Rescued beagles experience grass & sunlight for the 1st time

[Sterling]

Pretty pic of Gadget

 

[Sterling]

Just wanted to add that I've been reading about Romey since HC started writing about him. I hope you're both doing well and thank you HC for being you!

 

[Penelope]

Any updates on the missing beagle?

If you are on Facebook, you can join Beagle Freedom Project and read all about Gadget and the other Beagles.

According to the Beagle Freedom Project's Facebook page, A man who had seen all the flyers saw Gadget running down the street yesterday (Wednesday) morning and rescued him. The man declined to accept the reward.

 

[Herding Cats]

Yes, Gadget was found. YAY for good hearted people, and people who understand that these dogs are quite different.

We've had a few of the Spanish 40 go out on their own. It's harder than with the normal dog, because these guys have issues with people, and with trust. Whereas a dog may come to a stranger if they're hungry or lost or whatever, these guys are different. They are hard to bring back if it's not a person they know and trust...I am just so glad Gadget came home. Just so glad.

As for Romi, he's doing super well. Still working on the barking issue...but when I look back at the 6 months he's been here, he's such a different dog, and I am soooo very thankful that God (yes, Steely) put Romi in my life. He's teaching me so much, and bringing me such joy.

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[Herding Cats]

OK! Finally am finding time to update this thread.

Romi is amazing. He's only been 'free' for 9 months, and for the most part, has made incredible strides. We have not resolved the barking issue - he won't do it much if I'm out with him, but I can't always be there. So we're working on quiet, and exposing him (more) to the alley from the alley side, and all sorts of positive reinforcement.

And he's regressed on housebreaking. OTOH, he has been inside these last few weeks because of the heat (I won't leave them out in 110*, no way no how...Grace would broil, and they're better together, so if she's in, so is he. Besides, it's 110*!!). So I'm not sure if this is an intermittent issue, or if this is a true regression.

But, I have to let all that go, and tell you that he really is making huge progress on absolutely everything else. We try to go to the dog park regularly, and he's no longer glued to me or to Gracie...he's very willing to go off and play with other dogs, far away from me and Grace. It's wonderful to see him open up, and feel safe, and interact appropriately with other pups.

And he lets strangers pet him when we're on walks or at the park. He is reluctant, not like Grace in that Grace goes up to everyone and loves on them. No, with Romi, as long as you approach him from the front, and talk quietly to him, he will let you love on him a little. On occasion, he will go up on his hinds onto a stranger's leg, but that's rare. But for that to happen at all is utterly amazing.

He's learned to ride in the car successfully. He had trouble at first, relaxing and also handling turns and braking. But he's learned how to ride in a moving vehicle now, without crashing over. YAY Romi.

And he LOVES to go to the barn. He sits with Grace, both attached by leads to the seats at the edge of the arena, and watches, and hangs out, and digs in the dirt, and just has a ball. He's not scared of horses, but also doesn't understand their danger...he's gone under Tango a time or two (Tango is used to that...just stands there until the dog comes out the other side, and then looks at me. LOL), but no problems.

Romi has also progressed in taking treats from my hand. He is still insanely picky about what he will take, but once he knows he likes it, and, more importantly, it's for him to eat, he will very gently (but quickly) take the treat from my hand. This has really helped with training him.

While he still walks in circles while on a leash, he also LOVES to go on walks...

Let's see...what else.

When Grace is standing, Romi walks right under her belly. That cracks me up all the time. To see her big black fuzzy belly with a beagle nose peeking out is funnier than most other things I've ever seen. Romi also loves to sleep on the back of the sofa...Grace will be stretched out on the sofa, and Romi will hop onto her, clamber up onto the back, stretch out and sigh. Gracie lets him, too. Kinda like a living step stool.

He has fully recovered from his surgery, and loves to take naps at the foot of my bed (whether I'm there or not).

He has an innate joy in him, a happiness that just explodes from him. He isn't 'kinda happy', he's utterly, completely thrilled...whatever it is, it's not by halves. He gets excited to come into the house, to go out of the house, if I come back from the market, if the mailman comes (he loves the mailman...), and he greets me with such a huge wave of joy that it tears me up to think of it.

And what's totally wonderful - one of his favorite past times is laying out, baking in the sun. No matter how hot it is, he will trot out to the middle of the backyard, and sprawl out on the grass directly in the sun. I've watched him, and when the sun moves and casts shade from the sycamore tree, he'll move to get back into the sun. It's soooooo wonderful - this little guy who was scared of the sky, of the sun, of the grass....now runs to the middle of it, as open as you please, and sunbathes.

I am so blessed with this little guy...just so blessed. And thanks for being patient with me; I've been meaning to update, but my surgery and then this whole DIY stuff has exhausted me. LOL.

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[Opie]

Yay, Romi. He really has come sofar. Bless his Beagley little heart.

HC, your comment about Romi standing directly under Gracie brought back memories of our female St. Bernard. Our neighbor's Boston terrier would occasionally come over to play in our enclosed back yard and we had a similar scenario. Our dog would look around like: where did Penny go?

 

[Herding Cats]

Opie, I can't tell you how cute it is...Grace doesn't lose him - he's just short enough to stand under her, but he's long, too...but to see his face come out from under her is hysterical. He also will stand mostly under her, and poke his head out from between her front legs, but that's a position he doesn't do often - only when he's really scared. It's like a kid peeking from behind his father's legs...

It's too funny. He's such a dear. He gets pretty aggressive when he wants his lovies, or when he wants to be groomed. He will jump up on me, and put his paws on my shoulders, and lean into me...squooshing his head or chest into my face. Too funny. Annoying, especially when I'm working on Grace, but just so wonderful to see him actively seeking lovies. Less than a year ago, he wouldn't even relax enough to sleep, let alone let anyone touch him easily...let alone asking for lovies.

Makes my heart glad to see him blossom.

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[Steely Dan]

Try to get a picture of Romi standing under Gracie, please.

 

[Herding Cats]

Try to get a picture of Romi standing under Gracie, please.

I will, Steely, but you know how I am with photos...always say I'll do it, never am able to actually do it. LOL. But I'll try...and the Beagle Freedom Project has asked for updated photos, too. So I'll really try. But I'm not promising anything...

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[Linda7NJ]

Hi, LCM!

Can you believe how blessed I am? Seriously. So blessed.

6 months ago, Romeo and his 39 compatriots were freed. In 2 or 3 weeks (I have to check), it will be Romi's and my 6 month anniversary. From a dog who was too scared to sleep to a dog who thinks NOTHING of jumping onto the sofa for snuggles and lovies, both to get and to give; from a dog who had no muscle tone to one that reminds people of the body builder of dogs; from a lab and metal floors to sleep on to a soft, cuddly bed; to not knowing what a bone was, to getting a new one every night - and loving it!; from being too intimidated to yip, to a full fledged guard/watch dog with a giant howl...

He's come a long, long way. And along the way, he's taught me soooo much about patience, resilience, and flexibility of mind and spirit...he's been such a blessing to me all the way around.

I am so thankful that LindaNJ posted this thread; so thankful that I followed my instincts and brought Romi in; and so thankful that Romi has found this life something to be enjoyed. So thankful to everyone involved...because I am indeed blessed enormously by this little guy.

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I'm so glad I posted this! You're both blessed to have each other !!!


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[Penelope]

And I am so glad that you have shared Romi and your/his story with the rest of us. I wish you all many more years of happiness and lots of Romi's wet kisses!

 

[Steely Dan]

"OK, I just went over the last nine months stats and I'd have to say I'm making very good progress. Thanks mom! I love you." :hug:

 

[ScubaTwinn]

I'm a little late to the party but thank you for the update HC!

 

[Herding Cats]

You're late? Scubatwin, I was three MONTHS late updating. LOL.

Glad to see you here, and thanks for popping in.

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[Mom who cares]

Thanks for the update HC! You know how much I love Romi stories!

 

[Herding Cats]

Here's a post I just put up in the Jury Room about an opportunity to give the rescue foundation - Beagle Freedom Project - a hand in fundraising. All it takes is a vote...

Romi says "please vote for my brothers and sisters who are still waiting to discover grass and sunlight..."

[ame="http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184033"]Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community[/ame]

Thanks everyone. Let's do what we can to spread the word - email, facebook, and any other way you can think of. It's a wonderful opportunity, and will help BFP so much.

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[Steely Dan]

Hey we missed Romi's one year anniversary!

It is absolutely amazing what you've done with Romi. He's so fortunate. :hug:

 

[Mom who cares]

Aww, good thinking Steely Jo! Romi is definitely a little star around here, isn't he?

 

[Penelope]

Thanks for the update, Herding Cats. I love all you four-legged friends... including your littlest/soon to be biggest baby! Happy Holidays to all!

 

[Steely Dan]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxPfDbbsUsU"]Dogs 101: Beagle - YouTube[/ame]