tdierikx

All of my dogs were adopted as pups - 2 are failed fosters. All of them have been (or are being) raised the same, yet they are all totally different in their own way. Zeddy likes to attack things like the mower, but runs a mile from the vacuum cleaner - is terrified of thunderstorms, but doesn't mind rain (without the thunder part) - loves biting water coming out of the hose, but hates having a bath, etc... she was 5 weeks old when I got her from a FTGH ad in the Trading post 13 years ago. Trouble is a crazy Labrador - too smart for her own good, yet acts dumb when it suits her to be silly. She was 10 weeks old when purchased through an internet ad nearly 7 years ago. Pickles is disabled in the physical sense, but that doesn't stop her keeping up with the others, or stealing all the foster pups' toys or treats - she is a pushy and headstrong little turd at times, but is also the most loving and faithful dog. She came into foster care 2 years ago as a 9 week old puppy... and stayed... *grin* Harper is 11 weeks old today - I've known her all of her short life since her mum gave birth in care. She has been house trained since the day after she came to me for fostering, and I think she's my new heart dog. She is a smooch of the first order for me, but can be aloof with strangers - she isn't fazed by other dogs, large or small, and knows when to be cheeky or not... What I'm trying to point out here is that even when raised the same way - with love, respect, and dignity - dogs can still be very different in nature or personality. T.

Under all his hair, he's as powerfully built as a Stafford, just longer in the body. He has legs like little trees, certainly not as "slender" as a Stafford's legs. He could well be Scotty X Stafford - or have a few other things in there as well. T.

When Connor used to get hot spots, I used to shave the area, apply Neocort for the first 24 hours, then used EDP powder until it dried up. I still have some powder here if you'd like to give it a try... T.

He's a complete stunner... and we have to wait 5 more weeks to meet him in the flesh... waaahhhh! T.

You'd be amazed at how many people WILL excuse poor behaviour by saying "he/she is a rescue"... I certainly don't raise my fosters to have bad behaviour, and they are only rehomed when I'm happy with such. Dog knows that prospective adopters aren't really looking for a rescue with issues - they want a dog that they can feel comfortable with under all sorts of conditions... with family, with guests, on a walk, etc... Any rescue that rehomes a dog without having a full understanding of that dog's nature is playing with fire, and every problem dog released into the community by such rescues only gives bad press to all of those perfectly "normal" dogs available from reputable rescues - not to mention reinforcing the myth that all dogs from pounds, shelters, and rescue have "issues" - the stark truth is that there are MANY more dogs available from those sources that DON'T come with issues. Dogs AREN'T human - they don't really think too hard about the past, but usually live in the here and now. As soon as we stop trying to project our own human feelings and emotions upon them, the better it is for the dog. Basically - just enjoy your new best friend in the here and now, and don't fantasise about it's past. T.

Just a little off topic here... but you have the most divine yard Frodo's Mum... the perfect backdrop for stunning photos of all the dogs. My backyard looks like a wasteland in comparison... lol! T.

It's interesting how many people are seeing Corgi in him. I've been up close to a number of Cardigan and Pembroke Corgis, but our guy up close is not really anything like either in shape, size, or build. He's really a nugget of solid under all that scruff - almost Stafford nuggety if you can picture it. Having seen and been able to identify some sorts of breed mixes in most dogs that come through rescue, this guy has me completely stumped. Whatever his mix, it's a nice one though, don't you think? T.

Fostering pups for rescue can be dangerous sometimes... my latest 2 are foster failures... *grin* In neither case was I actually thinking about getting another dog, but we just bonded, and that was that... T.

I think that some people want to believe that their rescue dog has had a harder life prior to coming to them. It feeds their need to feel like they have done something great for the dog by adopting it, and are better owners than those the dog may have had previously. This is just human nature... and there's only something wrong with the notion if you allow the dog to continue inappropriate behaviours and use prior ownership as the crutch for doing so. One of my foster failures is disabled from a scar in her brain she incurred as a wee pup in an Aboriginal camp. Evidence shows that this scar is most likely to have been caused by something physical, rather than genetic. Personally I don't care that she walks funny or is a complete turd with a strong will - she is mine and I love her to death - and she is awesome at helping me raise other foster pups. She is also well behaved when out in public. Being involved in rescue has opened my eyes to exactly how many really nicely adjusted, healthy, and happy dogs can find themselves homeless - the actual number of "problem" dogs coming through rescue is not that large really. T.

I've been up close and personal with a number of Scotties, and our guy is bigger and sturdier than a Scotty. Maybe a Scotty/Staffy mix might produce something similar in size and weight, but if you can find pics (I used Google) of a Skye without a show cut, our guy seems to be the right shape et al... He's much less aloof than a Scotty, and less excitable than a Staffy, if that helps? Basically, he's just a realy nice friendly lad who appears to get on with everyone - except those pesky puppies who goosed him the day after he'd been desexed... lol! Poor boy was a little sorry for himself, and the pups wanted to play... but he only warned them off with a low growl, no show of teeth or snapping like most other dogs would have done... Oh, and he loves going for a car ride! T.

The average dog owner who believes their dog should be allowed to rush up to (or at) strange dogs probably wouldn't care whether the other dog was wearing a warning collar... Personally though, I love the idea! And they are nice looking collars too... *grin* T.

As I mentioned in the Skye Terrier in Blacktown Pound thread, we believe this guy we have in care is a Skye cross. Opinions from those who know the breed are appreciated please... Please excuse the angles... he's a bit camera shy... and he's had a very basic neater (read easier to care for) haircut... *grin* T.

thanks as does your " little " boy Huckleberry, sometimes you forget they are just babies wanting to sit on your knee Definitely one to print big and frame... lol! T. it's not his most flattering photo I think it's a brilliant photo... catches his personality perfectly... *grin* T.

I have photos of most of the pups I've fostered over the past 5 years on my Photobucket account... http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y220/tdierikx/ - over 1000 photos there. A good number of those pups were dumped in the pound or surrendered directly to rescue due to not being able to shift them fast enough, got too much to handle and feed, etc... Many more of those pups weren't even born yet when their mothers found themselves homeless... The average amount of time a pup stays in foster care with us is about 4 weeks - not counting the 6-8 weeks they are with their mums if we had to whelp them - and a good number of those pups were also born via caesarian too... T.

Definitely one to print big and frame... lol! T.

No idea of the brand Katdogs, but they always have them at our fave pet supply store - and in 2 different sizes (Stevie got the big one)... they don't look as sturdy as they really are do they? T.

Cuz balls - the hardiest rubber toys I've found - still have a few that my Lab has been playing with for nearly 7 years - still intact! Chuckit rubber tennis balls - impossible to destroy - and my Lab can eat a big black Kong in a couple of days... or a whole lamb shank, bone and all in 10 minutes! T.

When I do it and get that look, I just look back at them and say "Payback - how do you like it then?" - then they just leave the room... *sigh* (and mine aren't anywhere as nasty as theirs...) Zeddy loves to watch the toilet flush. Trouble and Pickles will vie for who gets their head into my lap first. Harper just wanders in and out and doesn't know what she wants... T.

Ummm... if it's the group I'm thinking of, then they are savvy enough to know that certain orders do not follow a dog interstate... T.

My old girl's chip is a bit hit or miss... it's where it should be, but for some reason you have to scan a few times for it to register. As for the Skye in the pound, the fact that he has been in there 2 weeks already indicates that they did find a chip when he got there - maybe he's chipped on a different register than the one they usually check, and his details have now come to light once the other registers have been checked? T.

I've given up closing the bathroom door when I go potty... unless I have human company that is... T.

Some rescues believe with every fibre of their being that if it has a pulse, it MUST be "saved"... Pretty stupid thinking IMHO. Rehoming a dog is not just about what is "best" for the dog - it's about what's best for the whole community... *sigh* Non-disclosure WILL come back to bite you in the bum... and sometimes literally! T.

Then let me know if you or Glemhaith get to take him and I can forward a donation through you Shmoo, OK? T.

If you get lucky enough to get him Shmoo, can you let me know - becuse I'd love to send you a donation towards his pound fee... T.

Rescue has the "luxury" of selecting which dogs they will take in... a pound doesn't... True "no kill" (if you define it literally - as the general public are liable to do) in a pound is not exactly achievable due to the fact that not every animal will be rehomable. There will always be those for whom it is the kindest thing to euthanaise. No Kill (as defined by reality) is that no rehomable animal should die purely because the resources aren't there to give it the chance it needs to be rehomed. The push is for those resources to be available so that more rehomable animals get that chance. Personally, I wouldn't have an issue with adopting from any pound... but I also have some experience in selecting dogs from pounds for the rescue I am with... I have a decent idea of what I'm looking for and understand fully that many dogs will be very different once outside of that environment. T.