Trying to Earn His Stars

A lot has been going on lately at "Chateau Wooferdog." Rufus and Amelia keep on growing; they're now 19 months old, and still have a long way to go. Especially Rufus, who has become increasingly wary of strangers over the past few months. It's something that I have worried about for quite some time, since Buster's distemper left Rufus quarantined for three of the most important months for socialization.

Yesterday, he barked at a boy who asked if he could pet him. I told him he wasn't feeling good that day, so we'd have to sit for a minute and see if he felt like it. While we talked, he pointed out the "ranger badge" stars on Rufus' collar and asked what they were there for.

I told him, "Well, Rufus has always wanted to take care of people, and keep bad guys away. So I figured he'd like a sheriff's star on his collar."

Once Rufus had calmed down a little (there was a soccer game going on as well), the little boy got a high-five from him and a "kiss" on the forehead by way of apology. After giving him a treat and petting him, the boy got up to go. "So," he asked, "When he grows up, do you think he'll catch bad guys?"

I shook my head. "Probably not. But I'd like it if he got to help people who needed it."

The boy smiled and waved before he left. "I think he'd be good at that."

Rufus has a long way to go, and a lot of manners to work on, but I'd love to see him grow into a friendly, outgoing and happy dog. More than anything else, I want that for him.
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Dinner time

Over the last few weeks, Rufus' interest in food has really waned to the point where we practically have to hand-feed him or hold his bowl for him. Although none of the other dogs are remotely food aggressive, he acts nervous, as if he doesn't feel he has the right to eat. It's so strange. We mix a variety of food in with his kibble: chicken, beef, sausage, yogurt, cheese, peanut butter, carrots, etc. We just can't figure out why he seems so reluctant to eat. He's not at all shy about begging for popsicle bites (I feed him little pieces straight from my mouth. Yum!) He doesn't get over-fed on treats during the day, though, so it's not that he's full already. The other three dogs bolt their dinners down and then wander around and lick out each others' empty bowls. They naturally stare at Rufus and we keep them away from his (usually still full) bowl. No one growls or tries to push him away. It is a mystery.

Crowded House

Mia, Rufus, Jasper and Amelia

Mia and Jasper are still here and both have some personality issues (extreme shyness/fear of new situations) that are going to make it very hard to rehome them. Mia is so terrified of leaving her territory she actually poops on herself if we try to take her anywhere. She will go for walks but if there are too many other people around, she tries to run away and hide. She'd be great for a reclusive person who doesn't want to have to walk a dog, though. Just give her a doggie door to the back yard and another dog to play with and she's fine.

Jasper is a big old love-a-lump and so patient with Rufus constantly jumping on him, humping him, pulling on his ears, etc. But he also has a major prey drive, so we've had to rehome one of our cats and he turns into a snarling beast when someone comes up to the back fence, even if we're there telling him "It's all right! Quiet!" He also anchors himself to the floor if we try to take him for a walk by himself. Like Mia, he only wants to go if the other dogs are going. He'd be another candidate for a lazy owner. He's not real energetic, although he does like a good run around the backyard with the other dogs.

Rufus especially seems anxious with all the other dogs around. He eats slowly and we frequently have to keep the other dogs away from his bowl so he can finish eating. He's also not used to having his toys and bones constantly taken. And having to share Mom and Dad and the bed, NOT COOL.

So we reaaaally hope we can rehome Jasper and Mia soon.

Oh! Before I forget: August Dog Rescue is dissolving, so Jasper and Mia will be available from the Collin County Humane Society (we're still fostering, but for CCHS now). Still, for the next couple of weeks, I think they'll be on the ADR Petfinder page. If you're interested in a homebody, low-maintenance dog, let us know and we'll put you in touch with whichever organization is handling it at the time.

Spread the word and help us all out! :D

Happy Rufus Day!!!

It was one year ago today we brought a small, fluffy little Wooferpuppy home to foster.  Haha.  Joke was on us!

Here are some recent photos of Rufus and his pals:

Rufus the Rambunctious

He's been crazy all night, pouncing around on everyone and barking up a storm outside. Now it seems that letting him bring in a four-foot branch to gnaw on is a good pacifier. It was hilarious watching him try and carry it through the door, though: CRASH. BANG. BUMP. I had to use my "ability to carry things vertically" to get it inside. It's messy but ah, the quiet.

Happy Birthday, Rufus!

Mr. Cornchip is one year old today! Actually, both he and Emmy celebrate a birthday today, based on the shelter's estimated date of birth for them both. We celebrated with new squeaky balls, yummy treats and a trip to the dog park with our friend Christy and two of her four dogs; a male greyhound and a female pit. There was much running around, wrestling, fetching and sniffing all around with these dogs as well as a host of various other dogs. They played for over two hours before we finally called it a day and took them home. Right now they are deeply asleep all over the futon. Rufus is lying across my shin quite painfully, at the moment.
Each visit to the dog park gives our pups a better grip on socialization and I think it's helped Rufus become less of a brat and more of a "serious dog." Amelia's a regular little referee: if two dogs go after each other, she gets in and separates them, completely fearless and focused. She's so fearless and forgiving. Yesterday, a female pit attacked Mia (she's fine) and then turned on Amelia. Today, they played together like nothing ever happened. Dogs are like kids, they have good days and grumpy days, but playtime makes everything better.
Rufus surprised us as well. Today during a brief fracas, Tim commanded Rufus "Down!" and the little fart actually obeyed at once, lying down on the grass next to us. He's enjoying Mia's salacious attention: she cleans his teeth for him! However, one thing she stands firm on: the rawhide chewies are HERS. She doesn't care about any other toy or item, but woe betide the dog who tries to take away her rawhide chewy.

Our favorite things: Sticks and Squeaky Toys

Rufus has done so much maturing in just the past few weeks. Being around a variety of other dogs and people has been beneficial to us all and although I have always adored my dogs, I'm getting a much deeper respect for their resilience and intelligence. My dogs are very good dogs.

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Part of a Larger Pack

Large groups of dogs or people still trouble Rufus. A few times at the dog park, he'll get snarled at for trying to mount other dogs or simply put a paw on their backs, and although his instincts tell him to do these things, he doesn't get that he's "least respected dog" in most dog groups. We should have started taking him to the parks much sooner, but we didn't think about it until recently. Poor Rufus is our "test dog" and like a first child, all our mistakes will be made with him. But he's trying so hard now that he's got two other dogs at home. Mia is willing to let him be bossy and is making submissive overtures to him. I think this is good for his confidence. He's been a dream dog this morning, just perfect. For example, I noticed something paper-like in the back yard and went to have a look to see if it was a ripped out page from a magazine or something the crapheads two doors down threw into our yard. It was, in fact, a bit of tape from one of those lint-roller things. Before I could get to it, Rufus darted out and grabbed it, trying for a game of chase-me. I shrugged and went back into the house. (We only play chase-me with his toys or with sticks from the yard.) At once he followed me inside and dropped the tape on the floor at my feet. It's hard to describe, but he's just acting more mature today. And the girls don't seem to mind a bit if he wants to be boss. Mia's going to be a great fit wherever she finally winds up. She just goes with the flow.

I love watching Rufus grow up. I hope he can overcome our bad parenting. :)

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