Updates

Slater - he went home on Monday - His new name is Ruger - cute!   I got to meet his fur brother Dale who sure looked interested in meeting him. and was super sweet.  Ruger was shy with his new parents; but I knew he would warm up soon enough.  I forgot to get any pictures like a dork but got his on the ride home:

Then I got these videos from his mom on day 1 Slater iin his new home and then day two was this this one Ruger Playing with Dale

I'm so happy to see him playing with his new brother!   I know that will make him so much happier than with my grumpy and sleepy girls.  Yay! 


ah Saul... so good to see him!  His mom checked in with me to let me know he's doing well and is loving the hot summer.... Saul was adopted nearly 7 years ago!  WHAAAA - how time flies... November of 2011 was when he was adopted.   I just love seeing his face!

and here is Shae who is now named Stanley looking so happy...He is now walking around the neighborhood like a champ and all confident.  He is learning some commands ... He even got to go to his mom's work and did super!  She tells me that he is just in love with his sibling Crash and they are BFF's.   I couldn't be more thrilled for this boy.  He was a challenge for me and it's good to see hiim in the right home with the right people where he can just thrive... Yay Stanley!!

I'll be taking a break for a bit for a vacation and then I will be be back!!

I'm Adopted!

Yes, It has happened for Shae.  He has found his forever family and so much sooner than I expected!  He'll be over in Western Washington with his mom and dad and he has a fur sibling Krash - who will show him the ropes of his new family life.  

He went home on Friday after a meet where Shae was so  excited for a new dog to play with.  Krash is also a rat terrier so we expect them to be playing in no time.  (and I know Shae hopes for some nap snuggles.)

I've heard from his family already and so far he is adjusting well,  They will continue his journey of trust and self confidence and I know Shae will be a happy confident dog in the future.  Yeah!

We will be taking a month break while we go on vacation... but I will be back in June with new foster adventures!

Shae loves the sun!

Shae is really enjoying the nice weather.. Likes to go outside and do rattie runs... Likes me to chase him... Likes to nibble on toys. 

Walking continues to be going great - he actually wanted to keep going on Tuesday after the walk to the end of the block - so we went around the block again.  The barky dogs behind the fence still made him a bit nervous but he got through it.    I can't believe how far he's come in the past two weeks. 

Shae and Skeeter  - Shae may be a bit too big for the donut bed - but he makes it fit!

My neighborhood watch.  Sasha teaches all fosters to be on the lookout

Shae is becoming a walking master!

So Shae is getting super at our walks - excited to go outside; confident.  So we went for around the block... He did really great until two barky dogs behind a fence freaked him out a bit... as he was dealing with that - two small dogs on a walk with their person came walking by across the street... It was too much.  His little back knees were shaking (so bad the women walking her dogs noticed)...but he didn't try to flee; didn't flatten.  Just held still and I just was talking to him; telling him what a good job he was doing... After a minute; he was ready to continue on and we finished around the block... He's really come far in the month he has been here...   Yesterday; we just did our 1 block walking and he was just perky and confident the whole way. 

He also loves to sleep on top of the couch...and he's so leggy!  Super cute.

 He's also doing well with the open crate - cause the dog beds in there.. He goes in there and chills out while I'm in the kitchen.  

 At lunch and after work, it's playtime out in the yard.  He has some energy to burn and my older girls are not into the running and chasing he likes.  So he has to play by himself (I have caught him just doing rattie runs in the morning) and entertain himself until my work is done.   He really would do well with a playmate.

Being a dork

He's very handsome and sweet.   Still has puppy in him; but he's learning.  Happy to seem him continuing to get more comfortable.  He still has a ways to go; but progress!

Happy Shae!

Shae was so patient earlier this week while I was working; but I could tell he was bored... When I was finally done for the day; he did his body waggin and his silly grins... He was so excited that I was going to come out too!  We all  went outside and enjoyed the rest of the sunny day here... He even got a case of the rattie runs!

He doesn't fetch; but he sure likes chasing toys and sometimes gives them some shakes. It was fun to see him just enjoy himself and the nice day!

I also had some work done on my air conditioner and while Shae did a little barking him in the house at him; he didn't mind him in the yard - preferring to stay in the house and then to just check on him.  He's getting better at having guests come over... still scared; but it seems to be getting shorter.

Shae's Daily Walks

Shae continues to do great on his daily walks.    He's up to a block on the walks and every  day he is more confident.  He's really confident on the way back (and probably happy to be heading back) and has a cute little strut to him.  He's met people on the walks; and dogs; seen and heard cars.  All is fine.  The lawnmowers are kind of scary to him and garages opening ; but now he just pauses and looks now.  No trying to run away.   I might even be able to get a picture soon!

I also have struggled with crating him.  So thanks to fellow NR member Blair who is on the New Rattitude Behavoir Modification team gave me good ideas and a great plan to work on his tolerance to being crated.  He eats in the xpen now with no problem; take treats in there and yesterday; laid down on a doggie bed and enjoyed a bully stick (with the door closed) while I crafted for about 30 minutes right next to him.  That was amazing!! He's got a ways to go before he will be comfortable in a crate; but it's pretty amazing how far he's come in a week.

Shae is learning...

So Shae got his cone off on Sunday.  Yay!   We have been working on getting him to come to me when called using the word TREAT!  He is up to about 75% of the time that he will come up for a treat.  Sometimes he still chickens out actually getting the treat; but more often than not; he stays for the treat.  I do think Sasha helps him be brave.  This is defiantly a dog that will do well with a fur sibling to not only play with but look towards for security and guidance. 

I have been keeping a long lead on him - he doesn't seem to mind it.  I have been using it for practicing walking in the back yard.  He is very nervous out in the world so I thought practicing in the back yard would be a place to start.  I also started walking him to my mailbox this week and am happy to report that on Wed - the third day; his tail was wagging as we went outside.  My mailbox isn't far;; maybe 1/3 of a block away; but it's across the treat.   He is no longer flinging himself down on the ground refusing to move every few steps and seems to know the routine now (and likes the treats).  I am happy to see him moving forward in that direction!     Next week we may try a walk during lunchtime with Sasha to see how he does.   It's tiring being brave!

 I just like this picture I caught of him on my security camera while I was inside working.  Him in his cone just sitting alone... awwww... but it's a cute photo!

We still have a few things to work on but I am so pleased how quickly he was able to get braver on our walks.  Baby Steps. 

Busy Week for Shae

So we have had a busy week.  Shae got his neuter surgery on Monday.  He was a tired, drugged up boy for sure and quickly earned himself a cone/donut.   

Now that's it's been a little less than a week; he's feeling better; can maneuver in the cone through the doggie door no problem!   We'll let him out of the donut on Monday.  Good news too; he is showing himself to be housetrained this week.  I thank Sasha and Skeeter for helping him in that part!

I've also been getting to know Shae better and while he's still very  nervous; he does come and check in with me and lets me scratch him under the chin.  He also sleeps in the office with me for most of the day.

I feel bad for him for as timid as he is; but we are working pulling him out of his shell, bit by bit

Shae and shoes

Shae has a bit of a shoe fetish.  He hasn't chewed on them but only on a strap of one shoe; so I've just been making sure they are out of reach for him now.  But before that, it was interesting to see where I would find shoes... outside; in the kitchen; on my bed...

He startles at loud noises... The other day I slapped at a bug and he ran out of the room.  Sneezed while he was sleeping beside me and he ran outside.  It's pretty quiet and mellow here but I've also been working on talking to him a little louder and excitedly to get him used to different volumes and that it doesn't always equal scary.  Poor little guy 

 Him and Sasha get along as long as he doesn't try to play with her.  They are good napping buddies in my office.  i have two dog beds in my office and it's always a toss up on who will be where. 

They really look up to no good in this photo.  I think I caught them plotting

He also got to experience a bit of snow~  Ears stayed down but he was willing to go out in and run around (and pee!) so I call that a success!  And then the snow was gone in a hour so no more of that hopefully!  

Shae Sweetness

Oh; Shae is so sweet and so timid.   But I've been working on gaining his trust and while it's baby steps - we are moving along and he comes and check on me regularly for chin scratches and treats.   And when he's happy; he's got a wiggle to him that's adorable! 

He loves Sasha and Skeeter - they have taught him the doggie door and we are working forward on housetraining.  He prefers Skeeter and likes to snuggle in with and she tolerates him a little bit.   He would really like to play with them, but it's a no go but Sasha and Skeeter are both happy to hang out in the yard with him. 

He is a young dog; so he's got some energy to him and he loves to chew on all things so I've had to keep a close eye on him while he learns what's a thing to chew and what's not.  But he's super fun and sweet and just needs some confidence building to him. 

Welcome Shae!

So the day that Sunny went home.. I actually picked up a new foster just a few hours later... He is a sweet boy that was owner surrendered for submissive urination.  Supposedly his owner was yelling and this poor fellow was so scared...  Luckily New Rattitude was able to step in and save this fellow right away. 

He spend a few days with another foster mom (Thanks Lynn!) in California and while scared and very timid, no submissive urinating at all.   So now he is here...  He's a big boy at 20 lbs and very sweet and, yes, timid and easily provoked to run away from anything that startles him.  However; he LOVES toys and if you can get him drowsy; he will accept and love a good belly rub from you.    He very badly wants to be friends with Sasha and Skeeter and follows them around.  He is definitely more comfortable around dogs than people at this point; but does want to be around people too; he's just nervous.   

 So we are going to let him settle in for the week; get to know his surrounds and get a bit more comfortable.  He's got to go to the vet to get neutered; that will happen next week.