Rescued beagles experience grass & sunlight for the 1st time

[Oriah]

OT and I apologize, but have me in your thoughts next week.

It appears that we are going to be taking in a three year old female bull mastiff named Molly. A friend of DH's is going bankrupt and must find a place for his two bull mastiffs to go. They have been "shop" dogs. Whether we take Molly or not is dependent upon whether she seems socialized enough for me to be comfortable bringing her into our home with our children. She seems very friendly and eager for attention. The test will be when she is introduced to the kids.

I know that Bear (the Great Pyrenees) will welcome her and the doggy company she will provide. he's a big old goobery lover. I am unsure if she has ever been exposed to a cat before (we have two very independent indoor/outdoor cats)

This is a huge undertaking as Molly has lived her entire life so far in a dog run at a commercial construction shop. It is not one I am taking lightly. She is a big big girl and I already have one big big boy to wrangle. I really want to help this girl out and give her the family she has never had, but I would be irresponsible if I did not have some trepidation.

Anyway, as animal folks, I knew you would understand what I am trying to say and would wish me luck with this possible new family member. If Molly does indeed seem to be coming home to us I will start a thread in the pet corner to ask for all your wonderful advice in getting her situated.

Good thoughts are with you, tlcox, and bless your heart for trying to help.
Gosh- and I know you know this this, but watch her- especially with the kids and cats.
We had one rescue (it was a shepherd, but came from the same type of situation, 'shop' dog) that killed one of our cats in about 10 seconds- while we were watching her like a hawk may I add.

Small things that move fast kicks in that instinct- and they can be hurt so easily.

(That said- every other dog we've ever taken in has been a big 'ole children and cat lover!)

 

[Herding Cats]

It's raining outside, so Gracie and TS are in the living room...he on his fleece, she on the rug. Cats are snuggled into niches and beds, and I have to say, this is a sweet moment. Gracie just stretched her toes out, let out a huge sigh, and is relaxing, and TS is quiet and sleepy...and it's all just so neat.

Just thought I'd mention that.

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[Mom who cares]

Where are you Herding Cats? We are starving for an update

 

[Snick1946]

I adopted a shelter cat from the Humane society that had apparently spent three years in a basement after purchase from a pet shop. I will never forget taking her outside for the first time; she stared fixedly at the sky for several minutes. Within a few days she was chasing birds and bugs and climbing trees. Sorry for all the other poor animals who dont get a break..

 

[teedie2]

Where are you Herding Cats? We are starving for an update

hahaha! Herding Cats has created a monster, hasn't she? Collectively, I mean ... all of us. Hope she doesn't forget to feed us our daily report.

 

[Herding Cats]

Oh my goodness, I'm sorry.

TS is doing all right; he's in better shape than when he got here, but still has a long, long way to go. I had the pet-sitter come in today to meet the herd and TS, and to see how things operate around here. He's pretty nice, and seems to be very interested in helping socialize/rehab TS. I am more comfortable now leaving for a week, knowing that TS doesn't need to be moved, and the person coming will be competent and decent and very, very kind to TS. YAY!

The newest thing I'm doing with TS is I'm sitting next to him, and lifting him into my lap for lovies. I do NOT restrict him in any way; if he wants to leave, he is more than welcome to do so. Last night, however, he chose to not leave...and just stayed, not sitting but leaning, back onto me while I stroked from top of head to tail. I sat there, watching television, and just trying to put as much love and comfort into my hands as I could possibly do, and we stayed there for close to 30 minutes. He even nudged my hand for more when I stopped for a few moments. LOL.

He was shaking and scared of the petsitter, but both the petsitter and I expected that. After all, TS doesn't know this guy, and does not trust that he's all right at all yet. Bless his beagly heart.

It was raining a lot yesterday, so Gracie was on 'rain day' priviledges, meaning she was inside most of the day. She and TS got to do a lot of learning about each other, and at times, it was a tad chaotic, but it all worked out.

Other than that, nothing really new. It's more of a holding pattern now, just continuing and creating routines for him to begin to rely on...and of course, giving him lots of time for lovies and to relax.

Thanks so much for being here for him...he's a dear, and I whispered he has a fan club to him, but he didn't quite understand that. LOL...but he will, he will.

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[belimom]

HC, thanks for the update!

FYI, have you thought any more of asking the mods to move this to the private forums? With you posting about leaving for vacay, etc., and all the publicity these pups have gotten, you may want to consider it, in case someone puts it all together and figures out where you live, etc...:seeya:

 

[Herding Cats]

Good idea, Beli. I'll alert a mod.

But...oh my word, peeps. This little boy has had a huge morning...went outside in the backyard with Gracie, and while Gracie was just being a big goofy puppy and trying to roll him around, he did very well...

I left the leash dragging (as I was supervising), and brought Grace to me for some lovies and training. I put him into a spot in the sun, and, while hanging with Grace about 20 feet away, I watched him discover the back yard.

He sniffed the perimeter twice - all the way around, nose to the ground. Sniff, sniff, sniff. He was very interested in a few spots (Gracie's preferred potty areas), tail was up; he was interested! Yes, he was also quite scared, but he'd keep looking over at me and Gracie, and then tool on off to a new spot to sniff.

I am not sure he wasn't looking for a weak spot in the backyard, and Gracie did get herself snapped at (and she did deserve it), and there were some seriously 'scary moments' encountered (the trashtruck in the alley, e.g.), and while I can't call this a total success, I'm thinking TS is pretty dratted brave and did enjoy his outing, at least a little bit.

He did not walk on the leash, but did come when I approached him, squatted, and called him (I was a few feet away). And Gracie was trying to help take care of him, because she took his leash and pulled a few times. LOL. She really was just trying to show him how to move while on a leash, and she's done this before with Tango's lead...so she's just being Gracie. But still, it was hysterical to watch. And, I set TS down by the back door, and opened it...Gracie grabbed his leash, and walked through the door. He did not follow, and Gracie started to 'insist'/tug, so I intervened. But still...cracked me right up.

Oh, I'm so proud of this little guy. He's coming along...he really is. GO, TS Romeo, GO!

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[Rhyme & Reason]

That's awesome HC!! Just awesome!

 

[tlcya]

That is so cute, I love that Gracie (smart girl that she is) took the lead and the leash and tried to show TS what was what.

 

[ScubaTwinn]

Wow! I don't come here often but I did see this thread when it was originally posted. Now today I am wondering "WHY are there 6 pages about the rescued beagles? Did something go horribly wrong?" This was one of the best surprises I've ever had in my life. I can't believe I read all 6 pages at once and still kept it together to post. Thank you Herding Cats!

 

[Mom who cares]

ScubaTwinn, welcome back to the TS Romeo fan club!

 

[Herding Cats]

Just quickly updating - have a lot to get done today...

He's doing well. He and the cats continue to make friends, and I've watched Malachi join TS Romeo and steal the food from the bowl right out from under TS' nose. LOL.

I will be doing an outside session later today, but for now, he's stretching out (which is new) on the hearth, and has been snoozing away all morning.

In other words, he's learning to relax. On a comfy fleece. With cats. And the occasional Gracie-bomb. LOL.

More tonight after snuggles and outside time...

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[SuziQ]

That is so cute, I love that Gracie (smart girl that she is) took the lead and the leash and tried to show TS what was what.

Hey, how is your new pup doing?

 

[tlcya]

Not here yet, we may take the kids to go meet her tomorrow, DH has been working days and nights trying to finish some big jobs so time has been limited.

If all goes well, she may be here to provide comic relief during HC's absence, heaven on ly knows we are all gonna go through TS withdrawals.

 

[Herding Cats]

Updating...

It's been a rough, hard day. A sudden, violent thunderstorm rolled through, and it was insanity here for a while. I've given TS some herbs to restore some sense of calm, but he's just sitting here, still shaking, although the clouds have gone.

Gracie, at each rumble of thunder, would tear around the house, barking and growling at the ceiling. The cats alternatively hid, or tried to escape the thunder by flying around looking for new hiding places.

The plumber came this morning, too, and set the whole house on edge with the rooter-thingy. And before the storm, I was at the barn with the equine dentist, holding horses' heads and murmuring sweet nothings in their ears while they were sedated and worked on.

It's been quite an eventful day. TS has not eaten dinner (and shows no inclination to do so), and I had planned on getting some Christmas shopping done...but the storm came through, and put the ki-bosh on that. And it's cold now, too...like really cold. 42* at 8 pm. Gonna hit freezing for sure tonight. And it's supposed to be windy again tomorrow and Saturday...

Ah well. Just another day in the life...right?

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[belimom]

((((hugs)))) to HC and the HC Family.

:beagle:

 

[Herding Cats]

Thank you, Belimom. It's days like this I wonder what the heck I was ever thinking, adopting all these critters. LOL.

The good news is it seems to have calmed down in here somewhat. TS actually ate his dinner, the cats have stopped trying to learn to fly, and Gracie has agreed that laying sprawled out on the floor, heaving deep sighs, is a good option to being outside in the cold.

I will be heading to bed, but am a tad worried...apparently, there may be more thunderstorms overnight, and like I said before, the wind is forecast to get to blowin' hard tomorrow, but start at about 3 am(ish). So who knows if I'll get much sleep. And tomorrow, I have to get the rest of my holiday shopping completed, and start getting ready for my vakay...

Some days. I tell ya, some days.

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[belimom]

Wondering how the stormy night went... Hope everyone has calmed down.

 

[Herding Cats]

Actually, Beli, when I finally got into bed (around 1ish), the house had settled decently. I heard no thunder, and there is no evidence of new rain or storms sneaking through during the night. No fresh kitty claw marks, and nothing out of place (well, more than usual, I suppose). So apparently we all managed the night well.

As for today, it's outside time, finish Christmas shopping, and lots of housework. LOL...and yes, winds. I'm hoping that the winds stay mellow, as right now they're not bad at all. But it's predicted to blow much harder, so we'll see.

Best-
Herding Cats