Foster Home Feedback:

5/14/15

Aroo, Birch here. As the weather warms, I'm looking forward to spending more time outside. I love it outside, especially if you are with me. We took a field trip to the dog park and I had a good time playing with my foster siblings and my foster moms; we learned I love to play with tug toys more than anything. If it is muddy (which it seems to be a lot lately), I would love nothing more than to curl up on the couch with you for a movie, especially if you'll share your popcorn.

I am happy to report I'm getting more comfortable with my kennel, as long as it's a plastic one. We tried a wire crate again, but that was no fun. So plastic seems to be the key. Be sure to leave a Kong with me, and I'll delighted, moreso if there is peanut butter inside. Foster mom can now say "let's go," when she's ready to leave the house, and I know it's time to kennels, so in I go. I might chortle or talk a little bit at first, but it's only because I want to go where you're going.

Last week I met a new foster dog who came to stay with us temporarily. He was a big dude with a lot of in-your-face energy. I still don't like that. I prefer my friends to be more chill and laid back like me, so slow introductions with more playful dogs is something my new family should be aware of. The pack I live with now consists of 3 senior retrievers, an adult dachshund, and a rambunctious dachshund puppy who sometimes gets on my nerves, but he likes to lay beside me so much, I've grown tolerant of sharing a dog bed with him. I have also been introduced to little people lately, and I'm still not sure what to think of them. They make fast and sudden movements, which can make me a little uneasy, so I'd do better in a home with older children.

I hear there was a marathon last week - I wish I could have been there. Maybe a runner wants to take me home so we can keep each other company on leisurely lopes around town.  I'm just here waiting until then.

4/2/15

I have been in my foster home for almost 2 weeks now and Mom says I'm doing great. I have settled into a routine at the house, and it appears I'm an easy-going and adaptable dude. I LOVE to be outside, though.  I also like to pee on everything while I'm out there.  When I'm ready to come in, I'll "knock" on the door with my paws or bunt the door with my head.  If it's a nice day, though, I could chill on the lawn for hours. I did get busted for marking in the house a few times, but that's likely due to so many doggy smells and I just can't help myself.

My kennel anxiety is starting to improve; We have learned that a wire kennel makes me more anxious, so switching to a hard plastic kennel has helped me greatly. It also helps to put a Kong stuffed with peanut butter or wet dog food in the kennel with me. But I now go into the kennel without resistance, and I'll even eat my meals in there, too! I don't necessarily enjoy hanging out in the kennel just yet, though, so that's a work in progress, but at least I no longer panic as I did initially.

I love toys. I also love to destroy them.  I'm a tough chewer, though, so I'll need more rugged things to play with.  But when it comes to my toys, I also like to have all of them to myself. Mom says this is a no no, especially when I attempt to guard them.  I do that with bones as well, and I am a bit protective over my food if one of the other dogs cruises by while I'm eating. I get scolded when I tell the other dogs to back off, but I'm learning that they just want me to share.  I am trying my best to get the hang of what mom says - "Sharing is caring."

Otherwise, I'm here and I'm ready to meet my new family! Come on, what are you waiting for? Many aroos to you! Hope to see you soon.