Re: Chicken Little

I love hearing about your fosters. It means even more to me since I started fostering. Do you have a picture of Ghost?? My own dog, Tessa, was a shelter dog and is also a 'fraidy dog'. She is much better now but the first time I ran her a paper bag blew across the road and she freaked. Needless to say, when she froze, I tumbled over her! We're very good at the running thing now...I never tumble anymore :)

Re: Chicken Little

I DO NOT REALLY FOSTER ANY DOGS, AS WHERE I LIVE SEEMS TO BE A FAVORITE PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO DUMP UNWANTED DOGS. SO I ALWAYS HAVE A PACK, I NEVER KNOW WHAT I WILL SEE AT ANY GIVEN TIME OF THE DAY, WHEN I GO OUTSIDE. I WISH PEOPLE WOULD JUST STOP AND THINK BEFORE THEY BROUGHT A PUPPY HOME, THEY DO CHEW AND POO, BUT PUPPIES MATURE AND WOULD SOON JUST LAY AROUND AND BE A BLESSING TO A FAMILY..I WONDER HOW AND WHAT THEY TELL THE KIDS, WHEN THEIR FRIEND JUST DISAPPEARS. AND WHAT DOES THAT TEACH THE KIDS ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE THINGS THAT ARE NOT PERFECT. OH WHAT A SHAME WE LIVE IN SUCH A DISPOSABLE WORLD,BONNIE

Re: Chicken Little

Ghost,, Chicken Little, Fraidy......newly named Sidney......is now up on my profile. He's the one with me on my featured photo.

Re: Chicken Little

I foster dogs a ton -- and I know what you mean about names. In fact, I just started a new dog rescue, K-9 Lifesavers, in Washington DC with some friends of mine and we're looking for more fosters!!! Check us out: www.k9lifesavers.org

Re: Chicken Little

My very silly boy Taz is still sometimes easily spooked by loud noises, although I've finally managed to get him to stop freaking everytime we get another thunderstorm, of which we've had plenty already during this "wettest Summer ever!" Now whenever a thunderstorm blows in, I just bring him inside and get out the laser pointer...he goes ballistic over that thing, and will eagerly chase it all over the living room, kitchen and front bedroom, and before you know it, the thunderstorm has blown over and he didn't even notice it at all!

I've always praised him highly when playing such "distraction games," and now it's starting to show some very encouraging results; we've even been out walking when thunderstorms have blown in, and he didn't even get the least little bit skittish or ruffled...he just proudly soldiered on, walking at heel very well and being his usual, loving and enthusiastic self when meeting people along the way. I'm very proud of him for overcoming his old mortal terror of thunderstorms!

Now if only I could get him to stop trying to run inside whenever someone drops something, or clashes a garbage can lid or loudly closes a car door when we're out playing ball in the back yard, everything would be just perfect! Just this afternoon, he completely ignored the very loud slam of a nearby dumpster lid while we were playing ball, and I was so proud of him for a while there...and then he blew it by trying to go totally airborne after a couple of squirrels in a nearby tree, LOL!

He's getting there, though, slowly but surely, so I'll just keep working with him 'till he finally figures out that he's a (VERY!) big boy now, and that he doesn't need to be afraid of any stupid noises. Eventually, I'm sure Taz will get over his fears; after all, he's come a long way already, so my guess is that all that's needed is more time, practice, and patience, and he'll get there sooner or later.

Hang in there...it's bound to get better with time, patience and lots and lots of loving attention and praise!

Re: Chicken Little

Yeh, our 85 lb rescue from the shelter kept chewing up everything. She stopped diving in the garbage can. But, my poor Mother's Day cake got destroyed. I don't know what kind of environment she grew up in , but she has made some improvement . But, it, the chewing is a habit that has formed to an all new level where ever she came from.

We love her and she is the most loving good temperment dog you could want.

We nicknamed her Bad Pants.

Then, one day I tried to see if I could teach her to swim, that was very interesting to say the least. ha. Well, she was terrified. And she stood up, she is as tall as me. I rested her large paws on my forearm. And to my surprise she wrapped her TAIL around my leg. ??? I am still puzzled at this one. We started calling her Opposum Tail. She likes it too. But, any little knick name she just wagges that tail. ha

I have never seen a dog able to do this. Her tail I knew was like a whip and she can carry it curved up by her back.
Then when she poos she can actually bend it the opposite way like a water spout can. I have never seen a dog be able to bend a tail in totally different directions at will. Maybe she should be in some sort of Guiness book. LOL