Dro Bones is up for adoption

Dro Bones is now listed on the CCHS website.  We certainly have enjoyed his time here, and miss him already.  He will make someone a terrific companion.  He found the ride back, and getting to see his old friends there very exciting. 

We'll be waiting to see who chooses this wonderful dog to be a permanent part of their life.  I know Bones will be  -- exuberant -- in his choice of them.  In his time here, though, he showed that he is also very willing to learn, and he likes pleasing people.

And now we take a break for at least a day or so, til we have another visitor.

Dro Bones Last Night Here

Tonight is Dro Bones last night with us.  He will be going back to the Humane Society tomorrow morning.  We brought him out for a bit of flashlight play this evening.  I tried to video him to share with you all, but unfortunately his antics did not show up well.  The thing is, he knows exactly where the light is coming from -- and he loves sticks.  So he can't decide whether he should try and catch the fascinating circle of light, or try for that really cool stick that it is coming from.

I did get a good picture of him with the ferret -- and for all of Dro Bones rambunctiousness he is amazingly gentle with her.  The first time he noticed her, I was very nervous, but he has shown himself to be reliably subdued with her.  He will stand on his hind legs and balance before the cage, to see her, but he has never been anything more than just quietly awed by her existence -- and perhaps curious.  He softly leans his front paws against the cage, and doesn't even wiggle it. 

QUITE different than his original antics with the cats, although he has become merely enamored with them as well.

Hooray for Dro Bones !

We have reached a point where I believe Bones actually is responding to the word "Sit".  His attention to the human he is with has improved outstandingly during his time here! 

And this morning while we were outside, my neighbor came out -- with his dog off of a leash.  Of course he and Bones immediately saw each other, but when I called Bones to the door, he was quick to come and was happy to go bounding into the house.  His first order once inside is to check and see if he can find one of my cats -- so he was off excitedly, especially since we had come in rather abruptly.  I called, "Dro Bones, Crate, Bones, Come on, Crate."  And he came bursting back from the kitchen, bounded past me into the bedroom and INTO the crate, turning and waiting for his treat.  WOW!  I am so proud of this big boy!!

He is high energy, but he has really learned to listen to the people around him.  He is going to do just fine.

Dro Bones Learns to Sit

Dro Bones Learns to Sit today -- and by clicking you can watch a short video of his time out side.  You will also see that Down has not been learned yet and that my snakes are very interesting and must be investigated.  But believe me, he has come a long way in the last few weeks.

He is very close to learning "Crate"  -- he does know that he is headed there when he comes back in the house and that a whole handful of crackers will be his reward!!  A much desired prize.  But I am very doubtful that he actually recognizes the word "Crate" as a command.  Just as he does not really reliably respond to the world "Sit" yet -- but more so to the fact that a cracker is in my hand and if he sits he will get it.

However he definitely knows the words "Wanna Go?"  And leaps towards the van hoping there is a ride involved.  So I am sure he will eventually learn to associate other words with actions.

YouTube - lrhawkins1's Channel#p/a/f/0/Whv-QNlohz4

YouTube - lrhawkins1's Channel#p/a/f/0/Whv-QNlohz4

It seems that I can share the video straight from You Tube in a post and not deal with the Video Bar -- so that is what I am trying. Enjoy viewing Bones and the Boys!

Rearranged blog

I did a bit of rearranging -- and made a mess -- here on the blog.  But I think things are back where you can see all the pictures and the video bar is now at the top, so it is easier to find.  It seems to be putting up some videos that are not mine though.  So I may end up having to remove it. 

Right now we are still trying to make it work though.  There is a new -- very short  -- video of Bones with my son and nephew you may enjoy.  Bones LOVES kids.  He will cover them in dog slobber -- but he loves them.  And he loves playing with them.  And I have spent a few hours getting that crazy little short video with no sound to perhaps show, to let you know that.  So I hope someone enjoys it.  LOL

Bones will be looking for his forever family soon

Bones is nearly done with his time here with us, and will be returning to CCHMS to find his forever family.  We have learned a few things about him during his quiet time here.  He is an active dog who LOVES people and wants to interact with his people.  He is always ready for ride in the van and is hoping each time he goes outside that a trip in the van is involved.  He can be easily distracted -- sort an ADD fellow -- but what that really means is that he is paying attention to EVERYTHING.  Far, near, human, animal, vegetable -- he is taking it in.  But people rank first in his world and if you want his attention just pick up a ball, stick, or laser pointer.  Oh yes, this 60 lb boy will chase a laser pointer like a kitten.  He is great fun to be around, but for all his energy, he also loves to just sit quiet and be petted.

And oyster crackers make a great cheap treat.  He is still  not reliable to sit on command -- unless you have a cracker, but with a cracker you have his full attention.

I WANT THAT Stick!

I will even sit for that stick.

Oh YES!! STICK STICK STICK!!!

Roxy has found her home!

Great news for Roxy and her very lucky new family.

We took Dro Bones in for a check up today because his face was very swolen this morning.  Evidently he had a bee sting or spider bite, or something that he had an allergic reaction to.  He was given a shot of some Benadryl and is doing fine.

But while we were there, I heard someone mention Roxy's name and was able to meet the family that is adopting her.  A truly wonderful match -- Roxy will have  a wonderful home, and they will have a wonderful new companion.

Dro Bones Progress

We have been working with Dro Bones on our short outings, practicing sitting, and just trying gain his attention and boost his confidence and comfort with people.  We've been using oyster crackers as his treat -- something he dearly loves, and is pretty cheap.  He is responding very well .  Our sessions are brief, since he is here on heartworm treatment, but we practice every time he is out.

The one improvement that I am seeing, is that he is improving in his comfort level of people approaching.  When we take Dro Bones out, we go to our front yard.  And we live in a neighborhood where people walk past on the side walk frequently.  So even though we are only out briefly, it is likely that he will be approached by a stranger.  He is just naturally a very friendly and an exuberant dog, which can be a bit overwhelming for strangers when he jumps and barks.  In my front yard, originally, he would respond to people across the street or even half a block away all the same.  But by staying close to him and petting him constantly, he is learning that not everything is worth getting that excited about.  Maybe its worhwhile to pay attention to the people closer at hand -- who have oyster crackers.

Some news about Roxy

We got this nice message from Clay at the CCHMS today.

Hi Lavana. Today, I gave a shelter tour to a half dozen special needs students. At the end of the tour, they went outside and waited patiently as I retrieved a dog for them to meet. I brought Roxy out. She sat next to me on the ground. The students approached one at a time, allowed her to sniff their hand, and then petted her gently. Roxy was so wonderful! She was patient, friendly, and never tried to retreat or stand up. Thought you’d like to know.

Thanks, Clay.  So good to know that Roxy is doing well.  She is such a quiet and laid back lady -- this is just the type of situation  where she can shine. --

Dro Bones -- the fun filled 60 lb lap dog

Well, Dro Bones has definitely been a contrast to the sweet laid back Roxy who we would forget that we had out of her crate.  There is no forgetting about Dro Bones. 

This is an enthusiasitc joyous doggy dog.  My 8-year-old  nephew Timmy was here for a visit -- and they immediately became fast buddies.  We have learned that Dro Bones loves a tummy rub.

And I was able to post a picture of his gorgeous grin today.  He just can't help it -- he is way too full of fun to keep that smile hidden.

It is hard to keep him contained in the crate all day when he wants to play and be sociable so bad -- but it is necessary for now.  Till he has had his month of heart worm treatment recovery.

Not only is he fun and full of excitement but he is very smart also.  I am glad we have this month to work with him on some behavior issues.  Already he has learned to wait for the door to be opened rather than pushing on it.  He is learning "Crate" -- so we can say it and have him go in rather than having to push him in -- and is progressing very well.  If he is not in an excitable situation he can be relied on to sit on command.  Our times together are limited because of the heartworm treatment -- but we are making full use of them.  (and bacon grease on a bit of bread is a favorite treat).