pit bull with kids

9 Comments January 25, 2013 peacelovefoster

Nothing makes me happier than posting positive updates about dogs who were recently rescued and are now doing awesome in their new home. A few weeks ago I did update posts on shelter dogs Patrice, Peanut and Kobe with emails I received from their new families or fosters. This time, I’m here to report on an adorable dog who was adopted from my shelter by my next door neighbors: Rojo!

Because I live next door, I get to see first hand how Rojo (pronounced Ro-ho) is settling into his new life. We’ve had a few fence line chats with him and my various temporary fosters, but the other night I headed over there to babysit his human siblings and I got to see just how great his digs really are. His family has toys and kongs and beds and LOTS of love for him, and he seems like one seriously happy pup!

In my post introducing Rojo I asked for advice about his excitable wetting. I am happy to report that his family says he is doing much better with that since they have been keeping arrivals very low key. He didn’t do it when I – an exciting new person – showed up, so that was a great sign (he did it last time I met him).

He’s also been attending classes at Your Dog’s Friend. YDF is my favorite training group in Montgomery County whose mission is to help keep dogs out of the shelter by offering affordable positive training classes ranging from basic obedience to agility to nose work, as well as free seminars and workshops about all things dog related. Rojo excelled in his first level of classes, and now does a fabulous “sit” and “touch” – both of which he likes to practice with his two sibs.

Speaking of, I think my favorite part of Rojo’s new life is his relationship with his human sister and brother. Not only do they adore him, but he tolerates all their kid antics (which are few and far between; they are fabulous around dogs). On the night I watched them, they prepared his bed for him so we could all watch movies together, as well as a kong treat for when the humans had ice cream.

His family is still learning the ropes, like making sure his counter surfing skills don’t get too perfected and helping him keep his cool around other dogs (their next class at YDF is actually one that I am helping coach – which I will write about later – but that was a fun coincidence!), and they seem to love him even with all he has to learn.

Seeing Rojo as such a loved family dog was so rewarding. I don’t like to focus on an adopted dog’s past, but it’s crazy to think that just months ago Rojo was living as a stray without a bed or consistent food or anyone to love him. And look at where he is now! He’s a family member – a happy, happy dog.

18 Comments February 2, 2012 peacelovefoster

Monday morning was quiet in the office, with not many staff there yet. A coworker came back to my desk and told me that a group of high school students had made a donation and wanted to know if they could meet a dog. The kennels weren’t open for visiting yet, so my coworker asked if I had any ideas about what to do. I said of course I had an idea: Mr. Bax.

Well it turned out that when Baxter trotted out of the shelter by my side to meet these kids, we were greeted by a big yellow school bus. The high school students were part of the special education program and would be staying on the bus. I wondered how Baxter would feel about climbing on to the school bus, and was ready to coax him in if need be. Turns out, no convincing needed – Bax steadily climbed right up the big stairs of the bus.

Once we got on the bus there were a few teachers and five students, three of which were in wheel chairs. While Baxter was initially a little weary about the narrow aisles and new humans on both sides of him, he started wagging his tail and I knew he was fine. He sniffed the first student’s hand that let out a squeal in delight. Cue more tail wags. We slowly made our way down the bus’ aisle, saying hi to the adult teachers as we went. “Ooh isn’t he so cute!”

I was on high alert because this was such a new, different situation for Baxter, but his calm tail wags kept me at ease. We made our way to the second student, who said hi briefly as we passed. At the back of the bus were the three students in wheel chairs. Baxter calmly walked up to each as the teacher helped them reach out their hand to pet his head. He just stood there quietly and let each interact with him in their own way. Many of them were very excited to meet him.

After making his rounds in the back, Baxter made his way up front to the second student we met. He and Baxter really hit it off. Baxter kept his head in the boy’s lap as he caused excitable laughter for the sniffs and licks he occasionally gave the boy’s hand or nose. It was so sweet.

Baxter and I got off the bus with the teachers and two students as they walked into the shelter and handed over their donations. The boy who liked Baxter so much even held Bax’s leash as we all walked in together.

To say I am proud of Baxter is an understatement. My heart is bursting at how well he handled such a new situation, and how he interacted with those kids so tenderly. It gives me peace of mind knowing that Baxter is finally confident enough in his every day life that he faces new situations with things other than fear. It’s moments like these that as a fostermom I have to sit back and take a second to let it sink in, then go hug my Bax : -)