Welcome to the Co-Hosted Follow-Up Friday, the blog hop that let’s you wrap up your week and leads you right into the weekend.
Yes I have a co-host this week.
I’ve been following my co-host for about a month now, and getting to know her through current posts. I’ve recently had the time to poke through the blog though and I realized exactly how much we have in common.
Her Thankful Thursday post from 12-20-12 expressed so many of my own feelings about walking with my dogs.
“Today, on Thankful Thursday, I am grateful to have a dog that loves nothing more than a long walk in the woods.”
“When life closes in, when stress mounts, there’s nothing better than a long walk in the woods. Sometimes, no matter how much I know I’ll enjoy it, it’s hard to work up the motivation to gather the gear and make the drive…and then I think about how much Gizmo loves our adventures, and that’s enough to get me up and going.”
“t brings me great joy to see him having so much fun. As we hike along the trail tension melts…I breathe deeply and enjoy the peace and solitude. I notice the beauty of my surroundings. I feel good.”
Well you get my point right? I could see me and the dogs taking a hike with them.
Yes. I. Could.
Please welcome my co-host this week, Gizmo and his mom Beth, from Terrier Torrent.
Home for the Holidays – Update
Well the dogs are not adjusting well to the puppy at all. In fact, Sampson has gone after the puppy on two different occasions where the puppy retreated whimpering and whining.
I had reached out to Deanna, from For the Love of My Dogs. Deanna does a lot of fostering and I thought she might have a solution. When she had a similar situation with one of her fosters, the only thing that worked was putting the dog in the crate while still being able to see others interacting with the other dogs.
Our daughter is using our crate for Bo, but both times Sampson went after Bo, he went into the bedroom and was sequestered for his behavior.
Our friends the 2 Brown Dawgs suggested gates. We rearranged the living room furniture so Sampson and Delilah were restrained. They seemed to do very well, but it was after we let them out that Sampson went after Bo the second time.
My son-in-law keeps saying they will work it out, but it makes me so nervous. I do not want my dogs to be the ruin of a puppy.
My dogs are perfect to me, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have bad days or quirky personality traits. That being said I think there are times when they are sending a signal to Beauregard that he either doesn’t understand or chooses to ignore.
I have watched Sampson with that get it away from me look on his face trying to get away from Bo, but Bo keeps following him.
He’s so cute though, check him out.
I also think they’re not giving him a chance. So we are managing with crates, gates and “Sampson, be nice!” “Delilah, be nice!” ” Bo, come here.”
For a person who has always heard, What a great dogs you have, I feel like an utter failure.
I told Hubby, it’s probably a sure bet I’ll never be able to foster a puppy.
Christmas Eve – Update
According to the tracking system the US postal system uses, all calendars sent to residents in the US have been delivered. To our friends in Canada and the UK will you please let me know you received your calendars.
There is a whole little story behind the calendars but it’s too lengthy to share in the FUF post, I plan on writing about it hopefully within the next week or so.
Merry Christmas – Author’s Note
I took the day after Christmas off and besides walking the dogs, I did nothing much but sit on my computer and catch up on my blog reading and commenting.
I do have to note though, it sucks going back to straight coffee after you’ve had some lovely days with Irish Coffees. 🙁
WTF Wednesday – Update
First it should have been titled WTF/Whoo Hoo Wednesday, but it’s been so long I completely forgot how I roll.
Now about that dog….Noelle as she has been named was bleeding from her nose and had Kennel Cough which turned into Pneumonia along with a partially collapsed lung.
The latest update I received stated she is ….responding well to treatment and they are looking for a foster home with no animals (due to the Kennel Cough.)
Pet Blogger Gift Exchange – Author’s Note
I supposed I should have told you this, but Cokie the Cat is a male. I know, I know, I referred to her, but I was referring to Kristin as her, since she is Cokie’s mother.
I just wanted to clarify because I noticed many people referring to Cokie as she or her.
The other thing I forgot to do on this post to provide a link back to Pamela’s Blog.
Ooops, my bad.
That’s it for me.
This is the Follow-Up Friday Blog hop, hosted by Terrier Torrent and Heart Like a Dog
Sorry that your two aren’t accepting the puppy yet. It may not happen at all. Didn’t want to mention it earlier as it wasn’t positive but our two Cocker Spaniels (brother and sister and like an old married couple) never did take to a puppy we fostered for 8 months! They never hurt him but they could be very rough. After a while we relaxed but it was stressful to begin with.
That is a CUTE puppy. I hope things settle down. I’ve never had more than one dog, but it sure sounds like you’re trying all the right things.
Puppy Bo is so adorable…I’m wondering if you’ve tried getting them out in “neutral territory” like a hiking trail? My dogs have always done best when they can meet & sniff new dogs in a non-territorial location. That’s how I always introduced new fosters…let them meet & greet away from home before I brought them into the house.
BTW, we feel the same – Gizmo & I will hike with you anytime!
The puppy is so cute. I am not sure that Louise would accept another dog, even a puppy, in her space for an extended period of time. Sometimes the dogs get to a point they don’t want to share Mom anymore. Your “follow ups” are always great. Have a wonderful New Year. – DogDaz
Poor Bo. Sampson just be nice. 🙂 I think you do have to consider the feelings of the puppy. A bad experience with an older dog can linger and make the dog weary of other dogs.
When we introduced Thunder and Freighter we did it over a period of weeks. We did not rush it at all. It has only been a short time so it could improve. I don’t think you are a failure at all. Not all dogs can be friends with all others, especially since you are introducing a male puppy. Sampson may accept Bo a bit more when Bo is older.
We still do not leave Thunder and Freighter alone together unattended. I doubt we ever will.
“When life closes in, when stress mounts, there’s nothing better than a long walk in the woods.” this is perfect and so true!
I’m sorry the puppy situation is frustrating you. 2 Brown Dawgs is right that you can’t go too slow. And puppies are incredibly annoying. So I can’t blame Sampson. It sounds like he’s making his opinions known to Beau.
When we bring a foster dog into the house, I keep him separated from Honey or under supervision for a good long time.
I know it’s about as helpful as telling someone not to breathe, but try to relax. You’re doing a good job supervising. Now you just have to remain calm.
Puppies are so frustrating by themselves. I don’t have a lot of experience with them as I know my limits. From all the reading I have done and all I have witnessed others go through, I think I will always adopt older dogs. Babies of all species are just too much work!
I do think the dogs will work it out and it sounds like you have been managing it as best you can. Don’t get too down on your dogs, it’s a new situation for everyone. It’s hard, I know, not to see their behaviour as a reflection of you but in this case you really had no way of preparing them. We still have to keep our foster kitten and Shiva separated unless we can supervise their interactions completely. It’s just far too exciting for her. Since he is only with us temporarily, I am not too worried about it. It sounds to me like Sampson and Delilah are doing much better than my dog is!
I will for sure let you know when my calendar arrives. I am very excited to take a look at them!
It does take dogs a while to establish pack order so be patient while the newcomer learns his place. In my experience it doesn’t take long it just seems long, but think in dog years.
Hi Y’all!
Thanks for visitin’! Didn’t get linked til late cause the Humans have been on the road for two days…oh, yep, me too.
I understand that my Chessie sis, Candy, now over the rainbow, didn’t like any puppy jumping at her face. She did tolerate them, but growled and shoved them away when they got around her face. It’s different when they are big enough to run and play with you. My Human says she always put the puppy in the crate for awhile when it pestered too much.
I used to be a puppy you know…BOL…and there were 8 adult Chessies in the house, including my grandparents. I was put in one of those things they call an X-pen unless the humans were watching us closely.
My Human thinks that is the cutest puppy ever! All this time I thought I was. 🙁
Y’all come back now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
That is one crazy cute puppy! It’s hard to strike a balance when you’ve got older dogs and a puppy. While you don’t want the puppy maimed… the puppy also needs to learn from the older dogs to back off. We’ve used the same aids as you – gates, crates, supervision. Good luck and don’t be too hard on yourself!
Hi Jodi, Thanks for clearing up that I’m a mancat. I get that all the time. In fact, when Mom adopted me, the shelter had me listed as a girl. It doesn’t help that I occasionally enjoy wearing a ladies frock… I’m secure enough in my sexuality to wear whatever I like. ; )
In fact, I’ve got a great New Year’s Eve gown I should go put on right now. Off to change my FB and Twitter profiles!
Happy New Year, guys!
Cheers!
Cokie the Cat
=^..^=