Buddy is bursting with a backlog of love for a new family.
Once we get some meat on those bones he'll be an even better lookin' guy.
Not neutered - of course - and people don't recall puppy shots. Probably never been to a vet before. Heartworm negative! Yahooooooooooooo! Best news I've had in years, especially since he's always been an outside dog. Recently stuck on a chain because he was breaking out of the yard (going under fence) and running over to cows nearby. Farmer threatened to shoot.
We hated seeing Buddy chained. Mike had to unwrap him several times to get him back to shade. I was almost to the point of telling his people to leave him here if they weren't going to be around to keep an eye on him. Five minutes later Mike came in and said he'd just heard they "wanted to get rid of him." Such a thoughtful phrase.
We offered, they sprung. They had no choice. I was already set to go off and definitely wasn't leaving without him after they gave every one of my questions the worst possible answer. Buddy is safe now in our 6-ft. "inside" fence around deck. Needed that thanks to Scoopy surprising us with his jumping prowess, too expensive to do the whole yard right now. What we do NOT need is four dogs. However, Buddy ain't goin' anywhere until I'm real happy with prospective adopters' inside housing and vet habits.
We're a little west of St. Louis in Troy, MO. If I'm not able to make the home inspection and records check, someone I trust in your area will. Upon approval, arrangements will be made to meet.
No surprise Buddy's peed inside a few times. He's getting the right idea fast enough. Don't know if it's just lucky timing - no poop in the house yet. He's 100 percent sweetie (lots of kisses but not obnoxious). We've never seen any aggression. Soakin' up every bit of attention with eyes lighting up as if ours are the first kind words he's ever heard. No doubt he's been knocked around, flinches when he doesn't see your hand coming from behind or above. Doesn't cower though. He's not quite used to the resident wild bunch - slowly catching on to play time. Somewhat of a drooler, as in wet spot will appear while his head is in a lap (a favorite spot for listening to tall tales, general grousing ... whatever's on your mind). And no bad breath! Teeth and gums appear healthy. Very gentle when he takes a treat. Only had one teeny tick and a few fleas - absolutely amazing. Behaves nicely on leash too, for Mike. That big boy is a bit much for me. Even Scoopy can pull me over.
Buddy's enjoying an abundance of toys, so far no squabbles. My brats have intimidated him a few times over doorway passage. No big deal, everybody's establishing their new order in the usual way. TheBud needs his own people and maybe only one other dog so he can have his fair share of cuddles. Labs are famous as extremely kid-tolerant. No clue about cats, none running around here. An employed person living alone is not the ideal forever caretaker. While Buddy would probably be OK by himself for several hours at a time, this guy deserves better. He's known almost nothing but neglect which is every bit as sickening as physical abuse. So far, his charming self has been glued to me. I think because his female person did come out of the house occasionally to spend five minutes with him.
Brass tacks: One more mouth to feed is not a big strain. We do need a few people to pitch in on neuter and other immediately necessary vet expense. I'll set up something with the vet, possibly going through one of the rescue groups so donations could be deductible. Any leftover money will go for needy others. Who knows who will show up on the doorstep next, which is another reason for making room for the next emergency case.Thanks in advance for any assistance you might offer! If nothing else, pass the page around to your lists and/or print this to post at work/wherever.
Questions: MarthaJones1@aol.com, subject line must be Buddy, too risky opening unknowns ~ I'll give you my phone number at the appropriate time.
Huge
thanks to All Paws Rescue
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/aprescue.html
APR is covering Buddy's neuter, microchip and vaccinations. He will also have a listing on their site. I will charge a reasonable adoption fee ($125) which will make a pretty good dent in the vet bill. We'll pay the rest as we can. Your donations will fill in the gap faster, excess will be applied to the next in line.
All Paws Rescue
PO Box 1274
O'Fallon, MO 63366
Phone: 636-288-2999
Progress report:
Buddy not only came in the door first after taking care of morning biz, a little later he was in front of the group scratching for re-entry. Really is a good sign, he had no concept of inside before. Had to haul him in the first day, then out again several times. After he realized back and forth was normal he was still somewhat reluctant. All the strange is becoming routine.Also had what I will assume was his first experience with peanut butter. Yep, it was funny. He politely waited for a little more and when it was gone he retired. Very unlike my pack of professionally pitiful beggars.
Buddy's much less jumpy about hands coming at him and is taking the various canine attentions in stride. Little Miss Emma has an oh-so ferocious growl for anyone not operating under her princess rulings. Shug's initiated a number of mutual paw bats that will soon result in full-on friendly wrestling. Scoop's bewildered, "No fence between us?"
It's not going to be as hard giving him up as I always imagined any foster case would be. Whole new, very good feeling prepping him to leave.
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I'm keeping the diary for myself too. I do understand fostering now. Buddy is an excellent dog, key word being dog (not spoiled brat). This simply isn't his best spot for the long run. Mike's crazy about him too (and vice versa). We are thoroughly enjoying fattening him up and very, very proud of his social and inside manners progress. Still no pooping in the house and only a few legs lifts, less each day. Such a laid back fellow, nuthin' but a big ol' huggable teddy :) So sweet and gentle.
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Better and better every day, everybody getting along as if Buddy's been here all the time. Still a few inside leg lifts, less and less as he's settling in. Not wolfing his food anymore. No objections to dry and he enjoys a little canned just like the others' mix. No problems all eating together either.
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Buddy gained three pounds since last week's vet visit! Ribs are starting to disappear. He wasn't emaciated, pretty dang thin though. Vet said about 75 would be best weight so that's seven more.
Excellent idea
"I always tell people that if I win the lottery my "dream car" would be a mobile spay/neuter clinic. I even came up with a name: Cut-Rate Castrate. " ~ from Angela who was assured Angela I'd be quoting her often. Now get those good vibes going. Let's make it happen for somebody and those that can't speak for or protect themselves.
Many, many more pages, from super silly to serious issues: