Alice has a new home

Alice seems to be settling in to her new home. She is excited to have kids to play with. Many happy thoughts go out to Alice and her new family.

ALice has a visitor

Thursday was a sad night for Alice, when Alba left. Luckily, she did not have any problems with separation anxiety, in fact, she has mellowed out since then. On Saturday, we went to the Profeed event and met several great couples. Unfortunately, Alice still has anxiety when she goes to the events. Don't let her squirming mislead you, Alice is a very active and affectionate dog. Monday night, Alice started puppy training classes in Sterling. She learned the lure, her name, to sit (which she sort of knew), and many other things. She was very nervous while there, but I am sure that only positive things can come from this.

As we were coming home from puppy training we had a visitor. Shorty, another foster dog, came to stay with Alice. He will be staying for about 10 days, then Alice will go to his house and stay while I go on a trip. So far, they have enjoyed spending time together. They run around outside, play inside, and basically have no issues with each other. I think Alice will grow from spending time with another dog that is not her sister. Although, I am glad to hear that Alba is coming out of her shell. Shorty can be found on petfinders at http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=14184308. Alice can be found on petfinders at http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13668180. Her pictures have been updated, so if you saw the old ones, you can see the progress that she made. If you would like to see Alba on petfinders, she is at http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13711758.

Alba's new foster home

I'm alba's new foster mommy, and she was really nervous when she first came to our house... new place, new people... but now after 5 days she is really starting to come out of her shell, and as I type this she is coming up to the couch sniffing my cat. She has adopted a large cat box I made years ago for my cat who never used it.
She loves going for long walks and jogs, she is very curious and likes to sniff things, but she is not wanting to stop constantly, she still likes to go forward. She is getting used to our horses, she will go up to the fence and bark at them some, when I let her go nose to nose with my pony though, she went up and sniffed him, and then moved on, she is still getting used to them though. I gave her a bath yesterday. I hooked up the hose to a warm water spigot, and while she was not the biggest fan, she didnt fight it. She also got to go for a little car ride yesterday, we took our motorhome up to get gas, and she hid in the back, in the bathroom while we were driving, but once we got to the gas station I took her out and let her look around while my dad filled the gas.

Come Meet Alice in Vienna This Saturday

Come meet Alice at the dog adoption event this Sat at:

PROFEED ( Vienna , VA )
Saturday, Aug. 1st, 12-2 p.m.
Pro Feed, 234 Maple Avenue , Vienna

The dogs day out

Tonight Alice, Alba, and I decided to go to the doggie park. We picked up foster grandpa and headed out. He suggested taking a walk along the bike trail. I figured that they might benefit from that since they need practice on their leashes. While they got lots of comments, we didn't make it very far on the bike trail.

In the end, we ended up at the local dog park. We entered and the dogs immediately wanted out. We went to the small dogs section so that they could run around without the worry of being with the other dogs but where they could still see the other dogs. We eventually made it into the big dogs section. While the dogs did not socialize once they went back into the big dogs section, they did walk around and start to get comfortable. With time, they will hopefully get better on the leash and with other dogs. (Don't get me wrong - not aggressive issues but timid issues)

Looking backwards; looking forward...

Last Saturday, Alice and Alba spent time at the PetMac, looking for someone perfect to take them home. When they first arrived, they were nervous about being out of their comfort zone. As time went by, they began to warm up and relax a little. Alice and Alba were a hit at the show, posing as adorable sisters who would like to move on to their forever home. They had several potential adopters stop by and visit with them. By the time that we left and got back home, they were utterly exhausted.

If you were unable to stop by and see them or if you would like to see them again, don't fret...they will be at Wylie Wags in Falls Church this upcoming Saturday between 12-2. Alice and Alba look forward to seeing you there, and hope that they are the dog for you!

Come meet Alice & Alba

Alice and Alba will be making their first public debut this Saturday, July 11th at the PetMac in Arlington, VA. Please stop by and see these adorable puppies. They would love to go home with you.

http://petmac.org/

Happy 4th of July

So, the puppies got to spend the 4th at foster grandma and grandpa's house. While there they visited with Betty, the 18 year old golden retriever that rules the roost. When they first arrived, they were hesitant but willing to come inside. Alice didn't have an issue with Betty and began exploring, although she kept it to one room. Alba, on the other hand did not appreciate Betty and would bark whenever she came around. I continued to explain that they were visiting and Betty did not appreciate the barking. She eventually calmed down, however, she had to be reminded every so often. As the night wore on they both got braver and made it to the food bowl in the kitchen (maybe cause they were hungry!?!?). They were doing so well, that they even had a sleep over. No howling, I think we will go back again.

As a side note, although the cats never made a true introduction, the puppies never had an issue when they were in eyesight - no barking or chasing. I think that both Alba and Alice will do well if there are other animals in the house, although Alba would probably prefer the smaller variety.

Alba's afternoon away (by my roommate)

Alba visited my parents' house Sunday. They have a nice, big backyard that's perfect for a puppy to run around in! By the time we got from the car to the yard, she was sniffing everything, looking everywhere, and exploring her new territory. She spent the first bit of time running around the yard, bright-eyed and alert, getting used to a new place. She loved it! There were new smells, new sounds, and new sights. The noisy birds in the backyard trees were especially interesting! After a break in her crate, Alba came back out to meet my Mom and Dad, who had come out to sit in the yard so she could get to know them. It took some coaxing to get her out, but she didn't regret her decision to come meet these new people. After running around and exploring the back yard some more, she tentatively approached my Dad and sniffed his toes. Big progress for a girl who's afraid of strangers! After getting to know him a bit, Alba let Dad pet her and she ate a handful of food right from his hand. This was quickly followed by eating from Mom's hand and letting Mom pet her. It was a wonderful afternoon, full of new boldness, exploring, and being a wonderful puppy! At the end of the day, she was happy to come home--minus a bit of shyness.

(Written by my roommate who took Alba to her parent's house)

Reprieve

Now that I am out for the summer, the dogs are loving their daily reprieve out of their crates during the day. Alice and Alba would both love someone to take them into their lives that can spend time and attention with them.

They are both very inquisitive and like to think that they learn fast.

Stairs

While I cannot get Alba close to the stairwell, I have been working with Alice on stairs. While the stairs are hardwood, Alice has managed to go up a flight of seven steps. Although it takes her a while to get up the stairs, she can get down them in two seconds flat! Something else to work on...

(I know this is not of her on the stairs, but with her second favorite activity - playing with her toys...her favorite activity is eating!)

Alice and Alba learn to sit

My roommate and I have been trying to train Alice and Alba some different tricks, such as sit, stay, and shake. Alba is better on shake, but not perfect. Neither one has mastered stay, especially when it is food time :) The one thing that both have managed to master, as seen in the pictures, is sit. In the pictures they are sitting for carrots. I learned today that these two love carrots. Now on to mastering the next trick...

Alice and Alba brave the rain...

So, we have been having several storms around the area but the dogs are doing a great job at taking them in strides. Both Alice and Alba are able to ride out the booms that come morning, noon, and night without a spook in the world. This is one thing that will not be an issue when they move to their new home...wherever that may be.

It's Party Time! Here's how the dogs did...

At a function this weekend, Alice did a great job of participating with everyone without bugging them for scraps. She was not a nusaince for anyone, and did not stay out of her crate for long periods of time but was willing to say hello to a few people.

Alba did not come out of the crate during the party, and did not really want to say hi.

She did, however, act appropriately and was polite to anyone that came by the crate.

Both dogs did well with the children at the party. Ther was no nipping, barking, howling, or begging. I think these dogs would do well with any family, although the fewer people in Alba's family, the better.

Alice and Alba go for a walk

Alice and Alba enjoy going outside on walks. They have made it to the end of the block and back without any issues.

Alice tends to hop more than walk. She is getting better at the walking but for right now she has been nicknamed "Jumping Bean."
Alba enjoys walks but likes to be the follower rather then than the leader. She is a good walker but beware she is a puller on the leash when she is ready to get back home.

Alba's Profile - Shy but Mighty!

Alba is a sweet puppy that is looking for just the right home.

From day one, Alba has been shy but curious. She loves exploring the house but does not like sudden movements. She knows when she wants to be around people and when she wants to be alone. She is looking for just that right person that will love her but give her space, as well.

Alba seems to do better with females but once she gets to know men, she does well with them. I am not sure how she does with children but if they aren't wild with her, she should do fine with them.

Alba knows when she is hungry but would rather have water than food. She has recently started dancing around the food container but goes straight to the water bowl if it gets filled before she is done eating. Alba won't be eating anybody out of house and home!

Alba is calm and not a chewer. She has a ladybug that she likes, but only on special occasions.

Alice's Profile

I wanted to do a profile on each dog because even though they are sisters, they are still individuals as well. Today, I am profiling Alice, the rambunctious one.

Alice was on the go straight out of the gate (or crate)! She is a very curious puppy, and loves to explore all areas. While she started out in just the living room, she is moving onto the kitchen and mud room. She also enjoys the great outdoors, and hops when you take her on walks. We are working on walking and stopping when we cross the road.

Alice has a happy appetite and loves her two square meals a day. She also relishes the treats in between the meals, but those are good-girl treats only. She is a good girl, working at pottying only outside, although there was a setback the other day.

Alice loves her chew toys. Being a puppy, she is a nipper and a chewer. I got her, and foster grandmomma, got her some chew toys. At first she was hesitant about them but now she loves them, especially her teddy and alligator.

Alice has gotten better about making noises when I go off to work. The first few days, she would wimper (loudly) when I would leave. By giving her a small rawhide stick, she is occupied and does not have a problem when I leave. She also has learned that my roommate and I won't come running everytime that she wimpers. She is going to be a great dog for somebody to love.

If you are interested in Alice (and/or her sister Alba - profile to follow) please contact Homeward Trails.

Also, Alice had a bath tonight and smells - and looks - awesome!

(Alba left, Alice right)

The Girls Make Progress on Leash Walking and Housetraining

This weekend, Alice and Alba spent time getting to know the outside. They took their first official walk down the street. Alice is more of a hopper, but they are slowly getting the hang of things.

Alice is progressing quite nicely. She eats like a horse, eating both her food and Alba's. Alba does not eat a lot, but can put Alice in her place when Alice oversteps her boundaries.

They are now up to 4 days without an accident in the house. Yeah puppies!!!

Alba and Alice Coming Out Of Their Shells

So the puppies have been doing great at coming out of their shells. Alba, the shy one, is all over the backyard. Alice and Alba are both hearty eaters but they have learned when enough is enough. And great news!!! They have been two days without having an accident in the house. They are really training well.

Alice and Alba Sprung From The Shelter

Alice and Alba are two shepherd mixes who were picked up by animal control in rural VA and brought to a shelter. These poor sisters have a super bad case of mange and are a skinny - we can only guess that they have been on their own for a while. Alice and Alba also were so scared at the shelter. They were so fortunate tho that a kind soul offered to foster them and this allowed us to rescue them from the shelter. Rachel is their and our hero!


On Tues, May 12, Alice and Alba were transported to the metro DC area and met Rachel, their foster and saviour. These dogs were so scared and shy, esp. Alba. But we know with a little time and a lot of love, Alice and Alba will blossom and Rachel says that they are already making progress.