A Work in Progress

A work in progress...that is how I would describe Cha Cha.  She certainly has a lot to offer and she is making great strides in her behavior.  After spending some time with Cha Cha, it’s obvious that her former owner did no training with her; then, once she “grew up,” they decided she was too much to handle (thus, she came to us as a stray).  If only they had the brains and foresight to start her training at an early age, they would have seen that she was smart, food motivated, and very interested in learning.  Kudos must go out to Cha Cha’s Mutt Mentor at the ARL.  Not only is Cha Cha improving on leash walking, but she can also sit and shake on command.  Down is coming along pretty well and she is just beginning to learn stay.  In the play yard, the old Cha Cha appears on occasion and it sometimes takes a couple seconds to gain her focus once again, but when you do, she’s back to doing perfect sits and hoping you’ll reward her with praise and a yummy treat. 

Heavenly Hound

What is it about hound dogs that makes my heart go pitter patter?  The big, floppy ears?   The soulful brown eyes?   Or is it their happy go luck, the glass is half full outlook on life?  Maybe it's all of the above.

The newest hound at the shelter is Denali.  He's one of those dogs that catches everyone's eye, even the "small dog" people that often stop by.  His velvety ears are as soft as a baby's blanket and he probably wouldn't mind standing in for a missing blankie if a child in his new home needed him to.

I recently took Denali on a field trip to do a little car shopping.  He was great in the car and a true gentleman with new people; in fact, he acted as if everyone he met was a old friend.



Wouldn't he look handsome IN the Lotus?





I was very impressed, as were the sales people, at all the commands Denali knew.  Denali came into the shelter as a stray and I am very surprised no one came looking for him.  He really is a charming guy.  The family that Denali chooses to live with, will be very lucky indeed.

There's Something about Yaffee

At first glance, one would say that Yaffee is a sweet, mellow dog.   Sweet  is definitely a word to describe Yaffee; mellow, well he can be depending on the circumstances.  You see, Yaffee is afflicted with a severe case of Separation Anxiety.

People often throw the term separation anxiety around to describe their dog’s behavior.  They may say, “My dog barks when I put him in a crate.”  Or, “My dog gets anxious when I get ready to leave the house.”  I ask them, does he destroy the crate he is in?  Does he destroy your home while you’re away?  Has he ever chewed through a door to find you?  Have you ever needed to bring him to the emergency clinic because he severely injured himself?  Because those are just a few of the things dogs with real Separation Anxiety will do if they are not treated for this horrible condition.

       

                 Snuggle time                             

Are you coming back?

               

Yaffee’s previous family did speak with their vet and started him on a medication that will hopefully help his situation; but, by the time they spoke with their vet, they were already frustrated to the point where they felt they could no longer keep him.  He is now back at the Animal Refuge League.  Because of the love he had for his family, he panicked when alone and became very destructive, including seriously injuring himself by breaking through a window to find them.

Since being at the shelter, we have continued the medication, which takes several weeks to take effect.   About five days ago, we rushed Yaffee to the vet to have a piece of metal fencing removed from the roof of his mouth.   This is an example of the panic he goes into when alone…he tried to chew through the kennel door.  It was a terrifying experience for me to have to try to remove this metal with a pair of pliers…it wouldn’t budge and all I could think about was that he was going to bleed to death.  That’s when my coworker picked up the 78lb dog and carried him to her van.  Her adrenalin must have been pumping!

Since that day, Yaffee spends his days in the office so we can keep him safe.  At night, we give him medication to help settle him, as well as, a homeopathic remedy used for fear.  It is our hope that his medication will kick in, then we can make him available for adoption (as a special needs dog) in a home where they will work at desensitizing him to being alone.  This will indeed be a long journey for someone, but we think Yaffee is well worth the effort.





Will you rub my tummy?

This is a strange looking human.

                

               

What Yaffee needs right now is a guardian Angel who would like to take him home at night and bring him to the shelter during the day.  Mind you, he shows absolutely no destructive tendencies when people are around.  He could hang out with them in the evening and snuggle on a dog bed next to their bed at night.  So please, please pass the word along if you know of someone that may be up to the task to be Yaffee’s special Guardian Angel.  FMI:  contact Teri at 854-9771.



Aurora

Aurora is one of those dogs that everyone passes by.  Why?  Because she’s dark colored and doesn’t catch anyone’s attention.  But if someone would spend a little time with her and get to know how sweet she is, they would truly be happily surprised.  I know I was.   I am ashamed to say, that other than her basic care, I didn’t really notice her much myself.  Then, one day, she and I had a little chat, than she spent some time behind the front desk “helping” greet customers.  I was very impressed at how she handled herself.  Yes, she was a little excited and hopped in one of the chairs and began a little computer work.  But once I explained the front desk rules to her, she settled on her blanket, gnawed on a bone and played with her toys.  Very fast learner, indeed.

I love belly rubs

When she arrived at the shelter, she had just weaned 17 puppies.  Yes, you read it correctly, 17!  She was completely depleted of nutrients, her skin was dry, and her coat was a dull mess.  She just looked plain exhausted.  Thank goodness she came to the ARL and is now spayed.  Halleluiah!  No more puppies.

She’s feeling better now and would like to be given the chance to be part of a real family.  A family that will treat her with the love and respect she’s been looking for….any maybe a family that will teach her to use a keyboard.

Look at those soft eyes

There's a First Time for Everything

They say there's a first time for everything; and I for one, believe it's true.  In all my years living and working with dogs, this is the first time I find myself falling for a Siberian Husky.  The husky I'm speaking of goes by a few different names...Fluffy Bottom, Fluffy B, and Kawi.

Mr. Personality

If you read the description of a Siberian, you would think they wrote it especially for him.  Social, gentle, playful, and mischievous are a few words to describe Kawi.  Many of the huskies I've met in the past show more of an interest in keeping me at a distance, while Kawi invites play with play bows and a big happy smile on his face.  I had such a good time with him recently watching him play in the snow with a 3 month old Siberian.  He was amazingly social and gentle with her and I'm certain that she learned lots of good things from him.

I don't feel I have a lifestyle that is fitting for a husky, as they need an active family who puts rolling around in the snow at the top of their list of fun things to do.  Kawi would love a companion who enjoys winter activities and is interested in teaching him to be a jogging partner (as he should lose a few pounds).   I can picture this guy pulling a sled and loving it!  Wouldn't that be fun!

Watch a video of Kawi:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmYGmZq6gm4



Goddess of the ARL

Athena

So maybe she's not a goddess, but I think she's pretty special.  After hearing my story of how I first met Athena, one would understand how easily it was to feel connected to her.

She arrived at the shelter with four 4 day old puppies.  I was told by her "owners" that seven of the pups had already died.  Instantly I felt very sad for Athena.  She was a young mom who tried hard to take care of her babies.  Each day at the shelter her pups died one by one.  She was so attentive to them and seemed to know that the number of pups was getting smaller and smaller.  We were able to get Athena and her last puppy into a fabulous foster home.  Her last puppy was thriving, she was plump and beginning to move around and opened her eyes, but sadly, she too crossed the rainbow bridge.

Why?  We asked ourselves over and over.  Some of the pups may have been unintentionally injured when Athena tried to move them from place to place, but for the most part we feel the death of her pups stems back to improper prenatal nutrition. 

So I ask you, wouldn't you too be instantly bonded to this young lady?

She happily spent the holidays with her foster family, but is now ready to move on to her new home where even more people can fall in love with her.  She has lived with children, small dogs, and cats...what more could you ask for? 

                      

                                     Taking a snooze.                       

                                                                            

                                                                                            Looking out the window.

The Blossoming Roxie

Roxie is a sweet, small gal that I am so proud of.  She first arrived at the shelter very frightened and untrusting.  After a few minutes of soft talk, she crawled into my lap and licked my chin...how could you not fall in love?  She continued to growl at most people, especially men; but over time she began to trust the staff and volunteers.  The awesome ARL dog walkers were very patient with Roxie and let her warm up slowly, now everyone, including men are able to take her on walks and visit with her in her kennel.  She's much happier now.  In the beginning, dogs also proved to be an issue for this petite girl, but she is showing some signs of improvement and I think she may actually enjoy having a canine companion some day.  This is something we'll keep working on in hopes we can make her life even better.  Now we need to find a family that is willing to give her a chance.  A family that is patient and loving and has some dog experience.  We have one staff member that has been taking Roxie car rides and outings and truly has a soft spot in her heart for this beauty.  Roxie will make someone very happy if they choose to take her into their home.