Shep 12-421

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In memory of Rocket - Barry

January 17, 2013

Hi,  My name is Shep or that is what I am called now. I'm a 5 year old Yellow Lab . I have lived in a puppy mill in South Dakota untill just before Christmas. I was Rescued by the Great people from RAGOM that came and took many dogs away from the puppy mill. Thank You RAGOM for saving my life.

I was supposed to go to a Lab rescue group but they couldn't afford the hip surgery that I need.  I was made a honorary Golden Retriever and brought into RAGOM.

I was brought to Minnesota by nice man named Jason. Thank You Jason for bringing me to my FD [foster dad] I don't mind riding but moving from the ground into the car is scary to me and makes me pee.

We got to FD's house and there is 3 other dogs and cats there also. I didn't really mind any of them but was just scared of everything. I had never been in a house before. All I wanted to do was get in a crate to be safe. I didn't want to come out of the crate for anything. FD would have to pull me out to go outside to go potty. I don't know
that outside is the place to do that.

After a couple days of FD having to more or less drag me across the scary slippery floor in the kitchen, FD decided to just let me stay in the living and dining room on the carpet. I like the soft carpet.  I made under the dining room table my new "safe spot" since I didn't like the smaller plastic crate that was next to the table. FD brought
a water bowl in there and would feed me in my safe spot. I started to get a little curious about FD and sneeked up to him and smelled his hand and gave him a couple licks. FD was very excited about that for some reason.

The next day when FD came with my food bowl and put it under the table in my "safe spot" I freaked out and bolted out from there knocking 3 or 4 chairs over and making lots of noise scaring me even worse. I kind of hid in a corner of the living room for a few days. That was my new "safe spot" since the dining room table is now scary.

FD then moved the big wire crate into the living room so that I would come out of the corner. It worked. I love the big wire crate. FD left the water dish a ways away from the crate so I would have to come out to get a drink. he started out feeding me in the crate but then started moving the bowl a little further away from the crate. Now I
have to come all the way out of the crate to eat but won't do that if FD is watching. I will bark at the kitties if they get near my food bowl.

The day I moved to the carpet in the dining room and living room, FD went upstairs to vacuum the carpet up there. He thought the vacuum cleaner wouldn't bother me. When he came back down stairs he saw that I pooped all over the dining room. He thought that it was because I hadn't been out in 2 hours. The next week he tried it again. This time he had let me out less than a hour before. More poop all over the dining room floor again.  FD says I have to go outside now whenever he has to vacuum. The loud noise is just too much for me at this time. Maybe I'll get used to it eventually.

Since the last vacuum scare I've done real well with doing my potty business outside. I am much less nervous outside than in the house. I started getting walked around in the fenced area . FD said I do pretty good on the leash but still kind of do circles around him. Eventually FD could drop the leash and I followed him real close for a couple days. I would even come to FD when he called me. FD was very impressed.

Today FD made me go across the scary slippery kitchen floor. Then we went outside and foster sister Ziggy came with. We walked all the way down the very long driveway and back. I was very happy and so was FD. FD says that was the highest he's seen my tail. I usually have it between my legs.

Me and FS[foster sister] Ziggy get to go for a ride to see Dr. Sarah or Dr Becky. Last time we went there FD had to carry me in and out because I was so scared. I hope it goes better this time. I'm getting a blood and urine test to be sure everything is working right before I get checked for hip surgery.

Thanks for checking in on me, 

 

At a Glance #12-421

Mixed Breed Born: December 2007
Male 65 lbs

Status: Adopted

Profile

In memory of Rocket - Barry

January 17, 2013

Hi,  My name is Shep or that is what I am called now. I'm a 5 year old Yellow Lab . I have lived in a puppy mill in South Dakota untill just before Christmas. I was Rescued by the Great people from RAGOM that came and took many dogs away from the puppy mill. Thank You RAGOM for saving my life.

I was supposed to go to a Lab rescue group but they couldn't afford the hip surgery that I need.  I was made a honorary Golden Retriever and brought into RAGOM.

I was brought to Minnesota by nice man named Jason. Thank You Jason for bringing me to my FD [foster dad] I don't mind riding but moving from the ground into the car is scary to me and makes me pee.

We got to FD's house and there is 3 other dogs and cats there also. I didn't really mind any of them but was just scared of everything. I had never been in a house before. All I wanted to do was get in a crate to be safe. I didn't want to come out of the crate for anything. FD would have to pull me out to go outside to go potty. I don't know
that outside is the place to do that.

After a couple days of FD having to more or less drag me across the scary slippery floor in the kitchen, FD decided to just let me stay in the living and dining room on the carpet. I like the soft carpet.  I made under the dining room table my new "safe spot" since I didn't like the smaller plastic crate that was next to the table. FD brought
a water bowl in there and would feed me in my safe spot. I started to get a little curious about FD and sneeked up to him and smelled his hand and gave him a couple licks. FD was very excited about that for some reason.

The next day when FD came with my food bowl and put it under the table in my "safe spot" I freaked out and bolted out from there knocking 3 or 4 chairs over and making lots of noise scaring me even worse. I kind of hid in a corner of the living room for a few days. That was my new "safe spot" since the dining room table is now scary.

FD then moved the big wire crate into the living room so that I would come out of the corner. It worked. I love the big wire crate. FD left the water dish a ways away from the crate so I would have to come out to get a drink. he started out feeding me in the crate but then started moving the bowl a little further away from the crate. Now I
have to come all the way out of the crate to eat but won't do that if FD is watching. I will bark at the kitties if they get near my food bowl.

The day I moved to the carpet in the dining room and living room, FD went upstairs to vacuum the carpet up there. He thought the vacuum cleaner wouldn't bother me. When he came back down stairs he saw that I pooped all over the dining room. He thought that it was because I hadn't been out in 2 hours. The next week he tried it again. This time he had let me out less than a hour before. More poop all over the dining room floor again.  FD says I have to go outside now whenever he has to vacuum. The loud noise is just too much for me at this time. Maybe I'll get used to it eventually.

Since the last vacuum scare I've done real well with doing my potty business outside. I am much less nervous outside than in the house. I started getting walked around in the fenced area . FD said I do pretty good on the leash but still kind of do circles around him. Eventually FD could drop the leash and I followed him real close for a couple days. I would even come to FD when he called me. FD was very impressed.

Today FD made me go across the scary slippery kitchen floor. Then we went outside and foster sister Ziggy came with. We walked all the way down the very long driveway and back. I was very happy and so was FD. FD says that was the highest he's seen my tail. I usually have it between my legs.

Me and FS[foster sister] Ziggy get to go for a ride to see Dr. Sarah or Dr Becky. Last time we went there FD had to carry me in and out because I was so scared. I hope it goes better this time. I'm getting a blood and urine test to be sure everything is working right before I get checked for hip surgery.

Thanks for checking in on me, 

 

Updates

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Hi There Everyone at Ragom, especially a fabulous FD, Barry!

We adopted Shep about 1 1/2 months ago and time has flown by.  Shep has been busy checking out the backyard, although he's still a little hesitant about the woods.  Everyday he gets a little closer.  He's gotten to know our other two dogs, Duke and Nacho.  Nacho loves to play and has been working on Shep to play with him.  I caught Shep romping with Nacho yesterday, and this morning he actually chased a rabbit across the backyard!

Shep is still afraid of a lot of things but he is making progress every day and it is fun to watch as he learns new things.

We'll send another update soon.  Thank you everyone at Ragom for connecting us to a wonderful dog.

Tony and Barb S

Monday, October 7, 2013

FD here,
Shep has been adopted! Thank You to the S family for adopting my baby boy Shep.

I would also like to thank RAGOM and all the volunteers for helping Shep to his new and much better life. Thank you to all of those who support RAGOM and donate. Without you none of this is possible.

Fostering Shep has been a very rewarding experience for me. I never knew how much I took for granted with a "normal" dog. Shep brought many tears of sorrow, seeing how terrified he was for the first few months. Those tears were replaced with tears of pure joy as he made his steps to try to become a normal dog. Shep has come so far in the 9 months that he has been with me. It is something I will never forget.

Welcome to your new life Shep. You will always be in my heart.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Hi folks, Shep here finally,

It's been a bit hectic around the house , so I'm soory it's been so long for a update.I can now climb stairs. FD led me upstairs a couple times and now it is my safe place. Some times FD has to put a leash on me to get me to come back downstairs. I sleep upstairs in the bedroom most nights now. I've claimed one of the dog beds as mine.FS Ziggy ,FB Charlie, and me went to another meet and greet in Edina. I had a adopter come just to meet me. I met lots of other people and someone very special. My son Riggs. I had never met him before. He was born after we left the puppy mill. We look very much alike as the picture shows. It was a great day but Charlie got bored and wanted to go home before the event was over.FD's parents came to visit. I wasn't too sure about them , so I played a little shy. They tried to give me treats but I won't take them from anyone yet.A few days later we had another house guest that FD was dogsitting. His name was Larry. He came from a puppy mill also.  Larry became very scared after being here a day or so.The next week FD went on a long transport so Judy came over to let us dogs outside. The next day FD took FB Charlie to the eye Dr. He was pretty sad when they got back home. Charlie has lost over 50% of his vision and will be totally blind in less than 6 months. Charlie is the same age as I am.A couple of days after that, FD took me to meet a possible adopter at her house. When we got back home Larry bolted out the door and ran away. Things were pretty active around the house for 13 days until Larry was caught. FD said that was his worst fear with fostering. He was very glad it had a happy ending.FD says I am continuing to make progress. I'll even lay by FD some times when he is at the computer. My recall is improving also. FD says my next goal is to take food from his hand. I'm kind of working up to that. I now will eat my meals with FD in the room!Thanks for checking in on me, Shep 12-421

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Hi Shep fans, Shep here again,

Since my last update, I have become even more interested in meeting new people. When people come over to our house or I meet them other places, I love for them to pet me and talk to me. FD asked me why I'm not this crazy friendly to him. Maybe I know he is just my foster dad, not a potential furever dad or mom. FD was impressed that I come out in the kitchen now to meet new people and will nudge my way in to get my share of pets and attention.

Last week FD took me for my 1st ride by myself since I came here back in December. I was a bit hesitant to get in the Suburban without the other dogs but FD coaxed me in by climbing in first. We went to the vet clinic to get a prescription refilled, so we got to wait and meet more new people and dogs. I loved it. The people couldn't believe that I am a "Puppy Mill" dog and am so friendly. I have come a very long way from the totally terrified dog that I was in December when my new better life began.  FD did have to climb in again when we left the vet's but once in the truck, I was just fine and love seeing all the new things and smells.

Lately my FB[foster brother] Charlie has been able [and willing] to walk further, so I've been getting more exercise every day. I love walking and wag my tail the whole way. We are doing 4 miles or more per day. We go twice a day. We get to see the neighbor’s horses and beef cattle. I'm a bit cautious about them yet and make sure I stay behind FD when we are near them. FB Charlie was a bit scared of them the 1st couple times also. The horses and cows come up to the fence when we go by.

Again I would like to thank all of those that have made my new life outside of the Puppy Mill possible. Thank You to the Rescue team, Vets, Transporters, Donors, Supporters and all the behind the scenes volunteers that make this all possible. I am eternally grateful.

Something else I'd like to repeat is that I don't need hip surgery. The lack of any leg muscle was causing my hip problem. As mentioned, I can and do walk long distances every day and I do run and jump a bit when excited. I haven't learned long stairways yet but it's on my list of goals. I have no problems with short stairs and jumping up into the Suburban.

Since I am a "Puppy Mill" dog I do have a few special requirements of my furever family and home. Your placement adviser can provide you with those exact requirements. I don't have to have a fenced yard as long as I have a good tie out and a "Martingale" collar or harness that I can't break or slip out of if I get spooked. Older kids would be ok. The sudden movements and noise of small kids could spook me. I have met some smaller kids at a meet and greet and was ok with them but they were pretty quiet and moved slow. One even hugged me!  I am a young Lab and do need exercise and activity every day. Although I have shown pretty good confidence, I need another confident dog to be there for me and help me with new things and situations. One of the most important things is a family that understands my past and is willing to help me be as "normal" of dog as I can be and except any limitations that I may have. In return, I will give you companionship and unconditional love and the great feeling that you have helped a dog to a much better life. Could that Special someone be you?  Please contact your placement adviser to find out.

 

Thanks for checking in on me,

Friday, June 28, 2013

Hi again Shep watchers, Shep here,

As was mentioned in the last update My foster sisters and I went for a pretty long ride to Edina. There were lots of people and lots of dogs around. Many of the people there seemed to know me and were very happy to meet me. I guess I have lots of people following my story. It's so great to be loved by people that hadn't even met me yet. This being a "Honorary Golden" is really great.

As mentioned, I met lots of people and was very happy to meet all of them. I wasn't scared at all. One of my rescuers was there and teared up when she saw me. She was so happy that I wasn't the totally terrified boy that couldn't walk that she helped carry out of the puppy mill. I was happy to see Karen again also. There also was some young kids that came up and petted me and one girl even gave me a hug! FD was pretty surprised that I allowed that to happen. Most of the people that met me had no idea that I was a Puppy Mill boy. I did have my good friend Ziggy by me all the time to help my confidence. I look to her if I'm not real sure about something.

FD was very happy that I did great at the meet and greet.  He thinks I am ready to find a new home with a confident dog. I love going for walks and meeting people and other dogs. There are so many things I missed about life in my 1st 4 years at the Puppy Mill. FD says I do bark a bit if other dogs bark or I see something. I still spend most of my time in the living room but I have come out in the kitchen when FD comes in and when other people come over.

The day after the meet and greet FD got us dogs up early fed and walked us then left. Later that day a lady we hadn't met before came over to let us out. I went out in the kitchen to meet her because I heard Ziggy and Cheyenne getting petted. I had to get my fair share of the petting. Judy stayed for a while then brought us back in and left. When FD got home he told me he had gone to Sioux Falls, SD to transport 3 dogs that came from the same puppy mill where I had lived. He was very happy that they were all in foster homes now.

The next weekend FS Cheyenne had a family come to meet her. Of coorse I had to meet them and demand my share of pets. I sure like meeting new people. Cheyenne was adopted by them and gets to live way up north on a lake now.

The next day FD left and came home with another foster brother for me. His name is Charlie. He's a bit out of shape and can't walk as far as I can so I get a bit of a break in the long distance walks. I was up to 3 miles per walk for a while! Charlie seems nice and we get along just fine.

That's about all for now. Thanks for checking in on me.

If you think I could fit in your heart and home, please contact your placement adviser.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Hi, Shep here again,
I have a few things to report since my last update. FD and me still miss FB Rocket every day. I am learning to look to FS Ziggy for security and confidence. I'm getting more confidence of my own every day. FD tells me it is great to see me explore more on our walks twice a day. I look and sniff around quite a bit now instead of hanging close to FD or Ziggy. We walked a little over 3 miles tonight. That is the furthest I've walked so far. We didn't go this morning because it was storming. That was some more good news. I'm not scared of thunder.

Before I forget, FD thought I should mention that the surgery that they thought I might need is no longer needed any time soon. Now that I am gaining strength in my legs and back, I'm not having hip problems. When I was rescued from the puppy mill my hips would both pop out of the socket and I had major difficulty just walking. Now I can run, jump a little and bounce some! It really does feel good to be able to do more things that I hadn't been able to do for a long time.

I got a new foster sister [FS] Cheyenne. She is a bit bigger than Ziggy and quite a bit bigger than me. She is a very nice dog and we get along great. Cheyenne had a family visit her last weekend. I got to meet them and FD said I did very well. It didn't work out for them to adopt Cheyenne but another family is interested in her and coming to meet her sometime soon.

FD says he hopes some special adopters will come along for me. He says I am starting to be a silly slightly crazy Lab now. I do get a bit crazy when we are getting ready to go for walks. I really wiggle my butt, bark talk, lightly nibble and bounce. I get the same way when we are walking and Sarah the neighbor and her little dog Moe are outside. I really like Sarah and she likes me. Moe is ok also. I look for Sarah and Moe every time we walk by now. FD says I have done very well with all the people I have met lately. Other dogs and cats are fine too.

Here are some of the things I like:

  • People - Adults more than kids. Kids make sudden moves that may spook me some.
  • Other dogs - I like all the other dogs I have met,big and small.
  • Cats and Kittens - I like all the cats and kittens I have met. I have a couple that are my friends.
  • Toys - I like toys and bones. I put them all in a stash. FD says I am a hoarder.
  • Rides - I like taking rides. I get to see lots of new stuff.
  • Walks - I like walks to check things out and meet new people and dogs. I wag my tail the whole time.

Since I am a Puppy Mill dog I do have special requirements for a forever home. Your placement adviser can fill you in on those.

I'm taking a trip to a RAGOM Meet and Greet on Saturday 6/15/13 at Chuck and Dons Pet Food in Edina from noon to 2pm if you would like to meet me. FD and my foster sisters will be there also.

That is about all for now. I hope to meet you Saturday and thanks for checking in on me.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Hi folks, Shep here again,

Since my last update FD says I've made lots of progress - so lots to report.

FD now says I am pretty brave. We have started going on some pretty long walks with my foster brother Rocket and foster sister Ziggy. FD had taken me down the 1/4 mile driveway before but never on the gravel road. He thought I might freak out if a car or truck came by. The 1st walk on the road a farm tractor came down the road. FD got me and Ziggy and Rocket huddled up a little ways off the road.  I wasn't scared at all since I had company that makes me feel safer. I have to say, FD was rather shocked that I did so well. The rest of the walk I wagged my tail in big sweeps because I was so happy seeing and smelling new things. I had never gotten to do this in my previous life at the puppy mill.

We continue to walk every day and sometimes twice a day. We had to shorten the distance because foster brother Rocket has kidney failure and couldn't go any further. I'm just very happy to go. FD says I'm getting more like a normal dog because I get excited to go walking.

I am starting to walk around the house a bit more. FD was surprised when I came and bumped his hand when he was at the computer in the dining room. I still spend most of my time in the living room but I have shocked FD by going out in the kitchen on my own. I used to be really scared of the kitchen.

We had a house guest for a couple weeks. Her name was Annabelle. FD was dog sitting her while her FD and FM went on vacation. She was a very nice girl. She got adopted soon after her FD and FM got back. FD said her adopters hit the jackpot with her. I hope he can say that about my adopters someday.

Sadly, last week my foster brother Rocket crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I miss him a lot and so does FD. I'm learning to rely more on FS Ziggy to make me feel safe.  FD said I'm getting another foster sister this week. I hope she's nice and will be my friend.

I've met some of the neighbors and their dogs when we are out on walks. I'm a little shy at first with the people but then I have no problem letting them pet me. I like all dogs that I have met. FD says He thinks I'm ready to go to a RAGOM Meet and Greet Event, whatever that is. FD says it will help me find adopters and improve my people skills. I'll keep you posted on when and where. Maybe my new foster sister Cheyenne will come with us.

If you think I could fit in your heart and home, Please contact your placement adviser.

Thanks for checking in on me,
Shep 12-421

 

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Hi Folks, Shep here again,

Since my last update I’m slowly doing better about being petted in the house and really liking to get petted outside. FD says I'm like the kitties that I walk back and forth. My FB [foster brother] Rocket still tries to get me to play and very slowly I'm showing that I can be frisky especially first trip out in the morning.

I still drag the leash around all the time. FD says it is a good thing because sometimes I get a little scared for no real reason and as soon as FD picks up the leash it calms me and I want to be petted.

FD thought I should talk a bit about what I need in my furever home. I need a family that is very committed to helping me to as normal a life as possible. This could take a while but FD says it is very rewarding to see the progress and to know how much different this is from my previous life in the puppy mill.

  • I should have another medium to large confident resident dog to show me how to live my new life.
  • A fenced yard would be a very good idea because I do get spooked and have broken collars before[I come with a very good strong collar]
  • I haven't been kid tested and general policy is no small kids living with puppy mill dogs. Older kids that are dog savvy could work but would have to be ok'ed by placement.

Could I be the dog for you? If you would like to meet me contact your placement adviser.

 

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Hi Shep followers, Foster dad here this time,

Lots of things to update this time:  Shep had been progressing slowly to being less scared of most everything until 3 weeks ago when something unknown to me set him off and he regressed back to as scared as he was when I got him in December. He was outside and had broken his collar by hitting the end of the leash at full speed. He was very agitated and it took 3 people and 9 hours to get him back in the house without making matters any worse than they were. I was devastated to have to start over from the starting point.

After talking with my mentor and others the decision was made to put Shep on anti-anxiety meds to help him adjust to his new life. This has worked pretty well with many other Puppy Mill dogs. The meds take a week to really start to work. By the second week Shep was back to himself before the regression. YAY!

The next huge hurtle yet was to get Shep neutered. I was expecting another regression and I figured the sooner the better.  Yesterday was the day. 

Shep didn't get to have any breakfast because of the surgery. Shep has always been afraid to walk on the slippery kitchen foor and held true to that when we went to leave. I had to drag him as far as the big entry rug by the door. Resident Girl Ziggy got to come with for the trip to help show Shep that all was ok. We went out the door and got loaded up with no problems. Everything went great getting in to the vets office and Shep was only cautious about the new place and new people. Not really scared.

Shep made it through the surgery and recovery from the anesthesia just great. When I came to pick him up I brought Foster Brother Rocket in with me and had Ziggy in the car also. Shep was happy to see us. He wagged his tail and licked my fingers. He was actually ok with all that had happened. A very happy day knowing we won't be starting over again. The only not so great news was that Shep has a slight ear infection and will need drops put in for a week or so.

When we returned home, Shep came in the house and walked across the usually scary kitchen floor with no problem at all. He hung out in the dining room for a while, which he normally doesn't do, then went to his normal place in the living room. Later we went outside where Shep is usually less scared and he was even better than before. This was all a huge milestone for Shep and he made it with flying colors. It was a very good day.

I'm hopeful now that soon Shep will start doing more normal dog things. You just don't realize all you take for granted when you have only been around normal dogs all your life.

Thanks for checking in on Shep.

 

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Hi Shep fans, Shep here again.

Thank you so much Cherrie for the donation in memory of Gracie. I am so lucky to have people support me and RAGOM. I think I am living a dream compared to my previous life.

I've made a big step in my and FD's eyes. I now go outside and come back in without dragging the leash. I do sometime go to the door when FD is there waiting to let me out but sometimes he has to come to me and just touch me and I will follow. FD says it's crazy but it works.

I do a bit of running just about every time we go outside. I follow FD and do laps around the fenced area with my tail wagging in big sweeps. My FB [foster brother] Rocket keeps trying to get me to run and play with him but I'm not quite ready for that yet. I've given my FS[foster sister] Ziggy a nudge a couple times outside but she just ignores me.

I still will bark at the kitties if they get too close to my "safe" place in the living room. Did I mention that the kittens are just plain crazy?  The house is still pretty scary to me, but very slowly I will get used to it. This all is such a huge change from how I spent my 1st 4 years. A change for the better but nonetheless a huge change.

FD told me to tell you if you are interested in adopting me or any of the other puppy mill dogs that there are some special qualifications to be able to adopt us and that you should check with your placement adviser about those special things. We all hope to become "normal" dogs some day, but that doesn't always happen.

Coming up in my near future, is trying to overcome my fear of the slippery kitchen floor. FD says he will be very happy the day I come and try to help him prepare my meals. I'll keep you updated on that.  Well, back to my safe spot for now. Thanks for checking in on me and thanks again to Cherrie and all the others that support me and RAGOM.

Shep 12-421

 

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

In memory of Laker, another much-loved honorary Golden. Best wishes, Shep! In memory of Laker, another much-loved honorary Golden. Best Wishes, Shep!

Happy Valentines Day Shep! Happy Valentine's Day, Shep! From Champ 08-334

In memory of my first PM girl Gracie. In memory of my first PM girl, Gracie. From Cheerie

Friday, February 8, 2013

Hi folks, Shep here again,

First off, Thank you for the valentines in memory of Laker and Champ 08-334.  I'm so happy to have the love and support from people I don't even know. This is a great life I have been brought in to and am thankful each and every day. Thank You RAGOM and RAGOM supporters.

I'm starting to get a little more accustomed to living in a house. There still are many scary things in the house but slowly I'll get used to them all except maybe the vacuum  I don't like that in the least. FD [foster dad] says he's not crazy about vacuuming but it has to be done. I'm starting to come out of my crate a little and not go to my safe corner. FD is happy about that. I also don't bark at the other dogs and kitties if they get close to my crate now. I'm starting to like my foster brothers Rocket and new FB Sonny. My foster sister resident Ziggy ignores me most of the time. I keep a close eye on the 2 kittens Smokey and Sinbad. They get really crazy some times.

FD says that I am housebroke ,whatever that is. I haven't peed or pooped in the house in weeks.  FD keeps trying to coax me to come to him to get the leash hooked up to go outside but I just can't do it yet. Maybe some time soon.

Last night I freaked FD out when we went outside. I took off RUNNING around in the fenced area. FD was very happy!. I had never run like that before since I've been here. I did it again this morning to show FD that it wasn't a fluke. Every time FD takes us outside we walk laps around the fenced area. My leg strength has gotten much better. FD was also impressed that I walked around sniffing in the snow like the other dogs now. I am much less scared outside so FD tries to get me to be friends with my foster brothers and has them show me the petting and touching from FD is good.I even get jealous now if the other dogs are getting petted outside.

FD told me tonight that I am a dad again. My mates from the puppy mill were both pregnant. One is having puppies tonight and the other very soon. They were taken by a lab rescue and are in foster homes. Thankfully my puppies won't be puppy mill puppies.

No word yet on hip surgery for me. FD said there are other dogs needing surgery worse than me and that I need to get strength built up to really know how bad my hips really are.

Thanks again to my supporters and followers,