
. Aug 27, Fipronil, 23 – 44 lbs
. Sept 26, TevraPet-Activate-II, 0.8 ml
Notes:
. Infested with fleas at intake and has missing fur and irritated skin along his back. Using Chlorhexadine to prevent infection in the raw spots. Treated him for fleas (see above). I do not think this is mange.
. The vets who neutered him made no mention of skin disease, confirming my diagnosis above. His fur is growing back in too. He’s still itchy, seems to have dry skin.
Diet
Lil Blue is drinking water now so I’ve switched him to a dry diet: 3/4 cup 4heath Salmon & Potato formula twice a day.
Progress Updates
In chronological order, newest at the bottom.
Aug 26
I finished my morning deliveries and went home to e-mail Marie about Blue and the situation he was in. I asked her if I could exceed our limit (again) for this pitiful fella (though we didn’t know what sex he was at the time because he was hunched up against a wall in the back, trembling like a leaf). Marie said, “Go get that poor dog!” So I did. Shades of Josephine’s story. It took a while to earn his trust enough to guide him into a transport box to take him home.
Once I got him back here I let him borrow Blaze’s kennel while I cleaned out the transport box (he got scared during the trip and messed it up) and got things ready to bring him inside. He started calming down as soon as he got here.
Out walking
Do I see Corgi here?
Resting after his walk
I want him to take a Capstar to be sure we aren’t bringing fleas into the house. He won’t eat anything I tried hiding it in (yet). Even lunch meat. Mom gave me some cat food when I took her the mail: that was my secret weapon when I worked at the Jeff County shelter. I’ll try that. If it works I can bring him inside to his room where I can continue working to calm him. He seems like a sweet little boy!
(UPDATE: The cat food worked! He snarfed it down he needs a while for the Capstar to work, then I’ll bring him in and settle him in his crate.
Aug 27
Blue is coming out of his shell today. On our morning walk he had his head up and a spring in his step. There were a couple of times when I said, “Come on lil guy” and he actually followed me. There is hope!
I also looked up some personality traits for Blue Heelers since I don’t know many details about them. The Daily Puppy offered this:
Behavior with Other Animals
As natural herders, these pups try to herd other animals. They can be dominant toward other dogs in herding attempts, although early socialization can mitigate this. Blue heelers also nip the animals they’re herding, again due to instinct. They’re not trying to be mean. For this reason, blue heelers aren’t recommended around cats unless they have been raised with cats from puppyhood.
Behavior with People
In general, blue heelers enjoy a tight family bond, although they will test owners for dominance. If you can assert yourself as the alpha of the pack, your blue heeler will come to respect you. If you’re not willing to consistently take a pack leader stance, you may find the blue heeler temperament and energy level too much to handle. These dogs tend to be suspicious and watchful of strangers. Coupled with their family loyalty, this makes them excellent guard dogs.
He was dumped WITH a cat, so I suspect he’s been raised around cats and is okay with them.
“What? I’m just looking out the window.”
As of Sept 8 I have not seen him trying to herd the other dogs. He likes to run with them, but is mindful of the size difference.
I HAVE seen the heeler dominance testing behavior, especially in regard to our rule of “no dogs on the sofa and people bed”. I am firm but gentle in enforcing the rules and he is slowly accepting my assertion of being alpha.
Aug 29
Oddly enough, Lil Blue is forming a close friendship with Blaze. Our littlest dog chooses to buddy up with our biggest dog? Who’d have thought it? He’s showing more of his true personality too. There is separation anxiety, but that will settle out as he becomes confident he’s not being dumped again. He is good in his crate, and he does let me know when he needs to go outside.
Aug. 30
Happy to be rid of the leash.
Lil Blue has learned to come when called, so I can safely let him out to free-range in the yard. I still go out with him to watch over him (from a distance), but he may go where he wants. He wanders, but he keeps me in sight.
He also gets to free-range inside most of the time. He has been good about letting me know he needs to go outside by scratching on the door.
A little while ago Lil Blue was wandering the room while I worked at my desk. He was being good, just checking things out. Then he came to me, stood up on his hinders and started bouncing his front feet on my leg. That’s new. “What is it little guy, what do you want?”
He hopped down, ran to his room (crate) and stared inside. I looked closely and saw Buddy Beagle curled up in a ball in there. “He’s in my room! Make him get out, it’s MY room.”
I extracted Buddy Beagle. Lil Blue rushed in and took inventory then settled in saying, with a little pout, “It’s MY room!”
Sept 1
Lil Blue has successfully slept through the night twice now. Last night I moved his crate into the bedroom so I could sleep in the bed again. It was a bit snug squeezing his crate in there, since we already have wall-to-wall dogs at night, and Blue had his own idea of a solution, but it worked out.
I took him out for a walk at 9:00 PM, he did his thing, went right back in and settled in his “room”. He slept all the way through to 6:30 AM. I got up to let Buddy Beagle out once and a couple of times to tend to my own needs and Blue didn’t fuss or demand to come along. We went to church this morning and he was okay with that. I think we’ve worked him through his separation anxiety.
Sept. 2
Lil Blue had quite an adventure today. We started by my baking up a bunch of dog treats, most of which I will be delivering tomorrow. Blue is eager for the samples.
Then Blue and I loaded up for a truck ride. Lil Blue was not happy about this, I think he was afraid I too was going to dump him somewhere. I tried to assure him this was nothing like that.
He liked riding in the cart at Tractor Supply Co. while I gathered our monthly supplies. He also liked getting petted and fawned over by a store associate and a customer. One gal said, “You are SO adorable, if I didn’t have 6 dogs and a husband who says, ‘no more dogs’ I’d adopt you in a heart beat.”
The gal at the checkout offered him treats, but he refused them. He knew I had peanut butter treats in my pocket, he wanted one of those.
The ride back home was calmer, I think he figured out that we were on an adventure, not a dastardly deed. When we got home I let him run in the yard while I unloaded and stacked our monthly supply of kibble.
When we went inside, I removed his walking harness and he went to tell his tale to Blondie Bear. She was a touch envious, she loves going to TSC, but she said she was glad he’d had a good time.
Sept 7
Lil Blue was neutered today. When we picked him up from surgery he was happy to see us and bouncy. When his pain meds wore off, he began to walk stiffly and held his ears down flat on his head. He did eat his dinner, leash walked with me several times to do his business, and he slept through the night. He has not been licking at his incision. If he’s still in pain in the morning I’ll get him some baby aspirin.
Sept 8
This morning I had to put Lil Blue in a cone to keep him from licking his neuter incision. He did not like that. He asked me to take it off. I did not.
We went outside after breakfast and Blue just sat in the grass facing away from me, refusing to “do” anything, refusing to acknowledge me when I called him. SO I went inside. Pretty soon he was at the back door with Callie and Jojo wanting back in. But he was still mad at me, I could tell.
So we crated most of the dogs and went to church.
When we got back Blue was so happy to see us he forgot, for a little while, that he was mad at me. We went outside again and Blue was not giving me the cold shoulder but wasn’t being affectionate either. He does get around really well with that cone though.
At dinner time I let Blue Free-range eat with the others. He did extremely well.
Where is Buddy, you ask? Buddy is in his crate eating. Buddy is a pig-dog and cannot be trusted around food. Blondie, Callie, Josie, and Blue mind their own bowls and only their own bowls. They’re good dogs.
And this evening his ears are back on top of his head. He’s feeling perky again and has forgiven me — though he’d still like me to take off the cone.
Sorry, Lil guy, I really am. Not yet. But I’ll buy you a donut in the morning, that will be easier to handle.
He’s done an amazing job of adapting. Blue is a bright and resilient little fellow.
Sept 11
Lil Blue is doing well with his surgical recovery. We bought him a donut collar to replace the cone, and he likes that much better. Not that he had any real trouble with the cone. Unlike most, Blue acclimated to the thing really quickly. This is due in part to the fact he does not walk around with his nose to the ground — which turns the cone into a dozer blade — but also to the fact that he has an unusually heightened sense of spacial proximity. He rarely ran the cone into things.
Lil Blue is now a regular member of the Breakfast Club (and the dinner club), able to eat in close proximity to all the other free-range dogs, and has lost all his anxiety. Until recently he insisted I go out in the yard with him. I didn’t have to be right next to him, but he needed to be able to see me. For the past few days he has been leading the parade around the corner and out into the yard while I stay in the house.
I’m just watching out the window, dad.
Yeah, I caved – he is now allowed on the bed.
After getting his lovins, he sleeps at the foot of the bed.
Guardian of the Realm!
Nap time sentry
I’m ready for bed now.
Lil Blue likes hanging out in his “room”.
Lil Blue thinks he’s a wild dingo dog.
Who? Us? No, we’re not getting rowdy! Really!
“My kitty still loves me” Pouting after his bath.
Sept 28
We took Lil Blue to meet his ride north this morning. We decided to take the Subaru, which is parked out front of our house, instead of the truck, which is always parked over by the kennels. Blue wanted no part of going out the front door, “No, no, you keep telling me not to go out the front.” and he remained skittish until I got him in the car and seated on Marie’s lap. Then he calmed down and rode well.
He got fearful again when I took him out of the car and carried him to the transport van, but once he was in his crate, he settled in, laid down and watched as the other dogs were loaded. He seemed to be doing fine, even as Marie and I disappeared from his sight.
I hope he has a pleasant trip and integrates quickly into his new foster home. I miss him, but wish him well on his journey to finding a forever home.
Sept 29
We heard from Luck 7 Dog Rescue today: Lil Blue arrived safely and is settling into his new foster home well. He is their current Dog of the Week. Judging by his ears, he’s not thrilled with the costuming, but I’m glad he’s being well cared for.
Oct. 12 — ADOPTED!
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I did some toenail trimming on all the dogs yesterday. Trimming a dog’s nails is a necessary part of caring for them. Sharp claws are a hazard to you and your belongings, claws that push down on the floor as they walk can be painful to your dog. For both your sakes, keep them trimmed.
Cochise is always cooperative: he’s a good boy. Blondie did well too. She has gotten to where I ask, “May I have your paw” and she will lift a front paw and present it for trimming. She does expect the treat after each snip or two, but she sits still. Her hind feet are a little trickier (she’s ticklish) but that went well too.
Offering treats during toenail trimming does not work for Volt because he gets so excited by the prospect of food. I waited until Volt was napping, then sidled in with the nippers and said, “Volt … buddy … may I trim these toenails?”
Volt said, “Hmmm? What? Yeah, sure … whatever.”
Volt got several treats when the session was done.
So they’re all trimmed up and looking spiffy. We do this about every two weeks.
Toenail Trimming Treats
To attain even Blondie Bear’s cooperation (she was once terrified of toenail trimming) I make treats by slicing hot dogs into wheels about 1/4″ thick, spreading them on a paper towel so they don’t touch, and microwaving them for 3 minutes (that will vary depending on your microwave). Raw ones work too, but raw hot dog bits go bad quickly (sometimes in just hours). These cooked (dried) bits will keep for days if you want to use them in a training treat pouch. Longer if you store the pouch in the fridge when you’re not using it. I learned this trick from a book about fictional dog trainer Raine Stockton written by Donna Ball.
To start with, sit down and call the dog over. When she complies, give her a treat. Let her sniff the clippers. Give her a treat. Repeat that a couple of times, so she associates the clipper with pleasure. Snip one nail, give a treat. Be firm, but don’t turn it into a wrestling match. Reward her liberally with treats but only when she complies in some way. Bribery (treats before the fact) does not work on dogs: they’re too smart for that.
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There is a bewildering array of pet food brands, and products within brands, out there to choose from. Products ranging from dry kibble, to canned, to fresh-frozen, to raw meat are available. All have some benefit, all have some risk. How do you decide which of these are best for your lifestyle and your pet’s health? Here are some tips to help you wend your way through the brand maze and select the best products to consider.
