Friday, June 24, 2011
Valentine got adopted
Wohoo - Sweet Valentine got adopted today. Sheryl spoke with the new mom for a long time - gl - and don't forget -patience!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Valentine - a feral dog in need of a home or foster
I met Valentine sometime in March, when she was still with her "siblings" in the shelter. They had been picked up together and this sweetie was considered feral. She loved playing with dogs though. Her canine friends have since been adopted, and Valentine too was at a foster home for a while. When she came back, she was more shy and scared than ever...and even nipped at other dogs. I have been visiting her at the shelter 3 or 4 times a week, just for a few minutes, for the last 2 weeks. She must be about 8-9 months old now, she definitely matured since I had first seen her. She is a shy beauty, studying with attention what is going on. She is very food driven and still does not like to be touched....she tolerates it. She is scared of any fast movement. She looks at you with the most beautiful brown eyes. After being out with some nice dogs for a few times, she again plays well with them. What an adventure it would be to gain her trust - learn to enjoy human touch and company and have her live a happy dog life as someone's special friend.
I bring her a couple of liver treats, or hot dog bits on my visits, and she really likes those. She will come to get them. She used to play with a ball way back when she first came, but now I don't see her play anymore....mostly I don't see any toys. Today - when she saw me - she actually wagged her tail a little - a first.
As to what kind of dog she is: one who needs a special home with someone who has a lot of patience. A brother or sister dog who is well trained and people oriented would be of great help. Dogs definitely do learn from each other. She will run away if she gets a chance...so a secure fence is a must.But really, only on leash for quite some time.
Valentine is at the Sammies Friends shelter in Penn Valley, California. Sammie's Friends at Pet finder
For more info contact ruth@sammiesfriends.org.
She brought up 2 interesting points for me: how to rehabilitate a feral dog and also the issue of stray dogs in the USA.
For me, with my few minutes long visits at the shelter, it's simply: Go slow - no sudden moves, reward with food for behavior you want: a step towards you, coming all the way to where I am sitting, tolerating waving of your hand or other objects, getting her used to getting up and back down movements. As I said, she needs a special home and someone with a lot of patience.
There is a gal on facebook who is currently handling a semi-feral stray rescue. Angel-a from Painter Strays.
This is not bad on feral dogs.
I bring her a couple of liver treats, or hot dog bits on my visits, and she really likes those. She will come to get them. She used to play with a ball way back when she first came, but now I don't see her play anymore....mostly I don't see any toys. Today - when she saw me - she actually wagged her tail a little - a first.
As to what kind of dog she is: one who needs a special home with someone who has a lot of patience. A brother or sister dog who is well trained and people oriented would be of great help. Dogs definitely do learn from each other. She will run away if she gets a chance...so a secure fence is a must.But really, only on leash for quite some time.
Valentine is at the Sammies Friends shelter in Penn Valley, California. Sammie's Friends at Pet finder
For more info contact ruth@sammiesfriends.org.
She brought up 2 interesting points for me: how to rehabilitate a feral dog and also the issue of stray dogs in the USA.
For me, with my few minutes long visits at the shelter, it's simply: Go slow - no sudden moves, reward with food for behavior you want: a step towards you, coming all the way to where I am sitting, tolerating waving of your hand or other objects, getting her used to getting up and back down movements. As I said, she needs a special home and someone with a lot of patience.
There is a gal on facebook who is currently handling a semi-feral stray rescue. Angel-a from Painter Strays.
This is not bad on feral dogs.
Background story of Helping-Dogs
Welcome to the Helping Dogs Blog.
This is the start of a project which came about because of her: a German Shepherd Husky, adopted at age 1 from a shelter. I took care of her for almost 7 months. Through taking care of her and wanting to do everything possible to have her be a happy, well adjusted dog - I discovered a lot of things and part of what now seems to want to happen with and my life is: Helping dogs
This blog is going to feature stories of dogs in need of help, in shelters. It's sister blog will be more about other dog related topics, like training, feeding and sometimes just ramblings about the state of the world as it relates to the life of dogs. Helping K9s. I realize that the blog title is ambivalent - but then, when you help dogs - they help you.
If you would like to find out more about what happened, you can do that here In love with a dog.
Here just a little bit.
From my facebook album: What is art?
♥ She IS Art - sculpted and painted by nature and imbued with a big spirit by creation itself.
She IS Art - no point really trying to describe it - she is a delight to behold....beautiful, present, playful, regal, happy, alert, with such elegance in movement, with determination & focus, loyalty in doing her job - independent yet open to adjustment & contact - slowly giving her trust and turning into a love bug.
she raises your spirits with her magnificent presence just being who she is from her essence...a transmitter of divine vibration.
maybe there are other dogs like this - maybe there is one such special dog for everyone that can have such an effect on someone. maybe i was just ready to see, maybe she really is that special, maybe it was reawakening past live connection. who knows...
...wish you could have seen her fly through the meadow, studying a situation, try to play with a cow, or teach stormy how to play or wag her tail or....
may you be blessed with an encounter such as this so when you hear someone say "it's just a dog" or "just a drum" or "just a promise" or "just a weed" - you know that they "just don't understand". not yet anyway...you've got to be open to the magic, willing to go through the portal into a different world, be amazed, accept what you find there, give it your full attention...allow your heart to be broken once again....humbled, still and awed - and be changed - ART.
I fell in Love, and, open to the magic, a whole new world opened up.
How lucky to have met her - not just a dog, but a way, a perfect match for what was needed, a magnificent being with a purpose.
By June 10, she'd been gone for 3 1/2 weeks, which seems so much longer, and still the tears come every day. During the last month or so with us, and after about 6 1/2 months, she was starting to come when called - just because. She would turn around on "this way" and she'd been following me everywhere. Neither driven by food, petting or a desire to please, something else made her tick and something else had started to operate here. She was starting to come just because I said so. She had to be won over, convinced I deserved it. She was turning into a bit of a love-bug too. I was looking forward to the next phase of training. And just then...she had to go to a new family. It's along story. Luckily she really seemed to like kids and will have a kid friend in her new home. The woman seems nice, really wanted her and is also very busy. The training she had here may be the only one she'll get, but she won't have to be an outside dog anymore.
It was a profound experience to get to know her. It was intense, it feels like a lifetime went by in just over 6 months, and it was a transformative, life-changing experience. She catalyzed something in me. A bubble burst.
Curious, getting to know her and falling in love, loving with an open heart, in pure delight watching her move, so much deep joy, wanting to do what was best for her, having to go through what for me were physical extremes, recognizing I had known her before and always will - somewhere along the process, leveling up occurred, resulting in being able to "see" better, people and their motives and limitations, where they are stuck, the state of the world, it's hard to explain. I learned so much in many ways about her, dogs, people, myself and the entire world of dogs, including their plight and suffering.
What advise do I have for future dog owners?
Inform yourself about what it will take for you and other members of your household to take on a dog. Decide what type of dog is right for you and your family. And once you say yes to adopting the animal, stick with it. Then have patience, spend time, much time, observe, get to know this being now living with you. Establish yourself to be the leader in your team/pack, use discipline and boundaries from the beginning. Be consistent all the time. Most of all, have, build and feel trust and respect for your dog. Discover what kind of training works best for your new companion. Have patience. Observe, sense, feel the energies involved. Find out the proper cuddle times, get her/him to relax and enjoy your hands on the body. Give guidance, correct instantly - stay calm - surrounding emotional and energetic states will get picked up and acted out by your dog. Find many ways to socialize him/her. Feed them good food, the healthiest you can offer.Take care of their medical needs. Find out what works best for them in training. Respect them and their intelligence.
Walk with them, take them places, channel energy or go slow, reassure with the tone of your voice. Allow them to do dog things, allow them to be dog-happy. No pity or sentimentality. No rewarding unwanted behavior. Open your heart, be amazed, touched, surprised and allow the delight and joy. Get help promptly if needed - spend more time - and take lots of pictures.
With deep gratitude, and with her essence alive in my inner heart forever - this human self here still misses her.
Have a great life.
Those vets will understand
This is the start of a project which came about because of her: a German Shepherd Husky, adopted at age 1 from a shelter. I took care of her for almost 7 months. Through taking care of her and wanting to do everything possible to have her be a happy, well adjusted dog - I discovered a lot of things and part of what now seems to want to happen with and my life is: Helping dogs
This blog is going to feature stories of dogs in need of help, in shelters. It's sister blog will be more about other dog related topics, like training, feeding and sometimes just ramblings about the state of the world as it relates to the life of dogs. Helping K9s. I realize that the blog title is ambivalent - but then, when you help dogs - they help you.
If you would like to find out more about what happened, you can do that here In love with a dog.
Here just a little bit.
From my facebook album: What is art?
♥ She IS Art - sculpted and painted by nature and imbued with a big spirit by creation itself.
She IS Art - no point really trying to describe it - she is a delight to behold....beautiful, present, playful, regal, happy, alert, with such elegance in movement, with determination & focus, loyalty in doing her job - independent yet open to adjustment & contact - slowly giving her trust and turning into a love bug.
she raises your spirits with her magnificent presence just being who she is from her essence...a transmitter of divine vibration.
maybe there are other dogs like this - maybe there is one such special dog for everyone that can have such an effect on someone. maybe i was just ready to see, maybe she really is that special, maybe it was reawakening past live connection. who knows...
...wish you could have seen her fly through the meadow, studying a situation, try to play with a cow, or teach stormy how to play or wag her tail or....
may you be blessed with an encounter such as this so when you hear someone say "it's just a dog" or "just a drum" or "just a promise" or "just a weed" - you know that they "just don't understand". not yet anyway...you've got to be open to the magic, willing to go through the portal into a different world, be amazed, accept what you find there, give it your full attention...allow your heart to be broken once again....humbled, still and awed - and be changed - ART.
I fell in Love, and, open to the magic, a whole new world opened up.
How lucky to have met her - not just a dog, but a way, a perfect match for what was needed, a magnificent being with a purpose.
By June 10, she'd been gone for 3 1/2 weeks, which seems so much longer, and still the tears come every day. During the last month or so with us, and after about 6 1/2 months, she was starting to come when called - just because. She would turn around on "this way" and she'd been following me everywhere. Neither driven by food, petting or a desire to please, something else made her tick and something else had started to operate here. She was starting to come just because I said so. She had to be won over, convinced I deserved it. She was turning into a bit of a love-bug too. I was looking forward to the next phase of training. And just then...she had to go to a new family. It's along story. Luckily she really seemed to like kids and will have a kid friend in her new home. The woman seems nice, really wanted her and is also very busy. The training she had here may be the only one she'll get, but she won't have to be an outside dog anymore.
It was a profound experience to get to know her. It was intense, it feels like a lifetime went by in just over 6 months, and it was a transformative, life-changing experience. She catalyzed something in me. A bubble burst.
Curious, getting to know her and falling in love, loving with an open heart, in pure delight watching her move, so much deep joy, wanting to do what was best for her, having to go through what for me were physical extremes, recognizing I had known her before and always will - somewhere along the process, leveling up occurred, resulting in being able to "see" better, people and their motives and limitations, where they are stuck, the state of the world, it's hard to explain. I learned so much in many ways about her, dogs, people, myself and the entire world of dogs, including their plight and suffering.
What advise do I have for future dog owners?
Inform yourself about what it will take for you and other members of your household to take on a dog. Decide what type of dog is right for you and your family. And once you say yes to adopting the animal, stick with it. Then have patience, spend time, much time, observe, get to know this being now living with you. Establish yourself to be the leader in your team/pack, use discipline and boundaries from the beginning. Be consistent all the time. Most of all, have, build and feel trust and respect for your dog. Discover what kind of training works best for your new companion. Have patience. Observe, sense, feel the energies involved. Find out the proper cuddle times, get her/him to relax and enjoy your hands on the body. Give guidance, correct instantly - stay calm - surrounding emotional and energetic states will get picked up and acted out by your dog. Find many ways to socialize him/her. Feed them good food, the healthiest you can offer.Take care of their medical needs. Find out what works best for them in training. Respect them and their intelligence.
Walk with them, take them places, channel energy or go slow, reassure with the tone of your voice. Allow them to do dog things, allow them to be dog-happy. No pity or sentimentality. No rewarding unwanted behavior. Open your heart, be amazed, touched, surprised and allow the delight and joy. Get help promptly if needed - spend more time - and take lots of pictures.
With deep gratitude, and with her essence alive in my inner heart forever - this human self here still misses her.
Have a great life.
Those vets will understand
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