Boys in the backyard

It is fun to watch Ruffy, Kiyoshi, and Nicholas run and play together in the backyard. Ruffy has become more playful the past two days, but he needs to sharpen his play skills. He's like the annoying kid on the playground; Whatever toy you have, I want it, and I'm taking it, and I'm not sharing it with you.

He has no idea how to play fetch, which neither Nicholas nor Kiyoshi understand.


Ruffy and Kiyoshi play together sometimes, but other times I think they just harass each other. At least it's not all one sided. They seem to take turns bothering one another. However, Ruffy is most definitely the one more likely to bully my little Kiyoshi, and that behavior gets nipped in the bud right quick. Kiyoshi usually just tries to entice Ruffy to play with him, and doesn't really understand that Ruffy doesn't yet know how to play well. It is so funny when Kiyoshi prompts Ruffy to play and whether he gets a response or not, he starts running around the yard in big super fast circles! It is quite as sight! And it's good exercise, as he's out of breath from all the sprinting. Today Ruffy joined in the chase, and Nicholas and I cheered them both on, clapping and calling, "Go, Kiyoshi, Go! ~ Run, Ruffy, Run!" It was so exhilarating, Nicholas just had to join in! " Go, Nicholas! Run! Run! Run!"

Beginnings ... With Ruffy

Ruffy came up from the south on a pet rescue transport. Apparently, he was filthy and matted. Since two prominent rescue volunteers described him to me as 'disgusting', I imagine he was quite a site. Thankfully though, he got into the groomer before I took him home, and now look how nice he looks.

Ruffy is some kind of poodle spaniel mix, I guess. He's about one or two years old, and even though he has only been here for two days, I can vouch for him being a good dog. He's housebroken, good with other dogs, and good with kids. He hardly ever barks. These things, and more, make him highly adoptable, and I bet soon he will be loved by his furever family.

For the first night and morning he was here, I was doubtful that it would work out. When I introduced Ruffy to Kiyoshi, I did it outside, and then went for a walk. I quickly learned that taking care of two dogs is harder than taking care of one. And Kiyoshi was very uneasy about this new guy busting in on things. When I could not be right there to supervise closely, I had to separate the two. By day two things had improved significantly, and Kiyoshi and Ruffy were fine together.

Ruffy is good with Nicholas, and Nicholas instantly loved Ruffy. So much so, in fact, that he asked me, "Could we keep him instead?" I think Nicholas really enjoys dogs, but to tell you the truth, when he said that, my heart hurt... for me ... for Kiyoshi.
Silly. I know. But that's what I felt.

Peas and Carrots

Nicholas and Kiyoshi ~ like peas and carrots.

Nicholas and Kiyoshi became fast friends, and 'brothers'. Nicholas brings out the playful side of Kiyoshi. They are both fun loving but gentle together. Nicholas coos over this dog unlike any other; calls him 'so sweet and nice' and "I love you, Kiyoshi, and so does Mommy."

Nicholas helps take him for walks, feeds him, and brushes him. He gives him lots of hugs and cuddles too. He laughs when he acts silly and does 'chin spins'.

Kiyoshi is the perfect dog for Nicholas because he is there when he needs him, but also gives him plenty of space, and does not steal the show. He is a content and undemanding dog, and I am quite sure Nicholas unknowingly appreciates that this dog does not cramp his style at all by acting needy, and competing for my attention.

Last night, he slept part of the night beside my bed, part beside Nicholas' bed, and part of the night he slept between our two rooms.

In the morning, if the dog and I are up before Nicholas, I always shut his door so he is not disturbed. Kiyoshi often sits quietly outside his door, and patiently waits for him to come out and play.

I love him!

I love him!

He's the best dog ever and I feel so lucky to have him here, and even though it's not even been a week, I already can't imagine not having him here!

I've been changing my mind a hundred times a day about whether to foster or adopt Kiyoshi. I know I've done this back and forth thing before, especially with Johnny, so I'm trying to sort myself out here before I get word that an application has come in for him. I guess I'm kinda hoping no one asks for him for at least a couple weeks. That could give me the time I need to know.

I've been sharing my thoughts with others, mostly to just get my thoughts in order and 'out there', but also to get valuable feedback from friends and family who know me well.

If I adopt him, he will be very loved and well cared for, happily ever after. If I foster and he is adopted out, there will be tears saying good-bye to this one; big, fat, sad, love tears.

Beginnings ... with Kiyoshi

I drove to PA yesterday to pick up my new foster dog from Second Time Around Rescue. I'm so glad this Japanese Chin was vetted and ready to go because I like him. I like him a lot.
When I first got into the car to take Gizzy home, I had this sudden feeling of ~ this is the dog I'm keeping!
Caught me off guard a little, but ... the feeling passed.

Anyway, so far so good with this little guy. When I saw this picture on petfinder I described him as so-ugly-he's-cute, but now I don't think he's so ugly at all. His fur is so soft, long, and lovely. (I went out and bought a brush and comb for him.) Sure, he still has that 'mashed' face that I always find to be ugly/cute, but he really is a nice doggie.
He's very quiet, which I really like. And he doesn't seem so needy like the previous two I fostered, which is also a nice sort of break from that constant 'giving' of affection. I read that Japanese Chins are the most cat-like dogs, so I guess maybe that's where some of his independence comes from.
Last night he had dinner and we went for a nice walk. He walks on a leash like a dream.
I decided the name Gizzy was too ghetto for this fluffy beaut, so I've renamed him Kiyoshi, which means 'the quiet one'.

Bye Cody

Cody was adopted yesterday. It was exciting and sad for me, and I think for Cody too.

I loved taking care of Cody. What an excellent dog he is. He's cute and playful and loving.

You're a good boy, Cody. I will miss you but I'm very happy that you have been adopted into your forever family.

XXX-OOO

Adventures

Since I last posted , Cody has had some adventures. He was on The Today Show last weekend, and this weekend he went to a Pet Rescue meet & greet.
In between, he has been taking medicine for some tummy trouble, and had to wear a cone for a couple days so he'd stop licking his neuter incision.
He's been on lots of walks, around the block, along the boardwalk, and through the dog park, where he gracefully accepted having his butt sniffed by more than a dozen dogs.
One afternoon, as I walked him a different way than usual, I noticed he had just gone into a thick patch of poison ivy. Oh Bother! So, he had a bath and I washed and rubbed my arms and hands down with alcohol. Fortunately, his romp in poison ivy only resulted in one small itchy blister on the inside of my right arm. Not bad, considering this little low-to-the-ground pup was nosing around in the stuff for at least a minute before I looked down and thought, hmmm ... all those weeds have three leaves.
Cody plays outside in the backyard every morning while I have my coffee. I throw his toys and he fetches until he gets tired and lays on the grass. He's off his leash in the back, and it was not a problem until yesterday morning when he saw a chipmunk scurry across the rocks and rush under the fence. Cody sprinted to catch him and squeezed himself under the fence, where there is a big enough gap for his slight body. The only thing is, he did not come back when I called him, and my body happens not to be so slight as to get myself through the back fence. So, I had to get in my car and drive around the block to get him. When I got out of the car and called him, he raced over to me like I was his long lost love and he couldn't wait to leap into my arms with joy! Silly pup.
One of my favorite things about my time with Cody, aside from taking lovely walks by the shore, is cuddling up for a nap. He is such the snuggle bug, and I love his lovey-ness.

Fireworks

The Playland fireworks are cracking and booming. Cody does not like when the fireworks go off, but he is not here tonight.

A pet rescue volunteer came to pick up Cody earlier this evening, to care for him this weekend, while Nicholas and I go to PA for the Magic Catfish party. (Thanks, Keri!)

An hour or two before he got picked up, I found out that he may get adopted tomorrow. I had to stop and take a breath. I felt immediately happy, and simultaneously sad.

Nicholas and I said good-bye to Cody, just in case he is in fact adopted tomorrow. Nicholas seemed at first disappointed and sad when I told him, but then I changed my voice to happy and praised him for doing such a great job taking care of Cody, and that we can help by fostering another dog again. This gave him a sense of purpose and excitement, and he gave Cody a nice hug good-bye. We also sent him off with a quick care package, including his towel that we slept with last night so it will have our scent for a few days to comfort him, as well as his favorite french fries squeaky toy.

For awhile before he left, I just held him in my arms like a baby. He is just so sweet. I almost cried.

Balls

Cody loves the backyard. He runs and plays and then relaxes on the grass.

He's an expert fetcher, if it's a preferred toy. He has an assortment of things I throw that he enjoys running after and 'attacking', especially the squeaky fries and the rope-through-a-ball. He romps around with those soft water toys too, especially the yellow frisbee. He definitely does not like the regular dog frisbee, though. He'll run after it but won't pick it up, play with it, or return it.

Cody was neutered yesterday. When I picked him up he cried the whole way home, but I think that had more to do with being put in a small travel crate than anything else. When I took him for a short walk, he was a touch wobbly, but managed to poo and pee with no issues. He came home and ate a nice dinner. I noticed his eyes looked glossy and odd. I gave him his pain pill and he had an evening nap.

Snuggle Pup

This little dog loves to snuggle!

He is such a love.

Today we went for a walk in the rain, and Cody didn't mind at all. He seemed to like being out walking in the summer rain.

Tonight Cody had a bath, so he doesn't smell so 'doggy'. Nicholas had a bath tonight also, and the sheets are freshly washed, so we're all good. :)

Yesterday, Nicholas and I picked out some new toys for Cody. Mostly squeaky toys, since he likes those, but also a few small tennis type balls and a chew rope that he likes to fetch.

Nicholas and Cody

Nicholas and Cody adore each other.

They enjoy playing and resting together.

When we go for a walk, Nicholas is always sure to praise Cody when he pees or poops outside. "Good Boy!" he says.

They chase each other in the yard, and play with the squeaky toy that looks like an order of McDonald's fries.

A friend of mine got that toy for Johnny, but he didn't care for squeaky toys. I almost gave it away, but now I'm glad I didn't because it quickly became Cody's favorite. This morning I threw those fries across the yard more than a dozen times, and Cody fetched them and brought them back to me for another go.

Nicholas does not refer to Cody as his brother as often as he did with Johnny, but he does often come to Cody for play time or cuddle time, and he tells people, "He likes me. He likes me a lot."
Cody loves to give Nicholas kisses. Lots of kisses.

Me and Cody

Me and Cody.

I liked Cody right from the get-go, but I have to say, the more time I know him, the more I like him.

His dark black coat is shiny and soft, and he loves to be pet and cuddled. Cody enjoys the company of people. He wants to be close, and chooses sometimes to curl up on my lap, and other times to lay quietly beside me.

He is friendly and well behaved. He does not bother Sarafina, and in fact seems entirely disinterested in her, which is a great relief to me. (an her , no doubt)

He is learning to walk on a leash, and respond to basic commands. It's funny how tickled I get when he sits for a treat!

The family who adopts him will be lucky to have such a wonderful lovable little dog!

Pictures of Cody

Beginnings ... with Cody

Cody is a little black chihuahua mix. I picked him up from the pet rescue transport that arrived Sunday. When I went to Northwind Kennel, it was so nice to see volunteers all helping out with the dogs that arrived from West Virginia early that morning.

Cody is one of more than twenty dogs saved this past weekend. He is about 10 pounds and about one year old. He's a sweetheart.

www.ny-petrescue.org

www.petfinder.com/petdetail/16959456

Bye Johnny

Johnny was adopted today.

For my first experience fostering a rescue, I could not have asked for a more wonderful dog.

You're a good dog, Johnny Boy. I loved taking care of you, and I will miss you. I'm so glad that you have been adopted into a forever family.

Bye, Johnny.

Look At That Face

Look at that face. What a sweetheart.

We've had a short morning walk, and it's still very new to me to be outside at 6am. It's where the volunteer sacrifice comes in to play for me; tending to the needs of a dog instead of my desire to be curled up in my cozy bed, sleeping in.

As per usual, I had my coffee out back and watched Johnny play in the yard.

Cat

There is a big cat who frequents our yard. She passes back and forth along the fence several times a day. Sometimes Nicholas chases her. I think she lives down the street.

This morning, the cat slinked into the yard and spotted Johnny right away. Johnny was too busy playing to notice her. The cat just sat there, by the ladders, watching.

In this picture, Johnny is burying a biscuit, totally oblivious to that big cat a few feet away. When he ran toward the garage, with a biscuit and a mission, the cat put her back up. Then, noticing he was too busy to notice her, she eventually just turned and strolled away.

Chasing Rabbits and Frisbees

Johnny got a new frisbee. He loves to chase after it. He runs around with it in his mouth. Then he chews on it a bit before I throw it across the yard again.

On our morning walk around the block, he spotted two little bunny rabbits and tried to dart after them. There were two quite temping little ones; their big white tails teasing Johnny as they hopped away.

Johnny is learning to sit for a treat! At first he is just beside himself with excitement, but he has already learned that he's not getting a treat acting crazy. I still hold his collar and coax his butt down when I say 'sit'. But he's definitely getting it.

This morning I got word from the rescue that there are two applications in for Johnny's adoption. I gave the go-ahead. Told Bruno to pick the best one for Johnny Boy! So, my first little foster pup should be going to his forever home early next week.

Ear Drop and Bath Time

I think Johnny's ears are dropping. Sometimes they are up, but often these days they are flopped down. Looks cute. And his ears don't look nearly as big as when they are sticking up and out like Yoda. I love his ears. They are so soft.

Johnny had a bath yesterday. He was well behaved so the wet mess was minimal. I have no pictures of this event because I can't handle a dog and a boy in a tub, plus a camera. Yes. Johnny took a bath with Nicholas. We had been outside playing in the rain. Nicholas was soaked from splashing in the big street puddle with a neighborhood kid. So, when we came in, they both went into the tub!

I take Johnny for a dozen short walks a day, one long walk in the evening, and we play in the backyard in the morning while I have my coffee, in the afternoon, and again in the evening. Last night he was running around with Nicholas, having a blast, just being a puppy. He will chase down small toys, balls, and sticks that are thrown. He is agile and quick.

His 'terrier' is showing itself more. He buries bones in the dirt; digs a hole with his paws, drops in the bone, and fills in the dirt with his nose. He also grabs a rope toy and thrashes it around like a maniac. But, he is still more apt to chase a butterfly than a bunny rabbit.

Saving Superman

Today I saved Superman. Johnny got a hold of a hand-made Superman finger puppet, and would not not open his mouth to let it out, until I closed his nostrils with my fingers - and even then, he seemed to hold his breath as long as he could. I unhinged Superman's tiny red cape from Johnny's tiny teeth, and am glad to report that Superman was saved!

This evening, I took Johnny for a nice walk down to Playland, along the boardwalk, out to the pier. This was new for him, an he was a little nervous with all the new sights and sounds. The ground speakers playing music were particularly unnerving. But, he walked well, and it was a nice little adventure. The moon was trying hard to be full, there was a subtle and pleasant shore breeze, and the party people were at the new Tiki Bar. Johnny got oohs and aahs, ohs and aws, from several admirers of cute little dogs.

A Good Dog

Johnny's a good dog.

I change my mind constantly about fostering and adopting. Fortunately, I do not have to make decisions unless or until someone expresses an interest in him.

Johnny is doing very well with his house training. He is also walking on a leash amazing well, especially considering he never wore a collar or leash before Saturday.

He enjoys chewing on small sticks in the yard, and attacking crunchy leaves. Yesterday, I watched him pounce on an ant. What a tough guy. As for birds and squirrels and bunny rabbits, Nicholas seems more inclined to chase them than does Johnny. I guess this pup is not heavy on that terrier trait. What a huge relief to me, because I have my parrot, Sarafina, to consider. The two do not seem to mind one another a bit. There is no need to house Sarafina at my mom's house for the summer, which I had predicted might be a highly probable outcome of fostering a dog.

Although Johnny has rope toys, raw hide bones, and squeaky toys, he is simply delighted by playing with Nicholas' little sand shovels, or his plastic drinking cup. It's kind of like a kid. You buy them some big expensive toy, and they find joy playing with the cardboard box.

A Boy And His Dog

Nicholas and Johnny enjoy each others company, as is evidenced by this trio of photos taken today.

Is he smiling?

This picture was taken shortly after I got Johnny. It looks like he's smiling, doesn't it?

Johnny's Got My Back

Johnny's got my back. In other words, he follows me around like ... well, like a puppy I guess. Sometimes I feel like Sully on Monsters Inc., when Boo first appears. He thinks she isn't there, but she's right there behind him, full of playful innocence.
Nicholas believes that Johnny likes him, really likes him a lot. Nicholas calls Johnny his brother. For now, he says.
It is amazing to me how walking a small puppy attracts people to talk to you. This morning, a man pet Johnny while I went into the corner market to get coffee. I hesitating going in because Johnny was acting very nervous about me leaving him out there with all the scary car noises and such. The man told me about his rescue dog, was not in a rush, and was happy to stay with Johnny while I got coffee.
Several neighbors have initiated conversation prompted by seeing the dog; neighbors with whom a simple hello is all that passes between us.
None of them seemed to 'get' what fostering a dog meant. All of them had dogs, most of them also rescues. One neighbor in particular was especially taken by the pup, and I found out from his wife later that he wants a third dog. Perhaps Johnny will be my neighbor? That would be weird and wonderful. I know he'd be well cared for and loved, plus he'd have canine playmates - both of whom he has already met.

Beginnings ... with Johnny

Yesterday I got my first foster dog from Second Time Around Rescue. When Johnny was first put into my arms, he hugged his paws around my neck and put his head on my shoulder. He was shaking. The kennel was very loud with barking dogs. I was shown the other dogs, but I don't think I even really 'saw' any others, since lil' Johnny was hugging me so hard. I knew he was the puppy I was taking home.
Johnny is a rat terrier and chihuahua mix, about four months old. My aunt says he has the most disproportionately big ears she has ever seen, and I think I'd have to agree ~ though he sure is cute. My uncle offered up more than a few comments about there being no way no how I was not going to adopt this dog. Apparently, my mom has the same assumption. There are others, I am sure. Heard some mention of a 'pool'.
I've only known the dog for a day, so I suppose time will tell, but I do think I am an ideal candidate for fostering dogs during the summer months. Being a teacher, I have the luxury of time each summer, of which I can give to a dog who needs a temporary loving home before going home with his forever family.
Adopting a dog is no small commitment, and I'd have to take some serious and quiet self reflection to make a decision like that.
Johnny and Nicholas seem to adore each other equally well, which is a big relief for me. It probably goes without saying, but I'd never compromise the health and safety of my son. I think it will be a good experience for Nicholas; playing with Johnny, and helping to take care of him. Nicholas understands that the dog is temporary. He explains it quite articulately to others, so I believe he has a decent understanding about the situation.
So far, Johnny has been a real sweetheart. He's definitely a lap dog. I started this blog - my first one ever, to chronicle this new adventure in my life.