Tuesday, December 27, 2011

It's Muffy/Josie time!!

We're calling this girl Josie because Muffy just doesn't fit. Josie is definitely on the shy side, but opens up more each day. She is learning to love pets more each day. Snuggling hasn't come yet, but I think she'll come around. What she loves most is to snuggle up on the dog bed and collect toys. She is learning that she has to share the toys and is getting along really well with our two dogs.

Potty training is going great. Getting Josie on a schedule has suited her best. She goes right away and is very proud. Waiting for her to tell you she has to go will result in an accident. We have found that is really the only way to succeed at potty training. Especially with a rescue dog. There is no idea of knowing what type of life the dog has had before so expecting them to tell us when they have to go potty isn't realistic.

Josie is really quite smart. She is already learning sit without a problem and my goal is to work on stay so she won't sneak out the door. Also, she's been sleeping in her kennel at night and not a peep.

I can't wait for Josie to find her family; she will be a nice pet for someone.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Congrats to Pepper!

Congrats to Pepper and her new family. She went home yesterday. We only had her for a week, but loved her very much. Now to make room for the next one.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

An app so soon?

Pepper has an adoption application already! This is great news of course, but selfishly I'd hoped to have a little more time with her because we just love her. You never know what kind of dog you'll get off the transport, but she is truly a gem. We hope to hear soon how it goes. Stay tuned...

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Heeeere's Pepper!

Isn't she just a beauty? Honestly, I wasn't sure if we were up for an eight month old dog on the medium to large size. But, her behavior is not an indicator of her age. Aside from a couple of easily corrected habits like pawing and thinking she is a lap dog, she really is on the mellow side. Pepper is very loving and she wants to please. She loves to receive pets and hugs, and in return gives kisses.

I'm obsessed with how pretty she is. She looks just like a petite Lab, but with a fuzzy coat. Her profile lists her as a Flat Coat Retriever which I had never heard of. If I Google that breed though, it's dead on. She very well could be a pure bred breed, but there isn't a way of knowing for sure. Also, she literally has the softest coat of any dog I've met. Think of those really soft faux fur blankets they make. She came to us groomed much like a cocker spaniel would be; short on the back and long on the chest and legs. I'm sure it will be just as beautiful when it grows out.

She is cautious when first approaching, but quickly warms up to people and dogs alike. Pepper will be such a great addition to a family, now her family just needs to find her. She'll be here waiting.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Welcome Miller!

Miller is quite a guy and is a favorite of the girls in the rescue. He is a very sweet boy and loves to be with his humans. Especially to snuggle. He has become my new snuggle buddy. A playful guy, but not hyper. He just loves the other dogs. We're still getting to know him, but are already quite fond of him. Miller does have a sweet poodle face, but we don't know what he's mixed with. There is a mix of fluffy coat and wiry. Such a cutie.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

A walk you say?

"Lady, what is a walk?"

This is what Charlee appears to be thinking when I ask her to go on a walk. It's only taken three weeks or so to get her to this point. When we got her, she wouldn't even walk on her own to go outside and forget about a leash. So this week I started taking her on one block walks. She's been doing very well, but doesn't like cars. This leads me to believe she shouldn't live on a busy street/road.

Charlee is such a sweetie pie. We just love her. When she gets excited, she hops on her front paws like a spring. Not a jumper though. She's loves to snuggle too. Sometimes right up next to you or with the other dogs. She is a fairly low energy dog so won't need much exercise. I'm so impressed with how happy she is, especially with where she came from. In case you didn't see, let me show you...


Puppy Pen??

But, here she is now...


So happy and so pretty.





Friday, July 29, 2011

Easy on the thunder please

Was this Tuesday or Wednesday night? I don't remember, but our Charlee  isn't fond of a good 'ol thunderstorm. Now don't panic, I'm not talking about a scene from Marley & Me. She just would pass on them if given the choice. No crying or pacing or trying to escape, she just likes to be in a safe spot. In this case, behind the couch.
It is much nicer back here thank you.

 Like you guys don't sit back here?
 A little safer now, but a blanket helps.
Now that Dexter is here, I feel much better. I love to snuggle with my human friends too.

No more pups for me

Monday was a big day for Ms. Charlee. We traveled to HAWS and she got her spay. She is not feeling very well here as you can see.

Here is Dexter watching out for her. Doesn't every gal dream of a handsome male nurse?


Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Charlee Bear

 Just after her bath and style...
 Here you can see her little white socks!
Looking much more relaxed now.

Time to get cleaned up

Now that Charlee has had time to settle in, I gave her a bath. Not crazy about the water at first, but once the washing started she really relaxed. Here you see her waiting for her style. This also gives you an idea of how small she is since she fits in the kitchen sink.

She is just a little doll. Low energy and I've yet to hear her bark. She doesn't seem to shed much, but her coat isn't its healthiest either. And almost a myth in foster mom world...she asks to go outside!!! She wants nothing to do with a leash, so this is inhibiting her routine of going potty. But, getting her leash trained should be no problem.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Another little girl...Welcome Charlee!

Ms. Charlee just arrived today. After seeing those horrible pictures from the other day, I knew it wouldn't be long before we'd see her here in the Degrandt home. We welcome her and consider it simply a miracle that she arrived. I was so worried they wouldn't be rescued in time. But anyway, here she is.

She is still a little scared as anyone would be. I'm happy that she drank quite a bit of water when we got home and ate maybe a handful of food. As I always say, they'll eat when they're hungry. I'd like to get her a nice grooming as she really is very pretty under the scruff. Lori commented on how awful looking her coat is which is probably due to poor nutrition. We'll start feeding her some Taste of the Wild to get her coat in order.

Charlie hasn't shared much of her personality yet, but as of now it looks like she prefers her foster dad over foster mom. Her face lights up when she sees Tom. She also tells me she doesn't mind her androgynous name, but still needs to learn it. A good night's rest will help her get settled in.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Unbelievable.




These are the heartbreaking pictures I received this morning from Lori. This is an actual animal shelter in Alabama. Thankfully she was able to get these dogs pulled out and their transport is in the works. We don't realize how bad it is down there so it's important to spread the word.

All in the Family

Yesterday I got news that Lucy has an approved application. I'm so happy for her because she will have the best parents who also happen to be my parents. Yes we'll be seeing more of Lucy in our family. Mom and Dad fell in love with her over the 4th weekend. She's been such a good girl for us too.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Lucy's story.

Lucy was adopted from Fluffy Dog about three years ago. She was returned this past week by her owners because of potty training issues and separation anxiety. We have her on routine potty breaks and she goes just fine when outside. She does not even hint at trying to go indoors. We've been told that her owners did not kennel her during the day and came home to accidents. Lucy will absolutely be kenneled at our house. There has not been one accident.

We have a lab who is extremely anxious so we have experience in that department. Of course the best thing to fight that behavior is lots of exercise. In Lucy's case, she isn't very active so we've not had a problem. She will bark in her kennel for a while if left alone, but having another dog in a kennel next to her is helping. (The fireworks this weekend are not helpful though.) When dogs are bored, they act out. Today we played with the doggie puzzles. If you've never seen these, they're great. Dogs need to be mentally stimulated as well as physically. Check out the link: http://www.nina-ottosson.com/

Whoever is approved to adopt Lucy should be prepared. She is not a turn-key dog, but no rescue dog is. There will be some work involved with her, but already I know she is on her way. Today we had her outside with my parents on the patio. We had a leash on her, but never needed to pick it up. She just relaxed under the table. She knows sit, come, down and will stop what she's doing if you scold her a little. Keeping her socialized will be a necessity.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Welcome Lucy!

Gizmo: Corgi, Dog; Hartland, WI

Well here she is. Lucy has arrived and is doing quite well. She will start out by sleeping in a kennel in our bedroom and we'll see how that goes. Dexter really was pushing her buttons at first, but she is learning to tolerate him. After all, he's still a puppy. She already has attached to me, but loves Tom as well. After a long weekend of getting to know her, I hope to have new pictures and more info on her.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Farewell good friend

What a great day. Jacque has gone home! Farewell my good friend Jacque. :)

June 26th

Today will be a very busy day for Jacque. He has been chosen to walk in Hartland's 4th of July parade. Ok, so actually it's whoever wants to walk can come. I like to build up his confidence by telling him he was chosen. Please don't tell him the difference. It starts at 1:30 if anyone is bored today.

Secondly, he has a family coming to meet him. They have been approved and are interested in Leinie and Jacque. They will choose between the two. Both are great dogs, but of course I'm rooting for my Jackie-boy. Wish him luck and I will update accordingly.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Busy boy

This next week Jacque will be staying with Lisa B. while I'm on vacation. As I was driving him there, I remembered how well he rides in the car. He prefers to be lifted in, but once in he curls up on the seat and stays put until he arrives at his destination. This may not seem like a big deal, but if you've ever had an anxious dog in the car, you'll understand. Occasionally he would lift his head from the armrest to give me a few kissies on the arm. Also, he seemed to really enjoy my signing to the radio. It's a shame I exceed the age limit for American Idol. For now I'm happy being Jacque's idol.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Walkin the line.

First of all, let me say that Jacque isn't fond of the camera. He seems to not like the sound of the lens. So until he gets over this, I don't have any great pictures. Unless you count ones of him running away.

Tonight Jacque went on his very first big boy walk. Since the heartworm treatment, he's been on rest orders. Now he has the all clear which has been great. The walk went very well and he just trotted along like a very polite boy. No pulling...well only a little when he saw some robins and bunnies. He could teach my dogs a thing or two about walking nicely on a leash. His only wish is to have his furever family take him for many more walks in the future.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Posing for the camera!

Here is a full body shot of Jacque. He loves this bed which was purchased at Tailwaggin Doggie Daycare in Hartland, WI.

Here's Jacque

What a good boy our Jacqie-Boy is! He's been with us about three weeks now and making great progress. At first, he didn't even know what a sofa or a dog bed was and now he can't wait to snuggle in. Treats seemed foreign to him as well, but loves them now and takes them so politely. Jacque is a very gentle boy who is still learning that love and attention are good things.

On May 20th, Jacque will have reached his 30 days since heartworm treatment. What a relief that will be for us. He really wants to go on walks and run around so hopefully he gets the all-clear from the vet.

Jacque has developed quite a crush on our Libby. In typical lady fashoin, she'll have nothing to do with him. He wants nothing more than for her to snuggle with him and is quite a gentleman in his attempts. No such luck for now. Good thing he has foster brother Dexter to play with