Updates (Simone)

March 2012, puppy Simone was adopted by Erin down in Oregon.... She was one of my bigger dogs, at about 18 lbs when I was fostering her... She loved playing in the snow and loved playing with my neighbors rattie mix. 

 Now, over 3 years later, she is all grown up... mom reports she still has plenty of puppy energy though, chasing gophers and her family has expanded... Below is a picture of her participating in her mom's wedding and now she has two human sibling to continuing growing with.    She is adored and doing great!

See her post on the NW New Rattitude Page and like the page too to get all the New Rattitude news!! 

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!

Foster Updates

Sophie, now Laika is doing great... She was adopted last month and got a new furbrother named Boo and they happily play with each other and are just the best of friends.  She has settled in great with her new family and is just a joy. 

great action shot of Lakia! i think that ball is in trouble!

Boo and Laika playing

Simone, now called Sammy (ha, my new foster's name) - is doing great down in Oregon, living it up on a farm with lots of land to play...  She gets to go on walks and her furbrother Chester and her get along great.  She can be nervous of new things, but mom is taking is slow and Sammy is learning that new things don't have to be so scary!

and last, but not least - Indigo (Shelly), who was adopted last July!  Shelly is the dog who loved to jump in my bathtub full of water... She now gets to go boating and swimming and is doing great with her new family.  She's gotten over her fear of car rides and while her and the family cat tolerate each other..her best friend is a family's friends' cat named Button and she gets to go have play dates with Button the cat.  (too cute)...

growin' up!

Indigo with an antler!

Goodbye to Simone and Welcome Sophie!

Simone went home on Sunday with her new mom... She is settling in well and learning the routine... She will be getting lots of walks and has a new dog sibling Chester that she is quickly becoming best buds with and loves to play tug with.  Yeah for Simone!

and now a new little bundle of rat terrier goodness.. Sophie!  She is itty bitty - about 11 lbs and full of busy energy checking out her new foster home.... She is funny... .as she was walking around - her tail would catch her eye and she would do a quick spin to catch it (and miss) and then continue on her walk... She loves attention and cuddles and also playing fetch... I'm sure I will have much to report on this charming little girl in the coming days...

for me?  drool

whatcha doing?

yummm....

I'm Adopted!

Simone has been adopted and now has a person of her very own!  Yeah for her!  She will be heading to her furever home in Oregon on Sunday.  Way to go Simone! 

Midnight Snow

It has started to snow in Yakima again... it hasn't slowed Simone down a bit... in and out the doggie door with no problem and she now mostly goes out there on her own - though sometimes in the morning I have to convince her (ok, carry her) outside - I think she's warm and just would rather hold it...

Cassie and I took Simone and Sasha (my dog) out for play tonight around midnight and Simone has fun (Sasha guarded the perimeter).  She ran, jumped and chased Cassie all around - and she pretty much stayed in the yard playing, really not needed her leash... Snow is fun!  - video of Simone playing in the snow - sorry it's so dark  Midnight Snow Play
She is sleeping now and I'm pretty sure she is out for night and then some!

Busy Days

Simone has had a busy couple of days... yesterday we went over to a friends and she got to meet Emery - they had tons of fun, with chasing and goofiness.   She did very well and the couple of cats she met, she just ignored... dogs are more fun!

Today, we took a trip to the pet store and she had very good manners in there.. very friendly with people and not reactive to any of the dogs in there.. more interested in just sniffing around.  I also managed to convince her (once) to jump in the car on her own - so hopefully she is losing a bit of fear of the car.

looking to get a treat!

And at home... finally a nap!

Back in Action

Simone is feeling much better after a day and half of sleeping and rest...

She likes to sleep with her butt higher than her head...goofy

We had a huge wind storm over the past two days and Simone didn't want to go outside to potty at all... Scary noises... I would get her outside and she would try to run back inside - it was becoming a contest of -  if I could get to the doggie door to block her before she got in... it's been a bit of a struggle to get her to potty outside, but now that the wind has died down, she is getting back into the routine....

She got to play with the neighbors dog yesterday and seemed to have alot of fun running around and she kept licking Fancy's feet! (Fancy didn't seem to mind)... She really does well around other dogs and just wants them to play with her .

Simone's feet... Love the black ticking on her knuckles! 

Spay Day for Simone

Simone was spayed yesterday and is getting plenty of rest... She is one tired puppy!  Having had surgery myself recently, I find myself extra sympathetic to her journey of recovery.  She slept most of yesterday but today was up and about (with me running to get her so she doesn't jump up or off the couch), very hungry (after a day of no food) and didn't want to go outside in the frost to potty, but was convinced after a little urging.   Looking forward to Simone getting back to her puppy self!

recovery is hard!

Simone trying a new look with her collar

She loves this tuffy toy!

Rockin' the Doggie Door

 Simone has figured out to use the doggie door to go potty this AM and in the rain no less!  What a smart girl - that didn't take long at all.  She is so smart!

I also love her nubby tail - it's short and cute and wags real fast when she is playing... however, she doesn't like me video taping her butt (who would?)  Nubby Wubby

Sweet Simone...

Simone is doing really well.  She is such a doll, very sweet and very well mannered for a puppy...

She has learned the doggie door and though she hasn't used it yet to go out and potty on her own, she is so close... She will hang out by the doggie door when she is ready but still  wants me to go outside with her.

She went over to a friends house that has a rat terrier mix named Fancy and after about 15 minutes, they played and chased each other.  It was really super cute.  Took her over to my daughter's house to see how she does with cats and she was really indifferent to her cat.   I did finally hear her growl yesterday and it was when she saw my dog in a mirror - she started growling at the reflection.  Maybe she just can't handle two Sasha's!  She has never growled directly at my dog.

Fancy and Simone

blurry i know, but they were moving fast...and they are kind of twins!

She is a bit of a thief, I have discovered... if you send something down such as a hairbrush, nail file, cell phone, remote -  she will grab it and run away.  She is still learning what toys are and what are not... While she hasn't chewed on any of those, she is a great chewer and loves to chew on bones and hooves. 

She hates the vacuum and I finally heard her barking when we did some vacuuming - other than that, she's not too much of a barker.      Here is a video of her barking:  Simone vs. the Vacuum

We continue to work on the crate training and she is not a fan.  She is quiet in the crate when I leave for a bit  but at night, she still whines to get out every couple of hours. 

Settling In...

Simone is settling in and we are working on getting her a routine... She is a great eater, not at all picky and is very interested in doing tricks for treats.  She can sit on command and we are working on spin and lay down.  She does it but I can tell the light bulb hasn't come on yet.  We are also working on her house training and learning the doggie door which she is still a bit nervous about.  She is a love bug though and enjoying snuggling up for a nap and getting lots of scratches.

enjoying a tasty treat

i think she got too warm under the covers so she came out and slept like this - it was funny

Guess who's is in Yakima!

So after about a month break, I've gotten a new puppy to foster!  Simone is about 7 months old and already 18 to 20 lbs!  She is mostly black and white with some dark brown on the sides.. .Super soft and very mellow to date... Had a good meet and greet with my dog Sasha, who was her normal bossy self and then stole Simone's bone just in case she didn't who was boss.   She is currently asleep in my closet where she found a blanket to lay on and can still keep a watchful eye on me.  Next week she will go in for her check up and spay.