Foster Dog Blog #3 – Getting to know Gus

[Kathy Janes]

You can’t keep a good Labradoodle down. We are learning that as we try to keep Gus calm and without any stress on his heart or lungs as the heartworm treatment does its job. Gus is still a puppy at heart and playing in the sprinklers on a hot day fills him with such a joyous exuberance for life that it’s hard to stop him.

We took him to the park today for a short walk. It was his first time to ride in my Passat rather than Tom’s roomier Jeep. He did great though, even with the grandkid’s car seat there. He was so good; already he knows not to get in or out until he’s told to. That may have been a lesson that sunk in the day we learned that he’ll jump out the window of a moving car. Fortunately we were at a stop sign and he was buckled in so had only enough leash to put his feet on the ground. But it was so frightening to us that he isn’t allowed to have a window down even a few inches now. (It was only down enough for his head, but you need to remember, his middle name is Houdini. Speaking of which, he got out of the crate again Friday night, but that’s another story.)

Monday and Tuesday were normal days. A little playing in the yard but mostly rest and following Tom like there was an invisible thread attached between them. Monday night our son and his wife brought their baby over. We watched carefully for a reaction from Gus, and he was a little curious. But he licked her toes and gave his approval then wandered off. Mater came up to Daphne to give her a sloppy face kiss and Daphne (just 4-1/2 mos. old) grabbed his whiskers to hold his face up to hers! Naturally no one had a camera, but it would have made a prizewinning shot! So far Gus seems to be good around babies. We’ve kept the toddlers away for now, but may have them over soon to see how he is with them.

On Wednesday, we decided it was too soon after his treatment to take him to obedience class with us and so we decided to try leaving him on his own for the hour or two we’d be gone. I think it did worry him, as it was the only time he’s lifted his leg in the house. I don’t think it had anything to do with “revenge” but everything to do with the stress of no one, not even his buddy Mater, being home. I think he was a little fearful when he discovered he was totally alone. So he urinated on the pillows we had originally put beside the fireplace to give him a soft place to rest. I’d moved them back upstairs but hadn’t put them away yet and they were just lying by the linen closet door. We found him asleep on the bed we bought for him, smiling to see that we all really did return to him. Certain insecurities start to show now that he feels a little better, and so soon after being in the shelter being alone was something frightening.

Friday was Tom’s birthday and we had a houseful of adult family (plus Daphne) for dinner and a night of fun. It was a beautiful evening and Gus did great with everyone. I had been concerned that all of the strangers would be stressful to him, but on the contrary it was just more people to rub him, scratch his ears and back and generally love on him. He’s easy to like and he won everyone’s hearts. We did try to put him in the crate during dinner – that didn’t last but a few minutes and Houdini was out partying again!

We have always taught Mater to lie down beside us when we eat. It has served us well in restaurants, coffee shops, and anywhere else we might take him. So we have tried to begin to install that in Gus, although learning the word “down” is still one of his homework assignments. But interestingly enough, he does seem to be picking up on it. I think he’s realizing that he will have a full tummy here and that he doesn't need to steal or beg. Since he swiped a half loaf of French bread from the table Monday night we have seen him respond well to our command “aacht” or “no”.

He is learning “leave it” as well, and I was amazed at the park today when he found a croissant sandwich and while he wouldn’t give it to me or let me take it, when I gave the command to leave it, he dropped it and away we walked. He’s either really smart, a quick learner, or has had some good training earlier in his life. And likely a little of all of these is true.

Tom is realizing that Gus will be well and find his own home soon. They have grown so close so quickly that he knows it will be hard on him. Gus is a wonderful, sweet dog. Doodle Rescue Collective saved a good one this time, that’s for certain.
We are truly honored to be with him during his healing time.

[Leslie and Halas]

Gus is such a lucky boy! And he's going to make a family very lucky, too.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Kathy, it sounds like he is jus thriving in your home!! TY both so much for showing him what a doodles life is supposed to be!!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Sounds like Gus is coming along wonderfully. Keep up the good work. You'll have to keep any eye on Gus and Tom or you could find yourself with a second doodle, pemanently.

[Tessa, Ellie and Wheezy]

What a lucky doodle Gus is to be with you!!! Awesome!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Gus is one lucky doodle to have gotten himself such great foster parents! I know the lucky family who adopts him will be very grateful for all you & Tom have done for him!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you for keeping us up-to-date. I guess that Gus will need to have a forever home with magicians in order for his next trick to be anticipated and thwarted!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Terrific progress. Enjoy him for now.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks so much for filling us in on Gus. He sounds like such a wonderful boy. You're doing a great thing for this Doodle, Kathy (and Tom)!