Ruby, Ruby: Ruby, Ruby SOHO!

Everything is ready, have my directions, road atlas (like I'll need it), suitcase, crate, dog bag, some trash bags and paper towels for the shelter, half of the phone numbers from people on aucado and the ever important cell charger and iPod.

Just have to check the air in my tires with hubby (never done it before, I had mechanic brothers to do this for me in NH), take a shower, and go to bed. (which will be within the hour)...

Just what am I doing? I am going to be picking up a tagalong in North Carolina on the way. Ruby is a blue heeler or Aussie Cattle Dog. She is going to foster home, and seeing as I was going I offered my services. I will pick her up bout 9 am tomorrow. Then off to meet her new foster mom in Concord round 10:30 am, Saturday.

Pictures to come!

Think good thoughts and enjoy your friday cuz I will!

That's the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me!

So I have been announced the winner of the best on Blogspot's Animal/Pets category.

I was also randomly chosen to receive advertising on the parent site...which means I will be highlighting dogs in need.

If you have a dog you are having a rough time placing, leave a comment about your dog, or a link to their dogster/petfinder page.

Again thank you!

-Wendy

The Cat Saga.

I know it's definitely not dog related or foster related, but it is rescue and adoption related.

For about 2 months+ I had been emailing with Our Lady of Mercy's Catnip Cottage of Summerville about a FIV (Feline Aids) positive cat named Rocky. I was VERY interested. Sadly, because of the fact that I cannot screen in my porch because of HOA rules and he has been placed as a sanctuary cat due to cyclical side effects of his illness, Rockefeller (as I referred to him), is not meant to be at the Hixson house.

I have however, found an all black female at Doc Williams ASPCA, which is where we adopted Corona and where Max originally came from as a 10 week old puppy, she even came to the word come, now that is a cat I can deal with. Her name is Duchess, but I don't know how (Princess) Corona would deal with another royal in the house.

I have to drag D down to see her and see if he will begrudgingly give in. haha.

Back on the grid. (Picture alert!)

So we were without a pc for a little over a week due to a pooped out memory card. And here we are again with some new pictures and adventures.

A lazy Sunday afternoon after yard work and the park:




As promised here is the elusive Colbert on film being a goof:











"Curses! Foiled again!"



Took Oreo to the vets today as his ears are still gunked up. Again we had the wonderful Dr. Jones (who treated Dixie for her heart worm), Oreo was given an allergy shot and had a sample of his gunk taken to be looked at. His sample contained both yeastie beasties and some bacteria. So we have a new round of drops and a follow up in two weeks.

"I hear them talking bout me behind that door"



"What is it with you and that infernal camera? On your cell phone too?!"



"I bumped the door with my butt and there was a noise, I must now check out that noise!"



In all he was the happiest dog I have ever taken to the vet. Lots of new smells, people, and dogs. And yes, he is definitely a puller when he sees something he wants.

Overall, he's a very healthy & handsome old man.



So, want to adopt a tall dark and handsome cattle dog mix for your home?

While you are there...

Vote for my friend Jackie's blog too. Her's is under the humor section and called Yellow Dog Grannie.

Here is a link to her actual blog, and a parental warning...sometimes her language just isn't for the youngins.

Best blog on blogspot.

So I have entered a little contest here on blogspot.com. I have entered this blog about the in and outs of our fosters and Mr. Colbert to be voted as the best Animal/Pet blog on the site.

If you'd like to vote or even just check out the other animal related blogs entered or add you own and see the other categories, click here.



Thanks!

PS: Oreo is doing fine, and so is everyone else! I also caught Colbert playing with Max on film...more on that later.

2 Weeks.

That is how long Oreo has been with us.

Right before coming to us his allergies flared up again and he now has infections in both ears and his legs and belly are showing pink through his fur. He gets a pill each day as well a supplements in his food and daily ear washings.

He is a very good dog, even if he does have an affinity for checking out Max regularly in the ways that dogs do. He has come to relax and claim a spot on the couch. He keeps to himself usually. However, Buela, who was the most stand offish in the beginning, is now making attempts to befriend him. A hazing period I suppose. In her usual mother hen fashion, she is licking his face and likes to pay attention to his scaly ears and pink toes. I cannot tell if this bothers him or not however.

He does like to do as he pleases, especially when it comes to relinquishing his spot on the bed, couch, or floor to a two legged type. Time will tell.

He doesn't know how to play fetch at all and hates having his photo taken, particularly with a flash. He inhales food and likes to clean other puppies bowls for them.

There was someone interested in him, CACDR&R has contacted them, but nothing has come of it yet. Time will tell.

D calls him a reverse Dalmatian. Oh and the elusive happy face photo has yet to occur. However looking at all the photos of him in the picture viewer...kinda makes you go cross eyed. haha.

Photos from his first day:

Almost a happy face...


Holsteiny goodness...


Buela being her usual charming self.

Look out for Mrs Stork...a new foster is coming!

Look a fussy lip!


Mel from Carolina ACD Rescue and Rebound to coming to see us Sunday, with our new foster ACD/Aussie ShepX, Oreo.

He is a 9 year old owner surrender by a military family that was sent to Japan (or Korea, I cannot remember at the moment). He has food allergies, since a change in his diet his yeast and ear infections have just about completely subsided. He apparently is an absolute lover, and Corona will have competition for belly rubs and kissy face time. We get to train him on sit, down, stay, etc and leash manners. Should be a piece of cake.

This will be our first time fostering a male though since Colbert. Hopefully it will go smoothly. I look forward to getting some happy face shots of him and finding him a new home.

His petfinder page: Oreo

Why we foster...

Or rather, why we started.

We as many know, are Cesar people, this meaning that we using the methodology of Cesar Milan when it comes to training dogs. And for those that don't like him, well sorry, but it works for us. And when it comes to training, there is a vast difference tween a full out alpha roll and making your dog go into a "sit, down" until it calms a little. And only retards actually full out kicks their dogs. It's called a tap for a reason, just enough to get attention, either on you or off whatever your dog is staring at.

With that said, Cesar's mission is to rehabilitate dogs that no one wants; abused, fearful, aggressive, unsocialized, feral, you name it he takes them and "fixes" both the dogs and their respective owners bad behaviors.

That was our inspiration. That and Colbert himself.

We had gone to Pet Helpers to fill out papers to adopt a male pit puppy. We of course also checked out all the other dogs at the shelter, knowing that they, despite the shelters staff and volunteers, probably didn't get all the human attention/affection they deserved and needed to be properly socialized. In the very last kennel was a seemingly empty yard and a dogloo. Squeezed tightly up against the inside of this dogloo were two scared puppies. One was Zambia, soon to become Colbert, and the other was his brother Sudan.

On the drive home we talked about names for the pit puppy should we get him. We tossed around geographical names from the West Coast; Zion, Canyon, Sutter. Nearly home, I suddenly yelled out "Colbert". Donovan smirked, and I knew it was good.

We didn't get the pit pup, but that woeful corgi pup named Zambia had definitely struck a cord with my softie husband. Feral, abused, having to fight for food from his brother, he was determined to recuperate him. After applying and going through the shelters fostering workshop, and some careful debate skills on convincing the head of fosters that we could do it regardless of the fact that we did not have a fenced yard, D came home with a 14 pound 5 month old puppy.

The rest is chronicled here. I guess that the simple explanation, but definitely how it happened.

LoL Dogs Stumbles Style.

Nothing new here...going to do a home visit for Tennessee Valley Cattle Dog Rescue next week, I will post more on that later, and why we even bothered to get into rescue and fostering. But here are some of my favorite LOL Dogs of the moment.

Just Funny...




This is me everyday I drive to work.



A daily occurrence at the Hixson House.



This too.



Donovan...



Please always do.



This too.