Confessions of a First Time Foster

I know I’ve left things out of my blog, like how Angel now can go both ways on stairs and jump up and down off the couch. Sometime in the past day or so, Cognac seems to have totally given up trying for sex, much to my relief. And his, no doubt. Plus the other night Angel ate basically all of her dinner from Papa’s hand for the first time. (OTOH, when she was tied to his belt for half an hour while he worked on the computer, she spent the whole time running restlessly at the full extent of her leash — she still hasn’t gotten over her fear of him.) Very early on Angel found her voice — she and Cognac both arrived mute from shock. Now whenever she hears a noise that worries her (and very few don’t), she leads the pack in belling out the alarm. Recently Papa groomed Angel for the first time — probably the first simple combing (as opposed to professional shave) she’s ever been given. Yesterday morning she picked up a toy. (And while I’m mentioning milestones, this morning she gave my nose a little lick.)

These are all such little, seemingly unimportant details, but so satisfying to watch. I’m very glad that we were there for Cognac when he needed us, and that we have been able to teach him some basic obedience and help figure out what’s going on with him and what he needs. What I’m trying to say is that fostering Cognac has indeed been satisfying. But with Angel, every day has seen an unfolding of her spirit. She’s coming out of her caged self before our very eyes. And we know that we’re the ones who are giving her the liberty and security and affection that are the roots of her blossoming. I haven’t been this happy with a decision since we decided to bring Paris into our family. Even if having three dogs at once has utterly exhausted us!

I must fess up that it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be as interested in Angel doing her business as I have to be.

Yesterday morning I saw Angel start to pee on the carpet and said “no”. But it took me probably three minutes before I could get her outside (I’d tell you why, but it would be even more TMI than the rest of this post), and I don’t know if any learning took place. It has come home to me that I’ve never used this technique before where we tie her leash to a belt; when we housetrained Paris, we kept her in the kitchen till we thought she knew what she was supposed to do. (I have to keep reminding myself to get Angel into the kitchen so she has a chance to drink.)

And only two hours later, Angel had another accident. And I wasn’t paying attention (my bad!), so I don’t know where in the office she had it. Not on the carpet, at any rate. But two hours — arrggh! The day before, she had perfect performance with going out every four hours. I so do not want to housetrain a dog with a UTI!!!!!

I’m focused on yesterday’s mistakes because I made another one this morning. After getting up at 6am to help Papa walk the dogs and feed them their breakfast, I took a nap on the couch. And I didn’t crate Angel. Ooops! So I was very grateful when she woke me up at 9:30 by being very agitated. She still had a dry diaper!

Okay, I can tell you’re not remotely as thrilled as I was. So how about I tell you that Angel walked on her back legs this morning. Is that better? Paris’s been able to do that trick for some time, and Cognac has spent the last several months trying to copy her, with very little success. Angel just up and did it! (Next time I’ll make sure I have the camera handy.)

P.S.: It’s now 12:45, and we just came in after a not-at-all thrilling walk in the rain. Angel squatted a few times, but I didn’t think she was actually producing anything. Sure enough, no sooner do we get inside, than she squats over the carpet. I managed to interrupt her, but idiotically didn’t take her back out. I need training!

Message from Kristen:

Well, thank heaven for small miracles. Einstein is home safe but definitely a different dog. He just ran in my front door as my son was heading out to play and ran into his kennel. He will have to be shaved down tomorrow but he is home safe.

Message from Marilyn:

We are in communication with a couple that had thought breeding their bichons and selling the puppies would be an easy way to make some quick money.

Unfortunately, they did not take into account the expense of caring for puppies, and are unable to sell puppies without shots. The puppies are now 4 months old and have never seen a vet. The mom and dad bichons are only 2 years old. The owners ask us to take the dogs, as they have to move and cannot take the dogs.

We arrange to get the dogs, but then they stop taking our calls and we do not hear from them again…