I really have tried hard to keep Bear from travelling up the stairs when we aren’t home. We tried putting up the x-pen in the kitchen for him, but somehow that got tossed aside. It is now quite bent. Bear is a big boy. LOL
We have tried to block him in the kitchen but he pushed aside everything we put in his way. Did I mention he is a big boy. I did try to keep him in a crate, but it’s not really big enough for him to stretch out. And besides, he bangs it around till the doors pop open. He is a big boy. So, we decided to allow him access to the whole main floor. Bear and Sashka get along quite well and we thought that would work. But he wants to go upstairs where it is dark and warm. We blocked the stairs with several types of barriers but he either knocks them over, pulls them down or pushes them aside. And to be quite frank, there isn’t much I can do about it anymore. The walls are damaged and he is upstairs where he wants to be. J Do I mind? Not much. Bear is well behaved and as long as he doesn’t make a mess, he is welcome to whatever bed he feels more comfortable in.
We are on the search for treatment that will help him with his mobility. Sometimes he is just fine (or at least appears that way). But once the excitement is over and he relaxes, you can tell he is uncomfortable. His feet drag, his movement is slow and he becomes out of breath quickly. So far we haven’t seen much improvement with the acupuncture but I don’t know if I am ready to give up on it yet. Next would be Cartrophen injections. And swimming. I bet he will love swimming.
Many people ask why we bother to do this. Surely he is an old dog and just about done with his life and wouldn’t our resources be better spent helping someone younger?? Yeah, he is older and yeah, there are young ones needing our help, but Bear isn’t “done” with life yet. There is still too much Joy in his eyes, there is still a bounce in his step once in awhile and he loves his squeaky toys and continues to play with those. So how can I stop helping him. LOL Well, of course I can’t.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Bear Updated:
What a funny boy he has become. Nothing like I had expected.
We have slowly changed his food to raw and while he isn’t thrilled with it yet, he now does have a very healthy appetite. He is even eating hard treats now, something that he had refused up until now.
Sashka and Bear have now figured out what is appropriate and what isn’t. Sashka can now make it across the room without Bear thinking he should mount her. LOL they aren’t playing together but Sashka isn’t a big fan of play. I have found her giving his old muzzle a lick or him nudging her with that huge head of his. Both these actions make me smile.
Bear’s favorite thing in the whole wide world is his toys. He does get rather upset when you put them away even thought the “toy box” is on the floor and he can get to them anytime. He would rather have them where he left them, either by one of his favorite sleeping places or on his bed. The problem is that all his favorite sleeping places are right in everyone’s path. Bear also has some very annoying habits. One of them is that when he wants to go to bed, I must go with him.
Ours is a small home and the 2 rooms upstairs are quite close together. This isn’t good enough for Mr. Bear. He would prefer that I not work on the computer at night, but rather go to bed about 7:30 pm. While I am growing to love this boy more and more, I’m not that old that I have to call it a night that early. Last night was a good example. At 7:30 pm I went upstairs to get some much needed work done on the computer. For about 5 minutes everything was fine. Bear seemed comfortable enough on the carpet. But then he started to pace. And whine. And pace more. We have been going thru this for a couple of days so I knew what was next. As I’m sitting at the computer with the mouse in my hand, this huge drooly head starts nudging me. Go away I tell him. Nope, Nudge, nudge, nudge. Enough I thought. I’m just putting you to bed and you can figure it out yourself. So I take him down a VERY short hallway to his bed in the master bedroom, get him to lie down, give him a short cuddle and its back to the computer room and my work. 2 minutes later, there he is. Nudge, nudge, nudge. NOOOOOOOOOOO I tell him, go away. This is not working well and I need to get stuff done. So back to the bedroom with him and then I close the door to the computer room, thinking that he will just have to settle down.
Roflmao. Nope, that’s not going to happen. The howling starts…… it’s loud and long and soulful. Lights in the complex start coming on, people on the street are looking at our house, other dogs in the neighborhood are joining in. I give up. Bear wins again. I go to bed at 8:15 pm. Thank god there is a TV in our bedroom.
We have slowly changed his food to raw and while he isn’t thrilled with it yet, he now does have a very healthy appetite. He is even eating hard treats now, something that he had refused up until now.
Sashka and Bear have now figured out what is appropriate and what isn’t. Sashka can now make it across the room without Bear thinking he should mount her. LOL they aren’t playing together but Sashka isn’t a big fan of play. I have found her giving his old muzzle a lick or him nudging her with that huge head of his. Both these actions make me smile.
Bear’s favorite thing in the whole wide world is his toys. He does get rather upset when you put them away even thought the “toy box” is on the floor and he can get to them anytime. He would rather have them where he left them, either by one of his favorite sleeping places or on his bed. The problem is that all his favorite sleeping places are right in everyone’s path. Bear also has some very annoying habits. One of them is that when he wants to go to bed, I must go with him.
Ours is a small home and the 2 rooms upstairs are quite close together. This isn’t good enough for Mr. Bear. He would prefer that I not work on the computer at night, but rather go to bed about 7:30 pm. While I am growing to love this boy more and more, I’m not that old that I have to call it a night that early. Last night was a good example. At 7:30 pm I went upstairs to get some much needed work done on the computer. For about 5 minutes everything was fine. Bear seemed comfortable enough on the carpet. But then he started to pace. And whine. And pace more. We have been going thru this for a couple of days so I knew what was next. As I’m sitting at the computer with the mouse in my hand, this huge drooly head starts nudging me. Go away I tell him. Nope, Nudge, nudge, nudge. Enough I thought. I’m just putting you to bed and you can figure it out yourself. So I take him down a VERY short hallway to his bed in the master bedroom, get him to lie down, give him a short cuddle and its back to the computer room and my work. 2 minutes later, there he is. Nudge, nudge, nudge. NOOOOOOOOOOO I tell him, go away. This is not working well and I need to get stuff done. So back to the bedroom with him and then I close the door to the computer room, thinking that he will just have to settle down.
Roflmao. Nope, that’s not going to happen. The howling starts…… it’s loud and long and soulful. Lights in the complex start coming on, people on the street are looking at our house, other dogs in the neighborhood are joining in. I give up. Bear wins again. I go to bed at 8:15 pm. Thank god there is a TV in our bedroom.
Monday, November 17, 2008
The kindness of strangers
West Coast Rottweiler Rescue has been blessed with some wonderful supporters, both in the doggie world, and those that just believe what we are doing is wonderful. We were helped recently by German Shepherd Rescue of BC (http://www.gsrbc.com/) by a donation of lots of toys and things to sell at the Xmas Pet Fair. And then there were the wonderful folks at Maple Springs Saddlery (http://www.maplespringssaddlery.com/). Not only did they adopt one of our first dogs, they also have donated part of the proceeds of their annual used tack sale to WCRR. Never to be forgotten is Canine Harmony http://www.canineharmony.com/ and the fundraisers they have had for us. And then there are the 2 wonderful ladies at the Tandy Leather Factory on King George Hwy that donated some absolutely beautiful collars and leashes that they made especially for us.
All of these people have found a special place in my heart. Some of them I have known for years but some I had never even met and yet they found us and our webpage and much to my surprise have watched our work. Some days I think that there is no one to help us help the dogs and then I find angels have been watching.
So for those that want an update on Bear, here is it. He is a goofy boy. He’s not really healthy, is in some discomfort but is really not ready to give up yet. Bear looks like a different dog than the sad crippled old thing we brought home a week ago. Those first days worried me so much. He wouldn’t eat, could barely walk, showed very little interest in anything other than trying to mount Sashka. But a trip to the vets, a change of food, some rest and a bath and we have a new dog. Bear is thrilled to see toys lying around the house. He picks his favorite squeaky up and greets everyone at the door with it. He tried to get people to play and would rather you chase him and then of course he will try to scare you with a growl. But if you stop, he almost cries and runs back to you with the toy.
Bear I’m sure would like a home of his own. One where he could have someone to let him out often during the day as he has some bladder issues. He would need a special diet, one that is low in fat. Bear may not have years left, but he has such a joy in life that makes us smile every single day. He is affectionate, loving, easy to care for. We would be willing to have Bear go to a foster placement if the right one turned up, if not he will stay with us until the right home comes along for him. Mr. Big Bear is now safe, warm and we hope happy.
All of these people have found a special place in my heart. Some of them I have known for years but some I had never even met and yet they found us and our webpage and much to my surprise have watched our work. Some days I think that there is no one to help us help the dogs and then I find angels have been watching.
So for those that want an update on Bear, here is it. He is a goofy boy. He’s not really healthy, is in some discomfort but is really not ready to give up yet. Bear looks like a different dog than the sad crippled old thing we brought home a week ago. Those first days worried me so much. He wouldn’t eat, could barely walk, showed very little interest in anything other than trying to mount Sashka. But a trip to the vets, a change of food, some rest and a bath and we have a new dog. Bear is thrilled to see toys lying around the house. He picks his favorite squeaky up and greets everyone at the door with it. He tried to get people to play and would rather you chase him and then of course he will try to scare you with a growl. But if you stop, he almost cries and runs back to you with the toy.
Bear I’m sure would like a home of his own. One where he could have someone to let him out often during the day as he has some bladder issues. He would need a special diet, one that is low in fat. Bear may not have years left, but he has such a joy in life that makes us smile every single day. He is affectionate, loving, easy to care for. We would be willing to have Bear go to a foster placement if the right one turned up, if not he will stay with us until the right home comes along for him. Mr. Big Bear is now safe, warm and we hope happy.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The puppies are leaving soon
So we have worked really hard to find them good homes, keep them socialized, vetted, healthy, and housetrained. And for the most part the evil ones have been doing really well. There is much praise and sweet talk going on in our back yard and the neighbors have found it very amusing. For some reason the sight of me in my housecoat, disheveled hair and slippers in the early morning or late night, saying Good Puppy, Good Pee, Good Poo, has them all in stitches. The pups will be leaving for their new homes as soon as they are altered and we can go back to looking at dogs in shelters. There has seemed to be no time to get out and about to see who needs us the most.
West Coast Rottweiler Rescue does have a senior dog in care right now by the name of Ruby. At this point I don’t think that placing Ruby in another home is in her best interest and I think that we will just keep her in the foster home as long as they will keep her. It is far too hard on these old ones to move them around. Right now Ruby is healthy enough but how long we can manage her is up to her. As with all rott’s of her age, it is a day by day thing.
We are trying to gear up for the Cloverdale Christmas Pet & Craft fair later this month. Right now we are hoping that people can help us with donations of items that we can sell or offer at prizes. Anything is good. Gift certificates are popular as are small items. Things that we can bring people to our booth for. This fair is traditionally a great fundraiser and a chance for us to get our name out there. We are still so new that many don’t know we even exist. If you can help in any way, please let us know. We can pickup items anywhere in the lower mainland area and every little bit helps.
West Coast Rottweiler Rescue does have a senior dog in care right now by the name of Ruby. At this point I don’t think that placing Ruby in another home is in her best interest and I think that we will just keep her in the foster home as long as they will keep her. It is far too hard on these old ones to move them around. Right now Ruby is healthy enough but how long we can manage her is up to her. As with all rott’s of her age, it is a day by day thing.
We are trying to gear up for the Cloverdale Christmas Pet & Craft fair later this month. Right now we are hoping that people can help us with donations of items that we can sell or offer at prizes. Anything is good. Gift certificates are popular as are small items. Things that we can bring people to our booth for. This fair is traditionally a great fundraiser and a chance for us to get our name out there. We are still so new that many don’t know we even exist. If you can help in any way, please let us know. We can pickup items anywhere in the lower mainland area and every little bit helps.
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