Scruffy The Legend

Hi friends,
If you read this blog you probably are a big fan of Keeshonds. So am I. The last thing I ever thought was that I would ever be as big a fan of Beagles - Beagles! - can you imagine. Well Ruby changed all that. Here’s what I think of Beagles now: Beagles are not as “in your face” loving or intelligent as Keeshonds. Maybe they are even lazy and slow to learn. If I may dare, I say that they may be even smarter than Keeshonds and certainly not lazy. Their intelligence is on a different level - a deeper one, I suspect. They don’t always show their emotions as easily as Keeshonds. If I ask my Keeshond Charlie for his paw (or whatever trick) he does it immediately with vigor. Ruby ponders the situation and only gives her paw (slowly) under the following circumstances: a treat is being offered and Charlie is giving his paw. If I reprimand Charlie, he looks very upset for about 3 seconds, and then goes about his business. If I reprimand Ruby she goes to her bed and wimpers for a full minute or so.

Please read the following and help if you can:

From the Happy Tails group on Yahoo.

Three days ago while walking my mini Schnauzer at Alley Pond park here in Queens NY, my partner and I came across 2 Beagles who seemed quite lost. One dog seemed more vulnerable than the other. She was visibly tired and disoriented. She would call out for her “brother”, and he would sidle up to her,and reassure her. It was poignant to witness this trust and dependability between the two dogs under the
circumstances.

They have a very strong bond with one another. Ultimately we shepherded the dogs into our car and took them to our vet for a once over. He proclaimed them to be generally healthy. We brought them to
our groomer who gave both a much needed bath. We have plastered the park and surrounding area with flyers, in the hopes of finding the owner(s).

We can afford to keep them for a few days to a week, but we both travel quite a bit during the year, and we cannot accommodate these dogs into our day to day reality.

They are so sweet tempered and loving. They are not rambunctious or loud. Their behavior with our dog Roshi has been impeccable, no squabbling over territory, toys or food.

We don’t want to arbitrarily “dump” them at a shelter that might have no option but to euthanize after a certain grace period.

Please help us do the right thing by these two sweet dogs.

Thank you very much,

*CONTACT:
Elena cell: 718-736-3882
Tina cell: 516-639-4591

2009, 2009 April Adoption

Of course, you know that Scruffy was a pack leader and had little time for what he considered mindless pursuits such as playing fetch. Charlie, on the other hand has no aspirations of pack leadership and loves to play ball. Ruby is a hound. She says hounds do not play ball - only retrievers do. Anyway, if you play the video, you will see that she eventually convinces Charlie that rolling in the grass on a particualrly good smelling spot ( I guess) is more fun than silly ball playing.

2009, 2009 April Charlie

Things are going well with Dash. The word is that “probably” he will not leave his foster home, but will be adopted by them. They have 2 more weeks to make up their minds (their foster contract allows them 3 weeks to determine if they will keep him). If they decide not to adopt him, they still plan to foster him until a forever home is found. So far, all of the neighbors love him, as do their dogs. He gets along very well with all of them. He gets along well with all of the cats, except if they run, he will chase them. He doesn’t hurt them, just chases. He loves to swim. He doesn’t like serious grooming; brushing is great…anything more is in the category of “not good.” He does not like joggers or motorcycles. Bicycles and walkers are great. He is still working on his obedience commands and on walking on a leash without pulling; he likes toys; he ate a sofa pillow (he didn’t exactly eat it, but it was definitely killed). The foster parents, had forgotten what it was like to have a “youngster” in the house, so some of his behavior is a definite reminder of “things we need to watch for.” All in all, they believe Dash is a true Southern Gentleman, and are enjoying getting to know him. That’s the word for now.

I believe new pictures will be coming soon.

Thanks, everyone, for helping to make a happy life for Dash!

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Here is a link to the Keeshond Newsletter: Curly Tails, Volume 8 Issue 1, April 2009 Newsletter.  This Newsletter contains pictures and information of a number of Keeshonden that are awaiting adoption.   You can see all the Keeshonden at: www.keeshondlovers.com.

Think you know everything about Keeshonden??? Take this test to see if you are as smart as you think.  Quiz

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I have tried not to advertise my book on the blog but sales have slowed just a tiny bit. If you read the book and liked it, please tell a friend. If you have not read it, I have to admit that it may not be for everyone. Marley and Me is a book that is for everyone. Maybe that’s why it has slightly better sales volume than my book. OK maybe more than slightly better sales.

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	These strange white clumps have begun to appear in our yard over the last couple of days.  These are a) manna from heaven, b) spring snow, c) a type of mushroom, or d) Charlie fur ? The correct answer is “d”.  To learn more read about “Dog Wool” on my wife’s blog.

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I have received word that Dash is being moved to an experienced foster care family who are intersted in a adopting a dog at this time.  This could be it, folks!  I will keep ypu posted.

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Dash first appeared on this blog on Mar 11. He was in a municipal shelter at that time and his future was very bleak. Through the help of some wonderful people, his future is much brighter. I think you can see this it in his face. He is now being fostered by the caring people at Suncoast Keeshond Rescue. We do need a permanent home for Dash. I have never met Dash, but based on what his rescuers say, he is a gentle loving dog whose main fault seems to be that he may want to spend too much time in your lap licking your face.

If you think you have room for this kind of affection and can provide some of your own please contact:

Suncoast Keeshond Rescue
PO Box 82
Elfers FL 34680
Phone: 727-534-9002

Some post scripts:
Latest word on Maggie (several posts below this one) is that she has been adopted!

Please understand that any dog you adopt has been through a nightmare. The dog has lost its original family or may never have even had one. Its not like raising a puppy. They are new to you and you are new to them. They may have faults; their initial behavior may not be perfect. Please try and make a commitment to your newly adopted dog to forever care for it, and to try to make it the happiest dog in the world. When your dog finally understands this commitment, you will know it, and it will be one of the most rewarding experiences you have ever had.

2009 April Adoption

I know you have all been waiting for the rematch between Charlie and Ruby (previous post). The previous bout ended in a draw. This time was different. Unfortunately there were boos and cries from the spectators that this second fight was fixed - that Charlie took a dive! You can see one of the disgtuntled spectators leaving before the end of the fight. That spectator missed the horrific end of the fight. Charlie rolled over and played dead! Charlie was fined by both the WBC and AKF 30 dog biscuits for unKeeshond-like behavior. This will really hit Charlie hard. His whole take from the fight was only one-half a dog biscuit. I am sure he will appeal.

2009 April Charlie, Ruby

This is what you have all been waiting for!  You can not find this amount of excitement anywhere else of the web.  Charlie the Keehond takes on Ruby the Beagle in a world heavyweight bout.  This fight is sanctioned by both the WBC (World Beaglle Council) and WKF (World Keeshond Federation).  This contest is brought to you by: Scruffy the Legend - What’s on Your Bookshelf?

Tale of the tape:

Charlie is a 5-year old Keeshond.  Small for the breed, weighing in at only 35 pounds.  He was proclaimed by a vet to be in top show shape, when we adopted him.  He is extremely fast and agile.  We have been trying to bulk him up a bit, but can’t get him to lift weights.

Ruby is a 5-year old Beagle or Beagle mix.  She is taller than the breed standard and weighed 44 pounds when we adopted her.  She has been dieting and exercising.  She weighs about the same as Charlie now.  She is still above her ideal fighting weight.

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