OK now I need help.

[mayhemkb]

Hmm. I hadn't thought about fostering dogs. I'll have to look more closely at that possibility.

I think from what I have seen develop with Boon during the Otter years is that he is totally offended by a dog who play wrestles and body slams as their play style. He loves to be chased, and though he occasionally chases he is the chasee about 80% of the time and loving it. So that most likely will serve as my starting point-then we'll dig into the Male/Female preference, other breeds and only dog preference.

[michele5611]

Great news all around! Yeah for Otter! Sounds like all your hard work paid off and you found him the right home! Kudos to you!

Also along the lines of what Maryellen said I agree that fostering would prob. be an excellent avenue for you to pursue if and when the time is right to bring another dog into the mix!

[loverocksalot]

Long Road well done!

[RealPitBull]

WOW, I didn't see this til just now. You are AWESOME for all you did for Otter. I think based on all the factors, you totally did the right thing. I give you SOOOO much credit for standing by this dog, all the work you put in, and then making a decision that was in Otter's best interest. Truly the epitome of an ethical dog person, right here ;D

[mayhemkb]

Thanks Mary. This was one of the hardest decisions I have made in my life (up there with end of life care for past animals). I take an animal in for life if I decide to own it. When I graduated from the behavior modification program in college my mentor who was a professional dog trainer/Schatzhund handler made me promise that no matter how tough the situation I would always do what was in the best interest of the animal I was working with. I am glad I could keep that promise. Thank you for the compliment.

[maryellen]

yep fostering will A. save a dog from a shelter and B. let you test drive which dog Boon would or would not like to share his home with.... this way, you can see which type of dog is a good match or not for Boon

[mayhemkb]

Cool. I will have to look into this option. I will have to look at the local rescues again and see if they have had a change of heart. I had quite the struggle finding one that would let adopt a pup because I am a raw feeder by default (but will feed what works best for the animal-the ferrets I foster get a shelter blend of foods I personally would not feed but are not bad foods-so I do what the shelter wants.) I am also a minimal vaccine person and have no fenced in yard so I am not a prefered client of the local rescues.

I may try to talk to the shelter mom at the ferret shelter. She has a very good relationship with several shelters and rescues about 1-2 hours away from here and see if she would be willing to vouch for me and get me into their foster programs. She knows my beliefs and knows that I also respect the wishes of the shelter when fostering though personal experience.

[maryellen]

dont tell anyone you raw feed that is simple. whatever food foster dog is on thats what you feed. (not everyone feeds raw)
i do minimal vaccines (rabies only) and i had no problem fostering so it can be done.

it might take some time so dont get discouraged

[mayhemkb]

I'll take the patient approach. I have always operated by the principle above-and feed what the shelter feeds in the case of ferret fosters and would apply the same thing to dogs so no biggie.

I can quietly omit the raw feed info if need be but have a harder time around why my healthy dog only sees the vet when he is sick/injured or for his maditory rabies vaccine. Being and ex tech I do little wellness checks all the time on my dog but that doesn't really get looked upon favorably by the rescues/shelters in my area.

Meh. I'll take the patient route and see what I can find out about different shelter/rescues' policies and see what turns up.

[michele5611]

Agree with ME..as a raw feeder myself I see no need to tell the rescues what i feed!

[mayhemkb]

Hey guys!

Just an update for you all. Otter is still doing spectacularly in his new home. He is never crated and has been off all medication for some time and is doing very well. We've visited him several times and he was unfased by our presence. He is totally intergrated into their household now.

We actually bumped into them unexpectedly at the local dog park this last weekend (That is another story in itself as I don't believe in pits being reliable dog park dogs, especially when others typically have no control over their own dogs in these situations.) But I have to admit that it was highly educational for me to see him in that environment.

Have you ever seen a cognitively disabled, autistic or mentally handicapped child on a playground with other normally abled children. That is what it felt like I was looking at. Otter was in his own world out there. 100% focused on his ball, nothing else, not even his handlers. He didn't notice Boon, us or ANY of the other dogs at the park with the exception of the ball hog GSD that took one of his balls. He just followed him waiting for him to drop the ball. It was really odd. He stuck out like a sore thumb behavior wise. 90% of the other dogs were totally relaxed and happily socializing or playing. (There were the typical freaked out 3 tiny dogs that were left to be harrassed in the big dog area. Stupid owners. ) I felt kinda sad watching Otter since it was like seeing him in a new light. Like he wasn't quite all there.

But he is just as happy as a clam and his owners just dote on him. He is in the right home now.