FGDR - Happy Tails - Adopter's Comments

FGDR - Happy Tails

Happy Tails - Adopter's Comments

Here are some of the FGDR successfully placed dogs and our Adopter's Comments!

Raleigh aka Mickey

Without warning, my 8 year old Irish wolfhound cross, Hamish, developed separation anxiety in October 2010. He started with chewing a set of blinds into bit-sized pieces and ended with chipping his teeth when chewing my new casement windows in an attempt to leave the house. It was heart breaking to see his blood on the windows and surrounding walls and I couldn't allow it to continue.
Hamish started attending doggie daycare each weekday while I was at work effective 19NOV2010 as he was no longer safe in his own home despite medications from the vet. The fear was that things would only escalate to the point where he might actually try to jump through a window. It was a long and expensive ($440. a month for doggie daycare) fall and winter with no end in sight.
I spoke with a canine psychologist, canine behaviourist, my vet, etc., and they all guardedly felt that the right canine companion might be the answer to Hamish's anxiety. My widespread search began and continued for several months. I was hesitant to adopt a dog from a humane society/SPCA or rescue group that didn't allow me to have the dog on trial as I needed to be sure that new dog was indeed going to resolve Hamish's issues.
I regularly checked out the dogs for adoption on the Friendly Giants Dog Rescue website and noticed Mickey (aka Raleigh), a border collie cross from North Carolina. He apparently was a very calm and composed young dog of approx. 8 months of age. I didn't initially pursue him due to his age, it had been suggested that I should look at dogs closer to Hamish's age. As fate would have it, I ran into Mickey at the dog park with his foster caregiver and was smitten. After quickly completing an application on-line, the process was underway.
Mickey came along for the home inspection and plans were made for a trial the following weekend. As the weekend went very well and things looked promising, I took Mickey the following week as I was off work. During the course of the week, I slowly extended the periods of time I was away until the dogs were having damage-free periods of up to 7 hours. Mickey was definitely a keeper! This is now my third week back to work full-time and Hamish continues to be relaxed during my absences due to calming influence of his new best buddy, Mickey. A second dog may not be the answer in all situations but it has certainly turned Hamish's mental health around and I will be forever grateful to Mickey for his help.

Boo

Boo is doing great. We've been in contact with Jenn a few times just with a few questions for her - since Boo was living with her for so long - about his eating habits and about his crate training. He's settled in completely I think. We started our obedience training this morning with Canadian Canine and he's really responding to the training methods that she's showing us. There's not much that we want or need to work on other than some on-leash training.
I've attached some pictures that we took recently. He's a complete sucky baby. Sleeps (and snores and farts) on a HUGE dog bed in our bedroom at night, and has really come used to being in the crate during the day while we're away at work. He's great with our son Colby. No complaints at all. Already a member of the family for sure.
Thanks for checking in! Tara, Curtis, Colby and Boo

Tosha

Just a quick note to give you feedback on Tosha. She has adapted very well to her new home. I think she has now realized that she will also get her share of affection so she doesn't push Rocky aside as much when I give him attention. She is now clean in the house (I think it might have been a nerves thing). Sunday I got her micro-chipped... which reminds me that I should send FGDR her micro-chip number -- and on Friday we start our training -- I have decided for the time being to take private training and have the trainer come to my place -- that way I can work on both of them to walk on the coupler (you should have seen my first attempt... lol) She does, however, walk very nicely on leash by herself.
I am so happy and lucky I to have adopted her. She is a gentle, cuddly and loving little girl. I have attached new photos for you to pass on to FGDR.
Colette

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