Today was a training day for Tangie. She's been really doing well with obedience (not her best) some rally-o which is more fun and more interesting for her and she even started agility training that is the MOST fun for her. She's been letting go of some of her fearfulness so that she can have a good time! Who wouldn't be in favor of that?
Jenny was sick today, vomiting a lot. My guess is that the aged dead lizard she ate just doesn't agree with her. She's taking it easy today and getting pepcid instead of lizard.
Jintsy is sleeping. She continues to pace for miles sometimes - mostly at night when I'd like to be sleeping, so I'm always tired and it's no wonder I haven't kept up the blog. Right now, I think she's waking up and when she wakes up she wants to eat and if you saw her you would think I never feed her. She eats at least 4 or 5 times a day which is quite a bit for a little girl.
So, basically I'm insane over my dogs, always worried that they are happy, healthy and sort of well behaved. From what I've seen, people treat their dogs more and more like children. Some dogs have better wardrobes than I do! Yet, today, I saw something for the first time in my life that I hope I never see again. At school today there were several classes going on at the same time and we were not in the agility group today but in a small group next to them doing what is called rally-o. I heard a dog scuffle behind me and didn't pay close attention because usually those things are handled pretty quickly. Then I heard this awful thwomping sound and when I turned to see what it was I was shocked to see this woman beating her dog. She was hitting the dog, a shepherd type, on her side pretty hard and the people right near her objected and were trying to get her to stop. She kept hitting the dog and told them she couldn't have the dog doing what ever it was that she thought the dog did. Finally they convinced her that the dog didn't do anything wrong and she stopped. But, this image is burned in my brain now. The poor dog just dangling from one arm of the woman and being beat by the other hand, looking stunned. This woman was not tiny either. Dog People, you never know.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Hula Dog
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Dr. Jenny
It's already time to start another year of therapy work and I haven't even gotten around to telling any of Jenny's therapy dog stories.
When I had been looking into therapy dog work I had seen an interesting organization called "Coach Dog". The dogs went to elementary schools and worked with children. This seemed like something Jenny would like because she really loved children and was completely at ease with them. It stayed in the back of my mind until one night when an announcement was made at a Humane Society meeting that they (Coach Dog) were interested in therapy teams to go to local schools.
Jenny was certified through Therapy Dogs Inc. and we went to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast to see if we could get involved with the Paws to Read program. That program is usually in libraries and Boys & Girls Clubs. A dog patiently listens while a child reads to them. It's less intimidating to read to a dog and some dogs seem to enjoy it. I'm not sure Jenny would like it because she is a talker herself and she can get kind of squirmey. She always has a lot to say and sometimes she can be a little too noisy for the library! Somehow we never connected on that program. There were plenty of nursing home opportunities but the children's programs through the humane society were more difficult to get into. The Coach Dog program seemed to be right up our alley anyway so I made contact and very soon after Jenny was a wonderful Coach Dog. We also have our own gig at an alzhiemers unit.
Our first meeting was with the man himself - Coach!
Here he is - very handsome - and always properly attired:
We love Coach!!!
When I had been looking into therapy dog work I had seen an interesting organization called "Coach Dog". The dogs went to elementary schools and worked with children. This seemed like something Jenny would like because she really loved children and was completely at ease with them. It stayed in the back of my mind until one night when an announcement was made at a Humane Society meeting that they (Coach Dog) were interested in therapy teams to go to local schools.
Jenny was certified through Therapy Dogs Inc. and we went to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast to see if we could get involved with the Paws to Read program. That program is usually in libraries and Boys & Girls Clubs. A dog patiently listens while a child reads to them. It's less intimidating to read to a dog and some dogs seem to enjoy it. I'm not sure Jenny would like it because she is a talker herself and she can get kind of squirmey. She always has a lot to say and sometimes she can be a little too noisy for the library! Somehow we never connected on that program. There were plenty of nursing home opportunities but the children's programs through the humane society were more difficult to get into. The Coach Dog program seemed to be right up our alley anyway so I made contact and very soon after Jenny was a wonderful Coach Dog. We also have our own gig at an alzhiemers unit.
Our first meeting was with the man himself - Coach!
Here he is - very handsome - and always properly attired:
We love Coach!!!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Lizard Swimming
Here's Jenny swimming with her lizard, who, sorry to say, is no longer with us. She kept him in her mouth while she did at least ten laps in the pool.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
A Dog-Gone Art Show
This is just FYI - Both of these paintings were entered into a local show called "A Dog-Gone Art Show" at the Lighthouse ArtCenter (formerly known as the Lighthouse Center for the Arts) in Tequesta, FL, but only one was accepted - the oil painting of Jenny - called "Let's Play Ball"
.
The pastel of Jintsy should have been accepted too because it really says "Old Faithful", which is the title, doesn't it? She's our 16 yr. old beagle and the back legs are always a little bent. She sort of leans on one leg and lets the other one fall against the other. She was always a yoga dog, so maybe this is tree pose. Maybe it doesn't look right to anyone else but me.
Couldn't get one of Tangie finished in time, but it probably wouldn't have been accepted anyway. There's only so much room is what they tell you. How nice of them to spare our feelings.
The pastel of Jintsy should have been accepted too because it really says "Old Faithful", which is the title, doesn't it? She's our 16 yr. old beagle and the back legs are always a little bent. She sort of leans on one leg and lets the other one fall against the other. She was always a yoga dog, so maybe this is tree pose. Maybe it doesn't look right to anyone else but me.
Couldn't get one of Tangie finished in time, but it probably wouldn't have been accepted anyway. There's only so much room is what they tell you. How nice of them to spare our feelings.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Move Over Jenny
As usual I've procrastinated and not been keeping up to date on Jenny's blog!
I'm not even sure where I left off because as usual life is unpredictable and we've taken a new dog into our lives - yes, in spite of the fact that we have Jenny, the perfect dog, living here!
Our old beagle was going through a hard time - seeming to be nearing the end of her very long and fairly fun filled life and I started feeling sentimental about losing her and thinking Jenny would want some company. I started looking at adoptable dogs - bad idea. There was a wonderful springer that was on the small side and I thought I'd be able to handle the two springers, although a smaller dog would be better. The dog was spoken for and my search changed to a smaller breed, another English Cocker would be great!
Well, Jintsy, our old beagle is still here and so is Tangia, we call her Tangie or sometimes Tangelina! We're back to having a little pack and Tangie's story is truly a rescue story.
Cute - isn't she? She likes to lunge and bite men! She's a fear biter. Tangie got into big trouble when she was "rescued". Poor dog didn't really understand she was being rescued. She was just trying to stay alive and the best thing she knew was to go on the offense.
The first time I saw her picture on Facebook she reminded me of Mini - our little Diva Dog, who was an English Cocker. The same sweet girl that we had lost last April. So, I couldn't help myself and made an inquiry. She was at the Miami Shelter and they responded with an email that she was no longer in the shelter but we could adopt another dog. Since we liked English Cockers, and the smaller size would be easier to handle, I filled out an adoption form on the english cocker rescue site. Shortly after they contacted me and said there was a little girl that they just took in from Miami that we might be interested in named Tangia. This was the same dog that was in the Miami shelter, I couldn't believe I found her! So of course my answer was yes, we're interested! They said they'd get back to me. A couple of days went by and I received an email saying that Tangie had bit the foster people, the husband actually, and that they couldn't adopt Tangie out.
I thought they must be mistaken, how sweet she looked and all reports were that she was sweet and even good with other animals. No, they weren't mistaken, as we would find out. Some time went by and one night the phone rang and it was the head of the rescue group. She explained what had happened. Tangie had first been picked up by the mother of the foster parent. Tangie was fine - very sweet, but when the woman's husband came home Tangie was lunging and biting his pant legs and shoes. That night they moved her to the actual foster home and Tangie was out in the yard and seemed fine but when she came in the house she lunged and nipped the husband's knee. Then she was growling and biting her cage. They couldn't get her under control and had to bring her back to the vet. They actually considered or maybe tried to get animal control to get her and have her put down that week end! When the vet received her back and the orders were given to put her to sleep, he asked if they couldn't give her another chance. He thought she was sweet and with the right person would be a good dog. Hence the phone call. Since I had expressed an interest in her, was I willing to actually save her? The adoption would be outside of the rescue group. The general consensus was that she was a fearful dog, a fear biter. It would require a lot of work to change her behavior.
So, for the third time Tangie was calling out to me - how could I not save her? Of course I talked to my husband, explaining that she seemed to be especially fearful of men, but he felt the same way - she needed saving.
Off I went to Hollywood, FL to pick up Tangia! Since they said she was afraid of cages, I didn't put a wire crate in the car but instead put up a bar barricade behind the front seats of my Ford Escape. It's a two hour drive to Hollywood from Hobe Sound and was uneventful. The vet's office was right off the highway and easy to find. Everyone there was very nice and they brought Tangie out as if she was mine all along - and we all said Tangie - are you ready to go home? ..... and she was!!!! She jumped into the back and was happily squirming around, so I just hopped back on the highway and we were headed home. My first surprise was that she had a tail! (A very pretty tail!) My second surprise was that she continued squirming back there until she wiggled her way through the bars and up to the front passenger seat. She leaned over and gave me some kisses and laid her head on my shoulder as if to say thanks for taking me home! Then she settled in and slept in the passenger seat all the way home.
I'm not even sure where I left off because as usual life is unpredictable and we've taken a new dog into our lives - yes, in spite of the fact that we have Jenny, the perfect dog, living here!
Our old beagle was going through a hard time - seeming to be nearing the end of her very long and fairly fun filled life and I started feeling sentimental about losing her and thinking Jenny would want some company. I started looking at adoptable dogs - bad idea. There was a wonderful springer that was on the small side and I thought I'd be able to handle the two springers, although a smaller dog would be better. The dog was spoken for and my search changed to a smaller breed, another English Cocker would be great!
Well, Jintsy, our old beagle is still here and so is Tangia, we call her Tangie or sometimes Tangelina! We're back to having a little pack and Tangie's story is truly a rescue story.
The first time I saw her picture on Facebook she reminded me of Mini - our little Diva Dog, who was an English Cocker. The same sweet girl that we had lost last April. So, I couldn't help myself and made an inquiry. She was at the Miami Shelter and they responded with an email that she was no longer in the shelter but we could adopt another dog. Since we liked English Cockers, and the smaller size would be easier to handle, I filled out an adoption form on the english cocker rescue site. Shortly after they contacted me and said there was a little girl that they just took in from Miami that we might be interested in named Tangia. This was the same dog that was in the Miami shelter, I couldn't believe I found her! So of course my answer was yes, we're interested! They said they'd get back to me. A couple of days went by and I received an email saying that Tangie had bit the foster people, the husband actually, and that they couldn't adopt Tangie out.
I thought they must be mistaken, how sweet she looked and all reports were that she was sweet and even good with other animals. No, they weren't mistaken, as we would find out. Some time went by and one night the phone rang and it was the head of the rescue group. She explained what had happened. Tangie had first been picked up by the mother of the foster parent. Tangie was fine - very sweet, but when the woman's husband came home Tangie was lunging and biting his pant legs and shoes. That night they moved her to the actual foster home and Tangie was out in the yard and seemed fine but when she came in the house she lunged and nipped the husband's knee. Then she was growling and biting her cage. They couldn't get her under control and had to bring her back to the vet. They actually considered or maybe tried to get animal control to get her and have her put down that week end! When the vet received her back and the orders were given to put her to sleep, he asked if they couldn't give her another chance. He thought she was sweet and with the right person would be a good dog. Hence the phone call. Since I had expressed an interest in her, was I willing to actually save her? The adoption would be outside of the rescue group. The general consensus was that she was a fearful dog, a fear biter. It would require a lot of work to change her behavior.
So, for the third time Tangie was calling out to me - how could I not save her? Of course I talked to my husband, explaining that she seemed to be especially fearful of men, but he felt the same way - she needed saving.
Off I went to Hollywood, FL to pick up Tangia! Since they said she was afraid of cages, I didn't put a wire crate in the car but instead put up a bar barricade behind the front seats of my Ford Escape. It's a two hour drive to Hollywood from Hobe Sound and was uneventful. The vet's office was right off the highway and easy to find. Everyone there was very nice and they brought Tangie out as if she was mine all along - and we all said Tangie - are you ready to go home? ..... and she was!!!! She jumped into the back and was happily squirming around, so I just hopped back on the highway and we were headed home. My first surprise was that she had a tail! (A very pretty tail!) My second surprise was that she continued squirming back there until she wiggled her way through the bars and up to the front passenger seat. She leaned over and gave me some kisses and laid her head on my shoulder as if to say thanks for taking me home! Then she settled in and slept in the passenger seat all the way home.
Friday, June 11, 2010
As the Tail Wags!
Yikes - where have I been?
Where am I now? I think I left off at the training. Now, Jenny was VERY well behaved and had obviously been trained already. The trainers - Ed and Marie Wilson - told me that didn't matter, she needed to be trained again. In fact, Ed later said that it takes a year to get an adult adopted dog to become your dog. The truth is I needed to be trained and Jenny would just go along with it. So, Jenny re-learned everything and I was trained to work with her. When we first adopted Jenny I thought I had to figure out what words or commands she knew. Although she does talk a lot, she really doesn't speak English very well and it was hard to figure out what her vocabulary really was. So we started over and she either learned new words or we reinforced the ones she had already heard.
Even though Jenny finally passed the Canine Good Citizen test, we still go to as many classes as possible. There always seems to be a new slant on how to better understand dog behavior or even human behavior!
Where am I now? I think I left off at the training. Now, Jenny was VERY well behaved and had obviously been trained already. The trainers - Ed and Marie Wilson - told me that didn't matter, she needed to be trained again. In fact, Ed later said that it takes a year to get an adult adopted dog to become your dog. The truth is I needed to be trained and Jenny would just go along with it. So, Jenny re-learned everything and I was trained to work with her. When we first adopted Jenny I thought I had to figure out what words or commands she knew. Although she does talk a lot, she really doesn't speak English very well and it was hard to figure out what her vocabulary really was. So we started over and she either learned new words or we reinforced the ones she had already heard.
Even though Jenny finally passed the Canine Good Citizen test, we still go to as many classes as possible. There always seems to be a new slant on how to better understand dog behavior or even human behavior!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
The Luau
Well, obviously I've been ignoring Jenny's blog. My thoughts were to do this so that I'd force myself to write, but it's so easy to NOT write
Today was a busy one with dog school in the morning and a local event in the afternoon. It was the first annual Bow Wow Luau that was a charitable event to collect dog food for all those poor pooches that are less fortunate. It was way too hot so we didn't stay very long but here's Jenny claiming the best spot there. I think she wants a tiki hut!
Today was a busy one with dog school in the morning and a local event in the afternoon. It was the first annual Bow Wow Luau that was a charitable event to collect dog food for all those poor pooches that are less fortunate. It was way too hot so we didn't stay very long but here's Jenny claiming the best spot there. I think she wants a tiki hut!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Dog Genius
Although I'd taken all our other dogs to basic obedience training, none of them really excelled at it. Max our first male springer spaniel enjoyed it the most. Missy thought it was a joke. Mini used class time to get to know everyone and Jintsy just couldn't be bothered. In fact, she was a little annoyed with the idea.
Jenny seemed beyond basic obedience and when my therapy dog research led me to the Humane Society they told me that she had to go to basic obedience and that she couldn't be a therapy dog until we had her for six months. The basic obedience trainer and I talked about Jenny and agreed that basic would be too basic for her and since I had six months I looked for a more advanced program for my dog genius.
My vet referred me to a trainer that had a more open program. Ed and Marie Wilson train all kinds of dogs for all kinds of activities and Jenny and I started going there every Saturday. It really was a process of training me to handle Jenny and although Jenny was already a velcro dog, our bond was strengthened and we definitely improved our communications.
There was one incident that made me put as much as possible into Jenny's training that nearly gave me a heart attack though. One day, just one week after starting her training, a neighbor came to the door and when I opened the door Jenny bolted out looking for lizards. I called and called her and she just completely ignored me. She seemed to be in pursuit of something and ran across the street, into the neighbors back yard and jumped directly into the lake. There is a four lane road on the other side of the lake and all I could think of was how I'd be chasing her across that road, hoping we both wouldn't be killed and then we would be on to the swamp on the other side of the road. Jenny finally noticed me at the edge of the lake and swam toward me and came out - I gave her the down command and went over to get her. Whew. We were a stinky mess, but I had her. Definitely needed more practice!
When it finally came time for Jenny to "try out" for the therapy dog program at the Humane Society we were very well prepared and were able to proceed with certification.
Jenny seemed beyond basic obedience and when my therapy dog research led me to the Humane Society they told me that she had to go to basic obedience and that she couldn't be a therapy dog until we had her for six months. The basic obedience trainer and I talked about Jenny and agreed that basic would be too basic for her and since I had six months I looked for a more advanced program for my dog genius.
My vet referred me to a trainer that had a more open program. Ed and Marie Wilson train all kinds of dogs for all kinds of activities and Jenny and I started going there every Saturday. It really was a process of training me to handle Jenny and although Jenny was already a velcro dog, our bond was strengthened and we definitely improved our communications.
There was one incident that made me put as much as possible into Jenny's training that nearly gave me a heart attack though. One day, just one week after starting her training, a neighbor came to the door and when I opened the door Jenny bolted out looking for lizards. I called and called her and she just completely ignored me. She seemed to be in pursuit of something and ran across the street, into the neighbors back yard and jumped directly into the lake. There is a four lane road on the other side of the lake and all I could think of was how I'd be chasing her across that road, hoping we both wouldn't be killed and then we would be on to the swamp on the other side of the road. Jenny finally noticed me at the edge of the lake and swam toward me and came out - I gave her the down command and went over to get her. Whew. We were a stinky mess, but I had her. Definitely needed more practice!
When it finally came time for Jenny to "try out" for the therapy dog program at the Humane Society we were very well prepared and were able to proceed with certification.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Getting to know you
When Jenny arrived she came with a monogrammed blanket and an assortment of stuffed toys. Jenny loves her stuffed toys and inherited another bunch of stuffed toys when she got here. Jenny always greets you with a nice toy in her mouth and she expects to get paid in cookies. She was always polite and well behaved, a real lady. Well a real lady until she might have to go squirley over something.
For a while after her arrival she would ask permission to get on each piece of furniture that she thought might be comfy - the couch, my reading chair, the loveseat. On her first night I had bought a new dog bed for her and put it in the corner of the bedroom. When it was time to go to bed I showed it to her. She looked at it. I got into the bed and then she gave me that "May I?" look and jumped up on the bed, settled herself into the middle on the bottom and that's been the routine ever since. In the morning she waits until she's told or invited to get off the bed.
It was a very different experience getting an adult, already trained dog. A good experience, but I had to figure out what she knew. She acted like she had been trained and seemed to know all the typical obedience commands. Well, the few that were familiar to me anyway. Actually she knew more than me.
When I had talked to the woman at the rescue organization she told me how she used one of her dogs as a therapy dog and that it was a rewarding thing to do. It made me think that maybe Jenny could do that too. She was already pretty well trained and had a great temperament. So, I started to research what I needed to do. Besides, we were so lucky to get her we should share our good fortune with the world.
.
For a while after her arrival she would ask permission to get on each piece of furniture that she thought might be comfy - the couch, my reading chair, the loveseat. On her first night I had bought a new dog bed for her and put it in the corner of the bedroom. When it was time to go to bed I showed it to her. She looked at it. I got into the bed and then she gave me that "May I?" look and jumped up on the bed, settled herself into the middle on the bottom and that's been the routine ever since. In the morning she waits until she's told or invited to get off the bed.
It was a very different experience getting an adult, already trained dog. A good experience, but I had to figure out what she knew. She acted like she had been trained and seemed to know all the typical obedience commands. Well, the few that were familiar to me anyway. Actually she knew more than me.
When I had talked to the woman at the rescue organization she told me how she used one of her dogs as a therapy dog and that it was a rewarding thing to do. It made me think that maybe Jenny could do that too. She was already pretty well trained and had a great temperament. So, I started to research what I needed to do. Besides, we were so lucky to get her we should share our good fortune with the world.
.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Mini
When Jenny came to live with us Mini was nearing the fourth month of treatment for her non-functional kidneys.
Kidney failure was not something I was familiar with. It was always a bad sign when Mini refused food. Mini loved food and would eat everything in sight, keeping our floor completely crumb free! It was unbelievable that she would become so finicky an eater. I would fix her some food and offer it to her and she would turn away. Every brand of ready made special kidney diet food available was offered to her and she would sometimes try it for one day then refuse. Then there were the recipes and then there were the crazy things I'd just try for the heck of it. She really liked creme of wheat with maple syrup for awhile. Then there was the cheerios faze. Anything that she could get down and keep down was great.
Every day she would cheerfully go to the vets for subcutaneous fluids and as long as her little tail was wagging I thought she could keep on wagging. We very much lived in the moment.
By the time Jenny arrived, Mini's health was quickly declining and sadly she was starting to suffer too much. Her life was too short, only 9 years and in spite of all that was wrong with her - she was completely deaf, had hip dysplasia, a bad spaying that caused severe infections when she was a puppy and finally kidney disease - she was the happiest and most beautiful dog we ever had. Just two weeks after getting Jenny, I held Mini as she wagged her tail for the last time. Now we would have Jenny who we had a late start with, so I guess it all evens out somehow.
Jenny is my light at the end of the tunnel. She seemed to be Jintsy's light too. Jintsy, our nearly 16 year old beagle, immediately became more attached to Jenny. It seemed that she thought our other springer Missy had finally returned. Jintsy was sure that Missy, our springer, was her mother and that she too was a springer spaniel. Beagles are silly.
Kidney failure was not something I was familiar with. It was always a bad sign when Mini refused food. Mini loved food and would eat everything in sight, keeping our floor completely crumb free! It was unbelievable that she would become so finicky an eater. I would fix her some food and offer it to her and she would turn away. Every brand of ready made special kidney diet food available was offered to her and she would sometimes try it for one day then refuse. Then there were the recipes and then there were the crazy things I'd just try for the heck of it. She really liked creme of wheat with maple syrup for awhile. Then there was the cheerios faze. Anything that she could get down and keep down was great.
Every day she would cheerfully go to the vets for subcutaneous fluids and as long as her little tail was wagging I thought she could keep on wagging. We very much lived in the moment.
By the time Jenny arrived, Mini's health was quickly declining and sadly she was starting to suffer too much. Her life was too short, only 9 years and in spite of all that was wrong with her - she was completely deaf, had hip dysplasia, a bad spaying that caused severe infections when she was a puppy and finally kidney disease - she was the happiest and most beautiful dog we ever had. Just two weeks after getting Jenny, I held Mini as she wagged her tail for the last time. Now we would have Jenny who we had a late start with, so I guess it all evens out somehow.
Jenny is my light at the end of the tunnel. She seemed to be Jintsy's light too. Jintsy, our nearly 16 year old beagle, immediately became more attached to Jenny. It seemed that she thought our other springer Missy had finally returned. Jintsy was sure that Missy, our springer, was her mother and that she too was a springer spaniel. Beagles are silly.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Welcoming Jenny
Jenny was well received by all. Since she was quite overweight, I regulated her food to the amount she should get if she were her ideal weight and started walking her twice a day around the neighborhood. The pounds started melting away!
One of the first people I wanted her to meet was Karen who owns a wonderful springer named Duke. The most unbelievable thing happened - she told me that she had actually seen Jenny too and was considering adopting her! See? Jenny was going to be in my life no matter what! Of course Jenny and Duke are fiancee's (they don't know they're neutered.). I'll add a picture of them soon.
Jenny likes everyone she meets and had such a great temperament that I started thinking about getting her involved in some kind of therapy dog work. She continued talking about everything and to everyone she met. She especially loved children.
Some time ago I had considered training Mini to be a therapy dog, even though I didn't know what that might involve, but she was a dog with many problems herself. Sweet as she was, she would never be a therapy dog.
Jenny, however, seemed like a perfect candidate.
One of the first people I wanted her to meet was Karen who owns a wonderful springer named Duke. The most unbelievable thing happened - she told me that she had actually seen Jenny too and was considering adopting her! See? Jenny was going to be in my life no matter what! Of course Jenny and Duke are fiancee's (they don't know they're neutered.). I'll add a picture of them soon.
Jenny likes everyone she meets and had such a great temperament that I started thinking about getting her involved in some kind of therapy dog work. She continued talking about everything and to everyone she met. She especially loved children.
Some time ago I had considered training Mini to be a therapy dog, even though I didn't know what that might involve, but she was a dog with many problems herself. Sweet as she was, she would never be a therapy dog.
Jenny, however, seemed like a perfect candidate.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Home at Last
Finally we were approved and told that now we could contact foster parents and arrange for meetings and adoption. We could adopt more than one springer if we wanted!
Jenny's foster dad was contacted immediately and we talked for awhile then made plans for me to pick her up. He was concerned that I'd be alone, that maybe my husband would not want Jenny after meeting her but I assured him that that wasn't an option. We wanted Jenny no matter what. He forewarned me that Jenny was overweight. He wasn't the first person to say that about Jenny. In fact, there seemed to be some confusion about how she got that heavy. No problem, we'd work on that when we get her home.
Our first meeting was sweet. When I entered the house she was staying at, her foster dad said something like "this is Jenny" and Jenny came up to me slowly and stood up and gave me a kiss - so she knew she was mine right away. Now, she didn't have any trouble reaching my face for that kiss and although she was definitely too heavy, she was the sweetest girl. She also had no trouble jumping into the car for the ride home, so she had some energy and springer strength. It looked like she was just not getting any exercise and maybe way too much food from the table. Luckily her records came with her and that really seemed to be the case. Jenny waited patiently while I signed all the papers, promising to love, honor and obey Jenny forever. As we left the foster dad said - "Oh, she makes some noises."
She made some noises all the way home. Sort of talkative, not actually whiney and not barking, just commenting on everything.
When Jenny came into the house she was greeted by Jintsy, the elder, who proceeded to tell her about a couple of things in her beagle voice and then Jenny was accepted. Mini, who was deaf, had to be woken, but also accepted Jenny immediately.
Jenny's foster dad was contacted immediately and we talked for awhile then made plans for me to pick her up. He was concerned that I'd be alone, that maybe my husband would not want Jenny after meeting her but I assured him that that wasn't an option. We wanted Jenny no matter what. He forewarned me that Jenny was overweight. He wasn't the first person to say that about Jenny. In fact, there seemed to be some confusion about how she got that heavy. No problem, we'd work on that when we get her home.
Our first meeting was sweet. When I entered the house she was staying at, her foster dad said something like "this is Jenny" and Jenny came up to me slowly and stood up and gave me a kiss - so she knew she was mine right away. Now, she didn't have any trouble reaching my face for that kiss and although she was definitely too heavy, she was the sweetest girl. She also had no trouble jumping into the car for the ride home, so she had some energy and springer strength. It looked like she was just not getting any exercise and maybe way too much food from the table. Luckily her records came with her and that really seemed to be the case. Jenny waited patiently while I signed all the papers, promising to love, honor and obey Jenny forever. As we left the foster dad said - "Oh, she makes some noises."
She made some noises all the way home. Sort of talkative, not actually whiney and not barking, just commenting on everything.
When Jenny came into the house she was greeted by Jintsy, the elder, who proceeded to tell her about a couple of things in her beagle voice and then Jenny was accepted. Mini, who was deaf, had to be woken, but also accepted Jenny immediately.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Approval Angst
That bookmark for the springer spaniel rescue site had been there for years and I was a regular visitor. It didn't occur to me that I could fill out the application, get approved and then just wait until I saw the springer of my dreams. So when Jenny popped up it was disturbing to find out she might actually go to someone else.
The process involves forms, interviews, feedback from your vet and sometimes a home visit. The telephone interview was actually enjoyable and the person that called was very friendly. We talked about dogs until the cows came home! She told me that since we were in a remote area, I could just send in photos of our home and yard where the dog would be hanging out. We went back and forth several times trying to get the vet's form sent in and finally everything was all together. The results then went on to someone in Springer HQ for approval.
In the meantime, Jenny was moved to another foster home, farther away.
The process involves forms, interviews, feedback from your vet and sometimes a home visit. The telephone interview was actually enjoyable and the person that called was very friendly. We talked about dogs until the cows came home! She told me that since we were in a remote area, I could just send in photos of our home and yard where the dog would be hanging out. We went back and forth several times trying to get the vet's form sent in and finally everything was all together. The results then went on to someone in Springer HQ for approval.
In the meantime, Jenny was moved to another foster home, farther away.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Jenny's Story
Honestly I don't know Jenny's whole story. We met online, so at least she's a high tech dog.
One night I was web surfing, looking for papillon breeders. Our English Cocker, Mini, was deathly ill with kidney failure and our little beagle, Jintsy, who was creeping up to the age of 15 was going to have a tough time with separation anxiety for the second time in her life. It was time to add to our pack.
Some wild compunction within made me go to the English Springer Spaniel rescue site and there was Jenny, it was love at first sight - my new BFF - and I just had to have her. The story that was posted with her pictures was that her owners had to give her up because they couldn't take care of her any more due to their own health issues. Although this made me sad, I was also happy that we could give her a home and we needed her as much as she needed us.
We had had two other springers, Max and Missy, and totally loved them both. This would be the first time we adopted an adult dog. It's odd that we never did that before and I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking about adopting an adult dog.
Before even telling my husband about Jenny I contacted the foster parent and filled out the application forms. Shortly after telling my husband, I found out that the process wasn't going to be nearly as fast as I wanted and there was no guarantee that we would get Jenny. We both had our hearts set on getting Jenny.
One night I was web surfing, looking for papillon breeders. Our English Cocker, Mini, was deathly ill with kidney failure and our little beagle, Jintsy, who was creeping up to the age of 15 was going to have a tough time with separation anxiety for the second time in her life. It was time to add to our pack.
Some wild compunction within made me go to the English Springer Spaniel rescue site and there was Jenny, it was love at first sight - my new BFF - and I just had to have her. The story that was posted with her pictures was that her owners had to give her up because they couldn't take care of her any more due to their own health issues. Although this made me sad, I was also happy that we could give her a home and we needed her as much as she needed us.
We had had two other springers, Max and Missy, and totally loved them both. This would be the first time we adopted an adult dog. It's odd that we never did that before and I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking about adopting an adult dog.
Before even telling my husband about Jenny I contacted the foster parent and filled out the application forms. Shortly after telling my husband, I found out that the process wasn't going to be nearly as fast as I wanted and there was no guarantee that we would get Jenny. We both had our hearts set on getting Jenny.
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