I'VE BEEN THINKING..........

When I wrote about Checker and Merlot arrival and progress, it sounded like I was some sort of miracle worker.  Well, I am not.  Checker had a lot of positive interactions with people before he got to me.  His fosters down south, Lisa, at the daycare, when he came to me he was ready to love.   I wanted to make this point because rescue dogs are different than your backyard puppy.  Some have no experience, others have had bad experiences.  They are not turnkey dogs.  When you commit yourself to a rescue dog you are saying, "I have the patience, I have the love, I have the time to work on this dog".  Another dog, like Checker, could have taken a couple weeks before he relaxed with me.  Each one is so different.  You have to listen to the dog, and help them move forward with the steps they are ready to take.  You have to be ready for potty accidents, you have to accept losing the right shoe of your favorite pair, you have to make the time for exercise for that bundle of puppy energy.
Now you are thinking - well that's a lot of work, and it is.  But the rewards, by far, outweigh the efforts.   First, you have saved a life; a beautiful little life.  And there is no dog that will love you like a dog you have rescued.  They are so grateful for everything you have given them.  People who say dogs have no feelings have never watched the wonderful  transition of a dog that has been rescued to a loving home.  Nor seen the look in their eyes when they look at you with adoration.
Grandma will now step down from her soap box!

IT WASN'T QUIET LONG..........

Checker and Lolo have arrived!

Isn't she sweet?

Jude has gone off to play with the big boys at Grade Lodge and Checker and Merlot ( affectionately known as Lolo) moved in.

Now, I have to be honest, Checker arrived with 2 collars, a harness, three leashes, one the length of Texas; all of which he was wearing!  I was told I would have to leave a leash on in the house, since he was so scared of everything and everybody, I wouldn't be able to get near him.  This is not unusual with many of the dogs we rescue.  They have not been socialized, hadn't ever had a kind hand or a kind word directed at them.  He had never been in a house, born and raised in a shelter. And not the kind of shelters and humane societies we are used to.

Well, I am here to tell you folks, it is amazing what a couple days and some love can do.  He is the snuggliest, most affectionate guy you can imagine.  When I turn him loose in the backyard ( it is fenced , of course,) he is the first one through the door when I call.  He is slowly learning about home living and manners, very anxious to please, and listens well.  Housebreaking is a work in progress, and this frigid weather makes it more challenging!  He is full of love and kisses, wants to be near you, and needs a forever family that will recognize how special he is.

Miss Lolo is adorable.  More social to begin with, she is almost more of a cuddle bug than Checker.  She is such a pretty pup.  Chocked full of puppy energy, but settles down nicely in the house.  But she can run like the wind in the yard.  Super personality, eager to please, will be a breeze to train.

She just has that kind of mind.

Both get along well with other dogs, I have no cats so that's unknown.

HAPPY HAPPY SENDOFFS

Two Happy Sendoffs this week!  Tweety ( now known as Cleo) and McCartney ( now known as Carter)  have gone to loving new families.  Those smiles are what rescue is all about!

JUDE AND MCCARTNEY

Jude and McCartney are brothers - at least they were in the same litter.  Jude is twice, if not 3 times as big as McCartney.  It doesn't show well in the pics, but Jude almost looks like a little English Setter, with black spots under his white outer coat.  (For some reason the E key is not working on my keyboard and is producing "C's" instead of E's.  Bear with me, I hope you can deipher this!) 

(PROBLEM SOLVED WITH ALL CAPS)  MCCARTNEY HAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MULTICOLORED COAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS BLENDED BY AN ARTIST - FROM CREME TO A SOFT TAN.  AND THEY ARE BOTH SOFTER THAN SOFT.  WHEN THEY FIRST ARRIVED THEY WERE PETRIFIED OF EVERYTHING AND EVERYBODY.  THAT HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED - BIGGEST CUDDLEBUGS IN THE WORLD.  THEY WERE UNSOCIALIZED WILD MEN WHEN THEY CAME TO ME, BUT HAVE QUICKLY SETTLED DOWN AND LEARNED ABOUT HOME LIVING.  THAT MEANS NO MORE WALKING ON THE COFFEE TABLE.  THEY KNOW "NO" AND "DROP IT", A NECESSITY AT THAT AGE.  BUT IT IS HARD TO KEEP THE LITTLE WIGGLING BUTTS ON THE FLOOR FOR "SIT".  POTTY TRAINING WAS GOING REALLY WELL UNTIL THIS COLD SNAP; NOW EVERYONE IS RELUCTANT TO GO OUT, MYSELF INCLUDED.  VERY HAPPY PERSONALITIES, EXTRA AFFECTIONATE, AND SO EAGER TO PLEASE YOU.  WHEN THEY ARE IN THE BACKYARD, THEY COME THE MINUTE THEY ARE CALLED, OF COURSE, NO ONE DILLY DALLIES AROUND IN THIS WEATHER.
AGAIN, I FIND THEIR PROGRESS AMAZING; THEY ARE SMART LITTLE GUYS.  OK, MCCARTNEY IS A LITTLE GUY, JUDE - NOT SO MUCH.  I WOULD GUESS JUDE, ALL GROWN UP, WOULD BE A MEDIUM DOG.  THEY GET ALONG WELL WITH THE OTHER DOGS, AMUSE THEMSELVES WITH EMPTY SODA BOTTLES WITH A FEW PIECES OF KIBBLE IN THEM, AND ARE GENERAL A PLEASURE TO BE WITH.

THE ALABHAMA SNOW BUNNIES

I love the picture of Tweety looking up wondering where this stuff is coming from.  And Tiny Tinsel walking in the tracks of the others.  They really have adjusted well and love to go out and play in the snow.

THE NEW PEOPLE

Here are the new kids on the block - Bugs, Tinsel, and Tweety.  Bugs and Tweety may be siblings.
I can't say enough about how good these dogs are - well mannered, house trained, and Oh so sweet.  I am sure they will find forever families very quickly.

Lots and Lots of Adoptions!

Marko, Chablis, Marissa, and Davey have all been adopted in the past month!!  But not to worry, Grandma's house is full again!  Thanks to all these wonderful people that took these dogs into their hearts and homes.