Rusty on trial

Foster mama here. I took Rusty to a potential forever home this morning, and I have a really great feeling about this family. I genuinely think they will provide Rusty with all he could ever want and I have my fingers crossed. Barring any odd/detrimental mishap, this blog will therefore be suspended, but I'll be sure to post an update when/if his adoption is finalized. Thank you SO much to all of you who have followed along during Rusty's foster adventure!

Come hike with me!

Come out to Bond Park in Cary tomorrow to meet me and go on a hike with a bunch of other BFPA dogs! We'll be at 801 High House Rd from 11 am until 2 pm. We're having a cookout, too! I kinda look like I'm stuffing my face in this pic, no?

The ever-happy SWEET Rusty

Here I am - fresh off a wrestling match with new pal Lucas. I still take time out for Zoe, but Lucas is a fabulous wrestler! We love each other and I'm pretty sure Foster mama approves because she seems more at ease when we're worn out - ha ha!

For my bragging rights I'll inform you that I'm excelling in my training - even with Lucas as a distraction!

Wrestling with Lucas

Check me out with my new buddy Lucas! Please ignore the inappropriate dialogue from an ep of Supernatural (or turn down your volume).

Welcoming Lucas

Lucas, Zoe and I are getting along famously. Foster mama has to separate Lucas and I every now and again because I am so anxious to play rough with him, but he's still not completely healed from surgery. Below you can see me trying to lure him in.

Foster mama couldn't stop laughing because Lucas totally ignored me - just walked right by me - and the only things that moved on me were my eyes following him.

That's Lucas with his "BiteNot" collar on. He didn't seem to mind the traditional e-collar but Foster mama couldn't take him running into everything (including her) with it on. He can wrestle pretty well even with his new collar on!

As you can see, we're quickly becoming buddies. It's fun to alternate between wrestling with a tiny girl and a huge boy. Lucas doesn't look that much bigger than me in the pic below, but he's got more than 20 pounds on me!

New roomie

Foster mama is scheduled to bring home another dog on Wednesday night. I can't wait to meet him! His name is Lucas and he is a hound mix. I know we're gonna have a ball.

Zoe only likes boys, so I hope she'll like Lucas, too - just maybe not better than me?

Foster mama will post pics and info - and maybe even start a Lucas blog - once we get settled in. Stay tuned!

Calling all Cattle Dog lovers!

I am a bit baffled by my lack of potential forever homes. Really I am.

C'mon! I am a great dog! It's not that I haven't had any interest at all, but I've been a bit cursed. Apparently several people have applied to adopt me but have then either gone elsewhere or withdrawn their application for other reasons. What gives?

I have been assured that any withdrawn applications etc. did NOT have anything to do with me or my behavior (which according to my foster mom is excellent).

Again I cry, I am a fantastic dog! I am relatively small (38-40 lbs) and young; I am very smart; and I will love you forever. Is that not good enough?

Please give me a chance to wow you with my spunky personality and amazing smarts!

Chillin'

I sure hope Foster mama lets me take this dog bed to my forever home. It's my favorite spot to curl up for a nap; and now that the weather is cooling down a bit we're taking longer walks again, so my comfy nest is super sweet!

Thanks again to Julie, Harley and Henry for keeping me last weekend; and an extra special thanks to Julie for also taking me to the BFPA adoption event while Foster mama cheered on the Heels!

Field Trip

I'll be having a slumber party with a wonderful BFPA volunteer Friday night. Foster mama's schedule prevents her from getting me to adoption events for most of September, so she asked Julie to get me there and Julie happily agreed!

I can't wait to meet Harley and Henry. I hope they like me.

Now for the important announcement: I'll be at the Brier Creek Petsmart this Saturday from 10am - 12pm. Hope you'll come and see me!

Rusty after dark

We just returned from our late night walk and I think I surprised Foster mama.

We're walking, we're walking, we're walking, and it's late. We keep walking and walking and walking and then wait!

What turned out to be a savvy evening straggler caught my eye. He was a super-friendly dog-lover and I soaked up a good amount of love. He's the fifth person to comment on how pretty I am...ahem...don't mean to brag, but look at me!

Check me out at http://www.bfpa.org/.

All's quiet on the Durham front

Foster mama's house was barely nicked by Irene - we didn't even get that much rain. Zoe and I survived what could be described as a minorly minor dust-up of the meteorological persuasion.

But mother nature kicked up her heels again tonight, only to allow me to prove again that I can handle "a bit o' thundah" without consequence.

Yes, I'm photographed here in my crate, but that's only because Foster mama was being overly cautious. I often seek refuge from every day elements in my crate, as it is my personal sanctuary. The one I use now is huge, but I know I would be fine in a much smaller cozy hole.

Foster mama has introduced me to some of her friends who are dying to take me running and roller-blading. I can't wait!

The Lookout

Both pictures here were taken with Foster mama's phone - a device which by today's standards would qualify as behind the times, so please pardon the horrid photo quality.

Foster mama chose to title our post "The Lookout" because I spent the better part of 4 hours standing at attention at her bedroom window tonight. I never barked or really reacted to anything, but I was more than content to stand there - head under the curtain - keeping my eye on the perimeter.

I assure you that had there been evidence of any underhanded hijinks I would've been on alert immediately!

Play date

Last night Foster mama was scheduled to babysit her god daughter and hadn't planned to take me along until her friend texted her and said, "the kids want to see Rusty!" She was more than happy to let me tag along and the kids and I were happy to see each other again.

While her friend took one of the children out on an errand, Foster mama and I stayed behind with Sydney. I spent a few minutes reacquainting myself with Sydney's house and then hunkered down under the table while she ate dinner. I was really hoping for some food to make it to the floor, but I do not beg.

After dinner Sydney wanted Foster mama and I to chase her around the house. She said, "try to catch me! Rusty, too!"

Normally I'd be pretty good at catching up to a toddler, but my toenails don't do so well on the hardwood floors. Foster mama thought it was pretty funny but I was a good sport.

I made up for it later when we all went on a walk together and Sydney wanted to race up the trail. I breezed by her and won the first race easily but I let Sydney win the next two. After all, I am pretty fast and certainly have an advantage over a 3-year-old human!

Here's a couple of pics snapped last night. As usual I was more interested in playing and sniffing than having my photo taken.

Exceptional dog up for adoption

It's not the first time you've seen my face, but I'll keep reminding you. I'm a super-smart boy with great looks to back me up. Check me out! http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/18754662

Coy boy

That's how Foster Mama describes me when I'm posing like this, even though shy or demure are adjectives that most would never attribute to me! I suppose photos can deceive...

Here I am grooming myself. Foster Mama has described my hygiene habits as cat-like, but I don't much like that comparison. I am not a cat!

I am a very tidy doggie and I like to keep my own space and surroundings as such. Foster mama tells me all the time how impressed she is with my routine.

Example:
6:20 AM: wake up with Foster mama and go for a walk.
6:50 AM: return home so Foster mama can take Zoe out
7:05 AM: PLAY TIME with Zoe while Foster mama gets ready for work
7:20 AM: Foster mama gives me my daily frozen kong treat (JOY!)
7:30 AM: Foster mama leaves for work

Sometime between 4:45 and 5:00 pm, Foster mama returns! Joy ensues again! We go for a long walk (me first and then Zoe), and then we relax while Foster mama catches up on some of her favorite TV shows.

Wouldn't you like to work me in to your daily schedule?

I'm WRAL's pet of the day!

Tuckered out

After this morning's adoption event I was rather pooped. I immediately climbed into my crate for a rest before Foster Mama could even take off my "adopt me" vest.

I had a great time meeting Belle, Morgan and Finn, as well as lots of friendly shoppers and dog lovers! On the way home Foster Mama made her usual stop by the Starbucks drive-thru and I was given my regular treat by the attendant. They always have a biscuit ready for me!

A little later after our return home I was a bit more frisky. Foster Mama had fun trying to capture my picture while I rolled and writhed on the carpet.

I've got a few butterflies in my belly about being on TV in the am, but I hope I'll make a good appearance as WRAL's pet of the day. Don't forget to tune in!

Busy weekend

I'm scheduled for a lot of face time this weekend! Foster mom and I will be at the Apex PetsMart on Saturday from 10 am - 12 pm for a BFPA adoption event. There will be other BFPA dogs available for adoption there so come and see us!

Then on Sunday, I am scheduled to be WRAL's pet of the day. Foster mom and I have to be there at 8:30 am, so get up early to catch me on the tube. I hope you'll tune in to see me! I'm pretty sure my television debut will be a wild success.

Snugglers

I do love my foster sister, Zoe, and I missed her last week so we had to make up for lost time upon my return. I love to snuggle with her!

Head-to-head is my favorite position with Zoe. She's a snuggle-bug like me!

I'm Baaaack!

Foster mom got home from vacation today and just brought me home with her from her friend Kerry's house. Foster mom missed me - I can tell.

I loved staying with Kerry and her family - especially the kids. Thank you Kerry and family for caring for me while Foster mama visited the beach!

WWC SmackDown

I have a good 30+ pounds on Zoe, but she is a master wrestler, as evidenced in the photos below. We've dubbed said challenges as World Wrestling Canines.

Just when I think I've got her pinned - almost every time - she comes out on top with either a paw smack-down or a completely embarrassing domination. We're both great sports though, so we make it fun.

I love to wrestle with dogs of all sizes, so a companion in my forever home would be fabulous, but I could be a wonderful single dog, too!

Holding hands

Or should I say paws? Zoe and I remained paw to paw for quite a long time Sunday night. We didn't even move when Foster Mama went to retrieve her camera (I usually bolt when she reaches for that thing).

We spent most of Sunday night sparring. This photo was taken towards the end when we were confirming a ceasefire.

Tiny Zoe surely holds her own and I love to play with her!

Herding the Animal

The first several times Foster Mama used her Dyson Animal around me I was not all that interested in the big purple machine. I behaved more like I was intimidated than curious. That all changed last night.

Foster mama has a little experience with other herding breeds, so she wasn't completely shocked when I began herding the vacuum cleaner by nosing/nudging it around the room.

I never tried to mouth it like I do to Zoe when I'm herding her. That made Foster Mama happy because she thought I might hurt myself if I tried to bite the Animal.

Foster Mama also very much appreciates the fact that unlike some herding breeds, I do not bark while I herd. I tend to make more of a low growling noise. Sometimes people who don't know me might think I'm growling with aggression, but my ever-wagging nubbin tail is proof that I'm just exceptionally playful!

Pesky buses

Foster mama finds way too much humor in my behavioral tics. Her response to the few I can't help must mean that they are endearing or funny rather than problematic, but I'm fairly certain that last night's quirk took her by complete surprise. Rest assured, the incident ended with a hearty laugh from Foster mama.

We were walking back towards home and managed to pass by a city bus stop just as passengers were disembarking/boarding. As the bus pulled away from the stop and made it's familiar loud gas-releasing noise (P-shaAWW), I kinda lost control of myself momentarily.

I rocketed back towards Foster mama, my butt on a bit of a spin, landing squarely against her shin. I quickly tried to right myself only to skid across the sidewalk and back to landing at Foster mama's feet. If I had been prepared I bet I could've made her believe that was a purposeful trick!

It only took me seconds to pick myself up and continue on our walk, therefore I maintain that I'm not a real scaredy cat and gassy buses have nothing on me!

ACD seeks FH

ACD: Healthy natural redhead/blonde; amber eyes; 2.5 years old; adorable "nubbin" tail; excellent dental hygiene; athletic/svelte build; well-mannered; LOYAL.

Loving, genius Australian Cattle Dog seeks Forever Home. Searching for active, loving owners who will take me on long walks, rub my ears, challenge me, play and wrestle with me, and never let me down.

In return I promise you a faithful companion, a strong motivator for action, and a potentially large library of cute doggie photos among many other things.

Please reply by application to BFPA for me, Rusty!

Pedi Paws spokesdog!

Foster mama nearly died last night when she introduced me to the Pedi Paws nail trimmer.

She had it way before I ever came into her life, but Zoe isn't a huge fan. Zoe will let Foster mama use it on her, but not for long, and not without a bit of a fight.

That's why when she used it on me last night and I just laid there - calm as a cucumber - she could not believe it! She filed down every single one of my nails with no muss or fuss. I'll be sure to welcome my next Pedi Paws treatment if I can expect the same praise and crazy love to follow. Bring on the pawdicures!

Kong toss

Foster mama mentioned my humorous "kong behavior" in a previous post, and she managed to somewhat capture me carrying it out tonight.

I am particularly keen on the "Kong toss" when I can sense that there are still crunchy treats knocking around inside. When it seems I've managed to remove all of those, I spend most of my time frantically chewing at both ends instead.

Obviously in the pics below I am still in search of those delicious, crunchy treats held captive in my Kong!

Red Rover, Red Rover, roll Rusty right over

It's slow going, but Foster mama has me practicing sit>down>roll over. I've got sit and down, but I haven't yet quite figured out the rolling over. I kind of begin the movement of rolling over, but without enough effort. Foster mama describes my effort as "Meh."

She's also confused about whether to click at all if I only begin to roll over, so it's been a mixed bag. Rather than continue tonight in a bit of confusion, she decided to put off further encouragement until later.

Bragging rights: I'm learning to sit at the door and let Foster mama leave first - as well as letting her enter the house upon our return before me - very well.

We're contemplating working on getting me to shake with my right paw (we've mastered the Southpaw), but Foster mama thinks that should go on the back burner. I agree! Is being able to shake with both paws more important than learning better doggie manners? I think no.

I'm learning fast and would love to learn more from anyone who wants to make me theirs.

Don't you want me?

Horrible lyrics - but Foster Mama adapted The Human League's "Don't you want me baby?" to make a song about me...

You were living as a doggie in a foster home,
When I met you.
I picked you out, I shook you up, and turned you around
Made you a doggie new.
Now five weeks later on you've got the world at your feet,
Training has been easy for you.
But don't forget it's me who put you where you are now,
And I'd never let you down no.
Don't, don't you want me?
You know I can't believe it when I hear that you can't love me
Don't, don't you want me?
You know I don't believe you when you say that you can't love me.
It's much too late to find
You think you've changed your mind
You'd better change it back or you will so be sorry
Don't you want me baby? Don't you want me oh
Don't you want me baby? Don't you want me oh
I was living as a doggie in a foster home
That much is true.
I knew that I had landed in a much better place,
To forget past owners I must do...
Don't, don't you want me?

Click-tastic!

More clicker training with Foster mama has proven that I am a super-quick learner. She's been exploring the different clicker methods and we've experimented with the "capture method."

Basically, for a 3-5 minute session she decides what she wants me to do (sit or down for example) and every time I do it on my own (no voice or hand signals) I get a click and treat. Last night's session got her giggling because I was basically going to my bed, laying down (click, treat) then moments later coming over towards her and laying down (click, treat), then repeat...over and over.

We've started implementing hand and verbal cues for sit successfully (I already kinda knew that trick) and we'll work on down verbal signals this week. She's also managed to teach me "shake" masterfully.

Foster mama recommends the clicker pictured above. It's the "StarMark Clicker Dog Training Aid." She picked up two at Petsmart (she has a bad habit of misplacing things) for about $10. She also checked out some books at the library. I'm grateful for her efforts and will be proving so by working hard to learn my way at warp speed. She thinks I'm quite capable!

Clicking with Foster Mama

Foster mama has been researching my breed and exploring methods of effective dog training. We've crossed some bridges, but she'd like to get my puppy behavior under wraps a little more.

Enter the clicker.

Perhaps a little soon to brag, but honestly, I think I've got this thing in the bag. I already recognize the clicker as a reinforcer of good behavior and have begun to overtly mimic desired behaviors in anticipation of that click.

: Click : I am at attention - no doubt.

Our next lesson will enforce name recognition and "stay" skills. Bring on the gold stars!

Lessons

Foster mama took me to a workshop at a park in Raleigh last night. There were six to seven dogs there with their foster parents, and there was a lead man there who gave lots of instructions and tips to the humans in attendance.

Foster mama was impressed with how well I walked on my leash with the lead man, especially since I wasn't wearing my prong collar. He could've been the dog whisperer!

I behaved pretty well overall, even though it was hotter than Hades out there. Foster mama learned tips to help strengthen my ability to heel; to train me to sit and stay; and to encourage me to not follow her absolutely everywhere she goes. She doesn't like it when I step on the backs of her flip flops when she's walking. I don't blame her and promise to work on it under her tutelage.

She and I are both confident that I will continue to be an excellent student with the right leadership. After all, I've already come a long way to becoming a well-mannered boy.

I'm still camera shy, so the pics below aren't the best. Foster mama took the second one through the rear window. We think it's kinda cool because you can see both of us via the reflection.

Haa-aay!

Foster mom and her good friend Jen have an ongoing joke about dog expressions. Many pics of dogs really do look like the dog is saying, "DAAAAAH!" or "HAAAAY!" and I am not immune. Case in point, captured below.

No matter - I will be on display at the Brier Creek Petsmart this Saturday from 10 am until 12 pm. Please come and see me!

Shreddin' it

Rawhide bones don't stand a chance against me! Foster mom gave me the one you see here early on Wednesday evening and I made my way half-way through it in a couple of hours.

The super-plus here is that, trust me, I only have eyes for that bone - you wanna keep me busy? Gimme a rawhide!

Secondary plus is that my teeth are in excellent shape - very white!

Another tough boot camp

Foster mom took these pics of me last night after a grueling boot camp. It was hot and she was surely Foster-mama-drill-sargeant. I think she was stir crazy as she had been on lockdown with a stomach flu since early Monday night, so once she felt better she was on a mission!

She wasn't up for a prolonged session, but she surely kicked my booty in no time. We ran some sprints, practiced "walk right," as well as a few other behavioral skills I haven't yet mastered completely.

I'm a smart puppy, but Foster mama is turning me into a genius no doubt. While the summer heat has put a slight damper on our training, she's managed to keep me on track.

Double whammy

July 4th proved to be a rather uncomfortable evening for me, but Foster mom assured me that I behaved quite well.

First, Foster mom's house was hit with a severe thunderstorm in the late afternoon - heavy rain and severe winds ensued. I spent a couple of hours in my crate waiting it out, but I never whimpered or became destructive. I just huddled silently.

Then the fireworks came! Those pop pop pops took both Zoe and I by surprise, but we still remained very calm, much to Foster mom's delighted surprise. We raised our heads and ears and then decided, "Ho-hum."

Since those pops came in several separate groupings, Zoe and I became increasingly agitated, but we remained exceptionally composed according to Foster mom.

The info to glean from this post: I'm a pretty mellow dude (comparably) when it comes to high-stress situations. ie. You won't need an Rx for doggie prozac if you take me home.

Shakin' my booty

Foster mom would love to capture my "dinner time dance" on video, but that would be pretty hard since the dance starts when she puts food in my bowl. Maybe if she had a third hand she could manage it, but alas she only has two.

She keeps the food in airtight containers in the kitchen and feeds me in my crate in the next room. So, when she grabs my bowl from the crate and carries it to the kitchen I know what's up and I get very excited!

I follow her to the kitchen and do my best to get my head in the container but she's crafty at keeping me out of there. Once the food is in the bowl and she turns to go to the next room I start my dance. I stand on my hind legs and spin. Then I do a few spins on all fours and then I pounce down low and eagerly wag my nubbin tail. I always do one or two final spins right in front of my crate before bounding in with such force that I usually slide to the end on the "non" non-slip crate pad and that's when Foster mom puts the bowl down for me to feast.

I have a similar dance I do when Foster mom gets a Kong out of the freezer, but that dance is only slightly less enthusiastic. Since she gives me one every day before she goes to work, I'm learning to anticipate it when I can tell she's on her way out the door. I am one smart dog you know!

A little walkabout

Foster mom is always great about taking me on the best walks. I LOVE long walks.

She took some pics last night while we were walking. I wasn't the most cooperative model, but that's not really the point. I'm a bit fickle when it comes to being camera shy and I'd also rather pay attention to the ground (for sniffing) than to pose for mama.

So this is what she was able to capture:

I've learned to walk calmly on a leash with a prong collar and I very much enjoy our walks - more so now that I'm not pulling Foster mom the whole time :)

Self-portrait

Foster mama and me!

She's got green eyes, I have Cullen eyes - we're a great match, huh? But no matter what color your eyes are, I'll love you all the same. I swear to it with paws crossed!

Being lazy

I am most certainly not a lazy dog, but I have my moments. Again I say, "double-decker dog bed!" It's divine.

Foster mom tricked me big time this morning before she went on a particularly long fence build for the Coalition to Unchain Dogs. I'm a sucker for peanut butter, no doubt. Obviously I still had Z's in me...

Nevertheless, she's assured me there is a dog park visit in our near future!