Retrospective - The Year of the Dog!

I just wanted to take a few moments to reflect on the past year and extend some Holiday Greetings and best wishes for 2010 to the families who've adopted ARF puppies that we've fostered, and to the puppies (and 1 kitty) themselves: Starsky & Hutch (now Remy), Kima, Seamus, Beadie, Bunny, Kimmy, Edge & Levi. I'd also like to mention some of the wonderful people we've met through ARF and extend thanks to the ARF board, the trainers at Dogma, ARF screeners, Petsmart volunteers, and the other ARF foster homes who've helped us out too. An extra special thanks to Julie and all she does for the dogs that come through ARF, as well as the support she provides to foster homes like us. We truly love what we do, but couldn't do it without all of you. Thanks for a great year!

Shake a paw! (Sometimes)

Well, we started last night trying to teach these pups some tricks. The challenge with two ARF puppies and a dog of your own is focusing with training on one....Every time I say "Shake" to Edge and our dog is around, our dog tosses her paw up in front of Edge. So, down to the basement we go with one pup in toe and pocketful of bite-sized highly valued rewards. After several minutes of licking at my hand to retrieve the treat, Edge put her paw up on my hand to say, "give me that!" Pretty soon, I just had to hold the treat in my hand over her head (while she sat) and she'd offer up one of her paws. Now she can't get enough. Soon we'll be shaking paws left right and centre, even without treats.

We also tried with Levi last night, but he got bored very quickly. However, he must have thought about that trick all night (or Levi told him the secret to getting delicious treats) and this morning he figured it out no problem. So we're well on the way to learning Shake a Paw!!

Merry Christmas!!!

What a day! Levi and Edge's first Christmas (in fact, the first Christmas for our own ARF doggie). They started the morning ringing the bells on the Christmas tree and then opening a gift... Bully sticks! Sneaky dogs, somehow they got a hold of our dog's bone and then crawled under the bed to chew on it (our dog can't get under the bed). We topped the day off with a visit to the dog park - the doggies' first!

We should probably give an update too - the dogs are doing much better with their potty training and have made huge progress with their crate training. As long as they have some exercise in the evening, they sleep pretty much through the night (most days). They both LOVE going for walks, are learning their names and learning to come when called. They are also learning to "sit."

Merry Christmas!

Levi and Edge were intrigued by the Christmas tree... we'll have to keep an eye on them. They were particularly interested in ringing the bells we hung on the lower branches - they'd ring them, run away, run back, and ring them again.

Ahhh tranquillity

Wrestling match #324

Levi

Levi is a 2-month old black, white and tan male pup. Again, we're just getting to know him- so we'll keep you posted!

Edge

Edge is a 2 month old black and white female pup. We're still getting to know her, but will keep you posted!

Last Day With Kimmy - First Day with Edge and Kiwi

What a big day - Kimmy's last day with us, and our first day with two new ARF puppies. Having sworn we'd only have 1 foster pup at a time, we couldn't resist taking two (as they say, they keep each other company:) We tried to get a picture with all four (our ARF dog and 3 fosters), but of course, they refused to cooperate. This is the best we could do:)

A Home for Christmas!

Well, after close to six weeks in foster care, Kimmy has found a home for Christmas! We'll miss this little gal, and are sure that our own dog will miss her even more, but we're set to welcome home another ARF puppy this afternoon - giving us a few hours of overlap with three ARF doggies!

Kimmy had a big weeks, with a super day visit and lots of walks, opportunities to meet new people, and new dogs, as she spent a day at Canine Country Doggy Daycare and LOVED it. We're so excited for Kimmy and her new adoptive parents. What a wonderful Christmas! We wish them all the best! I realize I have tons of pictures of Kimmy, but hardly any WITH Kimmy. I'll have to get one of those yet today....:)

Paws crossed - Kimmy may have found her forever home!

Things are slow on the blog front as Kimmy may have found her forever home - we have our fingers (and paws) crossed!

Two growing pups sharing a very small dog bed

Spoiled!

These two just love to cuddle! Kimmy follows her foster mom (or dad) everywhere and loves to have our attention. She also loves to snuggle up to our resident puppy - after a good wrestling match, of course.