Make a donation
Max
Welcome to my foster story.
First thing to say is that my foster parents really are outstanding, I can not praise them enough! If this were an Airbnb, five stars, would stay again.
I was collected on the Sunday at lunchtime. My handler and foster dad were so pleased with how well I got into the car, they forgot to do some paperwork. Too late. I was sitting calmly, but for who knows how long, so foster dad just got going. I was a good boy on the 20 minute drive. I did climb from the boot into the back seat, but my leash stopped me getting in the front. I gave foster dad an ear lick and then lay down on the back seat. I just chilled for a bit, then remembered I had treats in the boot, so back over I went. Foster dad had nothing but dog bum in his rear view mirror for a while, this made him laugh and realise I was going to be a funny visitor. The treats didn’t last long, but in the back I was then quite happy to watch the world go buy. Foster dad kept talking calmly to me, so it was all good. I didn’t bark or whine once.
When we got to the holiday cottage I found the accommodation to be most adequate. I explored the small enclosed front garden at my leisure as foster parents had left the front door open for me to go in when I was ready. I saw foster mom through the window and went straight in to say hello. I can be a bit jumpy when excited, but foster parents have learnt to calm me (they also ignore me when I jump) and they know that if you look me in the eye and speak with a high excited voice, I will jump. I picked this rule up quickly, and although I still jumped a bit during my stay, it reduced greatly.
I’m used to a crate, so a bed under the kitchen table against a wall was nice and cozy. Whenever I went to it my nice foster parents left me in peace and almost ignored me. If I came out for attention I soon found that being patient and calm was the best way to get affection and foster parents kept all calm without getting me unduly excited. I played games in the garden and a new trick of spinning on the spot was introduced, I can do it following a hand full of food, but much more practice is needed. I most enjoyed tug of war and chasing foster dad about, he found it very funny when going around a bush was replaced with crashing through the middle of it, but I was in a rush, the quicker I catch him the quicker I get fuss and praise. The person who looks after the garden discovered I am very much into digging. Pots, soil, a bald patch in the grass, stones, if it’s lose I will have a dig, but I am easily distracted.
In the evening I did feel a little uneasy and unsure. I displayed this by lots of pacing and lying for a few sections all around the house. I didn’t have anxiety, it was just a new home and I was not sure how it all worked. Then I got fed, foster parents got fed and they settle in the lounge with a glass of wine. Here, I found another new boundary, the sofa is not for me. It took me a while to grasp this. They didn’t think there was enough room for all three of us, but I begged to differ. I soon understood, as they were both very consistent. Foster dad getting down to my level on a cushion was most pleasant. I was soon lay against his leg, or with my head on his lap with my legs across him. He was surprised how quickly I settled and how affectionate and trusting I am, how little he knows me.
I got a little restless again, even though I had had a long stimulating day. So, on went the harness and I was able to explore the local area a bit. I impressed myself with how calm I was with the harness going on, even with it taking foster dad about 5 minutes to figure it out. I got barked at by a dog even bigger than me, but although I was hyper alert I didn’t bark back and soon calmed down. We were only out for twenty minutes, but It was a nice way to end the day.
I was at my best at night. Granted I was shattered from an exciting day, but I was left downstairs, the light went off and the door was closed. Not much fuss was made when they left so I hadn’t been wound up and the calm relaxing tone of the evening continued. They didn’t even say good night really, they just got up and left the room. I was however left with a few treats in my bed and I didn’t bark or whine at all during the night. I think, after a good nights sleep, foster parents were most pleased I didn’t chew anything. I just chilled. I did, however, have a little number 2 accident. I was in the garden every hour during the day, so not sure what happened there. No big fuss was made and at least they have hard floors for easy cleaning. I hope to get better at that, how was I to know they get up at 0630 and I’m straight in the garden, with foster dad, for an explore, some fuss and a toilet break. I did forget about jumping up for a few seconds, but I was so excited to see them.
After breakfast the harness was on again and I was off. The sun was hardly up and we were in a massive field. In the field I was allowed to go out further ahead on the lead for a sniff like a world champion sniffer at the sniffing olympics. I did get corrected if I pulled too hard and, as we were out for an hour and a half, I got lots of practice at that. By the end I was getting pretty good at it if I say so myself. Foster dad sat and had a coffee on a little mat, he seemed to be enjoying the morning. He clipped me onto a 10 meter lead to let me have a good explore. He didn’t need 10 meters, I never went that far. Even when I had a case of the zoomies I stayed close by, checked in often, and even sat and chilled next to him for a bit. He gave me water via a little scoop, which was nice. Although impressed, foster dad said he has no intention of letting me off lead, I am a slave to my emotions and still too unpredictable. It was a good stimulating walk and wasn’t even over. On the way back we stopped at a park and, back on the 10 meter lead, we played games. I got a bit better at spinning and my recall was good, but he did have treats. He’d throw a treat, I’d leg it, find it, and run back to his closed fist for another treat. We repeated that a lot. It was excellent. Then I got a tired and distracted, we went back in.
The rest of the day was chilling. I now have my favourite spot on an elevated platform in front of the window. I spend a lot of my time there now. It is called ‘bench’ and I relax there. Sometimes foster parents join me and I half flop on their lap. It is also where I am directed if I get in the way at cooking times, although that is a work in progress, they’re the ones waving food about. I’m always hungry, or ‘greedy’ as foster parents call it.
Today I had my first full on wrestle. Me and foster dad attacked each other for twenty minutes. It was great fun. Each bout seemed to end with me flat on my back having belly rubs, but all said and done, I think I won on points. It expended a lot of energy and after a quick drink I had to go for a lie down, on bench. I like bench.
I have been good with deliveries. I don’t react at all to the bell, and don’t bark when I greet them at the gate. I have to go in when the exchange Is taking place, as we all know I’ll jump up at them without a second thought.
By the second evening I was confident enough to spend time in the garden by myself…….however…….I had a difficult evening. Foster dad had to go out for three hours. Even though it was late, I was tired, and foster mom was with me I got separation anxiety. They even noticed I get a little uneasy when they are in different parts of the house. They plan to leave me on my own for periods today so as I get more use to coming and going…..this went well and I think I helped them get their steps in. They were in and out of every room and took it in turns to leave the hours for a range of times. I have got used to this quickly and don’t get so worried if all three of us are not in the same place at the same time.
The really good news is that I slept through again, and no toilet accidents.
My jumping is getting better. My impulse control out walking still needs work, but I am getting better at keeping a lid on it in the house. I have learnt that a calm dog gets more fuss and faster, than a jumpy dog.
My third night was my best. I got a full 8 hours and, even though I wanted to go (I had a garden ablution as soon as I git up) I am now officially a “holder”. I also didn’t think of jumping when foster parents came in.
Foster Mom gave me breakfast today as they we were a little worried I was getting too close to foster dad and needed to see value in both parents. This is a good plan as I think she gave me a little more than he does. All three of us went out for muddy morning yomp and my herding skills kicked in. I was checking on them both and wanted to wait if one dropped behind a little. I am still not much of a barker, but get super excited at the sight of a dog. I can be a handful, but clam down quickly. I think I need to be more settled and confident before I calm down outside, or maybe just be a bit older.
Great news today. My stay has been so successful (even though I beat foster dad at wrestling and win at every game we play in the garden, he be slow) I have extended. After only three nights I have slipped into a comfortable routine and, apart from making a run for it to the bedroom after the aforementioned muddy walk and making it as far as the crisp white duvet cover, my stay has been smooth and mainly incident free. I will stay here longer. To celebrate I was brought an ostrich thigh bone. Never met an ostrich, but they appear to be quite large and man, they taste gooooooooood. It’ll take me weeks to get through this thing, but I am no quitter. When not chewing it, I like to go to bench and stare at it. Still not got the hang of spinning, but we now have a bit more time to practice.
