Little Gifts

Excellent idea about distracting him. Such a simple idea but it will work because he can't resist you dangling a toy in his face! Then we he barks for the right reason I can use verbal praises. I'll add some more photos this morning once FB finishes loading stuff there. It is being special this morning.

Dweeb just still needs to know he has a mummy when he's feeling tired, or hungry or scared! I think both would do great in homes with kids. As for Dimples being shy, she certainly isn't here! She's constantly outside here exploring, ususally with our two following her, while Dweeb is constantly finding new toys and hoarding them on a bed he has claimed. He prefers the indoor comforts of life! I fell asleep on the top lounge here when they were having their morning tea time nap only to wake up an hour later with both of them on the lounge with me. I'm going to have to learn to go to bed early at night like they do if I want to get enough beauty sleep! Now I'm after a bit of advice. Dweeb is very vigilant about noises so will make a good guard dog. The problem is he is doing a danger bark and growl at every noise he hears outside and inside the house. I don't want to discourage the overall behaviour but channel it to things affecting this property as the neighbour next door is already slamming her window and telling him to shut up. Lots of these noises will be new to him of course but as an example we were outside playing this morning and he heard my sister walking up the hallway inside the house and went into alert and bark mode over it. Usually I would praise/acknowledge the wanted behaviours and ignore those that weren't but this is an important learning time for puppies and I'm not sure how best to do that without putting him off doing it at all. I don't want to do anything to make him fearful of barking when it is appropriate but the guy across the road coming home and the neighbour next door moving her bin or the guy behind starting his lawn mower are not threats. He does not seem frightened by the noises, just alerted to them quickly and vocally. Is it something he has to learn himself based on my responses to the supposed threat?

We only call them that so their cuteness doesn't go to their heads!

Thank you! The funny part is my heart girl was the naughtiest dog for at least 3 years! She ate everything we owned and still can't pass by an uncovered doona or pillow without destroying them. The person who asked me to mind her for that first weekend still apologises to me for introducing us! But I happen to love a spirited and inquisitive dog and she has taught me not to be worried about taking in naughty foster dogs because I've been throught it all. Naughty doesn't mean they aren't loyal and loving; you just have to find a way to channel that specialness!

Lots of wrinkle action on most of the snouts of Blossom's bubbas! Some of Daisy's babies seem huge! She obviously feeds them well!

He is just such a small bubba and loves cuddles when he is sleepy and just fits into your neck. Dimples is the same but being bigger she likes more space and likes a cuddle but then wants her own spot to lie in. We are really trying not to become FF's because then no more fostering will be possible. Plus pei tend to choose their own forever homes, not the other way around!

I took a rescue SBT who was already 13 weeks old and who had been passed around a bit even though I had only lost my second dog (who was 12) only 6 weeks before. My other dog (who was 13 and the mother of the one who'd passed) had turned old before my eyes after her son went. I really thought I was going to lose her too.She was one of those dogs that liked being part of a pack and was very nurturing. I wasn't looking for another dog and the rescue pup's stay was initially just for a weekend but life came back into my old girl after she arrived and she devoted herself to turning that pup into a great dog. My old girl lived till mid last year - nearly 17! And that pup ended up being my heart girl so we both won. We ended up being a three dog house when my sister moved in and after losing my old girl only having two just didn't feel right for either of us so we started fostering. That rescue pup that I wasn't even looking for is now an important part of making the dogs we currently foster ready for their forever homes.

Well the kids and I were back at Ams today and they slotted right in with about a trillion pei of all sizes and colours AND Ams new baby - a 55kg bull mastiff! She is the most beautiful girl and I wish I'd had my camera with me as the pups were lying in the sun and there is huge Amnesty saying hello to them! I got to see mama Doxy and originally she was very intersted to see the pups but after that none of them expressed any specific interest in the other. Roxy is on the go the whole time - she was running here, there and everywhere like a much younger dog. Dimples is still with us - my sister will be so excited when she gets home later tonight. Both pups smell a little of rural life and because though they slept all the way home they now have their crazy faces on (while I'm exhausted!). Ams, when I got to your front gate on my way home Dimples got out behind me without me realising and the little toad was all confused about what to do, like she was going to get in trouble if she left the property so she just kept running around the kennel up there. Dweeb of course then started crying because he was all in the car by himself. Now its not really spoiling if I buy a doggy carrier so I can hold Dweeb while I type is it?

They have had so many visitors today oohing and aaahing over them. Nope, not at all spoilt! I was so exhausted this arvo that I ended up asleep on one of the dog beds with both arms stuck in the air because of dogs who wanted to sleep in my armpits. I tried to sneak away to my own bed but they ran after me carrying on like chooks! Needless to say I have a rather sore neck tonight! They are great time wasters! Oh and they both made some beautiful Peicasso paintings for us this afternoon that we will be selling at the GC Pet Expo soon. Dimples in particular has a special paw smearing talent but immensely dislikes the clean up afterwards. Damp hand towels are apparently quite dangerous to dirty paws!

Noisy, once Dweeb is allowed out in the big wide world I was going to check whether you want him to visit Woo for a play date as he is quite small - his head is about the size of my small hand. He's also a quiet and gentle boy (so far). I let you know when the time comes if he's still calm enough for her!

Sadly Dimples is the girl - thighs of a shotput thrower and the head of a rugby player!

I was trying to find out what the world's oldest bitch is (one giving birth to live puppies) as Ams has a shar pei and some of her pups and the mother is 15! Seems quite an incredible feat but I haven't been able to find out anything to compare her efforts to.

I temporarily have Dimples and Dweeb with me. It is likely Dimples will go to another foster carer over the weekend. Dude (the sable boy) has also gone to another carer. My sister and I picked D1 and D2 up last night (whilst also letting another escape but hey we found her and bought her back!). My sister has never been involved in the pick up before and during the trip home fell madly in love with Dimples. She is like me and wants them all to find their very own heart person but I'm sure D1 will retain a special spot in her heart - there is always one that does! Dimples is the larger of the two and from memory has a bull arab dad? She has some very cute markings and lighter colour patches. She is very adventurous and a chewer but wriggles her whole body when she sees us already. Agent Dweeb, well he is tiny but oh so smart! He already sits when I ask and make the hand movement and even though he shakes like jello from potential dangers such as blowing leaves he is going to be an excellent guard dog based on his alertness and bark. He's a mild snorer and already has a bed outside covered in toys (he likes tennis balls!). They both slept beautifully in a crate last night. They have checked Stussy a few times for potential milky goodness and she is still a little rough with them if she gets too hyped up. Wolf is also very interested but keeps using the paw-splat technique so we are discouraging two on two play given the size differences. The pups certainly need to learn when they have stepped over the line but it wont help them much if they can't even stay upright to do anything wrong! Everyone is currently having a mid morning nap (except me).

I always think "Guinea Pigs" when I see T's blankie shots of the littlies! So what kind of dad/s are you thinking for Blossom's babies? Looks like there could be some of those incredibly rare blue staffies in there!!!! They are all beautiful and looking forward to moving in with T when they no longer need their fur mummies!

This is what confuses me Lilli. If old mumma has been well cared for to get to such a grand age and this was an accidental litter why get rid of her and the pups? Why not just the pups? Jen it will be interesting to see what Dr Susan finds when she does the vetwork because you would assume Doxy might also have age vision deterioration that would have to cause some anxiety. I feel like I want to come out and set up a tent and do a camp out with her in her quarantine pen. We could make a fire and cook some sausages....

Oh poor old mumma. Having had a 15 year old dog I can't imagine how she would've coped away from everything familiar and on her own/outside for reasons she can't understand. Thankfully it will all pass soon for her. Thank you for caring so much for her Ams - she needs it.

If we (my sister and I) don't have 3 dogs here the house feels sad and empty. We currently have 2 permanents and are in between foster dogs so it is awful! That should be rectified very soon though! I recently house sat on my own for 5 larger breed dogs (one still a pup) and lets just say I was exhausted by the end of each day! Two adult labs lying on top of you for cuddles in a reclining chair is a health hazard!

You know what made me sad about this last night? Her owner gave up a 15 year old dog! I can understand 10 week old pups you can no longer care for but an old adult dog who I am assuming she has had for a while? How? Why? No point speculating I guess - at least they are all safe now and will go on to amazing homes. This is your legacy Ams whether you like it, wanted it or not. You are responsible for saving lives and giving hope and we love you for it! (yes I'm having a mushy day)

Very sorry for your loss May. Nemo sounded like a great dog who lived his life to the full while he was here. RIP Nemo.

Go about your business is my advice and make everything seem normal. It might take a couple of days but dogs do live very much in the moment and he will come around. Dogs do know when something 'bad' is happening for their owner and they can't help feeling as they do. When he is sleepy use that time to give him soft scratches in his favourite spots rather than overwhelm him with kindness. Also, if you know the owner used any specific terms for food or bed time then try those. Same with his bedding or anything that smells of the owner as Alkhe said.

Isn't this just a shocker? Old mumma will only be desexed if Ams wonderful vet thinks it is in the dogs best interests. I think there is already interest in a home for her where she can see out her days in comfort (and where she will be safe from further matings if desexing is too great a risk). We should know sometime today what condition they are all in once they arrive at Peiradise. There are some parvo probs where they come from so quarantine will be strict. I'll be at Ams next weekend so if she doesn't get around to adding any photos I'll take my camera and see what I can get. I'm secretly hoping she might let me foster a puppy or three when they are ready for that but I always love whichever pei comes here regardless. Ams do you know how many pups mumma actually had? Should we check this one with Mr Guinness in case it's a record?????

Obviously they weren't filming the RSPCA Ballarat or no expense would've been spared getting that poor kitty down! Now don't laugh, but one night we had a mouse hanging half out of a hole at the back of our upright gas stove. We discovered it when we went to make dinner. It was clearly stuck and we couldn't just make dinner with it hanging there! We got laughed at by the RSPCA people when we rang for help. From memory it was a wildlife rescue guy who advised us to wrap a teatowel around it and get as much of it in our hands as possible and wriggle/pull on it. Out it came in one piece thank goodness! We had takeaway that night though.

At the very least I wish people would think about animals in really basic terms like they would their car. You put cheap petrol, oil and parts in your car and it is going to run rougher and give you less mileage for your dollar. You neglect engine lights, leaks and bald tyres and it might break down and cost you so much money you can't even afford to get it back on the road. But if you care for your car, send it in for every service due, keep those tyres pumped up, oil and water topped up and use an appropriate fuel for the type of vehicle it is then it will reward you with years of hard service and be value for money. So if you can't look after a car don't even think of getting a dog!

I don't include a written list of commands but because potential adopters spend as much time with the dog as they want at my place I show them the commands and hand signals I use (or that the dog already knows) and I get them to engage with the dog using them (and lamb puffs!). I am also upfront about skills they still need to learn as some dogs need more work than others and sometimes their forever family comes along sooner than expected. The breed I foster can be a bit mouthy (and stubborn) so I have a technique for that which I show the adopters too. Plus they all have my numbers and email addy if follow up is needed, as well as contact details for the rescuer I foster for who knows oodles about the breed. I see the process as an organic one. Lots of adopters become part of the rescuer's extended family network.

Why does this matter? What's in a name? The suitability of the new home is what is important :) Of course it is Trifecta - I was just going with the spirit of the thread. I get quite attached to my foster babies and it is just one of those silly things that bug me - you spend ages getting the dog to respond to commands using that name, then they go to a new place where everything is different including their name! The dogs probably are in such heaven they don't care less though. The right match is far more important than a name.