Adopting a puppy

I wrote this about the time the last puppy was adopted. I evidently didn't post it because I was afraid of insulting someone. Well, as it turned out, it was a bit prophetic.

The adoption process was one of the most painful things I have ever done. I know the rescue was ready to shoot me because I was so difficult. 

I wanted these puppies to go to homes that were right for them and to people who appreciated the start they had and wanted to build on it. I also wanted this to be an educational process for the people that adopted them. I think that people adopting puppies absolutely need to know that the are making a major commitment to what kind of dog that puppy grows into. The 1st year of life can make or break a dog. As Ian Dunbar says, all shelter dogs are once perfectly normal puppies. 

Raising a puppy is not something that can be done by leaving  puppy alone 8-10 hours a day or leaving it alone with another puppy all day to raise themselves. I realize that rescues have a to look at the larger picture of a great many dogs and puppies to rehome. I see this as a long term issue, though. How do we make  difference so that maybe someday, we don't have unwanted dogs/puppies. 

I think it comes from an educated populace. When someone is adopting a puppy, you have a captive audience. Rescues practically give puppies away for free – when you consider the cost of spay/neuter which is usually included in the cost of the puppy, They are almost paying people to take the puppies. What better time to help people learn about the responsibilities of raising a well socialized, happy puppy? One that is well integrated into the life of the family. 

September 19, 2013 - Puppies at One Year

 I heard from all but one of the families that adopted Gidget's puppies on their 1st birthday. They are all doing fabulously. Oliver (nee Gael, then Gus) is finally in just he right home. He had a bit of a rough start and developed some bad habits but seems to have worked through them very well in his new home.  Here are some pictures of them on their birthday.

Here's Oliver.

Oliver

Gael who became Guy and is now Oliver.

Peeta who grew up to be Paco

Paco

Haymitch who is now Gus

Gus

Ruby all grown up

Katniss - Now Ruby

 And this is our sweet Prim
who has retained her birth name. 

Prim

Puppy update

I heard from Haymitch/Gus' dad today. He sent some cute photos and I thought I'd share them. What a cutie. He's still a little fellow. Prim (the puppy we kept) is almost 2 times his size:-) He sure is the cutest thing going!

Gidget has a forever home!!!

Look at that happy face!!! Gidget has found her family and I am thrilled!!! What a great life she is going to have. Here she is below making herself right at home in her new house and below that, she meets her new "cousin" - or is it her "uncle", as it's her new mom's parents' dog??? Hmmm, I never was very good with relationships:-)

What a happy ending for this wonderful little lady.

All clean and pretty

I bathed Gidget this afternoon in preparation to her going to her trial home tomorrow. I decided to spray her with "The Stuff", a silicone spray I put on my cavalier to attempt to keep his coat from snarling and matting:-) Well, it does help. I hadn't tried it on Gidget before because, well, she doesn't tangle. Wish I had though. Boy does she feel soft. I don't know how long it will last on her. It'll last for several days or even a week on Brinkley but her coat is so short and sheds most everything. She really wasn't dirty at all. I can't remember if I've bathed her 1 or 2 times since the puppies were born. She's so easy to wash and just towel dry. It takes forever to bathe and dry Brinkley, especially to rinse conditioner out.

I haven't taken a photo and don't know where either my camera or phone are right now but I am going to try to get a picture before she leaves tomorrow. It'll sure be quieter around here.

I took this with my camera and posted it from there. Not sure why the caption didn't come through.

Snuggling on a rainy, nasty day

Here's how Gidget likes to snuggle when the weather is bad

Gidget retains a stitch

When our potential adopter was here yesterday, I noticed that Gidget's spay incision was a bit red and angry looking at one end so after she left I put some antibiotic cream on it. It felt a little scabby, I thought. Same thing this morning and I just thought it was scabby but when I went to put cream on it this afternoon, I realized that there was still a stitch there. They were not able to use dissolvable sutures because she was still swollen from having had the puppies so they needed to be removed and they evidently missed one. Now, hopefully, her incision will finish healing. I'll keep cream on it for a few days to make sure it heals up well. Want to have her all well by next Saturday when she goes to her trial home.

When I put the leash on her, she thought we were going for a walk. Really do need to get her out but I don't handle the cold we've been having well. It's supposed to rain a great deal tomorrow and the next day. Perhaps after that.  She really doesn't like the vet, though and trembled like crazy. But she didn't act out. I'm always impressed at how she is able to behave so well even when she is obviously uncomfortable. She was able to take treat ok which is a good sign.