Little Gifts

Loraine I was always going to go back fostering after my old girl passed on. She left us late last May but it wasn't till about a month ago that I pursued a cry for help from another DOLer for foster carers. I then started dreaming about my old girl regularly and it kind of upset me. I started getting a bit of anxiety over the whole idea. But our foster boy arrived a couple of weeks ago and I was in love with him by about day 2! The funny thing is I know I am not the one for him so I take my job to make him ready for his heart person very seriously! I want him to have all the life and joy he deserves and that my other dogs have had here, including my old girl. I don't feel she is guiding me or anything but this foster boy has fitted in so seemlessly that it feels like it was all meant to be even though it took time and some questioning. So I know how you feel - enjoying the moments just as they are is a nice feeling after a big loss. Some dogs leave a big hole in your life and the house after they leave us.

Thank you Erny!

Wow. How lifelike is my sister's new statue for her bedroom!

I have a couple of questions about the Proden and I've been trawling through the pages of this thread but have just not spotted the answers. How do you use it on your dogs? Do they ingest it in food or water or do you put it on their teeth? Is it a daily usage thing? What is the dosage amount? If I had two dogs how big a container do you suggest I buy? It seems like some people have good results on here so I'm also interested in giving it a try for those stubborn back teeth. Thank you!

Oh Nekhbet, this is so very sad. Run free big boy.

RIP beautiful boy.

My new foster boy is a mud lover and of course he managed to get it over the other two dogs and all three ran in the back door and over the carpet. I'm very happy it has finally stopped raining!

And another showing the colour of his beautiful eyes!

Another -

Yesterday I discovered that Clancy likes mud. The carpet and the other dogs, not so much! Today we had a fabulous training session, aided somewhat by the participation of the other two dogs - he copies a lot of what they do already. So we did look, sit, stay and heel brilliantly - stay and heel far better than my Stussy girl I might add. The first time I got out the leash he got scared and had to be coerced but by the second time I pulled it out he just sat while I clipped it on to just his normal collar. He walked well with it just draped around my neck rather than it dangling before his face (yes he is a total loose lead walker!). Those lamb puffs are the bomb for training! I also desensitised him to the hand brush things I use (the ones they use on horses). If he gets to sniff and inspect things first he seems ok after that. So I am very proud of my little man! Oh and Ams I couldn't stand that old collar on him - I found a new one that I got at an AWL stall that fits nicely so he is sporting that now. The other will get a wash and be kept safe. So this week, weather permitting, I will desensitise him to the harness and we will keep heel walking around the backyard with the aim of branching off the property next weekend! I so want to take him to our little agility park and over to mum's where I can see how he is with cooks and cats. Here are some pics from today - he had his eye on those lamb puffs the whole time!

Go Rusty!!!!

He's a beautiful looking boy. So glad you spotted him and have taken him home!

I remember very clearly poor Luki when you first got him. I can't believe it has been two years!

Have they got stumpy little legs or is it just their fat bellies hanging low?

Oh Caz there are so many times over the last couple of months I've gone to email you and see what's happening with you and the kids (skin and fur). Having lost my old girl last year I know all the little demands they make and quirks they have and how empty the place can feel when they are gone. She had such a long life and lived every minute of it with you. I'm glad you had two years with her and that her life was prolonged by simply coming to join your brood. In time you will be able to think about her without the tears. We just don't get them for as long as we'd like. Big hugs to you. Run free old girl! Alyson xxx

I was watching Judge Judy yesterday and a lady was suing a groomer for $5,000 for emotional damage after she groomed her Bichon Frise too short. Judge Judy told her to bugger off and said the dogs hair would grow back.

T I always do his massages when he is already lying down and sleepy and I can give him kisses and touch him anywhere. When I clean his face I stand to his side and he sits and lets me do what I need to. He is no longer concerned about the cloth in my hand either. If he is feeling playful he comes to me and we do the touch thing and he looks at me then without a problem. He will often come up to me now for a scratch, nudging me or giving me his paw. I can get him to leash walk if for instance he is outside late at night sniffing around and I want him to come in to bed. He is no problem to catch, I stand to the side, clip him on and he follows me straight in. But if it was just me and him and he wasn't distracted and I was wanting to do something specific with him then he freezes up. It is like a fear of the unknown rather than due to where I position myself, but I agree there are a lot of things I could teach him with me sitting down or more to the side so I will keep that in mind. I am going to try having all three dogs in the yard this afternoon when it is cooler and do some group training like it is a game. He may just follow what the other two are doing. We were going to do a joint walk yesterday arvo but of course had a massive storm. Clancy really needs some stimulation/exercise outside the house as well and that is hard until he is ok with the leash as I can't carry him too far! I'm sure it will just take time and some lamb puffs (which I pick up today!).

Just did a post and lost it! HonBun I will train him in 'look' but not yet as he finds direct looks up close a bit threatening. And I have lamb puffs ordered as the lamb treats, yoghurt drops and cheese have not inspired him. Today though I managed his mouthing by turning it into a 'touch' command. I use a closed fist held down low to the side and he hits it with his nose for reward cuddles. He's also been spending part of his nights in the open crate fast asleep, which I will take advantage of at some point to get him crate trained. He's a smart boy and will pick up things quickly but he is still fearful of foccused one on one stuff so I am trying to gain his trust and minimise his scared reactions (he can really freeze up). My sister is home with him tomorrow so she will be doing the same things I have. Oh and tonight he has discovered his bark. It is quite deep for his size. First time we've heard a peep out of him!

I love Stevie stories and pics - they fill my heart when I see how brave she is in facing new things and how wonderful Kirty is in coming up with ideas to stretch her experiences safely.

T he loves his cuddles - when he feels like it! He is very soft. Everyday I can see more of his personality come out. Today he has chewed on and dragged around anything he can lay his snout on. He and Stussy are currently rearranging the furniture with an active game of bitey face. Ams he does have some good traits - I am noting them in my head as I discover them so I can refer back to them when he starts pushing my buttons! So far it has all been much better than I expected. The biggest challenge is to get his focus and maintain it for more than a nano second so we can do some proper training. I know he has it in him but he really freezes up with one on one attention still. We are going to try group walking tonight and see if that helps him. I shall not give up!

Well look who is living at my house now! It's Young Master Clancy! He's only been here since Saturday arvo but he and my dogs have done so well, I'm very proud of all of them. This afternoon I got welcomed home from work by a very excited Clancy (after his first short spell alone with our other two). I think his personality is coming through a bit more everyday and he has slotted right in to house routines and even learnt stuff from the other dogs like to tap on the doors when he wants out. I am yet to find anything that motivates him to walk on a leash but wont give up! My sister and I massage him everyday to help him connect with us and realise that he can expect pleasure from us and not be scared. I'm hoping that will then help me to get him to focus on me so I can train him in all the areas he needs as well as stop him from worrying about hands. Mind you, he adores my mum (she visits him daily!) and I'm wondering if I could use her for leash walking bait????? I am not a great photographer but this is one of Clancy yesterday:

He's a lovely looking boy! He also seems very happy to be at your place!

Yes please! I was trying to be patient but clearly I'm not!

Hello Charlie Brown!!!! I'm a bit jealous though - we are still waiting for a foster boy from Ams. Maybe she hasn't got any crazy and desperate enough for our household! I'm glad he has slotted in so well with your two girls as it will be the same for us here. Did you get them to meet off property? Have you dealt with pei's before? It will be a new breed for us.

And that guy was on the ground for so long and there were so many gawkers and people taking photos. Is that what happens when someone dies on the street over here? I thought the body would be moved as quickly as they had evidence and that the area would be cordoned off? Hopefully the man had family that the dog knew and it went to live with them. RIP unknown man.