Pupdate: Zia!

Zia in January at 3 months old

Remember the pups I fostered back in January? Well I heard from Zia's mom yesterday and she is doing fabulous! She's 9 months old now and starting a "Puppy - level 2" training class and once she finishes that might get involved in some dog sports. With her long legs and athletic build and drive I'm sure she will dog great in dog sports.

Zia now, still with the cute head tilt - Isn't she beautiful?

Her body shape and head shape ended up all Rat Terrier but her ears and her energy came from her Jack Russell dad.

A nice profile shot as she eats a West Paw Zisc

In true terrier fashion, taking on two big boys in a game of tug

We're so happy she ended up in a family who took the time to socialize her and take her to training classes too. Happy life, sweet Zia girl!

Pupdate: Zia!

Remember when the NW team had the litter of Rat Terrier/Jack Russell Terrier pups in foster a couple of months ago? Well, here's a great update on one of the two kiddos who were with us.

Zia has kept her name and she's been pretty busy in the last 8 weeks. She's now 14 pounds, double the size from when she was with us, and is now a graduate of puppy school. Below you'll see some photos of her showing off her skillz which include: go to mat, dance, crawl, sit pretty, and a bunch more.

Zia in a rare contemplative moment

This is her mom's first ever small dog and she said it's a big change for her. Zia keeps her whole family on their toes but in spite of that they are all in love with this sweet, smart girl.

Enjoy the great photos they sent of her:

 

Puppy School Graduate!

 

Showing her dance moves

 

Crawling

 

Sit pretty!

 

 

 

 

Zia's starting her new life!

It's not often you get to see a 40 something adult get so excited about something that they are jumping up and down, but that's what happened when I pulled up to meet Zia's new parents to hand her off last night. They were so, so happy, and Zia, who had met them once before was pretty dang excited too. I'm always a little sad when my foster kiddos head home but that kind of happiness is pretty infectious and it makes the goodbyes a lot easier to know that she's found a home where she'll be an important member of the family.

Zia will now live in a neat old neighborhood of Tacoma and her mom is really excited to start her in agility - something this sleek, long-legged, athletic Rat Terrier-Jack Russell will likely excel in! She's a busy girl and needs a job and there's nothing like positive training to help a dog and their person bond. I'm looking forward to hearing about her adventures and seeing pictures of her all grown up - will she have her mamma's conformation-perfect rat terrier ears or her dad's cute floppy Jack ears, or maybe one of each?

Settling in for some serious antler chewing

 

 

Since I've been so busy the puppies pretty much kept themselves occupied playing with each other while they were here and I felt bad because I didn't get to know them as well as I wanted. Today though, I made myself take the time to have an extended playtime with Zia and she tore around the rec room, wrestled with me and worked on an antler with intense purpose.  After that she snuggled up in my lap while I worked on my laptop and had a nice snooze.

Catching some zzz's after a long playtime

So have a wonderful life, beautiful girl! I know you will be loved.

Our Parasitic Adventure

Over the years that we've taken in dogs from shelters we've become pretty familiar with battling parasites - some with more staying power than others. We've dealt with fleas, ticks, diseases from fleas, mites and ticks, multiple skin fungi and yeasts, every worm imaginable (and some I never would have imagine) and lots of single-celled creepy crawlies inhabiting our foster dogs' intestines.

Our personal dogs are very healthy, eat nutritious foods and supplements and rarely pick up anything because their immune systems are very strong. The poor foster dogs bodies though have been through high stress and bad nutrition (and sometimes starvation) and their bodies are easily overcome by these nasties.

So recently when one of our foster dogs joined us they brought up the intestinal parasite Giardia. Symptoms of giardisis are diarrhea as well as burps that smell like diarrhea. It transfers from feces to mouth so poopeaters like Langley are usually the first to be infected.

The result has been utter chaos since along with 2 foster dogs with giardiasis, we also had 2 young foster pups who are highly suscesptible to the pest. To keep the puppies from becoming infected we've created this complex dance of leashed trips to different sections of the back yard, foot cleaning with antiseptic wipes after each trip outside, different poop scoops for the "sick" vs. "healthy" parts of the back yard and separating pups from adult dogs by crating and rotating. No one is happy about it, least of all Troy and I, but we don't have a lot of options.  Coho is now completely over her case and doing great. You'd never think she'd been through a thing. She's starting to put on a bit of weight and her coat is really shining up. 

Langley and Coho during their free time, checking to see if there are any goodies in the kitchen

With Langley it's tough to tell because feeling sick made him anxious, which also causes loose stools. He's also still recuperating from a holiday season full of lots of changes to routine so all is not well in Langley's world or his butt.  It looks like we've managed to move past the multiple middle of the night crate blow outs, complete with his anxious spinning and trampling of the poo. And he's actually enjoying a little time in the living room without too much compulsive behavior.  In fact today I found him sitting in his favorite bed when I came upstairs from the laundry room. I had put the bed up on the hearth to keep the puppies out of it but that didn't stop Mr. Longlegs from hopping into it. It's the first time I've seen him just sit and relax since November.

Langley balanced on his perch

The puppies are keeping busy in their penned area and Frodo makes sure to stick close during mealtimes to benefit from their messy eating habits.

Frodo helps himself to some puppy food

Coho and Tilly hang in the kitchen where they both have cozy beds and things to chew on.

So everyone is making the best of things and now that they've completed their Panacur treatment and antibiotics, we're crossing fingers that we're finally done with the mess. The sanitizing will continue as will the leashed potty breaks and careful scooping and hopefully that will be the end of our first run-in with Giardia.

A Lazy Post

Puppies are TIRING. So I am just now getting around to writing a post today and honestly, it's not even a post. The good news is that along with being really tiring, puppies are also super cute and hilarious so I just uploaded a few videos and am going to call it good for the night. Better get to bed now. I've got to be up at 5 am for their first potty break of the day.

Zia and Taos, running off some of their seemingly endless store of energy

 

Taos can't get up on the couch so one of their favorite games is for Zia to get up there and taunt him.

 

Zia and her little needle puppy teeth can do some damage if you are careful so having toys/chews to redirect her mouth to is always important.

Socializing...

Taos and Lloyd

One of the best things you can do for your puppy that will truly change their life forever is to give them as many experiences at a young age as you can squeeze in.  I understand that it can be a lot of work, but hey - if you choose to bring a puppy into your family you signed on for the job. Early socialization can develop a confidence in your dog that will set them up for success for much of their life.

So yesterday I took Taos and Zia on a socialization expedition. First we stopped by Northpoint Trading Company - a wholesale distributor of natural pet products. I had to pick up a few puppy items for the foster dogs so I took the opportunity to bring the pups along to meet a bunch of people they didn't know and also to meet Lloyd, a sweet, 70 pound goofball of a Pit Bull.

Zia was the first out of the crate. She was pretty scared but she scooted around on her belly at high speed, checking things out (and occasionally submissive peeing as you see in this video - whoops!)  Then when she had sniffed everyone and decided things where safe, she went into her typical, excited, tearing around puppy mode. 

Taos's style is to hang back and watch and then to emerge once he feels safe. Lloyd was pretty interested in Taos and kept sticking his huge head up to the entrance of the crate and Taos's eyes would get big and he'd back up. However, before long he ran out and joined his sister doing rattie runs around the front office. Of course this was pretty cute and before long all work came to a stop and warehouse employees streamed in to see what all the laughing was about.

When Lloyd witnessed the pups in full speed he was a little overwhelmed (I totally feel ya on that one, Lloyd.) So he backed up slowly, head flipping back and forth as he tried to keep track of where they were, and he sat his butt down on my lap. It was really cute, and I absolutely love Lloyd so forgave him for putting my legs to sleep. He eventually decided they weren't a threat and laid down in the middle of the floor to bat at them as they tore by. Again - really cute!

The visit ended when Taos and Lloyd tore under a desk and knocked the computer speakers off just as the boss came to see what the ruckus was about. Whoops!

The next part of our adventure wasn't quite as fun. We went to my work, Dog Daze Natural Pet, to meet some cats and also to have their microchips inserted by one of my co-workers. The pups received a bully stick for their troubles and chewed contentedly all the way home.

Not sure where our next adventure will be but we'll think of something.

Monkeyin' around

Along with being incredibly adorable puppies possess the power to make anyone laugh. I mean, it's just about impossible to stay irritated. The puppies pull a pee pad into their crate and shred it, and I chuckle, but 11 yr old Tilly does the same thing and I grump at her.  It's like pups have a license to be naughty.

A lot of yesterday when I wasn't at work was spent cleaning up after Langley who is sick with an intestinal infection and producing a LOT of poop.  When I wasn't cleaning him, his crate, and myself up, I was taking dogs out on leash or cleaning up after the puppies or trying to figure out a way to get Langley to stop panicking about the poop, and thus causing himself to poop even more. As you can imagine I was not in a good mood. The house smelled horrific, the dogs were loud, and I just wanted to either crawl into bed and collapse or go punch something. But then something happened.

It was the puppies turn for attention so I put Langley in a crate downstairs, sanitized myself, and got the puppies out for their turn to tear around the living room and wear themselves out.

And then the day magically got better. It's impossible to focus on how irritated you are when a puppy is running around and making their oh-so-funny puppy grunts and squeals. And before you know it you forget why you were even mad and join in the wrestling match. Puppy therapy. It's a great thing. Even if it does come hand in hand with a lot of chewed up things and potty accidents.

Zia and Taos at the Vet

Taos in the exam room, trying to decide whether to jump off the table

It was a pretty eventful day on Sunday for the pupsters. Both had an early morning drive to the vet where they were spayed/neutered. Both were pretty unhappy about the whole ordeal and we were called early to pick them up since they were loudly complaining.

Zia, getting some snuggles from a vet tech

They showed off their cuteness, but Taos must have been especially working the ladies because when we arrived he was dubbed the new front desk employee and got to hang out getting snuggled up in the reception area.

Already they are perking up. They are still not so happy about being separated so they don't overdo themselves wrestling with each other and they aren't shy about expressing their dislike of the situation. This morning they are getting some time together before the work day and I also bought them off with some new plushie toys that are keeping them distracted.

Puppies' first day...



Watching the back yard to see if there's anything interesting going on

Little Zia and Taos made themselves right at home and have been tearing around and acting like the active terrier puppies that they are. While we think they are great the 4 dogs in the house, Coho, Langley, Frodo and Tilly, have all given them a 4 paws down vote. Langley's overwhelmed by them, Coho and Tilly are irritated and Frodo's yelling "can I hear a HELL NO!"  Puppies are never popular with him.

Busy, busy puppies. Coho is interested, but also annoyed.

 

Taos wants so badly to be able to tear around on the couch like his sister does, but alas, his legs are too short.

But it's been a good first day. There's only been one poop in their pen so I say that's impressive.  Both of them endured a bath and they both agree that this cold weather makes potty breaks a special kind of puppy abuse. Little do they know what awaits them today at the vet's office...
 

Zia getting a bath





Adding some crazy to crazy town

Things were already busy and wild at our house but last night the crazy reached new levels. The transport arrived with the 8 Washington pups and they all spent the night at our house. This morning they are on their way to their various foster spots but they sure created quite a hurricane while they were here.

Sunbeam (in back), Sidney, Serena (all girls), and Morgan (boy)

 

Maile and Teko (both females) fostered in Redmond and Bellevue WA

 

Zia stepping on Taos's head

The puppies were LOUD.  Really, really loud and a bit cranky since they are ready to stretch their legs and tear around and I went and stuck them in yet another crate for the night. There was a bit of poop and mess from the pups and a lot of noise but for the most part as long as we put earplugs (Hunter's idea) in and kept a bunch of candles burning it wasn't horrific. 

The variety of sizes and head shapes was a big surprise to me. Mama was a papered Rat Terrier (although not your typical markings) and I'm pretty sure there were a couple daddies involved in this batch of pups.

The real problem was the four dogs who were already here. From the puppies we had 2 crate poops last night right after arrival. However, from the other 4 dogs already here we had 2 crate poops (Langley) one table leg getting marked (Frodo) and then about 3-4 pee spots in the kitchen (Tilly). Coho kept a dry crate but just cried mournfully.

The whole adventure has been most overwhelming for Langley, poor guy. Hunter took him downstairs and carried him around and bounced him last night until he calmed down and was able to relax and go to his bedtime crate. In the video you see him in full on freak out mode. A little later he added some poop to his whirling dervish routine which resulted in him needing a bath and the crate needing to be scrubbed down with a brush to get all the poop off the wires.

After everyone quieted down, Frodo and I went downstairs with some Spanish guitar music, a very big glass of Syrah, and the laptop to catch up on emails and paperwork. It was a late night and an early morning but I'm glad this large loud crew is safe.

Sunbeam, fostered in Snohomish WA

 



Introducing Zia and Taos and 7 more puppies

Meet our first two new fosters of 2013: Zia and Taos. 

 

My co-rescue coordinator and I were contacted about a litter of 8 three month old puppies needing rescue who were born to a Rat Terrier mom. At first both of us thought "CRAP, there is no way we can pull this off!" but I figured I might as well check in with the NW foster parents and see if anyone was up for squeezing in an extra puppy or two to their load of foster dogs. As usual, a bunch of folks stepped up to the plate and before I knew it all 8 of the pups had found a foster spot.

One of the foster parents donated the $50 to get them all their first vaccination and then we waited 3 weeks for them to have their second booster since we didn't want to put them on a transport unless they had 2 DHPP vaccinations under their belt.

Then yesterday, the day the puppies were supposed to hop on their transport, I got a call from our New Rattitude volunteer who was temping the puppies in Fresno for us. She had taken all the pups in that morning to get their health certificates and the shelter vet saw the pups and then brought out another puppy the same age, same size, who had been stepped on and had their shoulder dislocated. The shoulder had been reset and x-rays had been done and everything was okay - she just needed some cage rest. The vet wanted her to see if we could take that puppy too. OY! A ninth puppy?! I told Lynn I couldn't promise anything since the foster homes taking the puppies were already in overload.  So I emailed the foster parents again and sure enough, another foster parent stepped up and a ninth puppy joined the crew. I told Lynn she'd better get them on the transport soon because I wouldn't be taking a tenth.

The pups are on their way up to the Northwest as I type and there are 6 foster families excitedly awaiting their arrival. Eight pups will be fostered in Washington and one in Oregon. That makes our NW foster homes full to the brim with 20 dogs currently in our foster homes up here. They won't be overloaded for long though since there are several adoptions in the works and we're sure the puppies will go fast, even if they do look a bit mixy.

Our two kiddos are both named for Native Pueblos of New Mexico. For over 600 years the 19 pueblos of New Mexico have dealt with the worst that both man and nature could dish out and survived so they may fitting namesakes for tough little homeless terriers that have beat the odds.

Zia is a native Pueblo of New Mexico located about 16 miles north of Albuquerque.  It is also the name of the sun symbol below that is featured on the flag of New Mexico. The pueblo is known for its pottery, an unpolished redware with white slip.

 

 

Most folks have heard of the modern city of Taos, but the Taos Pueblo that lies about a mile north of the city is an ancient community that's about 1,000 years old. The famous north-side pueblo structure seen below is the largest multistoried Pueblo structure still existing and is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.