Dexter

At 10 months old this pup finds himself arriving at his third home. I believe it's the similar tale of another cute young pup tied in the back yard to waste the most important learning weeks of its youth. Dexter's owner contacted a shelter I work closely with. He over reacts to strangers with barking, imagine that. So after a couple scares the mom needs to re-home him. Shelters can not take a dog knowing such information since they would be liable if it were to bite someone. Luckily I happened to be there so home with me he came.


With all the information available on TV talk shows, Animal Planet, and even "you tube" you would think people could learn about the breed they are choosing. At least learn about raising a pup correctly. There is a lot of free help out there, 4-H, dog clubs, even sales clerks in pet supply stores can offer help or a fellow dog owner. Take what you hear and apply it. I suppose I'm telling all who read this what you already know. Dexter is a great little pup, affectionate, happy, does well with other dogs and is only mildly reactive to strangers. He got a crappy start in life. He will need time and training to become a well socialized dog.

Erin at 20 weeks / 27#

Our little black cotton ball is really starting to look like a BIG dog. We should have washed the mud off her nose before her photo shoot. She loves to dig, eat sticks and carry rocks in her mouth. Such a silly puppy!

Smudge the Senior

Smudge is a subtle reminder to us all to plan ahead. Smudge belonged to an elderly couple, the man passed sometime last year, his elderly wife assumed care of her. Likely being fed too much too often with too little exercise Smudge gained a lot of weight. When a fall broke her owners hip and arm Smudge needed a new home. After family members contacted me she came home to Shedd. She is posted for adoption on the BC web sites. She's not much bother, simply happy to sleep and saunter around the farm.

It does cause one to give thought about our pets care if we couldn't do it ourselves. Often other family members don't or can't care for our animals. My husband would certainly be in over his head with our number of dogs if something were to happen to me. Fellow co-workers/friends and I have discussed plans regarding care of their pets and mine if the need were to arise.

Please give consideration to living with an older dog. Smudge's needs are small compared to a younger Border Collie. I suppose negatives could be possible vet expenses and the chance you may have to make the decision to end the dog's life. Sad thought indeed, but sometimes we need to do it.

So lets plan ahead. Okay?

Hey I'm back at the computer

Between some home projects and adding an extra day to my work schedule computer time went way down on the list of "to do's" each day. With 8 dogs in the house, getting sit for more than a few minutes without interruption is rare. I'm not complaining just making excuses.
One of the trouble makers (I'm grinning as I write this) is the latest addition to the family, Erin. At 20 weeks old she's an adorable little black cotton ball. She'll hold her own with the pack then drop in the middle of the floor for a nap. Erin charms all who meet her. The local postmaster is especially smitten with her as she comes along to get the mail nearly everyday.

A home for Sugar

Sugar is one lucky girl! She's headed for Portland to live forever with her own humans ready to dote on her every need. Puppy classes, great eats, and gets to sleep on the bed. What more could a pup ask for. Thank you Erin and Carter for adopting Sugar. Now Spice can be spoiled even more.

The Sugar and Spice Girls

I was without foster dogs for a couple weeks. Now I have more than enough. The local dog control officer picked up a couple Border Collie pups out for a walk one Sunday, just imagine. So as soon as their "stray" days were up they came home to the farm. After a bath they were more than ready to settle in for the night. I must admit I've been a very very bad foster mom this time around. I've been letting them sleep with me. They aren't that big and there are only two.....

Needless to say time at the computer is low on the to do list. The pups are 8 and 9 weeks old now so will post them on my petfinder.com page in a few days. I feel 10 weeks is a good age to place a young pup. They've had time to learn some house training and recall skills. They learn bite inhibition from their litter mate/s as well as how to act around the older dogs here. I always impress firmly the need for a puppy class asap. Most adopters think it is for them, but it is truly to continue the education of the pup in relating with its own species beyond the dogs it may or may not be living with. We love them so much we often try to turn them into little humans. A quality puppy class keeps an adopter grounded in the fact the pup is a canine animal with a whole set of canine communication skills to learn.

The pups have been coming to work with me, meeting lots of other dogs, playing with cats, and getting love from many different humans too. They are such nice pups it will be difficult to part with them for sure.

The pains of fostering

As if you couldn't tell I fell fast and furious for Miss Hollie Berry. Monday morning after Christmas dog control called to say her owners had contacted them. That meant I had to return this lovely little girl. The worst part is I really fear for the quality of care her owners gave her or the lack of I should say. The day she came home with me she was treated for fleas, I removed numerous ticks, and gave her wormer for obvious reasons. She had many bites around her neck, a couple were deep puncture wounds. Hollie was also underweight. I guess all of that caused me to love her more. But none of it was enough to keep her from going back to her owners. When I see dogs in her condition, especially puppies, it causes such heartache. I wish the best for her. I was able to leave my card with the owners in case they ever want to part with her.