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A beautiful yellow labrador retriever
Bob is a beautiful 4 yr. old yellow neutered male labrador retriever. He's friendly with people and dogs.
Friday -- 4:27 PM 2/25/2005
They just dropped Bob off here, stayed around for a few minutes to see how it would go, and now he's here with me and the gang.
The other dogs all like him, so I guess he can stay for a while. There's an adoption event next week Saturday that I expect to take him to, and with any luck at all he'll find his forever home then. I can't let him go before then because I have to keep him here for a while and see what he's like, so I'll know what sort of home would be best for him, and he would be best for.
I threw the tennis ball in the yard, and he joined the other dogs in chasing it, and when he was the one to get it he'd bring it to me, and past me, and drop it about 5 feet past me.
He knows how to work the dog door, so I assume he had one at his former home. That suggests he can be trusted in the house, which seems to be the case. Time will tell.
I understand his former family got tired of bailing him out of the animal shelter, and let them keep him this time. Maybe he's an escape artist, or maybe they just didn't try very hard to keep him home. So far he doesn't seem to want to go anywhere, but he's just been here a little while.
He'd just been here a few minutes when the yard guys came to mow, so he didn't know they were intruders. He hadn't yet figured out who belongs here. So the other dogs barked at them a little but he ignored them.
I'm told he pulls hard on the leash. We'll check on that and see if we can do anything about it tomorrow.
7:02 PM 2/25/2005
He's a really nice boy, so far, anyhow.
He went right into his pen and waited politely for his dinner, and after dinner he played "check out everyone's dish" along with the rest of the gang. Then he went outside for a couple minutes, and came back in and has been lying around nicely.
He doesn't get on the furniture, even though all the others do. I haven't encouraged him to do it, since his forever family may have other ideas. It's probably a lot easier for them to teach him he should get on the couch than that he shouldn't.
Saturday -- 1:09 PM 2/26/2005
He spent the night politely on the floor by my bed. All the other dogs really like him.
Sally's new family came to meet her this morning, and liked her, and adopted her. When they went out the front door with her he wanted to go too but we didn't let him. A few minutes later I went out the front door myself, and he dashed out before I had a chance to do anything about it.
I grabbed a leash and went out. The neighbors told me where he was. At the car thay were taking Sally in. Sally's new mom got out and grabbed his collar for me, and he came home nicely with me. He wasn't running away, just going outside.
Then Monique and her two chocolate labs came for a visit. What a treat having 2 black, 2 chocolate, and one yellow lab in the yard all playing nicely together. All we needed was one more yellow dog to make it complete. When all my tennis balls were good and slobbery and dirty they went home.
We're expecting a visit this afternoon from a young keeshond who will probably be staying with us sometimes while his mom goes away on business. I hope he gets along with everyone. He probably will.
4:15 PM 2/26/2005
The pup's delightful, and I hope he will stay with us when he's a bit bigger. For now this place is too much for him to handle. He's just a baby.
We were in the backyard and Starlight was with us. Bob and Beau were in the house. Beau was in a crate and Bob was in the chain link pen with 4 foot high sides. After maybe half an hour we heard a thump in the house, and soon Bob came out through the dogdoor to join us. It seems he had jumped or climbed over the 4 foot fence. So that's twice today he's gotten out from where he was supposed to be. I guess he is the escape artist he was reputed to be. I hope he doesn't jump my 5 foot fences and leave altogether. Probably he won't, as long as he's not left alone. I don't know if the other dogs being here will be enough for him not to feel alone. At some point I'm gonna have to go somewhere.
5:38 PM 2/26/2005
We've started working on crate training. It started with 'you can't make me get in that little cage' and progressed within 15 minutes to 'I'll stay in here 5 minutes if you promise I get a cookie when I'm done.' That should be enough for the first day.
We took our first walk today, too. When he saw me getting the collar and leash ready he came toward me with strange tiny mincing steps. Kinda like he wanted to put the stuff on but he was afraid. So I put on the pinch collar and the leash and took him to the door. So far so good.
Opened the door slightly and he started to rush out. Oops! got the door slammed in his face a little. Gotta be more careful next time. I opened the door again and he waited for me to invite him out.
We headed down the sidewalk with him on 6 feet of leash. He ranged out in front of me but didn't pull for a while. When he finally saw something interesting he pulled toward it and I tugged. Yike! he said, and came right back to me. I've never seen a dog so sensitive to a pinch collar. Gotta be careful not to overdo it with him.
We had a nice walk around the block. He didn't pull, and paid attention to what I told him. When I asked him to come in closer and heel, he didn't know what heel meant but if I wanted him closer that was fine with him.
Sunday -- 8:32 AM 2/27/2005
We had a quiet night. Bob slept on the floor beside my bed, and I didn't hear a sound out of him until about 6 AM when he went outside for a few minutes then came back in and lay down.
Gradually all the dogs began waking up and moving around, and soon they were wrestling and having a good time.
Beau and Bob decided to have a barking contest. First time I've ever seen one of those. they sat about 3 feet from each other, taking turns barking, each one just a bit louder than the one before. After 10 or 15 rounds I told them to stop, and they did.
We're working on crate training for Bob. He went in willingly for his dinner last night, and his breakfast this morning.
He's been in the crate about 15 minutes now, and every 3 or 4 minutes I appear with a treat for him. He thinks crate training is nice. Beau and Starlight always enjoy it when I crate train someone, because they get treats too.
Alice and Lexa will be coming by soon. Poor Lexa never knows what dogs will be here to play with, and she's often overwhelmed by them. I think she'll enjoy her visit today.
7:58 PM 2/27/2005
I had the dogs all in pen and crate when Alice and Lexa arrived, and I left them there the whole time. Every now and then I gave them all a treat, so they didn't mind at all.
When I went to the store for more cough medicine I left Bob in the crate, and he was barking as I left, and also when I got home. I dunno if he barked the whole time I was gone. I went to a place that's really close, so if he barked the whole time it wasn't long enough to offend the neighbors too badly.
Bob has decided that if all the other dogs can get on the furniture whenever they feel like it he should too. So he does.
He's really a nice dog. If I didn't have to worry about him going away he'd be almost perfect. He does bark a little bit too much, but that's about it. He's very pleasant to have around.
Monday -- 12:45 PM 2/28/2005
I took Bob for a short walk around the block this morning with just his flat collar. He did fine. I was told he was a hard puller. Maybe he is sometimes, but he wasn't today. I don't think he's ever heard of "heel" but he'll stay as close as I want him to, and not pull when he gets to the end of the leash.
I also took him with me on my errands today. He got into the van nicely, and stayed in the back until our first stop. I left him alone for a few minutes and when I returned he was in the passenger's seat, and he stayed there for the next trip and while I went into the next store.
I had a bunch of things to load into the van so I clipped him to the a leash I have attached in the back of the van, and he stayed there nicely while I loaded my things, and when we continued home.
He jumped out and came into the house to tell the other dogs all about where we'd gone. I started out to get the things from the van, and as soon as he saw the open door he zoomed out before I could stop him. And I was watching for him to do that. He's amazingly quick. He ran across the street and looked around. He wasn't hard to catch.
So far that's the only thing I've found wrong with him. He'll need someone to adopt him who has good fences and a good way to keep him from dashing out the door. He doesn't run away, he just goes exploring.
7:02 PM 2/28/2005
I took Bob for a fairly long walk this evening, just before dark.
We used the flat collar, and he didn't pull much, but every now and then he'd start pulling a bit so I gave him a yank to remind him not to do that. He'll probably need quite a bit of reminding before he remembers on his own.
There's a place around the corner that has a solid gate in the wall next to the sidewalk, with a small gap underneath, and a dog on the other side. Whenever a dog goes by the inside dog sticks his nose out through the gap and barks. Some of my dogs try to drag me to that gate, others want to avoid it. When Bob encountered the dog today he was startled, but immediately quit worrying about it and went on his way.
Tuesday -- 3:24 PM 3/1/2005
This morning I had to make an hour drive to pick up some dogfood that was donated to Lab Rescue, and I couldn't decide which dog to take with me. So I compromised and took them all. We had a good time. I kept part of the dogfood for myself and the rest I left in the van to take to the open house/adoption event on Saturday to give to other foster parents.
I'll be going out for several hours tomorrow afternoon and evening, and I'll be leaving Bob in the crate, so we're practicing today. He's been in there over an hour, and he's doing fine. I've given him a couple of treats, but mostly I just ignore him, and he naps or entertains himself. He's a sweetheart.
8:04 PM 3/1/2005
We went for a short walk this evening, It would have been longer but it was cold outside. I used the pinch collar this time, since he had pulled a little last time with the flat collar. He didn't pull at all this time. He loves going for walks. There are so many interesting smells and things to see. I think he'd love to be someone's jogging buddy.
Now that he's given himself permission to get onto the furniture he likes to sit beside me on the couch, or lie with his head on my lap. He's soft and nice.
Wednesday -- 12:16 PM 3/2/2005
It's getting almost boring around here. Nobody bothers my sleep, all the dogs get nicely into their crates for their meals, nobody fights or barks excessively, and now that I'm watching Bob even more carefully he hasn't gone exploring again.
When I take Bob for walks we go past the van, and he always stops there hoping maybe we'll get in and go for a bye-bye. I've been using the pinch collar when we walk, most of the time, just because of laziness. With it I don't have to work or worry at all. With the flat collar I have to pay closer atention to him, and deliver an occasional reminding jerk. Otherwise he'd probably begin pulling harder, and harder, and harder...
I'll be going to my dad's 90th birthday party this afternoon and evening, and Bob will stay in the crate the whole time. I'm not gonna worry about him. He would probably do fine left loose in the house, but I know I'd worry, so I won't do that yet. He wouldn't do any damage, but I'd worry that he might decide to jump the 5 foot fence and go visiting. I don't know if he can make it over a 5 foot fence. I don't think he could, or would, but while I'm away in the evening isn't a good time to find out.
Thursday -- 9:22 AM 3/3/2005
It went fine last night, and when I got home everyone was right where I left them.
I went in and out this morning through the front door, just to see what Bob would do about trying to get out. He didn't. So I don't really know how often he'll do it, especially when I'm not ready for him.
6:05 PM 3/3/2005
For this evening's walk I used the extra long retracting leash. That worked amazingly well. It's obvious he's accustomed to using that kind.
He started out gradually increasing the distance between us, ranging out ahead. As soon as he felt himself at the end of the leash (with the flat collar) he slowed down to my speed. He started going from side to side, taking in all the sights and smells.
He found a tree that needed watering, so he stopped at it and I kept walking. When I was well past him and he was finished with the tree he ran as fast as he could to catch up to me and pass me. He kept on running, and I began to worry. He's big and strong, and going really fast.
I braced myself as well as I could, and waited for him to come to the end of the leash. He slowed down so quickly I didn't even feel a jolt. I relaxed for the rest of the walk and he got a lot more exercise than he would have with a shorter leash, and had a better time.
We probably went past more than a hundred trees and bushes and poles, but only once did he try to go on the opposite side of one. He's definitely done this before. When we'd come to a curb he'd wait or me to get close before stepping off.
We passed a couple of groups of kids playing, and a small dog across the street being walked. He behaved like a perfect gentleman with all of them.
Friday -- 11:36 AM 3/4/2005
We had a long morning walk, about 40 minutes, and again we used the extra long retracting leash. It's 18 or 20 feet long, I think.
He went on the wrong side of a couple of trees this time, and he pulled a bit more than yesterday. Never more than a normal person could manage, though. When he began pulling I yanked on my end, and his end got looser.
We went past a yard with an owl statue by the front of the house, and he barked and started rushing toward it. When I first saw it I thought it was a cat, and I suspect that's what he thought too. He wasn't hard to stop, and we went on our way. He ignored the boys in the street throwing a football.
Since I've been extra careful with the front door he hasn't ever tried to get out again. I've left him plenty of opportunities, but he hasn't taken them. Too bad, I was all prepared to stop him and teach him a lesson. Maybe he was reading my mind and only tries that when I'm not prepared.
7:42 PM 3/4/2005
I haven't told Bob yet, but in the morning we'll be going to an adoption event and open house, and he has appointments with some people who may want to adopt him. It looks like it won't rain much tomorrow, if at all. He's so nice I'll hate to let him go, but I sure hope he can find a wonderful family that will love him as he deserves.
Saturday -- 4:36 PM 3/5/2005
A funny thing happened at the open house today. I thought probably Bob would go home with someone else, and maybe I'd pick up another dog to foster.
So when someone asked if I could take a pair of dogs that needed a temporary home, I said sure, why not. And when someone mentioned the nice 4 month old pup that needed a home, sure, why not.
And Bob didn't get adopted. There were several people who really liked him, but they were afraid they'd have a problem with his wandering ways. So they didn't take him home. There's one family who are interested and thinking it over. I hope they decide to take him.
So now I have 4 foster dogs. And two of my own. And another one coming to visit overnight tomorrow while his parents are away. Good thing I like dogs!
Monday -- 8:39 AM 3/7/2005
Things have been so hectic around here I haven't found (or taken) the time to keep Bob's page updated. I'll try to do better.
All the dogs are being fairly good. I took 3 home that were reported to be either mostly housebroken (the puppy) or unknown about housebreaking. I got lucky on that one. The puppy took a while to realize he didn't have to wait for someone to open the dogdoor for him. But now he understands. And he takes himself out when he needs to.
Heckle and Jeckle turned out to be housebroken, with pretty good house manners, so we're doing almost OK in that regard. Yes, there have been a couple of accidents, but I've learned to clean up and not worry too much about it.
The nice family considering Bob are still considering. They'll probably visit him here and see how they feel about it then.
Since the first couple of days he was here he hasn't tried to escape, so I'm thinking maybe the problem isn't as bad as I first feared. I'm sure there will be some testing of the limits at first in his new home, but once he learns it doesn't get him anywhere he should behave himself. I think. I hope.
I may have scared away some people who would have been fine with him by telling them he's an escape artist. But I don't want to send him to a place that isn't right, so I have to tell people that. Oh well, if it takes a while to get him adopted I don't mind keeping him a while. He's an easy dog to foster, and he gets along well with my dogs.
Friday -- 8:07 PM 3/11/2005
Bob just went to his new adoptive home. His family met him last week at the open house, but they wanted to think it all over before they decided for sure. It's a major decision. So they came and visited him this afternoon, and asked some questions about him, and discussed it, and decided it was the right thing to do.
When they went out to the car with him they opened the back hatch to get things moved so he could get in, and he jumped in before they had a chance to move anything. They had to ask him to get out so they could get it moved.
When they had the back all cleared out they let him get in, and they shut the door and went to the front to get in. He went to the front to meet them, and he was almost in the front seat as they drove away.
I think they'll all be very happy together.
Sunday -- 3/13/05
I got a nice email from Bob's new family. All is well.
Hi Donna!
How have you been? Just wanted to give you an update
on Bob. We actually changed his name to Bosley
(pronounced Bahs-Lee) or Boz for short. It sounded
close enough to "bob" that he responds to it well.
He's been an angel since he's arrived at our home. He
hasn't had any accidents, hasn't barked once, and
hasn't done anything bad, and we've taught him to sit
and wait when we open any door or car door. Sometimes,
he gets excited and forgets to wait, but we pull him
back and make sure that he does. Pretty soon,
hopefully he won't need to be told at all.
He's been sleeping quietly though the whole night at
our bedside. We've even left him at home by himself
for periods of time, and when we come back everything
is how we left it. Be has a nice soft bed in the
bedroom and in the living room, so he hasn't even
tried to jump on the furniture. Plus he's already
learned to use the doggy door to go on the porch if he
really needs to go to the bathroom before we can take
him out. The real test will be when we go to work,
tomorrow. I'm planning to come home during lunch to
check on him. I'm sure he will be fine. He loved the
bath we gave him, including being blow dried.
Last night, however, because of his change in dog
food, he threw up part of his dinner in the house. I
pointed him outside and he used to doggy door to
finish getting sick outside. I was really impressed
when he came back in, he knew he wasn't finished, so
he turned right back around and finished getting sick
outside.
So as you can see, we are so happy that we were able
to take Bosley/ "Bob" home. Hopefully, he's as happy
as we are. Thanks for teaching him a few more manners
during the time that you had him. I've been trying to
take pictures of him, but he seems to be afraid of the
camera.
I'll keep you updated, and thanks for everything!
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