WE HAVE HAD TO TAKE A BREAK

We have enjoyed our time fostering tremendously.  Unfortuanately, our life will not accomadate us continuing for a few years.  We will be back. And in the meantime -- I may change the focus of the blog somewhat.  I would like to be able to use it to still help the animals at the Humane Society in some way -- or at least encourage an awareness of the beautiful lives and personalities of the animals around us.
We'll see how it develops. 

Our Newest Guest --- Zeus

Zeus, our new skinny friend, will be with us at least 5 weeks.  He has had surgery on  a back leg to remove a mass, and when has recovered from this he will begin heartworm treatment.

Moonglow has been adopted

I checked the CCHS site this evening, and it appears that Moonglow has found his family.

Moonglow available for Adoptions

We are taking Moonglow back to the Humane Society Sunday and so he should be up for adoption very soon. We have certainly had a grand time with him this week. He has been an easy houseguest. I would call him crate trained at this point, if not completely house broken. However, he is well on his way to understanding where piddles and piles belong and developing the control to achieve that. And that is what we would expect of an 8 week old puppy. He has learned to sit on command, and is a terrific playmate. Here are two videos you can watch to see him, playing and learning: one with me  and one with Judd. They were taken one after the other, and you can see how much easier he is sitting with Judd in just that bit of time.

Puppies are well known for their love of chewing, and I have to say that Moonglow is no exception.  However, for such a young puppy, he has  a very clear understanding of which toys are his, and the word No.  A very soft firmly spoken No, with a pointed finger, and he is DONE.  We have always immediately handed him one of his toys.  I definitely would not leave him unattended with a pair of leather shoes, but he has shown himself to be very easy to get along with -- with supervision.

If a family is looking for a puppy, this one is a prize for sure.

By the way, my sons both say, Sundog, is a better name for him than Moonglow.

Moonglow update

Moonglow is doing well, getting along with the cats, affectionate and curious about everyone and everything.  An MTD bus came by while we were outside today, and his only reaction was to gaze after it in wonderment.  His favorite game is tug of war, and he is quite enthusiastic.  I've been interrupting our game for petting sessions, and he is learning to settle easily -- and that tug of war is done with toys not human hands, feet or my long hair.  He knows fully well which items are his toys now, and that fun is about to happen when we pick one up. 

Moonglow has come for a week

We have a 7 week old Boxer puppy with us this week, and he is a total sweetheart.  He is affectionarte, active, curious, and busy.  When he is not asleep.  He likes to be with us, but did sleep in his crate all night just fine after just a bit of yipping at the very beginning.  He has been friendly and eager to make acquaintence with everyone who has come by.

Catman still available for adoption

I checked the CCHS website today, and it appears that Catman is still available for adoption.  He is such a calm and cuddly big kitty, it is just a matter of time before someone notices him. 

We have not taken in a new foster yet.  But I am looking forward to having a new guest.  I'll let you know when someone comes.

Bacon Bacon

The most energy we have seen from Catman is in response to bacon.  That is the thing that gets him up and moving.  Although he did take notice when the door opened. I would expect him to get along well in a house that already has cats.  Even though he is a Tom and has yet to have that bit taken care of, he shows no interest at all in our 4 cats.  Our dog is another matter. 

He is still doing a bit of sneezing but seems to be mostly over his URI.  He'll be  heading back to CCHS on Monday.  I was supposed to take him back on Friday, but unfortunately my 1:00 appointment took far longer than I expected.

Molly (Trixie) Update

We recieved some nice news today that Molly (now known as Trixie) just graduated from her CCHS dog training classes.  They sent us along her graduation photo, and I thought some of you  might enjoy seeing it also.

Catman continues to do well.  We saw him at his most excited since arriving yesterday. Bacon is evidently a great favorite, because he actually opened his eyes wide, stood up, and came over to investigate.  This cat is not exactly a ball of fire.  Gorgeous, yes.  Affectionate, oh yes.  Energetic -- definitely not.  Anybody who is looking for a sleepy boy to curl up with in the evening, he is the cat for you.

Vacation is done, and Catman has come to visit

Well, my son and his wife have returned to Finland, and life has returned to its more familiar hectic pace.  So we have been able to make a spot available for Catman to hang out while he gets over a nasty cold (upper respiratory infection would be the technical term).

This has got to be one of the most relaxed cats -- EVER.  Takes his medication and never bats an eye.  We bring him out to visit for awhile, and he spends the entire time laying in the spot he is sat down -- purring if someone is nearby.  He loves to be rubbed under the chin and petted, but he is not pushy about it at all.

And he is huge.  15 lbs.

ON VACATION

Yes, we have been on vacation -- and will be for the next 2 weeks also. Which severely limits me on posting or fostering for awhile.  We are looking forward to being back with the animals though.

In the meantime there are many other foster families working with Champaign County Humane Society.  Animals are there and waiting for homes.  And our friends are working hard to find those  homes for them.

Yay! Floyd is going home!

Our funny goof ball Floyd  is headed to his forever home.  According to the CCHS website he has been adopted.  We know he will bring laughter, joy and genuine affection to his new family.  Yay for you, Floyd!!

Floyd still waiting for his home

Clay sent me a nice message today letting me know that Floyd is still waiting for his forever home -- and that he was able to appear on T.V. this week.  He seems REALLY subdued in the T.V. studio -- which is not too surprising since like Clay mentions in the video, Floyd is a little apprehensive about new experiences.  He did eventually get accustomed to going up and down our front steps while he was here, but he never was too crazy about it.  Since he was  here on heartworm treatment and left as soon as that was done, we didn't get to take him on any long walks, or expose hime to a whole lot.  He did get used to having us around though, and is definitely a people dog.

Enjoy Floyd's T.V.  spot below.

http://www.wicd15.com/newsroom/features/pet_week/videos/vid_212.shtml

Pretty Blue Eyed Floyd

Some videos of Floyd

We took some pictures today -- and filmed two videos --- so you can all get a good look at Odie Dog Floyd.  We couldn't catch him chasing his tail unfortunately, but you can see how truly playful and yet very affectionate that he is.  Even when he is all wound up though, you can see how easily he settles down for a good cuddle.  He definitely will bring humor to any family he joins.  And check out those sweet blue eyes!!

He'll be headed back to the Humane Society on Saturday, and we expect him to be up for adoption very soon.

Floyd nearly ready to find a home

I am so sorry I have not gotten any pictures of Floyd posted.  He is such a goof it is rather difficult to get a decent picture of him.  Definitely an Odie dog -- not a Lassie.  He keeps us in stitches chasing his tail, catching socks, and bounding about.  He has definitely been the most interested in our cats of any foster that we have had.  Obsessed might be a good word.  Jack considers him something to play with.  Zippy won't come down from the highest perch he can find.  Mike plays with no one -- and Floyd seems to be catching on that being batted at by Mike is a far pricklier experience than being batted at by Jack.  And Dart has learned to negotiate her way through the living room behind furniture if Floyd happens to be out of his crate.  Which actually has been very rare.  He is here for heartworm treatment, and he is not prone to sedate behavior out of the crate.  Which Jack thinks is very funny and sits next to the crate watching him. 

Floyd has a very pitiful moan, and does not enjoy being left alone at all, although he loves his crate -- just not being left in a room alone in it.  He is a people dog through and through, and wants to be with us.  Thus we have found it necessary to keep the crate in the living room where we usually are.  And his moan is not soft.  I definitely would not recommend him for an apartment dweller that is gone a lot.  Neighbors would not be happy.

Floyd is doing well

Sorry about not having any pictures yet -- it has been a hectic week.  Floyd is doing well though.  He does have a bug which caused some pretty nasty diarrhea, but he is on meds for that and is responding well.  We did move him upstairs, but opted for trying the crate in the living room, since the yard sale still had some of my living room furniture in my room, it just seemed easier.  But it actually is working very well, so we have just stuck with it.  Floyd has become very crate comfortable being in the room with us, and goes in and out of the crate even if he is not enclosed in it.  And if we close the door, he just stays in there quietly, even if we don't bother to latch it.  He is responding well to be asked to lay down in it, when things get too active for a dog on heartworm treatment.  So all in all, he is getting more interaction, and still maintaining a low key existence.

Floyd is visiting

Our new foster friend, Floyd is visiting.  I'll load some pictures later.  He came home with me yesterday morning.  Usually fosters stay in my husband and my bedroom, but we were having a yardsale yesterday that extended into my front room, so I thought Floyd would feel calmer in the basement where he did not hear so many strange voices coming and going right outside the door.  Besides the fact that the crate in my bedroom, makes things pretty snug.

Floyd cries when he is lonely.  Rather loudly.  So that did not work so well. And is not working well.  I think Floyd is moving upstairs today.

Also, Floyd is not comfortable using stairs.  At all.  His front legs go up, but his back ones won't follow -- and then he freezes and pitifully whimpers in great consternation.

Once again -- Floyd is moving upstairs today.

Molly has been adopted

Hooray!! According to Champaign County web site this evening Molly has been adopted.  So happy for her -- and for her new family!

Molly is available for adoption at the Humane Society

Molly and I spent our last evening together.  She typically lays at my feet while I sit on the couch -- but last night she curled up extra cozy.  I hope the right family for this special dog finds her soon.  She is waiting for you at Champaign County Humane Society.