Happy New Year!

7 foster dogs came through my house this year...  

My second year as a NR foster parent so I made this poster collage for my wall...

Simone (bottom middle) who was my first of the year after a break, full of 6 month old puppyness, she found joy in our first snow of the season.. She also liked to sleep butt higher than the rest of her... I didn't have her for very long but she was a sweet and fun and a great welcome back to the world of fostering- now living life as Sammy in Oregon

Sophie (bottom second from the right), little tiny thing, lover of all tennis balls, she was funny and goofy and just adorable with her little head tilts. She also would see her tail out of the corner of her eye and chase it like a maniac She is now Lakia living down in the TriCities with her fur sibling who she just loved at first sight!

Sheldon (upper left), oh Sheldon, easy going happy little boy, he could escape out of any crate you didn't triple lock, however - would jump in a box of anything whether is be toys or fabric or just empty needing a dog to be in it!  He is now on the westside with great parents. 

Sammy (upper middle) Sammy will always have a extra special place in my heart, first time with two foster dogs at once, he just made it so worth it,,  he was a just a blessing... scared and sick when he came to me, I watch him bloom over the many months he was in my care...from skin infection to completely healthy, from droppey ears to erect confident ears... now he is Jake and he has a great home (and recently a new fur sibling) with wonderful parents in eastern wa who are continuing to bring out the very best in him and love him to pieces - all I could ask for!

Skittles (upper left) was in my care for a few months, so nervous, underweight and malnourished, once comfortable we were treated to his daily army crawling around the house.  heartbreaking how anxious he was when he first got a bully stick,  just wanting to hide it and then the joy of watching him become comfortable enough to settle in for good chew... He is now with a great mom in western wa who spoils him rotten but also working with him on some of his fear issues. 

Shorty, (lower left) I didn't have for long either, but he was love bug, nervous but willing to try new experiences and meet new people and meet other dogs!.. He loved going out and around the town and just was curious about everything - he is now Solo and is part of a family in western wa, with human brothers and he gets to meet and play with lots of other dogs.

Silver, (bottom right), still in my care, so nervous and skittish, we founds that she had her ears plugged up with ickyness and couldn't hear very well.. she continues her journey in coming out of her shell and learning that life isn't so scary... I am sure there will be good things in store for her in the coming year!

As year two as a New Rattitude foster parent comes to a close, I'm so happy for all the now former fosters finding their homes and wish for them warmth and joy and good bones to chew!  I'm excited for the new year and all the new beginnings I get to be a part of...

People often say they couldn't foster because it's too hard.. it's not that it isn't hard sometimes to let go and these little ratties don't get in your heart to different degrees, but what other way could you be part of seeing so many dogs get a new chance at life, to have them in your home, scared and nervous and to see them gain confidence and trust and be happy,  to see them go to great homes and then to hear the wonderful updates that just make your day..or even week...   If you are thinking about it... try it.. the payoff is worth it.. :)  Okay... enough that's enough sappiness to take me well into 2013 I think!  Time to celebrate!

Susie and Spyro Updates

Okay... How cute is Susie, now called Ruby lounging on top of "her" couch - she looks regal!

gorgeous!

 And Spyro now Gizmo, also settling in well with his new parents and dog siblings that are much bigger than him - but I'm sure he is holding his own!  (they have small, medium and large dogs!)

I miss these ears!

 

Happy New Year!

My first year as a foster parent is here... 7 dogs in 7 months.  What a wonderful experience it has been.  I have been honored to be part of each of these dogs journey into their furever home.  And thanks to all the New Rattitude people for all the kindness and support this past year and the Washington team..I couldn't have done it without them! and last but not least, and especially my daughter Cassie, who has been such a great help with these dogs, especially the playing part! 

Sebastian, Tucker and Susie Updates

Got lots of updates this past week...

Sebastian, my very first foster is doing really well and has joined a doggie training class to work on recall.  Ryan adores him and is now working on cutting back some on his food as he's gained a little "winter weight".

Tucker is also doing great here in Yakima and is becoming best buddies with Ron and will curl up by him for naps... (Tucker was very wary of him when he was first adopted)...  He has attempted the hobby of chewing shoes and plastic garbage can but his new parents are showing him there are much better things to chew on...

Susie who was just recently adopted is settling in after an eventful start... She is quickly showing her new parents that she is the master squeaker destroyer of all squeaker toys....

Susie gettin' some love from her new mom

Here is to a Happy Holiday season to all the dogs I've fostered this year... (including, Shelby, Shelly and Saul too!) and to a wonderful new year with their fur-ever families!

Beauty Sleep

Susie is getting all her beauty sleep to prepare for her new parents on Sunday!  She also needs a bath and a nail trim, but we will let her sleep and save that for Saturday :)  She also found my (not hers) new pink owl blanket and snuggled right up to it... :)  Sleep tight Susie!

I'm Adopted!

Guess who found a fabulous new home over in Seattle?  Little Susie will be heading to her new home this Sunday with a wonderful couple... Yeah for Susie!  She's just the sweetest little thing and I know will do great with her new family! 

Gimme More Toys!

Susie loves to play and loves little squeaky toys... She also loves dragging out the toys and I think watching me put them back and then we play the whole game over again... I also would like to know, how did I get so many dog toys?  I really have to put some away, but you never know which one a new dog will like... Susie.. she likes them all!  But squeaky ones the best! 

Helping herself to the toy box to find the best one!

and the squeaky flea wins!  (it's almost as big as her!)

New Outfit for Susie!

Poor little Susie is such a tiny thing... The smallest sweater I had, as you can see, was way to big for her and it's so chilly outside - so I headed out and braved the Black Friday sales and...

found an outfit that will not only fit her, but on sale for 5.00 bucks!  Now she will be warmer when she goes out for her snowy potty breaks and stylin too :) 

Visiting Friends and Going to the Vet

Took Susie over to my friend Amber's house for a visit and some socialization... while she mainly hid from the big dogs, she did come out for treats!  She also ran right over to Amber's husband Nate and hung out with him until he left for work, she really liked Nate alot.   They also have a 6 year old daughter and Susie was a little shy of her, though took a few pets from her and no growling.  I think in time, they will be buddies... Susie just needs some warm up time...

She also went her for heartworm testing yesterdayand man, she was scared!  poor thing... probably thought she was going back to the shelter... But we got it done and got her microchipped and back home...

She is also getting braver with Sasha and they've had some hysterical (to me at least) growl downs at each other... and she has been edging closer to Sasha's food during eating time... Susie eats FAST so she is always done before Sasha and has been coming over to check out Sasha's bowl... Today too, Sasha got ahold of an empty plastic down that has a bit of sauce left over it and guarded it for about an hour with Susie coming by every 10 minutes or so and barking at her... Sasha actually fell asleep with her foot on the tin, she was so detemined not to share..

Susie Burrito!

not a fan of the burrito!

Snow Buddies

Sasha and Susie

Welcome to Yakima little one... and the snow!  Susie has had to go potty and go walking in the snow... she's not a huge fan, but she did pretty good with the occasional begging to be picked up... She also meet the neighborhood kids - about 5 of them and was a bit scared of them but when I got them to come one at a time and slow - she accepted a few pats from them and one got a little kiss on the hand. 

 

 

 

 

She found a place with no snow!

Glad to be back inside where it's warm!

Feelin' Good!

Nothing like a Red Barn bone to make you feel better!  Susie is doing great and is already back to her old self... I keep having to catch her before she jumps up or down on things! She's a fast little thing...  Her stitches don't seem to be bothering her at all and it's more of trying to keep her mellow than her feeling bad... And she loves her pink medicine so no problems giving it to her which is nice. 

Spay Day and Snow Day!

Last night, since it was the last day for a few days that Susie would be feeling up to jumping around, I got a video of her learning sit and also her little dance when she sees the treat bag!  She reminds me of a meerkat! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AayyoZX3e1k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NMl2Muo6lA

She had her spay today and did very well though she is very groggy and tired... She weighs an official 10.02 lbs.  She also got home and had to go out in about 1 inch of snow to potty but she did and even wandered around a bit before heading back in to get warm. A couple of days of recovery and she should be back to her ol' self. 

Out on the Town!

I took a late lunch today and picked Susie up and took her down to our local pet store, the Pet Pantry. She really didn't want to go into the car (who would after all her traveling in the past week) but once in and crated, she was all quiet - though she I think she was worried to where she was going! She did great in the pet store and seemed to enjoy checking everything out... especially the cat food! She got to meet some new people, though a bit hestitant at first. She even got her nails clipped by the owner and did really well and even gave a kiss afterwards! :) 

mmm...cat food - can I have some?

By the bird tree, but you can see her diamond marking on the back of her neck :)



Afterwards, we stopped by my work and she meet all my co-workers... She was a little scared but warmed up quickly, getting pets and scratches from everyone., though she wanted me in her sight at all times and got barky and worried when I once left the room... When we got home after eating, she preceeded to take out every toy out of the dog toy box, chew on each one at a time - focusing on the squeeky ones (those are her favorite and she's very good at de-squeeking them)... and then she passed on out!  Busy day for Susie!  Tomorrow too... that's her spay day. 

Susie-Q!

Busy getting to know little Susie... She's been good with the housetraining and will use my doggie door all on her own... Yeah!  She loves to chew on toys and play with anything squeeky which she attacks with a vengence... She's been good at night settling in her crate but I do have to make her go in there and she really loves to have her head scratched.. I put her up on the bed by my cat and other than a few sniffs, neither where interested in each other... Oh and she loves to pose for the camera!

getting warm after the cold trip over the moutains

her expression when she's getting belly rubs!

Welcome Susie!

Newest little foster dog Susie is here!... She is tiny, 9 lbs, likes to play, makes funny little play noises and is just a doll...

She is a busy little thing and not all other bothered by the snow  -  Welcome to Eastern Washington Susie - there is more snow to come!