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Archive for the tag “dog rescue”

15 Jan 2013

Real Rescue Dogs Are Talking…B4TC

HIYA!! SAVANNAH HERE!!!

LIFE CHANGING INTERVIEWS WITH SAVANNAH

A Bi-Monthly Series Featuring Adult Rescue Dogs and Cats

Oh Dog! Do I have another fine canine furriend to introduce you to today. And I know today is our B4TC post day. And this is my contribution…hope you approve…

You already know his little brother because he has been my interview guest before. In fact, his fur bro’ was my very first canine interview!

Remember who that was???…huh???…Do you???…Know whose home we are going to visit again??

Well, first let’s give a warm welcome to my interview guest for today…he has been so very brave to step forward because, well, he is just a bit shy…but he just luvluvluvs company…

PURRLEASE HELP ME WELCOME

BABY BOY!!

He is Chancy’s big brother, from over at Chancy The Gardner!!

APAWS!!! APAWS!!! APAWS!!!

Savannah: Hiya Baby Boy!…Meowsie, seems pretty silly when I say that ‘cuz you are certainly not a ‘baby’ doggie! Thank you for coming over to have a bark and meow with me.

Baby Boy: Hey, Savannah! Wow! I was so excited when Mumsy told me you were going to interview me. I know Chancy was tickled to be asked as your very first ever Real Rescue Dogs Are Talking interview. So now I get to come and tell my story. You can tell that our Mumsy and Popsy are softies really kind peeps!

Savannah: Baby Boy, would you share with all of us how you arrived in your furrever home?

Baby Boy: Well, Savannah, the family I lived with before Mumsy and Popsy moved away and they didn’t take me with them.

Our nice Vet said I am a chocolate Lab (I look black unless I am in the sun though) and that I was around 18 to 20 months old when I was left behind. My other daddy came back and gave me food for a while after they moved but stopped after a week or so.

I lived across the road from Mumsy and Popsy but I did not know them. Mumsy watched me look for my family and I wanted so much for them to come back and get me. I would run after every pickup I saw thinking it was my family and they would stop and pick me up. Mumsy cried every day when she saw me do that. I would run a long way behind every pickup and then I would turn around and go back to the carport when the pickup never stopped. I looked sad and I moaned and cried a lot.

My family had left lots of things in the trashcan. After my daddy stopped coming to feed me I looked in the trash can for food. I licked every can and paper, I was so hungry. That is when Mumsy knew I was not getting fed.

I pulled some toys out of the trash can and a big blanket. I slept on the blanket on the ground near the toys. I had a dog house but I didn’t get in it very much. I just kept laying and sleeping on the blanket by the toys and trashcan.

Savannah:…Yeowsie Meowsies! Baby Boy! I cannot believe someone would just leave you all alone after you were such a good family member…(Savvy reaches over to give Baby Boy a soft nose touch…then stops)…ummmm…Baby Boy, would you mind if I give you a little nose touch just to let you know I “SEE” you and know you deserve better than that…is it ok??

Baby Boy: Oh sure Savvy…I really have always been a good dog…I don’t know why I was abandoned like that…I was very depressed…(gives a little soft snuff of appreciation when Savvy touches noses)…

Ahem…Ok, now where were we…oh yes…

Mumsy and Popsy tried to get me to come to them but I was afraid and I wouldn’t go near them. Popsy put water under the carport where I stayed and left me food every day. Mumsy would call me to their fence each afternoon and give me a milk bone. It took her several minutes each day to get me to the fence. I would not let her touch me but I grabbed the bone from her hand through the fence and then took the milk bone and run back across the road.

Three weeks passed and Mumsy had an idea. She and Popsy asked the man who owned the house if they could have my doghouse. The man was happy that they wanted me and gladly gave them my house. They moved the dog house over to their place and placed it outside their fence. They didn’t know how I would do with their dog, Angel (bows head in sadness…Angel ran OTRB just a short while back)…so they didn’t want to take me to the backyard yet.

They put food and water beside the dog house and my blanket inside. They watched to see if I would come across the road and get in the dog house. I did not go until late that afternoon but I finally felt it was safe to go and I started sleeping in my dog house. I wanted to be where my blanket was because it smelled like my family.

Savannah: Mouses! Baby Boy, that was so clever of your Mumsy to do that! Having your family smells was something familiar you could keep in your memory and it must have made you feel safer…

Baby Boy: It did Savvy, really, it did.

After a few days Mumsy tried to get me to go in the yard but I would not go. She did not force me so I kept sleeping in my house outside the yard. On the following weekend she and Popsy again opened the gate and called to see if I would come in. I still did not want to go inside. Mumsy got my blanket and took it in the yard and then she and Popsy took my house inside the fence. I stood next to the road and watched what they were doing.

After they left my house near the back fence and put my blanket inside it they called me. I slowly went to my house and got on my blanket. A few days later they put me and my house in the backyard. Angel and I had been getting along okay through the fence so Mumsy felt it was safe to put us together. I have been here with Mumsy and Popsy now about 9 years.

Savannah: Baby Boy, What has the toughest part for you when you first tried to settle in with Mumsy and Popsy? I think what our readers would like to know is what kept you from showing your REAL SELF right away?

Baby Boy: I did not know how Mumsy and Popsy were going to treat me, I only knew my other family and I cried and howled for my other family. I would growl and threaten to bite if anyone got near me while I was eating. Angel and I would fight over any little morsel of food.

I didn’t want anybody to touch me or get too close to me. I stood back away from everyone so they couldn’t hurt me. Mumsy thinks that was because someone was mean to me when I walked the neighborhood and ran behind the pickups looking for my family. I had a sore leg and hip so she knew something had happened to me shortly after my family moved away.

Savannah: Baby Boy, I just want you to know, you never ever did anything to deserve having peeps treat you badly. If it isn’t too hard, can you describe some of the ways you and Mumsy and Popsy worked together to help get you into your recovery and try to overcome your issues or challenges.

Baby Boy: Feeding me and Angel became a problem that had to be taken care of immediately. You see, I have always been an outdoor dog. I never lived in the house and I am really very happy living outside, with my house and my special, special blanket.

Of course, Mumsy didn’t want us to fight so she told Popsy they would have to separate us when we ate. I got to go in the front yard when we ate our dinner and when we got our milk bones. That plan worked out very well.

Savannah: I know some cats who don’t like to have other cats near when they eat…that was a wise plan Mumsy and Popsy had.

Baby Boy: For many weeks after I came to live with Mumsy and Popsy I would look across the road to my other home and cry and howl. If someone drove up in the driveway I would cry and bark to let them know I wanted to get out so I could go over and see if my family had come back for me. Mumsy and Popsy would talk to me and comfort me as best they could. It was not until after I felt safe enough to let them start patting me that I finally stopped crying and howling for my other family.

I was very afraid of anything with a long handle like brooms, rakes and shovels. Mumsy and Popsy showed me that they will not hurt me with any of these things so I am not so afraid now. Sometimes though if they are raking near the fence I growl and back away. Mumsy talks to me softly while holding the rake and assures me it is okay but I still stand back from the fence until they are finished raking. One day not long ago I let her pat me while she held the rake. She told me she was proud of me and that was great progress. And Savannah, remember, I have been here for over 5 years, I am nine years old…and I am still learning new things!

I didn’t do much for the first month or so after coming to live with Mumsy and Popsy. Angel kept trying to get me to play with her toys and ball but I was not interested. I loved my blanket and I didn’t want anything to do with toys or balls. After a while I started running and tussling with Angel and we had a lot of good times after that. Angel was a good buddy to me and she helped me a lot to know I was safe and would have a good home with Mumsy and Popsy. I would not let Mumsy and Popsy pat me or touch me for a long time. They just kept talking to me in soft, assuring voices and eventually I learned to trust them. Now I can’t get enough pats and rubs. Mumsy says I am just a big ole teddy bear.

Savannah: Baby Boy…you are most fortunate doggie to have Mumsy and Popsy take time to let you feel safe. Bark a little more about some of the success, like letting Mumsy and Popsy pet you, you have had in adjusting.

Baby Boy: I no longer gobble my food and I am not as protective over it as I was. I trust people a lot more and love to be patted and my ears rubbed. I even love it when Mumsy puts on my flea treatment and I stand real still for her. I no longer cry and howl for my other family. My recovery has been very successful. Mumsy says it is because I am so good and such a sweet dog. She also says that having my dog house and blanket helped tons and that was a big plus in helping with my rescue and recovery. I want to please Mumsy and Popsy and I love being with them now.

Savannah: Baby Boy, Last question, can you offer any advice to our readers to help them support their adult rescue dog, or one they may be thinkin’ about bringing into their home, through its recovery process?

Baby Boy: Don’t give up no matter how long it takes. Some of us have been through unimaginable things and it will just take time. Be patient, kind and loving. Mumsy says a little stubbornness even helps. It is okay to cry too, Mumsy cried with me and she thinks that helped me. Be willing to make sacrifices and do things you may not have done before to make it all better for your rescue dog or cat.

Savannah: Baby Boy, This was great! Any last thought or words of wisdom you want to share?

Baby Boy: You go one mile for us dogs and we will go twenty for you. We will be your best friend and protect you with all that’s in us for the rest of our life. You rescuing us, loving us and caring for us will be rewarded more than you could ever imagine.

Thank you and bless all of you who have rescued a dog or cat. Thank you for reading my story and big hugs and nose kisses Savannah for interviewing me.

Savannah:…Oh Baby Boy…wait a sec’…(turns away to wipe leaky eyes, to wipe dripping nose)…Ok, thanks…I want to say a proper ‘thank you’ to you for being so brave to come woof and meow with me…peeps think we dogs and cats don’t share a common language…but we do. We share the language of furramily furriendship…thank you so much Baby Boy…

Oh, be sure to give my pal Chancy some nose rubs!! And give Mumsy and Popsy some head bonks, I know they like those! MOL

That’s my January Life Changing Interview with Savannah: Real Rescue Dogs Are Talking. I hope you found encouragement, tips for helping your adult rescue dog and especially, I hope you found joy in hearing Baby Boy’s happy ending interview.

This is my B4TC post…please click on the badge below for more information…BE THE CHANGE FOR ANIMALS THE WORLD OVER…

Paw Pats, Savannah
peeESS: DON’T FORGET TO VISIT MY FURRIEND TEXAS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT THE ALPHABET LETTERS ARE TRYING TO TELL US…GO NOW!! GO TODAY!!…TEXAS

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Posted in Mental Recovery, Savannah's Life Experiences, Uncategorized and tagged adopt adult cat, cat recovery, dog rescue, real rescue stories, shelter rescue cat, trust

20 Nov 2012

31 Comments

Real Rescue Dogs Are Talking…

Hiya! Savannah Here!

LIFE CHANGING INTERVIEWS WITH SAVANNAH

A Bi-Monthly Series Featuring Adult Rescue Dogs and Cats

Oh you are so gonna luvluvluv my doggy interview today! He is just, well…cute…and wise and brave!

My good furriend, Khumba, from Twitter (@khumbasibe) and FB , Tails from the Pack, is the one who sent me over to have a meow and woo with this guest’s older brother…but then once I meowed and aarrwwoo’d (yes, I do speak some Sibe and a few general doggy dialects)…with his pack leaders, we thought his little brother would be a purrfect interview guest.

So let’s not wait…help me give a warm paw blog welcome to:

DEZ

APAWS!! APAWS!! APAWS!!

Savannah: Hiya Dez! Thanks lots for stopping by and having a bark with me…I know your big bro’ Tyler, @Tyler_T_Dog, from our Twitter barks, arwoo woo’s and meows…So purrleased he directed me to you!

Dez: I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am to be here…or anywhere! I’m the luckiest Dez ever!

Savannah: Well, I know you and Tyler get out for lots of walkies…but let’s get started…can you bark a bit about how you found your furrever home?

Dez: I was picked up by Pet Angels Rescue. They found me after a looooong time of living out on the streets. They put me up for adoption on a website, I think it was on this thingy called Pet Finders??

My people told me that they saw me on there and knew they had to come check me out because I was soooo cute.

One day, in May of 2010, Pet Angels Rescue had an adoption event at a local mall and guess what?!? They decided to take ME—DEZ! (Back then, my name was Frank, but I didn’t like that name too well. It didn’t really fit my personality.)

There I was in a little make-shift cage with a bunch of other pups when this real nice couple came in and started looking at me. I knew I had to be on my best behavior or they wouldn’t pick me. So I acted real cool and didn’t get all excited like the other pups in the cage. It worked! They decided to take me for a walk to see if they would just love me forever.

After our walk, they put me back in the cage. I was so confused. I thought they loved me and wanted to take me home. The man kept talking about how “Tyler” would react to me while the lady kept talking about how cute I was. Then they both left and I was real sad.

Savannah: Oh Dez, that must have been so scary—not knowing if the bipeds would come back for you…I am sorry you had to wait.

Dez: It was pretty scary Savvy…is it OK if I call you Savvy?

Savannah: oh cat! Of course!

Dez: Anywho, a few days later, they came back! They decided to take me home with them. I was so happy when they were filling out the papers that I was running all over the house. Nothing could keep me still! That was the same day I met my new brother, Tyler. He’s an older husky and he acts grumpy sometimes, but I know he loves me!

I’ve been in my new home over 2 years and I love it! I’ve gained lots of weight and have lots of toys. Tyler and I go to daycare 2 times a week and they love us there!

Savannah: So Dez, can you bark a bit more about any stuff you had to work through when you first came to live in your furrever…did you have any, well…like…ya know…luggage baggage left from your past??

Dez: I warmed up to my people real quick.

At first I didn’t like to put on my leash. In fact, my first day at my new home, they put me on a leash in the kitchen because they didn’t know if I would tear up all of their fancy stuff and make a huge mess. Well, I chewed right through that leash without them knowing and I busted out of the kitchen and had a great time playing with Tyler all day.

When they got home they were so surprised that I had eaten through my leash, but even more surprised that I didn’t tear up anything, so I got lots of treats!

The only problem I really have is I am very possessive of my big brother, Tyler. Sometimes when we go on long walks together, I pick fights with other dogs because I think they want to hurt him. I know he’s old and I feel like it’s my job to protect him. I’m only 20 lbs. and he’s 90 lbs., but he’s a little weak and I don’t want him to get hurt.

My pack leaders work with me to try to keep me from getting so excited. We go to the dog park, but I don’t ever start fights at the park. It’s only at home. They told me that I need to get that under control if I want to be a Canine Good Citizen like Tyler.

I’m still trying…

Savannah: Well, of course you need to keep Tyler safe…even if he is grumpy sometimes; you know he is happy to have you with him. Dez, did you and your pack leaders do special stuff to help you with your, errrr…ummmm…anger management.

Dez: I don’t really have many issues…and I don’t really get “angry”…just really protective of Tyler.

Savannah: oh Dez, thank you for correcting me…”anger” is a peep behavior…I know we cats and dogs react to stuff that scares us or threatens our own, or our furriends’ safety…purrlease go on…

Dez: I’ve been a really, really good boy. The few problems I do have, we’ve done some different things to try to address them. Since my issues are with other dogs, my pack leaders take me to places where I can interact with other dogs and be social with them. My first challenge was daycare.

They wanted me and Tyler to go to the same daycare place, so I had to take a temperament test before I was allowed to go. They left me at daycare for almost a whole day and I didn’t start any fights so I got to go to daycare with Tyler!

When I started going with Tyler, that was when I became more possessive, but I learned which dogs were our friends and which dogs Tyler didn’t want to play with. He told me, and I make sure to keep those dogs away from him. I’m not mean to them, I just bark at them until they go play somewhere else. They call me Tyler’s Body Guard! BOL!

The first time we went to a dog park, I thought I had gone to heaven! There were so many puppies to sniff and so many things to pee on…I didn’t even know where to start! I know my pack leaders were nervous about how I would act, but I was really good! I didn’t start any fights with anyone.

For me, it’s the unstable dogs around my neighborhood that make me nervous. We go out lots of times every day so I can get used to seeing them. Without Tyler, I do just fine. It’s when Tyler comes with us that I get nervous and start fights.

Savannah: Mouses, Dez, you have really done lots to get a hold of your protection urges…bark some more about how you and your pack leaders are making sure you can show more and more of your REAL SELF.

Dez: My pack leaders are working with me on my possessiveness with my big brother Tyler, correcting my actions when I act out. We hope by this coming summer I can be good enough to go to puppy school and take classes for my Canine Good Citizenship test!! That way I can be just like my big brother! I am so excited!!! School will be tough, but I am up for the challenge. Having patient pack leaders helps too.

Savannah: It is the bestest ever to have our pack leaders or Guardians be so supportive, huh? So my last question, can you offer any advice to our readers to help them support their adult rescue dog, or one they may be thinkin’ about brining into their home, through its recovery process so that dog can show more and more of its REAL SELF?

Dez: Cats and dogs are a lot more like people than the peeps really think! We’re very smart and very in tune to what our pack leaders are thinking and feeling.

From the way peeps react to us…from when we bring our favorite toy to them to us bothering them for a potty break…we know if they are excited to be with us or if they would rather be left alone. Sometimes it hurts our feelings when they don’t appreciate the messes we make or the trouble we go through to get our favorite toy on the couch for them.

We always do these things because we love them and are so happy they decided to share their life with us. We tell them with our voices, our barks, arwoo woos…and with our actions that we care about them very much. Without the peeps to take care of us, we would probably already be at the Rainbow Bridge. As nice as the Rainbow Bridge is, no puppy or kitty wants to get there before their time.

Savannah: MEOW! Dez, for such a young dog, you are very wise! You and your pack leaders have made a real furramily together!

We are at the end of our interview, but Dez, do you have any last thoughts or words of wisdom you want to share?

Dez: We’re not perfect and no matter how hard we, meaning us adult rescue dogs and our pack leaders, both try, accidents are going to happen. Together we can make each other’s lives a little less boring and a little more worth living. Hug your adopted pet every chance you get, because we love it just as much as you love doing it.

Savannah: Well, that’s a wrap on another great Real Rescue Dogs Are Talking: Life Changing Interview with Savannah. Hope you all luvluvluv’d Dez as much as me!

Now, Dez doesn’t blog, but just an FYI for readers, Dez and Tyler have their own FB page, Tyler Huskamute, so hop over and give them a “LIKE”…or send a Tweet to Tyler @Tyler_T_Dog and he will pass it along to Dez.

Paw Pats, Savannah

peeEss I am looking for rescue dogs and cats who want to pawticipate in my Life Changing Interview with Savannah series: I have openings for CATS: Feb and March 2013 and DOGS: Jan and Feb and March. I try to schedule one to three months out so my furriends have time cuz I know they are all very busy. Let me know if you want to pawticipate or you have a referral. Thank you, Savannah

Posted in Savannah's Life Experiences and tagged adopt adult cat, cat recovery, dog rescue, real rescue stories, shelter rescue cat, trust

16 Oct 2012

74 Comments

Real Rescue Dogs Are Talking…

LIFE CHANGING INTERVIEW WITH SAVANNAH

A Bi-Monthly Series Featuring Adult Rescue Dogs and Cats

Hiya! Savannah Here Again!…and with me today is another special furriend, one of my first Sibe pals from Twitter!

His Twitter handle is @ra_husky and his blog is RA Husky…he Tweets lots and blogs when he feels he has something to bark about…you can visit here to learn about his name, RA

I just luvluvluv his blog header…it is a take off on the famous painting by Edward Hopper called Nighthawks! Check out RA just hangin’ outside that diner! woo woo!

So purrlease help me make RA feel at home and give him a warm welcome!

APAWS! APAWS! APAWS!

Savannah: Hiya RA! I can’t believe you are here barking with me! We only knew each other on Twitter for so long! This is great!

RA: Thank you very much for having me. I’ve read your interviews and am honored to be included. (Play bows to Savannah)

Savannah: RA, I know you are part of a pack of Sibes. I think there are 3 of you? You, RA, and Nanuk and Isis.

Anyway, can you bark a bit about how you found your furrever home with Pops?

RA: Well Savannah, about ten years ago Pops was at the vet with his cat Azrael (RIP). I was brought in earlier that day by a kind lady who found me; I was in terrible shape. I had several broken teeth and a huge laceration under my tongue that made it impossible to eat. I was miserable I tell woo!

Savannah: Aiieeee!! (stretches up to gently lick RA’s head) I feel pawful that you were so hurt RA! If it is not too painful, can you woo some more about your condition?

RA: Did I mention I couldn’t eat either? My poor elbows were like leather from sleeping on cold concrete. I was down to 45 pounds (I’m 65 now). Just down and out all around I tell woo! I ended up having to stay at the vet’s for a couple days, and Pops visited me every day.

Then on the third day I heard the techs talking about me. They said I was going to be going home; sure enough Pops showed up—this time with a leash! I picked up walking on a leash pretty quickly too.

Savannah: Meowser RA! That is totally amazing that after all you have suffered you were able to walk out ON LEASH!

Do you have anything you can woo about to help us understand any troubles you had getting used to being in a real home?

RA: Hmmm, I’ve always been a slow eater. That’s something some huskerboos do, but I eat especially slow due to my missing teeth.

I was very shy too. Even with Pops—sometimes he would have to come find me when he got home from work—I’d be hiding.

Thunder storms also used to scare me REALLY bad. I’d say the first couple years with Pops were pretty hard. I’m a lot better though. I can still be shy around people I don’t know, but I warm up soon. I really love all the little kids in our neighborhood. It’s really just grown-ups that can still upset me. Kids are fun!

Savannah: That is really great RA that you like small peeps! They scare me kind of…so, how did you and Pops work on getting you over some of your fears?

RA: Hawoooo! We ran Savannah! Sometimes we would run several times a day. Exercise was what made me happiest for a long time. (At present I prefer to snooze on the couch…or my furry special foam bed with afghan).

And being on schedule helped me a lot too. It took me a while but we started venturing out more and more; down town for biscuits and gravy on Sundays; campus for meeting all sorts of people and then the open country for me to play.

Play was hard for me at first too Savannah. I didn’t know what a ball was, can woo believe that? I learned to socialize with other K9s too. And horses, I learned about horses!

And something else Savannah, Pops reads to all us pups—out loud. And he talks to us. I think that’s one thing I enjoy most.

Savannah: That is really creative how your Pops used reading to get you used to his voice and to help you be calm…what a great idea! Mom and Dad always talk to me so I know they ‘know’ I am around.

Bark, or woo, your choice Ra, a bit more about stuff you have changed over the years…you know, have you been able to show your REAL SELF?

RA: Hawooo! I’d say very successful Savvy! I am not nearly so shy—sometimes I’m aloof though BOL! Really though, we continue to train and play.

Exercise is not so important these days but I still enjoy a couple nice walkies every day.

Story time is still one of my favorite times of the day. I always sit & watch Pops while he reads.

Savannah: Your Pops is just great RA! So, the last question, do you have any advice to offer any advice our readers who are trying to help their own adult rescue dog show more and more of his or her REAL SELF?

RA: Make a ‘safe place’ for them. My den under Pop’s desk was my safe place for the first few years I was around.

Give them time Savannah. It took me a long time to become who I am.

And talk to them; let them hear your voice. Establish a routine so they know what to expect.

Feed them well and make sure there is always fresh cool water.

Savannah: RA, I am so purrleased you agreed to come woo with me, I know you Husky types are very, very busy, what with all the running and playing you do.

This was great! Any last thought or barks of wisdom you want to share?

RA: Thank you so much Savannah for having us. We’d just say to any new adopters congratulations! We think the world of animal rescuers. Enjoy your new companions!

Wasn’t RA just pawsome! What a great guy! So much to share.

Hope you all learned stuff from RA’s rescue. Be sure to hop over to his blog and drop him a note to let him know you read his story. OR, you can Tweet him an APAWS! His handle is at the top of this posting.

Thanks for coming by, Paw pats, Savannah

peeEss..I updated this post to make it my Blog For The Change: BE THE CHANGE…I think Pops and RA ARE THE CHANGE!!