Pending Adoptions

It's been a nutty few days. We've had our crew (3), plus the two TG fosters (2), plus Daisy (1) which puts us at our usual 6 places, but over the last few days we've tipped the 6 dog limit by a few members.

Levi/Nellie is a returned TG dog due to illness in the family. She was sent here under the assumption that she'd need some boot-camp -I was under the impression she was a bratty manipulative collie mix teenager. She did need some boot-camp, but nothing huge -and she's got NOTHING on a real collie. She's a very nice dog, quite loyal, good with dogs though a bit stiff/worried in introductions (nothing a couple session at daycare won't start to improve), submissive and a good medium energy. She is a busy puppy though, which I guess could be mistaken for being a brat or high-energy?

Honestly, the only thing Levi/Nellie needs from me to make her more adoptable though is some training in the patience department, and in the "tough bananas" department. This means she learns to wait for things she wants -like leaving a crate, or leaving the house, or leaving the car, food, pets, play time. She learns that everything she wants she doesn't automatically get, but that she has to earn. The other thing she needs from me is a dose of reality. Levi's previous home did a good job of basic commands it seems, but -as typical of most owners- forgot the "you're going to do it anyway some times," idea.

IE: She's been catered to. If she doesn't want to, she doesn't have to.

"I don't want to go in the crate" --> temper tantrum. Why? Temper tantrum at SOME point has allowed her to NOT do as she's asked. She's no dumb dog, she knows, anything that works you might as well try it again. But with some practice, in and out, in and out, in and out, in and out, she's getting it. I ask you to go in, you go in promptly, you're rewarded. Throw a fuss, you're still going in, you're just not going to be rewarded.

Kind of like when your mum pulls the "mum" card because she is... your mum! Of course a kind mum will give her kids the chance to do it right themselves.

Unless you get sheer and utter panic, TERRIFIED dog (rare, most of the time you just have a temper tantrum) it's important to not let go, at least not in the moment of the tantrum (regardless what the tantrum is about). All this leads to is a dog who goes "Oh, that worked, I'll do that again."  Even if you don't accomplish the end goal, finish the exercise in a state where the dog has calmed down from the tantrum.

I don't find her to be a brat at all, she is a nice puppy, busy, loving, very capable dog -not a brat, she a dog that is no dummy. And although I was told she was a barky britches I heard her bark here only once on her first day to which I promptly said very loudly and very sternly "WHAT do you think you're doing." Haven't heard a peep from her since.

She's been quite calm with me, providing I am calm with her and she gets sufficient exercise. Nothing an active home with a good-sized yard and a willingness to not let her get her way all the time can't maintain easily. Suffice to say she's not bratty, manipulative collie. She's also physically in very good health. Whatever her old family had her on, her coat is stunning.

Honestly, I think she's a highly adoptable girl and will make someone a great companion.

We're going to homecheck a potential home for her on Friday. The application was originally for another TG dog but wasn't quite the right match. We'll see if Levi is "the one". If so, awesome, if not, meeting any family will give me even more of an idea what her forever home should look like.

Here is an old picture of Levi. Will get some new pictures tomorrow or Friday.

Our second visitor is Sunday, who was supposed to come a few weeks ago, but Alice got on the plane instead. Sunday was actually supposed to come this next Monday but somehow came a week early. Either way, she had a family in the works and the hour they new she'd arrive they were ready to visit. So she's been here a few nights, but will go home tomorrow!

Sunday the Baby!

Also, a little update from Alice, who is very glad Sunday couldn't make the last flight, because it means she got to find her awesome new family. -Fate works in mysterious ways.

Here is Alice and her Mum saying Thank You to her Rescuers (I think I just sniffed a little)...

 So, that's 8 dogs, 4 of which are young foster dogs, plus one bratty collie. Piper, your girl has been such a great girl through it all. PS: she's getting bed privileges here and there ;) She might come home a little spoiled.

Luckily, Chopin goes home Saturday.
Sunday goes home tomorrow.

And we had a great homecheck for Peanut tonight, so I wouldn't be surprised if she went home for the weekend too.

A good thing too, because I'm away all of Saturday. I have the best husband ever (especially now that he's full-time employed!!), but asking him to take care of 8 dogs overnight is asking a little much hey!

I will try to get some more pictures in the next few days, especially of Levi, and of Peanut too because I don't think I've gotten many (she moves too fast.)

For now, to bed, and early to rise for another day at the daycare. Thank goodness the puppies come with me, blow off steam and are ready to snooze the afternoon away.

Emily Out

The Beach

The small dogs got an outing this morning on their own, so we took the big dogs to the beach this afternoon. Chopin is generally a little unnerved by new situations/environments, but seemed right at home in the water. He didn't venture out for a full swim, but ran around dragging his long-line for awhile, and eventually got some full off-leash time. This beach is pretty much our own private beach on Sundays it seems, not sure why as it is AWESOME. But I'm glad. Jinks isn't ready yet to visit busy beaches with lots of people. Plus Chopin doesn't have a recall, he just sticks with the other dogs.

Chopin in the surf.

Jinks hoofing it down the beach.

Beckett enjoying the outing.

 I can finally see Beckett starting to slow down. He's a senior now! He still loves going to the beach though, even though he doesn't really run anymore.

Chopin hanging with Beckett.

Perturbed Jinks. Jerrad threw her ball into too deep water and it was carried out to sea :(

Some more video for fun!

And some pictures of the small guys doing what small Chi mixes do best...

Proof for Piper!! ---Daisy has decided to commune with Beckett and Lemon :)

Proof Peanut must be related to Lemon. I swear I have a picture exactly like this, but with Lemon in the same position!

Getting miss Levi tomorrow. I think she'll be a pull-my-hair out adventure. 

Reform School

This Border Collie mix brat, coming to foster boot camp tomorrow after a failed adoption. 7-8 months and apparently used to running the show. She's a sibling to previous foster dog Wrangler (now Zap). From description high-energy, manipulative, barky "brat". Good luck pup, I know your type all too well. Welcome to reform school.

Unsuspecting Specimen

---In other slight news, Chopin has a homecheck tonight! Fingers crossed. He has other applications too, so hopefully he finds his home really soon.

Peanut still has no interest. Lemon is coming round to her finally though.

Multi-Dog Joys

You'd think it was bigger things like vet costs, and food costs and extra messes, small tiffs between pack members and extra fur that would be burdensome in a multi-dog household. Well, I can tell you it's not the big things that drive me nuts, it's the little things.

It's warm out! Which means, Beckett will overheat easily with his thick northern coat, and Jinks being black could overheat easily too, so the fan needs to be on full blast so they can comfortably lounge. But having the fan on means Lemon, who although super furry herself, suddenly freezes, thus becoming really needy/grumpy. Of course the heat makes Beckett go "get away from me" if she tries to cuddle him. Then poor Daisy who is here, who is a short haired Chi who hails from California shivers her little bum off. Of course none of the dogs care to position themselves in the most comfortable spot as per where the fan is -instead it is based upon where I am-, so I'm left to sort out seating arrangements.

Point fan at Beckett, yet point it at Jinks (who now always seems to lay right at my feet) at the same time, while somehow making it so that Lemon and Daisy don't freeze. Oh, and for fun, make sure Chopin doesn't hog all the cool air, because he loves having his ears flap in the breeze. Most thankfully Peanut doesn't seem to care either way, though she still wants to play when the players are out for the count with the warmer weather.

Place a blanket on the warm side of the couch for Daisy to dig herself into, put a bed in the corner for grouchy Lemon to stay warm on -make sure she stays put. Pull Beckett's bed into the middle of the room so that he and Jinks can share, while she can sleep on my feet. Try not to move feet too much or Beckett will get up and pace, thus causing Peanut to go into bonkers play mode, thus causing Lemon to be a jerk, thus causing Jinks to figure she might be able to bug me into playing tuggie with her.

Move Chopin at least half a dozen times, since Beckett and Jinks are starting to pant hard while he's stealing the fan. Refill water bowls as necessary, causing the seating arrangement to somehow screw itself up again -how'd Daisy manage to get her bed all the way over to the other side of the couch in the 20 seconds it took to refill the water bowl?

Come on guys, it's not that hard.

So, suffice to say once everyone gets settled in I try my hardest not to move. Just stay very, very still and they will usually stay still too. I am looking forward to having a larger living room in my new rental. Hopefully we can more craftily place fans and beds to allow for cooler places and warmer places.

For the next few days we'll be slowly working on Chopin's only-dog skills. Today was his first small outing with no doggy company and he was a bit of a scaredy mess. I'm hoping he will go to a multi-dog home, he truly takes all his cues from his pack. Not that he couldn't be an only dog, just that I think he'd be happier with some guidance.

More soon.
Emily Out

No Body Loves a Peanut

Not so surprising that Chopin has lots of interest -we're waiting on a homecheck in Langley-, but there's quite a few other apps too. Peanut however, is kind of sad she has no interest. She's a great little dog, quiet, playful, cuddly, doesn't mind being home for 5+ hours a day. Providing she's well-supervised she's house broken, and she sleeps like a rock in her crate over night though would really love some bed privileges. She's an easy keeper, so I don't really mind that she's still here, it's more of a case of "if someone knew how good you were, you'd have a line up."

There are the odd foster dogs that I think I'm going to have forever, they are messed up behavior wise, or sometimes right down to the temperament of the dog, or in some way they are a big "project" -super high energy, hyper-active, very shy-. Yet some of them surprise me that they get snatched up fast regardless. They "look" like a good dog, or someone is willing to work through the problems because the dog fits the ideal look, size, gender, age, whatever it is. I get it, I have one of those -I'm willing to deal with the people reactivity thing because of the high-energy, high-drive sports combination of dog, well, and because I didn't know I was getting reactivity before it landed at my door-.

So when I have a "good dog", that is, a normal kind of a dog without any "issues" that would need someone with some dog experience, I always have to wonder why no interest. Sure she has no training, can be a bit on the jumpy side and can be annoying with other dogs, but those things are very minor, and every dog is an individual and is going to have one or two quirks to iron out.

Here she is playing with Chopin:

On the bright side, she's an easy-keeper, so it's not one of those "please god, get her adopted" types. Those too have come through these doors. The ones where they aren't so bad they need to go, but you are checking your e-mail every at every opportunity pleading with your screen for an application to come in. Helping isn't all nice dogs and "feel good" feelings. Sometimes it is a dog you really dislike, but want to make sure they end up happy anyway. Cause that's the right way to do things.

Thankfully, most of them aren't like that. :)

Chopin surprised me (and himself I think) today. He suddenly turned into a retriever. Up until today he never even ventured to chase something, let alone bring something back. Today he played fetch with a kong for at least 10 minutes even, promptly returning it each time. We'll see if it's a one time thing. His mum is apparently a BC -fetch should be in him somewhere-. Just gotta take Jinks out of the picture to practice with him. Those little puppy legs just aren't able to keep up with ball-crazy collie.

To a fun-filled day tomorrow. I now have a working vehicle and don't have to share Jerrad's. Yeah! Independently mobile. Zoom zoom!

Urgent Puppies

These puppies are urgently seeking new homes.

Zora -in a foster home in Victoria-

Zora and her littermates are sweet, but shy Formosan Mountain dog mixes who are very lucky to be alive. A rescuer in Taiwan was driving through a narrow mountain road one evening.  She saw these 5 little heads bobbing around the bushes and looking at her car.  She got out the car and saw 3 dead puppies lying on the road ran over by cars.  Our rescuer guessed all the puppies must be from the same litter.  She took the pups to the vet for a health check up and arranged a foster home for them to stay in until they are old enough to be neutered and spayed.  They are now looking for their own homes. Their chance of being adopted in Taiwan ends most likely as an outdoor guard dog with no proper shelter. 

These puppies are urgently looking for their own home or they would be released back onto the streets in Taiwan the end of June as there are no longer fostering placements for them in Taiwan due to the illness of their rescuer. They are all shy in the beginning when meeting with strangers but warm up quickly. They are affectionate, smart, treat motivated, get along with dogs, cats, and kids.

You can see them in action here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/91891724@N05/8532370502/in/set-72157632974738158

Zora has come to foster care in Victoria, BC. She is the shyest of the five puppies, and the only female. She is approximately 17 pounds now, will be about 25 full grown. Her brothers range between 15-24 pounds currently (25-40 full grown), with Bruno being the largest puppies.

Her brothers in Taiwan have no where to go and their time is running out -our very few foster homes are full. As such, their adoption fees have been lowered to $350 in hopes of finding their forever homes. The adoption fee includes their plane ticket, crate, leash, collar, harness microchip, spay and vaccinations.  

Formosan Mountain dogs are intensely loyal, smart, agile, love to run but also love to be lazy. They need a bit of extra socializing and owners who are patient, caring and want a bit of a challenge. They bond very strongly with those they live with, but tend to be aloof and sometimes suspicious of strangers. All these puppies are crate-trained already and are okay left home crated for a few hours every day.

We're hoping some family will take a chance on them, even though they can't meet them before adoption. We really don't want them to slip through the cracks. If you are interested in fostering one of these dogs to save them, we could use you too.

You can view our website for more information @ http://www.ceradogs.org/

Priceless

I get a lot of flak at work sometimes for just how many fosters I have/seem to get adopted. "What number are you on this time" they always ask and though they are happy that I foster and are happy to include the foster dogs in the daycare, I'm sure they think I'm bloody bonkers.

Not just kind of dog crazy, like off-my-rocker dog crazy.

A new co-worker of mine asked me a few shifts ago why I would take a foster dog over a boarding dog (paying customer) after I turned down a dog for the weekend since I was full. (To be fair, I wouldn't have personally taken that dog anyway).

It took me a night or two to think on that question, not really having a good answer for her at the time I said "Not sure, but I'm full now."

But the longer answer is:

Sure, boarding dogs are good money, and sure, we usually have one or two here throughout the month, but most dogs I don't board for the money -though that doesn't necessarily mean I would do it without the money!- but because they fit into my pack, because they are happy here, because my dogs are happy to have them, because really they are easy to have (to some degree anyway). The odd one I board because I feel I really should, -long-term daycare customer- but overall I'd rather foster.

Because with fostering, I help a rescue, I help a dog, and I help make families whole.

Every TG run I tell myself "Oh, this time I'll just take one" and we somehow wind up with two. Just like almost every time a flight becomes available for Taiwan where I don't have a current Taiwanese foster, or TG dog on the way I say yes, send one though I really feel like taking a break.

---Rescue isn't taking a break and their up to their necks in dogs. I can not do as much as they can, but I can, even if I'm tired, take one more body in.

TG works so hard with so little resources, for two weeks of mine and Jerrad's time, most of the TG dogs are adopted. The ones that stay a little longer are usually older and therefore USUALLY easily to have longer term anyway. Sending an extra puppy along might make for a week or two of funny scheduling to meet a puppy's needs, but it gives that puppy a much larger chance at finding a SUPERB home. Plus, it takes a little bit of a load off TG so that one more body can come down. It's just one body I know, but it's the one body I can do. I might be a little extra tired, or disorganized, or pre-occupied, but I'll take that burden on willingly and even though after a few nights with a new puppy Jerrad goes "Oh god, let's take a break" he's always up for another. He can be up all night scrubbing poo or vomit from a new arrival having a hard time with new food, or being the first one to do long-line work on a new puppy in the yard and be given a merry chase, but once they're adopted he's always ready for the next one to come along.

For the Taiwanese guys, it's the reality that cuts at me most. Take for example Alice, who just came was adopted within a week. Here's an update from her new family!

Hi Emily and Monica,
Camryn and I just want to give you a little update. Alice has officially
stolen our hearts! She is an amazing little girl and is really settling in
to her new home. At this moment she is curled up on my daughter's bed
reading with her! Camera perfect! We have a ton of pictures of her playing
and sleeping in her little bed, so if you'd like some, please let me
know! She's already learned to sit when asked so I'm absolutely confident
that her training is going to go very well indeed!
Thank you again for everything! Our family has a brand new beautiful energy
that we are so grateful for!!
Cheers for now,
Carolyn, Camryn and Alice

Alice's reality if she didn't come to foster in Vancouver or Victoria is that she would probably turn 1 year old in Taiwan with no interest, still be fairly unsocialized and very likely, spend another year before finding her forever family. Even then, she wouldn't have experienced all the things she should have experienced as a puppy. For a week in foster care here, a week of me being a little overworked, a little more cranky, cleaning up a few more poos, Alice can be a normal puppy.

A puppy who isn't shy or scared of the world, a puppy who will learn to hike, swim, play outside in the grass, and visit strangers. A puppy who doesn't have to endure people who believe she is bad luck for having black on her.

The chance for Alice to become a normal puppy, and therefore a "normal" dog far outweighs the money I would have made for a weekend with a board dog -who I might have decided not to take anyway. You can not buy that, put a price on it. That week of my time, to that one dog and it's family is priceless.

So please, everyone who has a dog, please give thanks to those that saved them. It might have been a short time or a long time, but without that person you would not have your dog.

So thank you Yvette, Dave and TG for my Beckett and my Lemon, and thank you to those at Oops-a-Dazy Rescue for my crazy Hijinks. Am I so very grateful that you were there to be the bridge to get my dogs to me and I am happy to repay the favor.