Lessons Learned: Adopting a Rescue Dog (with apologies)

With sincere apologies in advance to folks who come to "craft blogs" and are not happy to find off topic stuff, please 'scuse me.. gotta get something off my chest. Adopting a dog is giving him or her their forever home -- it's not until they aren't puppies and "cute" anymore, or until you decide you just don't want a dog, or until you can't provide for him or her. It's a big decision .. they don't call it a "forever" home for nothing. Having adopted 4 -- and I hoped 5 -- rescues, each has their own challenges, the biggest one often being their background. It's not going out, buying a doggie bed, toys, food, a doggie door and "playing house." This is especially true if you are integrating a rescue dog into a home where you already have another dog! I've worked with rescue groups off and on for over 20 years so I never thought I'd be one of "them" -- the people who need to "re-home" (their term, not mine) their rescue. We adopted Hallie as a sister to Lacie in July of this year based on 1) her "description" on the rescue group's site, 2) a home meeting here with Lacie and 3) their representations of her temperament etc. I didn't do MY homework - I didn't check with a trainer to see how fitting a formerly feral (wild) pup who was also mostly border collie (loud, bossy, sweet dogs who are very "in your face") with our laid back hound Lacie Jane. I didn't point blank ask if she was okay with small children or other dogs... my bad. But we put on our application that the only reason we would return her is if she became aggressive to other dogs and children. They were on notice. If they didn't tell us, shame on them; if they didn't "vet" her to determine her true temperament, they shouldn't be doing what they do. They are after all just regular folks like me who love dogs, not professional dog trainers or behavioralists. When you want to adopt -- and I hope if you want to getaa dog, you do adopt -- get recommendations from dog "professionals" in your area (kennel, dog camp, trainer, vet) for rescue groups who do their homework and provide strong, loving fosters who don't sweep fixable problems under the rug. To make a long story short, we have had to "rehome" Hallie, a much happier, better dog than we got her -- she did great in basic obedience, got crate and doggy door trained and was "for the most part" a fun playmate for Lace.. "for the most part" I say again. What she also was is aggressive on leash and in greeting.. very aggressive at times. No one mentioned this.. The rescue group denied it when asked twice during the two months we had called them and asked -- "it must be you" they said. We tried everything and in the end watched Lacie go from a laid back hound to an apprehensive, slinking girl who defended her every toy, lost 4 pounds in 2 months because she was too stressed to eat and herself began to be "growly" with other dogs! She's terrified of our yard, doesn't like her doggy door and had accidents in the house. Hallie was always 'in her face' when she wasn't sleeping or in squirrel watching mode on our deck. We adored her and giving her up was gut wrenching -- she didn't want to go, tugged against the leash as the volunteer basically grabbed her from me. The rescue group took her back no questions asked although I provided them with insight from the trainers and vet, and seemed completely indifferent to her problems which, in the right home with no other dog, would most likely be completely fixable. Hallie's smart and eager to please. She is again on their adoption site with the same description they used last spring. No mention of all the wonderful things she's learned so people will know she will use a crate and doggy door, knows how to be a good girl for treats etc. But also no mention of her dog or child aggression. She deserves better. I hope whoever looks at her and finds her as appealing as we did asks the right questions. I hope they ask a trainer about the breed and a dog with a feral background. And because the rescue group has not marked her as potentially aggressive, I hope their answers are honest when the right question is asked. I hope in the end, they listened. I won't look at their site again. I don't want to know what happens to this adorable little girl who had a terrible beginning feral in the woods and has so much potential. She just deserves an honest chance. None of this is her fault. But will she get it? We love you, "Hal" and will never forget you. PS: Please don't unsubscribe.. I promise I won't do this again and when I clear out the Operation Write Home shipper den, I'll be back with some cards or crafts and so so happy to do it!

What Will You Do With Your Scraps of Time?

Scraps of time.... it's been a month, a long difficult month since we lost our boy Rio. He was a just a scrap of a pup when he was rescued-- 3 months old, 8 pounds of ears and nose literally "sick as a dog" from floating in and lapping up hurricane floodwaters containing who knows what? Joining a household with two active older male dogs, Dusty and Motley, was a huge adjustment for everyone and, in retrospect, not fair to them. But I was undeterred in my quest to be the heroine who rushed in to rescue one of the "Floyd dogs." But I almost sent him back -- twice. Nothing prepared me for how sick he'd be -- for months, how much his trauma would completely derail any attempt at crate training or puppy cuddling, how many scowls I got from the usually fun loving, "kissy" older dogs, and how much money (and time) I'd spend at the vet with him the first four months. But one cold Februrary night in February 2000, Rio wouldn't walk, not at all, not even for a treat. He was diagnosed with severe bilateral hip dysplasia the next day and arthritis, probably exacerbated by his recent romps in the snow. As we drove home all I could think of was bills, more bills, more time off from work to care for him.. but this puppy, this soulful, really serious puppy who always seemed wiser than his years, turned to me in the car and those big brown eyes just said "Mom, I'm sorry I'm such a bother to you" and then a kiss, just a little lick, but a kiss nonetheless from the Rio dog. From that second on, that scrap of time, he had my heart. We got help from the great vets at NCSU and Stony Creek, fixed the worst hip as best we could and life with Rio the Wonder Dog began in earnest!

I lost Dusty and Motley in August and October 2004 and the world changed, especially Rio's world -- he refused to be left out back on the deck along at all, even when I was at home. It was no longer a safe happy territory once shared with his pack and Rio became a total "house dog.". Devouring his "1, 2, 3" treats everytime we left, he was a loyal sentry by the window in the back bedroom through long work days who was overjoyed every time we came home but never anxious when we left -- he knew we'd be back! His only transgression was the occasional foray into the trash when "someone" forgot to put the can in the bathroom and shut the door... when we did... scraps of food.



Reflecting back as I now can do, I see that there are so many scraps of time with this sweet, gentle dog and I see now that I did make something with them - wonderful memories, especially since my marriage to Steve in 2006, that I am grateful for-- being able to retire early in late 2009 which meant more time with Rio especially our morning "kibbles & coffee" while we watched House Hunters was "mom time" and Rio always thought everyone made such a fuss over the size of the bathroom! Then there was his enthusiastic, always high stepping "treat dance" when we returned home from an evening out; hip pain or not, the joyful bounding down the driveway in greeting everytime I came home; squeaky toy concerts; the simple joy of watermelon and carrots; licking an almost empty yogurt container for 30 minutes; counting out "time out" when he begged too much at the table; precleaning all the dinner dishes as they went into the dishwasher; a goood rawhide (aka "cigar") after dinner; "dad" rough housing with him and, as they both aged, getting a good rub on his white spot as only Steve could do; early mornings exploring the pasture with Steve, lazy afternoons "out front" taking in the goings on in the 'hood; walks in the park; that big nose pushing against my elbow saying "stop working and play with me"; "teaching" two generations of neighorhood toddlers that you don't have to be afraid of a black dog who's bigger than you are; never having a couch in the evening because "someone" took over; and the quiet companionship while I went about daily life just knowing Rio was there. He was a gentle companion, a quiet, understanding listener... and even an occasional kisser! Sweet little scraps of time.

Age, "thunder terror" and all the steps in our tri-level house took a toll on Rio the past year, and the "decision" about quality of life and how much pain he was in was looming -- Steve and I both knew it and wondered how Rio would make it through a bitterly cold winter without becoming still more lame. Three nights before Rio left home for the last time he and I laid on the living room floor watching TV and I as I rubbed his back and tummy I told him that I wanted him to tell me when it was his time... "let me know, Rio, you let me know, little boy," never dreaming that three days later he would. Hemangiosarcoma is, in most cases, a sudden and deadly disease. Rio's time was quick - a scrap of time from Saturday evening when, after his usual late afternoon walk, he never got up again from his bed. We rushed him to Animal Medical Hospital at 6:00 but by 10:30 Sunday morning, a beautiful autumn morning, weakness and old age and the disease met, and Rio slept peacefully forever as Dr. Fanning helped him across that last bridge. She told me he had not suffered, that his recent "slow down" could have been the sarcoma or his hips, that he might have sensed something was wrong as animals often do. His last food was his favorite Pup-er-oni treat that I brought from home Sunday morning, his last day at home was a lovely cool sunny autumn day (his favorite) and his last moments were spent surrounded by people and smells and touches he knew and trusted - the final scraps of his time with us. What was sudden and gut wrenching for us was quick and peaceful for Rio and for that I have learned to be so eternally grateful. He was, as Steve has said, his own dog who deserved do to things quietly, with dignity, and on his own terms at the end.

When life gives you scraps, make something with them, okay? A scrap can be an opportunity (like Operation Write Home!), a windfall, a set of art pencils, a piece of fabric, a new relationship, giving a homeless animal a new lease on life...whatever scraps you find, be certain before you discard them that you can't turn that scrap into a quilt.

In 1998 I was still swearing I'd "never have a dog in this house" -- 21 years later I'm still not used to having no one to step around in the kitchen or seeing my "new" couch without a cover on it. Dusty, Motley and Rio were each rescued, each grateful and each their own "man." They changed me forever, but Rio's last 7 years as an "only child" is a scrap of time that was especially sweet -- a great life with a a goofy "silly old dog" who lived a complete dog life. I see him and his brothers in the stars above our deck where they look down on us, I know they do. "Good night, little boy, sleep tight, we love you...."

OWH Birthday Challenges No. 1 and 3

An animal for Challenge 1 and a kids' card... for "unique Christmas" challenge 3 -- well how many times have you seen a dog actually write a letter of supplication to Santa... I ask you? Love this Impression Obession stamp! My dog Rio always has this look on his face when he's gone counter surfing but his hat usually falls off....

Dixie: this Bow Easy bow's for you! ;)

Memorial Day Miss You Card....

I just can't get it together to do all the thinking and linking for the OWH Memorial Day Bloghop (check it out at www.operationwritehome.org) but I will be lurking on all the wonderful blogs that are participating! I did, however, get a "miss you" card together that I'll definitely use. Love my new doggie stamp (another 50 cent yard sale find) and I used my Copic marker E35 to highlight his cute floppy ears. I used Cuttlebug "Distressed" embossing folder and then scalloped and fringed the green to make the "grass." He's just waiting hear his master's voice...

Mom's Day Cards: A Dog, A Trash Can and a Creative Hubby!

Okay so Rio the wonder dog is famous (or infamous) for his trash surfing so we do have to put the kitchen can in the bathroom and shut the door -- ::sigh:: otherwise I'm cleaning up all kinds of mess in the hall, on the day bed, etc. all the while muttering the obligatory "bad dog" every 2-3 minutes to the already contrite 65 pound black mass of hair huddled on the far end of the couch trying very hard to look invisible.

With that history in mind, I absolutely could not resist sharing this amazing card created by my hubby Steve without, I might add, the aid of the leery Rio dog who could not be lured into the bathroom even with his favorite kibbles to participate in a staged photo op with a messy trash can. Steve found this card somewhere and added his own picture inside = I know I'm prejudiced but I think it's very creative and hilarious...

Happy Spring, Happy BlogHop

Hi! If you have reached my blog first and want to go back to the first blog so you don't miss anything, head back to Stars and Stamps and then come back 'round to visit here!

In January I had no blog. Tonight I am determined to figure out how to participate in a blog hop! So far, I've managed to post part of it too soon (deleted that) and put all the pictures on the top of the post in the wrong order (which I probably will do again) but.... here goes!!! Happy Spring, Everyone!

1. A spring-y card! Which should be at the top but is on the bottom left! I made this card for my husband's granddaughter who got baptized last week but it's a great "any message" card. I thought the litte flowers were so cute for a 7-year old and accented the flowers and leaves with sage and raspberry FlowerSoft...love love that stuff!

2. Blog candy - interesting term and mine is the top picture on the left! I am a scrapbooker who happens to do cards and this "candy" is called "Perfect Layers." You can buy them on HSN or get 'em free here. If you do any scrapping and love to mat or double mat your photos and get perfect corners, this is a great system! It also comes under the heading of "you know you have too much 'stuff' when..... you buy something you already had"! My loss = your gain. The first person who leaves a comment on Scraps of Time blog here telling me what my dog Rio said gets the candy! (hint: it's on my blog...). If you are not a blogger and want to participate, please leave an e-mail addy!

3. Inspiration - This note from a soldier in the Philipines really struck a chord with me. He picked up the last card. He hopes there will be more. I hope no hero ever has to pick up the last card.

4. My inspiration story isn't about the kind of hero that sends our cards home to his family or posts on the blog. It's the story behind the middle picture you see up there. It's about the hero behind many of our brave soldiers who also risk their lives. Did you know that a hospital opened in 2008 dedicated solely to the recovery and rehabilitation of the military dogs? These brave canines currently serve with bomb sniffing and other units in Iraq and Afghanistan and get sick, shot at and injured along with their human companions. As a dog lover and someone active in animal rescue, it was so gratifying to read an article in People magazine about this outstanding unit. Some may wonder why we spend our tax money on a dog? Because they have sacrificed much in combat in many, many theatres of operation and performed invaluable tasks after 9/11 alongside our troops. And, because many of these loyal, hardworking dogs sacrificed their lives, our heros who might otherwise have been lost to us have come home to their families. That's why. We owe them this. I hope you will take a minute to learn more about the Military Dog Hospital and the wonderful work they're doing. (Rio just loved this article!)

Thanks for stopping by!

CHECK OUT THE LOVELY CARDS ON THE NEXT STOP ON THE BLOG HOP WHICH IS PAT'S BLOG!

Rio's ticked...

Because I promised the Rio Dog he'd have a walk before the Olympics started at 1:00 and it's now 1:30 = he's decided that he wants to be officially ON the blog since the blog's what messed up his schedule!! So in a further effort to pander to "Senor Senior Dog" I will of course oblige! (He doesn't know I'm using this picture from last Mom's Day wherein he declares his love for me in print for all to see). That's right, mess with the dog's head ;) But he looks younger in this photo so if there's dog vanity and he thinks about it....