It Was Nice....

It was really nice seeing family this Thanksgiving, I don't see enough of them. Its funny how you get so busy with your day to day life you loose track of friends and family sometimes. The dogs were all well behaved besides Radar's pooing in the crate while we were gone :( but its all good, or at least I keep telling myself that. I mean look at that face, how could you get mad at that? He looks so peaceful, and really he is doing better, he is now getting much more comfortable in different parts of the house. The bad part about making him more comfortable in the rest of the house, I think its going to turn him into a major moocher, but oh well.

I got the Christmas tree up today, and I didn't have the heart to put it up where I usually do, only because that is Radar's "safe haven" so I just made room for it else where in the house. Radar was already acting weird this morning. After we come in from the morning outside trip, he wouldn't go lay in his bed, I looked at the bed, picked it up, wondering what in the hell it was that was bothering him. Well after about a hour I figured it out, there was a throw blanket over the back of the chair, its not usually there, so once I put that away he slowly got back into routine. Some days I wonder if I'm going crazy or if they are, OR maybe we're going together. Its always nice to have company :)

So needless to say I have kept myself busy, my dogs really don't like all the commotion that comes with putting up the Christmas tree, I can tell it makes them nervous and jumpy. Here's a picture of Izzy laxin. I have also managed to ALMOST finish my Christmas shopping! I am so proud of myself, and I didn't even have to leave the house. The last couple years I have done most all of my Christmas shopping on Black Friday online. You get really amazing deals, plus usually free shipping, without the hassle of dealing with the crowds. Yes its right up my ally :) Really the only thing I have left to shop for is the dogs, I meant to finish that today but I didn't get to it. Tomorrow brings lots of running and a return trip to get MORE bloodwork done, I hate getting bloodwork done! The last trip they blew my vein in my right arm, so I guess they'll be shooting for the left this time, have I mentioned I hate getting bloodwork done? lol

I have already caught Cashew trying to snatch a ornament off the tree! Since this is Piper's first Christmas with us I'm not sure how she is going to do with the tree while we are gone, right now she seems not so interested. Doesn't really matter I'm used to coming home to a ornament chewed up here and there. I'm looking forward to my mom and dad coming into town for Christmas, now to get the house ready!

What I'm Thankful For

I am very thankful for a lot of things in my life, great family and friends. I have a wonderful husband that puts up with my obsession with helping animals and welcomes new fosters with open arms. I am also very thankful for all the health of my perma dogs, and of course the love and friendship they offer me. I am so relieved that Apple found her new furever home before the holidays, now she gets to celebrate in style and comfort as she was meant too. Although the last few days I've been a little down about my own health but all it takes is a good snuggle with the dogs and a holiday to make me remember that I am truly blessed.

Today I'm preparing for tomorrow, since I am not having Thanksgiving dinner at my house all I am doing is making a few desserts, easy enough. The real work will come after this holiday, getting the house decorated for Christmas, "spring" cleaning and getting ready for my parents to come into town for Christmas. Oh and I can't forget the dreaded Christmas shopping, the last few years I have done the majority of my shopping online and that is my plan this year too. This should be a real experience for Radar, he doesn't like having new people in the house and I hate to tell him but his normal hang out spot is where the Christmas tree goes. This should really throw him out of whack. The last few nights he has been coming in on his own, the common denominator seems to be David, when he is home is when he seems to do this. I would really like to see Radar have his very own home for Christmas, but if that doesn't happen its ok, he can celebrate with us and enjoy the goodies Santa brings.

All the dogs were unhappy this morning because of the rain, except Hazel, the rain doesn't bother her one bit. She runs and plays in the yard like its nothing. Piper really hates it, I made her go out and she just sat at the door with her tail tucked begging to come back in. It finally slowed down enough that she went out and done her business. Cashew would only go out if I accompanied her, geez what a brat :) I don't blame any of them for not wanting to go out, I wouldn't want to go out in this cold, wet stuff either but sometimes we have to do what we don't want to, right? Here's Cashew curled up with Izzy, or rather her back end. 

I wish all of my readers a very Happy Thanksgiving, be thankful for what you have and forget about the things you don't. I believe God gives us what we need and only gives us as much as we can handle.

Radar The Turd Bird

Radar really is a good boy for the most part, but he certainly has his moments where he can be a turd bird. Tonight he went out with the rest of the pack around 7pm, he kept coming to the door acting like he wanted in, I would open the door and he would stand at the bottom of the steps and just look around. Well finally over 3 1/2 hours later he came in, but not on his own will. I propped the door open and had David go out in the yard, it took a few minutes but Radar finally bolted in the door. I told ya he doesn't like my husband, at least now we found a good use for this dislike.


I wish I could figure out why he does this, it always happens at night time and it hasn't happened for over a month now. For awhile after the last time he done this I made him wear a lead every time he went out, but quit doing it as he started coming in just fine. I just can't understand it, this time I tried hot dogs, cheese, just leaving the door propped open and walking away, nothing worked till our send David out to the yard plan.

There are some days that I think maybe I'm not cut out for fostering, today is one of those days. I still can't break him of pooping and peeing in his crate when we leave. I've been working with him for almost 2 months on this and its not getting any better. I take that back, it has gotten a little better, now I can leave for about 15 minutes without it happening but nothing over that. I keep thinking maybe I'm doing something wrong but when I ask for advice, I'm told the same things I am doing. I've tried leaving him in a xpen instead of a crate and he still does it. I guess I'm just going to keep going till something clicks in him to make him realize we are never going to abandon him.

Bigger and Better Things

I got Apple all bathed and smelling good, cleaned her ears brushed her out so that she would be ready for today's home visit with her potential adopters. My friend, Amy is starting her own grooming business and offered to "finish" groom Apple, so last night we went over to her home so she could get her all trimmed and shiny :) 

She trimmed all the excess hair between her toes and pads and made her tail look perfect! I think Apple did very well considering this is likely the first time she has ever been on a groom table and probably the first time she has ever been trimmed with sheers. Here she is getting her tail trimmed, she doesn't look to worried to me :) she is actually keeping a eye on Amy's little Pom, Prince, she seemed to really like him and enjoyed his bounciness.

Here is a picture of Prince, or as Amy calls him Princy. He is also a puppymill survivor that struck gold when Amy adopted him. He was about 8 months old and had a luxating patella, basically this is when the knee cap pops in and out of the socket. Prince had a Grade IV, which means the knee cap permanently stays out of the socket, and requires surgery, he also has chronic urinary problems. He is a lucky boy, there are a lot of people that would not have spent this much money on "just a dog."  Isn't he a doll baby? He only weighs like 4lbs or so and is nothing but a bundle of energy and happiness, thanks to Amy! He's one of those dogs that you can't help but be happy around because he is so enthusiastic about life and everything in it.

Back to Apple, I completed her home visit this afternoon and was very happy with it. Tonight she is in her new furever home, hopefully loving life! Her new adopters are home most of the time and were as happy as could be with Apple. When I left she was curled up in the recliner with the son, I love happy endings! I'll be calling to check on her in a couple days and I hope they send me a picture or two of this sweet little girl. Happy tails to Apple! The Davis pack sends love and kisses!

Groom Time For Apple

This evening I decided to start grooming Apple in case she gets adopted. She hates getting a bath, she really doesn't like the water part, she seems ok with the scrubbing, soap part but the water does not make this little one happy. I don't blame her, probably the only experience she has had with spraying water was a hose splashing her in her cage. I think that would make me not like spraying water too! The whitening shampoo done a good job, I think its going to take a couple times to really get the stains totally out of her fur.

I'm gonna miss this little firecracker if she does get adopted, she has SOO much personality, I can't believe her little body can hold it all in. I think she would be really happy in a one dog home so that she can be pampered, and doted on like she knows she deserves! :)  See the look on her face in this picture? I think she is saying "Why did you that to me? I'm a princess." I'm not sure which is worse, a dog that comes from a breeder that has no clue what the good life is or one that has expected it their whole life but till now they never received it? I've seen both, and really both are heartbreaking, but maybe that's because I believe they all deserve warm beds to sleep in and a plethora of love and treats. At least now she gets to live the way she should, warm and loved.

Adoption Weekend

This was a big weekend for adoption event's at Petsmart, I was there on Saturday for only about an hour to drop off some baked items, for Sunday's bake sale. I took Radar with me so I didn't have to leave him in the crate at home. Apple and Radar attended the Sunday event at Petsmart. Radar continues to do better and better at events and has basically mastered walking on a leash, well as long as I'm the one holding the leash. I need to come up with some kind of plan to get him to come around to other people, he mostly acts like a normal dog with me but other people are very terrifying for him still. I think until I can get him to relax in the presents of other people, he will continue to be overlooked for adoption. He really is such a sweet boy, I hate him not having a home of his own. He is still so skinny, I have tried fattening him up but I haven't seen the results I expected, maybe its just in his genes to be this skinny.

Apple struck some interest on Sunday, in fact I have a home visit scheduled on Saturday for her. If all goes well she will be the only dog in the home, which means more love and attention for her, and that is definitely what she craves. My only concern with this adoption is the adopter mentioned being worried about shedding. Even though Apple is not a heavy shedder, she is not a no shed breed, which I have explained to the potential adopter. I have also told her if by any means she is really concerned about the shedding, I would prefer she not adopt Apple, I don't want to see her being returned because she sheds. She seemed to have come to peace with the fact that she will shed. I took Apple to the vet today to get her sutures out and pick up her medical records. The vet was talking to me about what a nice little dog Apple was and that he thought she was really friendly and very adoptable. I do agree with him, she is actually the first dog that I have fostered that came from a breeder that I have considered adoptable immediately. Since we are going on a home visit for a potential adoption, Apple will be getting groomed this week, I ordered some whitening shampoo so hopefully it will remove the stains she has in her fur. Keep Apple in your thoughts, hopefully this is the right home for her.

Dachshund Puppies Oh My

To me, there is nothing much cuter than a Dachshund unless were talking a Dachshund puppy! It brings out the OOh's and Aw's in me, it also makes me start talking that ridiculous baby talk. So I thought I would share a few pictures of 3 of my girls when they were babies, its been so long ago, I'm hard pressed to find really good pictures of them. I truly cannot find all the pictures I know I have of Izzy when she was a baby, this is the only one I could find and its not a really good picture, trust me, she was one of the cutest things I have ever laid my eye's on. Of course I'm a little bias :)  People always thought she was a Cocker Spaniel puppy because her ears were so long and fluffy.

Izzy is recovering from her food "binge" last night, I was a little worried, she bloated up and her belly was as hard as a rock, in fact I think you could have bounced a coin off of it. She made many trips outside last night. Last night while we were in bed she laid at my feet and about every 15 minutes she would bark, it was her frustrated bark, the one that lets you know she has had enough, this went on all night long. I think she had a major belly ache and that was her way of letting her belly know she had enough?? I don't know, the dog is nuts LOL Today I gave her a Pepcid to help with her belly and she is much better tonight, she is a little ticked off because I didn't feed her a regular meal today, all she got was some meat to take the Pepcid with and a few dried cranberries. I really don't think she needs any real amount of food today, we'll resume as normal tomorrow.

Hazel was also a very cute baby, she has always been on the docile side, even when she was a baby. One thing that is amazing to me about doxie's is the changes their coats go through as they get older. Hazel had a lot of black shading on her when she was little but now she has very little, its mostly just red. She still has those sad eye's, she can have me wrapped around her finger with just one look :)

Here's my Cashew, the little moody girl. Half the time I don't think she can stand herself! She truly is a beautiful Dachshund though, she has the big, bright eye's and a beautiful shaded coat. Cashew retained more of her dark colorings, at least more than Hazel did. I love my doxie girls, I wish I had pictures of Piper when she was a baby, I'm sure she was just adorable. That's all the cuteness I can stand for now :)

Busted

I planned on blogging about something totally different tonight, till I busted Isabelle and my blog subject changed quickly. I was actually going through pictures and heard Izzy throw out some barks every once in awhile. At first I totally ignored it, then I thought, well she is probably barking at the cat, when it continued I thought I better go check it out, she has been known to walk in the pantry while the doors open and get closed inside. Well she wasn't in the pantry, she had some how opened the dog food bin and was standing on top of the food just eating away, she thought she had hit the jackpot! Especially since I just went and bought dog food yesterday, a 50lb bag, so the bin was full to the rim! I guess when I fed them earlier I didn't tightly close the lid, my bad. Oh and what she was barking about was warning everyone not to come near HER food! Cashew was standing in the door way just looking at her with a very confused look on her face.

Dachshunds are known for being, well, pigs but my 4 act like they never get enough. I truly believe all of mine would eat until they just fell over dead. In our house, Izzy is known for being a pig and she does not like to share. She knows what a bag of food or bones looks like from a mile away, seriously, I remember the day I took them to the ice cream social at Lucky Dog Boutique, they were doing a food drive for the St. Louis Food Pantry. Well they had a box set up and we were sitting, I don't know, 10-12 feet away from it and she knew there was food in that box. Thank goodness they picked up the stuff and loaded quickly because she can become quite the pest when she knows there is food anywhere near. I call this picture the bloated, bull frog look LOL

Beyond Exhausted...

Lately I've been feeling under the weather and no I still have not called the doctor, I feel like my days are so full that I can't find the time to call and then make it to the appointment. This coupled with the last few weeks it all becomes a clustered mess, I need some calgon to take me away from it all for just a little while. I have a lot of things I've put on the back burner that I need to take care of but I'm mentally and physically exhausted. No catching up this weekend, the group has a bake sale going on and I have an adoption event to attend.

Meanwhile the dogs seem to be enjoying the nice weather were having, I guess they better enjoy it now because its soon to get really cold. Duncan's allergies have already started to flare pretty bad, his get bad when the furnace gets turned on. Today I plan on shaving him and giving him a bath, which does seem to help, at least temporarily. Poor guy I know it must be miserable to be so itchy. We had him on shots for awhile that was suppose to make him immune to his allergens but after a year of them he became so fearful of the needle that he would hide from me so we decided to stop giving them to him. I think they may of helped him in the long run but he still gets really bad come fall and winter.

Apple seems to be recovering just fine from her spay and dental work, she's been running around like a frisky puppy the last couple days. Here she is getting into the toy basket, she is very interested in toys now. She's been sporting diapers till I can break her marking habits. You should see the look on her face when I first put one on, she turns around and looks at it and then looks at me, as if to say "What in the hell is that?" she quickly shakes and she's off. It really happens that quick, and she pays no more attention to it. She is the kind of dog that I believe could be put in any situation and she would adapt fairly quickly.

Izzy has also recovered from her infection, and her bark is back to its normal self. Oh boy is it back! I'm very relieved that it was just a infection and nothing more. I'm not sure why this picture loaded upside down? Oh well that's kinda how I feel, upside down. At any rate she is doing good and back in action, being bossy and crazy as usual. That's how we like her.

Old Friends

Today I took Apple and Radar to the Petco adoption event, here they are sharing a crate looking around like "What's the point of this crap?" At the start of the event we had quite a few lookers but no takers, and by 2pm it slowed down to a lull. I was proud of both my babies, they did really well. Apple enjoyed being petted and held for a lot of the time by a few of our volunteers. Radar just wanted to be with me, a couple points through out the day a few people tried taking his leash and he wanted nothing to do with it, as one of the customers said, "He only has eye's for you." sigh. There were a couple people that wanted to get him out and hold him, as soon as they put him down he bolted over to me. Its hard for people to understand that it will take him time to attach to another person, but once he does, he will be just like he is with me.

I was very happy today to see 2 of my previous foster dogs, both adoptive families stopped by to get some calendars since their dogs were in them. First to stop by was Soclo, just as sweet as I remember him and in true Soclo style he rolled over for a good belly rub! I haven't seen him since February when he was adopted by Molly and her wonderful daughter. I wish I would have gotten a picture of him but at that point Petco was busy and I wasn't thinking straight.

I was taking Radar and Apple out for a potty break when I ran into Hope and Ron, adopters of Payla, now Bella. I of course immediately had to hold her, she looks really good. She has gained some weight and her hair has really started to grow out. This is one of the two pictures they gave me, which I now have sitting up on my desk. Her foot is a non issue as we thought it would be and per mom and dad she runs like lightening all over the house. It was really nice seeing some old friends and learning how their doing. Both of these babies now have warm homes to sleep in at night, food when they want it and a plethora of love. Goodnight old friends, sleep tight. 

Its Friday!!!

I picked up Apple today from the vet after her spay surgery and dental was done yesterday, this vet keeps them overnight, which I absolutely LOVE and wish more vets would do that. In the past I have had multiple problems with dogs right after surgery, its very nerve wracking and worrisome. Apple is actually doing really well, and seems pretty much unfazed from the surgery. She ate her entire dinner and has been prancing around the house like she is queen. The plan is to take her to the adoption event on Sunday, along with Radar. She is such a love, I'm trying to convince anyone I know to adopt her so I can still see her sometimes ;)

Radar seems to be doing slightly better with his separation anxiety but I hate to jinx it, I've thought that before only for him to revert.  He's really starting to be comfortable with the whole house and I think he might actually be ready for adoption, of course it will take a special adopter, one that is patient and loving. Here he is hoarding some toys in the back yard. He can be such a stinker, tonight for example Izzy was getting a drink and out of no where he snapped at her, splashing water in her face. It scared her and p'd her off. He isn't trying to hurt them, he's just a stinker sometimes but he insist on learning the hard way, by picking the wrong dogs to mess with lol.

I have come to the conclusion that I no longer have time for our fish tank, over the last few months we have lost all but 2 of our fish. Most likely do to my neglect of their dwelling. I just don't have time with constantly running around after 6-7 dogs everyday. So if anyone is interested in a bow front, 42 gallon fish tank, stand and all the equipment let me know. Originally it was something my husband wanted but guess who got stuck with the care of it???



I heard from a previous adopter the other day when I emailed her to let her know that Soclo now Snowcone, one of my previous fosters was in our St. Louis Senior Dog Projects 2011 Calender. Actually 2 of my fosters are in the calendar, which makes me happy. Soclo now Snowcone is on the month of December and Payla now Bella is on the month of October. Snowcone's mom told me they were going to try to stop by on Sunday to visit and get a calendar. I really hope they do, I haven't seen Snowcone since February when he got adopted. She did tell me he is still doing very well, and loves playing with his stuffed cow. Oh and he was going to be a Bumble Bee for Halloween :) He is one of those amazing dogs that somehow end up in the pound and find their lives hanging in the balance. 

Sigh Of Relief

Today I am taking a HUGE sigh of relief that Prop B passed in Missouri, this is a big step towards the end of  puppy mills neglecting and abusing dogs. At first it wasn't looking good, the Yes's were way behind and it gave me a sick feeling in the pit of stomach, wondering if this doesn't pass what is the next step? Thankfully we don't have to worry about that now, now we just have to make sure that Prop B is enforced and that the Department of Agriculture has the man power to enforce it. This means so much to all these dogs out there that live their lives in cages, being bred every heat cycle, and not getting vet care that is much needed. For me seeing first hand the physically and mentally scarred babies that come out of these mills, it was a no brainer but I know and have talked to some people that were being paranoid, that the government was going to start controlling their farms, taking away their right to hunt etc. Let me be clear, Prop B does not effect ANYONE but dog breeders, and if you are breeding right, it won't effect you at all! 

My foster puppy mill survivors are doing well. We are still working with Radar and his separation anxiety, he has good days and not so good days but we try to focus on the good days. The running from me once it gets dark out has ceased, thankfully! I have no idea why he started that and also have no idea why it all of a sudden stopped but we are grateful it did. Most of the time he is a happy, waggy pup that really seems to enjoy life, except when my husbands around. There is no other way to put it, he HATES David. I don't think this is ever going to change, we have tried everything but really it seems to get worse than better.....sigh

On the other hand we have Apple, now she LOVES David, which he is thrilled about. Its not often we get a foster dog that really, really likes him. She is a very loving girl, and right now we are working on potty training and getting used to the crate. She really doesn't ever want to get in the crate, I think it has more to do with just wanting to always be near or by us than anything. I know soon she will be in the bed with us but right now I'm trying to give her a few restrictions. We are also working on getting her used to a leash, its slowly getting better. Apple is going tomorrow to get her vetting done, as long as she is feeling good by Sunday I plan on taking both her and Radar to the adoption event. She's a good little monkey that I just know will steal someone's heart!