Oh Monkey Wrench

Feeling like an irresponsible owner today. Long story short, Lemon is most definitely in heat today.
The quick story of why she wasn't spayed before adoption is that she was sent down from TG with a spay voucher at the SPCA, and they wouldn't honour it. (Apparently it was for a rabbit or pitbull??) The lady at the desk even had the wherewithall to tell me "it's not like her pups wouldn't be adopted." Since when has the SPCA been so blunt that they don't mind getting in small breed puppies who have waiting lists a mile long. Don't get me wrong, I believe the SPCA still does a lot of good -especially with regards to the politics that rescue can't really touch. That's another topic though.

Our next approach was that instead of finding her an expensive vet, we'd find her a family that would consider her spay part of the process of adopting her. So, when I eventually adopted her, I took that responsibility on. A responsibility I seem to have failed :(

I adopted Lemon early-November. When I phoned my usual vet for appointments, they only had Mid-December (when I moved) or into the new year as they would be off for two weeks for Christmas. Why they were so booked for the rest of November, I'm not quite sure, but they must be super busy. We just book Beckett's yearly pretty much a year in advance, so don't have to worry there. So, thinking I had at least 5 months until she'd go into heat I originally had her scheduled in for Jan 14th with my usual vet. Yesterday I ran around to try to find her an earlier appointment. I got her one for Tuesday (10th) -they don't do spays over the weekend at this particular vet-. But yep, today she's obviously in heat. And for the limited reading I've done about spaying during a heat, it isn't the safest process, and healing time is quite a bit longer. I'll phone the vet on Monday to seek their opinion, but talked to Tucker's mum too (my first foster, who was adopted by a vet :) ) and she advised that I wait, even if a vet WOULD do it.

I'm kicking myself in the butt. Although it would have been super hectic, I should have just booked her in the week that we were moving. Can I rewind?

So, I think I'm looking at a couple of weeks unless the vet she'd be going to feels its still a good idea to spay her. I'm going to count the start date about two days ago -when I started seeing the little signs-, and will average 21 days. So, end of January. From doing a bit of research its anywhere between 8-30 days, but for a small dog usually sits about 8-20. Here's hoping for as least days as possible. As soon as she's finished, she's getting booked in for her spay 2 weeks later.

I'm just hoping the boys aren't idiots about her. They're all neutered, but they are boys. Here's hoping the homecheck goes well for Alvin. Alphie won't pick a fight with Beckett if it comes down to it. Though Beckett is middle-aged, and usually a big-arse wimp, Alphie is smart enough not to mess with someone that much bigger than him.

So for a few more weeks I'll keep kicking myself in the butt. Don't worry Lemon Zinger, I might have been an idiot about this, but we'll get you spayed as soon as possible. As always, you love thrawting my plans. We'll get through it. Hopefully I get smarter.

One Week + Unexpected Timing

Well, its definitely been an interesting week. Somewhat draining. I would have thought I'd have some of my energy back by now, but it seems I still need to catch up on sleep. I wonder if I'm fighting off a cold or something, as I'm usually not so lethargic. All of yesterday and today I haven't had any energy to do more than just lay on the couch, cuddle my dogs, and do some short imblical sessions with Allie. I don't know if its motivation, or the unending rainfall -if it rains too much more I might as well turn into a duck-, but I'm just not feeling completely myself. I'm sure another week will see me up to my usual speed.

Well, first up today was noticing the boys were a bit more interested in Lemon than usual. I had booked her in for her spay the end of the month, as it was either right as we were moving or wait until then. I figured we were safe until March so didn't worry about it. Well, I have the strangest feeling Lemon is now close to go into heat. LOVELY. So, I phone the vet, can't move the appointment, so off we run to Elk Beaver Lake vet, who I know is good for dealing with rescues. So, with some sweet-talking she's booked in for Tuesday. First off, no puppies for her. Second off, I'd really rather not deal with a heat! In hindsight, I should have just booked it while we were moving, but unfortunately we can't go back and change that. So, Tuesday.

I've also got an adoption application in the works for Alvin, although I think Alphie is more what they're looking for, so I'm going to bring them both with me to the homecheck. They want a companion for short walks, lots of cuddles and to enjoy hanging out while their mum plays piano and gives lessons.

Heck, I'd like to switch places with one of my dogs. Good food, get to be as lazy as I like, always warm and don't have to worry about 'life'. That said, then I'd have to deal with someone like me who lays down the law. Hmm, maybe I should think about that. I do like to be in charge!

In the short time we've spent together Alphie has become my full-time companion. He's my couch-buddy, my lap-warmer, my little shadow throughout the house. He's gotten to be good on a leash with little fussing, and is learning his name. He takes treats gently, hasn't shown a single sign of aggression, even when pushed and poked and prodded. He's gotten over his neuter, has stopped mounting everyone, and has decided that although Alvin is a constant pest, he'll be nice for my sake. He really is the well-rounded, sweet tempermented little dog that'll fit in most anywhere that isn't too active. I'm hoping he eventually gets to go to a home where he can be an only dog and soak up all the attention. Although he's fine in foster care, I'm sure he'd much rather be the focus.

Alphie: I'm too sexy for my shirt!

Alvin. Ah, what to say about Alvin. Alvin is a goofy Chihuahua who will either make you laugh or make you fume. He's an acquired taste. I can see how people like the personality, but I myself am not overly partial. Of course he's welcome here for as long as necessary, but he makes me understand why people either love or hate Chihuahuas. They are definitely all their own dogs. Especially the purebreds! They are such pests, but don't realize just how annoying they can be.

For shits and giggles, you can watch one of Alvin's little quirks here: (for some reason my blog doesn't like to upload videos lately)
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/photo.phpv=10150473497278671&set=vb.729918670&type=2&theater

The Pest in his Little Green Coat

Allie is making progress. Slow progress, but progress. Underneath her fears she's a confident little bugger -it seems a contradiction, but that's what she is. She's confident in herself and other dogs. She is not confident that humans will not hurt her. She's settled into her routine and now expects her twice-daily walks and will scratch at the door to get them if she thinks I'm late. She will also throw a bit of a temper tantrum if she doesn't think our walk lasted long enough. She's a princess I tell you, and she's now decided my role is fitful maid. I'm still a scary maid mind you.

She likes to follow Jerrad into the kitchen, as she knows he'll drop scraps for her, and sometimes she goes down into the computer room to hang out with him. Although she still spends time in her crate, I always leave it open now -except if she's bugging me at bedtime, some nights she has an annoying habit of running into the bedroom, giving us a funny look and running away again and again. What does she want me to do I wonder? Is she trying to play with me?

Either way, I get up, I walk over to her crate and she instantly goes in and I close the door. Maybe she's waiting for me to tuck her in? See what I mean, she's a princess! (And is in need of a name change. Allie is way too soft for this pampered pooch.) She's coming over and hanging out with us more often. She's not the furthest away a lot of the time. She's given my fingers kisses, but still skitters away when I reach out to pet her (whether her head, side, chin or chest, so she's not just head shy.) However, she doesn't skitter as far away, or stay away for very long anymore. I figure one of these days she'll hang out and won't retreat when I go to pet her. I don't push it. Before she lets me pet her, she has to associate my reaching out as a good behaviour. This can only happen when she sees it over and over and over and it doesn't cause her pain. She can only learn this with time -and tasty scraps of eggs being thrown.

She's smart though. I can see it in everything she does. She's always watching, not so much on guard anymore, but absorbing things. How the gates work -she can push it both ways now-, how if she keeps to one side of me or the other I won't run into her and I'll ignore her. She's passed me by many times very closely, whereas in the beginning she'd make the widest circles possible. She understands that 'hey' means bad and she stops right away and doesn't go into hiding by simple everyday movements. She likes the music on. She'll eat her food -providing its wet food- with the door to her kennel open.

She's even gotten comfortable sleeping with the kennel door open. The first few days she was so guarded she only slept when we did. Which isn't much for a dog!

Passed out in her Kennel

She's still on a leash and she'll be on a leash until I'm confident she's passed potential fear biting. And that she's confident I'm not going to hurt her by getting close. The most she's ever done to me is a loud warning growl, but I don't want to take any chance. Not so much about getting bit, but because to start building up trust and then invade it would be such a step backwards at this point. For now, the leash is the small trust between us. The small comfort that I will be there to take her out for her little walks, that I respect her space. That it is her choice to get close. That 6 1/2 feet is the closest she ever HAS to be. She'll get there eventually. It's only been a week. Give her a month and I think she'll be ready for a super commitment person(s). Still, even if she becomes comfortable here, it'll still be an adjustment to another home.

For now, she's in safe hands. I admit that I might not be the most capable place for her to land, but I will try my best to help her feel that a human is capable of affection. That we aren't all completely scary. She's young, and she's smart. I hope that kindness, patience and time will heal her 'inner puppy'. There's a home out there for her. Until then, I hope she finds some comfort here.

Tidbits of Goofiness

The biggest smile of today was when Jerrad decided to get Alvin comfortable on the stairs. Each one is giant hurdle to him, and although we've tried the 'tough love' approach of leaving him at the bottom of the stairs until he manages them himself (for the record, there are only 5-6 stairs). But, he'll stand there ALL NIGHT LONG. So, some work. But, the sweetest part of the process was that Allie came out and walked the stairs up and down and up and down and up and down for about half an hour with Jerrad and Alvin. She got a little tangled sometimes, and once ran away when Jerrad got to close when entangling her, but she returned to finish the process. Enough distance to make her feel safe, but a smile, and a willingness to follow -a willingness to help Alvin through the process-. Not quite a tear jerker, but I really smiled inside seeing her happy. Showing us 'I can do that'.

I think Jerrad might have what I don't. The ability to keep moving and stop analyzing. If she wants to walk the stairs, let her walk the stairs. If she wants to hang out in the corner for awhile, whatever. If she gets curious and wants to go explore the house, there's really nothing to hurt her. We've got all hardwood, so if per chance there's an accident (somehow she seems housetrained, as she's never had an accident here) its not a big deal to clean up. The worst she could do is get into the garbage.

For now, I'm going on the premise that the more she moves around the better. That if I leave her to her own devices she'll eventually figure it out.

She's also a smart cookie. We have a babygate in place so that I can keep the dogs in about half the house -just to keep an eye on them. If I'm in the other half of the house, I keep the babygate open. Either way, it's not all that stuck on the wall, and Allie's figured out how to push it open (unfortunately when it swings back its a bit harder to open). So now she's booking it around the house in exploring mode. I've taken away her two main hiding spots, but set up the two comfiest blankets right beside them, just slightly more in the 'open'. She seems to be okay with that.

We had another small breakthrough. She's beginning to understand that when I get up from the computer -or the couch, or my big comfy chair- that there's a a good chance I'll take her outside for a walk/pee. So instead of booking her back into her crate and hiding out, she books it a bit further away -about 5-8 feet-, and then follows me towards the door, making sure she keeps her distance. This last time when I got up to the bathroom she followed me, stood in the doorway and gave me a look like 'what, no walk!?'. She comtemplated this awhile as I you know, did my 'business'. Eventually she flopped her leash around a bit until it stuck into the bathroom. Still her usual 5-8 feet away. Far enough away so that if she feels the least bit frightened she feels she has a 'getaway' it seems. So, I grabbed the end of her leash, and took her outside. A clear sign she's not comfortable being close, but that she knows what she wants and isn't afraid to ask for it. I can work with this.

Slow and steady. This is her rehab, it'll be on her schedule.

In other tidbits of news, I've given into soft food with Alphie and Allie. Although Alvin is a little chow-hound, Allie and Alphie have eaten very little since they've come. They're peeing and pooping on schedule, so I know their systems are okay but Alphie is already quite thin, -I can feel his ribs quite well :(- and I think Allie could starve herself to death on dry food. So, break out the can-food. I'm pretty sure Alphie remembers canned food because he came storming into the kitchen for the sound of the can-opener. SLURRRRP. Down the hatch. One down, one to go.

I can hear Allie slowly taking hers down as well. I seem to need to cover her for her to eat at all. I would try free-feeding her, but Lemon and Alvin would just turn into butterballs. Alvin ate 4!!! meals a couple of days ago. Because I fed him supper and breakfast, and so did Jerrad. PIG! Though Lemon did too, she's also piglet supreme. There's been the time here and there though that someone thinks the other person has fed the dogs breakfast, and it turns out they didn't. Extra scoop at supper, but you think you'd hear some rumbling tummies, or some complaining for supper. Nope. A missed meal around here no one seems to care about.

Pictures soon. They're a pretty lazy bunch, so it'll probably just be a pile more of Alphie on the couch, Alvin in the blankets, and Allie slowly inching closer. As long as no more small/medium males come into the foster front ---Alphie thinks he's king shit with Alvin, but is fine with Beckett, even if Beckett squashes him sometimes--- we're slowly sailing along.

Oh, and whoever adopts Alphie will have really lucked out. He's such an awesome cuddler, but doesn't mind having his own space too. Super easy-going dude. I won't mind if he sticks around awhile, but he's so good, I doubt it'll take long to find him his forever home.

For being so, so close to death, he's a lucky guy. But I'm lucky to have gotten to know him too. I think he'll be one to remember for awhile :)

Specks of Light

So after my little pity party, and reading the great comments -THANKS GUYS-, and a few different blogs with information on dealing with fearfulness -it really seems to depend on the dog is what it comes down to-, I've picked myself up, dusted myself off, and gotten cozy with the fact that things go slow sometimes. So be it. When it comes right down to it, I'd much rather deal with an Allie over the long term than a bouncing, bubbly, totally high-energy freak.

Besides, Allie has some great points that are going to work in both our favours.
1) Allie has great dog skills. She understands how to interact (although not 'play') with her own kind. Dogs are much more balanced than we are. If she understands that much, she's already leaps and bounds ahead of where some are. She already knows how to be 'a dog'. She just doesn't understand how to be a pet. Who can blame her.

2) Although the barking/growling is frustrating -none of either today so far- she gives lots of warning of what makes her uncomfortable. She isn't unpredictable providing you understand her cues. Yes, there might be mornings it takes me ten minutes to get her to trust that I just want to grab her leash to take her for a walk (for now, she's still dragging her leash, she'll probably be dragging it for awhile), and I'm sure they'll be at least a few more fear growls as I open her crate, but I won't take that as failure. I'll take that as something we're still working on.

3) There are some things that seem to make her happy. Her small walks, her cozy blanket, her brief explores around the house and hanging around the other dogs do seem to make her happy. She isn't completely shut down. She's curious. She's watching.

Today I saw some specks of light at the end of the tunnel too. I've started doing some imblical work with her. 7 foot leash around the wrist. She can be all seven feet away, I don't care, but I'm asking her to stay within my world. I'm not asking her to come any closer than those 7 feet, but I want her to become comfortable within that radius. Although it took about 20-30 minutes for her to settle and not try to book her for somewhere else, I kicked off my shoes, hung out on the couch and just waited. About half an hour in she found a comfy spot on a big blanket on the floor and settled. By the end of the movie, she'd relaxed so much she'd pretty much fallen asleep. When I sat up, -the leash letting her able to go another foot or so- she stayed put and just looked at me.

That's where I am now.

Now, I'm sure once I get up she'll go back into the 'far away as possible' mode, but it'll be a quick trip outside for a pee break, a little walk, and then she can return to her open crate for the night. I'm sure they'll be many, many more bumps in the road, and I don't expect to ever fully earn her trust, but slowly, I hope she comes into my 'bubble', and maybe if she can do that, I can slowly enter hers.

This weekend, I hope to do a lot more sessions of imbilical work. But, without expectation of getting anywhere -but being thankful if we do.

"Rehab"

I don't know how Yvette does it. I don't know how she takes so many broken dogs in and brings them back from the brink. Not only the vet bills, --money is there or it isn't--, but truly broken spirits, souls, dogs. I understand it needs to be done, and today I'm even more grateful than usual. Grateful because I think I'm one small step closer to knowing how things really are. TG is a safe haven, a rehab, a godsend to so many dogs, but just because you're safe, doesn't mean you're not broken. It's called rehab for a reason. And it doesn't happen quickly. A lot are very messed up...

Today I'm having a hard day. Although I've very slowly been trying to bring Allie out of her shell, it is seemingly always a case of one step forward, two or three steps back. I see little in the way of 'progress'. Granted, I think I'm being much too hard on myself. It hasn't even been a week yet. And my frustration most certainly is not helping the problem(s). I don't want her to be 'normal' -she's a long way from that-, but I don't want her to feel she needs to hide.

I took away her crate, and she found a corner. I took away her corner and she moved in behind the TV. I fill that gap and she shoves herself in the smallest nook possible. The further I push her out into the open, the more skittish she's becoming. So, although maybe I've given up too fast, I've gone back to an open crate. At least with the crate she doesn't mind me -most of the time anyway- grabbing her leash to take her outside for a pee. And she sneaks out for socialization with the dogs here and there. She has another blanket she likes to lay on. Sometimes she pokes her head out and just looks at me. I don't know if she's asking me what I'm up to, or just reassuring me she knows I'm watching her and she in no way wants any part.

I try to hang out in the same general area as her, and she shoves herself as far as possible from me. I went to hang out with her in the laundry room -she likes to sit by the dryer when its running-, but instead of giving up her nice warm place and running a few feet away like she usually does, she starts pacing back and forth in front of the dryer growling and barking. I sat on the stairs for almost 20 minutes with my back to her and when she stopped barking and settled a bit I left. She was frustrated, I was wearing thin myself (the barking REALLY gets to me, I have to be honest when I say I almost had a freak out myself) and we really weren't getting anywhere. At the same time, I can't let signs of fear-aggression win out. I don't need her to trust me right away, but I do need her to understand that growling and barking isn't making me move. Her calmness is. When she is stable, I'll leave her be. Even if we get to the point where my prescence doesn't threaten her in most non-touching situations, we'll be making progress. On a brighter note, most of the time I ignore her, she's just fine. When I come home, she's at the gate with a wagging tail -when I get about 2 feet from her, she's back in her crate or far, far away, but she does seem glad to see me from a distance.

But how do I compromise the 'now' happy with the overall happiness. She shouldn't have to live almost all of her inside life inside a crate :(. She shouldn't have to live afraid of what's going to happen if she has to make contact with people. I'm back to my watching stage. I'm watching to see if she uses her crate as her safe space to sleep -if she's uncomfortable sleeping out in the open- or if she's only using it as an escape. Or most likely both. I'm watching from afar to research what makes her tick. But for all the research, for all the watching, I don't know if I'll ever have enough information to truly move forward. It's difficult admitting to yourself you don't know what to do. Or, you don't know what to do that isn't going to backfire. I have a lot of possibilities, but its very easy to screw them up.

On a more positive note outside she's a bit different. Although she isn't a huge fan of the leash, once she's out of the house she likes to be taken on her little walks around the property. She likes to watch the chickens, sniff all the different grasses, and a lot of the time has a happy disposition about being outside with people -providing they aren't TOO close. I even get a wagging tail when we're heading out the door into the yard. Once I get a harness for her -there is NO WAY I'd be able to wrangle her back up if she somehow slipped her collar- I will be walking her, Beckett and Lemon as a pack where there are more distractions than chickens. Although the foster boys are fine, I don't need to deal with potential other issues when I'm out walking Allie. I need to focus on her, I need to watch her limits, try to understand what makes her happy, what makes her afraid. I need Lemon and Beckett to do what they do best. Be social. Give her confidence, guidance. Stick close and not need constant supervision. This is their work, and I know they won't fail me. I'm not so sure if I won't fail myself.

Allie might be with me a long time. She will need her own special person that doesn't mind having a dog who doesn't want much to do with their person. A person that is okay if Allie never makes a lick of 'progress' outside enjoying her walks and spending her day voluntarily in her crate. A person who is ultra patient, realistic, down-to-earth and committed. She's not a dog for first-time dog owners and she's definitely not a dog that will fit in with ease. What she needs is a person with time. It is hard for me to be that person. I'm a pusher, but I'm pushing too far and too fast. And I don't know how to go much slower except to let time seep in. For now, we're going back to what keeps her, at least for an hour or two a day, feeling secure. Two half-hour walks around the property, a few pee-breaks, access to explore the house, and no expectations that she be social.

Today I am wondering if I made the right choice saving Allie. If there wasn't someone with better quality of life (not to be read as more adoptable). If, if, if. For now, I do what is sometimes hardest for me to do. I watch, and I wait. And most importantly, I keep hope that I am able to help her. I might not be rehab, but I'm the best she has.

What an "Boring" Bunch of Furries

Day 3 of my return to the foster front, and all I've got to say is, what a boring, super lazy bunch of furries. I'm very glad it is such a lazy crew, as our fence still isn't completely in (ALMOST!)

Our routine goes like this: 6:30am -pee time. Back inside quickly. They play, wrestle, eat, drink, and by 8:30 or so, everyone is crashed out on the dog beds until about noon, when its out to pee again, walk around the property -about 20-30 minutes-, and come back in, repeat the play process for about another half an hour, and then ZONK, out until after supper. Then we repeat the process around 5-7 depending on when I get hungry, and again at bedtime at about 10 if I don't fall asleep on the couch with Alphie, Alvin and Lemon hanging out with me. When I head to bed everyone is fine to head into their kennels, have a small supper and crash.

Alphie and Allie are housetrained. They go as soon as they hit grass and are ready to come back inside quickly. Alvin has had one accident, but that's to be expected in the first couple of days. Alphie is still getting over his recent neuter, and spends most of his playtime following Beckett around trying to mount him. Thankfully for Beckett he gets tired quickly and is content to curl up for most of the day. He's being a bit of a jerk with little Alvin, but has quickly learned 'the look' foster mum gives that means 'You better think about it'. He knows to think better of it with Beckett. He'll soon get over it. He just lost his balls, and he's trying to figure out where the boundaries are. He's found them. Now hopefully he doesn't test them too much longer :)

I'm glad to say Alphie is doing MUCH MUCH better on his leash. I've had him dragging it the last couple of days not so that I could pull him back if he was doing something naughty, but to get him used to its prescence. Now that he knows the leash isn't going to kill him, he rarely gets into bucking bronco mode on our little walks. Soon I'll have him out walking trails and such so that we can practice leash skills with distractions. I want him to go to his new home (wherever that will be) with as little hurdles to overcome as possible. He's a diamond that just needs some polishing.

Alphie saying: "Thank you Auntie Michelle for the Sweater. I LOVE it!"

Alvin is a bit of a busy-body when he's not zonked out. Despite not seeming to know much at all, it doesn't stop him from trying to explore and being a bit of a pain in the butt when he gets himself stuck somewhere. He's a fiesty little bugger but as much as he has such confident posture he's a big old wimp underneath. He got to visit with Chula, Netty and Jennie yesteray and was flirty with all the girls. He's going to be fine anywhere he lands. His favourite things include digging himself into the blankets and flinging toys out of the toy box. Apparently he just can't find whatever he's looking for!

A Bed fit for a Prince

Allie is starting to come around. I see a wagging tail sometimes, and she likes to hang out around me. She still darts away if I reach out to pet her, but she'll come back and sniff my hand and hang out again. She's fine to be pet, isn't fighting the leash much anymore and is enjoying her walks around the property. I will slowly start pushing her for more interaction, but with the eventual goal of her wanting to come up for attention. Or not scampering away anyway. She's a super quiet girl though and isn't phazed by having other people around. She could walk by the people on the ferry without issue. When the door opens and Jerrad comes in, she always pops up and trots to see him. She just needs to figure out being handled isn't necessarily a bad thing. For now, we're playing hard to get ;)

Hanging out with Beckett for a bit.

 Allie getting used to having a closed crate.

She still has a few safe spots around, but no hiding for this girl!

I give it a few more days for the boys to settle in and realize this is my house. People might think I'm a bit of a guardian angel for saving pups, but as far as they're concerned, I hang my halo up when I come in the door. This isn't heaven, this is bootcamp. And I can be a meanie by times. And somehow its always the boys that push the envelope. Oh well. That just means I get to be the big, mean boss faster. Honeymoon period is over boys, here is where the works begins!

Insert maniacal laughter here.

Sometimes they just have to learn I can be their worse enemy before they become smart enough to avoid trouble. Ahh, the first week of fostering, I now remember why I dislike it so much. It's the week I have to be the big-female laying down the law. But the law is what keeps things in order. The law is what creates the basis for good pets. The law is for everyone's own good. And I'm the judge and jury all in one.

So, you better not piss me off!

I suddenly think I know why I like the shy guys so much. They rarely piss me off. It's hard for dogs that don't want much to do with me to piss me off. Despite my ability to be a mean-son-of-a-gun, I really can be a best friend too. I will pick you up, dust you off and try, try again. I will wait patiently until you're ready to venture near, and I'll whisper kindly in your ears that you are indeed a good dog. I give good massages when you're ready. I don't mind taking the time to earn your trust. I will push you just enough outside your comfort zone that there's light at the end of the tunnel. This is what you need, and I will, with all my heart and soul, try my best to give that to you.

But if you're being a little douchebag, what you need is a good tell-off, and I will just as equally try to give you what you need.

What we need: to NEUTER OUR DOGS YOUNG!!!

Emily Out

2011 In Review

My first year fostering. Sometimes crazy, sometimes making me want to go crawl underneath a rock, most always a rollercoaster, and some seriously great dogs made for a fantastic ride. I've been fostering since March, 2011, so haven't hit a year mark, but let's ring in the new year with a look back anyway.

This Year's Foster Count: 19
(I won't count the three new ones that came in yesterday. They can be 2012 dogs :) )

Fosters for Turtle Gardens: 11
Fosters for Island Dogz: 3
Fosters I brought in for Myself: 3
Misc Fosters: 2

Dogs Saved but never Fostered: 5
Dogs Temp Fostered: 5

The Dogs: Fostered

01. Tucker (Turtle Gardens)

Tucker was a joy of a first foster. Cuddly, super dog-friendly and altogether the entire package any lucky adopter was looking for, he found his home with a veternarian in Victoria, BC. The day we got him he was giving us kisses! Awesome boy. Yvette knew to send me a good one to get me hooked!

Most remembered: Playing with his Stuffed Dino.

Most likely to: Run Away with a Perfect Stranger.

Most loved: Nearly suffocating me with snuggles.

02. Yayis (Cozumel Humane Society)
Length of Stay: 4 days

Yayis was rescued off a garbage dump in Mexico. Probably the most gorgeous dog I've fostered so far. I didn't know her for very long, but she was more of Jerrad's dog for the time we did have her.

Most remembered: Trying to win Beckett back after telling him off the first time they met.

Most likely to: Learn from other Dogs' Mistakes.

Most loved: Fresh green grass.

03. May Victoria Adoptables
Length of Stay: Not quite a month

May was from California, and probably started my Chihuahua addiction. She really was a lab in an 8 pound body. Sassy, firecracker, diva, she was that and more. I got to meet up with May a little while ago, and no surprise she's running the household! She is everything people love and hate about small breed dogs. Attitude! I saw a shirt in the store the other day that completely sums may up: "I don't have an attitude problem, you have a problem with my attitude!"

Most remembered: Being so shy/scared/shaking when I picked her
up, and once she hit the house she was instantly a diva.

Most likely to: Pick a fight with a big dog.

Most loved: Being too big for her britches.

04. Honey Turtle Gardens
Length of Stay: Not Quite a Month

Honey and her sister Toast -who I fostered later on- were feral, alligator-biting puppies. In foster care Honey figured out she was supposed to be a TERRIER! After about a week a lightbulb went off in her head that she was supposed to terrorize things, and she continues to do a great job in her new home with big sister TerrierX Hani. The two even came back here for a few days and had a sleepover. Good girls, but sometimes you wish you didn't open Pandora's box! With Honey I learnt two things:
1) Shy dogs don't stay shy for long here. 2) Shy dogs are usually easier to deal with then the dogs they become once the shell is shed. To-may-to To-Mah-to?

Most remembered: Squashing May when she had enough of the bratty Chi.

Most likely to: Never return to being a fearful misfit.

Most loved: Eating underwear. The Chew-MACHINE!

05. Tine Island Dogz
Length of Stay: 3 weeks

Tine was my first and only husky foster to date (although I must admit, I think its time for another!). A goofy, needy, skinny ball of husky loving, he made me realize what I love and hate about the breed. I love the looks, the independance (which this guy didn't really have :P), the attitude and the challenge. I can do without the ceaseless energy. I'm more of a middle-aged husky kind of woman. That said, he was a pleasure to have. Cute as a button, got me active, and made humble more than once by Mr. Beckett, Tine was adopted by a great family. I talked to them recently and they are undergoing lots of obedience work to work through leash aggression with their teenage rebel. Commitment is key! And a realization that when you're good-looking you tend to get away with more!

Most remembered: Walking the Devonian Trails every other day.

Most likely to: Jump the fence to see what's on the other side.

Most loved: Trying to shake a paw. ENDLESS shake-a-paw.

06. Toast Turtle Gardens
Length of Stay: Not Quite a Month

Toast, Honey's sister was a lesson for me. Namely, don't have any expectations just because a sibling flips like a switch to not being fearful. Toast drove me a bit insane I must admit. As cute and nice as she was, she didn't have Honey's zest to learn, or complete Terrier brain. She turned over many new leaves, and who could deny she might be the cutest dog I've ever fostered, but it was a trying process. Everything was new, and Toast, although loveable isn't exactly the smartest cookie in the jar. My favorite thing about Toast though was that she bounced back from everything, so I didn't have to worry about hurting her feelings. Toast was the easy-going sister. Honey the superstar. (Although I'm pretty sure on a livability basis, I'd probably adopt Toast over Honey :P. Intelligent dogs mean more work!) Toast picked her own mum and sister when they dropped by for a meet+greet. She had many applications, but it was love at first sniff! After the meet and greet she whined by the gate for now sister Noon to come back. So, I phoned Yvette, got the go-ahead, and Toast was adopted that night! Dogs seem to know when they've met their people :) (Or canine siblings ;) ).

Most remembered: Jumping into a Bush full of Bees -with ME on the other end of the leash!

Most likely to: Forget what happened two minutes ago.

Most loved: Her Sister Noon. She had 5 awesome applications, but the minute she met Noon,

she (and I) knew who she had to go home with!

07. Xena Turtle Gardens
Length of Stay: Not Quite a Month

Xena taught me two important lessons. First, do not take on two shy/insecure/fearful dogs at the same time. They just rub off on each other. That makes progress minimal. And secondly, she and I really should have had a Fido ad together. If I was a dog, I would be Xena. Loyal to those she knows, sketchy with strangers, fiercly independant, too smart for her own good, an annoying streak, and a zest for steak and chicken, Xena knew how to be her own dog. She came alive on the agility field, and showed off her smarts. She was a night-owl, sock hoarder, and McDonalds bag licker, and everything done with just a little bit of sarcastic sass. Xena lives on a farm in Victoria now, with Annie, another TG dog, a fleet of sheep and a bunch of chickens. (Ironically, I am now living on a farm too!)

Most remembered: Coming Alive on Agility Nights.

Most likely to: Completely ignore me to do her own thing.

Most loved: Creating nests of socks in her bed at 1am.

08. Evee Island Dogz
Length of Stay: Just over a Month

Evee. The most happy-go-lucky dog I've ever met in my life. There is not a single thing that gets this girl down. She's happy. ALL. THE. TIME. That shouldn't drive a person crazy, but it drove me crazy. and it drove me even crazier that I really didn't have anything to complain about, and was still be driven crazy. I guess one can be happy when they've finally got a home, some friends, daycare, and living the good life, but at least look sorry for yourself every once in awhile! That said, she was really great to have around (and see leave ;) ). She got herself a great sports home, and is now working on agility and flyball with her whippetX sister. Evee was from TUAPA shelter in Taiwan, and would start my browsing of the Taiwanese dogs.

Most remembered: Playing with Jersey the Great Dane.

Most likely to: Be Cast as Santa's Little Helper for Live Action Simpson's Movie.

Most loved: Being loved.

09. Gio Turtle Gardens
Length of Stay: Not quite a month

Gio, the dog Beckett wasn't too fond of. Such a mush-puppy! If Gio and May could have switched bodies it would make more sense, but if May was in Gio's body, she might have killed somebody by now, so its probably a good thing they aren't. What I loved most about Gio was his softness, his big head poking your hand to pet him, the way he would creep up on the couch thinking he was so sneaky about being a big cuddle butt. Gio the Just. And Gio the needy. But such a great boy. My only regret with this boy was that I didn't have him long enough to start working on city skills -busy streets, lots of people- which he could have used for his Vancouver home. Oh, and the other thing that still bugs me is that I sent him over to go to a new home and the new home bailed! Oh well, he got an amazing home anyhow, but it makes me a little sad knowing he left when he shouldn't of. Beckett said: "WOOOOOOO, he's gone!!! And that's my MOMMA!" ---Beckett only wants me when there's competition. Males.

Most remembered: Sticking his big head under my arms while I was typing.

Most likely to: Act like Chicken Little and the sky is falling.

Most loved: Being loved.

10. Buster Turtle Gardens
Length of Stay: 5 days

Oh Buster. What a five days we had. Buster is probably the toughest, and possibly sweetest foster we've had. She bit Jerrad and he had to go to the hospital (we quickly discovered she has night blindness, as the second she realized who she bit she was very apologetic about it!). She escaped from her collar once, only to come back an hour later to me going more than just a little insane. Of course Yvette was like 'don't worry, don't worry' and I'm going 'OMG, I lost my foster!' Thank goodness she came back! Buster shared the couch with me, taught the youngsters manners and was ALWAYS ready to go for her one hour walk in the morning. She'd get her 10:00am zoomies in the yard, and was learning to accept interaction outside. Inside she was one dog, but outside, without a leash, she returned to her feral/wild state. 6 years of surviving on her own couldn't be dealt with so quickly -and possibly never. Sadly, Buster was adopted by a great family, but got loose about two weeks afterwards, and has been missing since. There are still Buster sitings, so what I ask for every night for Christmas, is that somehow she finds her way home, so that she doesn't have to endure another Christmas outside with no family to care for her. Paws crossed Buster. You are one tough dog! But I know deep down, you'd rather be on the couch :)

Most remembered: The Interacting Session we had day three. Where I got you to smile outside. (Pic above)

Most likely to: Never get over the miserable life you've lead until this point.

Most loved: The couch, the 10am walk, that the food bowls were always full and on time.

11. Ren Island Dogz
Length of Stay: Just over a month

Ren, Ren, Ren. She's a Taiwanese dog like Evee, but man so different! Ren expected to be waited on hand and foot. If she didn't like something, she wasn't going to do it, and if she expected something, she was pretty darn demanding! I remember every day we had Ren, when we woke up at 6:30 we had to bring her crate to the door and dump her out of it. The alternative was trying to pull her out, which always ended in submissive peeing or a feast of snarling. Oh, and we did try letting her sleep until about 8:00am instead, but we had to do the same thing anyway. This girl was a "I like my 15 hours of beauty sleep thank you!". The other hillarious thing about Ren was that she played like a Tazmanian Devil when she first came, whirlwinding her way around the daycare and house with everyone giving her stares of "Uhhh.... we don't play that way." She eventually learned with the help of Dayo, Trunk and Beckett, but yeah, she was an oddball. Completely loveable, but an oddball! She was adopted in Nanaimo. Her new mum doesn't believe in crates, so at least she'll never have to try to pry Ren from her comfort to get her out to pee!

Most remembered: Dumping out of her Crate

Most likely to: Think I should Adopt her.

Most loved: Getting things the way she liked them.

12. Trunk Turtle Gardens
Length of Stay: Not Quite a Month

Ah Trunk, what's to say about Trunk that I haven't gushed about in previous blogs. Trunk is the one that got away. She has an amazing home, amazing dog brother and lots of beaches. Should I have kept Trunk: no. Did I want to keep Trunk: YES! I still miss this dog. If somehow an e-mail landed in my inbox that Trunk needed to be returned, I'd be all over that in a heartbeat, probably adopting her too. But its okay, things work out the way they're supposed to. Besides, Beckett apparently wanted a 12 pound furball. I'm not going to argue with fate. When you love something, let them go on to better things :) (unless you know, you adopt them, then you better keep them for better or worse!)

Most remembered: Being my constant side-kick, and the baby wrangler.

Most likely to: Be dog-napped by me.

Most loved: Be surrounded by dog friends.

13. Dayo Turtle Gardens
Length of Stay: On and off for a Month

Now known as Suhki, Dayo was my first and only puppy foster. He was 11 weeks when he came. In the transport (or sometime before they landed anyway) most of his siblings came down with Parvo. Luckily Dayo did not, so he was going to leave, but didn't, and ended up finishing his fostering down this way. I had a hard time getting Jerrad to let go of Mister Fluffypants, but we get to visit Suhki every couple of weeks now. Dayo will most likely sucker me into another puppy foster down the line. At 11 weeks he slept through the night, hardly had any accidents (maybe 2 in the 2+ weeks he was with us), and taught some of the daycare dogs some manners! He continues to excel in obedience :)

Most remembered: Eating Ants.

Most likely to: Be gushed over.

Most loved: Playing with Aster/Lemon, his BEST friend.

14. Chula & 15. Netty
Self-Saves from Baldwin Park Shelter
Length of stay: 1 1/2 months

Chula and Netty share the same story, and the same Canadian home, so its only fitting to throw them together. With weights of 5 and 8, they just make a Lemon together! Chula and Netty were saved from California when I made the fated 'turn' (not really a 'mistake') to post on Netty's picture (below) that I could find her a home in Canada. Fate took the rest from there. Eventually not only did I save Netty, but Chula came along, and so did Lexi -who went to foster with Allie-. These two are the sweetest Chihuahuas ever. They have attitude, but not "May" attitude. Chula is cuddly, Netty is independent. They now share a home together, with a bunch of foster cats and a mum that spoils them rotten. They waited awhile so their mum could move in, but how could I deny them a home together. From the minute they left the shelter together Chula tagged on to Netty's little speckled tail. Netty could probably care less. As shy/scared as she was in that shelter, (indeed, her papers have 'fearful' in at least 5 different places) not a bit of that shows now. I'm so happy for my happy endings. These girls would have been put to sleep if I hadn't of saved them.

CHULA

Most remembered: Kissing up to Jerrad.

Most likely to: Be scared of the big dogs.

Most loved: Sleeping in the people bed after her spay.

NETTY

Most remembered: Tap-dancing like a lunatic/trying to eat everybody's food!

Most likely to: Sit on. She dug herself nests in the blankets.

Most loved: Hitting on Hank the German Shep X (oh the flirty ears!)

16. Hank Turtle Gardens
Length of Stay: Approx 3 1/2 weeks

Good old trusty Hank. What wasn't there not to like. Low-key, no-fuss, do whatever you want him to do guy. Go for a four hour hike. Sure. Lounge around the house all day. Sure. By this time I've learned to trust Yvette to send me good dogs, so although I was skeptical that a big, teenage German ShepardX would fit in here (medium energy is good, high-energy, not so good), I have to say Hank impressed me. Not impressive though: wanting to tear Diesel's head off. That was a nightmare of a few days, but it all got settled. Hank found a great young couple that will take him sailing, for lots of walks, and he has a roommate dog as well to keep him nice and social (ironically, his housemate's name is Diesel!). The best part of Hank, was that he got to keep his name because his parents met up with two or three of my previous adopters who recognized him from the blog! Too funny. Tis a small world afterall.

Most remembered: Constantly telling Aster/Lemon off.

Most likely to: Say yes to whatever.

Most loved: Netty and Chula -the non-annoying dogs in the house!

17. Aster Turtle Gardens
Length of Stay: Forever. Foster-Failed :S

Sometimes I ask myself why the heck I adopted this brat, but although I put most of the blame on Beckett, I like that she infuriates me sometimes, that she's a handful, a challenge, but not so much so that I can't handle it. I wouldn't go so far to say that she's the intensity of a husky, but she's got attitude on her. That said, I couldn't have asked for a better cuddle partner, or jogger, or all around good companion. She started off rough here, with little social skills -her idea of a initiating play was mountng dogs' heads!- but she has come around quickly. It helps to have a big brother like Beckett. Now she sleeps like him in a tiny ball, walks like him, gives little 'Wooos' sometimes, and has even copied his marking......

She's my Lemon I'm turning into Lemonade. With more fosters to come she'll get even better with her social skills. With some more training she might make a good agility dog. For now, she's learning to walk off-leash (so far so good), getting a reliable recall and slowly learning how to sit. (It's harder with small dogs!) The next dog that I officially adopt will have to be a medium sized dog again, preferably husky X. Once Beckett goes, I refuse to be that 'small-dog' person. Besides, Lemon loves Great Pyrenese dogs, and other big fluffy dogs. If we see a big fluffy dog on our trails she's got to introduce herself with the biggest, flirtiest ears possible. Maybe she thinks she's a husky now?

Most remembered: Humping Beckett's Head.

Most likely to: Piss me off and get away with it.

Most loved: Playing with Suhki.

18. Adam
Self-Save from Baldwin Park, California
Length of Stay: 2 1/2 weeks.

Adam is from a high-kill shelter in CA. When I first saw his picture I said "No way he' go down, he's too frigging cute". So I see Adam's picture getting closer and closer to his 'last safe day' before they will most likely euthanize him, and I go 'fine, if it gets to that point, I'll save him'. Well, it got to that point. I saved him, he came to Canada, he fit in seamlessly in foster care -easiest transition I think I've ever had, minus Tucker maybe-, and played with both my dogs. For the first few days I wanted to keep him, but I knew he didn't have that 'something something' that makes them stick around forever. Besides, he already had 3 applications in the works! Adam is now Kona and lives a great life with lots of walks, playdates and fun. A long ways away from being euthanized. Although I'm very glad things seem to always work out, sometimes I wish something would backfire. Cause now I keep looking at pictures. Ugg. I can never truly win. But can you ever really win in rescue? (Well, I think Adam/Kona has!)

Most remembered: Picking up out of Jeneane's van.

Most likely to: Win a dog-food campaign.

Most loved: Being social with Beckett and Lemon.

19. Panda Turtle Gardens
Length of stay: 15 minutes.

Ahh Panda, I don't know whether I should even count you missy. But I will because you were sent down for me. Panda was adopted by her transporter, Mike. She made it known she'd found her home with Miika, and after going to pick her up and staying about half an hour it was clear she wasn't coming home with me. I didn't even get a picture of her. I do know that she has a zest for life, loves to cuddle and is an all around dream companion. She also goes to show that dogs know best. It isn't the money you have, the car you drive, the palace you live in. It's what kind of a life -and a stable life- you can give. I think Panda knew she was in good hands! Hopefully I'll get to see some of her in the new year.

Besides the dogs Fostered here, I've also Saved 5 from Euthanization in the States. Lexi, Kane, Kaiser, Lady and Chata were all saved with very little time left. All but Kaiser has found their forever home

 

Kaiser. Still waiting. He's a high-energy power breed teenager.
Unfortunately the types of people who want/can handle this combination
are seemingly few and far between. Hopefully he'll find his match soon.

 

Shy Kane, now Hugo, found perfect harmony with great parents and canine brother Leroy.

Lexi came with Chula and Netty. In an odd twist of fate, she was adopted by a family that had originally applied to adopt one of my co-worker's foster dogs. She now has her own little girl to dote upon.

Chata, now Jennie was adopted by the parents of Chula and Netty's mum. She is a spoiled rotten
baby and when she doesn't want to walk in the rain, she gets carried around in a purse!

Lady, Now Moo-Chi. Living it up with cat brother Oreo, and an awesome family. In the
summer, she'll become a Canadian camper exploring the wilderness (or just the RV ;) ).

We had some 'stop-ins' too. Dorie, Toscana, Graelee, Diesel, Willie and Sail all stayed here for a little bit before they either went to great homes, or while they're normal fosters were away.

I was planning on adopting lovely Toscana,
but Beckett put a wrench into those plans.
Tossy did somehow lead to Evee getting
 adopted though. Small world.

Graelee was cute, but SOOOO annoying. She stayed for a week or so
before she could go back up to Turtle Gardens to have her legs looked at.

Lovely shy Willie spent a week here while his usual foster mum was on vacation.
He is Evee's brother, but very scared of the world. I would have loved to really
work with him. Willie is now is a great forever home!

Handsome, Rowdy Diesel stayed for a bit before he could move
to a better foster home for his needs. Him and Hank hated each other
but he got along with everyone else, providing correct handling.

Sail was indeed a good looking dog, but man, the energy and prey drive on this girl!
We took her on after a failed adoption. Although we could have worked with her
she upset other pack dynamics too much for the shy guys. She went on to foster
with Lisa B, fail another adoption, and then finally find her forever home.

Dorie was in foster with Sarah and hung out here for a week while she was on vacation.
Despite the fact that she had it in for Beckett, she was a hillarious old grandma!

Onwards to the 2012 year, where hopefully I can help as much. Whether the means as many dogs or not will be foreseen, but I've found its not necessarily the number of dogs that is the issue, but the dynamics within them, and how much time I need to devote to working with them. For me, there's great joy in helping the shy dogs out of their shells, or the nervous ones find balance. But in 2011 I tested my limits a few times -and indeed once or twice bit off more than I can chew-. My hope for 2012 is that I find a bit more balance. Which means only taking on what I know (or Yvette knows ;) ) I'm capable of handling. I have a few dogs under my belt, but am no way an expert. I need to learn from the best and keep challenging myself to go in different directions depending on the dog. Though most of my fosters might be shy, they've all needed something a bit different to bring them out.

On a very bright note, I now have the expert 'shy guy' team. Beckett the balanced, and now Lemon the social butterfly who somehow understands (I say somehow, because I have no idea where the hell she's learnt it from, and so quickly. Two months ago all she knew how to do was hump!) when to butt out and give a dog some space, and when to try to bring them out or protect them. In a sense they are both therapy dogs to some degree. Although they too have their faults, they are the core. Dogs work faster than humans anyway. So, Beckett and Lemon will give the fosters pooches dog skills, I will develop their confidence around people, leash training, and handling. I love teamwork.

The Foster Team parts 2 and 3.

And a big thank you to everyone who reads my blog. It's kept me more active than I would usually be otherwise and I believe has helped many of my fosters find great homes, as the applicants understand more of the day-to-day process of working with them, living with them, and playing with them. Instead of spending hours on the phone or e-mailing, I just direct them to my blog and with videos, pictures and descriptions, everything slowly makes sense.

I would like to end saying that I'm very grateful to be able to foster for Turtle Gardens -the dogs they send me are always well-rounded and have great temperments to start with. I've also been blessed finding some of the best Chihuahuas through California ---the videos seal the deal there!---, and that I don't consider myself only to be helping rescue, but that rescues are helping me as well. They help me understand my strengths, my weaknesses, my passion, sometimes my breaking point. They've found me my second pooch that fits every single thing I'd ever need in a dog, and fosters would need too.

For anyone considering getting a second dog, I encourage fostering as a way to find 'the one' in a way that isn't burdensome. "Is my dog going to love them. Is this my dog's BEST FRIEND" Many dogs live together awesome, and indeed there were quite a few that came through the doors with that could have stayed forever. But everytime something little was missing. Maybe it was the spark, I'm not sure, but by fostering I was able to find a #2 I would have never dreamed would be here. If you told me when I started fostering I would be adopting a 12 pound overly friendly, slightly idiotic Chihuahua cross I would have laughed at you, toppled over and snorted. But, I like to believe by fostering you eventually get the dog you 'need', not necessarily the dog you want.  They just show up suddenly and the lightbulb goes off one day when you least expect it. "This is the one." It might be dog #1 or it might not happen until after 50 dogs, but you've helped so many long the way.

If you are interested in fostering, please dog look further into it. Even if its just one here and there, it does make a big difference.

And so, my new years wish? I can't tell you, but I'm sure you have a guess :)

HAPPY NEW YEARS

Emily