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Foster Puppy Rupert


tdierikx
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OK - I have a new foster puppy...

His name is Rupert and he's some sort of pigging cross... 9 weeks old.

He came into care with Sydney Fox Rescue (they don't only do foxes) at the tender age of 3 weeks with a case of ringworm. His story is a sad one, so we won't go into it - let's focus on how well he's doing now, yes?

His ringworm is clearing up nicely - hair regrowing well - and he's in dire need of some socialisation with other dogs, so he's come to Chez Dierikx Holiday Camp for a while...

Yesterday - experiencing grass for the first time unconfined

post-23772-0-60490500-1461631520_thumb.jpg

Today - playing with the crazy Horse Puppy

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The play session with Harper started off a little shakily, as Ru hasn't actually met another dog since he came into care - but Harper is so good with pups, and adjusted her play style to accommodate him, so all ended on a good note this morning. Both are sleeping like logs right now... lol!

T.

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OK - I have a new foster puppy...

His name is Rupert and he's some sort of pigging cross... 9 weeks old.

He came into care with Sydney Fox Rescue (they don't only do foxes) at the tender age of 3 weeks with a case of ringworm. His story is a sad one, so we won't go into it - let's focus on how well he's doing now, yes?

His ringworm is clearing up nicely - hair regrowing well - and he's in dire need of some socialisation with other dogs, so he's come to Chez Dierikx Holiday Camp for a while...

Yesterday - experiencing grass for the first time unconfined

post-23772-0-60490500-1461631520_thumb.jpg

Today - playing with the crazy Horse Puppy

post-23772-0-81536300-1461631573_thumb.jpg

The play session with Harper started off a little shakily, as Ru hasn't actually met another dog since he came into care - but Harper is so good with pups, and adjusted her play style to accommodate him, so all ended on a good note this morning. Both are sleeping like logs right now... lol!

T.

That is awesome

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Guest crazydoglady99

Is there nothing cuter that a smiling pup jumping in the grass!! Lovely :) what a lucky boy!

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You guys think he's cute now... you should have seen him at 3 weeks... OMG! Even with the ringworm, he was competely adorable...

He's a smart little bugger though, and has learned that "uhhh!" means to let go of the pants leg he's tugging... and we are working on his tendency to get a bit over-excited and bitey.

The foxes are very interested in the small hyper thing when he has a run in the yard... they both start making play noises and wagging their floofy tails and try to get his attention... he hasn't noticed them yet though... lol!

He's so good with being alone, as he's been in isolation in my granny flat for a week before being allowed to play with the big dogs - just making sure no more flakes appearing and hair growth started. They've been able to see each other through the screen door, and Harper has taken to sitting vigil by said door, as she's infatuated... *sigh*... she so loves puppies!

Prior to coming to me, he was in isolation with some kittens with ringworm at the rescue - all are now clearing up nicely, so he's been given into my care to work on his socialisation skills. We'll have to start collar and lead training soon... that will be fun... errr! He'll be going to puppy kindy too when his spots are regrown with hair properly.

Here's another shot of him playing with Harper yesterday...

post-23772-0-26984200-1461702056_thumb.jpg

T.

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Pretty damn cute. :heart:

What happens to the foxes, do they have to live out their lives at the rescue centre? Are you allowed to post photos of them?

I actually have just had my pen inspection for the 2 foxes I've got a pet permit in for... *grin*

Here are some photos of Ghost - my Mr Sunshine...

post-23772-0-11106600-1461791928_thumb.jpg

post-23772-0-71524700-1461791938_thumb.jpg

post-23772-0-80587900-1461791951_thumb.jpg

T.

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Pretty damn cute. :heart:

What happens to the foxes, do they have to live out their lives at the rescue centre? Are you allowed to post photos of them?

I actually have just had my pen inspection for the 2 foxes I've got a pet permit in for... *grin*

Here are some photos of Ghost - my Mr Sunshine...

post-23772-0-11106600-1461791928_thumb.jpg

post-23772-0-71524700-1461791938_thumb.jpg

post-23772-0-80587900-1461791951_thumb.jpg

T.

thanks for posting these. I am fascinated by foxes, although would be very annoyed if they killed my chickens. He looks young. I'm assuming because his activity will be limited you will have to teach him to have his claws trimmed. Are you allowed to take him out on a lead? I'm puzzled how in NSW they've managed to have fox rescue, I am sure this would not be allowed in Vic. In fact I think you'd get into alot of trouble here if you were found with a captive fox.

I always wonder why their pupils are slits not round.

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Up until December 2014, it was actually not illegal to keep a fox as a pet in NSW. In December 2014, the law changed on that, and now all pet foxes must have a permit from Local Land Services (LLS) and be kept securely contained like the requirements for a restricted breed dog. They are not allowed off your property except for vet visits, and then must only be accompanied by a designated handler experienced in foxes. Designated handlers are listed on your permit application, and ONLY those people may handle your foxes (I am listed on Fox Rescue's permits and a few of the other pet owners' permits). Same for designated vet clinics that have stated they will provide care/treatment must be listed on your permit (mine are Vineyard and West Cessnock).

My guys' pen is on concrete, so that works well to keep their claws in check. I am allowed to have them out of the pen in my yard, but only securely harnessed and on lead - they are not allowed off the property unless in a travel crate to/from a vet for treatment. They are also not permitted inside any residential dwelling, so even if I wanted them to sleep on my bed, it's not allowed... grr!

For activity levels and stimulation, their pen is set up with all sorts of climbing, hiding, and roosting apparatus, which gets changed around at regular intervals. Enrichment routines are paramount to keep them healthy, active, and mentally sound.

My guys are around 20 months old, so pretty much fully grown, but still young adults.

Seeing as I'm currently studying to be a zookeeper, it kinda goes with the territory to have an exotic pet or two, yes? And I figure that foxes are a little more exotic than reptiles or birds... *grin*... I'm also doing my major work for my course - a Husbandry Manual - on the Red Fox, so keeping my own really helps with that...

Contrary to popular belief, Fox Rescue are not against farmers protecting their stock (or chickens) from foxes by shooting those that they catch raiding same. We'd prefer that means other than 1080 baiting were used to try to control foxes in the wild though... 1080 is not overly effective in any real sense, causes a slow and painful death, and is not safe for any animal that predates upon the corpse of a baited animal (native carnivores, raptors, etc).

T.

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I wont tell anyone if you let them sleep on your bed. :shhh:

Hahaha! They have a distinct odour that would give away the game very quickly... lol!

Besides, Trouble and Pickles may be a little miffed at sharing with Tom and Ghost... hehe!

Harper would probably love to have them sleep in the crate with her - she's a bit besotted with them...

T.

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I wont tell anyone if you let them sleep on your bed. :shhh:

Hahaha! They have a distinct odour that would give away the game very quickly... lol!

Besides, Trouble and Pickles may be a little miffed at sharing with Tom and Ghost... hehe!

Harper would probably love to have them sleep in the crate with her - she's a bit besotted with them...

T.

does anyone come to check up on you?

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Nahh... once they've taken yer money and approved your pet permit, they apparently tend to leave pet owners alone. They save their spot checks for the Fox Rescue premises... *sigh*

I don't want to share my bed with them anyways... they do smell a bit... errr!

T.

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Rupert (I call him Ru) is having his first time inside the house today. So far he's been really good - not trying to chew things he shouldn't, and generally loving the freedom to run around like a little lunatic.

Pickles is playing the fun police, stealing all his toys and not sharing, and Trouble is pointedly ignoring him... lol!

Ru hasn't been with other dogs since he was 3 weeks old, so he's not overly interested in annoying the girls like most pups do... so this is part of his socialisation training, and I think it's going well so far.

And no accidents in the house yet either!

T.

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