Thursday, April 19, 2012

A Dog's Life

Someone posted this story on facebook today and I just had to share it!


Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa , and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I live.

He said,''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?''

The Six-year-old continued, ''Well, dogs already know how to do that when they're
born, so they don't have to stay as long.''

This story warmed my heart, as I hope it does yours!
Julia

Monday, April 9, 2012

Carlin and Farley's Updates!

Yay! Two updates in one day!

Here is Carlin's update from his first night in his new home! :D
They have a Lab Cross named Kiko!

Hi Julia,

Carlin's settling in nicely. A little whining from the crate last night but it didn't last long. Kiko is being very patient--Carlin insists on taking whatever Kiko's playing with. We'll see what happens when Kiko finally realizes this ball of energy isn't leaving!


Here are some pics of the two of them together!


The two of them are playing and rolling around in the grass :)










Now they're settling down for a nice nap :)
And of course Carlin's tongue is sticking out as usual ;)








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Farley is also having a wonderful time with his family! He has even gone for his first boat ride!


A picture says 1000 words, and this picture says he is one happy dog!!!



Love getting the updates from the dogs! It helps me get through the doggy-drought that is currently my house!

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Empty House!

So the time has come!
My house has gone from 3 dogs to 0 in a matter of a month and a half.
I brought all three dogs home on my birthday - February 12th. And since then I have come to love each of those dogs for their own individual personalities!

Scotty (Now Farley) - I loved his cuddliness and how he seemed to genuinely find nothing better in the world but to be with you! He walked fantastic on leash and was one of the most eager to please dogs I have ever met!

Chika (Now Izzy) - I loved her sweet nature and how she just wanted to be with us. She was amazing on leash without ever having to teach her and she was always happy to just lay in the sunshine!

Carlin - I loved his happy, curious personality and his endless energy! He loved to play fetch and we'd play for ages in the sunshine and he loved playing with other dogs!

Today my last pup, Carlin, was adopted by his wonderful new family! I know he is going to have a great life! I'll miss you Car!

So since I am going on vacation to Mexico (Yay!) in a couple weeks, there will be a gap without any dogs, as we will be waiting until the next dog run in May. It is very weird having no extra bodies in the house anymore! It seems very quiet... and in a few days it will also be much cleaner than usual, cause there will be no dog-hair bunnies hiding behind the couches, and no hidden dog-pies in the yard! ;)


Can't wait until my house is filled with another lovely foster!
But until then I will take the time to do a cleaning overhaul!

Thank you to everyone who help all the wonderful Turtle Garden's dogs find their forever homes!

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In other news! We have another update from Izzy's parents!


Hi Julia!

We had a break through this morning with house training!!! I fed her at 7, we went out side and she pooped and peed within 10 mins!!!!

This week has been a challenge with her with house training (it didn't help that Troy has been away) in that we would go outside and two hours later she still hadn't peed. So we would go inside then she'll pee within a hour or so inside! I would take her out again after couple hours and nothing, then I would take her out after her evening meal at 6 ish and again no pee or she'll pee inside!!! She seems to be holding it for over 8 hours!!! (14 hours over night) No accidents over night though.

I think maybe it's been because she still a little nervous. Or maybe it's normal fir her to hold it for so long? But this morning was good!! So maybe we are getting into a routine now.

Troys a little upset as she nervous around him still but he had to go away for work for three days just after we got her!! So She has really bonded with me! She follows me and lies on me and is doing really well with sit, paw, other paw, down and stay! She loves Lily too! Likes to lick her a lot and follows her sometimes! She is also learning that lily is in charge and is starting to listen to her commands now too!

She's doing great on the leash. Still scared of cars etc. she loves other dogs and is so good with them! I'm going to set her up on a puppy plays date soon!

We are going to the vets this morning, she hasn't had her rabies and she needs her final DA2PP. She has a couple of funny teeth that I think are bothering her too. They are baby teeth that have been pushed to the side and in her gums by her top adult teeth. We'll see what the vet says to do with them.

We love having her in our family! She's so cuddly and loving! She's the perfect dog for me as I love to give lots of attention and receive it from puppy dogs!!! :)

She is now being more puppy-ish! Playing with a ball and running like crazy! She likes to chew my feet in the mornings and gets overexcited to see me when I get out of bed! She likes to lick me awake mind! Heehee! But she's awesome! We are one happy pack!

Oh and the cats, (sorry for the huge email!!) my Fred Is a bit of a jerk and has whacked her a couple of times, but Izzy is learning to stay away for him! And Polly is great with dogs and will sniff izzy and rub up against her, but if Izzy gets too excited Polly with give her a hiss to but her in her place!!! Izzy just wants to play and be friends! She is gentle with them and is learning that they are not like dogs!!!

So, yes, sorry for the ramble! But that's Izzys week so far!

I hope Carlin is starting to play more and isn't missing his sister too much now!

Will you be fostering more dogs when Carlin is adopted?

I hope so as I like reading your blog!
talk to you soon
Cheers, Sarah

Love hearing that Izzy is fitting in well! So cute about Polly and Izzy!


Well as a first time foster I have to say I have totally loved every minute of it! (well okay... maybe not the 3am puppy pee-breaks ;P) Thank you to Turtle Gardens for letting me join your wonderful team of volunteers! Also, a special thank you to Yvette and Dave for all the wonderful work you do up to help the hundreds of dogs that pass through Turtle Gardens on their way to their forever homes! The work you two do is truly amazing!

Thank you to everyone again and cannot wait for the next dog run!
~Julia

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Carlin's in the Spotlight!

Little "Baby Boy" Carlin has received so much attention! It's wonderful! He had a ton of fantastic applicants, and I know he is going to find his perfect forever home!

After Chika was adopted, Carlin was very lonely :( He would search the house for her and for the first day after she was gone he didn't even want to play in the backyard because he wanted to search the house again. He was so quiet at night, though every so often I'd hear a quiet low whine/howl, I just know he was calling for her. But by the next day he was getting his groove back and realizing that without a sister to share the spotlight with he was receiving ALL the treats and affection and walks!

Farley (Formerly Scotty) came over and had a little play with Carlin! They both loved it and after they were muddy and covered in saliva they sat nice for the picture!
It was great to see how well Farley was doing and its clear he is loving his family and forever home! What was funny to see was Carlin is beginning to catch up in size! :D


Carlin is doing very well and is doing well with his commands and his housebreaking! He is even doing much better at waiting for food! We are still working on his excitement and jumping when excited, but once his energy is drained by some good ol' fashioned exercise he is just the sweetest cuddliest fellow :)

Thank you to everyone who reads my blog, the other foster blogs, and the Turtle Garden's blog, as you all help the dogs showcased on them find their forever homes!