Helen is Adopted!

Helen was adopted today. Happy dance!!! She joined her great people parents, and new canine brother Pierre, who she will help calm down and show that people aren't so bad after all. In a way, she gets to be a therapy dog -for another dog! Good luck Helen!

Helen in her TUAPA sweater. 

I must admit, it feels kind of weird having only four dogs (you wouldn't that weird right, you'd still think I'm crazy!!). It's like there aren't enough warm bodies on the couch! Alphie is doing really well at Sherry's, and she's much enjoying having a laid-back foster so that if someone tries to sick a foster on her, she can say 'back off, I've already got one!' Although I miss him, there have been countless times today I've gone 'and there Alphie would have been squished. And there Alphie would have been squished'. Blind husky. Non-complaining 13 pounder. There be lots of squishing. But I completely trust Sherry with my baby! So it's working out all the way around.

Alvin will be staying for awhile longer yet too. His application is having some medical issues they need to address before they believe its fair to welcome him into their home. Fair enough. We'll continue looking for his perfect home. As much as he bugs me sometimes, he does well here. He has learnt he is a dog! He is not an idiot, brat, nuissance, bother or shit-disturber anymore. He's still a bit of a bug, but he's gaining more confidence, no longer being too needy, and gaining some independence -he goes up and down the stairs now without too much trouble! And if you lean down to help him, he skitters up faster to show that he can. It's a flip-flop now between Lemon and Alvin being the more annoying. The difference is Lemon has an off-button, and knows I know how to push it. Alvin not so much. But he's changed a lot since he's been here. Some people might think his 'spirit' has been beaten down a bit, but I would argue that just because he isn't as quick to do some of the funny looking idiot chihuahua things, that he's still a clown. A loveable, affectionate, silly little clown. Now he's just a more socialized clown.

So, Alvin and Allie for a bit yet. But that's okay. Now that they've been here a month, they're pretty close to family. Easies!

And, for the kicker of the whole day (I didn't want to hijack Helen's adoption happy dance, but I couldn't wait), I woke up this morning with Allie in my bed! Licking my face! And what's this... she stayed in bed for awhile too. Wait, what! I swear I was dreaming. But nope, I woke up the second time and she was curled right into my chest with her tail almost up my nose. She still wasn't up for me giving her a good scratch, but whatever. I got a cuddle! She gives me so much. I hope I've given her just as much in return.

Victory for Helen, Unfortunate Turn for Alphie

I'll start on the most awesome note of the week. Helen did indeed win over the people at her meet+greet. They want to adopt her! They saw how awesome she was with their boy, they know she'll be a great influence on him. No trial nonsense, and although I said we could wait until the weekend as they work during the week they said 'bring her tomorrow. If we need to, we'll take a day or two off work.' BOOYA! So I bring Helen to her new home after work tomorrow. Now, I'm not going to count my chickens, but that's as promising as it gets to me! Last current foster to hit the foster front, first one (95%) to be adopted. Way to go Helen. And thank god there are some people that know what they need when it walks in their house.

On a sad note, Alphie has failed his trial. Not because of his eyes, but because the father and son developed significant allergies within the first couple of days. :( :(  When I got the news I was speaking to Sherry, the wonderwoman of Island dogz and the most awesome person this side of Yvette, and I mentioned that Alphie would do better in a quieter foster home -though he's just fine here! He is most definitely welcome here, and I will stick by him through thick and thin, but really, he just wants a couch to hang on and no dogs bouncing all over him (IE: Lemon and Alvin). After describing him to Sherry she said she'd take him as a foster. Or "office manager". So Alphie, unless I hear otherwise, will be finishing his foster care out with Sherry, with a bunch of his own couches, and only one laid-back dog to hang with instead of a bunch of playing brats and a blind husky that keeps jumping on top of his comfy spots. If for any reason that goes bust, he will be welcomed back here in a heartbeat. In the end, he's my responsibility.

It's one of those moments where I don't know whether to beat myself up or not. Alphie will do better there, but at the same time, I made that foster commitment to him (indeed to save his life even), and I feel like I'm bailing out. What I do kno, is that I will do all in my power to have a good home environment for the dogs in my care. No matter how much I am fond of Alphie Sherry's home environment (super quiet) is much more in line with Alphie's best interests. Don't worry bland, black boy, you won't fall through the cracks here! I will try to give you what's best for you -even if that isn't me.

As far as I know Alvin's homecheck is on for Wednesday evening, and I have to phone to set up a meet+greet with Allie. I'm flip-flopping with her in general. How much do I ask in a home for her? What does she need versus what I want for her. What is the best situation for her? Am I being too protective?

Really, once I think it over awhile, Allie doesn't have a 'perfect' scenario. She doesn't have a lot of boxes that need ticking. Just one really BIG box. What it comes down to is that all Allie REALLY needs is commitment warts and all. Someone that knows she's an onion dog. That she needs kindness, patience, time. She doesn't have bad behaviours, she isn't high-energy, fear-aggressive, --she's a flight dog--, or horrible on walks. She ignores people and they ignore her back. She's got a bubble. She isn't anything that needs a ton of understanding about canine communication. She's just plain and simple, untrusting and slow to warm up. I can give her potential home all the tools to help her bond, but I can't give them the patience and time to work her through it.

So, what is great about her potential home is that its a single woman (points, I think she'd do best with one person to bond with), and that there are other dogs in the household (super points, as she will look to the other dogs for what to do). However, it doesn't seem she knows much if anything about fearful dogs, so we'll see how that goes. I'm going to trust my gut on meet+greet. But that won't stop me from flip-flopping right up until the meet+greet. Oh Allie. I want what's best for you, but most importantly, I want you to have someone to love you forever. I think I'm afraid of it being a woman who thinks just her prescence can heal the broken dog. Hopefully I'm just being paranoid!

So, an interesting upcoming week for sure. And its only Monday!

Emily Out

Bits and Pieces from a Scatter-Brain

A couple of ups, and a down or two over the weekend, but the ups have more than made up for it.

Firstly, we did a homecheck for a couple who want to be pre-approve to adopt somebody, they were looking mostly at a particular dog in Taiwan, but really, they just want somebody who is going to fit them. I love un-picky people after the fit and not the look, age or size. AWESOME people. Their current dog does have some behavioural issues (fear agression with both people and other dogs) but the way they understand him is simply amazing. They understand they most likely won't be able to 'fix' him, but make sure his problems are managed as best as possible.

Where do they hide people like this -we need to clone them! (I secretely wish they might be interested in miss Allie Bubba.)

It's like having a child with ADD or Autism or what-not. There are lots of ways to deal with the problem and make the best out of the situation -and indeed many of the people with these 'disorders' are more stable than those without- but it is a condition, most likely lifelong. It is part of their being and to think it'll completely go away is asking for trouble.

Anyway, I brought Helen to meet them, as I wanted to see what kind of energy Pierre would need in a second dog. She did awesome. Helen is a super polite dog, awesomely dog-social. Despite the 'reactive' label she'd be given and that sometimes she can be a downright snotty snob, she knows her meet+greets, she knows how to deal with unbalanced dogs . She's a fleer like Allie. She won't engage in hostilities unless someone has her backed into a corner. She'll very politely just excuse herself :P Despite being a foster dog, I knew she was the best out of my current pack to deal with Pierre anyway. (Beckett is big and blind, Lemon thinks EVERYBODY is her friend and is tiny. Not necessarily great dogs to have meet+greet possible fear aggression)

Anyway, Pierre most definitey is the kind of dog who will hugely benefit from having another dog, but from the visit I could tell he needs a calm, adult female with stable energy. He doesn't need a play partner. He needs a stablizer. (THEY GET THAT TOO. How cool is that!) Not that he needs a 'role model' to follow, he just needs someone impeccebly well-balanced and confident in themselves to feed off of. So, in bringing Helen I might have just brought them exactly what they needed. We'll see if she won them over, but I'm so glad they are so open to just bringing in somebody that 'works'. Really, that's what rescue is about -especially in the second dog world-. Finding the second one can be hard. The first one you make work because they are the only dog, but the second has to not only fit the people, but fit the other dog.

But they've dealt with so much -and so calmly and realistically- with the first dog I know whoever lands with them -regardless if they have 'issues' or not- will get the attention they need.

So we'll see where that one goes. I have no real idea, but it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if they'd like to adopt Helen. Maybe they'll want to meet+greet Allie?? ---I can dream can't I?

On the Alphie front, he was brought in to the vet by his trialling home and has dry eyes, and small ulcers due to them. He's on drops now and might need them the rest of his life. I have my fingers crossed that doesn't get in the way of him staying with the awesome family he's trialling with. They haven't asked me to come get him, so I think we'll be okay. Daily eyedrops, even if they're for life shouldn't be a dealbreaker right? (Opinions wanted!) But this is rescue, you never knows which or how many straws breaks camel backs. Sometimes I feel like I'm playing the jenga tower!

Alvin's meet and greet got back to us too, so he's scheduled in next week providing his potential new mum is over a nasty flu. I say, that's okay, keep that flu to yourself! Alvin has his normal dog days when he's part of the pack, and he has his days where he reverts to the Chihuahua who doesn't know how to do anything, but that's all apart of learning to become someone or somedog new. Good days and bad days.

Allie's homecheck will be done today.

Hmm, wait a second. Might it be possible that everyone is adopted in a week??? Alphie on trial, if Allie's homecheck goes well she could be going home this week too. Once Alvin's homecheck is done he can pretty much to go his new home immediately if they're a good fit. And if AWESOMEST home fell in love with Helen, who knows.

I think two. It could be none, it could be all of them. I think we're in for an interesting week!

Alphie on Trial!!

Alphie went to trial today -they loved him so much they didn't want to wait for his eyes to fully clear up. Good luck little man!

(The only reason it's not a full adoption is because his eyes are still not up to snuff. Two more days of polysporin and a vet check will rule out anything, but we want to make sure he's healthy for them! I'm pretty sure its nothing serious, but I never doubt the power of Murphy's Law to screw something up. Oh god, how I pray its nothing serious!)

Pics of Alphie in foster care:

Trials always make me nervous, so I'm not offically counting Alphie out of the foster front until two weeks from now, but he's such an easy man if he needs to come back no big deal. The worst mistake to make with trials is thinking they're in the bag. 80% of the time they are, but as soon as you get cocky karma throws you a monkey wrench. Unless there's something severely wrong with his eyes, I'm sure this one is good to go though.

Oh, and on a side note, I came home to a jumpy happy spaniel all over me that jumped up -after nearly mauling me- on the couch and let me pet her with no flinching, no scooting over, no bending of the head thinking I might hit her. Just a happy spaniel ready for a good scratch. One month anniversary present? There's suckee spaniel underneath it all. The personality is as pretty as the package :) She's still an onion dog (layers of abuse and unkindness have taken their toll), but she wants to trust.

Trust in the process. Things work out how they're supposed to. You can't change the past, you can only move forward.

Welcome Back Lemon-Brat

Safe to say Lemon is officially back to 'normal' from spay and kennel cough. With a house full of mostly couch potatoes, she's the firecracker. She makes Alvin play with her, and Helen is mimicking Lemon -which is funny, cause Lemon's play includes a lot of humping-, and as per usual, after her hours of play, she's zonked out in a stupid position beside me snoring in my ear.

It is moments like this I go, why the hell am I giving Alvin a hard time? Lemon is just as annoying. My answer for this is: Lemon is mobile -she's a ping-pong ball- and she has dog skills (albeit, a little on the impatient side). Maybe what bugs me most about Alvin is that he can't do much on his own. Stairs and furniture are huge obstacles for him. But, if I was six pounds, they'd be mountains to me too. So, props to mister 6 pounds for dealing with me, and with annoying Lemon. At least now that she's feeling better they can be annoying together :P

Oh, and he's making progress on getting up on the couch. You leave him whine and pout and be an idiot for a few minutes and he'll eventually scrabble his way up, only to leave a few minutes later. Boys, they never know what they want! ---As a previous purse boy, he's so used to being picked up to do ANYTHING. Too bad mister.

Today was an awesome day. Alphie had a fantastic combo homecheck+meet and greet. A great family with older children who he promptly snuggled with. He did his job and completely ignored me and loved up the family. I'm hoping to hear back from them tomorrow. The weirdest thing was that one of their sons (adult son) goes to school with Jerrad in Mechanical Engineering. Small world -though it always seems to be in dog rescue-.

Allie also made progress today and has gotten full 'off-leash' house priviledges. Before she was much too skittish, had potential to fear bite for me to bring her out of her crate if I needed to. I needed to make sure she was comfortable with my approach. Although I was still a bit unsure, at almost a month here, I knew it was time whether I was ready or not. She proved the benefit of the doubt works :) Now, I can crawl into her crate with her and put her leash on. She's still a little jumpy about it, -she isn't too fond of the approach- but she doesn't throw herself into a temper tantrum or become a fish out of water. This will be a process for the next few days, but I'm hoping soon she'll associate the leash with her walks, and that she'll want it to be put on. Time, patience, kindness. They will slowly mend her.

Allie has a homecheck on Sunday. Someone else is doing the homecheck, but I've given them the laundry list of 'Allie Bubba', all the good, and all the things she needs work (more time, patience) on. I'm a little torn. She's ready for her special someone, I know she is, but how do I trust its the right person? She's still one heck of a project dog -she might always be a project dog. In my gut there's no wiggle room with Allie. Either the person(s) is/are right, or they aren't. No maybes. I've promised her no maybes. I haven't felt so conflicted about a foster before -I think its because I'm worried about her. If/when she goes, will she take long to make a relationship? Will she even make a relationship? Will she regress to how she was before? Will they keep her forever despite her flaws?

And most importantly, Will she be happy? I see some happiness in her now, that sparkle in the eyes, that real wagging tail, the silly spaniel dance. I know she's capable of sharing this with someone else, but are they ready to wait for it? No use twisting my stomach in knots about it until the homecheck comes back with news.

And last, but not least I had a great conversation wtih Yvette at TG. I'm not sure quite why, but talking to her always makes me calm, and yet excited at the same time. Calm because I know she knows what she's doing and that I trust her to continue the track record, but excited because she talks about all her dogs and I want to foster all the buggers. Well, not all of them ;). If/When Alphie goes, we'll be up for another foster :) I'm SO glad to be possibly having another TG dog. I think I was going through withdrawal!

In closing notes, I have a suspicion Alvin's potential family got cold feet, as I haven't heard back from them. We'll see. He's a good dog, he is. I'm just being a confident, jerky female. Don't you worry Alvin, you'll find that home eventually (but it's still not here ;) ).

Pictures

I've been feeling a little pictureless for a bit. Both Allie and Helen really dislike the camera. Allie can go from happy spinning spaniel to 'run for the crate' when the camera comes out. My dear, how am I supposed to show people you've improved? Maybe its part of her tactic to stay longer??

So, some pictures:

Hard Knock Life

Allie: "It wasn't me. HE pulled the blankets in!"

Beckett of the LONG LONG legs.

A Contemplating Lemon

Helen's "If you don't love me, I'll DIE." face.

Alvin mid-sneeze.

Alvin's Dark Side.

Finally a body shot of the pretty Helen.

Applications :)

So, both of the boys have a homecheck to do. Alphie has one on Friday. I just hope his eyes clear up. He's over KC, but suddenly his eyes are really boogery/developing blue film ---he can still see, so we're good that way. He's got drops and polysporin for today and tomorrow, and a vet visit on Sunday if they don't clear up. If it isn't one thing its another...

Alvin has his homecheck this weekend too.

Fingers crossed boys! It's been almost a month, its time to transition to those new homes :) :) :)

Lemon is back to normal from her spay. She's back to being her spitfire self, wrestling Beckett and beating up on me when I let her. She's also made it her mission to teach Alvin how to play. Unfortunately, she's so impatient (much like me!) she just gets frustrated with his minimal learning skills, and starts mounting him. Beckett and Jerrad have patience out the ying-yang. Us girls not so much :P

Allie has made lots of progress. She is now hanging out in the common area, right in the middle, no worries if I'm 'close' to her. Open crate be darned, she wants to be in on the action! She's also started to solicit attention here and there. Only to scratch her nose or under her chin, but by golly, for the dog who ran at the slightest sign someone was going to pay her any attention, that's a big milestone. I can also take the leash on and off her now, though I put it on well before I need to use it. IE: I am making it a routine, but don't completely trust it yet. She needs to be okay with some approach before I make 'off-leash' permenant.

The only thing that is slightly worrying about Allie is that she has become 'my dog' -she doesn't trust Jerrad more than take her out for her pees and little walks and still grumbles at him from time to time. I'm sure she's capable of eventually trusting more than one person, but even if I make a lot of progress with her, she'll start from near-scratch when she moves to wherever it is that she'll eventually go. Soon she'll start daycare, so I'm hoping that'll slowly pull her out. I'm glad she's not fearful with people in her general area, but she'll eventually have to be handled. One step at a time though :)

I've also figured out what works with Helen. Verbal correction or physical correction even done softly have her going 'ooooooo, they don't love me anymore :( :(, tail tuck, ears slicked back. She showed me her belly when I poked her lightly. I don't want her to cower or be scared of asking for attention, I just don't want her to constantly paw at me (or my face!) to get attention. So, I've become a dog. I give her dog signals. I show my teeth, squint my eyes, do stare downs, growl at her. And I've snapped at her too. I'm most definitely not a dog, so the body signals aren't quite right, but she gets them. And she gets them without getting shut down. So I'll look stupid and act like a dog.

**ironically we use this approach at daycare too, but its usually with really rough dogs, not the soft ones.

Pictures soon. Without the fence completely finished, its hard to get anything that isn't a bunch of dogs trying to cuddle. We just have a gate though, and that should be accomplished over the weekend.

I must admit though, I like my little walks. Feels more like a pack :)

Emily Out

Temptations, an Update and a Milestone

So, I get back in touch with TG -they were having computer difficulties for awhile- and the first thing I get nailed with are these cute little suckers. They are only 5.5 weeks old, so couldn't come on the next bus run, but jeepers creepers, what faces! It doesn't help that Jerrad has been bugging me to get another puppy foster since Dayo, and that Allie, being a breeder's dog, might do really well having puppies around.

Black Babies

We have awhile to figure these babies out though. Most likely they'll be adopted before Yvette can send them to me ;) We'll see. I'll possibly be getting my first TG foster in the next week or two. Not sure who, or exactly when, but I'm excited to get back to my TG roots. But if not this upcoming bus run, hopefully the next one. Once my current pack is adopted, I really want to get back to fostering TG dogs. Not necessarily exclusively, but I really do want them to be my main focus.

The main reason they haven't been lately is that the bus only comes down every month, month and a half, and usually that leaves me with a couple of weeks (or longer) without any foster dogs. I don't do well empty, especially when there's e-mails out my butt about dogs in danger.

Beckett and Lemon are TG alumni, and don't get me wrong, every dog -Alvin included ;)- has grown on me regardless from which rescue, but I'm never worried with the TG dogs. Sure they might come slightly shy, or scared, or with a bit of baggage, but they fit in the group easily. I'm biased, but TG dogs really are the best. First and foremost, they know how to be DOGS.

The only dogs we've ever seriously considered adopting have been: Trunk, Tucker, Dayo, and obviously Lemon. All Turtle Gardens dogs :) Hmmm, maybe I'm doing better not fostering for them. I don't seem to fall in love with non-TG dogs as much ;)

 

And speaking of puppies. Picture update of Suhki-Dayo! I see him quite often, but take a look at him growing up!

Now: About 7 months

Shortly after he left foster care

Suhki-Dayo when he first came into foster care

And, the last tidbit of the blog. Allie's milestone. When I took Helen out for her pee tonight (she goes out every hour until she pees, and then she gets a 3-4 hour break), I came back in to Allie jumping up on me. She's usually happy to see me, but it was so good to have that physical connection with her on her own terms. There's a dog that wants to trust underneath all that baggage. I feel so blessed that I got to share that moment with her. It might have been the first moment she's ever felt that at ease with any human being. How lucky am I that I get to be that person!

I'm sure they'll be more setbacks to come, and more progress too, but its the little moments that get you. The moments they shed their shells and show you whose underneath. And underneath, Allie shines brightly. Time, patience and love. Whoever adopts her and is willing to subscribe to those three words will forever have a great friend. For now, I'll enjoy the small day-to-day moments. Patience -its a good thing for me :)

I Need a Bigger Couch -and other things

Okay, so I can't get a full shot of us all on the couch, but that's how I've been spending my morning. Me, and six pooches, squished all together on the couch. Allie, Helen, Alphie on the left, me in the middle, and Beckett, Lemon and Alvin on the right.

Everybody is coming along well, and the biggest change I've seen with Helen coming in is with Alvin. The other dogs are quite polite with him, but Helen puts up with no guff -she's in no way aggressive, she's just very firm and direct. Alvin understands her very clear and precise communication. Suddenly he's no bother. Although I never thought I'd say it, he's kind of growing on me. Welcome to doghood little man!

The pipsqueak. My fingers look HUGE!

Alphie's kennel cough isn't completely gone, but he isn't hacking nearly as much, and definitely not as hard. He's still got some eye-goobers, but his appetite has drastically improved, as has his mobility. When we're laying on the couch together he's not shivering or wheezing. I'm so glad. I was quite worried about my little man. Out of everyone here, I always look forward to seeing Alphie when I get home from work. Most of the other dogs maul me, and Allie comes running to the baby gate to see me in. But Alphie stays on the couch until I come around the corner and then nearly wags out of his skin in happiness. He's so nice. I know he's a little black, bland boy, but I tell you, he really is a best friend. He's so lovely, but not needy.

It's a rough life I tell you! 

Allie continues to make progress. She can go walk in busy areas without a worry until someone stops and wants to pet her. I just tell them, "Sorry, she doesn't like being petted" and some of them look at me like I'm crazy, but most go "Oh, okay" and continue on their way. People have to learn dog's have personal bubbles just like people do (although if you told that to Lemon she'd roll her eyes). Allie isn't nearly as quick to jump away from a stranger's approach now. She trusts that I won't let them touch her.

Allie is a perplex puzzle to me. She's not people fearful, and she's not overly shy, she just doesn't trust anybody. I see glimpses of trust with me (I woke up from a movie yesterday with her head on my butt, and my hand on her head), and even though she still skitters away from my touch a lot, she doesn't skitter far. It's like she's going, "No thanks, let's hang out from here." I think she trusts I'm good company and won't do her harm, but she still isn't comfortable being approached, even by me.

Although Helen and Allie are nearly polar opposites, Helen is good for Allie. Helen is outgoing and affectionate and kind of needy. Ying to Yang? They need to rub off on each other a bit ;) I know it'll take awhile for Allie to find her perfect match, as whoever that is has to let her come to them completely on her terms. But I've promised her that person or family is out there. And for as long as she needs, she's got us. And I admit, as frustrated as Allie gets me sometimes, I do have a big soft spot for her. She's recovering, and healing, and its not a fast process. She's making me learn some patience though, and I could use some more of that :)

Allie with her role model Beckett. Out of anyone, Allie trusts Beckett the most. When I work with Allie, I always have Beckett with me. He's her mentor.

Helen has also fit in with relative ease. She's having a hard time adjusting to her new food, but otherwise is doing well. She's got a few bad habits: like trying to countersurf (She isn't quite tall enough to do it efficiently ;) ) and trying to bolt out the door when it opens, but with postive reinforcement (she's got no spine, so hard corrections are for her) she's getting there.

The most frustrating part about Helen is that she likes to try to get away with stuff, and be completely sneaky, but then when she's caught she can cry like a baby. I'm pretty sure she's never been told 'no' and is finding rules scary. It's going to be interesting finding a balance with her. I don't want to put too much stress/pressure on her, but I need to make sure she gets the point. She's definitely a soft dog though. Soft dogs are both a good thing and sometimes troubling. They usually don't put up any resistance, but at the same time you risk scaring them with almost any correction. I'm sorry my dear Helen. Rules are rules. Once you learn them, there's no need for correction :)

Helen looking out the window. She's fascinated (and frustrated) by windows. She doesn't quite understand why she can't go say hi to the people outside! -There's kids tobaggoning across the way.

 Lovely Helen.

Lemon still has kennel cough too, and with recovering from her spay, has been couch-bound by her own choosing the last day or two. Lemon is exactly the kind of dog I'm grateful for. She feeds of everyone else's energy. If they're wild, she's wild. If they're chill, she's also a couch-potato. Little miss follower.

And now, some pictures from the last few days:

The yard, full of snow! Too bad we couldn't finish the gate in time so that it was a secure yard :S (Dear snow, please go away so we can finish the gate!)

 Jerrad out with Helen and Allie

Three Chihuahuas in a Row.

 Lemon mid-shake.

 Alvin: "Please foster dad, LOVE ME!"

 Helen face shot.

 Ying and Yang Dogs.

 Foster dad on duty.

Lemon returns to her humping roots :P

It seems like a rather slow time for adoptions. Maybe everyone got dogs over Christmas? Either way, I'm not quite sure why nobody has any real interest. (Although someone did make a good point that I'm giving Alvin a hard time on this blog.) Helen isn't up yet though, so that could change. Who knows. Either way, the pack is happy. A couple of snotty noses, but good chemistry.

And an awww moment to finish off the blog. Alvin is keeping care of sick Alphie. He's grooming Alphie's ears and head. I'm not quite sure if Alphie wants to tell him off, but he hasn't yet. Maybe they'd make good brothers yet :) The one that needs to learn how to be a real dog, and the one that needs to be a little less cranky.

But I very much doubt anyone wants to adopt them together.
But then again, in rescue, you never really know how the cards are going to be dealt.

For now, I'm just happy. Group foster -even if its only 6 six- works. Alvin couldn't become who he is becoming without stable dogs. Allie could not learn to begin to trust without role models to learn from. Dogs heal other dogs, plain and simple.

I'm just here for food, pee-breaks, supervision and direction. And for the fosters to have the manners needed to be good house pets. My role is rather minimal, but it is a role nonetheless.

We all have a part to play.

Emily Out

New Arrival in a Snowy Wonderland

So, its snowing like no tomorrow here in Victoria. As a Saskatchewan girl, its no big deal, but its pretty much shut the city down. Today there are only 8 dogs at the daycare, so Ive been given a snow day too!

There's a nice blanket overtop of everything. Beckett is HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY. He runs around the farm in the snow and is an absolute snow dog. He tosses it up in the air and spins circles. But at the same time, he's keen to come outside after 10-15 minutes to warm up. He's got no undercoat!

Lemon also loves the snow. Although its getting piled up so much that when she tries to follow Beckett she lands in too big of a pile and has to squirm her way back out. 12 pounds isn't really meant for snow :P But she's a good sport about it and its funny to watch her go like stink through it like she's tunneling.

Alphie and Alvin really don't care for the snow. Poor Alvin steps out and is already up to his belly swimming in the stuff. To his credit, he hasn't had any accidents inside. Slowly, he's figuring out how to be a well-mannered dog around the other dogs. I'm letting everyone tell him off. Even Alphie has gotten a good tell-off that isn't too severe. He's still on the annoying side, but that's in his class-clown nature. Once the kennel cough runs its course through here (by next weekend at latest), Im going to bring Alvin to daycare with me. He needs stimulus the other dogs arent giving him here. Mostly, he needs someone to play with. Lemon will play with him a bit, but shed rather play rough with Beckett or chill out with Alphie.

Alphie's kennel cough is slowly going away. He hasn't put on any weight whatsoever, and its worrying. Not only can I see his hip bones, but Im starting to see parts of his spine too. Im hoping once the KC runs its course, he starts putting on some weight. Regardless, hes still a happy, cuddly, easy-going dude. His sickness isnt running him down much.

Allie is whatever about the snow. Although she hasnt come any further than the last few days, shes still my couch potato, cheese scrounger and doesnt hang in her kennel very much. Soon Ill be working on taking her leash on and off. Since shes so hesitant to be touched, Ive been leaving it on just as a trust measure. I dont want to set her back by letting her offleash and then freaking her out by putting it back on. So when were on the couch later today Ill take it on and off a couple of times, to get her used to it. Weve still got a gate to make for the fence, so it isnt secure. Once its secure its not a big deal as we can work on the leash issues slowly, (they might not be issues at all), but Id like to keep the speed up. Shes come so far. Shes so close to being adoptable.

Oh, and I suppose the whole point of this blog was a new arrival.

Welcome: Helen

Helen is from Taiwan, also being fostered for Island Dogz. Although she looks like a German Sheppard, shes actually only about 20 pounds or so. So Sheltie size. Island Dogz has been wanting to bring Helen for awhile, but shed been labeled reactive. After seeing videos of her I went yeah right, reactive my butt, she just doesnt like dogs right up in her face. Thats fair.

Helen was dropped off at daycare yesterday and did just fine. She got bowled over once or twice by a golden retriever puppy with no tell-off. She interacted with everyone just fine, and has good introduction skills. I had dogs in her big personal bubble and she was fine. The ONLY thing, which isnt reactive at all, is that she doesnt like dogs playing right beside her muzzle. She tells off, appropriately. I too dont like people right in my face. She is polite, well-mannered, social. Not really playful with other dogs (yet). She is a people dog. Super friendly. Cute as a button, friendly, social with everyone -I dont think shell last in foster care very long :P

She walked in here just fine. The only dog she told off was Beckett -hes blind and got a little bit too much in her face-, but he went oh yeah, sorry, and they were fine. Social skills are about communication. People dont like the growls, the tell-offs, the barring of the teeth. These are all signs of a properly socialized dog. You wouldnt chastise your kid for asking another kid to get lost or please leave me alone. Sure, there are dogs that are fine with absolutely everything, but these are far and few in between, just like people.

So, we welcome Helen, who hasnt had any accidents inside (yet), slept through the night in her crate, and is as friendly as they come. We will work on her not putting her paws anywhere and everywhere, and she will need to learn barriers around doorways -she could be a bit of a bolter or escape artist that way-, as well as leash skills, but yet another highly adoptable pooch in the house.

One more and we are a full house. I have my fingers crossed for an adoption or two by the end of the month, but there is no time limit on the foster front. There are average times of course -about a month-, but you take them on for the long-haul if necessary.

Hopefully Ill get some snow pictures to add to this blog later today!

2 Week Update

Alphie was diagnosed with kennel cough, but nothing more serious. With the meds, he should be KC free within 1 1/2 weeks. Lemon has some light coughing too, but unless she gets anymore serious, she should be able to ride out her KC without drugs. Not a sniffle, cough or extra lethargic day for the other three. Bordetella works!

Lemon was spayed Tuesday, and is slowly becoming her old self. She isn't playing quite yet, but she's back to her fairly independent yet cuddly self. No more 'pity me' baby.

Allie has done really well this week. She spends very little time in her crate out of her own choosing -even if it is available-. Most of the time now she's a couch potato. She visited with Sherry, another volunteer and did great. Went up for some cheese (though rolled her eyes at the beef jerky!), got comfy on her couch. Even jumped up beside Sherry once or twice to give her a sniff. I had my sister over yesterday which kind of confused her (although we don't look all that similiar, we have super similiar voices.) After an hour or so Allie was fine with Kathleen hanging on the couch with us and having her stroke her toes. Even with her open crate she didn't go into hiding. Yes! We're well on our way. She still isn't a fan of being touched (she'll let me pet her once she's settled on the couch, but I don't know if she particularly enjoys it), but she's no scaredy cat, and there's less and less potential for fear bite (there's ALWAYS potential in any dog, so to rule it out completely isn't realistic.)

I see her with a middle-aged couple who like shorter walks and to putter around in the garden, and don't mind that she isn't overly physically affectionate. Of course she could go to other situations too, but she needs a quieter place, somewhere she can relax. Another week and I think she'll be ready to go to a special home. No idea if that home is out there sooner rather than later, but I'm not too worried. As much as people seem to want to adopt overly friendly, kissy-face dogs, the shy guys are the easier to have around. They don't ask for much, are hardly ever 'needy', and its really rewarding once they decide they trust you. Allie's an easy-keeper. Rough around the edges still, but an easy-keeper. If she stays months I don't really mind.

As for Alvin, I'm trying to think of his annoyingness as entertaining. He is definitely entertaining. He's a one dog circus. He makes tunnels for himself out of the blankets, throws his chew boys clear across the room to go chase them, and every five minutes or so tries to get you to pay attention to him. Although he peeves me off, I can see a young boy or girl having a lot of fun with him. He's got a family out there somewhere that will want to laugh at his sillyness. Alvin can fit pretty much everywhere. Busy family, retired senior, single dog, bunch of dogs, cats, farm, bachelor apartment. It's hard to believe for a dog that could go just about anywhere, that he doesn't have a single application. I admit, he's kind of ugly, but he is funny. Surely someone must want to adopt him?

No apps on anyone. Oh well, everyone is settled at this point, and despite the fact that there are 5 dogs in the house, it feels like maybe 3. Alphie is so lazy, he's like having a cuddly cat. Allie doesn't ask for anything -she's not the princess she was last week. Throughout the time I've been fostering, I've learnt that it isn't the number of dogs in the house, but the overall energy of the group. The dynamics are much more important. I've had 3 dogs in the house and been nearly pulling my hair out. I've had 7 in the house (the most I had at one point), and despite the extra poo, it was a pretty zen week.

Besides, weeks 3+4 are the best fostering weeks. The dogs have learnt the routine, they've pushed the boundaries and I've pushed back. Their pack has formed --it isn't an uncommon sight for everyone but Alvin to be hanging out on the couch. They all realize he's a misfit :). Their 'issues' usually start melting more and more away, and the shy guys suddenly get lightbulbs that they don't have to be so shy. But hopefully we'll see some adoption before about week 5-6, as although only a few dogs have stayed until that point, that's usually the 'the honeymoon is over' phase and the boundaries get tested in all new ways.

So I will enjoy the next two weeks, and have my fingers crossed that these Chihuahuas find their forever homes soon. But even if they don't, I forsee another foster in the near future.

Update: I am the Dog's Woof

Open crate, and Allie has decided I'm still better company. She's also not flinching when I pet her on the couch. I'm not sure if she overly likes it, but she tolerates it anyway. I also took her over to Sherry's (volunteer for Island Dogz) and she did very well. Got some cheese, was as curious as possible, hung out on the couch with Sherry for a bit and generally followed Beckett around. She's confident until you go to pet her and then she's like 'no thanks' and goes back to being independent. She isn't a coward anymore at least. Just needs a quiet home that knows she's still a work in progress, and isn't overly affectionate (she could be done the road though!)

Photos from the Couch

Alphie is scheduled for a vet check tomorrow. His cough/cold is getting worse :( I'm just hoping its not going to pass to anyone else. Everyone else is vaccinated against it (so is he), but you never know. If we get some meds tomorrow we should be KC (or whatever it is) free within two weeks. Fingers crossed its just kennel cough. Will update you all tomorrow.

I'm not Feeling so Hot

Tidbits

1) Alphie's meet and greet last week never went anywhere. Very sad, as he tried so hard to win them over, and I really thought he had. Oh well, he's a good snuggle butt. Easy to have around.

2) Allie is turning into my sidekick and couch companion. She's still a bit of a wallflower, but something in her has decided I'm not too shabby as far as humans go.

3) Beckett finally snapped. Alvin the pest finally learnt some respect. And I let Beckett go like stink on that little dog's ass (Beckett never makes contact, but he's super scary looking when he finally snaps. I've only seen him snap on 3 different dogs at daycare, and now, they all respect him -and as stupid as they'll play with others, they play properly with him :P) So, last night Alvin learnt that he shouldn't be a pest -at least to Beckett-. Finally, some progress.

4) Alphie seems to have some kennel cough or potential uppe respiratory infection. She's a snuffly, gooby little man. So off to the vet today to book him an appointment. It is not unusual for KC/URI to come up with them from California and not show itself for a week or two. It's been a big change on his little system, and its certainly much colder up here. No signs of it transfering to the other dogs, but we'll be on the lookout. At least KC/URI is fairly easy to treat.

5) We finish the fence tomorrow -providing no downpour!

Small Moment of Comfort

I'm sure it could have waited a couple of days, but it made me smile too much not to share. While doing our last 'couch session' last night, Allie fell asleep against my arm, and stayed there a good half an hour or better and let me stroke her chin and nose. This morning, she jumped up on the couch and is currently hanging on the other end -no attempts to get closer-. I think she's decided I'm okay company. For a human.

ALLVVIIIIIINNNN ---and other things.

I'm turning into Dave from Alvin and the Chipmunks. Someone once told me dogs live up to their names, so be careful what you name them. I got exactly what I named Alvin. The annoying chipmunk.

I admit, I'm not the most patient person in the world, and perhaps I have too many buttons capable of pushing, but I've never met a dog that's been able to push all of them at once, and by just being plain ANNOYING! And I thought Graelee was annoying. Alvin is a whole category to himself of annoyingness. Alvin might just be killable annoying.

Alvin has his stupid little head everywhere. If he isn't sleeping (which thankfully he does a lot of) he's bugging somebody. He walks on top of Beckett, -like 'hop on pop' walk on him-, pesters the heck out of Lemon, and always seems to want whatever spot Alphie has made himself comfy in. I'm somewhat regretting I was hard on Alphie the first day or two, cause Alphie had a good hate-on and I don't allow any form of being a jerk here, but I'm beginning to understand why Alphie was a douche-bag. I'm starting to develop a serious dislike of this little idiot dog. I admit, there have been a few times I just have to put him away or I might just kill the little bugger. Better for his safety that he's crated than throttled.

He doesn't get anything. Not that he's stupid, but that he seems, well, like he's broken. He doesn't understand dog body language, he doesn't understand that he's not an entitled prince. Before us I'm almost 100% sure he'd never been told "NO". No is not in his vocabulary. Neither is stop, away, get out, get up, or MOVE. He just isn't phazed by anything -except food. Still, that has a rather limited effect ---GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME. Then the food goes away and he's GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME for the next hour.

And he has the most annoying habit that if no one is paying any attention to him he just sits in the middle of the room and squeaks. Like a mouse squeaks. And he squeaks until you pay attention to him -nicely or not-.

I've done the nice route, I've done the quite physical route (as far as you can go with a Chihuahua anyway), I've done the positive reinforcement thing, I've done the completely ignore thing, I've gone the dog-signals type of information route, and the "I mean business" route. Hard, soft, cool, calm, angry, frustrated, nothing. It all yields the same result: ANNOYING!

He's not a bad dog. He really isn't. He's just making me pull my hair out because I expect stuff from the dogs here, and Alvin expects that the world revolves around him and that he shouldn't fit into any of the rules. (The rules are minimal by the way. Although they now include: don't be a complete pest!) It's also slightly frustrating that the harsher I am on Alvin, or the more frustrated I get with him, the energy rubs off on Allie too and she gets back in her 'OMG, back to my crate' mode.

But we've made some progress with Allie. She is now "I will come for Cheese" dog, and if I move, she's heading to the kitchen figuring she'll be getting some tidbits of cheddar. She won't take them from me when I'm standing (leaning over her still makes her skitter backwards, and it probably will for a bit yet), but if I sit down, she'll come up and grab a piece. Slowly she's becoming aware that I offer more than just one piece and doesn't dart away with her spoils as much. I will take 'will come for cheese'. I just wish she'd like something a little cheaper :P.

I've also done a couple of 'couch sessions' with her. Perhaps a weird idea, but I bring her up on the couch with me, and I don't ask for anything except that she stay there with me until she's calm and relaxed. Throughout the session I move closer to her. She likes when I stroke her paws. I'm even getting kisses to my hand. At first it was a struggle getting her up on the couch (we're still using a leash at all times, I won't be taking it off until she's comfortable with me handling her enough to put her leash on and off) but after a few times she now knows 'up' and will get up on the couch with relative ease.

Now that she's relatively 'settled' I want to try to move her forward a bit faster. If left to her complete own devices, she'd have nothing to do with us unless it involves one of her walks, a pee break or cheese. I don't mind if she isn't an overly peoply dog, but I do need to make her comfortable to be approached, and to be petted, and to not feel people are going to hurt her. These are basics and I need to make sure she's okay in her own skin before she goes wherever it is she eventually goes. Not that there aren't people out there that are willing to work with how she is now, but I think I'd be too nervous to see her go without the basics. She has so much potential to be an awesome family pet, but at the same time she has a lot of potential to regress.

As always, the right person(s) for the right dog. Matchmaker matchmaker, make us a match. (But first, please find Alvin his match okay.)

Emily Out

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.