Away

So I know I said I would post more now I'm on holiday but think I may just make it a complete break. As far as I'm aware Oscar is doing fine at home and after buying him a gentlelead he is walking much better on walks and no longer pulls as bad (according to my dad), however he has tried to get it off which has led to him running off on a walk to get to another dog, who he just barked at. Thats all I can say about Oscar for now anyway, as far as I'm aware nobody has registered interest in the poor pup but he will get rehomed eventually. 

Now haven't posted this for the last few posts as haven't had the time but I'll try get back into it now.
Currently in rescue:

Roxy - 1 year old loveable labrador cross
Patch - 6 year old collie cross
Barnaby - 2 year old collie x jack russel
Misha - 5 year old staffie
Doris and Dixie - Pair of 10 year old jack russels
Cinders - 10 year old poodle cross

Vikki - 1 year old jack russel x chihuahua 

Bobby - 2 year old yorkie

Timmy Tucker - elderly miniature poodle

Joey - 10 month old collie x

Biscuit - 9 month old mastiff x

Baxy - 5 year old yorkshire terrier

Tolley - 16 month old border collie

Boo - 2 year old collie

Alfie - 4 year old border terrier

Gilbert - 2 year old patterdale

Benji - 7 year old yorkshire terrier

Max - 5 year old agility jack russel 

Hugo - 2 year old jack russel

Building a Routine

Rescue is never easy and that means neither does being a foster but it is so rewarding! The hardest part of being a foster isn't when they go to their new homes, its the challenging dogs you get in. The fact that every dog you get in is different and you need to learn how to treat each dog. But imagine how much you get to learn, imagine the feeling when a dog comes in a mess and goes out a totally different dog. Take Bunny... everyone remembers Easter Bunny. When Bunny first came into rescue, she hid in my tiny 'hallway' (if it can be called that) and would go nowhere near people. As soon as we let her outside with Tinks, I knew she was going to be a great dog. She jumped for joy and ran like there was no tomorrow but still inside she would not approach humans. After a couple of weeks I could get her to come over to me with a treat in my hand, but still when people came to view her she was very wary. It didn't stop the lovely couple who ended up taking her all the way up to Scotland. Less than 6 months on Bunny is a changed girl, she is their pride and joy and a really mischievous young girl! She has ruined a load of their things but not their lives! The best thing about Bunny is the frequent updates I get from the couples daughter, who is now pregnant. Bunny is so loyal and loving she knows and has been resting her head on her stomach. I will never forget Bunny but her story is truly one of pure joy in rescue.

Anyway I got a bit off track there, I was going to say about Oscar. Oscar is hard work, even by my standards. He is so hyperactive and can go from calm to mouthing/biting in a matter of minutes. Although he does not intend harm and is only trying to play, hes a hyper boy and I don't think he realises it at times! We're still getting round to finding a way to stop this, at the moment its all about ignoring him when these behaviours come into play. We did try lemon juice to stop mouthing the hands but it turns out he loves it! He tries to go near the little juice bottle and then although he pulls a funny face when its in his mouth he comes back for more! We will get there though but he will need continuous training and I can't reiterate that enough. Thankfully the routine we're settling in now is preventing any more food agression problems. In the morning Oscar is crated for his biscuits while I eat my breakfast, then in the afternoon it is similar. Oscar is crated while I make and eat tea and then has his biscuits, while my girls have their food in the other room. So far it is working well and he's had no more problems with our Sal, in fact he just keeps trying to play with her, much to her dismay. Even if she growls at him and tells him no he just ignores her and tries to play. Obviously this boy is very dog friendly, as long as food isn't involved. Although it is bad me listing all his problems, none of these are not solvable in time! I mean when Oscar first came in he wouldn't sit still for a minute, right now he is curled up next to me fast asleep. In a loving home this boy wil be just fine and we will find that for him! 

I think thats all for now, I need to do a full rescue update at some point but I will get round to that next week when I have more time... I am going away on Thursday, dogsitting i Scotland so I will still have internet access to keep you updated on the rescue but I'm leaving Oscar with my dad so can only give small updates on him based on what my dad says

Lucy, Tinks, Sally and Oscar x

Too tired....

... so sorry for the lack of updates and any mistakes made in this post haha. Oscar is doing well and seems to be settling down a lot, although he still nips ankles when he gets excited and does mouth he is calming down slightly when greeting people. I'm really proud of him in all honesty as today he has been left for 7 hours (an unusual occurence) and not only did he not destroy anything, he hasn't had any accidents.

After discussing with Kathy we have decided Oscar will need experienced owners. He is starting to show signs of food agression and is starting to get possessive over the kitchen, especially with our old girl, Sally. I am thinking this may be because he knows she is vulnerable as he is fine with Tinks so he will only be rehomed with another dog similar to him, preferably bigger. Oscar is hard work with his high energy requirements and as I've said before needs a lot of time and patience put in to him. He will make the perfect dog to someone who has the time to give him everything he needs. He can walk for miles but when it comes to bed time he loves to snuggle up for a cuddle under the sheets! Although he can't go to young children as he is too boisterous, he would do well with teenagers who have as much energy as him! 

Lucy, Tinks, Sally and Oscar x

Calming down... just the slightest

So Oscar is actually starting to calm down a little bit and his true colours are clearly shown now so I can give you a proper update. Oscar is a 9 month old border terrier crossbreed and he really is completely mad! Oscar acts like any young puppy and is always on the go. He loves to play with toys and Tinks and absolutely loves people. My friend came over the other night and he was just smothered by big Oscar kisses and nibbles. As I've said before Oscar really does need to learn some manners and needs to learn to not jump on people and playfully nibble them as much as he does but that will take time to set in to place and at the moment it is just teaching him what no and down means. Oscar is such a happy boy he doesn't understand when he is doing wrong, which I guess is a good thing because he obviously hasn't had a bad past. 

Oscar absolutely loves his walks and it is near impossible to really tire him out. He does pull on the lead so wears a harness but this can be trained out of him in time. As he is only a pup there is a lot of work needing to be done with him on the training side but as he's so active I'm hopeful he will be a quick leader. Now I've finally managed to get some photos today, but it was so hard as he does not sit still one bit! He just kept jumping up at my dad, biting his lead or coming to slobber me! 

Lucy, TInks, Sally and Oscar x

Such a Mad Dog

Literally cannot say anything else about this little man. He is totally insane and is non stop on the go. He is over the top about everything, he leaps everywhere, jumps on top of you, smothers you with kisses. He is ace though and is such a loving dog living life to the full. Oscar needs someone with plenty of energy who is around all the time and is willing to give him all he needs and put the effort into training him. Oscar may be 9 months old but he still thinks hes a puppy and will mouth, however we will work with him and hopefully with plenty of excercise he will calm down. Now I'm still absolutely shattered after only getting back yesterday morning and 2 days at work but I will try update later this week

Lucy, Oscar, Tinks and sally x

No real Updates

So no real updates since I'm foster free and going away tomorrow but I will update next week and hopefully we will be getting Oscar on Saturday :)

Currently in the rescue:
Waffle - 5 year old horse friendly whippet cross
Roxy - 1 year old loveable labrador cross
Patch - 6 year old collie cross
Barnaby - 2 year old collie x jack russel
Nya - 3 year old Akita
Tigger - 1 year old staffie cross
Gaynor - 5 year old staffie
Doris and Dixie - Pair of 10 year old jack russels
Cinders - 10 year old poodle cross
Bracken - Lurcher

Taz - 7 year old jack russel

Vikki - 1 year old jack russel x chihuahua 

Bobby - 2 year old yorkie

Lottie and Charlie - Pair of 9 year old Yorkshire terriers

Sophie and Murphy - 7 year old westie and border terrier 

Florence - 6 year old dalmation

Poppy - 6 month old crossbreed

Hugo - 2 year old jack russel

Hugo is another one of our long termers and I really can't understand why. I've met him myself and all he wants is fuss! He is a real mischievous little boy and he really does have one of the most fun, amazing characters and a typical little jack russel. Hugo is a really great dog but will need experienced owners to deal with his huge character. Although first anxious when meeting new dogs Hugo needs to be rehomed with another young, playful dog as he loves to play! Due to not being accustomed to children Hugo needs a home with no young children but could go to a home with teenagers. Hugo can not be rehomed with cats! 

So thats all for now, will update next week hopefully. Lucy, Tinks and Sally x

Next Dog

So as I've said I won't be getting a new foster now until I come back off holiday the first weekend in August however I can now tell you what I'm getting with pictures! 

This absolutely adorable young man is Oscar! Oscar is a 9 month old terrier crossbreed (apparently lakeland cross border). I don't feel I can say much about him just yet other than he is just adorable! Oscar is a hand in and so is used to living in a family home. He is both dog and child friendly and gets on fine with his owners 5 year old grandchild. From what I can tell he is a friendly boy and I feel he will make a great family pet... but I haven't met him yet so we'll see. As hes still a pup at heart he will chew if left too long, so is going to need a home with someone around most of the time who will help this pup grow. Anyway thats all I can say for now, I will update you when I have him. 

Currently in the rescue:
Waffle - 5 year old horse friendly whippet cross
Roxy - 1 year old loveable labrador cross
Patch - 6 year old collie cross
Barnaby - 2 year old collie x jack russel
Nya - 3 year old Akita
Tigger - 1 year old staffie cross
Gaynor - 5 year old staffie
Doris and Dixie - Pair of 10 year old jack russels
Hugo - 2 year old jack russel
Cinders - 10 year old poodle cross
Bracken - Lurcher

Taz - 7 year old jack russel

Boo - 2 year old collie

Biscuit - 7 month old labrador x mastiff pup

Vikki - 1 year old jack russel x chihuahua 

Bobby - 2 year old yorkie

Now I really do feel for Bobby as he is a very scared young boy, who takes his time to gain trust from humans and who wants security. Once properly bonded however Bobby is lovely and will give his foster lots of kisses when she gets up in the morning. He is a great dog other than being scared, he loves his walks and has plenty of energy. He will be a great dog to live on a farm, where he can be off lead all day and not get fussed if he doesn't want it. He has great recall so letting him off lead is not a problem. Bobby clearly needs very understanding owners who will understand him and be very sympathetic in the way they treat him. He is not cat friendly and will not be rehomed with children.

Lucy, Tinks and Sally x