L.O.V.E

I love this dog, I don't know why but he just grabbed me when I was scanning Petfinder just now. Beautiful, something about his eyes, his face. I so wish I was in a situation that I could adopt him. Jack A Roo is his name. 2 year old Australian Cattle Dog, up to date on everything neutered. Loves to be with his person and learn. A no go with children and deaf, neither would be an issue for me. Ugh, I can't express how badly I want to be in a different housing situation right now.

Border Collie Rescue Ontario

Sick Day

Hello Monday.

Monday mornings mean putting away the Freedom order. Its tends to be a toss up with how big the order is, one week it'll be fairly small while the next it could be big. Always fun making sure everything is as it should be and there weren't any mistakes, which usually there are and then its time to call it in and get it dealt with so that next week things can be straightened out only to start over again. This week it was one of those large orders, not of food though. The Fromm, Wellness and Merrick were fairly small, a few bags and cases of cans. It was the Merrick bones/treats that did it. Boone was thrilled with the boxes of bones and treats. Mean mommy wouldn't let him have anything though. May not look like much from the picture, but some of it was cut off and that pile around Boone was made of three rows. Quite a bit though not the biggest order I've ever experienced by far. Just a pain in the but accounting for all those bones.

Managed to get through by noon (it was dropped off at 8:15am). Boone wasn't himself and kept trying to crawl into my lap or be loved on 24/7. Of course I thought he was just being needy but I found out pretty fast what was up. He was standing in the middle of the floor when all of a sudden he had explosive diarrhea. Poor guy didn't know what happened. He even gave his rear end a quizzical "WTF" look before scurrying off with his tail tucked. Didn't even have time to squat it just shot right out of him. He wasn't really himself for the rest of the day either. Spent most of his day in his bed, didn't even want to play ball. He did play with a co worker's pug when he came in to buy a few things but as soon as they left he was back in his bed acting rather mopey.

Back to work tomorrow, hopefully Boone will have a better day.

I hold you above everyone

I don't say how much I love and lucky to have Boone in my life enough. This dog is amazing, he has his faults, like every other breathing thing but regardless he is amazing in his own right. The pup that no one wanted, trusted or gave a rat's ass about has grown into a beautiful creature. Who would have known, even shared the mere thought that the snarling brown puppy in the vet clinic of the humane society would come so far that he willingly, tail wagging sometimes go up to strangers and lick them in the face, sniff them and allow them to pet him without biting, without urinating all over himself.

He loves life, he loves those that are in his circle of trust so much its unbelievable. To think that had he not come into my ownership he could be locked away in cement kennel out of the public eye, a street dog or even dead kills me. He hasn't done anything wrong yet he would have been punished, shunned because he is not the public's idea of the perfect dog. He's not the happy go lucky, everybody is my friend and must be treated like they are long lost family members every time they are seen therefore he shouldn't have been given a chance. That seems to be the idea of more people then I thought. What was so wrong with him that he should have been injected with an overdose of a barbiturate? He was a 3 month old puppy, found on the street with a busted leg. Shy, nervous, careful to trust he had every right to act the way he did, who knows what happened to him before, how he got hurt, how he was treated. Yet everyone was so quick to pass judgement that he should be put out of his misery. All he needed was a chance, someone to understand and be patient with him, someone to give him that little be of confidence that he lacked. But no one wants that kind of work. They want a dog that isn't damaged, doesn't have a past or at least holds on to its past. Those dogs, the ones that have a hard past seem to be the most loving in my experience. Those are the dogs that will always be welcome into my home. Into my heart and care, they need it so much more then the rest.

As much as I was reluctant to adopt him at first, it wasn't because of his problems. It was because he was a puppy and I wasn't keen on puppies, for several reasons mostly to do with housebreaking. But I had Drifter to think of as well at that point. He was a senior, did I really want to bring a 5 month old puppy home to pester him? With the helpful pushing of some of my co workers I decided to try it out and thankfully for both of us it worked out better then anyone could have imagined. As much as he drives me up the wall I wouldn't trade him for the world. He's been my rock during the loss of Drifter, even when I blamed him, he would look at me with those soft, chocolate eyes run off grab a toy and bring it to me as if that would make all the problems vanish. And most often it does work. He's no Drifter, there won't ever be a dog like Drifter again that I'm sure but he's my Booney bear, and I'd die for him.

This dog has such a hold on me, he pulls so many people in with that sweet face and his story. He's an amazing little dog. Anyone that ever tells me any dog that acts like he did should be put down need to know that those are fighting words. Just because he was nervous, shy, unconfident doesn't make him a threat to society. Just a little TLC was needed. He comes to work with me every day, there are regulars that look forward to seeing him and giving him cookies, talking and work on getting into that elite few he trusts without a second thought. He's been the pseudo momma to foster kittens, played with them and slept with them. He makes me smile when I'm sick or upset either by bring me all of his toys until I give in and indulge in a game until I've forgotten about what ever was bringing me down or by dropping to the floor, rolling onto his back in typical "dead fish mode" and grinning at me upside down, his front paws gently padding at my leg until I look at him to which his whole back end wiggles with excitement. Reminding me of a windshield wiper and his grin grows bigger until he can take it no longer, jumps up and gives me a big kiss before running around will full blown rocket butt.

I love my baggage ridden, screwed up, unperfect pooch and wouldn't have him any other way. He's perfect in my eyes, he's good for me and I'm good for him that's all anyone can ask for in a companion.

Its getting cold in here so fire it up

So yesterday morning I woke to Boone having gone #2 in his crate. Thankfully unlike in his younger years he hadn't smeared it everywhere, he was tucked up to the back of his crate and the deed was at the front. Awesome! So I open the door and assume like most other dogs he'll avoid standing in it as he gets out. Wrong, the little twerp steps in it twice and then tracks it all over the house while I'm trying to get him to stop and stand still. Finally grabbed him and tossed him outside, cleaned up the mess, tossed his bedding in the washer and with him in tow headed to work where he received a bath as he still had some stuck to his paws. In the early hours of this morning while I was still awake because the foster cat, Charlie decided to pee all over the bed so I had to stay up and wash the bedding Boone had some diarrhea. So I think I'll hold off on his breakfast and depending on how everything looks later in the day possibly his supper.

Had a couple of days with BEAUTIFUL weather. Just wonderful, I was driving with my windows down much to Boone's joy. Of course those were the days I worked and therefore I never really got to enjoy them today it's -5C. Not super cold but cold enough that I'm uncomfortable, the sun is out and makes it look warmer then it is until you open the door and it hits you. I was thinking I should take Boone out somewhere today and let him have some fun, maybe to Toto park? We haven't been there since the summer. I just hate going there when there are a group of other people, Boone is fine these days with it but I just don't want to mingle and be bothered. I'd rather plod around and play with Boone without being disturbed. What are the chances that since its a Wednesday, -5C and winter that there will be people out there?

Too cold even for penguins

Poor Boone, I've been feeling pretty down about a few things going on, mix that with colder weather and I don't want to go anywhere let alone walking in a bloody deep freeze. So we haven't gotten a nice walk in ages, he'll get a quick run around the park while walking from the car to work but that's about it. I have to say he's been keeping his manners in check though I'm sure he's itching for a nice long walk.

Yesterday He spent most of the day in his crate as me and Blake were out and about. When we were home he pretty much stayed in his crate with the door open. I meant to take him out for a walk last night but ended up getting sidetracked with my parents phoned and by the time we hung up it was pretty late. I'm going to try to get him down to the river today for some run around time.

I've been trying him out on wet food lately. It usually was a once a week if that sort of deal but he really enjoys it and figured since Drifter used to get the wet food in the morning and dry food at night deal why shouldn't Boone? Orijen doesn't make a wet food so I decided to go with Merrick, nice variety of food that Drifter always enjoyed when he got it as a rare treat. Of course I've found that Boone favors some flavors over others, he is crazy about the Venison Holiday Stew. I can't get it out of the can fast enough but I'd like him to have more variety. So I picked up 6 cans at work to do me for a week, all different flavors so see which ones he likes and which ones he's not to fussy about.

Yesterday it was the Ye Ol' Fish'n Chips. White fish, chicken, lamb tripe, potato and peas. Nice big chunks which Boone seems to like better then the pate style food. Didn't smell horrible like some dog foods do, not that it stayed in the bowl long enough to really smell it. Boone inhaled it as soon as I stepped away from the bowl. This seems to be a winner, its a seasonal flavor though, work just happens to have a few cans left over from the summer. He had his regular cup of Orijen Regional Red for supper. I'll probably try a different flavor of Orijen as well this time around for some variety.

Boone the rebel

I think Boone is entering the rebellious teenager phase. Good lord, the dog drove me up the wall yesterday at work. I don't know what his issue was, maybe he was just tired, or having an off day but I wanted to throttle him!

The work day started off well enough he approached one customer on his own, came over with some coaxing by mean for a couple more and even took a treat out of one woman's hand which is a huge step for him. He got told off by a German Shepherd, freaked him out a little but not overly so. He spent most of the day on his bed behind the counter while I attempted to conquer the canned food wall (I never want to touch another can again by the way). Later in the evening though he not only growled at every customer that came in he'd also bark and not his pathetic little excuse of a bark a full, I mean business bark that sounded like it came from a dog twice his size. It ticked me off and confused me, he'd been so good that morning. Maybe I pushed him too far to greet customers?

Co worker comes in with her 8 week old Mini Dachshund, Dante. Cute little guy and I found it insanely amusing to watch him scruffy around on the floor. Boone seemed rather intrigued by the little guy, not quite sure at first but quickly seemed to change his tune and happily followed the little guy around the store and try to play with him which of course didn't go well as Boone likes to use his front paws and "step" on smaller dogs well playing with them, which is fine he's not a big dog himself but Dante is a wee little man and I didn't want Boone to hurt him in his excitement. For whatever reason Boone took a sudden wariness to my co worker. Any time she spoke, or played with Dante he growled and took off to his bed, at one point started barking at her and then pissed all over the floor as he ran to his bed and pissed on his bed. Brat. At that point I'd had enough of him. I shut him in the grooming room, tossed his bed in the washer and left him there for a bit. When I went back there to let him out he acted as if I'd beaten him and scrambled around the grooming tables away from me while pissing. So once again I left him in the back, let him work out whatever his problem was. An hour before I left I went back and tried again and he came out willingly enough. I cleaned up his pee in the back and he seemed back to his normal self again.

He had a good run through the park before getting in the car, found something to chase I'm assuming a squirrel and you'd never know he'd been such a grumpy little elf. He spent the whole car ride home in the back seat which he hasn't done since late September/early October. Another big step for him as the front seat was always a no no, that was Drifter's seat and if Drifter ever saw him in that seat Boone got a good telling to. But around this time he started making short visits to the front seat while I drove and now sits there as if its been his seat all along so it was odd he spent the whole trip in the back seat last night. Once home he went straight to his crate and that was that.

I hope to high heaven this was just a one day bad mood.

Training begins now

Boone saw the behaviorist yesterday and he's been diagnosed with fear aggression, separation anxiety and stereotypic behavior. So here's the plan that's been made up.

Boone gets very nervous when people come into the house, anyone besides me or my father sends him hiding and pissing himself. Which is a step above growling and trying to bite them but I'd rather have non of it. So the follow plan has been put into place:

- Install a tether (leash) on the couch as discussed (make sure it is secure)

- Before answering the door tether Boone

- Answer the door

- Once the guest enters ask them to stand approx 10 ft away from Boone and toss him small meat and/or cheese treats for 3 minutes straight

- After the treat tossing keep Boone tethered

- Ask visitors to toss Boone treats whenever they get up and walk around

- Other than tossing treats make sure all visitors completely ignore Boone (like bad art), and keep at least 5 ft away from him at all times (this will require 100% supervision of your guest)

- If certain guests are unlikely to follow your rules best to have Boone safely put away elsewhere

Once there is constant positive reaction from him when visitors first come into the house, meaning he doesn't go off into hiding but instead gets excited at their arrival we move to him not having to be tied to the couch and instead allowed to move around the room freely but with a muzzle on to avoid any costly back tracks.

His recent issue with other dogs had me worried. Drifter was some what dog aggressive and I'd rather Boone not be and he wasn't up until Drifter was put to sleep. The behaviorist has said that it is due to loosing Drifter. Drifter and I were a security blanket to Boone. He gained confidence from both of us, especially Drifter when out and about, with Drifter gone Boone has lost this security blanket and though he still sees me as a source of comfort and safety he has lost on half of that and he's showing that by his sudden aggression with other dogs. The plan for this:

- While Boone is on leash keep other dogs at least 10 ft away from other dogs at all times

- Try using a basket muzzle at the park

With the obsessive circling which is the sterotypic behavior, he believes Boone has done it so much that it now is creating endorphins in his brain when he does it. He said there had been a video being passed around between behaviorist of a Rottie who was doing the same thing and had not only worn down the grass to bare dirt in the yard but had actually worn down the dirt so that there was a well defined groove where he circled. When interrupted the Rottie would become aggressive he thinks Boone isn't far from this and was very intrigued by it as I believe it was the first dog he's seen other then in that video who did it. So the plan for ending this obsessive behavior:

- Discuss the temporary use of an anti anxiety medication (i.e. clomicalm) with your vet

- Whenever Boone is outside he should be kept from circling either: i) by engaging him in play or ii) by providing him a distraction (stuffed frozen kong, drilled stuffed nylabones…)

The last issue was with the boyfriend. Boone and boyfriend really have no interest in each other. Boone is fearful/nervous of him and avoids being in the same room as him if I'm not there and boyfriend ignores and generally wants nothing to do with him as he's been bit by Boone a few times now. So the plan to get these two liking each other a little more and living together nicely:

- Boyfriend avoid all touch with Boone

- Keep treats on him at all times

- Toss treats to Boone frequently

- Play fetch daily in the following manner: boyfriend tosses the ball, Boone retrieves it to me, I toss the ball to boyfriend – repeat for 20 minutes

I've got my hopes up in this. It'd be great for Boone to be mentally well and happy with life. I'm sure right now he's not happy in life, not with his constant fear and nervousness and its upsetting, another dog I'm sure would help him but we just aren't set up for a second dog at this point as well as boyfriend and I's relationship is kinda rocky right now.

So wish me and Boone luck! I know this can take months to see positive results but its still exciting to have a plan now and be able to set it in motion for Booney.