Rescued beagles experience grass & sunlight for the 1st time

[Herding Cats]

Oh I would have loved to see that! But, I will envision it in my mind and treasure it! Good boy Romi! Good girl Gracie! And hugs to you my friend!

I only put him in the shopping cart because he won't walk, you know? Still resists the leash (although is also making good strides there...it will just take some time). So I had him in the cart, and Gracie attached *to* the cart via her leash, and I was loading the bottom of the cart with cases of cat and dog food.

He's heavy (30? 35? pounds...), and long in the middle, so carrying him long distances is not really an option...

He didn't try to get out, which is huge...I thought he'd be doing his best to climb out of the cart. But occasionally, he and Gracie'd touch noses through the cart, and he'd visibly relax. And as long as he can see me, or see Gracie, in a new situation, he works hard to not lose his cool.

He's such a good little boy...I'm so proud of him. There may be adventures in the summer yet! LOL.

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[MicciStella]

God dear HC

I am just imagine how you guys have fun in the store... Big wow.... We should watch the surveillance tape ... I am sure it is going to crack us up...

So Romi-bomi is more like Bobby... Bobby by now is 5 years old and about 41 pounds... Kind of tall for a beagle... Gingy with 7 years is about 25 pounds...
I rescued Gingy in October 2010 but there are still a couple of things where she is learning to adjust and not being scared... One thing is to pick her up... Until the end of last year she wouldn't allow that.. By now yes but still with the look of unease... Poor girl I wonder why she got scared with previous owner to be picked up ...
The other, even though she loves to have toys tossed to fetch she got scared when it tossed A chewy toward the side of the coffee table where she was.. So both mommy and Gingy girl are still learning......

But both are absolute snuggle bugs and need the body contact daily...

Blessings

Micci

 

[Herding Cats]

Just wanted to give a quick update on our famous Romeo...

He is doing really super well. I've been working on his car riding, and he's gone to the pet store 4 times now, including once coming in, riding in the shopping cart, and being approached by strangers. He handled it quite well, although he's still very shy with people he doesn't know. My horses' trainer stopped by yesterday, and she was able to approach him, and she brought one of the students, and the student was able to get a lick from him, and scratched his chest for a few minutes...and Romi didn't even pee in fright, just sat on his hearth and handled it wonderfully.

Romi has also discovered the joys of hopping onto the sofa with me. He doesn't shed much at all, so for him, brushing has never been important. But he loves getting his back scratched with the brush, and has shown a willingness to get onto the sofa for some "brushing." So he now is comfy jumping up and down from the sofa, and even has been seen peeking out the front windows, standing next to Gracie, watching the street.

But probably the biggest thing for him was he went for his first walk today...he's been doing really well with being in the front yard, but has never been willing to leave the property without me carrying him or riding in the car. But today...well, that little guy went 4 houses down with me and Grace, and did very, very well. He was almost constantly circling me and Grace, but he didn't freeze, or tug too hard, or panic.

This is HUGE for him...just huge. I am so proud of him. He's doing so well, and really coming along in his socialization. He's working hard, and taking chances, and the more chances he takes that end well just builds his confidence, and he's more willing to try new things and do new things.

I am so proud of the heart in this guy...he is doing his best, all the time, and while he'll never be "normal", he's working as hard as he can to be comfortable and learn how to trust, and explore, and do all things doggie.

Just thought I'd let you all know. YAY ROMI-bomi!

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[Steely Dan]

Just wanted to give a quick update on our famous Romeo...

He is doing really super well. I've been working on his car riding, and he's gone to the pet store 4 times now, including once coming in, riding in the shopping cart, and being approached by strangers. He handled it quite well, although he's still very shy with people he doesn't know. My horses' trainer stopped by yesterday, and she was able to approach him, and she brought one of the students, and the student was able to get a lick from him, and scratched his chest for a few minutes...and Romi didn't even pee in fright, just sat on his hearth and handled it wonderfully.

Romi has also discovered the joys of hopping onto the sofa with me. He doesn't shed much at all, so for him, brushing has never been important. But he loves getting his back scratched with the brush, and has shown a willingness to get onto the sofa for some "brushing." So he now is comfy jumping up and down from the sofa, and even has been seen peeking out the front windows, standing next to Gracie, watching the street.

But probably the biggest thing for him was he went for his first walk today...he's been doing really well with being in the front yard, but has never been willing to leave the property without me carrying him or riding in the car. But today...well, that little guy went 4 houses down with me and Grace, and did very, very well. He was almost constantly circling me and Grace, but he didn't freeze, or tug too hard, or panic.

This is HUGE for him...just huge. I am so proud of him. He's doing so well, and really coming along in his socialization. He's working hard, and taking chances, and the more chances he takes that end well just builds his confidence, and he's more willing to try new things and do new things.

I am so proud of the heart in this guy...he is doing his best, all the time, and while he'll never be "normal", he's working as hard as he can to be comfortable and learn how to trust, and explore, and do all things doggie.

Just thought I'd let you all know. YAY ROMI-bomi!

Best-
Herding Cats

You be good goggie Romi. Watch out for blue eyez cat.

 

[MicciStella]

YAY ..., ROMI-bomi....

I am... Ehm... We are soooooo proud of you.... And of your two legged momma...

Gingy Bobby and I are praying for further success and doggiehappinesssssss ...

Wood arooooooow.

Micci

 

[Penelope]

Thank you for the update, Herding Cats. It really made my day to hear about how well Romi is doing. He is so brave!

 

[octobermoon]

:hug:

 

[Mom who cares]

Good boy Romi, good boy! Your fan club is still here

 

[Opie]

Hooray for Romi and his big goggie pal, Gracie.

 

[MicciStella]

Happy happy spring Romi-bomi....
I wish you a wonderful first outside doggiehappinesssssss spring and the greatest good doggie playtime with Ms Gracie and Momma on two legs...

Happy arroooooooow from Bobby the Beagle, and Gingy the Ginger Snap... And human Mommy Micci

 

[Herding Cats]

He was so cute today...he saw me getting Gracie's leash, but since I wasn't taking Grace for a walk but on a field trip to the "big box" pet store (not the one we usually go to), I didn't think he'd want to come.

He did.

He got all happy, wiggling and whining, when I brought his leash out for him. Gracie got all excited, too...but it was sooooo cute to see him actually excited about going to go out the front door.

He went right to the car, no pulling or showing any concern. Up Gracie went into the back seat, and up Romi went into the front seat. And off we went to the store.

Once at the store, though, he didn't want to get out. He did come out, but then flew back into the car once he realized he was nowhere he'd ever seen before. I felt bad, but decided to not force the issue, and just let him stay in the car (it was in the shade, and only about 72*) while Grace went inside with me.

He was sooo happy to see us come back...bless his little beagly heart, he was so happy. And once home, we went for a wee walk, but all he really wanted to do was come inside, so it was only two houses and then back home.

But I was soooo happy to see him excited when he saw Gracie with her leash, and his wiggling and whining when he got his leash on, too...and this makes me very hopeful that he will start to really want to go on walks...

Go, Romi Bomi, GOOOO!

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[MicciStella]

Woohoo ... Yay... Way to go Romi.... We are soooooooo proud of you.....

Makes me laugh just to think about Romi talking: mommy I want to go too.....

Bobby is a talker when it comes to dinner.... I ask him do you want to have dinner?... And Mr Bobby is always answering .... While Gingy is talking when we get ready to leave.... Bobby gets all exited than but doesn't speak, instead he is running and jumping around and throwing the toys or the food bowls thru the apartment... The food bowls actually are the only things he is chewing or breaking, and this out of excitement ...

So proud and happy for you all....

Happy evening from your fan club

Bobby, Gingy and Mommy

 

[ScubaTwinn]

This thread always makes me so happy. I cry from happiness instead of the sadness I read on other threads. Thank you so much for keeping us updated. You cannot imagine how much it means to me.

 

[Herding Cats]

Little dude seems to have become the celebrity in the neighborhood. LOL.

I was sitting here, in my jammies, the other night. Suddenly, from the front yard, a loud "yooo hooo, Herding, you home?" It was a neighbor down the block, who brought a friend from the other block to come "meet" Romi through the window.

I struggled into my robe, and went out side. There we stood, looking at Romi through the window. He was a bit befuddled (as was I), but the new lady (who rescues greyhounds) was oohing and ahhing. So we talked for a bit; I told her Romi's full story, and of the progress he's made. And she was just amazed. Romi, nonplussed, just tried to chew his bone in peace.

And then today, as I was walking Romi (well, he was circling me and Gracie), a lady came out of her house and asked "is that the medical experimental dog?" So we stood there and chatted, with Romi doing his best to be confident. Realize, please, I'd never met this lady. LOL. And there we were, trading dog stories in her driveway, Gracie standing guard and Romi circling.

Today's walk was quite the adventure, in addition to being stopped by the lady. Romi made it all the way down the block, and then back, with NO hesitation at all. No concerns, no freezes, nothing but circling and sniffing and occasionally coming back to me and hopping up onto my legs for some lovies and reassurance.

I think back to the day he was terrified just sitting in the front yard. Too scared to move. Shoot, back to this abject dog sitting on my hearth, trying not to sleep because he was too scared.

Now, he's this buff little celebrity dog, sniffing his way up and down the street, tail up and wagging, and just exuding joy at being on a walk.

Huge. Just giant huge. I'm sooo proud of him. Just very proud and happy for him.

He also got put in his place tonight when he tried to steal the bone Gracie is working on. She's in heat, so she's a bit...erm..."emotional" I guess you'd say. And Romi, as usual, came over to steal her bone...and she let out a huge growl, and he growled back, and then looked over at me, indignant. "She growled at me. ME! All I was doing was stealing her bone, and she. growled. at. me." I just laughed. Apparently, it's a pretty select bone tonight, and like I said, she's in heat...and she's been a bit feisty today, too, with me (pulling and lunging on our walk; not something she usually does...). So I'm not surprised; in fact, I laughed long about the look on Romi's face.

Poor guy. Like all other guys, he doesn't quite know what to do when his girl is on her period. And like all other guys, he's gone off and hidden in the bedroom, sulking.

He is soooo dear. Just cracked me up....he's had a full day! Just thought I'd share this with you all.

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[TexasLori]

Love the update, HC. That beagle baby sounds like he has settled right in to the family. Funny how they all have a distinct personality, huh?

 

[Herding Cats]

Love the update, HC. That beagle baby sounds like he has settled right in to the family. Funny how they all have a distinct personality, huh?

What I love is seeing that personality emerge. When I first took him, he was a "non-personality", a cardboard dog. Not literally, of course, but he didn't dare show any wants or needs. And to let his personality come through - no, that was not going to happen. I'm not sure he "had" a personality, you know? Living in a cage for 5 years, with his only human exposure limited to medical experiments and testing, weighing, assessing, and so on, I don't know that he ever got to develop a personality.

But here he is now, just full of puff and stuff, all doggie and goofy and sweet as heck. To see him miffed about being told to not steal a bone, indignant and figuratively stomping his feet...well, it just blew me away.

And to watch him, tail up and wagging, nose to the ground, being all beagle-y, on his walks...not scared, not freezing, not pulling back, just joyfully moving out...well...yeah. That's just amazing.

I've been taking him (and Gracie) on all my errands, although sometimes Gracie comes into the place I'm going with me, he's only gone inside the pet food store. Bless him, I don't know if he's ready to do "the full rounds", but he does tag along in the car, so he's really getting a protected and safe "exposure" from inside the car. He's seeing people and cars, other dogs, traffic, and smelling all the different smells and seeing all the different things...as safely and as positively as I can manage it.

I just am thrilled about his walk today. Someday, probably not to far in the future, he and Gracie and I will go for a long, long walk, and go exploring. There's a place I want to take them both - it's a 4 mile track - and I can't wait until he's able to handle that. Lots more small excursions first, but the Lake Hollywood walk is definitely a goal.

Until then, it's up and down the block, and soon, around the block, and then a few blocks over...and so on. Little steps, just little steps. He's come so far just doing little steps...

Best-
herding cats

 

[TexasLori]

What I love is seeing that personality emerge. When I first took him, he was a "non-personality", a cardboard dog. Not literally, of course, but he didn't dare show any wants or needs. And to let his personality come through - no, that was not going to happen. I'm not sure he "had" a personality, you know? Living in a cage for 5 years, with his only human exposure limited to medical experiments and testing, weighing, assessing, and so on, I don't know that he ever got to develop a personality.

But here he is now, just full of puff and stuff, all doggie and goofy and sweet as heck. To see him miffed about being told to not steal a bone, indignant and figuratively stomping his feet...well, it just blew me away.

And to watch him, tail up and wagging, nose to the ground, being all beagle-y, on his walks...not scared, not freezing, not pulling back, just joyfully moving out...well...yeah. That's just amazing.

I've been taking him (and Gracie) on all my errands, although sometimes Gracie comes into the place I'm going with me, he's only gone inside the pet food store. Bless him, I don't know if he's ready to do "the full rounds", but he does tag along in the car, so he's really getting a protected and safe "exposure" from inside the car. He's seeing people and cars, other dogs, traffic, and smelling all the different smells and seeing all the different things...as safely and as positively as I can manage it.

I just am thrilled about his walk today. Someday, probably not to far in the future, he and Gracie and I will go for a long, long walk, and go exploring. There's a place I want to take them both - it's a 4 mile track - and I can't wait until he's able to handle that. Lots more small excursions first, but the Lake Hollywood walk is definitely a goal.

Until then, it's up and down the block, and soon, around the block, and then a few blocks over...and so on. Little steps, just little steps. He's come so far just doing little steps...

Best-
herding cats

And I LOVE seeing (theoretically) his personality emerge through your posts. His spirit is alive and coming through!

 

[Herding Cats]

And I LOVE seeing (theoretically) his personality emerge through your posts. His spirit is alive and coming through!

I am so glad. Sometimes I wonder if I bore people, then I think "well, they don't have to read the thread." LOL. But still...I'm so glad that you are enjoying watching him develop, even if it is only over the 'net.

I don't know if this is a beagle trait or what, but he always checks on me wherever I am, if I'm not where he thinks I should be. For example, each night, I tuck Grace and him into bed, with treats and snuggles and lovies. I close up Gracie's area (a big pen with a clip; she's not trustworthy for nighttime exploration issues, not yet. Soon, I think, but not yet).

Well, every night for the last two weeks, if I take "longer" than Romi thinks I should, he comes, looks at me, sniffs the air, and then trundles back to bed. Like, "just checking. You comin' soon?"

I will say he loves - LOVES!!! - his bed. When I let them in the back door, he scoots his little hiney through the house, ears flapping, to his bed...even if it's not bedtime. "Wheeeeeeeeeee! Bedtime!!!" and then comes back out and hangs out in the living room or wherever Grace is. But that first wild, mad dash to his bed is hysterical. And without fail, it's the first place he goes when he comes inside. Past the cats, past everything...a filet mignon could be laying on the floor, and no, he'd head to check out his bed first. LOLOL.

Gracie, however, tends to run for the sofa. LOL. Woe be to anyone who happens to be sitting there when she comes in...125 pounds of fuzz in your lap, often with a stuffie in her mouth, grinning fit to beat the band.

I am blessed with a great pair of pups.

Best-
Herding Cats

 

[MicciStella]

Dearest HC

thank you for making me laugh.. I see so many things in Romi which he developed, believe me must be a beagle boy thing, where I see Bobby in him... With Gingy yes she has her times too but look at her and you'll say; it's a girl...

I am just picturing Romis look when miss Gracie growled at him.... Good girl by the way... Lol... But momma how can you laugh... SHE growled at me and you laugh at me....

He is an amazing little fellow in an amazing family with an amazing momma with a golden heart...

Blessings and love
Woof arrrooooooooowws

Micci and Bobby and Gingy

 

[Hopeful One]

I hadn't checked in on this thread in awhile. It makes me so happy to read how well Romi is adapting and learning to trust.

And pretty soon, he'll learn to leave Ms. Gracie alone when she's on her period. Like all men, they need to just STAY AWAY, and most learn their lesson pretty quickly.