Foster Dog Update (this time it is positive) :) with PIPs

[nomad100]

Since you all have given great advice and commiseration regarding our foster Alfalfa, I thought I would give a positive update.

Things are going so so so much better with Alfalfa

Willow and Falf are bonding and playing nicely (most of the time).  They still have at least one "Thunderdome" session a day but it is mostly noise and bluster.  We never let it get out of control or escalate too far and Falf is actually learning when Willow barks at him in a certain way, he needs to stop (yay for progress!). 

The funniest thing is when they both leave the room and a little while later I will hear thudding and thumping noises coming from the bedroom.  When I go to check it out, they both stop and give me the "what, we weren't doing anything" look.  It cracks me up every time.

Willow has lost some weight and her endurance is way up so she is giving him a run for his money playing chase in the yard.  They have even been seen taking a nap together on the couch.  Willow has been seeking him out to play tug with the toys and ropes.  And it is pretty funny to see her drag him all over because she is so much stronger than he is. 

DH took them to the dog park yesterday and they had the best time.  Willow was totally a big sister and looked out for Falf.  Apparently there were some bigger dogs that were trying to beat up on him and she totally put them in their place.  Falf found a border collie to play with and apparently had a fab time playing chase and wrestling with him.  Everyone thought he was so cute.  I expect that he will have no issues getting adopted once he goes through the training program.

Here is a pic of them in the backyard.
Falf is chewing on a rope and Willow is chewing on a stick. 


And here they are on the couch together.  I had just woken them up and they were not impressed. (check out the look on Willow's face


I think I will actually miss the little guy when we drop him off next month. 

DH has even been talking about the next foster we will be getting.  So that is a big change too since he was about done with this whole fostering thing a week ago.

[mirandahobbes]

Great update. They're adorable!

[FastHands]

SO glad to hear this! You are awesome foster parents for keeping the faith and having the patience to work through their issues!

[amberlyrose]

This makes me happy! I'm glad you guys pushed through the pain and kept fostering

[nomad100]

Thanks everyone. You all gave me hope that things would work out.

And right now I am sitting on the couch with a dog sleeping on either side of me. Ah, blessed quiet!

[Jalapeñomel]

Awww! They are adorable!

Does Alfalfa have a home?

[bania]

So cute!! Does Alfalfa already have a home lined up in a month?

[nomad100]

Jul 5, 2013 20:19:47 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Does Alfalfa have a home?

bania

 Not yet.  He needs to go through the 8-10 week training program that the rescue puts all their dogs through and then he will go up for adoption.

The rescue is pretty cool.  They partner with a local prison and the prisoners actually do the training.  When the dogs "graduate" they have the equivalent of the Good Canine Citizen certification. 

Here is the info on the rescue - rpsm.org - in case anyone want to check it out.

[Jalapeñomel]

Jul 5, 2013 20:30:39 GMT -5 nomad100 said:

Jul 5, 2013 20:19:47 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Does Alfalfa have a home?

bania

 Not yet.  He needs to go through the 8-10 week training program that the rescue puts all their dogs through and then he will go up for adoption.

The rescue is pretty cool.  They partner with a local prison and the prisoners actually do the training.  When the dogs "graduate" they have the equivalent of the Good Canine Citizen certification. 

Here is the info on the rescue - rpsm.org - in case anyone want to check it out.

Oh wow, that looks like an awesome program!! 

And I have no doubt that Alfalfa will be adopted in a heartbeat. 

[nomad100]

Jul 5, 2013 20:07:51 GMT -5 Que? said:

You're doing a great thing. I would love to be a foster, I just don't know if I have the tenacity right now!

I will admit that DH has had more trouble with it than I have.  Turns  out that I have more patience than he does.  Which is sort of weird since he is definitely the nicer one of the two of us. 

I do think that things would have been easier if we didn't have Willow since much of the "trouble" has been them working out their issues. 

[snickers]

Awww, that's awesome

[nomad100]

So if anyone who lives in or near MI, Falf could be yours in a few months.  

Don't you want this sweet face to greet you every day?

[joshlyman]

Sooo happy to hear this!

[mala]

Yay!