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!