Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
HOLIDAY CASH - a foster dog update
Busy times have led to fewer Blog updates, but today it's time. Cash has been a great boy over the holidays! I was really afraid he'd water the Christmas tree like he does the ones in the yard – but he didn't bother the tree at all! He left the ornaments, lights, gifts and everything untouched unless his toy bounced into the milieu and then he carefully reached in to get it. I'm continually amazed by what an easy dog he is.
He has gotten comfortable enough with us now to let a couple of less desirable actions show up. Don't laugh when I tell you of his bad habits. One is that he is so excited to see us if we've been away that he jumps up on us and dances around on his back feet. The other is that he barks at the slightest unfamiliar sound or person on the street. Yes, these are his worst – and only – bad habits we've found. That's why I said don't laugh! Cash is just a really good dog! He's so easy to have around.
Oh – there is one other bad habit he has now that is my fault. Every night we would put him in the crate with a “night-night” treat and close the door as we went upstairs to bed. He'd stay in the crate in the family room quietly waiting for us to let him out in the morning. One night just as I got into bed he started barking. I thought perhaps he needed to go outside one last time, so came down and let him out. He painted some snow yellow and then came back in and I put him back to bed. When I got upstairs he started barking again! Well, I thought maybe he needed to do more outside, so down the stairs and to the crate I went again. When I opened the door, he bolted up the stairs and onto our bed and refused to get off. I literally picked him up, took him back outside (just in case) and then started to put him in the crate again, when he bolted up the stairs. I was tired and gave up and gave in, and he has slept happily at the foot of our bed ever since. Mater doesn't even seem to mind, since he usually is only there to “tuck us in” before he leaves for the cool tile floor of the bathroom. So now every night we are lovingly put to bed by our two cats and the two dogs. Only Cash stays on the bed for the night, but he never disturbs us at all (unless a strange sound is heard outside). Sorry, future adopter, but we have totally spoiled him!
He will chase the cats if they run, which ours rarely do. He won't hurt them, but little Bradley loves dogs so much that Cash often gets the chance to nibble on him. It's funny because Cash will do it to Mater as well. He nibbles like most dogs would nibble a flea bite, but he gently does this to Mater and Bradley! Sometimes Mater really enjoys it! Goofy dogs!
I spent a large part of yesterday going over the many applications DRC has received for Cash. So many wonderful homes would love to have him! It will be hard giving him up, but it will be hard to decide who gets him as well. I'm glad it isn't my choice alone, but the adoption committee will make a final decision. I do want everyone to know that all of the applications have been thoughtfully reviewed over and over. My input is what I think Cash would want in a forever home. Sometimes I wish he would just talk to me about it, but it would be so sad for us both to talk about him leaving. I think of how he plays with Mater and wonder if he wants a home with another dog. Or does he want to be an only dog? And what about kids? He loves them when they are here, but doesn't seem to miss them when they aren't. He's really good with all of them, even the 3 year old who wants to boss him around. I know he wants someone who he can be near most of the time. He prefers to be close by and when I work from home he rarely leaves my feet. But he is okay with being left behind – sort of. Yesterday he watched out the window with a sad look as we drove off for a day downtown with friends. But he's fine left alone now, even out of the crate, and dances with joy when we return.
Cash had his first shot for the heartworm treatment last Monday. Until now he has been on an antibiotic that is intended to weaken the adult heartworms and the other stages of the life-cycle. For Cash, we noticed general health improvements, as though he had some minor infections he may have picked up at the shelter and this cleared them up. His eye color is better and so is the general coloring in his lips and gums.
Immiticide is a strong drug, but the only one used today for treatment of adult heartworm. After the injection, Cash is to have limited activity for the next four weeks and then he will receive two more injections of the same drug. The recommendation is that the dog be crated during this time and only taken outside on leash. Since he is usually so calm, we haven't crated him but have made him stop playing with Mater (as much as possible) and also let them outside only one at a time. The risk is that if a number of deceased worms are pumped into the bloodstream at once before the body has had time to break them down, they can push heartworms into the lungs, increasing the chance of developing congestive heart failure and possibly causing sudden collapse and death. So this is obviously a serious time for Cash's care. I found this brochure from a California veterinarian that is very informative for those of you interested: Heartworm%20treatment.pdf
I've been putting them both on a down/stay when they get rowdy. It's good practice for both of them as Mater needs to update his Delta registration this year, and Cash has been working on prolonged down/stays in his Novice class. He won't get to go back to class because of the treatment, but I can continue it at home for him.
Well, Cash just came if with a ball he found under the snow and he's wagging his cute stub of a tail like a mad man he's so happy. I think I'll go give him a love.
He has gotten comfortable enough with us now to let a couple of less desirable actions show up. Don't laugh when I tell you of his bad habits. One is that he is so excited to see us if we've been away that he jumps up on us and dances around on his back feet. The other is that he barks at the slightest unfamiliar sound or person on the street. Yes, these are his worst – and only – bad habits we've found. That's why I said don't laugh! Cash is just a really good dog! He's so easy to have around.
Oh – there is one other bad habit he has now that is my fault. Every night we would put him in the crate with a “night-night” treat and close the door as we went upstairs to bed. He'd stay in the crate in the family room quietly waiting for us to let him out in the morning. One night just as I got into bed he started barking. I thought perhaps he needed to go outside one last time, so came down and let him out. He painted some snow yellow and then came back in and I put him back to bed. When I got upstairs he started barking again! Well, I thought maybe he needed to do more outside, so down the stairs and to the crate I went again. When I opened the door, he bolted up the stairs and onto our bed and refused to get off. I literally picked him up, took him back outside (just in case) and then started to put him in the crate again, when he bolted up the stairs. I was tired and gave up and gave in, and he has slept happily at the foot of our bed ever since. Mater doesn't even seem to mind, since he usually is only there to “tuck us in” before he leaves for the cool tile floor of the bathroom. So now every night we are lovingly put to bed by our two cats and the two dogs. Only Cash stays on the bed for the night, but he never disturbs us at all (unless a strange sound is heard outside). Sorry, future adopter, but we have totally spoiled him!
He will chase the cats if they run, which ours rarely do. He won't hurt them, but little Bradley loves dogs so much that Cash often gets the chance to nibble on him. It's funny because Cash will do it to Mater as well. He nibbles like most dogs would nibble a flea bite, but he gently does this to Mater and Bradley! Sometimes Mater really enjoys it! Goofy dogs!
I spent a large part of yesterday going over the many applications DRC has received for Cash. So many wonderful homes would love to have him! It will be hard giving him up, but it will be hard to decide who gets him as well. I'm glad it isn't my choice alone, but the adoption committee will make a final decision. I do want everyone to know that all of the applications have been thoughtfully reviewed over and over. My input is what I think Cash would want in a forever home. Sometimes I wish he would just talk to me about it, but it would be so sad for us both to talk about him leaving. I think of how he plays with Mater and wonder if he wants a home with another dog. Or does he want to be an only dog? And what about kids? He loves them when they are here, but doesn't seem to miss them when they aren't. He's really good with all of them, even the 3 year old who wants to boss him around. I know he wants someone who he can be near most of the time. He prefers to be close by and when I work from home he rarely leaves my feet. But he is okay with being left behind – sort of. Yesterday he watched out the window with a sad look as we drove off for a day downtown with friends. But he's fine left alone now, even out of the crate, and dances with joy when we return.
Cash had his first shot for the heartworm treatment last Monday. Until now he has been on an antibiotic that is intended to weaken the adult heartworms and the other stages of the life-cycle. For Cash, we noticed general health improvements, as though he had some minor infections he may have picked up at the shelter and this cleared them up. His eye color is better and so is the general coloring in his lips and gums.
Immiticide is a strong drug, but the only one used today for treatment of adult heartworm. After the injection, Cash is to have limited activity for the next four weeks and then he will receive two more injections of the same drug. The recommendation is that the dog be crated during this time and only taken outside on leash. Since he is usually so calm, we haven't crated him but have made him stop playing with Mater (as much as possible) and also let them outside only one at a time. The risk is that if a number of deceased worms are pumped into the bloodstream at once before the body has had time to break them down, they can push heartworms into the lungs, increasing the chance of developing congestive heart failure and possibly causing sudden collapse and death. So this is obviously a serious time for Cash's care. I found this brochure from a California veterinarian that is very informative for those of you interested: Heartworm%20treatment.pdf
I've been putting them both on a down/stay when they get rowdy. It's good practice for both of them as Mater needs to update his Delta registration this year, and Cash has been working on prolonged down/stays in his Novice class. He won't get to go back to class because of the treatment, but I can continue it at home for him.
Well, Cash just came if with a ball he found under the snow and he's wagging his cute stub of a tail like a mad man he's so happy. I think I'll go give him a love.
Comment
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Comment by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle on January 4, 2011 at 7:36am
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Thank you for all the time and devotion you are giving Cash, Kathy. You are an incredible foster mom, and Cash is so lucky to have you. I know his forever family will be always be grateful to you for saving him.
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Comment by Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim on January 4, 2011 at 2:11am
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You are doing such a great job with Cash, thank you for giving him the love, time and care he needs to be the best he can be. I know you will do a great job picking out his new family because you two have a special bond, he's telling you what he would like in his forever family just not with words. Wonderful job, Kathy!
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Comment by Tante & Jordan & now Annie! on January 3, 2011 at 7:33pm
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I also want to see the video, Jordan does a Potty Dance when she needs out, but all the paws stay on the ground.
Dont you just love fostering? I am truly loving our time with Eli.
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Comment by Adrianne Matzkin on January 3, 2011 at 3:54pm
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I would love to see a video of the Cash Dance!
You and your family have made it possible for Cash to have a Happy New Year!! TY TY TY, Kathy!!!!
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Comment by Suzanne & Jack on January 3, 2011 at 3:18pm
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I love hearing Cash updates. I'm so glad he has gotten so many applications. He will make a great addition to a loving family.
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Comment by Camilla and Darwin on January 3, 2011 at 10:20am
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Cash sounds like such a great guy.
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Comment by Nancie & Gracie Doodle on January 3, 2011 at 9:45am
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What a sweet story about Cash. It is so sad that he has to curtail his activities since he seems so enthusiastic with the family. Like you said, it is a good time to work on some training. Hugs and pats to Cash!
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Comment by F, Calla & Luca on January 3, 2011 at 7:32am
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Great story about Cash who sounds like a lovable and loving dog. What a great job you are doing!
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Comment by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on January 3, 2011 at 7:26am
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I hardly even know what to say, Kathy. You are one amazing foster Mom, and clearly a very special person. Your love for Cash jumps right off the screen. Thank you for everything you're going for this guy....bless you.
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Comment by Jennifer Tramell on January 3, 2011 at 7:13am
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You're doing such a great job with Cash - I can imagine how hard it will be when he leaves! His new family will be so blessed to have him and I look forward to him having that forever home. How are his canine social skills coming?
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