Happy New Year ~

Chinatown NYC 2006 Year of the Dog
Originally uploaded by sayheypatrick.

to you and all fur babies!

Another Maggie

*This is a different Maggie than the one in recent posts below. This Maggie is a cattle dog mix.*
***
Update Received: Sun, 31 Dec 2006

Hey, Renee. Just wanted to say "Thanks" once again for helping me adopt Maggie. She is a sweet, funny, smart dog. She learns very fast and adapts well. (She's like Tylo in the regard that I can't understand why no one would want her). You should have seen her with her Christmas present. She opened it herself. I was surprised to see that she knew exactly what to do with it. (I'll email some pictures as soon as my aunt sends them to me.)

Except for having to have minor anal gland surgery, she's been doing great (she's fully recovered from the surgery and not having any more problems). She and Zack get along great and pretty much do everything together. In fact, he wouldn't let her out of his sight after her surgery. (I don't know how dogs know when something is wrong, but they do).

Also, she's got a superb natural protective instinct. While eating at my sister's one night, Maggie laid down in front of my month-old nephew's crib and watched every one that came into the room. When he would cry out, she would come get me and "mumble" until one of us got up and checked on him. She's very gentle with him, too. She moves slowly around him, and doesn't jump up when I'm holding him. Again, like Tylo, she's just an all-around great dog. Thanks, Charle

Belated Holiday Greeting

IMG_6255
Originally uploaded by Nova Scotia SPCA.

Hope your holidays were enjoyable for all of your family!

Maggie Update

Maggie Update
Originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

Update received: Sat, 30 Dec 2006
***
Hey Renee!
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! Thought you would like to see a few pictures of Maggie! She is still doing great and enjoying life with mom. :-) We think she may be half kangaroo - because she jumps so high when she is excited! :-)

Another Charlie Update

Charlie Update
Originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

Charlie was adopted on 11/14/2006.
***
Renee’
Just wanted to say hello and hope you had a great Christmas. I know we did with the addition to Charlie in our lives. We have had so much enjoyment with him here and he has adjusted so well to us. He had a great Christmas, bones, treaties, new blanket and a visit to Grandma’s house in VA (who fell in love with him instantly). My Mom has about a ½ acre fenced in back yard and he got to explore till he dropped. He had goodies under the tree left from Santa and Grandma. He loves to “GO” and rides on one of ours laps on his pillow covered with his blankie so he can see out. He doesn’t miss anything that moves. He is so funny! He continues to have walks daily averaging 45 mins to 1 hour and loves the outdoors. Larry has been working with him and he has stopped barking at people when they walk by the car. He will sit, stay, shake paws and lay down. He is a great little dog. We couldn’t love him any more than we do but we try. We want to thank you again for our little angel. He has brought so much happiness to our lives. We hope the New Year will bring you much happiness and success with your organization. Thanks again. - Barbara

Bobby

Bobby
Originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

This is an update from October 24, 2006:
Bobby belonged to a young man living in Madisonville. He was living with his girlfriend in a trailer. The landlord found out about their having a dog and told them to get rid on him. he approached me and asked if i could help. i took in this little guy and contacted border collie rescue of east tn. He's a border collie mix. They were gracious enough to take him in. They named him Bobby. Bobby has adopted to a wonderful home in the Nashville area where he is adored by his family. They have three daughters that dote over him and love him to death. What a blessed little guy!

Julie a.k.a Twiggy

Update 12/22/06: Hi Renee...Just an update on Julie, who we have renamed Twiggy, after the seventies supermodel who was skinny, blonde, and wore mascara.
She is very sweet, and everybody loves her, though Lulu, the old Ridgeback, grumbles a bit. (She did that when the others came, too, and that won't last long.) She has fit right in, and loves to go for long walks on the farm. She is never tempted to run off, though I wonder if she has some hound in her, as she always has her nose to the ground. We start obedience school on Jan 9.
I have to take Lulu to the vet today about her ear, which is still not right, and will take Twiggy, too, to have the spay incision checked. There is still one staple in it, and though it looks clean and not swollen, it has still not completely closed. She continues on the antibiotics.
There was another lady in Windham picking up a dog from you, and she gave me a little bag of treats. It is quite a scene when the transport comes in. Lots of happy people and happy dogs. All the best for Christmas and the New Year, and thanks for everything. - Ann

Charlie

Charlie
Originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

Update received November 27, 2006:
Charlie had a large Thanksgiving. He got to meet lots of the family and everyone loves him (of course) He also help Larry doing some grilling outside since it was so nice. He is really settling in. We couldn't love him anymore than we do. He is the best. Thanks again Renee, for bringing this Angel into our lives. We are truly blessed with his presence in our life. Here are more pictures of him. Doesn't he look happy? Thanks again!!! - Barbara

Gracie

Gracie
Originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

Updated photo received December 26, 2006

Gracie (previously called Lane) was adopted out around March of 2005.

Maizie

Maizie
Originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

Update: 12/20/06

Miss Maizie is settling in just wonderfully. She's already figured out she needs to go to the door and sit to be let out, she also has learned to sit on the deck so I can take her leash off and let her in. She doesn't have any interest in toys though. I'm not so sure she knows what to do with them just yet. - Laura
***
Update: Tue, 26 Dec 2006

Renee,

You would be so proud of Miss Maizie, she was the star of the holiday gathering yesterday. She was calm, polite, friendly, just a joy to be around. I have some new pictures I'll get loaded this week and send to you.

We went to the vets Friday and there she also made a huge hit. Although she did crawl over the reception desk to get to me, onto the chair, desk and over the counter into my arms. She was very graceful doing this. Sandy took her around and introduced her to everyone, just like a big sister is supposed to do. The vet sat on the floor with us and Maizie pranced up to her and sat in her lap while she was examined. What a love bug.

She has only chased the cat twice, the second time she got the water bottle sprayed at her butt and that was enough. She now scurries by the cat with her tail between her legs :)

Her and Sandy have buddied up, although they still haven't figured out the play thing just yet, and they hang together in the house.

I think I'll get her into obedience 1 in January and see how well she does. She might beat her brother to CGC. Hope you are feeling better and the holidays were good to you. Talk to you soon
Laura

Jake Update

I received an update on Jake!

***

Hi Renee and Robyn,

Jake and I are doing great. He loves going for our walks (5 km, or about 3 of your miles) we do this about 4 to 5 times a week other wise we just do a 1 mile walk the other times. He has been doing better in the bathroom department and hasn't had any accidents for the past 4 days.

He does not like his crate at all. I think he must have been put in one when he was bad with his former owners. I tried for quite a while and I was finally able to get him in it, but he whimpered the whole time. He finally stopped whimpering after many tries with the door open, then we tried it with the door closed and the whimpering started again when with me there. Finally many, many tries later, he stopped the whimpering. Then after another 2 dozen tries, I tried leaving the room, again the whimpering started. The last time I left the house to get the mail and when I came back he was out of the crate and waiting for me upstairs. He had taken only the back top clip and somehow bent it completely backwards and squeezed his way out of that tiny hole. He also ripped his bedding to shreds that was in the crate. He was still wagging his tail though after I saw it. I decided that I wouldn't mention it to him, but I have kept the crate with the door open, just in case he decides it might be a safe haven for him at a future date, instead of a punishment room.

But a good thing is that any time that I have had to leave him in the house on his own, he has done nothing to the rest of the house. I just make sure I close all the doors. He knows when I come home, because he hears the garage door open or the chimes when I unlock the door and Jake is always there to greet me with his tail wagging.

I have gotten him a red halter harness and a red running leash that I can put around my waist. This way when he pulls me I have my whole weight behind me to counteract against his strength and not pull my arm out of the socket. He knows that when I get this leash out that we are going on one of our long walks and he gets so excited that he literally bounces/jumps off the floor a good 2-3 feet. I will sign us up for obedience classes in the New Year so I can learn how to deal with this so we can run together safely. I haven't been able to run much lately, unless I'm on my own, but then I feel guilty that he is not with me because of this; but the 5 km walk is still good. But we will get there together in the running; I am sure of this.

I had my 6 year old niece over last week-end. They got along great; she thinks Jake is like her own little pony and rode him like one with me holding her up. He was good about it and with her, Jake never pushed her or jumped on her, I was very proud of him. Her mom, my sister was scared to death when she saw the size of Jake, and very relieved when she came to pick her up and how she wanted a dog just like Jake. My sister is a cat person, so was somewhat relieved I hadn't made her daughter afraid of coming to my place anymore, as I always try to take her children at least every 6 weeks for a week-end so that her and her hubby can have some alone time.

I have had to do very little re-arranging of my house at all with Jake here. I have lots of glass vases and flowers that sit on my floor, but he has not gone near any of them. Time will tell I guess. Even his tail has not knocked anything down, yet. Jake is almost joined to my hip, wherever I go in the house, he follows me, upstairs or downstairs. If I get up, 90% of the time he gets up and follows me. I rearranged my office and he will now come in and stay with me for awhile, before retiring to my downstairs leather love seat. I have given up on trying to make him sleep on the floor by my bed because he would always wait about 2 hours and then just jump up and stay there the rest of the night. Did you know he snores like a trooper; I'm not sure who snores louder me or him.

We have had only one snow fall here about 10 cm, and he wasn't quite sure what to do when we went out for a walk, but like a trooper after a few delicate steps just walked in it. That snow fall is gone now. We will see how he does when it gets really cold and lots of snow is down. But I'm sure he will be fine. I have introduced to my surrounding neighbours and they are quite pleased with Jake and his demeanor.

Renee I can't say thank-you enough for letting me be the one to adopt Jake. Jake has brought such a balance to my life since I got him. Being single, I was becoming a total work-alcoholic and now I have a reason to come home instead of working till all hours of the night at client offices, since my separation.

May you both have a great Christmas, if I don't get a chance to email to you before then. My son, Derek, is coming home form Calgary for Christmas and he can't wait to meet Jake also. So Jake and I are going to the airport to pickup this evening.

Cheers!

Sandra

Jake's Transport North

Jake's Transport North, originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

These are pictures of Jake overnighting in Northern, Mass. while he's transporting to his new home in Nova Scotia.

Here are the pictures I took while Jake was here for his overnight. He is such a gentle giant and quite the lovebug. He is going to make a wonderful companion. He followed me around everywhere I went and greeted me at the door when I came in from my porch. I can say he is an easy one to fall in love with and so intelligent. He was an absolute pleasure to have here.

Bonnie and Clyde

Bonnie and Clyde, along with 2 other dogs, were pulled out of the Loudon shelter during Oct. The first two went on to a rescue called Liliac Grove Farms in New Hamp and were adopted out through them within a week. These two were too sick to be adopted out. They had coccidia. I spent a lot of money getting them nursed back to health. I called border collie rescue and they agreed to take them. Bonnie (the one that is more border collie adopted out November 17, 2006). Clyde the aussie shep/border collie is in the process of adopting out now!

***
Why should man expect his prayer for mercy to be heard by What is above him when he shows no mercy to what is under him? ~Pierre Troubetzkoy

Our Petfinder webpage

Hey all! Yea!! Friendsfurlife finally has it's own petfinder
site!! I'm still loading dogs / cats from our website and from the
arfnet site so it's not even been up a week. We've had over 300 hits
in less than a week! The website address is:
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/TN413.html

Ode to the Cat

"Beware of people who dislike cats." - Irish proverb

Amazing Facts about Cats

Additional Cat Facts and Trivia

Be responsible: SPAY / NEUTER your pets. A pair of breeding cats, which can have two or more litters per year, can exponentially produce 420,000 offspring over a seven-year period, And the overpopulation problem carries a hefty price tag. Statewide, more than $50 million (largely from taxes) is spent by animal control agencies and shelters for cat-related expenses.

"Of all God's creatures, there is only one that cannot be made slave of the leash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat." - Mark Twain

Brittany

Brittany, originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

Brittany adopted out to a wonderful family through Friends Fur Life Inc. Brittany has such a cute personality. Her new family live near Lexington, KY. I've stayed in touch with them all this time. She adopted out around August of 2005. I pulled her and her litter mates from a kill animal shelter in June of 2005.

Leash training tip

If your dogs pull when on a leash, you need to get a Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness! These are incredible!

Overview:
Unlike traditional dog harnesses, the Easy Walk is a front leash attachment harness. This provides a more accurate cue for your dog in terms of direction. Unlike a collar, the Premier Easy Walk Harness never causes coughing, gagging, or choking because the chest strap rests low across the breastbone, not on the delicate tracheal area.

Why it works:
Traditional harnesses can actually encourage dogs to pull harder because of the "opposition reflex". That's the reflex that makes sled dogs do what they do. The Easy Walk Harness redirects the pressure through the front leash attachment. And, the patent pending martingale closure tightens slightly across the chest and shoulder blades when your dog attempts to pull forward.

Petsmart recommends and uses this kind of harness in their puppy / dog obedience classes.

***

Pup Life sells this harness for $16.89 and Petsmart sells the very same harness for $29.99.

Low Cost Spay/Neuter

AnimalWorks is a non-profit low-cost spay/neuter clinic located in Alcoa, just outside of Knoxville, TN. We have spayed and neutered over 5000 dogs and cats since September 2001! Please call us at 865-379-2227 if you are interested in making an appointment to have your pet spayed or neutered, vaccinated, need flea/tick preventatives or heartworm medications.

Fix-A-Pet Spay/Neuter Clinic
The low cost spay/neuter facility of the Tennessee Valley Humane Society. 10421 Chapman Hwy., Seymour, TN 865-579-6738

Goose update 8-17-06

Goose has been perfect. He and Jester, the cat, are now playing together. The cat will get him to chase him then turn and tackle him. It still sort of startles Goose, but he's been watching how Jester tackles Maverick, the boxer, and realizes that no one is getting hurt and it's actually kind of fun. Every day Goose and Maverick run around the yard three or four times until complete exhaustion sets in. The Aussie and Boxer combination has been wonderful and they are perfect playmates for each other.

Maggie (formerly Anna)

More of Maggie, originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

Update: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 20:38:21 -0400
Renee -

Here are the first set of pictures from tonight. Anna was a little "bouncy" while we were driving - but calmed down after about 10 minutes. She did GREAT in the pet store and also when we got to mom's she did great. We let her run around the house and sniff each room and gave her food and water. She did not care anything about the cats - but the cats are very confused with her. :) Mom is keeping them seperated for a few days. We made Anna a bed in the kitchen and gave her food (yes, your kind of food) and water. :)
Diane and I got the parts of the fence that concerned us taken care of and all is great. She spent about an hour and a half outside with everyone and then we left mom and Anna (maybe aka maggie) to be alone together.
We will take her with us tomorrow to the mountains (with her new collar and leash. :)

I did forget to ask - is she house broken??
She did potty several times outside and mom has some papers laying in the kitchen floor???
We will be there first thing in the morning - so is there is a mess - we can get it cleaned up.

The next set of pictures will make you smile.
***
Update: June 24, 2006 12:55:46 PM EDT

Renee -
She really did adjust very well for her very first few hours. When Diane and I left with all the kids - she was making some noise like we were forgetting her?? :) I think her time alone with mom tonight will be good for them to bond.
Mom is so excited!!!
She has a new purple collar and a pink retractable leash. :-)

How is this for staying in touch re: the dog??

You will be sick of me S O O N!!! I promise!! :-)

Thanks again!!!!
***
Update: Fri, 23 Jun 2006 16:39:00 -0400

Hey Renee!

What a great dog anna (maggie) is!!! :-)

She had a great day in Townsend. She did great in the van on the way up.
When we got to the camp area - she was sniffing all around and wagging her tail non-stop. Then we went down to the water and everyone laughed when she walked right into the water!!! TOO CUTE!
My dogs RUN from all water!!!!
My brother is awesome inthat he had mapped out a place he could drive mom right to the waters edge and then she could sit in the wheel chair and enjoy everyone at the water. It was perfect!!! SHe thinks the lawn chairs are too hard to get out of.
I think Anna is wondering who "maggie" is -- but we all think she will know it is HER soon! :-)
She would play and explore and then she would go back to mom - wag her tail and then go and explore again. It was very cute!
The kids had her leash mostly - - and they let her lead the way all day.
Mom is at home now and I will go check on her in about 3 hours. They should have more good bonding time tonight and then have a very low key weekend.

Mom said last night she did cry throughout the night and that at some point in the night she climbed on the kitchen table - grabbed a package of treats my sister bought for the dog and managed to open the package and eat half of the treats! OOPS!!!
I think total she had about 4 small bone type treats during the late night hours!!! We now know to store all snacks and food - in a tight container!!!
Mom said she got up early and let maggie out at 6:00 a.m. and that maggie ran all over the yard -- said it was really funny and cute and said she came right in after being out for a few minutes to potty!!!

Anyway - - I think this is going to be a perfect fit with this dog and mom!!! Maggie does not seem nervous at all!!!! She seems like a very healthy and happy dog!!!
***
Update: Fri, 7 Jul 2006 18:38:50 -0400
hey renee!!
just an update that things are going great.
maggie is a very funny dog. she will get in mom's back yard and run and run and run!!! She will even fetch a ball for me. mom is training her to COME when called and maggie is responding pretty well -- of course -- she get treats when she does COME!!! :-)
maggie is digging in the yard - but not at the fence. mom is okay with this.
this is the only picture this week. my battery has been acting up on me.
hope you are doing okay!!
Angie

Nutmeg

Lucy and Nutmeg hiding from storm, originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

Another photo of Nutmet hiding from a thunderstorm.

Lucy and Nutmeg hiding from storm

Lucy and Nutmeg hiding from storm, originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

Both of these dogs were adopted from me - each a year apart. Nutmeg is the brown one and Lucy is black.
**
Update July 10, 2006
Hi Renee,
I've been thinking alot about you and all your hard work, I really want
to help but we don't have much extra money now that we have two dogs to takecare of but i think I've figured out a way to help. I'm running ahalf-marathon at the end of October in Michigan that I want to take pledges for. I think if I start now and contact family, friends and co-workers I should be able to raise a good amount. I'm really excited about this and hope that it helps.
I've attached some pics of lucy and nutmeg hiding in the closet during a thunder storm, they're so funny. Nutmeg has been doing really well, she knows how to sit and stay, we're still working on heel. She was scared to go outside for a couple days after the fireworks, but she's better now. We had friends from home visit last week and she would not leave my side because she was so scared of them. I think she's afraid of men because she was fine when my mom came to visit. It also took her a little while to warm up to brian. other than her being afraid of some people she's wonderful, such a fast learner. Her and Lucy have a great time together.

Talk to you soon,
Jeni

New Web Address

We are working on our new website at: http://friendsfurlifetn.org/. Be sure to check it out in a few days!

Goose photo

Goose Update 8-4-06, originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

This is an updated photo of Goose (who used to be named Shaggy).

Goose Update 8-4-06

I received another update on Goose!

***

Renee,

Goose's heartworm treatment rest period ended two weeks ago, so we've
had a chance to really see how he is doing with a chance for full
exercise with walks, running and playing with Maverick. He is doing
just great and is a full member of the family. No more mistakes with
marking in the house. I used some enzyme spray everywhere, so that
really seemed to help. He'll let us know with a quiet whisper of
walking back and forth near the door if he needs to go.

He and Maverick are best friends and take turns chasing each other
all around the yard at full speed. Goose is more agile than Maverick
and takes great delight in dodging a bush, tree or us at the last
minute causing Maverick to crash into the aforesaid object or
person. I’m worried they're going to give Heather's mom reason for
ACL repair. I've attached a couple of videos to show them in
motion. Videos wouldn't go, so I've attached the most recent picture.
Her Royal Highness Heather and the Knights of the Pet Table
Anyway, Goose is just the perfect dog. We're finishing off
beginning training at PetsMart and he is the star of the class. The
farm is the absolutely perfect place for him. They get at least one
or two, mile long walks each day along with lots of chase time with
each other. He's becoming much more confident and comfortable each
day. Playing a little rougher with Mav, which Mav loves and needs.
But, they both have respect for time outs for drinking and #1 or #2.
It's really quite funny watching them suddenly call time out and then
resume play. Also, they do stop when I call time. They stay in the
back of the house with us and will run in the front yard if they are
with us, but stay out of the road and run on the lawn. Heather's mom
walks them both together each morning and we usually do the evening
walk and run time. They both went with us to Nashville last weekend
and Goose was great in the car. He gets his heartworm checked again
in October to make sure he's 100% clear. He's on monthly HeartGuard
now. Hopefully, no more shots.

We think Goose sees Jester the cat as just another small dog. He's
very gentle with him and they lick noses and Jester no longer moves
for them to come inside or pass. The dog just learn to step over the
big kitty "dog". Jester does try to play with Goose, but Goose is
still learning to pick up on his cues, like darting back and forth
through the house in an effort to get Goose to chase him. Jester's
other favorite is suddenly rolling over on his back in the "I'm
vulnerable to attack" position. This works with Maverick, and Goose
is being to notice the association based upon Maverick's example.
Hopefully, we'll have Goose/Jester wrestling videos soon.

Goose and Maverick takes turns through the night on our bed with us,
or just both pile in to create the perfect puppy pile with us in the
bed. Thank goodness Goose is lighter weight and we don't really
notice if he's laying on top of one of us. Once or twice a week all
three are on the bed sometime during the night. It's very cute to
wake up and see the three pets in a pile of fur at our feet.

Thank you again for helping bring such a special pet into our lives.
We are absolutely blessed with the perfect set of animals to enrich
our lives and share our days and nights with.

All our best,

Heather and John

Alyse

Alyse found a new home on 4/2/2006! This is an update from her new
home:

She is doing great. Just a big baby. We can't sit down without her
jumping on our laps. She sleeps with me at night. I sleep on my side
and she jumps up on my side and lays down. She is gaining a little
weight and is heavy. If I roll over she jumps over to the other side
and up on me again. She is very playful. We gave her toys and she
runs through the house chasing them all the time. Haven't had her
declawed yet but I am next month. She has destroyed my TV with her
claws, even with the scratching post in front of it. The biting has
stopped, except for this morning. We had just got up and she wanted
me to pet her first, which I did, then when I started to the kitchen
she was under my feet and I kept having to stop and walk around her,
she bite my foot. I scolded her. She knew what she had done. She is a
sweet, sweet cat. We love her to pieces. It's okay to post the
pictures. Thanks again for her. Couldn't have gotten a better cat.

Linda

Alyse

Alyse, originally uploaded by friendsfurlifeinc.

Alyse found a new home on 4/2/2006! This is an update:

She is doing great. Just a big baby. We can't sit down without her jumping on our laps. She sleeps with me at night. I sleep on my side and she jumps up on my side and lays down. She is gaining a little weight and is heavy. If I roll over she jumps over to the other side and up on me again. She is very playful. We gave her toys and she runs through the house chasing them all the time. Haven't had her declawed yet but I am next month. She has destroyed my TV with her claws, even with the scratching post in front of it. The biting has stopped, except for this morning. We had just got up and she wanted me to pet her first, which I did, then when I started to the kitchen she was under my feet and I kept having to stop and walk around her, she bite my foot. I scolded her. She knew what she had done. She is a sweet, sweet cat. We love her to pieces. It's okay to post the pictures. Thanks again for her. Couldn't have gotten a better cat.

Linda

Shaggy Update

I received these 2 updates on June 3 & 5, 2006 about Shaggy (now Goose):

Renee,
The vet had heard of you through the Friends Fur Life program. Had heard really wonderful things per his direct words. I think it was Michael Butler, although there are five vets in the Indian Ridge practice and it seems like we get a different one almost each time. We've met 3 of the 5 so far.

Goose had a great time last night. Slept in our room along with Maverick and Jester the entire night. Never left the bed and Mav did as he usually does getting up and down from the bed to his doggie bed on the floor. All three of the pets ended up in the bed next to each other for most of the night. It was very adorable. We are working on Maverick to remember to come if we call him when he is playing with Goose. He's trying to forget that because he is so focused on Goose and we're not going to allow it. I worked with them this morning for about 30 minutes and would interrupt their play with a come command. Goose came better than Maverick, but by the end both were stopping and coming to me immediately. That'll be the training program for the week. They are both doing real well playing together in the yard and staying in our back area. Goose is finally calm around the cattle and he's doing great with Jester. They are stopping to sniff each time they pass each other and no more hissing from Jester. Jester still isn't 100% ready for playtime, but we noticed him swiping at Goose with his paw from the bar stool last night every time Goose would come close to Jester. That's how Jester initiates play with Maverick. Very funny how they model behaviors for each other. Some of the training sites I reviewed are as follows:

www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_Introducing.html
www.thepetcenter.com/gen/scent.html
www.highlonesomeranch.com/IntroducingNewDogs.htm

The last one was the best and most comprehensive.

Will take some pictures and send them soon. Maverick and Goose have been laying on top of each other with me on the couch as I've been typing this. How cute!! Just a pile of puppies. Mav definitely feels a need to dominate, but we're keeping it in check so there is no out of control play of fights. Going great so far. The fun of watching the two of them play chase is perfect and exactly what we were hoping for. Goose has been a great addition. None of the puppy issues to deal with. He is fully crate trained. He only makes a slight taping noise by moving his paws up and down in the crate and a couple of times a tiny whimper if he really had to go to the bathroom. Still hasn't barked yet. He is becoming more comfortable with his surroundings and everything and relaxing more. For the first couple of days we couldn't get him to stop panting and he would rarely lie down. Now he his breathing normally and lays down most of the time in the house. Still very into both Heather and me. But, will follow Maverick and Goose around to see what they are up to. I hate to take him to the vet for the heartworm treatment with things going so well, but the vet really wants it done with the injection and I agree we need to get it out of the way. So, we'll send some picture updates and I'll let you know how he does after we pick him up. Thank you again for rescuing such a wonderful dog and helping bring him into our lives.

All our best,
Heather, John, Maverick and Jester

***

Renee,
Well, we are approaching the end of a very busy and good first day for Goose. We've done some name juggling and have decided to rename the cat Jester and allow Shaggy to get the name Goose. A better fit for Maverick's playmate.

Goose and I had a very quiet ride home and we went straight to Petsmart to get a crate, some toys, Greenies in his size and another grooming comb after talking to the groomers there. He also got signed up for Beginners Training starting June 16, 2006 for 8 weeks. He seems to like the Bill-Jac liver treats best so far. He also liked the Greenie and it got his teeth really clean. He also got a full bath, flea dip and comb out and blow dry as well as nail clip and coat conditioner at Petsmart. He looked so cute in the UT orange bandana they put him in and he smells great. They found mostly dead fleas from the Frontline treatment, but I noticed he was chewing a bit on the lower hind legs, which is typical. His coat is so thick they can live in there a long time. Then we went to lunch together and visited while at Sonic. He finally drank from a cup of water I got there for him. I did notice that he really balked at going into Petsmart initially. I think all the dog smells at the front door signaled dog pound to him. He finally got over his hesitation and went in and relaxed after 15 minutes. The groomers loved him and he was very affectionate with them they said. He saw me and came right to me when I picked him up so I knew we had bonded and I was in the inner circle of trust.

After Sonic it was off to the vet's at Indian Ridge for a check up and visit to discuss the heartworm treatments. The vet said he looks great and he felt pretty sure he was 2 years old at most judging by his teeth and mouth. Agreed that it's Aussie and most likely Belgian Turveren. Doubted German Sheppard because of the small size. He was totally calm and a gentlemen at the vet's with some really annoying Miniature Schnauzer's. No sound or aggression or fear at all. Just calm and neutral. What we've decided to do is treat him for heartworm this next week starting on Thursday and Friday and the vet wants to keep him over the weekend as well to observe him and restrict activity. He wanted to let Goose have a few days at home to calm down and relax before the stress of treatment. He really wants to do the shots and get the worms out of his system so there is less risk of transference to Maverick. Given that we are going to be doing just initial adjustment and orientation we can restrict his activity adequately for the four weeks that the vet has requested. They knew of you very positively at Indian Ridge. Thought you'd like to know.

Then we came home and started getting settled in to the house and checking things out. Maverick was crated out of sight in the living room and Jester (formerly Goose) our cat was put up behind closed doors in one of the bedrooms. We spent a long time just sitting in the kitchen. Then he finally started coming into other rooms with me with some gentle coaxing on lead. We rested on the bed and he was adorable. Then it was walk outside time and also some crate time so Maverick could come out and check out the smells of the new dog in his house. Also, Jester came out to check out the scent trail as well. Then Maverick and I ran some errands and had some outside play time and then we swapped again. This time I let Jester roam around and he checked Goose out from the doorway to the bedroom while Goose was lying calmly on the bed. Goose looked, but showed no aggression or desire to chase. I just kept petting him and the cat even came up to me near the edge of the bed then left the room satisfied with his initial view of Goose.

Heather came home and we left with Maverick for dinner with her parents and then came back and took both dogs for a walk down the country lane a couple of times for about a mile walk. We let the dogs meet on the road and kept them apart so there was no jumping and they dig great on the walk. Goose finally went #1. I was worried he was dehydrated. We came back and all sat down for a pack meal and Goose finally ate something and drank more water. Still no #2, but we're hoping tomorrow morning after breakfast will be the trick. Maverick and Goose ate great together on opposite and slightly out of sight (around a corner) with me between them and a pet gate as backup. Jester sat on the floor with all of us and Heather stayed next to Maverick and I sat between both Mav and Goose letting them kiss my checks between bites of food. No direct stares were allowed between them and they respected this well with some gentle insistence on my part. Especially to Mav who is so curious. Goose is just happy being around so far.

Goose is absolutely silent in his crate and goes in better than Maverick, who usually will try to blend into the bedspread and be small to avoid us noticing that he is out of his crate. We're hoping the weather let's us get to a fenced in park tomorrow for some heavy exercise and a potential meeting again on neutral turf for some playtime and ball chasing. Two balls for each dog so there are no fights. I'll send you another update soon, but we're off to a very good start so far.

Hugs,
Heather and John Kunysz