Exhausted

My journey with Bonnie has been exhausting.  No denying it.  Some days we take 3 steps forward, to only fall 5 steps backwards the next day.  I get frustrated.  But mostly with myself.  I feel like I am missing her cues or signs that she has been pushed to far.  One thing that I found out is that Bonnie LOVES to run.  It helps her confidence and of course, her energy.  If we are having a bad day, a good run with the golf cart can usually help.

After weekend number 2, I thought Bonnie was learning that people are okay.  She let Harold's uncle Harold pet her without cowering. But within a couple minutes, that was undone.  Bonnie was on a long line and she had wandered out and hit the horse fence.  That caused her to bolt into the pasture.  And then Shaggy saw her and started to chase her out so she bolted back to me.  And hit the fence again.  Ugh.  That was so much of a failure on my part,  She went in the house and hid for a couple of days.

And then we went camping and the dogs were boarded.  Of course, that was a huge set back.  But now I think we are starting to gain ground.  I see some signs of her acting like a puppy.  Stealing shoes and socks, chewing on bones and initiating play with Jordy and Rayna.  Hopefully, we can continue to move forward.  And I must remind myself to have patience and understanding.  There is an adoption event on Saturday.  I do not think she is ready for adoption but I have to give her the opportunity to meet more people.  Fingers crossed that we have a good day.

Bonnie hasn't been eating a whole lot. I have tried to feed her with my dogs, in her crate, in the kitchen, bathroom, etc. I have added water to soften, beef broth, even bacon grease. Not much helps. But today I was sitting in the floor messing with my personal dogs while they ate. They both food guard when I have fosters. Bonnie's food bowl was close to me. She was sitting on a rug in the entryway away from her bowl. Well not sure what or why, but I moved her bowl away from my dogs and she came to eat while I was still holding it. And she kept eating. This is the closest Bonnie has voluntarily been to me yet! Baby steps. I will take it!

Day 3. Grass is so good!

I have learned a bit more about what it was like where Bonnie was living in Alabama.  All I can say is that she (and her brother Clyde whom is with another foster home with SPR) loves grass.  It has to feel so good to have a good roll in the grass.

Each day is new for Bonnie.  She is making small gains.  She is choosing to stay out of the kennel in the house when my dogs, Jordy and Rayna, are inside. She keeps a very safe distance and startles at everything, but I will take it!  It is so much better than fearful shaking in the back corner of a kennel.

Also, Bonnie will allow me to sit by her when she is eating. She almost seems comforted by it as I have to fend off Jordy and Rayna while she eats since she is polite and dainty with her food.  Nothing like my chow hounds.

Day 2 for Bonnie.

Thank goodness Bonnie is young. She will be quick to forgive.  Bonnie chooses to stay in her crate especially if my dogs are outside (she has much more dog confidence than people confidence). But Bonnie loves bread!  What dog doesn't? This is huge progress for her. Volunteering to leave her kennel.

Bonnie's journey

Meet Bonnie. Yesterday she completed her journey from Alabama to Wisconsin to find her family with Sandi Paws Rescue. I want to document her transformation for her unknown new family and so others can see what patience, love and a little bit of dog knowledge can do.

Bonnie's story? Don't know. Or better, don't want to know because it would be followed by, "God, I hate people"! All I know is that her life starts now.  So here is day one.

Also, my personal dog, Jordy the chocolate lab... He can be an butthead (not my choice of words) lots of times but today he knew his job. He will protect her and he promises life will be good.

#fosterdogsrock  #sandipawsrescue #savingonedogatatime

Dexter's home

Dexter was adopted on Wednesday to a couple in Green Bay. He was an awesome little dog, for sure. He was a stray taken into a high kill shelter in Alabama slated for euthanasia. Now he is loving life in Title Town. Now that is a good feeling!

It only gets harder

Cindy Lou. The dog that humans failed over and over. The toss away. Disposable. A nuisance. The day I picked her up from the most recent let down, she was so terrified. She shook, growled, and snapped. She had no reason to trust me. No understanding of what was happening. Within a couple of days, I had earned a bit of her trust and every day was better. And we developed such a strong bond. I was the light of her life (good for the ego) and I could do anything with her. So when adoption events happened she only cared about me. Very hard to find someone who wants dog that is scared, shy, and wants to bolt to the only person she trusts.  But, it happened! I showed Cindy a bit of tough love and disappeared most of the day at a mall event. It made people look at her and try to befriend her. And then something magical happened. A sweet, kind couple noticed this little broken dog. They saw her for what they could help her become. They took the time to try to understand her. They know that their patience will be rewarded ten fold.

So today I had to ask Cindy Lou to trust me one last time.  I didn't think it would be that hard but it broke me down.  I handed her over to her adopters and kissed her head promising her the life she deserved. You can't help but feel you are betraying them as you leave them with a complete stranger as they struggle to get back to you. How will she know that I am not abandoning her too?  Tough love, for me and for her.

Be happy, Cindy Lou.  I am trusting you to trust me on this. You will be loved and spoiled like never before.

Empty house? Only one day

Bahama pup left on Wednesday and Thursday it was discovered that one of the adopted dogs from last year was found on Facebook being given away. Ugh! I will never understand people. I am not even going to go there.  Friday, I went to go pick up Cindy Lou, a Chihuahua mix from her former adopter.

Cindy Lou is a basket case. She is scared shitless with no socialization. Not potty trained, but not crate trained.  Her adopter left her in the house with no boundaries and expects her to house train herself. I could go on and on but that would not do me or Cindy Lou any good.

Hopefully Cindy will find an adopter who will give her time and patience to allow her to develop into the dog she can truly be.

Potcake pups

Well, the first adoption event was not the presentation for the Bahamas babies. But never mind that, the following weekend was a mall event and there were so many people interested in these two girls it was crazy. Nassau left last Sunday right from the mall event and is staying in Fond du Lac. Bahama will now be Callie, short for Calypso, left on Wednesday with her adopter.  Bittersweet for sure. These girls are so lucky! Live happy and well, girls.

One at a time? Nope, this time it is two.

Max man left for his new home last week Sunday. Less than an hour later, I was on the way home with two pups given a second chance at life. These pups were a personal rescue of a friend.  She was in the Bahamas when she crossed the paths of these two pups. Needless to say, life was rough for them. After lots of hard work and dedication, they made it to Wisconsin. I received permission for intake into SandiPaws. They have been here a week. They are so much work yet have provided way more enjoyment. Tomorrow, they will go to an adoption event. I highly doubt that they will be coming back my home. Hopefully, they will be on their way to their new forever homes. I will cry. Both from happiness and sadness. It truly is not easy.

Nassau, the sensitive, reserved Pot Cake

Bahama, the brave underdog,Bahamian Pot Cake

Baby Baha riding in the stroller

 First day home