It’s Not All About Us

Locke found a foster and possibly an adopting family! Wild Dingo is thrilled. Sugar’s mom, Crazy Lady, looked into fostering him, but he was already in route to fostering and adopting. Apparently the word “sucker” is written all over Crazy Lady so instead she got to foster this little guy to the right, Willy. Oh my, what a bundle of joy he is. Don’t you just want to squish that fabulous little face and never let it go? But seriously. This poor pup is 6 months old and has only known a cage his entire life. He’s shy and very fearful and will need lots of help bringing him around to become a confident, well-balanced dog. Crazy Lady is  probably the right fit for him!

If you are at all interested in fostering a dog, please consider what it takes. Most of these rescue dogs come with a LOT of baggage. It takes time, experience and patience. Trust me, I thought I had what it takes because I had the dingo and all, but Loki showed me pretty fast that I had but a mere morsel of the talent it takes to handle a fearful/naughty dog like him.  That I didn’t know a  darn thing about dogs and I’m still learning. It takes some willingness to learn methods on how to work with a fearful dog. The fear will go away, as long as the boundaries, household rules and leadership are in place, dogs will fall into good behavior. So many people give up too soon and send their rescue dogs back, whether they are fostering or adopting because they don’t have the patience to implement even the smallest leadership behaviors and boundaries that are so easy to do. They are reluctant and give up on the dog. I can tell you right now, a dogs bad behavior is NEVER the dog’s fault. When you get a dog with odd, unusual, challenging behavior, it’s up to you to set new boundaries, new household rules and new leadership that will make him/her feel safe and relieve him/her of the responsibility of being a pack leader.

And after all the warnings about fostering a fearful dog still don’t send you off, please contact either AHAN or Walkin’ the Bark foster programs and see how you can get involved. If fostering or adopting through AHAN, Wild Dingo is always available to chat with you by phone to help you through any challenges you face along the way. AHAN also offers a ton of professional trainers to chat with to help you through the challenging times. If fostering or adopting through Walkin’ the Bark, Judy is also an expert on fearful dogs who can help you work through odd behaviors.

Now It’s About Finley!

Remember Finley the white Formosan Dog from Taiwan that I mentioned in this post? Jennifer’s mom wrote in to tell me he’s doing great! He’s coming out of his shell an adjusting just fine. Here are a few photos she sent in.  Hey Jennifer, all is fair in dog photos and love! You send ‘em, I’ll post and caption ‘em! Booowhahahah! Enjoy.

 Ah, Jennifer, are you SURE he’s not part giraffe or are those stilts he’s walking on?

 I’m told Finley is friendly. But apparently he has a mortal enemy.  Beware sprinklers everywhere! Finley will find and break your mighty powers.

Get a room already! Finley, hasn’t anyone told you that in three’s a crowd?

Ah, much better. Much more dignified. And a gorgeous canine!

Thanks for sending these in Jennifer. A gorgeous Formosan dog!