Dog Park fun

So I am a little behind but sometimes that is a good sign....being busy is good!

We recently got a new dog park.  One closer than the others in town and this one is also different in that it has a separate area for smaller dogs and a dog dock area.  I have always been leary of areas that just anyone can bring a dog and turn them loose.  Having had dominent dogs that didn't play well with others in the past, my main concern was people that don't understand pack behavior, bringing such dogs to a public area.  

I took my guys one at a time to get a feel of it.  Justin had a ball.  Of course his whole ambition is to run.....chase, be chased, he wasn't picky.  A couple of dominent dogs did hover over him one Sunday afternoon and I took him out but overall it was a great experience.  He actually went in the lake, from the ramp (he isn't ready for dock diving).  You don't go to the dog park to stay clean but the fun was.  He made some buddies.  When I took him back on a week night it was a better crowd and he spotted a couple of dogs he played with the week before.  

Ridge was a little different....he loves to run too but his game was run in on groups and see if he could herd them.  Of course they just ignored him!  Ridge wasn't as impressed with the water though it was a good place to cool off and get a drink.  When I take the two together they have a ball.  They have totally different interests in how to have fun and keep me busy keeping an eye on them but they do have fun.  Sometimes they come together and go on a roll over wrestling match.

With three separate areas this park is a nice design.  There are walking areas, benches to relax, a foot controlled fountain and a foot controlled hose to rince dogs off once they have gotten in the lake or muddy.  I really need to take Eddie and see how it goes in the smaller dog section. This one also has a bathroom for humans which is a plus.

Of course there are always drawbacks.  I have met some nice people and their dogs but there will always be the people that need to find their brains.  The ones that sit on the bench on the hill while their dog is charging at everyone that comes in the gate...the ones that bring small fragile dogs into the large dog area unaware that some large running dogs can do some damage when colliding with the little ones, the ones that won't clean up after their dogs (even though there are bags and garbage cans provided).

With the bad weather on the way and shorter days I am trying to get the boys there at least a couple days a week.  Thankfully I have crates to put my nasty dogs in afterwards......but they sure do seem to enjoy the outing!  If you have a dog park near you...go check it out dogless so you can see how people and dogs are reacting to each other.  Then have some fun.

trials and tribulations of rescue (sorry, a bit long)

I am jumping off my "puppy" posts this week to speak a little on rescuing pets.  I have done my share of rescuing over the years and sometimes though rewarding, there can be downsides.  I have had the fortune to have mostly success with one "not-so-great" turn out but rescuing can be quite rewarding and often overrides any heart break.  I have some friends who still do a lot of rescue work and God Bless them, people are not fun animals and sometimes do the wrong thing.


One friend this week spent a lot of time and effort on her foster (had the dog for a couple of months in her care), only to have him returned after four days in a new home.  Makes you wonder what people are thinking when they jump through the hoops, fill out pages of questioners, endure interviews and home inspections to give up on a dog so quickly.  It is very frustrating to know that the dog will be bounced around again.  It is a shame people don't put more thought into making that decision to take a pet on.


However my biggest complaint is with the "holier than thou" rescuers.......the ones who seem to be in it for the credit......a couple of examples...several years ago there was a large puppy mill bust up north.  Breed rescue was overwhelmed with a very large number of dogs to care for.  Some dogs had to be euthanized for either health or lack of socialization issues but the number of dogs needing care was larger than the number of foster homes.  But there is also the financial burden. A group of breeders in the area knew they couldn't help with fostering but offered financial help and donations of food, bowls, blankets, etc......the rescue group REFUSED THIS HELP....they claimed the breeders were part of the problem.  For the record....legit breeders are far from contributing to the problem!


Another example is when a dog from a well known kennel turned up in a shelter.....the breeder (while Im sure cussing out her buyer for not contacting her first), took full responsibility for the dog...it was her breeding and it was the right thing to do....so what happened next?  She was bad mouthed all over the internet because her dogs (though only one incident) were turning up in shelters!!!


One thing that really bothers me however is when the person rescuing a dog off the street assumes it was in a bad home.  Most dogs found scared and running around like maniacs are not "street wise" which means they probably were protected from such things.  Not to say that all animals running around lost were in good homes, but effort should ALWAYS and I repeat ALWAYS be made to find out first before keeping or placing the dog. Even if the dog appears to have been on its own for awhile, they can end up a long ways from home.....someone somewhere may still be looking for it! Not everyone is educated in ways to get lost pets back.


 A friend of mine got a bitch back from a woman out of state and obviously lacked some socialization.  She somehow escaped my friend's property once back about a week and the search was on!  Thanks to an ad in the paper calls were made when there were sightings and after being on her own (and in some scary places like the interstate) for weeks, the bitch was safely back home...... some "holier than thou" person could have caught her and seeing her after some time on her own, would have never made an effort to find her rightful owner based on a "judgement" that the dog wasn't cared for.


Another example is when a grooming client had a dog get away from them.  They hadn't had him long. They put the word out with pictures and a couple of months later the dog turned up in a grooming shop in shabby shape...the groomer recognized him from the poster in the shop and he was returned home.


These are just a couple of examples of things not appearing as they seem....don't just assume an unkept dog is lost from "irresponsible" owners.  A child can leave a door or gate open, there could be a spot in the fence you weren't aware was needing repair....the list goes on!

Thanks for letting me vent and if you rescue....God Bless you again!  I know how tough it can be!!!


Some pointers:  


microchip, my dogs don't wear collars and tags......the chip identifies them as mine!
if your pet is missing, take an advantage of most newspapers running lost and found ads at no charge....
contact vets, groomers, shelters in your area as quickly as possible.  The more people aware your pet is missing the better the odds of getting them back.

First Competition Outing

At 7 1/2 months Justin is too young to compete, but I thought he would benefit from attending the TVKC Agility trials held this weekend at Roane State.

At first being a puppy he was quite apprehensive, but within minutes Justin rocked the place. He learned quickly that dog people have cookies, and rather tasty ones! He wasn't so sure about the dirt floor at first but quickly realized that dirt was fine to walk on! We went shopping. Bought a new tug toy with a tennis ball attached and a new leash that matches my red boys coat. All and all I watched him blossom from a timid puppy to a confident outgoing pup that was having a ball. He could hardly contain himself. Self control is in our future lessons....he wiggled and twisted and about came out of his skin! What fun to watch him!

On the way home we stopped at a high school group's car wash. Justin met a special little girl with medical issues named Clair....he was afraid of her at first as in her excitement she would scream....but soon they were friends. We also stopped at a neighbors on the way home where he got to play with Shine, a two yr old Aussie that loves puppies!

A very big day for the boy! and hopefully just the beginning of many more!

Pack friendly

Throughout the years I have had Aussies and most have been somewhat dog aggressive or labeled "don't play well with others." I had adjusted to such and was able to compete with these dogs but as far as turning them loose in a yard with others, it was not going to happen. Sharing a yard with the friend I rent from we always had to coordinate yard time as she had Malamutes with the same problem.

Now that we both have dogs in our respective breeds that aren't so dominent we have been entertained by the group. A young Doberman, two Malamutes, my two Aussies, and occasionally we throw the chihuahua into the mix. I am pretty easily amused and getting to see my Aussies play in a group and not start fights is a wonderful thing.

We still supervise as it is always a good idea. Occasionally there is a gang up and we want to avoid trouble so we do still monitor activity but they sure do have a good time and we have a good time watching them. Watching a 7 lb chihuahua tell the 85 lb Dobe he can't have his toy, or the speed demon Aussie outrunning everyone, to the pudgy Aussie pup do his best to keep up......its all good (and free) entertainment. We hope to add some friends dogs to the mix for our own little "controlled" dog park!

If they weren't running so fast I would take some video....but in the mean time.....enjoy your pooches and laugh every day!!!!

The Fuzzy Red Puppy

I have had several Australian Shepherds over the years and some I bred myself but I have never owned a Red Merle....when visiting my breeder/friend Cheryl in Ohio she usually has a litter for me to play with so I can get my puppy fix. Most of my Aussies were getting old so a couple of years ago I took on Ridge, a red tri boy. I figured this would be my last Aussie for awhile. Im getting older and had one chihuahua and was inquiring about a show chihuahua to add to the family.

My oldest dog at the time was Rondee who had already lived two years longer than expected with serious liver problems. I also had Ikkus, my 20+ pound mix that stole my heart 10 years ago as a puppy. We found him almost starved to death and he fit right in. I lost Rondee right before Labor Day but then unexpectedly Ikkus had a bad mast cell tumor so unfortunately I lost him right after Christmas.

So my friend Cheryl started plotting....Jen needed a new puppy. First we discussed a loaner...where I take one of her youngsters and get them out some for her....then she was trying to decide who to send me...one she wanted back or one that I may fall in love with and keep! It just so happened that a client of the vet clinic I work at was going to Ohio to pick up a rescue dog. She was going to be a couple hours from Cheryl and the rescue was an owner surrender so he hadn't been in the shelter....a safe riding partner for the new fuzzball. It seemed it was meant to be!

When he got out of the car his butt wiggled so fast I thought he might take flight. He was a fuzzy little chunky monkey and about as cute as they come. If you have never seen an Aussie puppy at about three months of age then you are missing out! He was a little smaller than Ridge was at that age....Ridge was tall and leggy and this guy was more like a little quarter horse....I pottied the guy and visited a bit with the woman who brought him to me then loaded him up for the final 10 minute car ride home.

While driving home I not only decided I would definitely keep him, but named him...he really filled a void left by Rondee and Ikkus and losing Ikkus had been a lot tougher than expected so this little red merle fuzzball was just the right medicine. I told Cheryl to go ahead and name him "Keepsake Just What the DR Ordered" AKA "Justin"....

He has been here a couple of months now, he is all puppy but sweet too. He has made himself right at home with Ridge and Eddie and now we just wait for news on the chihuahua puppy and our pack will be complete! Puppy antics to come!!!!!