Question:
Well. In case anyone hasn't experienced it, having one 16 month old and one 14 month old lab in one not terribly large house is...interesting.

I got the second dog. She's wonderful, but very, very busy. Her new name is Dessa--short for Odessa, meaning "long journey" or "odyssey" in Greek. It fits her very well and I think she already recognizes it a little bit!

I brought her home--a million (well, maybe five) screaming children running around pulling ears, chained up--no fresh water obviously available and a small bowl with some leftover spice shirmp in it for her to snack on...I couldn't not. And oddly, they were honestly trying to take care of her in a misguided way. They had her chained to keep her out of the road and as much as the kids were really obnoxious, I won't have too many worries about bringing her around any. She's *so* sweet and laid in the passenger seat with her head on my lap on the way home. Ellie was in her spot in the back, sort of intimating.."Hey, we're uh..we're not really *allowed* up there." But she's being a good sport if Dessa will let her have a little rest.

She had some trouble pooping and didn't eat much dinner, but she's awfully excited so hopefully that will straighten out in a day or so. I'm going to schedule her spay for the first of next week so I have some time to see if I can recognize any kinks. She's too fat, but that will be worked out with some banging around the woods and hitting the lake this summer. Plus, switching her off of Ol' Roy and table scraps won't hurt.

She adores Ellie and really watches her. She's been here half an hour and already knows Ellie's command--"Ellie, can you sit please?" Well, now Dessa can already "sit please" too! Ellie isn't so sure about letting her on the couch, but I'm not gonna interfere.

Poor thing is *so* thirsty. I fed her ice cubes out of my drink until they ran out and then we had to stop and get her some water at a gas station. She's just so busy and out of shape! The baby can't help herself.

Hehe, Ellie just crawled up onto the couch and passed out and Dessa...is taking her cue! She just lay down in the kitchen near me. Oh, good girls. This is going to work!

I promise pictures tomorrow because I know everybody's going to ask!
Advice, please please please!!! This is *so* different than a little puppy.

Answer:
Oh I'm so glad you rescued that poor girl from who knows what awful fate! She's a lucky little lady, and something tells me she isn't going anywhere!!


Not sure what advice you're asking for, but a new adult dog needs consistancy to help them settle in. Also don't give her run of the house right away - she needs to earn her freedom and to know that it's yours and Ellie's house.

Answer:
I had a long reply written, and accidentally closed my browser. *sigh* Oh, well. I was just gushing, mostly.

I've been trying to network with a local rescue to swap my medium sized crate for a larger one, temporarily. A nice lady named Karin is going to get back to me. Dessa was crate trained as a puppy and when I picked her up, she got right in the crate I have and laid down. It just isn't really big enough for her to spend the night in, honestly. She wouldn't be comfortable. We will work something out, I'm sure.

And in re: the previous owners, I feel bad for them. Especially the little girl whose dog she was. Do you guys understand what I mean when I say that their intentions were good? They wanted to take care of the dog--and finally just realized that they couldn't do it right and so advertised to find her a home. I'm sure that little girl's heart is broken tonight. And they were so happy to send her home with me. I told them about my yard and about how we bake peanut butter cookies and the woman was like, "Oh, wow. She is going to be *so* happy living with you. We're lucky that you came to get her. We feel better." I think that circumstances in their life are really up in the air. Not that it's really an excuse, but...it is the way it is, I guess. They did the right thing ultimately.

And yeah, Lucky. I'm quite attached, even after a few hours. It makes me realize how seriously you'd screen someone before letting them adopt a dog. I can't imagine with Ellie, giving her up. And Dessa--well, it'd have to be somebody *really* special.

Beyond all that gushing, her granddaddy came to meet her and pronounced her a "pretty good looking dog. A little round, though."

Her breathing's a little ragged--I hope it's because she's too fat and not something more dangerous. I'm going to call the vet tomorrow and see what he thinks--if I can wait a week to get to know her better, or if I should bring her sooner. They *did* have all her shot records and they are up to date, thought she's due for rabies in a month. So is Ellie, as a matter of fact. In the meantime, we're working on learning her new name and I want to think she knows it a little, but I think that it's likelier that she's just *really* in tune with me talking. She doesn't miss a trick, this one. She's bright.

Do you guys like the name?

Answer:
I"m sorry for any child losing her pet, but as you say there really is NO excuse to be so ignorant of basic dog care. Information is everywhere if someone cares to find out. I truly hope they don't get any more dogs, or any pets at all. The next one might not be so lucky as to have someone like you to rescue it.

"Odessa" is a lovely name.

Answer:
I love the name, and she is such a lucky lady to be with you.

Where are you? (I am assuming Ontario) I have a spare crate, but I suspect we are not "neighbours". I saw today on the Canadian Dachshund Rescue site (under their store) there is a company advertising there which rents and sells used crates, just in case your other offer does not work out.

Speak to the vet, Dessie may have a reperatory issue, especially if she has been chained outside.

Rescue Remedy is a great holistic treatment for stress in humans and animals. You can get it at any health supply store, or natural supplement section of some pharmacies. Dessie has already been through a stressful situation and although she is now in a safe and loving home, it is new to her and she may find it stressful until she learns "her" place and the "rules" of her new situation.

I feel for the child too, maybe you could send them a photo and/or update in a month or so, to let them know that Dessie is fine. I had a similar rescue situation a few months ago and their mom asked me to send the children an email to tell them what had happened to their dog. They were much less stressed and sad after hearing about Mackie's new home.

Bless You for doing such a wonderful thing for this little girl

Answer:
wow - i'm in awe of you. Well done. I do know what you mean by good intentions. They obviously didn't do their homework, and found themselves in over their heads. At least they found a home not a shelter.

Good luck..

Answer:
Morning update:

Well, I definitely have to track down a larger crate and get cracking on sewing a new bed for Dessa. She's definitely going to need an obedience class. She knows sit and give paw and that's it. I'd venture that she's a little calmer this morning, but there was no rest for the weary last night. I started off putting her in the bathroom off of my bedroom with a baby gate. Which she jumped. Then I shut the door, but she was really going to tear it down. It was beyond my ability to ignore her, so when she was sort of calm, I let her out. I finally just shut them in my room. Ellie got on her bed and Dessa just walked and panted. I had made a sort of pallet for her, but she didn't have any idea about a bed. Finally, at 2 a.m. I let her out to pee (she went about every three hours--she drank so much water when she got here yesterday). She came back inside and Ellie went back to her bed and I put Dessa in bed with me, which settled her down a little and we got some sleep (although it's exactly the opposite of the way I'd hoped things would work). At 4:30, she went out to pee again and when we came back in, they both got in the bed. It's fine last night (I mean, she finally actually *slept*) but in the long run, I develop allergies with too much dog in the bed. Ellie sleeps at the foot and it's okay, but Dessa wanted to be right up my nose. Theyr'e outside exploring the yard right now and she's encountered my dad's dogs across the fence. They barked at her. She was respectful, but not terrified. I was happy with the way things went.

Goldengirl: I am in the US, in Virginia. I wish we were neighbors! Our dogs could play together.

My dad will be home this afternoon and I can borrow his camera. Thanks to everyone.

Answer:
Yay for you! I think you are being very gracious and understanding about her previous owners, too. Hopefully they learned a few lessons about owning dogs...we all have to learn one way or another I suppose.
PS: I would not let Dessa sleep in your bed. Very bad precedent, especially since you a: have a resident female dog who doesn't normally do this, and b: you don't intend to keep up that practice.

Answer:
Carina: Yeah, I tried and tried all night to ignore her, but she walked and panted and I finally couldn't take it anymore. Last night, I slept on the couch and Ellie slept on her dog bed next to me. Dessa slept on the floor, by Ellie. We're getting the big crate today and then everything should be back to normal (er, sorta.) But believe me, I read all the HeidiHo posts about Damien and having Dessa in the bed is not going to fly. Ellie is allowed to choose where she sleeps and sometimes chooses the bed, but sleeps on *her* bed more often than not.

Dessa has calmed way down. She's learned about chewing rawhides and is okay with them (supervised, of course). This morning we've been working some more on playing with toys and she's getting better about figuring out how to entertain herself a little bit. She's also begun the puppy "mouthing" thing--that maybe she never originally got a chance to do. I try to discourage it when she gets too rough, but give her plenty of things to put in her mouth like stuffed animals, kong type toys, etc. She doesn't show any signs of food guarding or aggression, is respectful of the cats...just generally a really good dog. Just wants to play, play, play.

When she gets a toy and lies down, etc. I want to tell her what a good girl she is, but I have to be *so* calm about it. If I raise the least my voice the least little bit, she goes all Sally Field and jumps up, "Oh, you like me! You *really* like me!"

So basically, I have a really well socialized dog who hasn't been introduced to a lot of things, if that makes sense. She's not timid or afraid of anything. Very smart, eager to learn--she watches me like a hawk, watches Ellie like a hawk. I sort of hear her thinking, "Okay, Ellie--what are we supposed to do when she says that?" "What do we do when we come in the house? OH, we go lie down. Gotcha." I'm really pleased and proud after just one day. Thanks again, everyone.

Here are Dessa's and Ellie's webpages! Go check them out!

Answer:
If I raise the least my voice the least little bit, she goes all Sally Field and jumps up, "Oh, you like me! You *really* like me!"


Poor little girlie! I love the Dogster pages!

Answer:
Your babies are so cute. Yeah for you she is so lucky to have you and Ellie. Give her a few days she probably thinks this is too good to last. I am sure once she has settled in she will calm down. It is all so new for her. I think the vet check is a good idea but I bet the breathing problem is from her weight and lack of exercise just like us we get out of shape.

Answer:
She's calmer already today, and the breathing issues that I noticed the first night are no longer. She's really great. Thanks, everyone.

Answer:
If I raise the least my voice the least little bit, she goes all Sally Field and jumps up, "Oh, you like me! You *really* like me!"
LOLOLOLOL
Oh that is so like my Gemma-dog. She's like a Sally on speed!!! LOL I can relate - just CALM DOWN!!! That was the thing my trainer taught me too, the more frustrated my voice gets the more wild she gets. Speak sllllllllllllooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwlllllllllll lllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy and calm and low. TOTALLY the opposite of what I'm like sheesh!

Answer:
First of all, congratulations and good for you. You have taken a dog in need into your home and have been most understanding of the people who made a decision to give her up. So often we are quick to judge but in this case I would agree with you that these people bit off more than they could chew. They realized their mistake and did what was best for Dessa.

When my golden was found wandering in a soccer field she was very thin. Her previous owners couldn't bother to find her a new home. It was much easier to let her go in a park. I guess they hoped someone would adopt her. She must have been free for a few days or longer because as I mentioned she was very thin with bones protruding, had a broken tooth, crooked tail. I tried for over a week to find her previous owner but it was obvious no one was looking for her.

She had some serious issues when I brought her home. She had no manners jumped on doors, furniture, counters and tables. No one had taken the time to train her. This is probably why she was set free. At 10 months old (vets estimate) she was no longer cute.

It took some time and lots of patience but she has become a wonderful companion and will do anything to please me. I remember her first nights and finding a sleeping solution. I finally put up a baby gate in my bedroom, showed her, her bed and then tried to sleep. She roamed a lot for the first few days but eventually settled down. It must be so confusing for them.

Answer:
Well, yay. I slept in my bed. Ellie slept in Ellie's bed. Dessa slept in Dessa's bed. Dessa will even "Go get in your bed." now. Ellie got in my bed at about 4 a.m. and Dessa wanted to, but got back in her bed when I told her. She's really great. I'm sick. :( My sinuses are all filled up with who knows what and giving me a sore throat. Not fun. But, at least the dogs were good! Very good!

I'm very proud of my (big) little girls this morning.

Answer:
Well, here we are on our fourth night and everyone is tucked in where she's supposed to be. I was so sick all day and both girls were absolute angels. They got a little wound up this afternoon and had a bit of an altercation over a toy. I put Dessa outside when it happened and kept Ellie in. Ellie is definitely asserting herself as the dominant one and Dessa seems okay with this, which is why I put *her* out. Is this right?

I got a call tonight, not from the previous owners, but from the woman who originally sent the e-mail on their behalf, inquiring after Dessa (well, Jewels). I got their e-mail address so that I can send them pictures. It turns out that there was another person from the college where I work who was interested and as soon as she started telling me about it, I was like, "OH, Jose! I know him!" Jose is really great! He's met Ellie many times (she goes to school with me from time to time) and she loves, loves, loves him. So, he is a potential forever home for Dessa if I decide to go that route. Regardless, she needs to be spayed and needs an obedience class. Jose has a son who is, I think 9 or 10 years old. I may invite them to meet Dessa and see what they think. But regardless, she's sacked out in front of my woodstove, snoring and that's good enough for me tonight.

Thanks again, everyone, for being here.

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