Trouble is two bored dogs and a bag of stuffed animals

Single digits, wind and ice under the snow kept us off the trails today. That didn’t stop the two feral kids from coming up with their own idea of a fun afternoon!

Raina visits Animal Doctors

Raina had her first visit to Animal Doctors today. She weighed in at 15 lbs and was very well behaved! She was heartworm/Lyme tested and did test positive for Lyme disease. She will start her antibiotics treatment tomorrow. Tomorrow we will call to set up her spay appointment. Nina said her leg looked good. She said sometimes when dogs have diminished feeling in a body part or lose sensation they will begin to chew on that part. She did not feel it was likely that she will start that this late in the game but it is something to watch for.

The snow was deep this morning and went past Raina’s belly which did not make her very happy. She is quick to run out and do her business and come straight back in. The donated coat from Barker’s Dozen really helps keep her warm. She is doing outstanding with her housetraining and remains accident free. In a few days if she remains consistent we will start giving her more freedom and see if she can maintain her near perfect record.

She handled the collar and leash well at the vet’s office and is doing great in a plastic crate. Those were the three major  fear issues when we pulled her- her fear of collars, leashes and plastic crates. She was very accepting of touch today at the vet’s office and had no qualms about being there. Kudos to Raina Claire for her bravery!

Updates, holiday happiness and great people

We want to take a moment during this busy holiday season to thank the people who actively support our efforts to help, rehabilitate and change the lives of the dogs who cross our path. This month we were faced with a dog who needed our help but financially was a bigger challenge then we had resources to cover. As in the past, you all pulled together and made it possible for us to say ….. Please welcome Raina Claire! She is a beautiful white poodle mix. She was found by our local Dog Control in Lafargeville New York. Apparently she fell victim to some teenagers who decided that it would be fun to go fishing for a dog. After hooking her with fishhooks and wrapping her in nylon fishing line, they left her hogtied and unable to fend for herself against the freezing temperatures and other hazards. After spending two days in the vet’s office where she was sedated, dehooked and unwound, she started her long road to recovery. The fishing line cut deep into her and left one of her legs badly injured. Although she occasionally will place weight on the foot, she walks for the most part on three legs. She came to us deathly afraid of a collar and leash. She is making progress and does okay with a collar and leash on as long as there is no pressure on either. She now allows us to reach around and over her head without panicking. We will continue to work with her to ease her fears and help her adjust to being a normal dog again. She has a vet visit at the Animal Doctors on Tuesday December 29th. We are hoping for great news on her leg.

Forest continues to make substantial progress on his journey. He continues to be able to walk off leash and recall nicely. With the introduction of snow and ice, he has had some regression on his fears and his ability to trust (he was on the run this time last year and we suspect the snow and ice have triggered some memories of past issues with snow and ice… ) We have had made some progress with him by taking our off leash walk first and then attaching a leash for our fetch session. This has given him a positive association with the leash and he will know willingly approach to be leashed because he knows the fun starts right after the leash goes on. This makes it easier to bring him back into the yard when playtime is over. No more Forest temper tantrums and watching him throw himself on the ground. Because his behavior has improved it gives him more time to play in the woods and snow…which is the highlight of his day!

Maiya continues to wait for a new home. She has been visiting an apartment in the City and spending time with her German Shepherd friend, Kaiser. This has given her exposure to city life as well as an introduction to dog parks. She does well both in the country and in the city. Her main focus in life is being with people. Her recall continues to be good which enables her to be able to enjoy off leash excursions and runs with the four wheeler. This is a beautiful dog, who really deserves a home of her own.

Grace found a wonderful home last week. She holds the record for the shortest stay of any dog that has ever come through TFDC. However that is not surprising as her only crime was acting like a puppy. Being ten months old, being a puppy was her entitlement. She will continue to work on her manners and we are confident she will grow into a great companion for her new family.

 

Crisp air, changing weather and lots of dogs ready to play!

Leroy waits patiently by the back door. Kong between his feet, tongue sticking partway out of his closed mouth, eyes focused and intent, waiting for a person to step towards the door, any hint that it is play time. Once out the door he is transformed from border collie to gazelle. His body gracefully flows through the air. Watching him lifts our spirits and makes us laugh. Happy go lucky, always ready, intense and loving life. He has no idea that he doesn’t have a home or a family, no idea that he is in transition and that he is yet another dog whose future is uncertain. He has no idea that he isn’t perfect, no idea he is unwanted, and no idea that the economy has drastically affected his chances of finding a home.

Ripley and Riley, two brothers, probably daschund pug mixes born into this world and shuffled through three shelters before they were six months old. Two puppies with distinct personalities. Two puppies filled to the top with love to give. Two puppies who should be nestled in people’s arms or snuggled in front of a fireplace in a place called home. Ripley, who just wants a human to love and hold him. Riley, who wants someone to walk, play and have cool adventures with. Two puppies who cheated death once but have yet to find a home that will offer them the stability and love that a family has to offer.

Casey, a Black Mouth Cur mix, the  almost perfect dog. Casey who enjoys short walks, time snuggling on the couch, sleeping under the desk and hanging out with people she loves. Low maintenance, low energy and happy to be warm and safe. She would be in heaven riding around in a car or truck all day, copiloting, and lending an ear. Yet despite all her qualities, despite all her goodness, despite everything she has to offer, she was abandoned and has not been able to find a family that loves her and is willing to care for her. Casey has a heart of gold and would love to find someone that wants to be a part of that.

Maiya, a Doberman mix who is still young and in need of boundaries. She is well behaved, attentive, smart and willing to learn. She loves certain dogs and has no patience for others. She will play with her friends for hours, chasing, running, bowing, ducking, evading and hiding. She makes us laugh with her antics and games. Maiya is calm and is used to being in a calm environment. She does not like to be yelled at, have choke chains on her or to be abused, nor does she deserve that type of home. She is not looking for the perfect home, just a home where there will be boundaries, patience, teaching and love so she can continue to grow and reach her full potential.

Forest, the Outlaw Feral German Shepherd, on the run from the law for over 100 days, nearly dead from starvation and Lyme disease. Unable to walk, climb stairs or balance now able to run and play but left with an intense fear of humans. Forest has a heart filled with love, desires to be around his people but needs patience and love to overcome his past. He is only available to people with extensive backgrounds in positive reinforcement and experience with clicker training. He is time consuming, demanding and worth every minute of every day that is spent with him.

 

If you know of someone looking for a dog, please try to help these dogs find homes of their own. This is a safe place, a loving place but this is only a transition for them. They need families of their own who can nurture and love them for who they are. Families that want a dog, love dogs and know that dogs will be dogs. Please help these dogs find their families!

Ripley and Riley ready for their new homes

Ripley and Riley are now actively seeking homes where they will be loved and cherished forever! Riley is adventurous, quick to learn and has been through a shaping class. He is has a number of cues under his belt. He is crate trained, housetrained and is good with dogs and cats. Ripley is a few pounds smaller than Riley and loves to sit in laps and cuddle. He is sweet, loving and quite the charmer. He is just getting started on his cues and knows his sit and down. Both are neutered, microchipped and up to date on rabies, distemper and parvo vaccinations. Riley weighs 19 lbs and Ripley 14lbs. These pups are about six months old and searching for somone who will love and care for them. They can go together or separately.

Reese goes home!

Reese found a new home this weekend! She seemed perfectly content to ride home with her new people! We are very excited for her!

Maiya loves her training sessions!

Maiya loves to head down to her training sessions. She is eager to work, learn and play. She worked on a variety of cues today, had some fun playing with the rope toys and then settled down for a nice long nap! Now to find a person that loves to train!

 

 

Casey seeks her forever home

Casey is still looking for the perfect place to call home. She is a low maintenance dog who enjoys quiet time watching tv, short walks, sitting by her people and spending time curled up on a nice pillow. She is great home alone all day and is well behaved. She has been to the workshop at JRC, Wehle park and the Calcium trail. She loves riding in the car. She is looking for a quiet home with a loving individual or couple. She is great with kids but doesn’t want to be climbed on or roughhoused with. She needs a cat free house. 

Leroy enjoys his playtime especially if it involves water

Leroy enjoys a swim on the Calcium trail. He loves playing in water, chasing kongs and playing endless games of fetch. Leroy will initiate hugs but does not like to be cuddled or coddled. He lives to play and fetch. He settles down nicely and is crate trained. Leroy knows sit and down. He is started on clicker training and will work in exchange for play time with his kong. This sweet dog is looking for a home where he can be himself. This boy is both devoted and independent. He would prefer someone who enjoys spending time with him without smothering him. He walks well on a leash but much prefers his exercise with a game of fetch! When he is tired he will lie down and chew on his kong. This boy is fun, playful and provides a lot of laughter and joy.

Ripley and Riley visit the Bon Ton

Ripley and Riley spent two hours at the Bon Ton last week, selling community day booklets to help cover the cost of their neuter. Although sales of the booklets were slow, both dogs nonetheless had fun meeting, greeting and exploring the new surroundings!

Ripley and Riley narrowly escape euthanasia

 

Ripley and Riley missed their death row appointment by a few hours. Tragically, there are so many good dogs that don’t have such luck. We are rejoicing though because these two brothers are full of life and joy. They provide hours of comic relief with their puppy antics. They are scheduled for neuters on 10/26/2009. Ripley is the smaller of the two daschund mixes. He loves to cuddle and sit on his person’s lap. He prefers people to other dogs but will take off for a good play session. Riley is more adventurous and spends his time equally between people and dogs. Both puppies are started on clicker training. Riley is working on sit, over, under, through (tunnel), dance and walking the balance beam. He is in the basic obedience class. Ripley knows his sit and will start his other training shortly. Ripley and Riley will not be posted for adoption until after their surgery but they are actively interviewing for their new family. Both dogs have visited the workshop at JRC and did well. Both dogs are shy at first but do warm up.

Forest after a long day of fun

Forest enjoys his time with other dogs whether it is playing or sleeping. He is very social with the other dogs and people he knows. He is slow to warm to strangers and has difficulty adjusting to new people. 

Sir Forest settles down for a quiet evening

Forest has made amazing strides in his rehabilitation. His muscles continue to grow stronger and he continues to gain weight. He loves playing Kong, going for runs and snuggling on the couch. He has grown increasingly wary of strangers and prefers to be around people he knows. We are no longer allowing adoption visits for Forest without an interview prior and a home visit to ensure he is going to the right placement. 

A Sermon Written for St Francis Day

As you walk down the aisles of animal shelters across the nation, it is hard to remember that everything happens for a reason. That everything and everyone has a purpose. Cage upon cage filled with sad, questioning eyes. Pets wondering where their families went, scared by the unfamiliar sights, smells and sounds , longing for someone to love and cherish them.

Rows upon rows of discarded pets, lost pets, pets who have lived their whold lives being abused or neglected yet willing to give unconditional love. I was reading an article the other day which calculated the number of dogs in the United States and the number of households. If every dog were given a home, each home would have 24 dogs in it. Looking at the big picture it seems like an impossible situation. It seem easier to walk away than to invest yourself emotionally and have your heart broken as you walk out of the shelter knowing those animals will die without the comfort of a loving family.

Taking the easy way out, is not always the most rewarding. Every one of us has a calling, a purpose for our lives. That calling can stay the same throughout our lives or it can change depending on our circumstances and the paths our lives take.

Our calling changed ever so gradually starting with one single day. That calling now encompasses our life. This one day started with the decision that our son’s dog had become older and could no longer endure the long walks, runs and playtime that a 10 year old boy requires. We decided that his golden retriever Roxy would become a family dog. She had earned the right to sun herself, play in streams and not have to chase butterflies and frogs hour after hour. That decision led us to the County dog pound in search of a dog with endless energy. This day changed our lives, our path and our calling. Our eyes were opened, our hearts saddened and our brains demanded that we take action. Any action, as long as it meant something was being done to help these dogs.

Healthy young abandoned, sad hopeful dogs peered out from inside wire kennels with concrete floors. Dogs who either found a home or they would be euthanized. One at a time we began pulling dogs, working through any issues they had, attending to their medical needs, spaying, neutering and microchipping them all in an effort to prepare them for a new home. Once outside of the confines of their cages, these dogs personalities blossomed, they gave love, received love, they learned manners and best of all they found families who would love and cherish them.

After trying traditional training methods, we opted to head down the road of positive reinforcement. We were introduced to clicker training, which seemed really funny to use a child’s toy to train dogs. The results we saw, changed our minds and training methods permanently. With clicker training we could train these once discarded dogs to be useful members of society. They could learn to turn lights on, close doors, retrieve items, pick up toys and laundry all using positive reinforcement.

While rescuing dogs was very rewarding, we found the lessons we learned through the dogs to be even more rewarding. Each dog we rescued taught us valuable life lessons.

· Jack the yellow lab who couldn’t be adopted out to any house with a man in it learned over time to trust men and in turn he found a great home. His fear of one man had be generalized over time to include all men. He taught us that sometimes our own fears become generalized and that with love and patience we can all learn to trust again.

· Minnie, the white german shepherd with ears way too big for her head spent three hours outside our house the first night in below zero temperatures. Her fear of new surroundings and new people made her choose to endure conditions that weren’t comfortable. Patience and love brought her inside, but her ability to unconditionally love and accept gave her a new home. How many of us endure conditions that aren’t right for us because of our own fears?

· Eric, the Shepherd, Rottweiler mix was on the table twice to be euthanized but each time the staff member couldn’t follow through. Eric didn’t know that he was big and that his teeth that had once been small and puppy like had grown. He was never taught manners or to keep his teeth off of people’s skin. He learned that manners, a closed mouth and sitting quietly in front of a ten year old with a plate of cake payed well in crumbs and frosting. Good things come to those who wait.

· Bella the plot hound lay quietly in a room for two months. She had to be woken up to eat and use the bathroom. She had lost all interest in life and was apathetic and unresponsive. No amount of play, affection, attention or love seemed to reach her. Or so we thought. Weeks went by, a month turned into two months and then at 2am one morning hope and life returned to Bella in the form of one loud, straight from the belly howl. We got up and there sitting on the couch was one dog ready to live again. Now at 2am we were ready to be sleeping again, so we turned on the cartoon channel and Bella sat happy and content to watch cartoons until late the next morning. Today she is loved and cherished by a family with two children and yes she still loves her cartoons!

· It is easy to blame the county pound, its workers and the fact that it is a kill facility However, we all have jobs to do, and sometimes the job requirements conflict with our hearts desires. The people who work at the county pound love and cherish these dogs. Unfortunately, they sometimes are forced to end the very lives of the dogs they love and cherish. Their compassion was more than evident with Sir Forest The Duke of Hycliff. Forest was a young german shepherd who was abandoned in the Hycliff housing. Forest was chased off of porches, out of garbage bags and was unwelcome anywhere he went. He developed a fear of humans which made all efforts to catch him unsuccessful. After 100 days on the run in the dead of winter, Forest could no longer walk, he lost all his muscle tone and he cried whenever he moved his head. Dog control nursed him for over sixty days. The employees spent their own time and money to try and help him. Realizing his rehabilitation would take longer than time would allow, they called and asked us to consider taking Forest. He came to us able to walk three steps before falling down, his back legs were bloody from dragging them behind him and he still cried when he moved his head. After receiving a diagnosis of lyme disease and the appropriate medication, Forest began the long road to recovery. He took an interest in chasing a dog toy called a Kong. After months of love, good food and plenty of time chasing his kong, Forest could walk, move his head without crying and express affection towards people. He still walks with a sway in his back end, falls down occasionally and is afraid of new people but he has taught us that nothing is impossible to overcome with love, determination and support.

· Yesterday, Roxy was buried. Roxy inadvertently led us to the path that would be our calling. She gave us so much more than we could ever give her. She taught us grace when she accepted a new puppy playing with her boy. She showed us tolerance when the new dog bumped and bounced off of her. Roxy showed us unconditional tail wagging love even when she was tired and sick. We buried a friend yesterday but the lessons she taught will forever be part of our lives.

· Our calling is to rescue dogs, one paw at a time but those dogs in turn have taught us, reminded us and counseled us on being human, loving those around us, having compassion, patience and grace even when we don’t feel like it. It is those qualities that make life worth living and make the world the kind of place that we all want to live in. Everyone has a purpose and a calling, it is each person’s decision to have the courage and faith to decide to pursue it.

 

Alyson Rice

Basic Foundation Class

Basic Foundation Class  - starts 09/23/2009

This class introduces basic foundation behaviors that

teach the dog to pay attention to the handler, exhibit

self control, as well as offer behavior and respond to

cues. Handlers learn the mechanics of the clicker,

cueing techniques, and how to replace correction with

reinforcement. This is a five week course with the

first week being handler only. Cost is $100. Class size

is limited to four students.

Isaac Newton finds a home in the heart of two wonderful people!

Isaac’s search for a new home ended today when his prospective adoptive parents decided he was the perfect dog for them! He has two wonderful, loving people, a cat and a lifetime of happiness in front of him! It always continues to amaze us how such great people find their way here and weave themselves into the hearts of the dogs we love and care for so deeply! Isaac is starting his new life with a new name… Remy! We even got our first update tonight! Remy too, has found the home that fits him just right! It is another great day here at TFDC!

Visitors to TFDC!

We wanted to take the time to thank Shannon for giving up her day off and coming over to get Isaac Newton ready for his new home! Very much appreciated! And we had the added bonus of being able to meet her son Sawyer! Thanks so much for volunteering your time!

The dogs appreciated the gifts Stephen brought today! It is not often they have visitors bearing gifts!

And on the same note…. Zachary spoiled the dogs rotten last week by stopping at Barker’s Dozen before picking up Emmett. Eclairs, cupcakes, brownies and bisquits galore… many hugs to you and Emmett!

Kritter Kronicles also sent a donation from Pawsfest which helped to sponsor Isaac Newton! Thanks Stephen and Jean… your time and effort were very much appreciated!

And all of the others that make the day to day operations here so much easier… Michelle, Molly, Liz, Janet, Roger and Shane… to name a few!

News from our little church buddy – Felix aka Harry

Felix had a busy day today…getting his teeth cleaned and having his fatty tumor removed! He pulled through like a champ! He has a new name to go with his new look… Harry!  Harry attends morning worship, goes everywhere with Anne and Jerry, and has been entertaining everyone he comes in contact with! He loves to race around his new home chasing after a ball or just putting smiles and laughter in everyone’s heart! He is one little guy with one huge purpose in life! We are happy we were part of that purpose! You go Harry!

Rusty gets a second chance and a home dogs dream about!

Rusty went home last week to the fairy tale home dogs dream about! He is the apple of Zachary’s eye and could not be more loved and cherished! He has a lab that lives nearby to play with, takes many walks, hikes and has a lot of play time! Zachary sends frequent updates and keeps us laughing. Rusty’s new name is Emmett. He made the transition smoothly and effortlessly! We couldn’t have asked for a better forever home for Emmett!

 

Our newest arrivals… a little on the sweet, a little on adventurous, a little on the playful and each needing a home of their own to love and cherish them!

Casey is a sweet and lovable Mountain Cur mix. She is approximately 6-7 years old and very docile. She would do well in a quiet home. She would love to spend time with a human doing inside activities. She enjoys short walks and being around people. She does well with other dogs but does not enjoy rough housing or playing with other dogs. She does not like cats. She would be a great RV dog or for an older person who would prefer a quieter more refined dog. She has a great personality. She is housebroken, crate trained and has been left alone in the house with no incidents. She weighs 41 lbs.

 

 

Sasha is an Australian Cattle dog mix. She is a bundle of energy, very adventurous and a quick learner. This dog is very agile and would make a great agility dog, trick dog or Frisbee dog. She is smart, playful and picks up new cues easily. She needs an active person who has the time and energy to continue her training so she can reach her true potential. Sasha plays well with other dogs who play nice with her.  She has a strong, confident personality and does not allow herself to be pushed around or bullied. Sasha is housebroken, crate trained and has been left alone in the house with no incident. She does need to have toys to interact with to occupy her mind and energy while you are away. She is good with cats. Sasha weighs 28 lbs.

 

Isaac Newton is shepherd mix. He is a tall slim young man. He enjoys playing with his ball and chasing Kongs. He is very fast and very playful. He is an extremely intelligent dog who responds well to positive interactions. He appears to have had a rough start in life and can be unsure and untrusting of people he first meets. However, once he establishes a bond he lets his guard down and becomes best friends. This is one awesome dog for the right person. He is loving and kind and enjoys his people time. Isaac would do well in a chaos free home where he has a good mix of quiet time, active ball playing time and time to interact with his person. Isaac is working on his crate training. He is housebroken and good alone in the house. He gets along well with other dogs and shows little interest in the cats. Isaac weighs 60 lbs.

Want cool, calm and collected dogs?…. try clicker training!

It is amazing what a few minutes of clicker training does to create calm, cool, collected and peaceful dogs! The picture speaks for itself! No begging, no stealing, just happy peaceful pups! And yes there are five of them… waiting patiently!

Felix finds his calling in life!

Felix spent his first day in his new home and got right to work! He oversaw a wedding rehearsal sitting in the Bishop’s chair with his blanket! This awesome dog is going to bring a lot of sunshine to his new congregation! Another outstanding home! Sorry no pics from the chair… the humans were a little busy.

Dodger checks in!

Alicia sent word from Dodger today! He is happy and very much enjoying life! Seems like luck finally found Dodger and gave him the home he was looking for! He is very loved and very wanted now and that makes us very happy!

 

Sir Forest the Duke of Hycliff is searching for a fairy tale home!

Sir Forest the Duke of Hycliff was on the run for over 100 days. He foraged out of garbage cans, eluded capture and even managed to cause someone to fall into the river during that time. This boy is the stuff legends were made out of. Forest is almost two years old and has lived most of his life feral. In his younger days he was fast, agile and extremely cunning. The culprit that took this bad boy down and eventually led to his capture was smaller than a dime. Forest was bit by a tick somewhere along the way setting in motion a disease that for dogs is easy to diagnose, easy to cure but deadly if left untreated. Over time Forest lost his muscle tone, his ability to walk and run and became one very sick dog. Jefferson County Dog Control located him in an abandoned barn and brought him into their facility. No one quite understood how Forest could go from a high energy sprinter to almost paralyzed. Lack of quality food, frigid temperatures and possible hip dysplasia seemed to be the answer. Weighing in at approximately 50 lbs, Forest was gaining weight and health slowly. Having exhausted all of their resources, Forest came to TFDC to finish his rehabilitation.

A visit to Animal Doctors and a routine Lyme/Heartworm test revealed a hidden secret. Forest had Lyme disease and it was taking a huge toll on him. Dr. Nina Harff prescribed medication and within a few days, Forest was acting like a young pup again. He continued his treatment for thirty days and made huge gains in strength and mobility. He continued to gain weight and was healthy enough to undergo his neuter operation last week. Forest weighs in at 80 lbs and has another twenty or so to gain. He is diagnosed with hip dysplasia and will need continued medical care to stay on top of this issue.

Forest takes a while to warm up to a new person but when he establishes a trust and bond with a human it is deep and lasting. He loves being around his people, playing chase with his Kong and going for walks. He is great off leash (with a trusted human) and reliably recalls. He is intensely curious and wants to have his nose in and on everything. This dog has an effervescent personality and will bring a ton of love, hope and happiness into someone’s life. He is good with cats, although given the opportunity loves to instigate trouble and then make it appear like he is minding his own business.

He is very particular with what dogs he likes and does not like. He does not appear to like unneutered male dogs.

Forest has a very good sense of right and wrong and works hard to police any injustice in his environment. Because of this he needs to be in a household that has experience with dogs and positive based training methods. He has no food or toy possessiveness but will resource guard people that he has bonded with. He is easily redirected but would need someone willing to pay attention to the signs and signals present.

We do not recommend Forest to any family with children as Forest will need one on one attention to help him overcome the issues that come along with feral dogs as well as his medical and social needs. He needs a human who is laced with patience, love, understanding, discipline and time. He will require a person with the financial resources to be able to afford his medical care, a person who is willing to put time into continuing his rehabilitation and training, and someone willing to love him for who he is.   

 

 

Felix and Peanut visit the bank!

Felix and Peanut visited the bank today while we finalized the loan. Peanut pranced around with Beth as if she had been there her whole life! Felix was the serious one and sat quietly to help make sure the loan was processed accordingly. Then it was off to Animal Doctors to check the microchip. Everything  is in working order!

Felix leaves for his new home!

  Anne and Jerry came out today and took Felix home! They left here to go to A Barker’s Dozen to outfit Felix with a new harness and other essentials! We are very excited for Felix, Anne and Jerry! We cannot wait to hear about the all the adventures! This match had a little divine intervention… of that we are sure!

How could we forget to post Relay for Life?

Rusty and Felix attended Relay for life last Friday night! Rusty was right at home soaking up all the attention and being an absolute angel! Felix was content to sit on laps and play the role of lap warmer. These dogs are perfect examples of how clicker training improves relationships, calms dogs and gives them the confidence to enter different situations and behave accordingly.

Rusty, Peanut and Felix stay current on their immunizations

Shannon donated her time today to update Rusty, Peanut and Felix on their distemper/parvo shots. Felix braved the big needle for his microchipping and all without protest. This was followed by heartworm preventative and advantix for all. Thanks to Shannon for coming out on such short notice! Rusty has his neuter next week and will be microchipped at that time. Peanut has completed all of her medical and is waiting for a loving family to find her! Felix will be spending the day with us tomorrow running errands and then will be going to his new home. He will be missed but we couldn’t ask for a better, more loving place for him to go!

Rusty takes a long walk with his new person!

Rusty spent the morning with his new person! After a peaceful walk through the woods and pastures and a short training session, Rusty decided it was nap time! Zachary, his new person, will be picking him up after all his medical is completed in July. Rusty’s run of bad luck has just turned into a four leaf clover! This is one deserving dog!

Felix and Peanut do the Maze!

Felix and Peanut attended the 2nd Yappy hour. This one was held  at Mazeland in Alexandria Bay! Peanut had a blast working her way through the maze while Felix gave up about halfway through and opted to be carried. Both had a great time socializing with the other dogs and eating the extra hot dogs and hamburgers afterward!

Felix meets his new family

Felix had a chance to meet with his new family today! It was obvious that Felix approved of Jerry and Anne! We had a great visit and Felix made himself right at home snuggled up to Jerry! As soon as Felix’s medical is complete he will be moving on to his new family! We are very excited for him!

Felix, Peanut and Rusty go to Pawfest!

Felix, Peanut and Rusty were on their best behavior today showing off their manners, intelligence and irresistibility! Rusty and Peanut did two clicker demonstrations and despite having only having a few ten minute training sessions under their belt both performed like superstars. Rusty and Felix found potential adopters! We will be following up this week to see how that works out. Overall an outstanding day with a ton of great dog people! Yippee for dog friendly events!

Please welcome our newest arrivals! Felix, Sophie and Rusty

Felix is quite the snuggly old man. He is a fox terrier mix. His age is unknown but is estimated to be around 7 or 8. He is looking for a chaos free home. He would like someone who has an available lap to cuddle on. He would be content to snuggle someone while they read a book, watch TV or simply sitting outside watching the world. Although he does fine alone in the house or in his crate, he prefers to have companionship. He likes to have his stuffed Kong or bone to chew on. Felix does fine with cats. He does well with other dogs but does try to police their activities. He gets cold easily and enjoys snuggling in blankets with a person. A home without small children is preferred. Felix is housetrained and neutered. He is almost ready for a new home and is awaiting a microchip. Felix is sponsored by Beth Augustus.

 

Sophie aka Peanut is a daschund, basset hound, jack russell type mix. She is believed to be a year old. She is spayed, micro chipped and almost ready for a new home. She has a vet appointment on Friday the 12th of June. She is a sweet and loving dog. She is wary around strangers. She loves to play and can play rough. She is not recommended for a home with small children. Sophie is a victim of animal cruelty and needs a home that is understanding of that. She gets along with both dogs and cats.  Sophie likes to chase toys, interact with people she knows and snuggle. She is very generous with kisses once she gets to know you. Sophie needs to be introduced to new people and situations gradually so she can regain her trust of people and unfamiliar situations. Sophie is housetrained and crate trained. Sophie is sponsored by Molly Outwater.

Rusty aka the Moose Krosky lost his home due to violent crime. He is a mellow, loving dog who enjoys being around people and other dogs. He is good with cats. He has spent the last six months in a kennel so he is adjusting to being in a home again. Rusty is possibly a lab/Chesapeake/ something mix. Rusty appears to be good with kids. He has a vet appointment on Friday, the 12th of June. He will be ready to go after he is neutered and micro chipped. Rusty is sponsored by Colleen O’Neill.