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.

Warming up

While some dogs just need a few days to relax and settle into their foster homes, others need a bit longer and Coho is one of those girls who need time and love to realize that their life has finally taken a turn. Happily, this week she's gone from avoiding getting too close to us to wanting to follow us around. In fact it was tough to get pictures for the blog last night since she kept photobombing the shots.

Check out this video of her coming over and standing on my legs to get some attention. She's obviously still not relaxed about it but she kept coming back to me for more petting. Such a sweet little girl. I can't wait to watch her grow into a happy relaxed dog.