This video is from last week, but Rob saw it on the camera and thought it was cute enough to share. And it is a pretty good representation of life in our house with the foster girls! Now, should you want to adopt them, they will adapt to different rules - in other words, you can keep them from wrestling on your couch if you so desire. Us, we're kind of casual.....
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Butterflies, Boxes, and Sticks
Sadie and Sasha pranced after a butterfly today. It was as if they had never seen one before. It was adorable. They are easily entertained....which leads me to their favorite toys - cardboard boxes and sticks! They are cheap dates....
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Big Adventure
The girls got spayed today back at the SPCA. They were not excited to get in the car, but once in, they got comfortable and their nervousness subsided. But, it was a little traumatic for them to go back to the SPCA - and to the vet clinic at that. Everyone was so nice to them, though, that I imagine they didn't have too bad a day. I pick them up in an hour.
I think we'll go on more car trips (and end up someplace fun) so they can become good little travelers.
Spread the word if you can that THEY ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!
I think we'll go on more car trips (and end up someplace fun) so they can become good little travelers.
Spread the word if you can that THEY ARE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Now Available for Adoption!
Sasha and Sadie are now available for adoption through the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA!! They are still shy with strangers and timid in new situations, but they are amazing, wonderful pets.
Even though they are nine months old, because their emotional development was so stunted, they still have a lot of puppy qualities. But they are housebroken, so you get the best of both worlds!
Why don't we want to keep them if we love them so much? Because we want to be able to foster more dogs in the future. Plus, our dog Piper is not the world's biggest fan of being one of four. She would prefer being one of one, but she tolerates (and sometimes loves) her brother Blue.
Even though they are nine months old, because their emotional development was so stunted, they still have a lot of puppy qualities. But they are housebroken, so you get the best of both worlds!
Why don't we want to keep them if we love them so much? Because we want to be able to foster more dogs in the future. Plus, our dog Piper is not the world's biggest fan of being one of four. She would prefer being one of one, but she tolerates (and sometimes loves) her brother Blue.
Days 7, 8 and 9 photo gallery
Kisses
Hi, I'm Sadie
Sadie on her bed
Sasha and the watering can (we gave it to her as a toy - it leaked)
Sasha sunbathing
Hanging out with Skye, the cat
Two heads are better than one
Hi, I'm Sadie
Sadie on her bed
Sasha and the watering can (we gave it to her as a toy - it leaked)
Sasha sunbathing
Hanging out with Skye, the cat
Two heads are better than one
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Day Six Morning Coffee
So, having a glorious morning with Sadie and Sasha and our dogs, Piper and Blue. Blue and Sadie and Sasha are taking turns with toys and entertaining themselves. (Don't feel sorry for Piper, she doesn't do mornings.)
Watching these girls learn what a toy box is....priceless.
Watching these girls learn what a toy box is....priceless.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
We Like Toys
Sadie and Sasha trying to entice Piper into a game of chase me and try and get the toy....
Two More Milestones
Sadie and Sasha tolerated having their toenails trimmed and me running the vacuum cleaner. Two huge milestones!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Day 4 - WOW!
I took Sasha and Sadie for a walk around the block. That may not sound like a big deal, but for these girls, who were terrified of open spaces and had clearly not spent much, if any, time walking on a leash before coming to the Charlottesville ALbemalre SPCA, it was huge. They sniffed things and were startled by dogs barking, but made it all the way through. Very, very proud of them. It goes to show how adaptable dogs are when they have food and love and play and a secure home.
Yea Sasha and Sadie!
Yea Sasha and Sadie!
Meeting One of the Cats
Our cat Skye decided to come in after spending the last several days outside on the porch. Basically I figure she was thinking: "Seriously? Two MORE pit bulls?"
But her desire for attention and love and the milk at the bottom of the cereal bowl trumped any fear. Sadie and Sasha were great - no aggression whatsoever. Sadie got up and sniffed Skye, but it didn't bother Skye at all.
When Sadie and Sasha looked out the window and saw our two cats on the porch, they totally ignored both - as Rob said, they looked through them.
Official verdict? Good with cats!
But her desire for attention and love and the milk at the bottom of the cereal bowl trumped any fear. Sadie and Sasha were great - no aggression whatsoever. Sadie got up and sniffed Skye, but it didn't bother Skye at all.
When Sadie and Sasha looked out the window and saw our two cats on the porch, they totally ignored both - as Rob said, they looked through them.
Official verdict? Good with cats!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Flat Tire
Okay so the two unsocialized, super shy pit bull puppies are now following me everywhere I go in the house. I just went to get the mail and Sadie gave me a flat tire she was so close. It's like have two shadows. They are so curious and comfortable. They still startle easily, but they want to be with you.
In My Office
All four dogs are in my office snoring. So I had some time to reflect on some more lessons. Here are five more things I have learned about being a foster parent:
1) Sometimes you have to ignore the dogs and let them work it out. This takes a lot of poise and confidence from the humans involved. Not easy.
2) My husband is a rock star.
3) Dogs (and probably people) need a lot of repetition to learn new things. It can still be scary to come in the house for Sasha, but it’s less scary and scary for a shorter period of time. The exception to this rule is that it takes only one bite to learn that hot dogs are good.
4) You get way more than you give.
5) I lost two pounds this weekend. Probably from smiling so much.
1) Sometimes you have to ignore the dogs and let them work it out. This takes a lot of poise and confidence from the humans involved. Not easy.
2) My husband is a rock star.
3) Dogs (and probably people) need a lot of repetition to learn new things. It can still be scary to come in the house for Sasha, but it’s less scary and scary for a shorter period of time. The exception to this rule is that it takes only one bite to learn that hot dogs are good.
4) You get way more than you give.
5) I lost two pounds this weekend. Probably from smiling so much.
Day 2 Evening
Scenes from Sunday night....
Since Sunday was a beautiful day, we spent it all with the door to the backyard open. Sadie and Sasha learned to come in and out without fear. And they learned to run and romp and play with abandon. We introduced Piper slowly and now all four are fine. A pack of pit bulls makes me - and them - very happy.
Since Sunday was a beautiful day, we spent it all with the door to the backyard open. Sadie and Sasha learned to come in and out without fear. And they learned to run and romp and play with abandon. We introduced Piper slowly and now all four are fine. A pack of pit bulls makes me - and them - very happy.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Happy Status Update
Thing We Are Not Afraid Of
1) Hail. Apparently it freaked out my foster parents, though.
2) Thunder. We notice it, but it’s no big deal. We are a pair of tough girls.
3) Kong toys filled with peanut butter
4) Dinner
5) Breakfast
6) Belly rubs
7) Toys
Things We Are Still Afraid Of
1) Thresholds, particularly coming into the house. Once we’re across we’re fine. Sasha is a little more nervous, but hot dogs help.
2) Sudden movements. But we recover. And we don’t snap. Ever.
3) Wide open spaces. Except in the back yard. Love the back yard. But sometimes we like to sit with our backs against the fence so no one can sneak up on us. Like mobsters or the guys in the old Westerns.
Things We’re getting Better At
1) Walking on a leash. Although sometimes we wonder why you are following us - kind of like Dora in the movie Finding Nemo.
2) Coming into the house and out of our crate.
3) Approaching people.
4) Running. This is new to us. we like it. Almost as much as napping.
1) Hail. Apparently it freaked out my foster parents, though.
2) Thunder. We notice it, but it’s no big deal. We are a pair of tough girls.
3) Kong toys filled with peanut butter
4) Dinner
5) Breakfast
6) Belly rubs
7) Toys
Things We Are Still Afraid Of
1) Thresholds, particularly coming into the house. Once we’re across we’re fine. Sasha is a little more nervous, but hot dogs help.
2) Sudden movements. But we recover. And we don’t snap. Ever.
3) Wide open spaces. Except in the back yard. Love the back yard. But sometimes we like to sit with our backs against the fence so no one can sneak up on us. Like mobsters or the guys in the old Westerns.
Things We’re getting Better At
1) Walking on a leash. Although sometimes we wonder why you are following us - kind of like Dora in the movie Finding Nemo.
2) Coming into the house and out of our crate.
3) Approaching people.
4) Running. This is new to us. we like it. Almost as much as napping.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Things We Have Already Learned
1. Always check the human's hands for hot dogs. Never had hot dogs before. Mmmmmmm.
2. Being petted is kind of nice.
It's not a long list, but hey, give them time!
2. Being petted is kind of nice.
It's not a long list, but hey, give them time!
In Our Safe House
Sadie and Sasha in their crate. Sasha has the white face. They have the softest fur. Both have learned to relax a little already.
First Day in Foster Care
Hi everyone,
I brought Sadie and Sasha to our house yesterday evening. Rob and I are being foster parents for these two young pit bull mix girls. Our two dogs - Piper and Blue, both pit bull mixes themselves - provided a bit of an overwhelming welcome. Being foster siblings is a new role for them. I trust they will improve their behavior.
Anyway, back to Sadie and Sasha. They are sisters and probably about nine months old. They were brought to the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA a little over a week ago. They are extremely shy, probably because they spent their entire young lives in a backyard cage. No walks, no love, no fluffy beds. No nothing. So our job is to teach them that people are good and that life is full of wonderful possibilitites.
We will do out best.
I started this blog so people could learn more about these amazing girls. Pictures and videos and progress notes will follow.
I brought Sadie and Sasha to our house yesterday evening. Rob and I are being foster parents for these two young pit bull mix girls. Our two dogs - Piper and Blue, both pit bull mixes themselves - provided a bit of an overwhelming welcome. Being foster siblings is a new role for them. I trust they will improve their behavior.
Anyway, back to Sadie and Sasha. They are sisters and probably about nine months old. They were brought to the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA a little over a week ago. They are extremely shy, probably because they spent their entire young lives in a backyard cage. No walks, no love, no fluffy beds. No nothing. So our job is to teach them that people are good and that life is full of wonderful possibilitites.
We will do out best.
I started this blog so people could learn more about these amazing girls. Pictures and videos and progress notes will follow.
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