F. Scottie - the first few days

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Yep, Scottie too, was part of Operation Three Caballeros. He is such a skinny, frightened boy but he is slowly coming out of his shell. Wednesday evening when we got home from the doodle train excursion Scottie wasn’t too sure about his new surroundings. He was immediately greeted in the drive way by our 16 yr old cat Moonshine. Moo walked right up to Scottie, rubbed noses and then his entire body along Scottie’s skinny front legs. Scottie didn't mind kitty rubs at all. Then the poor boy met the pack. Though he wasn’t sure if he liked Moo, Baxter or Sherlock, he definitely knew he LOVED Harlow. Harlow was tickled to have another dood to play with.

One problem though, Scottie was completely clueless about those scary things called stairs. We had to carry him down the back porch stairs and set him in the yard. He and Harlow immediately started a game of Fox and Hound. Once Harlow wore him out we had to carry Scottie back up the stairs into the house. By yesterday evening Scottie had figured out the stairs and by this morning he acted like he had been going up and down stairs his entire young life.

Speaking of his young life, the shelter had estimated Scottie to be 20 months old. I questioned that because he looks much younger than Harlow who will be 20 months old on the 21^st. At this morning’s vet appointment our vet agreed and said he thought Scottie was between 8 and 10 months old. Scottie’s vet exam found that he has/had ear mites. Poor guy weighs only 41 pounds. I think he is going to be a big dog as he already stands an inch taller than Harlow who is 21” at the shoulder and weighs 50 pounds. I am off to Petsmart after this to pick him up some Blue Buff large breed puppy food. We need to put about 10 pounds on him.

Scottie is still very shy; we seem to need to calmly re-introduce ourselves if we leave him alone for more than 30 minutes. But after introductions are done again, he enjoys getting scratched and rubbed. Right now he is not very food motivated, even bits of turkey hot dogs couldn’t convince him to take his Heartguard. I have never met a dog that would spit out Heartguard, but that is exactly what Scottie did multiple times. I had to break it into pieces and drop it down his throat like a baby bird.

Later today we will begin to gently work out the mats in his coat. Most of them are little and I think we will be able to get most out without too much cutting. I brushed him a bit last night and he seemed to like it; he even gave me a couple of kisses.

On the house training front we have only had one accident in the house. That was yesterday morning when he hadn’t figured out the stair thing. I think it may be due to the fact that he goes outside every time the rest of the pack goes. Kind of learning by example.

I am going to try to get pictures later this afternoon. Right now he is stretched out asleep recuperating from his visit with the vet.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

He sounds like a very smart boy! It took R&B each months to get the stairs! I thought I would be carryin' dogs up and downstairs for the rest of my life! Lot's of doodle k's&h's to you all on the rescue operation!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Nina, thank you so much for opening your heart and your home to Scottie. He's a very lucky doodle boy!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

So Scottie is still just a puppy...OMG he's the same age as my Murph. Knowing what he's been through breaks my heart. Nina, you're an angel (as are all our Foster Moms). This poor guy must be so skinny...Murph isn't that tall and he's already over 50 lbs. I can't wait for pictures.....

[Camilla and Darwin]

The updates on these boys make me happy, but I also feel like crying at the crummy situation they came from. I'm so glad they get a second chance at life! Scotty sounds like a wonderful pup, lets hope he puts on weight and comes out of his shell!

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

I was so waiting for you to post to see how "Scottie" was doing. He's tugged at my heart and I can't wait to see new photos of him. Such wonderful loving care you are giving him......I'm going to enjoy watching him "bloom" via your posts

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Scotty sounds like a good Dood for someone to take into their forever home! He sounds so sweet and loving once he gets over his shyness and gets the security of love and a home. I think you got a good foster and hopefully an easy one to work with. You are such a special person to do this!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

You are awesome! Hope Scottie continues to do well. Sounds like you have a busy house right now :)

[Frannie & Callie]

Nina - you have such a good pack! I know Harlow is excited to have a new dood in residence! You are SO brave to brush. I haven't worked up the nerve yet - I went straight for the scissors. I look forward to hearing more about Scottie's adventures!!!!