If you are ever short of blogging material, go out and get yourself a Foster Dog. A 6 year old boy with a shady past and no fixed address. Believe me, it's like having a baby...all the dinner time conversation is about the newcomer. Friends drop by to see him. Neighbors ooh and aah as you pass them on the street. And you, the proud new mama, your'e so proud of your angel. RIGHT?
Wrong! After yesterdays disaster where Hunter ate the box of biscuits, 1/2 loaf of bread and was just tucking into the Bailley's Chocolates, I decided for his sake, the cats safety and the safety of my house, I would put him in the laundry room when I went out. 1st try he was great. 2nd try this afternoon, I opened the front door really quietly and peeked in to see if I heard howling or crying. I barely got my foot in the door and I was stunned to see Hunter in the Hallway. PRISON BREAK. My first fear was for the cat. I ran room to room calling her.In the office, her food bowl that was high on a cabinet was on the floor. Toppled and empty. Books, papers, phone..All on the floor. I ran downstairs.Garbage can overturned in laundry. Laundry soap container on the floor, upstairs in my office it looked like I had been burgled. Papers on the floor. Staples, coffee mug overturned...Finally found the cat..she's fine and went to the kitchen where all the food had been hidden away before I left. Except the one thing a dog would never eat. Bananas. Yep, about 2 lbs (3 medium bananas in a pound). all gone include 3 peels.
I couldn't yell at him. I just looked at him. He knew he was a Bad Ass. He was creeping and shaky and worried. He's troubled. And I did what I would do with a troubled kid. I hugged him, then the cat and thanked God they're OK.Then I cleaned up the mess and gave him the new pull toy I had gone out to buy him.
Hunter only had a light supper tonight. He's resting comfortably on the kitchen floor right now. The cat...she just can't bear to watch the destruction anymore.
I'd close my eyes, too. He has a bit of separation anxiety, I guess. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOh dear. How frustrating for you, but you did the right thing by giving him a hug, Hopefully some love will soothe his sresses, yours too!
ReplyDeleteOh no. I'm closing my eyes too at the thought of all the trouble he got into. I bet he looks like a little angel when it is all cleaned up.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you might want to pop on over and enter my silk pillow givewaway (they really are wonderful to sleep on). Here's the link http://gracie-senseandsimplicity.blogspot.com/2012/02/smartsilk-pillow-giveaway.html
Oh Dear. He is probably too fragile to try crating when you leave.... Of course you could try while you are at home to see how he'll take it... I have friends who have dogs who adore their crates and sleep in there by choice when the door is open..den instinct I suppose...
ReplyDeleteYou have your work cut out for you for sure. Poor thing was never properly taught..
xx
z
bananas? this guy will eat anything
xx
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Chloroform.
ReplyDeleteMy Mother used it on all three of her children and their pets. Sometimes she used it on Father too if she wanted to listen to the wireless in peace.
For the dogs she used to pop a few drops into an old slipper and then jam their noses into it until everything went civilised.
Oh Chania, this is all so funny, I just read your back posts about this new dark handsome stranger in your life. He has a gorgeous face, you have to forgive his being naughty!
ReplyDeleteI think that all the rescue homes should be advertising their pets for adoption with your new slogan "want something to blog about?!"
have a fun weekend
Sharon
What a naughty boy! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMy sister and I both have golden retrievers and other than the fact that they are both needy they couldn't be more different. Mine (Woody)is a nightmare on a lead (it must be hysterical to see him pulling us through the air or running like the wind behind him) and my sister's (Fred) is great on a lead. Woody makes a run through any open door to get to freedom as we live next to a forest and he's happiest in the mud where as Fred is completely calm and she can leave the front door open without fear of him absconding! Woody eats his food like it's the last meal he's ever going to have and Fred will leave his and nibble throughout the day. Woody is great in the house - we can (and have done) leave a plate of sausages on the counter and go out and they'll be there when we get back and Fred cannot cope with being left and has literally ripped my sisters door frames off the wall trying to break down the door. They've had him 'done' in an attempt to stop this but no luck. So, I hope you find a way of controlling your naughty boy and if you do can you pass your tips on to me - my sister will pay you for them!! Or would you consider housing another one?!!
The best word in this deal is "FOSTER". How many homes has he been in?
ReplyDeleteHow can it be that we can love and, "NOT SO MUCH" in one breath. Kind of like kids and husbands sometimes, huh!
Time to call in Cesar Millan or a "mood altering substance" for when you are away from the house. Six year old Hunter has a bunch of "learned" tricks up his sleeve.
You had me LOL! Are you the new testimonial for Foster Dog International!
Sweet kitty, patient you, and energetic Hunter. It is all a new adventure and territory to him I am sure.
ReplyDeleteI also brought home a six year old rescue dog.....She was very hungry too!....and very messed up...no worries, ...i read Cesar Milan and he got it all sorted out....Go get the book ...Cesar knows all and he is such a good read. He is not only a dog whisperer but a very wise man. Rescue dogs have such sketchy pasts but making them happy in their forever home is so satisfying. Our rescue dog isn't hungry for anything anymore!....and soon yours won't be either!!
ReplyDeleteYour telling of the tale is a delight to read, although I really feel for you. It seems like it's going to be a bit of treacherous sailing for a little while. Cats seem so dignified when dogs rampage through the house. I love that contrast between the two. Hang in there, my friend. You certainly have all your readers riveted, wondering what escapades will come next. And that IS something to blog about.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Your title and cat photo....so funny before even reading the post! Wow, Hunter boy sounds like a case for the Dog Whisperer! There must be a way to email Ceasar Milan. You are a lovely foster dog Mom..hang in there.
ReplyDeleteThat's too funny! Poor you with the mess to clean up.
ReplyDeleteOh Chania, I knew Hunter would provide you with plenty of blog material. Have you thought of crating him when you are out. I used to do that with my dogs when they were younger, so my cats could roam, they wouldn't eat the cat food, or go destructo on me. As long as the crate is treated as a positive space it will not be seen as a punishment. I only gave my dogs treats when they entered the crate which had comfy bedding and a water bottle. When they grew up into more civilized beasts, we used it less and less. And now we never use it. Also good for travel. Ann
ReplyDeleteSo much like real foster kids........I have been through the program for fostering..pre service training twice and was a foster parent.......these are the types of stories they tell. oh my!
ReplyDeleteHunter's story reads like a book and I can't wait to read the next chapter, all the dogs that I have had have been from the SPCA or rescue, only one was perfect but the others not so much but I loved them all dearly and were with me until the end, my friends said that my home is more like a retirement home for unwanted dogs. I'm afraid that I have no tips for you but love will concur all.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
I was having a weepy day, and a reader of mine sent me here. I'm so grateful she did. I have laughed and laughed, and it was just exactly what I needed. Keep those stories coming! You might have a book on your hands!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Love the picture. You can almost read her thoughts.
ReplyDeleteA crate might be a consideration.
ReplyDeleteCrate train him, as if he were a puppy. Obviously , when he was a puppy, no one trained him.
besos to you both ..
Oh Hunter....what a naughty but adorable boy. I am also of the thought that he might do well with a crate.....our labradoodle still crates at night and when I am gone for extended periods of time. Funny....even when i am gone for for shorter times...I will come home to find her in her crate with the door wide open....it is her safe spot..... you are so patient...Hunter is lucky to have found you.
ReplyDeleteI know this isn't funny, but it's funny at the same time. What a naughty boy!
ReplyDeleteI guess all the shuffling about has made him adopt some pretty bad habits - maybe that's why all the shuffling? I agree with a couple of the others and suggest a crate. We used one for a few years when we first got our dog and eventually she would just go in on her own with the door open just to lie in there and be cozy. It never felt like any sort of punishment for her, just a space all her own. good luck!
Oh my goodness!!!!!
ReplyDeletexo J~