Zeta, 11 weeks in foster

Our little snuggle bug is still hanging around the house, waiting for that perfect family.

Looks like I never got around to mentioning a few things. One is that, surprise!, she's actually closer to 2 years old that 7 years old. Looking back at her first photos, it's easy to see how they would give her a higher age, considering the terrible condition she was in. But with just some good ol' dry kibble and chew toys (Nylabones and antlers), that tartar has come right off and she doesn't seem to have any damage or dental disease indicative of an older dog. She's now a healthy weight, and her skin infection and ear infections are gone. Her ears will need to be kept clean by her new family (we clean them once a week), but she's an easy girl and just loves the attention.

The other thing I wanted to share was my idea of her history. When dealing with shelter dogs, it's often best to just let the past stay in the past and not worry about it. Going forward with a positive attitude is usually the best way to ensure a happy life for a dog, whether they came from a difficult or easy beginning.

Sometimes, though, knowing where a dog came from is helpful in figuring out their current behaviors and how to help them. I believe that Zeta was kept as breeder and didn't see people except at mealtime. She was underfed and fed garbage, based on the condition of her teeth and the ease with which her tartar was gotten under control, as well as her weight and the fact that her nails were white with malnutrition. Her lack of socialization was obvious based on how she reacted to me when I first met her: Open stare, no move for attention, no reaction to voice or touch. It's also obvious she was bred because of the state of her nipples- she may not have been bred as much as Honey, but it was pretty significant and definitely at least three litters, probably many more.

It makes me feel better knowing that animal control stepped up to save her and her former owner will never hurt her again. He is also banned from adopting animals at WCAC.

We've taken care of her skin, her ears, her teeth and her weight. The white in her nails are growing out and some of them are downright pink and healthy. Now we're just dealing with those socialization issues and her resultant fear of strangers. She also fiercely protects her home and her family, which is something we can help by assuring her that she is safe and we are in control- there is no need to protect us because we'll protect her.

We've spoken with professional behaviorists as well as experienced dog handlers and have been assured that she isn't "broken"- her issues can be resolved with leadership, consistency and assertiveness. Now all that's left is for us to follow through and/or find a family willing to take her down that road.

Rescue Dogs

Looking at Honey now, it's easy to think of her as the perfect, sweet girl she is. It's taken a lot of work to get where we are today, and I'm lucky enough that this is what I come home to now:

There was a time when we couldn't leave her home alone because of her anxiety. About six weeks after we took her home, she destroyed her crate to the point where she couldn't safely be put back inside. I left her out and came home to find she had eaten her nylon leash and harness. She eventually went to the emergency vet where they induced vomiting to get most of it and then scoped to get the remainder. In the weeks and months that followed, she went to the shelter to be kenneled whenever there was no one at home. I was contacting rescues trying to get someone to commit to her whenever her case was over, but with no luck.

That doesn't even cover the sorry state she was in when we brought her home. She'd just had puppies a few months before, plus she had sores from the hard floor of the kennels as well as "happy tail", which is caused from being so excited at any attention that the tail is beaten bloody on the walls from wagging so hard. Just like with Zeta, we had to put some pounds on her and watch her wounds slowly heal.

It's hard to believe that this is the same dog that would crate herself if you raised your hand or your voice, that didn't understand what toys were and ate like she'd never had food before. She's the one that was labeled "use caution" and the one who mothered all our kittens. She's the one who used to vomit if she was fed too late, or if she was just upset. The one that I worried, "Who is going to take this dog?!"

I truly cannot imagine my life without her. She is the most loyal and faithful companion I could have wished for and I'm thankful every day for her presence in my life. It's been a journey, but entirely worth the early stress and trouble. There's nothing like having someone to come home to, who misses you the same after five minutes or five hours.

Update on Quinn

We've been missing the little guy lately, so I figured I'd check in on him. Ask and you shall receive!

Quinn is doing amazing.  I couldn't be happier with how well he and Ghosty get along! We're working on some tricks. He is already doing well with paw and standing on his hind legs for treats.  Well,  when he wants to at least.  

He quite enjoys sleeping on top of Ghost and hikes at Umstead. Lol

The only trouble had been when it snowed.  Quinn is not a fan of the snow or cold. I had to carry him outside a few times to get him to potty. 

His skin cleared up after the antibiotics and seems to be slowly growing back behind his ears and no more redness.  

I still need to setup a time to get the after photos taken.  And I am always up for a playdate fire Quinn and Honey, if you like.

Such handsome boys.

Glad we know how to let go. He may have been perfect for Honey, but we weren't perfect for him. I'm sure he has so much more fun going out with Ghost than sitting around here with us lazy bums.

That is one lucky dog.

Zeta at 5 weeks

 I feel like I should say how far Zeta's come.

We've learned that she is an unstoppable cuddle bug.

 Both with dogs and people.

 In the mornings, she'll streeeeetch all the way out, like a little person.

 She really has no sense of personal space, so we have to make some, sometimes.

She hardly ever has an accident anymore. She still barks at new people, but she doesn't lose her mind when she sees someone down the street. She's made great progress in training. She's a smart little dog and catches on to tricks very quickly. She'd thrive in a home with someone who has time to teach her ridiculous things. We're still holding out that her perfect home is out there somewhere!

Mamba's getting married!

I am proud to announce, one final time, that Mamba has been adopted.

She went to live with a new foster mom when the boys were adopted because she was just too lonely.

She realized she liked popcorn, how to put on make-up and that she appreciates a little junk in the trunk.

that's her happy face

After a recent explosion of inquiries, her new foster mom realized that she would be devastated if she let Mamba go, so she came in yesterday to finalize the adoption! (And take home a new foster dog...)

Congratulations to Mamba and her new mom and her soon-to-be cat husband... Yes, I just said that. I'm sure they'll all be very happy together =)

Falling in love

This is a great article. It is a must read.

How not to fall in love with your foster dog.

Zeta's glamour shots

Got our photos from the session with Mary Shannon Johnstone back. She's such a pretty girl.