He's got a furever home

We took Fog to Craig and Sandy Friday evening . I can now talk about it.  I have to say, that I did really good.  I only got teary twice.  When my last foster dog got adopted I teared up when we were leaving.  I only had him for a week!  When the one before that left, I cried like a baby for 2 days, but in my defense, we had him for 6 months.  And the one before that was equally as bad.  But anyway… 

 Bill put a "Its a boy" sign and a balloon in their yard so everyone would know they adopted a boy...dog.

The happy parents

When we agree to foster, I tell myself, it is only a dog, he is my foster dog , he won’t be here for long, don’t get attached.  I didn't immediately get attached to Ostn, it took a few days.  And blogging about him I think helped too.  But, Fog had the best face, and had the best disposition of any dog I've fostered.  Sandy and Craig only live 10 minutes away, and since we have a large fenced yard, they will bring him over to play in the yard. So I will see him again.

I can say, that Macho is glad he is gone.  I was worried that River would miss him, but that doesn’t seem to be an issue either.  We were sitting on the deck, (Bill, the dogs and me) and River stuck her head in the door and looked around, and then went about her business.  No problem with him being gone.  Ace? Ace is his normal self.  He doesn’t mind having them around, but he is happy to have the house back to normal.

I heard Carrie Underwood singing this on the radio today, it seemed appropriate for a foster dog leaving, the song is called, See You Again.  This is the part that made me thing about Fog.

Sometimes I feel my heart is breaking
But I stay strong and I hold on cause I know
I will see you again
This is not where it ends
I will carry you with me

Said goodbye turned around
And you were gone

Adopted!

Ok, in case you haven't figured it out, Fog is being adopted.  Tomorrow.
This blog is about him, the next blog will be about me and how I feel about his departure from my care.

Sandy and Craig decided that they wanted a dog.  She has allergies and was thinking about a little dog, he said no, I want a big dog.  So, they did some research and decided on a greyhound.  Somehow, they found our website (ESGAO.org) and saw the adoptable dogs.  They saw Ostenfog's face and knew that he is the one for them.  They went to a meet and greet we were supposed to be at, and we weren't.  Then they went to a big greyhound event in eastern Ohio and ran into Donna, who is THE BEST foster mom in the greyhound world AND a member of our group.  Donna found out they were interested in Fognostn and immediately called Bill. That was the day they came to meet Fog.
It was love at first sight for all three of them!  They say the dog picks you.  I this pairing was made in heaven or something.  Fog has been bitten or pounded at least 7 times, based on the number of scars on his side and face, and they don't care.  Fred wears his scars on the outside, but as near as I can tell, he has no scars inside.  He is happy, playful, intelligent dog that loves life and looks forward to each day.  He is curious, but responds very well to correction and praise.   He is a very special dog, and Craig and Sandy seem to be the ones he needs to make him the best dog he can be.  I have told him he is going to live with his special friends, he seems to understand something is happening.  I told River that he is leaving and she is now laying 3 feet away from him.  This is unusual, she goes upstairs at night and "wants to be alone" as some movie star used to say.  Macho will be glad to see him leave.  Ace won't care either way.
Anyway, today I gave him a bath so all his nasty clumps of hair would fall out, and his skin the dead skin from his infection would wash away, to reveal the beautiful dog I knew he would be.

Fog after bath

 He will be gorgeous in about 6 months, once his hair comes in and thickens up.  He is young so he has lots of energy today.  My dogs are tired from being at the kennel, so I fired up the gator so he could chase it and burn off some energy.  He loves chasing the gator.
So he is ready, mostly.  River, Macho,and Ace have helped him learn how to be a retired racer, and I have taught him how to be a house dog. The rest is up to him.
So here is a cute story about Fog. We took dog food in 5 gallon home depot buckets to the kennel for them while we were on vacation.  One bucket is almost empty, so I decided to see how much food was left in there, while preparing to feed them.  I took the lid off the bucket, looked in there and decided there is enough food left to feed them all, and went to get their bowls.

Fog eating from barrel

When I returned, Ostn was standing there, head in the barrel, happily feasting on the food in the barrel.  I asked him what he was doing, he looked at me and stuck his head back into the barrel and continued to eat! Then I fed him and he did eat his normal dinner.  He likes food!
This is his scared side.  He has gained 8 lbs in 6 weeks.

People, return!

The man and lady took us from the kennel to the house.  We were glad to be there.

Everyone wants attention. We got lots of attention at the kennel but it is soothing to get attention and love from people you are used to. Even though Ace is the oldest and been there the longest, he let everyone else get attention before him. He is a real nice guy.

ACE

Anyway, Macho is hogging the lady (still) and Rivee really wants attention, and me too.  I get jealous sometimes of the attention she gives him, so I just push between Macho and the lady.  She pets me a little, but doesn’t stop petting Macho.  Soon she gets up and goes to pet Rivee.

Macho

Macho and me stand there, like, Hey, you were pettin us, why’d you leave?  But Rivee is loving the attention and tells us to buzz off. She gets an attitude sometimes, but I like her anyway.

So the lady asks the man to call someone.  Soon, THE PEOPLE that came over to pet and talk about ME, I told you about in my blog called “All about Me”, came over again!  And sure enough they came to pet ME!  I heard my lady say that I was really clingy today, and I shouldn't cling to her, I should cling to them.  I don’t know why, but it was okay with me and them.  I was so happy to see them.  I jumped up and gave her a kiss, and got rubbed and talked nicely to.  I pushed myself against that lady and then the man, and oh boy, he rubs good.  I showed him how good I am, I sat down and looked at him.  He didn't even tell me to, I was just showing off.  That trick got me some good pats and good boys, (yesss)  so then, I showed them how fast I can run.  I ran in circles and every time, I would look at the new people to see if they were watching me: they were! Phew I was tired, so we went on the deck so I could get a drink. 

The new man sat down next to me and petted me for a long time.  I almost fell asleep!  The new lady petted me a lot. I got lots of attention. I kept hearing my name, I guess they were talking about me.

We all went for a walk.  The new lady walked me, Ace walked with his lady, and Rivee and Macho walked with the man.  I wanted to walk with Rivee; but, the new lady had my leash, and I was walking like I was taught, so I couldn't walk with Rivee.  I heard the people talking about how to walk me, and  signs to look for.   We turned around, and I had to go number 1, so I did.  The people talked about that for a while, I can’t help it that I can “go” for a long time.

The next thing I knew, my lady was showing them how I eat.  I don’t know why she showed them that, but I was hungry and happy to show them how I eat.  Then my lady gave me a milk bone, right after dinner!  She’s never done that before.  I always eat my milk bones by my bowl, the new people thought that was interesting. I like these people!

The new people said they had bought dog food, and dog toys and flip chips.  And beds and new collars. I heard my man say something about bringing Fog some where on Friday evening. I wonder what bring, means?

Some dog is gonna get some good stuff…

  

The Kennel experience

The people took us to the kennel!   I thought I was I going back to the track.  I was sad.  But this was a different sort of kennel.  There were no cages stacked on each other, the kennel was a deluxe version, much different from the one I grew up in. In this kennel, I had a bed the people brought for me, and room to get up and stretch and take a couple of steps, and a SQUEAKY toy! 

I was scared, I thought I did something wrong, but the others were there too and in similar cages. 

Ace is the oldest dog in this pack, and he said he’s been going there for years.  He said it is not like the racetrack kennels.  At this kennel, the people are there just for your convenience, and they are nice people who make sure your every need is met.  Rivee said we would be ok.  Macho was nervous too, but he said the people always come back for them.  The others agreed, so we stayed there, together, and they helped me.  We got to stay in cages right next to each other, and I got to stay closest to Rivee.

The people at the kennel, made sure we got to go out a lot.  Every time we went out, they cleaned our kennel and we got fresh water.  I am not good at keeping time, but it was like every two hours.  We got to go out, just to go out, and we got to meander for a while.  It was ok.  Rivee and I would have liked to lounge outside, but we couldn't cause there was no soft place to lay in the shade.  We got fed twice a day, and got dog bones.  And the kennel is air conditioned so it was nice and cool in there.  They made sure I had my squeaky and flip chip.  They petted everyone, each time we went out and each time we came in.  Not just a little petting, a whole bunch of petting for all of us.  I enjoyed that.

Retired Racer Bus

The lady and man came and got us today.  Ace heard the RRB, and started calling for his Dad! 

  I joined in, cause it is fun to talk, real loud.  Soon Rivee started and so did Macho.  That was fun.  Ace said, “See they do come back!”  Rivee and me were so excited, we ran through the building instead of getting on our leashes.  Fortunately, there are many barriers, so we couldn't get too far.  We got on the bus, and we all laid down.  It felt good to have someone leave you and come back for you.  I got up and came to the lady, she rubbed me as best she could through the fence in the bus.  I could tell she still likes me.  Macho was hogging her, so I couldn’t get a lot of attention, but I could tell she was glad to have us back! 

The kennel experience gets 3 Roos, but getting picked up and going home, 5+ Roos.

It's all about ME

The other day, the man was out and about.  He came home and talked on what Ace calls a phone.

The man and lady were mowing the lawn and I was supervising while the others were in the house.

Soon the phone rang again.  The humans stopped mowing the lawn, and pretty soon, two more humans came to the gate!  I got so excited, some new people to meet.  The lady closed the door so the others couldn't come out.   I got to meet these people and have them all to myself for a few minutes.  They petted ME!  The rubbed ME all over, it felt so good: I let my puppy side come out.  No one told ME No! 

We all stayed in the grass.  The humans talked for a while and all of them watched ME!  But they didn't know that I really liked the new people, especially the LADY.   The humans went onto the deck.  I couldn't take it anymore!  I jumped up and put my paws almost on the visiting LADY’s shoulders.  I licked her smack dab on the face.  My lady told me to get down, but the new LADY, just laughed, and rubbed my head.  I figured I shouldn't have jumped on her so I got down.  No one was angry.  My lady was smiling and the men were laughing.  My man told the new man, that I “look like was rode hard and put up wet”. 

The "Rode Hard" side of Fog

I thought that is what they say about horses.  The new man said he didn’t care,” how can you not love that face”, and rubbed ME all over, it was SO nice.  He petted ME real good.  The others came out to get petted, but they didn’t really like the people as much as I did. So they got petted and then Rivee laid down by the lady, Macho laid down so he could watch the lady, and Ace laid in the shade out of the way.

The humans sat down and talked.  I laid down in the tent right next to the new lady.  I kept hearing them say FOG.  They talked for a long time.  My lady told them about all my ailments since I retired, and they felt bad for ME.  My people were telling the new people all about Me! Then my humans told the new people about my travel partners, Newton, Baron, Chief and Rollie.  The people listened nicely, and said they want ME!

Today, I heard my lady on the phone talking about ME.  Something about a home visit and when I can go there and who will take ME there.   Apparently, something else is happening, so I have to wait a few days. .  I wonder what is going on?

Toy-mented

Hello, it’s Fog. I need to tell you a story and get your help.  I don’t know what to do!  The lady is no help, she just laughs. 

I love squeaky toys.  The others play with them, sorta, but not so much.  They don’t play with them until I start playing with them, then, they want to play.  But just for a minute.  The dogs in this house have many wonderful squeaky toys.  I am partial to the ones that have multiple squeakers, those are the most fun.  The guys have then in all different colors and sizes, so there are plenty to squeak.

Anyway, I will be happily lying on the deck squeaking toys with Rivee and the man and lady nearby.  The man gets a squeaky toy, and puts it on my back.  I stop squeaking the toy I am squeaking and grab the other one and start squeaking it.  Then while I am looking for the best squeaker in the toy I just got off my back, Mister, puts ANOTHER one on my neck.  Now I have two in front of me and another on my neck.  So I whip my head around and grab the one off my neck, and start squeaking it, and in the time it takes me to get one off my neck, the man, has snatched one out from in front of me!  He then puts that one on my neck.  So I have to get it!  I whip my head around to get the toy, and he still has a hold of it.

  He moves it just enough so I can’t grab it with my mouth.  Just as I get it, he holds it, so I can’t put it in front of me, so I have to squeak it on my back.  Then he lets go of it, and I throw it in front of me.  I start squeaking, and the whole process just starts over.  I ask Rivee for help, she just ignores me.  I look at the lady with my “big brown eyes” (she loves my eyes) to see if she will help me, and she is either laughing or egging him on.   WHAT do I do to stop him from toy-menting me?
As Sky would say, I give squeaky toys 5 Roos, but, for the man, only 2 Roos

Progressiono

Fog is my 13^th foster dog, they learn so much in such a short time. Today’s blog is about his progress.  Fog has been here for nearly 3 weeks.  In the three weeks, he has learned not to potty in the house, not to counter surf, how to look in the mirror, Barking is fun, where to eat (and that he gets fed regularly), and water is available all the time.  And dog beds are good.  Although he has learned many things, he is still unsure of what is happening. 

There comes a time in every foster dog’s life, when they just get it.  They get into the daily routine, they join in reindeer I mean, dog games, and their actual personality comes out.  In essence, they relax.  Fog still annoys River; although, for all her complaining I think she sorta likes him.  He is learning all her bad habits, but he is also learning Macho’s endearing habits.  Here is the “rest of story”:

Saturday, we took River and Fog to a Meet and Greet, he did ok.  Sunday we left River and Fog at home and went to a Meet and Greet with Ace and Macho.  When we returned, Fog greeted us at the door, as he has been taught by the others, but the exuberance displayed by my dogs when we return is not there.  He is almost just checking to see what is happening, instead of greeting us.  We went out that night, leaving the four dogs alone.

When we returned, there was delight oozing from Fog.  He was a confident, happy boy, yapping and dancing with the others welcoming us home.  Somehow, someone or something clicked with him, and he now understands his new life.  The change is not easy to describe.  I can only describe it as settled and confident. As a foster mom, once you see this change in the foster dog, you know in your heart that the scared, unsure animal is gone, and emerging is a beautiful, wonderful companion pet.  It makes you proud and happy, yet sad. His transformation from racer to retiree is an amazing thing to witness. He now entices River and Macho to play with him.  He gets up at 540 EVERY morning, hoping I remember that he trained me to walk him when the sun comes out.  He tears through the house squeaking toys, and chews on his flip chips any time anywhere.  His playful happy self is emerging.

There are no pictures this week.  He is becoming physically beautiful.  He will always have scars on his nose and sides.  His patchy blond hair is coming out in clumps and is being replaced by nice red fur.  He is itching all over.  His bald thighs are starting to fill in with fur, but he may have partially bald thighs for a long time.  His naked, but oh so soft belly, is starting to get fur.  He loves to be rubbed and scratched, especially where the hair is coming out, or coming in.    Right now he looks awkward, but soon, he will be a beautiful, confident Red dog, afraid of nothing and proudly wearing his battle scars, with really Big feet!