07.16.2010 (Friday) *

A SPECIAL HELLOto Heather K who has joined my blog!

I LOVE my Blog friends!

07.14.2010 * My new foster home update

Rothko is doing well. Within about 15 minutes after your departure we played fetch for a while with his new toy, and he settled in. Absolutely nothing going on amongst the boys, even tho he's taken to trying to hump Tivo this evening! I set up a crate for him to eat and sleep in (not 'china'), and covered him with a blanket at bedtime, where, as far as I know, he spent the night - at least none of the others told me otherwise. He's let me kind of tussle with him, with both of us in a standing position, and, so far, has not been possessive over anything. He started to disembowel a stuffed toy last night, and when I told him 'no, bad dog', he relinquished it w/o incident. I put away all the stuffed toys, but he still has access to ropes, horse hoofs, and bones. He's eating fine . . . and it seems the last of the horse apples have finally passed through - ugh ;D

He went to work with me today, I do the books at a vineyard part-time. He barked at everyone that came in the office trailer, but with tail wagging, and eager to be petted. He also slept under my desk part of the time. I'm thinking he'll get quieter once he gets used to it.

I took him for a leash walk today, in the same park where we met. He seems to have some idea about heeling, and he was totally fine with people/kids, strollers, bikes. I avoided the other dogs that were there, since a couple were off-leash, and one ditzy owner I thought it would be best to avoid - we'll try that another day. He had seemed awkward about jumping in the back of either car, but allowed my to help him get his front feet in, and then hoist the hind end up. But, when we were leaving the park, he apparently didn't want any help, and he snapped and mouthed my hand (not a scratch). He had given me a false sense of security with he previous behavior, I'll be sure to 'ask' if something is OK to do in the future, regardless! Yesterday, when I tried to get him in the van, so he could join the rest of the herd for a walk, he did not want to go in, so I left him at home in his crate, and he did fine. Today, he joined us, albeit on-leash, and did great jostling about in the back of the van with everyone! He does follow me around a lot, but he's figured things out, and will spend time in the backyard as he desires, or sleep in his crate. He also seems to be figuring out that all the dogs will get their share of attention, and is getting a bit less vocal about demanding his share, when it's someone else's s turn. At the moment, he has gotten brave enough to curl up on the dog bed in the living room; he hasn't done that til now!

I seem to be gaining his trust, and he appears to be amazingly adjustable to yet another new situation! He'll be a terrific dog for the right person!

07.10.2010 (Saturday) * New Foster Home

Greetings my friends and followers.

It looks like I am going to move on to a new FOSTER home in Napa with someone who has lots of experience with vizslas. We shall see how it works out. Robert and my network of loyal supporters (that's you ELAINE!) continue to search for a "forever" home for me. We shall see how it goes and Robert has promised to keep up my blog for all of you.

I think I will miss Robert and everyone here (except Cooter who makes me nuts!). And I just know Robert will miss me (Robert's comment "VERY TRUE"). We have developed a bond over the past months and though we have had our moments, I know he loves me and understands the troubled life I have had.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers and I hope one day soon to have a forever home. Robert told me he would see to it that I meet all of you who have helped me so much!

Love,

Rothko

07.01.2010 (Thursday) * Turkey Alert

Real excitement this morning!

We were all in our crates this morning from eating our breakfast when Phoenix went ballistic barking which I have come to learn means "intruder alert" (even if it is 1/2 mile away). I mean the dog has a nose, and not like in Jimmy Durante nose; like in smells the slightest scent from beyond line of sight. Well, when Phoenix sounds off, Robert has to go investigate or there will be no peace. So, off goes Robert, I mean jeez, he hasn't even had time to finish his first cup of coffee (and it takes three to even get neurons thinking about firing). Lo and behold, a wild turkey hen has decided the dog yard is the place to browse for food;ummmm, big mistake! Robert un-crates Phoenix who emerges like an Exocet missile out of its launch tube and homes right in on the hen. Fortunately, turkeys have GREAT eyesight and upon seeing the speeding canine projectile approaching decides that an emergency lift-off is in order. Off to the safety of the tree line by the creek. You can be sure she'll think twice before she lands in the dog yard again! Sigh!, and I was soooo looking forward to deep fried turkey for dinner. Always an adventure here.

06.30.2010 (Wednesday) * Half the year gone!

Wow! Here it is, June 30th; half the year is gone and I have not even started my Christmas shopping. Good thing for the Internet!

A special "Thank-You" goes out to Elaine and Tex for continuing to look out for potential forever homes for me. Perhaps one day we will meet in person.

Thanks again to all my followers and readers.

06.28.2010 (Monday) *

Hello everyone! Yes, I am still alive and kicking!

A special welcome to "fluffydogfostering" for joining my blog! I need all the friends I can get.

Nothing really new with me. I am still here with Cooter, the vizsla-lab foster mix. There has been so little interest in adopting me that Robert is now searching for a sanctuary for me to live in until (if ever) I am adopted into a forever home. Even that avenue has borne little fruit; seems like there are just too many of us older dogs with special needs.

In the meantime, life goes on. I play ball, play in my water tub, romp in the horse pasture, bark at the horses, get REALLY excited when Nancy comes home or Robert returns from an errand. I am learning new things and have to work or perform for any reward; not a difficult task but goes against my grain of wanting to be "in charge". I guess it is a small price to pay for such a loving, caring and nice foster home. I now even put myself to bed in my crate when the day is done. I always get a cookie for doing so; never even had to ask for one!

I go to the vet regularly for my nail trimming and occasionally I go on an errand with Robert, though he has been really busy here with the property, the garden and repairing various vehicles and equipment.

Summer is finally upon us and I enjoy standing in my water tub chasing shadows or leaves on the bottom. Robert keeps it nice and clean so it is always refreshing. Sometimes I lie in the sun for a tan, or in the shade if it is really hot. A new screen door at the front keeps a nice breeze blowing through the house and I rotate from dog bed to dog bed as I see fit.

Thanks again to all of you who follow my blog!

06.04.2010 *

I am going to start posting weekly unless there is some really significant news I want to share.

I am virtually totally settled in here. I get along with all the other dogs, even new ones that come in like Cooter. There is more than enough attention here for all of us. Robert is working with me on doing something for him in exchange for his playing with me or feeding me. I have learned to sit, then down and stay before I can go into my crate for breakfast or dinner. In order for him to throw the ball, I must sit and GIVE him the ball rather than just drop it and run off or make him come and get the ball from me. This task is a little more difficult because I am so ball obsessed, but I am making progress. I still bark at the horses, but that I learned from Hanna and Phoenix, resident vizslas.

It is a dreary, misty, wet gray day here in Sebastopol. Everyone is inside on a dog bed, the couch or in a crate. This weekend is supposed to be sunny and warm so I will be outside playing in the water tub. Alas, I have pretty much destroyed the two new tennis balls Robert purchased for me a couple of days ago...they just don't make 'em like they used to! I still have yet to hear from the French Open people about sending me the used balls; guess that is a "no" then. Perhaps I should stroll over to the tennis courts at Ragle Park here in town and see if I can't snag some. I wonder what the sentence for running off with tennis balls is?

That is about it for now. Stay tuned!