She's here! (Dog saga=happy ending!) [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

nancielle

07-19-2007, 12:24 PM

Through a pouring rain I headed off to the dog rescue house. Learned that the German Shepard I had originally picked out was on his way back. Apparently he was a bit too playful around their 2 year old child. Anyway, as the woman is telling me this, Raven is nudging my hand for an ear rub. <melt>.
Raven was owned by someone in NYC who decided she was allergic to her :eek: . Spent a day or two in a NY animal shelter then ended up in rescue.
She's a bit timid, not interested (yet) in the toys I got her. She's met the landlord and did a pretty thorough investigation of the back yard.
Needs a little work on her leash skills but she wanted her ears scratched the entire trip home (one hour with dog hair flying everywhere in the car :D )

Right now she's investigating the apartment and keeps coming in the check on me and check out her new surroundings. Not sure if I want to keep her name but haven't come up with anything else that seems to fit her (I checked every street sign, business sign and town we drove through for inspiration.)

I think my dog found me :D

rij73

07-19-2007, 12:29 PM

Wow! That's wonderful! I hope you and Raven are really happy together. I adopted my dog from rescue last summer, and it's the greatest thing I ever did.

teigyr

07-19-2007, 12:29 PM

Sounds perfect :D

Shelter animals are so cute that way. Our latest shelter rescue (cat) tries to hold hands. I think they just like knowing that we're nearby and aren't leaving them.

So this is it? That is so exciting!!! Now you must think of a name. The Tour is going, I wonder if that could be incorporated?

Tri Girl

07-19-2007, 12:45 PM

Yippeeee!!! I'm so glad you've brought her home and she's getting used to her new surroundings. We could always stand to see more pics of her as she's quite the cutie!

Velobambina

07-19-2007, 01:06 PM

Give her a smooch for me. In time, she'll discover her toys. Trust me on that one! Me, my DH, and my goldens send you and Ms. Raven a very happy "welcome home." Enjoy each other. Never a dull moment for you from now on.

Pedal Wench

07-19-2007, 01:21 PM

Pictures?

Python

07-19-2007, 01:52 PM

Would love to see some pics:D

Zen

07-19-2007, 02:03 PM

When I saw a photo of that orange dog I immediately thought "Raven?"
No, that dog is a Rusty or a Punkinhead or Margaret.

Yeah, I like Margaret.
Like Ann Margaret.

LBTC

07-19-2007, 04:14 PM

Yay, Nancielle, that's fantastic!!

Yes, I think a new name is a good idea, Raven is cool, but just doesn't seem right. How about Roubaix? Even slang it up and call her Ruby.

She's a gem, either way.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

nancielle

07-20-2007, 04:08 AM

When I saw a photo of that orange dog I immediately thought "Raven?"

Yeah, that was my reaction too. When I saw the name I expected the picture to be that of a jet black dog. What a surprise.

Anyway, the alternate name that she's been responding to is Chloe. I tried a few others and got no response. When we were out on a walk this morning she responded each time to her new name so I think that's what it will be.

Chloe seems to be settling in. For some reason she won't come into the room where the computer is kept but she's chosen the doorway of that room as her bedroom :rolleyes: .

No pictures yet (don't have a digital camera :( ) but home to remedy that soon.

snapdragen

07-20-2007, 06:58 AM

My Chloe thinks that is an excellent name! :D

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/snapdragen/Chloe/Aloha_Chloe.jpg

Ninabike

07-20-2007, 08:16 AM

Yes, pictures please. Chloe is a great name. Spagdragen, that is so funny. I have a friend with a Corgie named Chloe.

smilingcat

07-20-2007, 08:47 AM

I think you can see here on a thread titled "Bummed out but there may be a silver lining"

It's the same dog right?

cute.
Smilingcat

HappyAnika

07-20-2007, 08:53 AM

Congrats! She'll need a bit to settle in, then I'm sure she'll be ready for some toys. When I first brought my shelter dog home, she slept so much for days. I think she was sleeping off the stress of being in the shelter. Can't wait to see more pics of your new friend when you get them. :)

Xrayted

07-20-2007, 11:46 AM

congrats! Thank you for adopting from a shelter. We have two shelter cats and each one had it's own way of adapting to life outside of a cage. They are both doing well now and play all day long.
I love the name Chloe and apparently she does too. Good luck with your new best friend. Our two babies - Ito'san and Harley Quinn - say hello... :cool:

sundial

07-20-2007, 11:56 AM

Congratulations on your new furkid! :D Rescues make the best pets in my opinion. Please post pics when you can.

nancielle

07-20-2007, 12:16 PM

I did post a picture (taken from the rescue web site) in the thread "Bummed out..." her other pictures have been removed from that website (dang.) I promise that when I have the chance, I'll post pictures. I'm planning on having her do the AIDS Walk with me so I know somebody will have some shots of her.

This is Chloe's 4th move in 3 weeks:eek: : surrendered in NYC on the 7th, lived briefly in a shelter before going to the rescue home then moving in with me. It explains why she's a bit leary of the car (heck, I would be too!) She's definitely going to need some TLC & patience to settle in.

The resident cats (belong to other tenants) are none too happy with this interloper. She, so far, really hasn't taken notice of them.

She's my birthday gift to me :D

Wahine

07-20-2007, 12:21 PM

I'm so happy for you and Chloe. My last dog was a rescue and it took him a long time to get interested in toys and other things around him that most dogs would go nuts over. But they are like flowers that slowly bloom with the right care. Congratultions!

Zen

07-20-2007, 05:51 PM

I've had my eye on this guy for a while
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/Simon.jpg
His profile recommends a home with no cats but I'm so tempted.
I can't lie and say I don't have a cat.
He's been there a while....I may go pay him a visit tomorrow. I am going away for a ride next weekend but if he's still there when I get back....

Python

07-20-2007, 06:08 PM

Zen be very careful with that one. If it says a home with no cats then there must be a good reason. My dog is a rescue and she gets on really great with the cats.

The little dog looks like a Jack Russell Terrier. One of our neighbours has a similar dog and it HATES cats. It doesn't just chase them, it tries to KILL them. About 2 years ago it killed a cat in our street belonging to another neighbour. It's chased my cats on occasion and nearly got our Chico. Luckily my son and his pal saw it happened and got the dog off. A few months ago the dog got loose (again) and chased my other neighbour's very elderly cat into my next door neighbour's garden. The dog had poor Tiddles on her back and was biting her and he was snarling. I managed to rescue Tiddles but I got bitten on my arm:mad: The owners are heavy drinkers (the man is an alcoholic and his partner is going the same way rapidly). He came to take the dog, just kept saying "Sorry about your cat" over and over again even though I kept telling him it was not my cat. I got really fed up with him because it was obvious he couldn't have cared less and said to him "Listen mate! It's a good job it is NOT my cat. If it had been my cat, your dog would be f****** dead. Got it? Savvy? OK???" I'm normally easy going but their attitude makes me sooooo angry. A couple of weeks later the woman did apologise for me getting bitten. I told her to keep the dog under control or the next time I'd report it to the police and the dog warden. So far I haven't seen the dog again unless he's on the leash.

DrBadger

07-20-2007, 06:29 PM

Hey Zen-
That little guy is really cute! But Python is right, he does look like a Jack Russell, and it is pretty likely that he doesn't like cats. My parent's have had 2 Jacks (though I consider them mine!) and neither of them have been very fond of cats, but only the first one would actually chase them, and that was even after he got beaten up by 2 cats!

Jack's are great dogs, and I am hoping to get one of my own in the next year or so, but they have a lot of umm....personality :rolleyes: The two we have had couldn't have been more different. The first, Jocko, was just crazy....never setteled down, attacked the TV regularly (granted we encuraged him 'cause it was funny), chased everything and anything, bounced all over the place when people came over and never setteled down. But man he was a sweetie! He was just starting to settle down a little bit when he was killed at the age of 7 (he ran one rainy morning and got hit by a car :( ). Our second, Roscoe, is totally different. He is quite calm and just loves to cuddle, he doesn't run, comes when you call him, loves when people come over and after his excited greeting he settles down. But no matter what their personality, they are hunting dogs, so they frequently do resort to what is genetically programmed in them. Even Roscoe who has never been very aggressive (except with other dogs are on his turf, funny when the other dog is a huge dog, and little Roscoe is just grawling and barking, but he has never attacked), got and killed his first rabbit earlier this summer. Though according to my Mom he was pretty confused about what happened, and why the rabbit didn't want to play anymore :rolleyes:

<<Sigh>> I want a dog..... soon I hope!

Zen

07-20-2007, 10:52 PM

ClockworkOrange

07-21-2007, 12:55 AM

Hi Nancielle

Always good to read a really happy story or tail!

What a lovely birthday pressie to yourself.

Look forward to seeing some pics.

BTW............sundial

Love the term 'furkid', I have never heard that before, it's brilliant.

Sally

Python

07-21-2007, 06:05 AM

I know he's a Jack and I've thought that it wouldn't be fair to Dinah but he's older as well. Oh well. I still might go see him. He is so cute.
I have submitted an application for a rescue greyhound and have even had my home inspected but i've been giving that second thoughts. Greyhounds seem like they don't have enough personality.

Zen. That dog I am talking about was an older dog too. His original owners couldn't keep him and my neighbour gave him a home. With humans he is quite sweet but he can't leave cats alone. He has been seriously clawed by cats (which with most dogs would teach them to stay away from cats) but he doesn't learn. It's their hunting instinct. I'd be wary of introducing a greyhound when there's a cat in the house for the same reason. Greyhounds are race dogs and they are taught to chase the "rabbit" in races. Most Greyhound rescue centres here advise against homing a Greyhound where there is a cat.

By saying that, my friend had a Jack Russell and a cat. The difference was that she got them at the same time when the dog was a pup and the cat a kitten so they were brought up together.

We got our GSD as an older rescue and she was introduced into a house full of cats even though she wasn't used to cats. We introduced her to our cats under strict supervision. She did try and chase the cats initially but we held her collar and said a firm "No!" She learnt very quickly and Blue, one of our elderly cats curls up with the dog and they're the best of pals. Ironically, Sadie won't chase our own cats but if a strange cat comes into our garden she'll bark at it and chase it out.

LBTC

07-21-2007, 08:06 AM

Ironically, Sadie won't chase our own cats but if a strange cat comes into our garden she'll bark at it and chase it out.

I'm thinking that's a pretty good thing. Strange cats can do enough damage to your yard and your cats, it's nice that Sadie can keep them away!

H&B
~T~

Zen

07-21-2007, 08:49 AM

" in races. Most Greyhound rescue centres here advise against homing a Greyhound where there is a cat.

By saying that, my friend had a Jack Russell and a cat. The difference was that she got them at the same time when the dog was a pup and the cat a kitten so they were brought up together.
With the greyhounds I wouldn't be choosing the dog, they would choose it for me. They have some that do OK with cats. What's a GSD?

casandrasue

07-21-2007, 05:00 PM

This is my first post have been lurking for sometime. I have never posted on any message board, so I hope this is correct.

Please don't get a Jack Russell if you have a cat, my neighbors Jack killed a cat and if you go to the jack russell message board you will read where people thought their jack russell would never hurt a cat, but in fact terrified their cats and killed them. The lady I work with has an older Jack Russell and another worker brought his cocker spaniel puppy in and the Jack attacked her.

Sorry for the rant, I just had to let you know.

farrellcollie

07-22-2007, 03:39 PM

. What's a GSD?

German Shepard Dog.

After my first dog (a siberian husky mix) died - I looked into Siberian husky rescue - and I learned most of them are not cat trustworthy unless raised with (as in my case) cats - so I switched to collies. In my own siberian mix - she had a high prey drive - because she had been raised with with indoor cats she never bothered them (in fact - the cats completely ruled her)- but I had to be very careful with her and any little creature outside.

Dogmama

07-27-2007, 04:02 AM

Snapdragon - Corgi's are my second fav breed!

I trust that Chloe has found her nitch by now? German Shepherds take a bit of time to settle in, but once they have, they own you. They're typically one family dogs, so if this little sweetie has been moved around, she was probably a little upset.

Regarding your computer room, has she entered yet? If not, you might want to shut the computer off & see if that helps. The disks might be making a high pitched noise that we cannot hear. Dog's hearing is much better than ours and they especially hear high pitches that we cannot. That's one reason why most dogs respond better to women's high pitched "OH-AREN'T-YOU-JUST DARLING!" voices.

Trek420

07-27-2007, 05:59 AM

casandrasue. welcome to TE and no, not a rant. Thanks for the info.

My Lab/pit/something something something mutt likes cats if they are *her* cats. I posted somewhere here that a neighbor abandoned a kitten on my dog walkers doorstep. Mary fostered the kitten while we tried to find it a home. (We did find a good home)

While there she also dogsat my mutt. I was a concerned but she said not to worry she'd easily keep them away from each other.

But when the kitten was out Mae would whine and cry so Mary carefully let her come close.

Mae licked the kitten. :D

Now if she was only as good with dogs as she is with cats:rolleyes: my life would be so much simpler.

nancielle

07-27-2007, 08:03 AM

I trust that Chloe has found her nitch by now? German Shepherds take a bit of time to settle in, but once they have, they own you. They're typically one family dogs, so if this little sweetie has been moved around, she was probably a little upset.

Regarding your computer room, has she entered yet? If not, you might want to shut the computer off & see if that helps. The disks might be making a high pitched noise that we cannot hear. Dog's hearing is much better than ours and they especially hear high pitches that we cannot. That's one reason why most dogs respond better to women's high pitched "OH-AREN'T-YOU-JUST DARLING!" voices.

Chloe is becoming more comfortable. I'm wondering if she'd been abused in her former home as movements just freak her out. She'll now play with one of her doggie toys if I play with her (ok, twist my arm :D ). We do a couple of walks a day and she's getting more comfortable with the neighborhood. She's always by my side when I'm at home.

I thought of computer noise as a reason why she won't go into that room. I think it's the speakers--they buzz when a taxi or emergency vehicle (ambulance, fire, police) go by. I've shut them off and she'll come in only as far as I'm sitting.

I had to leave her alone for several hours the other day to attend a training. There were no accidents but I found that she had gone into my laundry basket and took out the bras and socks and scattered them in the living room -- didn't destroy them, just redecorated. I brought her to work yesterday where I was conducting a group (women in recovery who happen to have trust issues). She handled it pretty well and the women were great with her (very small group) when an unfortunate incident took place. Let's just say it took gloves, paper towels (lots of paper towels) and not nearly enough Fabreze to take care of it. :rolleyes:

It's only been a week and it feels like we've been together forever. :D

Dogmama

07-27-2007, 03:03 PM

It sounds like her former home(s) were not kind & loving. How wonderful that she found you!

Maybe her redecorating with your underwear was her way of keeping you near her. My Zack will often drag my stuff around - won't chew it - just redecorating as you said. They're so funny!

teigyr

07-27-2007, 03:18 PM

Maybe her redecorating with your underwear was her way of keeping you near her. My Zack will often drag my stuff around - won't chew it - just redecorating as you said. They're so funny!

I second that. Our cats do that sometimes. It's either that or they sleep on our clothes; I can have a completely clear bed except for one sock (the dirtier the better) and a cat will have claimed the sock to sleep on. I think it's the scent.

I can just see guests or a date though as Chloe comes through the house with dirty undergarments in her mouth :eek:

That is interesting about the computer room. It could be the noise or it could be she was scolded for something and it reminds her of it. You never know with the stray/abandoned animals, most of them did not have happy relationships with their previous owners.

Skierchickie

07-27-2007, 04:28 PM

Dogs are so wonderful! I'm glad you found one, and things are working out. Collecting your clothes is a very good sign. We had a dog who wouldn't come upstairs for the first year of her life - we had a cat who we think laid down the law pretty early, and the bedroom had been his territory for 8 years. So during the night she'd collect our shoes, and in the morning, all the available shoes (mostly running shoes) would be piled on her bed. She never chewed them, just collected them. Every morning we'd have to sort through Shoe Mountain before we could go to work. We had house guests once, who couldn't find their shoes in the morning. She was such a sweetie!

anaphase

07-28-2007, 03:27 AM

Heh. Our rescue dog does the same thing, but with shoes, scarves and gloves. He doesn't chew, but he will definitely redecorate if he's left alone for too long. Also, he loves to get into my yarn, so that has to be safely tucked away. Live and learn. :)

I really hope she settles in quickly! It will just take some time.

Ours was rehomed a few times within about 2 months (home > shelter > rescue > foster > us), so he was really nervous and skittish at first, and had pretty bad separation anxiety for a month. After 5 months, he's a lot more relaxed, but he still has his moments. He is a fantastic dog though, and we love him! Here's a picture:

nancielle

07-28-2007, 05:12 AM

Aw, just look at those eyes! They just beg "love me." :D

When I brought Chloe home last Thursday, it was agreed that this would be a "trial adoption" to see how things worked out. I contacted the woman who runs the rescue recently and told her the only reason Chloe would be moving again would be if I were moving. She's not going anywhere. She's got some odd little habits (like burying her food & toys under the bathmat :confused: ) but nothing that would prompt sending her back. The other tenants in my building say they don't hear her during the day while I'm at work and she seems to be adjusting to our routine (when I didn't get up when the alarm went off this morning, as I would during the work week, she came and got me.) I'm getting the sense that she's feeling more at home. I'm more than willing to give my walking furball all the time she needs to adjust. :)

Oh, and I just got a new cell phone with a camera. As soon as I figure out how to use it and upload pictures, I'll post 'em.

Pax

07-28-2007, 05:13 AM

anaphase

07-28-2007, 06:46 AM

That is just great. I'm so glad that she's settling in.
And how funny about her burying toys and food. They are so weird sometimes!

We are clicker training our dog, and he is very food motivated. I can't imagine him parting with his food long enough to hide it. :D

(and thanks, Queen!)

Bad JuJu

07-28-2007, 07:21 AM

Of the five dogs we've had, four were rescue dogs, and they were the best companions, once they realized they were staying with us.

Nancielle, here's a tip to get your Chloe more interested in toys: keep in your dirty clothes hamper for a day or so. I know this sounds gross, but it gives the toy more of your scent, and therefore makes it more appealing to the dog. Just think of how attracted she is to your clothes from the hamper.

Anaphase--that is one good-looking guy you've got there. Who wouldn't fall in love with that face?

farrellcollie

07-28-2007, 08:13 AM

Two of our rescue dogs took a long time to learn to play - and then it was only sort of. The first is a hound mix who was raised on a rope tied outside with no shelter etc. My ex went up to the house, knocked on the door and asked if she could have him - they said yes. He had rope burns around his neck, infected ears from fly bites, no muscle tone (he was a little more than a yr old and was kind of floppy like a puppy because he had been on the 6 ft rope so lone) - he was scared of everything at first - stairs, toys, the food bowl (we had to teach him to eat out of bowl - at first we still had to pour it on the floor for him). He was actually scared of the stuffed toys at first - we had another dog who played with them and I think she showed him how to kind of play with them. He never really learned to play with us and toys, but he did come to love stuffed toys that he could just carry around and sleep on (sometimes he would make a mound and get in the middle of them). He would play tug with the other dog - but never with us - he would just slink away so we stopped torturing him by trying to do it with him. He is a cuddledog (he is 12 now)- but never got to be a really carefree playful one.