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Cheyan Cinnastreak: Notes on a foster dog

Friday the 13th may be unlucky to some, but for Cheyan this was one wonderfully lucky day:
she got sprung from Animal Control, passed her blood tests, and got to meet a couple more Beagles!

Last Updated: Feb 13, 2020

Base Info:

  • Arrival date: Dec. 13, 2019
  • Breed: Beagle
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: Puppy, Young Adult, Mature, Senior
  • Weight: 31.2 Pounds currently
  • Spayed/Neutered: Yes
  • General Health: Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor
  • Temperament: A bit timid, but very sweet and friendly.
  • Departure date: January 17, headed for New Hampshire.

History

Cheyan was an owner surrender.  Her Mom lived in an apartment with no yard, and just let Cheyan run loose.  Neighbors were complaining and calling Animal Control.  When they picked up Cheyan, Mom said, “Just keep her.”  When she came to Animal Control she was terrified: all eyeballs and tremble.  The staff there worked with her and she has calmed down, but was still skittish with strangers.

Cheyan’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: Yes
  • Can eat food/treats near other dogs: Yes
  • Preferred style of play: She likes to run/chase and wrestling.

Dog to People Behavior

  • Is affectionate: Yes
  • Is good with:
    . Men: Is scared of large men, does fine with me.
    . Women: Yes
    . Children: Yes
    . Cats: Yes
  • Jumps up on people: Yes, but is very gentle, seeking petting.  Still, I’m working on that.
  • Mouths: No
  • Walks well on a leash: Yes

House Dog Training

  • Willingly enters her crate: Yes, with a bribe.
  • Is calm/quiet while in crate: Yes.  If left alone she will bark for a bit, but settles down.
  • 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: No
  • Refrains from kitchen counter cruising: No.  She knows it’s bad, but … she’s a beagle.
  • Stays off people furniture: Mostly.

Commands:

  • Comes when called: Usually
  • Sits on command: Yes
  • Down / Off: Yes
  • Shake / Paw: No
  • Kennels on command: Yes

Medical

  • DA2PP: 12/07/2019 (NAC)
    . Booster: 12/21/2019 (PMFC)
  • Bordatella: 12/07/2019 (NAC)
  • Wormed: Dates | Product | Dose | By
    .   12/07/2019 Pyrantel Pamoate 2.0 ml (NAC)
  • Rabies: 12/26/2019 (Cedarwoood)
  • Spay/Neuter: 12/26/2019 (Cedarwoood)
  • Heartworm Test: 12/13/2019, Negative (Cedarwood)
  • Flea/Tick preventative:
    . 12/29/2019, Credelio, 25-50 lbs
  • Heartworm preventative:
    . 12/13/2019, Ivermectin Solution, 0.3 ml
    . 01/13/2020 Heartgard, 26-50 lb
  • NOTES:
    .  She has been underweight because she’s a picky eater.  It is suspected she existed on table scraps before.  21.4 lbs at NAC intake.
    .

Diet

4Health Salmon & Potato recipe, 1¼ cups AM, 1 cup PM.  She is eating this well now.
Loves our peanut butter treats as rewards.

Gallery

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.

FEATURED VIDEO

Progress Updates

Notes on Cheyan’s progress will be entered below: newest on the bottom.

Dec 13

When I first met Cheyan, she was still quite scared: choosing to stay at the back of her kennel and tremble.  Today she did better.  It did not take nearly as long as I thought it might to win her trust enough to fit her into a harness.  I was warned that she’s a runner.  If she gets loose, she will turn into a cinnamon colored streak that is exceptionally hard to catch again.  A harness is more secure, and easier on her neck if she decides to start jerking the leash.  She did not.  In fact she walked well in the harness.

I took her to Cedarwood Veterinary Hospital for her Heartworm test.  While she was with me in the waiting room, she sat calmly between my knees.  When folks came to say “Hi” she responded well to most.  There was one fellow — large side of average for a man — who came in with a cat, stopped to pet Cheyan but she dived under the chairs.  As we were leaving, another large fellow met us outside and, although he was friendly and gentle, Cheyan was terrified of him.   She did not react this way to the women, and she was wary of me at first, but got past that quickly.  I suspect this is because I’m small, for a man, and I got down on the floor with her quickly to ease her tensions.

Cheyan has had a potty run with Buddy Beagle.  They got along famously!  When I went into her kennel to put on her walking harness, she stood up and slipped her head through the neck hole — she really wanted to go for a walk.  Smart girl!

Dec. 23

Cheyan has given me no trouble at all.  She’s a sweet, loving little gal who adores being petted, enjoys playing with other dogs, and runs like the wind.  She’s good at keep-away, too.  Until she will reliably come when called, I keep a “handle” on her during yard play time.  This is a 12 to15 foot length of rope with a piston clip fastened to one end.  I attach this to the collar or harness of dogs in training so I can get hold of them by grabbing or stepping on the rope as they tease me by flashing by, just out of reach.

She walks well on a leash, and looks forward to going inside at night.  She sleeps in a crate, has not torn up her blankets and is quiet once she gets past the initial, “don’t go away” phase right after I leave the room.

Dec 26

I took Cheyan to Cedarwood Veterinary Hospital this morning for her spay surgery.  She rode inside the extended-cab with me and did well.  I’ve set up a crate for her in the house where she will be sleeping until she transports north in January.

After her surgery, Cheyan was in a good deal of pain, but refused to take her Tramadol (for said pain).  Eventually I had to poke it down her throat, which she made more traumatic than it needed to be.

The only thing she has eaten in the last 24 hours got vomited up in the truck on the way home from the veterinarian, so the pain meds hit hard and fast on an empty stomach.  Hopefully she will feel like eating in the morning after a good night’s rest.

Dec 28

Cheyan went over 30 hours without eating or drinking anything.  Everything she consumed, even water, came right back up.  I took her to Cedarwood and Dr. Courtney gave her an IV injection of something to fight the nausea.  That worked.  She finally settled in to sleep and when she awoke was able to keep down a little water.  She wasn’t interested in the food I offered her.  So we tried some shredded mozzarella cheese and bacon bits.  That interested her!  So I rolled out my secret weapon.  Something I keep on hand to use in giving medications to dogs who won’t take pills hidden in cheese, peanut butter, or hot dog: Cat food!  The tins of cat food with small chunks of meat in gravy.  Dogs go nuts for that stuff and its got less salt and fat than cheese and bacon – which is okay as a kick-starter but not a meal.  I gave her half of a can of the canned cat food and she licked the bowl clean!  I left her a small bowl of kibble to nibble on over night, and she has, but don’t want to over-do on her first meal after being empty for so long.

Oh, and she is not as housebroken as I had thought.  So I set up a BIG crate for her to rest in.

Jan 5

Cheyan has recovered well from her surgery.  She is eating regularly and eagerly.  She’s still a bit thin, but not so bony now that she’s been eating.  She does run a lot so she burns up a lot of the calories she takes in.

Cheyan still gets along with everyone.  She is better at the house breaking thing but I have to keep an eye on her.  When she needs to go out she goes to the door.  If I miss that, she will pee on the floor.  She has never left a BM in the house.  As long as I let her out often she’s fine.

She can eat free-range with the other dogs.  And she plays well with everyone.  She is not intimidating to anyone (other than having weaponized her cone (LOL)) but is the only one who can keep up with Bandit.

Jan 14

Cheyan hanging with her friends.

Cheyan & Blondie

Hey, what gives?

Mischief with Buddy

Resting with Callie Roo

Snoozing with Josie

Jan 15

Cheyan has been doing really well in her house-breaking: no accidents in quite a while now, and she has started coming to get me if I don’t see her standing at the door.  She’s also ready to dispense with the crate for sleeping at night.

She pays attention when she gets rowdy in the house and I teller to settle down.  And she is doing much better at going outside and coming back.  Where she would go out and stay out for an hour or more, she now comes back more quickly.  This is good when we’re doing potty runs and another shift needs to go out.

I don’t like letting all 6 dogs go out unsupervised at once — too much chance of one aggravating another, who grumps, which could start an argument, which will turn into a full-on dog fight as everyone piles in.  Not good!  I avoid setting that up.

Jan 18

We sent Cheyan off to A.R.N.N.E. yesterday.  In her last week here she has become quite civilized.

Cheyan developed this as her “nest”. Her favorite bed adorned with her favorite toys arranged so each is in easy reach. Any time I didn’t see her, this is where she would be.

But when the need arose, Cheyan could share her special space with others.

Cheyan rode well on our little road trip to meet her ride North.

We met the transport at a truck stop.

Cheyan’s paperwork was found to be in order and a stateroom assigned for the journey.

Our part in Cheyan’s rescue story has come to an end.  But the rest of her life, a happier life, is about to begin.  Happy tails, Little Miss!

Feb 13

Her adoption is complete and her NH foster mom writes, “Cheyan takes the last step to her forever home tomorrow. Cheyan we’ll miss you and we’ll never forget you. Stay goofy and adorable. Have a wonderful life.”

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Spartacus Beagelus: Notes on a foster dog

This is a foster dog diary post about Spartacus (whom we affectionately refer to as Snoopicus). 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. 10

Spartacus is a small, affectionate full-blooded Beagle.  Initial impressions are good as far as his relating to us and to the other doggos housed here.

Base Info:

  • Arrival date: Nov. 18, 2019
  • Breed: Beagle
  • Sex: Male
  • Age: Puppy, Young Adult, Mature, Senior
  • Weight: 23 Pounds
  • Neutered: Yes
  • General Health: Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor
  • Temperament: Bright, gentle, loves attention.  Extremely clever.
  • Gets Along with: People, Dogs, (Cats unknown)
  • Crate Trained: Yes
  • Housebroken: Yes
  • Departure date: December 6th, 2019, headed for New Hampshire

History

Picked up as a stray by Newport Animal Control on November 5th and not claimed, Spartacus was put up for adoption.  Animal Rescue Network of New England (ARNNE) asked me to foster him for them while he gets neutered, rabies shot, HW test, etc.

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
  • Preferred style of play:  So far he has not engaged the others in play.  Likes to go on patrol with them.

Dog to People Behavior

  • Is affectionate: Yes
  • Is good with:
    . Men: Yes
    . Women: Yes
    . Children: Unknown but expected to be very good with kids.
  • Jumps up on people: Yeeees, but he’s so small and sweet about it he does no damage.
  • Mouths: No
  • Walks well on a leash: Yes

House Dog Training

  • Willingly enters his crate: Yes, with bribe
  • Is calm/quiet while in crate: Most of the time.
  • 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 (couldn’t reach them if he tried)
  • Stays off people furniture: NO

Commands:

  • Comes when called: Depends on what’s in it for him.
  • Sits on command: No
  • Down / Off: Sometimes
  • Shake / Paw: No
  • Kennels on command: Yes

Spartacus’s Medical

  • DA2PP: 11/13/2019 (NAC)
    . Booster: 11/27/2019 (PMFC)
  • Bordatella: 11/13/2019 (NAC)
  • Wormed: Dates | Product | Dose | By
    .  11/13/2019 Pyrantel Pamoate, 2.5cc NAC
  • Rabies: 11/26/2019 (Cedarwood)
  • Neuter: 11/26/2019 (Cedarwood)
  • Heartworm Test: 11/26/2019 , Negative (Cedarwood)
  • Flea/Tick preventative:
    . date, product, dose
  • Heartworm preventative:
    . 11/29/2019, Ivermectin solution, .03 ml
  • NOTES:
    .
    .

Diet

Sparty is a picky eater.  Does not care for cheese, does like peanut butter.
Now eating 4health Salmon & Potato kibble straight, and enjoying it.
3/4 cup AM, 3/4 cup PM
Prefers to drink water out of a stainless steel bowl, does not like plastic containers.
LOVES our Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Gallery

Patrolling for the Red Baron

WOW this is amazing!

My hiney hurts

Part of the gang now

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.

November 19

Spartacus rode home from NAC well.  He sang his song of Beagle Delight all the way.  Introductions to the rest of the Piney Mountain Gang went smoothly.  His only concern during play time is marking everything he sees, but that will start to diminish once we have his nuts nipped.  Sparty likes to snuggle and is gentle about it.

At bed time I took both of the kennel boys inside the bunkhouse to be crated for the night.  Spartacus was okay with that as long as I was in the room with them, but cried when I left.  He settled down eventually and hid crate blanket was clean and dry this morning.

He prefers canned food to kibble.  Meaning that if I give him a dish of kibble he dumps it over and kicks the kibble all around his kennel.  “Okay, okay, I get the message!”  I gave him canned food this morning and he ate that.

Nov. 22

Spartacus has been improving in his behavior: less baying and crying, less jumping up on me to get attention as soon as I enter his kennel as he has been getting frequent doses of attention and play time.  He is quite lovey and stays quiet as long as his people aren’t ignoring him.

He has been allowed to play with Blondie, Callie, and Buddy Beagle.  The two big girls were a passing fancy: he sniffed each of them thoroughly and moved off to engage in the very serious business of marking every tree, bush, and fence post in the yard.  That will decrease after neutering

With Buddy it was different.  Buddy isn’t much bigger than Sparty and he’s a Beagle.  Sparty followed Buddy all around but never really engaged him in play.  Hero worship, maybe.

Spartacus has done okay at keeping his room clean.  He has not torn up his blankets.  The first day he left a poop or two and a puddle in there.  But once he realized he was going to be let out every couple of hours, he stopped that and has kept his room clean.

Sparty is exceptionally sweet, gentle, and an avid snuggler.

Nov. 26

My hiney hurts!

Today Spartacus was neutered, microchipped, got his rabies shot, and examined for Health Certification so he can travel across state lines.  All parasite testing turned out negative.  He came through his surgery well.  He is quite uncomfortable this evening, but he came home with Carprophen so I’ll give him a dose after his potty run.

He will be staying inside the house for at least the next week so I can keep an eye on him.  Then, if he and the house dogs all get along well, he’ll probably just stay in with us until transport on Dec. 6th.

Nov 27th

Sparty and I had kind of a rough night last night.  Neither a cone nor a Kong Cloud in his size is sufficient to keep him from licking at his incision.  So I put a couple of rectangular dog beds together, Marie brought my bed pillow and a blanket and Spartacus and I camped on the den floor.  He was happy to snuggle in beside me and I could tell if he tried to curl up to get at his privates and prevent it.  Right after he got his pain meds we both got a few hours of sleep.  Once those wore off he became fidgety and needed more supervision.

Part of the gang now

In the morning the other dogs accepted his running loose and he made himself at home while Marie fixed the people breakfast and I fed doggos inside and outside.

Spartacus had eaten last night’s dinner earlier in the morning as breakfast.  I gave him just a few more kibbles so  he wouldn’t feel deprived, but he ignored them, eating just the peanut butter clump that hid his morning pill.

I claim this bed in the name of all Beagledom.

When Marie went to the bedroom to get dressed for work, Sparty accompanied her and laid claim to the People bed as his.

Uhhh, no.  I don’t think so, lil feller.  You are cute and all, but that causes issues with the other house dogs.  Let’s just keep things peaceful while you’re here, okay?

Sparty’s in-house behavior has, so far, been excellent.  He has not been baying or crying and he has not challenged the other dogs in any way.

Nov. 29

Nov. 30

We have a “No dogs on the sofa” rule in our house. We have one sofa, one easy chair, and our bed. The dogs have like 12 pieces of dog furniture for their use. We don’t think it’s unreasonable to be able to sit down when we want to. Spartacus has challenged that rule several times. I always lift him down gently and place him on a vacant dog bed explaining, “That’s for the people to sit on.”

Today I entered the living room and found this. I went over to pick him up and move him, but he glared at me around his cone and said, “You never sit on this part. You can still sit on that part. There’s no reason I can’t sit here.”

“Yeah, but … ummm … you can’t just … I mean, it’s not that …”

Hmmm … he had me there. So I left him sitting where he was.

I wonder what law school he’s going to attend when he gets to New Hampshire.

Dec. 3

We removed Sparty’s cone on Sunday.  When I looked at Spartacus’s incision last night it looked fine.  When we got to Cedarwood this morning for his follow-up look-see, part of it had opened up.  Chad cleaned it and glued it shut.  There is no infection yet, but I am to watch it and if it starts showing signs of infection we’re to go back and get some antibiotics that he can take with him.  He’s also in a cone again.
This is my chair now and I will take my meals here from now on.

Yesterday, Having conquered the sofa, Spartacus chose to invade the dining room.

He’s also found some new places to lie in the sun.

Dec. 7

We got to the rendezvous point in Bulls Gap okay Friday night.  Spartacus did not enjoy the ride: squirming and trying to climb onto the dashboard most of the way.  Once we got into I-81, he went in the back and snoozed.

We arrived early because the transport service said we should: in case they were running fast.  They have a phone number we can call to get the expected arrival times at each stop.  That said they were running late by 20 minutes.  So I helped a group of fellas whose car had died and needed a jump start.

10:20 came and went and the phone still said they’d be there at 10:20.

At 10:45 we got a call from Amanda (a name I know because Christine (my contact at ARNNE) mentioned her as being a coordinator for HEARTS LLC) who said she was there at the truck stop to pick up Spartacus so we could go on home.  The transport had suffered a flat tire and were going to be delayed a while.  I told her where we were and what we were driving and she found us.  Marie said, “I think we should check her credentials, she may be some kind of Beagle thief.”

As it turned out, the transport was broken down at the I-80/I-40 split and we were going to go right past it to get home, we could have dropped him off to them there.  I wondered if Amanda always drove out in front of the transport like that, then we remembered that HEARTS are HQ’d in Greenville, so Bulls Gap is just a short ways from there.  It was fortuitous that they had a blow out there and not at Lebanon TN, the other end of the state.

Dec. 8

I got word last night (Saturday) that Spartacus has arrived safely at the quarantine center in NH.  He will spend a couple of days there, then be released to his foster mom while his adoption is processed.  His foster mom and adopter may be the same person.  ARNNE likes doing foster-to-adopt as a trial run before the adoption is formalized.  I like that system too because when it works out it means less stress on the dog by not being passed through another home on his way to the forever home.

I’ll be watching for the adoption photo!

Dec 10

Spartacus is out of quarantine, making himself at home in a short-term foster home, and will be going to his adoptive home later today.  ARNNE says, of his adopters, “He’s going to his adoptive home today in Dracut, MA. His adopters are twin sisters in their late 50s who are retired. They have a fenced yard and an impeccable home.”  He ought to be very happy there!

 

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Low Rider Steele: Notes on a foster dog

Judging by her behavior, this little punkin has had a rough life: She was terrified of the outdoors, afraid of coming out of her crate, and reacted to new people by hunkering down on the floor.

Last updated: Oct. 23, 2018

Base Info:

  • Arrival date: Oct. 2, 2018
  • Breed: Beagle mix
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: Young, Adult, Mature, Senior
  • Weight: @ 40 Pounds
  • Spay/Neutered: Yes
  • General Health: Good
  • Temperament: Timid but friendly
  • Gets Along with Dogs: Yes
  • Gets Along with People: Yes, once she gets to know you.
  • Housebroken/Crate Trained: Crate trained for sure, may be pee-pad trained. At first she didn’t want to go outside, doesn’t know what to do when she got there. She’s learning to like it.
  • Departure date: Oct 12, 2018

History

Low Rider was picked up off the streets of Newport by a good Samaritan who saw her scuttling around, absolutely terrified. This person took her to Animal Control, where she went unclaimed. Steele Away Home pulled her.

Known Issues & Progress

Low Rider is eager for attention and happily wiggles her butt when we approach, but is afraid to go to anyone at first. She was also terrified of outdoors. She would not walk on a leash if a collar was used, but is doing better with a harness. She is already coming out of her shell.

She is overweight, needs a restricted diet to get that under control.

Medical

  • DA2PP: 10/03/2018 (PMFC)
  • Bordatella: 10/03/2018 (PMFC)
  • Wormed: Oct 4, 5, & 6, Fendbendazole: 8 ml (PMFC)
  • Rabies: Oct 5, 2018 (Paws & Claws)
  • Spay/Neuter: Oct 5, 2018 (Paws & Claws)
  • Flea/Tick preventative: Oct 5, Advantage
  • Heartworm preventative: Oct 6, Nu Heart
  • Heartworm Test: Oct 5, 2018 (Paws & Claws) Negative

Gallery

In roughly chronological order, newest at the bottom. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. Some pictures are linked to Doggy Tales and videos about Low Rider, click those to open the related story or video.

 

Seriously? Don’t you have a harness that fits?

You said “go out in the grass” here is grass.

But I’d rather go back to my room.

Getting loooowwww

Chatting w Callie

Chillin on the porch
.

Meeting the Brotherhood of Beagles
.
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Angel Steele: Notes on a foster dog

Angel transferred here from another foster home because she was not getting over her fears and is badly stressed out which affects her behavior.

Last updated: Feb 10, 2018

Base Info:

  • Date Arrived: January 13, 2018
  • Breed: Beagle/Shepherd mix
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: 8 Months at original admission
  • Weight: approx. 55 pounds
  • Spay/Neutered: Yes
  • General Health: Good
  • Temperament: Good. She’s a blend of active and submissive. I suspect she’d been mistreated when young.
  • Departure: Angel left on Rescue February 16, 2018

History

Set out beside a road outside a campground.

Known Issues & Progress

All I know about her so far is that she has been frightened of people and destructive of household furnishings and personal accessories. I will be working on building trust with her to get her past these issues.

Housebreaking

No major incidents in the Bunkhouse. She has peed on the floor a couple of times but that’s because she needed to “go” and she was stressing over my attempts to get a leash clipped to her collar. Nothing deliberate. As she’s learned my routine she is not stressing over things.

She does well with her crate. She likes to get outside, but is eager to get back to her “room” in the evening: partly because it’s getting chilly . She doe not like cold. She is rough on her bedding, she does well with a good blanket but anything quilted or fiber-filled (like a pillow) is history. She IS still a puppy.

Gets Along With Other Dogs

I was told she got along with other dogs. Observations of her interacting with my dogs (through a fence) and with Mystery (her roomie in the bunkhouse) is that she is benign and submissive.

01/14 This evening Angel and Buddy were in the yard together. She invited him to play and they had a great time chasing one another.

01/17 I took Angel and Mystery out together this morning. I was late, they were desperate, so I took a chance. They took off and chased each other through the snow for about 15 minutes (pausing momentarily now and then to relieve themselves) before they both came, panting and licking the snow, back to the gate to the bunkhouse. We all went in, they each got a big drink of water and went back to their crates for breakfast. Angel demanded a belly rub before she’d go into the crate, but otherwise was cooperative.

See Angel and Aggression video in the gallery below.

People Skills

Angel was, reportedly, frightened of people. She and I are getting along fine. She always seems happy to see me. We’ve had little other people traffic out here lately to test her on.

01/17 As she’s becoming more comfortable here she is coming out of her shell and becoming more rambunctious. She wiggles around so much I have a hard time getting a leash clipped to her collar, and she pulls really hard. I’m shopping for another Walk-Right harness. We have two but they’re both in use.

01/22 Harness arrived. It makes a big difference in walking her. Because she chews things up when bored I take the harness off before crating her.

Miscellaneous

Angel has become quite friendly and eager for attention. A belly rub usually puts her into a blissful stupor!

She is still destructive of bedding because she’s high-strung and gets bored easily (the Shepherd part of her). When weather allows (it IS January) I get her out to run in the yard with another dog as often as possible to wear her out (see Angels Play Day below).

Gallery

In roughly chronological order, newest at the bottom. Click the thumbnails to enlarge. Some pictures are linked to Doggy Tales about Angel, click those to open the related story.

Upon arrival Angel kept her tail tucked and her head ducked.

That tail is up and she’s making friends.

Angel doing her famous Lizard Run

Hugging or wrestling – depends on the intensity!

Happy about yard time

Angel and Aggression
Click for Vid

The next day I let Angel play in the yard with her roomie Mystery:

On a particularly nice day, she got an extended play session.

Resting after a busy play time.

Enjoying a sunny day

Conversation with her friend Callie

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Ricky Steele: Notes On A Foster Dog

Ricky is a sweet boy. A bit shy today, but that’s to be expected. The information below will be updated as Ricky progresses.

Last update: Jan 3, 2018

Base Info:

  • Breed: Beagle/Border Collie
  • Sex: Male
  • Weight: Approx. 30 pounds
  • Spay/Neutered: Yes
  • Age: 7-8 months (as of Nov. 2017)
  • General Health: Good. Up to date on all shots. HW-neg and on a preventative.
  • Temperament: Shy with new people. Skittish with some big dogs. Bouncy and friendly with people he knows.

History

Buddy Beagle: Notes on a foster dog

Buddy BeagleBuddy Beagle, is an 8 year old beagle who was picked up by Animal Control on August 1st 2017. While in their care he was attacked by three large dogs. An eye witness said Buddy didn’t fight back, the others were going to kill him and he was going to let them. That’s how sweet-natured this guy is.

Until recently Buddy looked like something out of a Frankenstein movie: criss-crossed by lines of sutures where Cedarwood Veterinary Hospital’s staff cleaned up his torn flesh and stitched him back together. He had a flap of flesh three-fingers deep hanging off his neck that left is trachea and neck tendons exposed. His rump was torn up just as badly. Cedarwood’s staff was not sure he was going to live; many vets would have just put him down, but they tried … and succeeded!

He’s also had some plastic surgery to deal with granulations and scar tissue. Buddy Beagle has been in intensive care at Cedarwood for a month, but now he is ready to go into rehabilitation and can be moved to a medically aware foster home. That’s where we come in.

Josephine: Notes on a foster failure

Josephine first came to our attention when the Humane Society of Jefferson County posted an urgent plea for rescue or foster of a female beagle mix who was so terrified by the “shelter” environment that she was at risk. My wife, Marie, decided we needed to help this poor thing. After some communication through Facebook, we drove out to pick her up for fostering.

Age: Approximately 9 months (as of May 2017).

History: Picked up as a stray by Animal Control in April. She was terrified of everything. The shelter environment only made that worse. She was placed into foster care to give her a peaceful environment and to work on her fear issues.

Health: Initially, her health was quite poor: the vet wasn’t sure she would survive. By the time she came here her health was much improved except for a fungal skin condition brought on by anxiety, which is being treated. She has been spayed, wormed, and is current on vaccinations.

Personality: Once she calmed down she has become a playful, spunky, silly, lovable girl. She craves attention (loves a gentle belly rub) and seeks it from people she trusts. Josie is friendly and playful with all of our dogs, even those 3 times her size! She is fearless and open with all of them.

Shorty Wants Dibs

Cochise, Blondie
Cochise tells the tale

Normally in the mornings, Buster-Bob likes to go outside for a long sniff-n-pee session. Early mornings ARE especially pleasant because they are cool, and calm, and there are no bugs buzzing around. Most of us like going out in the early mornings. Blondie does not because the grass is wet. She’s fussy about her feet. Buster likes mornings the most and stays out much longer than the rest of us.

But it was raining this morning. Shorty and Buster did go out because they needed to “go”. Blondie and I can hold it a while longer.

Janet Rides, Blondie Mourns

foster dogs, dogs, janetThis morning Janet was loaded into the truck to accompany Marie into town. Janet will be getting her first Immeticide shot today to kill her heartworms. Blondie was on the porch watching. As Marie pulled out Blondie stood and made her low, mournful “ArrrooOOOmmm” sound several times (it’s similar to the sound of a cow lowing). I assumed she wanted to go for a ride too, except she made no attempt to get off the porch, and she never goes to work with Marie. She should not expect that.

Bella: Foster Dog

Bella is a sweetheart of a dog.  Gentle, cuddly, well behaved.

Unfortunately all the photos and adventures about Bella were posted to Facebook, so are long since gone.  She came before I started building foster dog pages, just writing Doggie Tales about their adventures, and some of those were published elsewhere, not on our web site.