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.