Along came Penny

I was driving to school each day during the next couple of Winter months when I spotted a horse standing under the same lone tree at the top of a hill in the distance. She was what seemed to be, at least a half mile away, and I couldn't see her very well, but she was there every day, morning and night. There was no grass on the property she shared with several hundred head of cattle. One evening my curiosity got the better of me and driven by some invisible force I made a point of circling that pasture by turning up a remote two track, dirt road for a closer look. I was horrified to discovered from a side view, that this mare was starving to death. Her head looked as though it was disproportional to the rest of her body because she was so thin. Her hip bones protruded profusely giving outline to a skeleton. I immediately turned around and drove up the drive past the home, directly towards the barns, where I spotted a rancher headed towards several long troughs designed to hold hay in the top and grain in the bottoms. He was filling them and the cattle were gathered for a feast. The mare slowly approached the feed trough’s and barely secured a nibble of the hay before she was forced away by the huge numbers and strength of the cattle.
At this time in my life I am 16 years old, and reflecting back on all of the animals I have raised, is far from my mind, I see a starving animal that needs immediate care. Sun a 21 year old Horse I was raised with, has been gone for about 3 months now, and while he is still on my mind, I don't care that I have more pets than any one boy should be allowed, all I see is an Animal in need. The mare approached the troughs first as quickly as her frail frame could carry her as the Rancher poured the feed. He then proceeded to blast the horn on the pick-up truck which is a familiar dinner bell for cattle. Within minutes there were several hundred head of cattle filling the area fighting there way to the troughs. The mare barely got two of three bites of the cotton seed hull mix down before the cattle utilizing there horns, started prying their way in closer and tighter to the trough. Within seconds the cattle had her backed away. They were on that feeding trough like fly's on a dead carcass.
A dead carcass is what I thought of as I stood there in awe looking at the mare. Her eyes were glazed over and streaks stained her face from the discharges. Every bone in her body tried to protrude through her skin, she was scared and her coat was dull and she was coated in mud from the knees down. Her hoofs were dry and splitting with chunks chiped away leaving gaps. As the Rancher approached me I contained my self enough to give a proper introduction and inquire about the possibility of buying the mare. (He apparently had no use for her). He promptly replied that “The mare is of no us because she threw his daughter the day he brought her home after being assured (by the seller) that the mare was "green broke".
He went on to explain to me how he had found her at the local horse auction, how much he paid, and that the mare was registered with papers; but that he saved several hundred dollars by not buying the papers. ( A common practice in horse trading at the time)
He replied that he returned to the horse auction barn where he had purchased the mare on the next Friday night, only to find that the seller wasn't there to give him his money back. The only reason he kept the mare was in the hopes that this daughter would change her attitude since her first riding attempt, and begin working with the mare again. I explained that by the looks of the mare, it didn't appear to be likely that anyone here was going to care for the animal. I moved the conversation forward and asked if he would sell the horse. His answer came as no surprise to me, when he asked for the $800.00 he had given for the mare at the auction. I responded that I could give him $800.00 for the mare if she were in the same condition as she was the day he bought her at auction, but in her present condition, she wasn't worth a plug nickel. I offered $175.00 for the mare. After 10 or so minutes of haggling I finally got down to brass tactics and assured him that I would not pay more than $250.00 today since I knew I could surely buy her for $175.00 tomorrow from the Humane society. What he didn't know, was that I had spent many Friday evenings in that same auction barn, with my dad, riding and demonstrating the reigning and handling characteristics of horses, for many sellers and buyers, both inside and outside of the "North Fort Worth Horse and Cattle Auction" where he had bought her, just a few months back. Probably around the same week-end as I was burying and mourning Sun's death. Sun was an American Standard the I had learned to ride on and enjoyed the pleasure of horsemanship and a special bond of friendship for the past 12 years.
In the mean time, the rancher refused my generous offer, resented my suggestions of reporting him to the authorities, and I was promptly dismissed from the property.
It was a hard thing to do, to leave there that day, without the mare, but I knew that while time was not on her side, it was on mine. I retreated to my uncles ranch a few miles away where by now I am assisting him with his daily milking chores each morning and evening to earn extra money and to pay for my room and board. Later that evening he could see that something was troubling me and I explained the mares dilemma. Due to the small world of Ranchers and Dairymen, my uncle new the gentleman. We picked up the mare the next day. I named her Penny since for all obvious reasons, she wasn't worth a nickel. It took almost an hour to coax her into the horse trailer even with feed, but it was well worth the wait. I drove her directly to the veterinarian and had her quarantined for two weeks to get her strength up before bring her home to the ranch.
Over a period of the next 6 months I kept her stabled but took her for stroll’s around the pasture daily so the other horses could see her closely and  become familiar with her on the property. I only haltered her and rubbed her down daily with small rags at first and eventually could approach her with items as large as a blanket. I began bringing a saddle to the scene and placing it near her but never on her. I rode another Horse and led her on occasion just so she could see the cooperation up close of the saddling and riding process. I walked her leading her in the barrel racing pattern in an arena setting several times a day letting her stop to smell the obstacles and reducing her fear. I even went so far as to kick the barrel’s so she could her the ringing and learn that there was nothing to fear. I always comforted her if she spooked and repeated the process each day testing her on many different obstacles as time passed.
By the 9th month her health improved tremendously and she gained back most of her lost weight. She now allowed me to saddle her and putting weight on her from a stirrup was no problem. Our first rides were limited to walking and as her strength improved we began to trot and lope without argument. The barrel pattern was always the last thing of the day, sometimes with saddle and sometimes on her cool down walk. Penny had never attempted to buck or display any argument at this point in her training and was released to the pasture to graze with the other horses after the morning feeding. She was always there at the fence waiting for me each evening and ready for a ride anytime I asked.
By now she was approximately 3 years old and had regained 100% of her weight and strength. She could not be recognized from the day she was brought home. she became the envy of everyone at the Playday’s and Penny participated in 10 of 10 event’s each week-end, placing first in 8 out of 10 consistently. She set new records in the arena and seemed to strive for a better record each time she entered the arena.
 Many horses argued at the gate and had to be led into the arena on foot, but Penny always entered through the narrow gate willingly and remained calm and confident until our name's were called. She was a full blooded Quarter horse and her take off was like a bolt of lightening and would leave the best of rider’s sitting on the ground if they weren’t totally prepared. She was in full stride by the third step and didn’t let off until told to do so. I sometimes feared that she would run herself to death if you let her. I never found a distance that exhausted her, or one that she wasn’t willing to go for me!

In Loving memory of “Penny” 1974-1997



How To Dump Your Dog!

When is it ok to dump a dog?

       An astronomical number of dogs are Dumped throughout this country, and every other country in the world. I think it's impossible to get any kind of an accurate count. Rescue shelters along with City Animal Control offices report the numbers to the ASPCA here in the US, and to the RSPCA in the United Kingdom.
       In the UK alone the RSPCA is contacted and given information about an abandoned dog on average of one every hour.  Between January and April of 2010, (just 4 months) 4,966 dogs were abandoned, an increase of 10.3 per cent from 2009. That's over 1000 a month! Last year authorities in Swindon and east London, picked up around 345 stray dogs, and 20 every day, had to be "put down", because they went unclaimed or could not be re-homed. The Dogs Trust, UK's largest dog welfare charity, revealed that the number of abandoned pets has reached an 11 year high - up by four per cent over the previous year.


Now let's take a close look at Abandoned dog's in the US! 


According to, IN Defense of Animals USA (IDAUSA), it is estimated that between six and eight million cats and dogs enter animal shelters every year! 
        Do you want to Know how many make it out alive?
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates that approximately three to four million pets are killed yearly in shelters across the United States.

       Many dogs escape and wander off to the point of being lost, while others are deliberately being dropped off on the side of a county road. In past post I have discussed the need for Micro-chipping in order to locate a lost dog; but, here I discuss intentional Dog Dumping and the consequences if caught!
As a child who grew up on the edge of town on a small farm. I remember when there were as many as 6-10 dogs a month being dropped off on the side of the road in the woods across the street. I eye witnessed many of the drop off's and sometimes people barely slowed down as they tossed a single dog, or a box, of unwanted puppies or kitten's. If they weren't killed by passing motorist, we (my sister and brother included) would always take them home to the farm, and pass them on to friends or relatives. Our parent's made repeated trips to the local vet to drop off others.  The Veterinarian would then contact Animal control to come and get them. As children our parents would shied us from the painful truth, and assure us, that they would find good homes through the Vet clinic, for which we would learn the truth, later on.


With the current economic downturn's choking consumer budgets, people are beginning to realize that they can't feed or provide medical care for their pets. What many people don't realize is, that there is a right way of Dumping off an unwanted pet.


In Texas (Section 42.09 of the Texas Penal Code), abandoning an animal is punishable by a minimum of 180 days in jail, or up to a maximum of 2 years. There can also be a fine up to $10,000.

In Georgia it's illegal, except in the case that the dog is dead, then it must be dumped properly...§ 4-8-2. Dumping dead dog on public property or public right-of-way! "No person shall abandon a dead dog on any public property or public right of way unless the place in which the dog is being left is a public dump or other facility designed for receiving such and has been designated by the local governmental authorities as a public facility for receiving trash or refuse and the provisions of Code Section 4-5-3 are complied with in full."


In Wisconsin during May of 2011-A new law was Passed and "Dog Dumping" became an epidemic as the result of a new law passed affecting dog breeder's, often referred to as "Puppy Mill's"
"According to the new law, breeders who sell 25 or more dogs a year from more than three litters must apply for a license, and it’s quickly becoming apparent that a large number of them are not willing to subject to regulation as area shelters buckle under the weight of incoming abandoned purebreds.
 One week before the new law took effect regulating the number of dogs they are allowed to possess, breeders in Wisconsin were dumping dogs in record numbers – setting them loose to fend for themselves."

 Penalties for operating without a license included a fine up to $10,000 or nine months in jail, or both, while the penalty for abandoning animals starts at $500 but goes up, plus nine months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
      A local newspaper quoted one breeder as saying "There is an awful lot of what we call dumping going on, and that’s just pulling along the side of the road and dumping them off, or throwing them over the wall at the local humane society.” A local shelter was trying to get the word out, saying " They don’t have to do that,” adding that, anyone can surrender an animal to the shelter, free of charge. “We want people to be comfortable bringing us a dog. We’re not going to judge you.”


 A spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said the new law gave breeders time to sell their dogs and shut down their businesses.  “They didn't have to just set the dogs free, they had ample time to sell the dog's"

The bottom line here is that there are always humane options for the disposal of an unwanted pet!

Here at Pampered Pet's and Pal's we are not a 501c non profitable organization!  

We are a small group of concerned citizen's who saw a need and took action to correct an ongoing issue with the abandonment of pet's immediately following hurricane Katrina. It began with the simple act of dropping off food and shelter supplies to connecting potential adopter's with adoptee's to secure Forever homes. We work mainly with Dog's since it is our field of expertise. Through this task we are asked to assist with Cat's for the same service's, and have no issue's, "whenever possible", with the handling and transport of them as well. But; as one can assume, not all Dog's get along well with Cat's, and vise verse. However we do provide services for both species.

At Pampered Pet's and Pal's (since 2008), we have and will continue to rely solely upon private fund's and profits from our on-line store, and aggressive on line marketing campaign to cover all cost's associated with, and for, the purpose of improving the adoption chance's of abandoned pet's! 

     Through our network of  No-Kill shelters, Trucking company's, and other Established Non-profit organization's, in and around Texas (and, through the convenience of the web) our goal is to increase our Pet's voices, by providing solution's for educating and empowering the public toward's a solution to an ongoing problem. As one can imagine, this requires an enormous workforce and a larger budget than we can provide.  Pet shelter overpopulation and the unnecessary slaughter can be greatly reduced through Re-distribution, Education, and Proper Legislation!
Someone out there is a perfect fit for an Abandoned Pet. So the next time you hear of someone needing to get rid of that Critter, Contact us. We are just an email away!

The Old Barn

Childhood memories of the Old Barn I Grew up in...


The Old  Barn

The old Barn stood proud to the very last day.
It leaned a little, but that goes without say,
Cause that old barn went through  a lot of bales of hay.
Her eaves ran straight across a never ending sky,
Acting like a beacon for lost pets wandering by.

With a door on each end, and one in the middle,
That just slowed down the wind, just a little.
Patches on the roof kept out the light,
While providing protection from the cold at night.

Two bulbs hung down without a single switch,
So when you first walked in, you didn’t know what you just kicked.
It could have been a cat, or could have been a mouse,
Most likely it was the muddy boots Mom said to “Get out of the house”!

Her floor is worn now, from hoof, boot, and paw,
From all the sheltered cats, dogs, pigs, and squabs.
In her hay some rested for a day or a year,
Others stayed an eternity, without fear.

For all the pets she has hatched, nursed, and weaned,
For all the punishment that has caused her to lean,
Through cracks in her floor have slipped select straws of hay,
So she will have as soft a place to land, as I did in her Hay!

PetSmart Charities

PetSmart Charities

It Works! How to Stop an Approaching Dog in an Emergency.

It Works! How to Stop an Approaching Dog in an Emergency.

Along came Kaiser

                           ALONG CAME KAISER
                                                           

                                                               CHAPTER ONE

TIME FOR A PET


Shortly after  getting home from the military service. I didn’t come home to the big farm house in a small country town but rather a big city. My  family, had moved away from the farm I had grown up on and decided that it would be best for their lives. I missed the farm while I was away in the military. I didn’t have any pets at all. We had pets when I was a small boy growing up on the  farm. Pigs , pigeons , horses, dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, goats, and cows. I even had a pet Skunk! I decided that it was time for me to find a new pet.
We all talked about it each day at dinner While I was shopping for a place of my own to live and every one agreed another dog would be a nice pet since my last dog died while I was away. His name was Wolf since he was half German Shepard and half  Wolf I never new how old Wolf was but I think he was more than 15 because he wasn’t a puppy when I got him. Now the question was; “What kind of a dog would I get this time? How big or small? What breed? Black or White? Long hair or short hair? Mom suggested a big dog, like a German Shepherd, or  Saint Bernard, or even a Great Dane. I did not want a big dog! Especially one almost as big as a pony! I decided not to rush into anything and to look around at the local shelters, kennels, and several dog breeders in the area. I looked in the news paper too; but most of the dogs in the news were lost dogs!
I didn’t know exactly what I was looking for, and decided  to work out the choices based on my space, time, and  money.  I had already owned several dogs as a young boy, and knew what kind of  trouble a dog can be. You know! Things like, How much does it eat? How much room does it need to run? How often does it need a walk? Then there’s the shots, and worming, and sometimes  unexpected veterinarian visits, if he gets hurt or sick. Big dogs need big chew toys, that must be cleaned up on a regular basis.
Several weeks passed and  I was out of town on a trip with some friends who asked if we could stop on the way out of town, and visit some of their old friends. We all agreed to stop before leaving town and within a few minutes we were there. The friends invited me inside to sit and relax while everyone visited for awhile. Shortly after I sat down, a little girl came into the room from outside with the cutest  little puppy in her arms. I had never seen one with my own eyes in my entire life. I had seen these types of dogs in pictures, but I had never seen a Norwegian Elk Hound in real life This was not a very popular  breed of dog in this part of the world because of its long thick coat of hair. In warm  places, these dogs must have extra special attention  to prevent heat stroke. They adapt well to cold parts of the world. They need good shelter from the sun and  lots of water at all times when raised in warm or hot climates. Some people will shave their dogs long thick hair off  to help keep them cool on hot summer days. Just to make sure, I asked, “Is that a Norwegian Elk Hound”?  She replied; “How did you know” ? I said “I’ve always wanted one.” I told her how beautiful her puppy was, and she asked if  I would like to hold  it.  I said “Sure; I love puppy’s and this one is so warm and fuzzy that I couldn’t resist“.
After we finished our visit with our friends, we began to head for the door. I turned  to hand the puppy back to the little girl, but she asked if  I would like to have a puppy?  I said that; “ she needed to keep her puppy” . “ It would be very sad, if she were give it away.”  She said; “No! “Not my puppy,” “We have four more just like this one.” I almost fainted as she darted out the back door.
Within moments she re-appeared with four puppies, two under each arm, I handed her puppy to her mom and took one of the four puppies from under her arm. I fell immediately  in love! The  puppy was licking my face wildly. It had the most perfect color of, and I was immediately attached to it. He had grey and black colors mixed on his whole body that seemed to disappear  down his tail, Two of the puppies parents follow me around with the little girl inside the house. Now I could see that they were all Norwegian Elk Hounds. The momma dog kept a close eye on all of us, giving her approval of every thing that was going on, with  her babies. Seeing the parents of the puppy gave me a good idea of how big this puppy would grow up to be.
I asked how much I would have to pay her dad for the puppy, but he refused; saying “As long as I know he has a good home I will let you have him .” We stayed a few minutes longer and let the momma dog smell  her puppy in my arms. When everyone seemed to give their approval the momma nudged the puppy one last time on the nose and off we went, heading home.
When I got the puppy home my mom wasn’t there yet so I  gave him a bowl of water a tiny bit of food, we  picked up on the way home. I even put a bow around his neck. I left him in the bedroom where he curled up for a nap while  I went to the living room to wait for Mom to come home from work .
When she finally arrived home, and began telling me about her day, I forgot completely about the surprise I had for her. Suddenly she looked at me with a puzzled face and asked “What was that noise ?” “ What noise” I said , suddenly I heard it too. It was her surprise! Whimpering was coming from the bedroom room. She went to investigate and as she carefully opened the door, not knowing what she would find , let out a scream that scared  both me and the pup. I backed up ,the pup ran between her legs towards the door, and we both stared at each other for a moment. Then she finally said; you did it! You found a new puppy.”



CHAPTER TWO

WHAT ABOUT A NAME?


I showed off  my new puppy to all of my friends and relatives for a whole week without a name. We would drive down to a nearby park at the lake each afternoon and the pup would play with sticks in the water and sniff around all the trash cans and other peoples picnic blanket’s. He was friendly with everyone he met and I would have to watch him closely or he would jump on them and want to play in there laps.  It seemed that every one had a good idea for a name for him, except for me. One of my friends suggested  Fuzzy; another said that was stupid and suggested Fido. My other friend called both names dumb and that almost started an argument. I decided I better come up with a name soon or someone was going to be giving him a name that I might not like. It’s time to get to work on this problem!
For the next couple of days I wrote down ideas for a name and talked them over with my mom and dad at dinner  each night. I still couldn’t decide. Saturday came and  I had a whole day to think about a name. At noon I drew names out of a hat. That afternoon I wrote 10 choices for names on tiny pieces of paper , wadded them up into tiny balls, and threw them out on the floor for the puppy to choose, but he only sat there staring at all the tiny pieces of paper  that made a mess all over the floor.
That afternoon my mom and I were sitting staring at the still nameless puppy eating his dinner, When I said to my mom that his colors looked like smoke from a camp fire. Starting at his nose they blend from black and white turning to grey and then they seemed to disappear as they gently rolled up and around his curly tail. My mom said, “Your right it does look like smoke, doesn’t it?” All of a sudden the puppy looked up at us and totally forgot that he had a bowl of dinner in front of him. He walked straight up to us staring, as if he had something to say about this whole naming game. Then the pup started back to his bowl until he heard it again. “Boy, he does look like the word “smoke” I said. Then suddenly  he turned back to look at us again. I said to him “You like that word smoke, don‘t you?” He tilted his head to one side and stared hard at the both of  us. “That’s it” I said. “Its settled, your name is  SMOKE!”
Finally it was decided. We had come up with a name that not only I liked, but the pup seemed to like it too. Every time I said the word “Smoke” he gave me his full attention and would walk straight to me as if  I had a magical magnet in my pocket. I called all of my friends and family to let them know. No more arguing , no more discussions, its settled! His name is “Smoke!” From now on everyone would call him Smoke. Smoke responded to the name so well that I thought it must be a perfect fit. Over the next few weeks Smoke learned his name well responding any time I called and came running anytime he got too far away at the park..


CHAPTER THREE

SMOKE’S FIRST TRIP


I felt new all over as Timmy put me in the car and we headed out the drive. I thought how nice it felt to have the wind blowing through my hair as I held my head out the window. We turned the corner at the top of the hill and I didn’t even notice that he made a different turn. We usually take a trip to the lake where I play every day. The ride was still short, but nothing looked familiar. I couldn’t find the door. It didn’t turn out to be a problem since I was scooped up in Timmy’s arms and carried straight  thru the front door and inside. I was held up in the air for every one to see me. Immediately  they started passing me around in so many circles that I started to get dizzy. Its my turn ! Its my turn! Was all I heard at first; then I heard wait a minute! Wait a minute!  I want to see! And  the circles began again. When the circles finally ended and I found  my four feet  on the floor. I couldn’t have been happier. As soon as the dizziness ended I sniffed around and found  a place to let the pressure off my tummy. The puddle got so big I had to stand on three feet  to keep from getting wet. All of a sudden the circles started again and the voices were louder this time yelling “Get him out of here”! “Get him out of here”!
Within seconds I found myself outside again, only this time, in the back of the house. I took a stroll as far as I could but,  a big wire fence kept me from going very far. Oh well, there was lots of stuff to sniff and trees to look behind, so I played around the yard until someone called my name. Smoke! Smoke, here boy! I found myself in one of the strangers arms and within minutes we were backing away from the house and back on the road again.
       I didn’t get to hold my head out the window like before, but, cold air was blowing on me and it felt good after playing outside behind that house. I laid back listening to the rumbling of the cars along the road and soon fell asleep. When I woke up there were strange smells everywhere. It was confusing because I didn’t know where to start sniffing. There were huge animals all around me they called horses.  All I knew was that they were saddling the horse and I did not want to get near them. They were Big! I found a huge mountain of dirt that burned my nose to smell it, wagons with wheels on all four sides, and funny flat shovels that  all smelled the same. Big blocks of straw were piled so high that I couldn’t climb on top of them. I must have played for  hours around the new place finding something new around every corner.
 Suddenly something caught my attention and I ran as fast as I could to catch it, but it ran straight up a big tree. Then there was another one and I chased it. That one too went up a tree, and  before I knew it, I was getting tired of this game of chase. I was hot and thirsty and found a stream of cold water to drink from. I decided to go back and smell some more around the new place with the horses, but I couldn‘t find it again. I walked for hours along the stream where there was cold water and drank whenever I was thirsty but I never saw that pile of dirt that burned my nose, or the people, or the horses and it was getting really hot so I decided to stay close to the cool stream of water.
      I finally came to a hill with big poles holing up the road so the cars could cross the stream and as I climbed to the top of the hill one of the cars stopped and opened a door and I jumped in. It wasn’t Tim and nothing smelt familiar but the cool air blew on me as before and I laid down in the seat and went to sleep.



                                                               CHAPER FOUR
WE NEVER STOPPED LOOKING


      When my sister came back from the stables alone, her tears explained everything to me. She had lost Smoke at the stables. She said Smoke was having fun playing and sniffing around , so she left him there to play while she went for a ride, Smoke must have wandered off and no one around the barns saw where he went.
I drove to the stables every day and called out for him along the stream that ran near by. I talked to people living near-by. I made posters and nailed them to posts. I handed them to people driving by and workers at the stables, but no one saw any signs of him anywhere.
      A couple of months went by before the sadness began to go away, and every time I drive by the stables or stream I think of Smoke and look around just in case. One day my sister called me crying and saying how sad she was that she had lost Smoke. I told her that she didn’t know that much about young puppy’s and had no way of knowing that they will wander far away if they don’t have a fence or a leash to tie them up, or someone to keep a constant watch out for them.
When she finished crying and we talked some more she announced to me that she would have a surprise for me later that day. I drove home that afternoon and as I pulled up the driveway to the garage the door flung open and she was standing there with another Norwegian Elk Hound puppy on a leash.
      I was almost crying myself when she handed me the leash and said I found him through a professional Breeder just for you. She presented me with the American Kennel Club papers and said I know he won’t replace Smoke, but at least he will keep you company on those drives by the stables and along the stream every day. I named the new puppy Kaiser since it was already a part of his registered name. It didn’t take long before we bonded as best friends while we hiked and played along the stream everyday. We moved far away from that city to a much cooler part of the country. Kaiser learned to hunt and swim in the cold waters of the north and enjoyed playing in the snow each winter. We lived together for the next 13 years and always stayed close to each other except when he got on the sent trail of a deer or Elk in the woods, but he always yelped loudly so I could hear him and keep up. Eventually I would call him off the hunt and we would return home safely. Arthritis and a tumor took Kaiser’s life, but I will always remember how he comforted me and helped me to over come the loss of  my first Norwegian Elk Hound, Smoke.

The Rewards Of Fostering

THE REWARDS OF FOSTERING!

Trooper arrived after two weeks of anxious waiting. His previous owner has lost his apartment due to personal financial strain’s from loosing his job. Word has reached my wife, through a fellow employee, that he intends to turn Trooper over to a local shelter. The young man is moving in with his parents and prohibited from bringing Trooper with him since there is another dog residing at the home. I currently have two dogs myself, rescued from far worse fate’s.
Trooper was invited as a “Foster” meaning , we would make every attempt to return him, or re-locate him, at the earliest opportunity if the owner cannot return for him soon.
                      Our current financial situation should have prevented us from taking in any more pets, but, knowing that this was not just a stray, combined with the fact that the local humane shelter has recently rescued 500 animals from an illegal breeding facility and is already straining to keep up! I gave my word to the owner, that if, he had no alternative home by the time his move was inevitable, I would take Trooper. What I didn’t know was just how tough the next two weeks would be as my wife pleaded with me not to  bring in another dog (specifically male) and create more chaos in our home, between our existing two pets, Coco and Missy Lou. This was also going to increase our financial strain since I too, haven’t worked in the past six month’s.
                During the past two weeks I have listened to the constant begging by my wife to change my commitment and allow the owner to find a new adoption source. I cannot even begin to think of the alternative for Trooper. The day has come and Trooper will be here at 3:00 pm.
      I received a phone call that he is out front and I have secured both of our dogs in the bedroom, far from sight of the backyard. I instruct the owner to bring him directly through the side gate. When Trooper arrives he is not on a leash, and leads the way eagerly through the gate. Trooper is a one year old AKC registered Australian Shepherd. When I call him he comes immediately indicating that he is quite familiar with his name and very friendly. Two good signs. When I pet him I can feel his backbone and hip joint’s He’s about knee high and 7-10 pounds underweight. Not a good sign! Trooper is wearing a collar with current vaccination tags, but it is obvious that he is suffering from malnutrition. We discuss his feeding habits for which the owner assures me were at regular intervals and consumed in a timely manner, so all I can do is assume that Trooper has worms of some sort, preventing him from gaining weight. We all sit and chat for a few more minutes about my experience with dogs and my affiliation with the local shelter and their adoption policies, including my personal objections in taking him to any such shelter. After securing Trooper with a leash and handing one end to his current owner, I fetch another leash and head for the Bedroom.
                 I place Missy Lou on a leash in the house and allow her to view Trooper through the closed door at which time she goes outrageously crazy, barking and clawing at the glass door. During walks Missy cannot pass a fenced dog without attempting to break loose and get to the stranger behind the fence. Whether a cat or a dog, Missy acts like it will be the end of the world unless she can get her teeth into it. She has been my biggest concern as the days have passed awaiting Troopers arrival. Coco at 13 years of age follows my commands and has been taught to ignore other dogs barking or not, because I  taught her, that they are “Babies”, and she is a “Big girl“. She holds her head high and struts as we walk  even un-leashed, which she prefers. As I open the door and allow Missy to ease outside she nearly knocks me over and attempts to drag me to the ground. Trooper hit’s the end of his leash in an attempt to retreat. Everyone holds there ground as I calm Missy. I allow her to lean in slowly for sniffing and circling as dogs will do. After about 2 minutes and heart rates calm to a pant, I release Missy to explore on her own and secure Trooper closer to me for a reaction. If there will be any jealousy it will show up now. Rather than jealousy it turns to curiosity and tails are wagging all around. I release Trooper and the two take off running across the backyard. As Trooper explores scents and obstacles around the yard, Missy stays on his heels trying to attract his attention. After about 5 minutes of this, the two settle back on the porch coming when called and acting as though the visit is a normal episode in life. Now its time for Coco’s introduction!
As predicted, Coco shows a tail between her legs and approaches slowly like a cat waiting to pounce on a mouse. I hold Trooper on a tight leash allowing him to lean in slowly and Coco snaps like a mouse trap in his direction. With a quick command in Coco direction she looks to me for approval and I remind her that Trooper is a “baby” and not to be attacked. Coco raises a tail in sign of approval, and Trooper continues to grab quick sniff’s and off across the yard they go in full chase. The chase is innocent and as they stop and share scents, their approvals of each other are recognized with full body language in play. Missy Lou has been restrained on the patio to watch so as not to interfere with the meeting and pulls in full force to join in on the games of chase around the yard. This will be the moment of truth as I release her and jealousy can ensue when the two, become three. My commands to settle down continue until Missy resolves to sit calmly and watch. Suddenly Missy realizes that I have released the leash and she has not been tied at all, but has on her own accord accepted the fact that her older sister is in full approval of the new guest and there is no reason for alarm. I call Coco to the patio and order her to her bed while Trooper and Missy go for round two.
The challenge now is for me to pet and pamper Trooper in front of the two without them becoming jealous of the attention. I introduce Trooper to the water bowl as well. These are territorial issues that both Coco and Missy must overcome in order to create a harmonious environment. So far so good.
I bid Troopers owner a good day while inviting him to return for visits at any time. He secures a last minute hug and is gone out the gate never to be seen again.
  I set up an appointment with the Vet the following week and my fears are confirmed as the results of his test come back positive for Hook worm. I am informed of my options and elect to Purchase the necessary medications my self rather than pay the Price of the Veterinarian clinic’s quote. We pay our fee’s for the visit and bid them farewell. Within several weeks Trooper begins to put on weight and within 60 days he is back to normal body weight and muscle mass.
We have had Trooper for a year now, and I feel we must make a decision as to the fate of his future! His previous owner has shown no signs of returning. Trooper’s due a visit to the Vet (as well as my other two) and I  am still am not employed. Missy Lou and Trooper must be separated as she comes into heat in the next few weeks! Upon contact with Trooper’s owner, I have learned that he has found work, but, is not yet in a position to reclaim him.


Part Two…The end of the second year

Exactly two years have passed and I receive word through my wife that the owner is coming back for Trooper. The emotions are running wild throughout the family. Attachments have been made that run deep with everyone involved. My wife knows that Trooper has been a handful, but, also realizes the attachment Andrew and Thomas have made with Trooper, taking him to the Golf Frisbee range each evening and the attachment I have with taking him everywhere I go, and especially hiking at the lake on Sunday mornings. He has learned to fetch, although he doesn’t like to return the ball to me, but would rather hide with it under the table. He will eventually return it with enough begging.
I taught him to play dead when I pretend to shoot him with my pointed finger, a trick that my boy’s enjoy showing all their friend’s. Two years have passed and the truth is that Trooper has spent more time with us than he has with his owner in his entire live. Trooper is anal about barking at every teenager that comes through the door, letting everyone know that slipping in during the wee hours of the morning will not be tolerated. Still I have constantly reminded everyone in the home that this is a “Foster pet” and someday he must return home. Now that day has come.
His owner shows up and we all take turns with our hugs and kisses and shed our tears as he heads out the gate, jumps into the truck, and disappears around the corner. Of the two dogs, Missy Lou seems to be in the most depression as she watches the gates and looks behind me each time I come home without Trooper behind me.
But, this isn’t where it ends!

A week later we receive a call that Trooper has escaped from his owner during a walk and cannot be found. The Apartment complex is gated and fenced, so he must be somewhere within the 14 acre facility. No-one can find him and he won’t come when called. We load up and drive over to the complex, splitting up in search parties along with most of the apartment staff, we begin looking under cars, shrubs and along fences. Finally my wife spots him under a tree and calls out to him. Trooper leaps into her arms and gives her the face licking of her life, and everyone breaks down crying. He is handed over to his owner once again, with specific instructions not to release him from his leash while on walks, and we all return to our respective homes where we live on to Foster Happily ever after.