The previous post was about a dog that I had never met, whose name I did not know. I have now been informed that he was euthanized at the shelter. Of the millions of dogs facing similar fates, I can only put on this blog a miniscule percentage. Even of dogs I see on places like friend’s facebook pages or blogs, I can only choose certain ones. It is hard even for me to know what triggers me to choose some and let others go. I guess there was something about his face, or more likely that he reminded me of Scruffy in some way. I am so sorry to see he couldn’t be saved. I only hope that there is some way that he can now feel the thoughts that so many of us have for him.
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I only know he (she?) is in Memphis Animal Shelter, and that he needs a foster home. If you contact me I will get more information. Keeshonds can be very expressive as you can see just from the picture. They are not always the most perfect pets, but at least I think they are the most communicative. They can not make it on their own, and can not be without a loving family.
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Charlie is definitely not perfect, but he definitely tries to be. He seems to live by a certain credo and live by certain rules. I have written these down and call them Charlie’s Ten Commandments.
1. Obey my daddy 100%
2. Never do anything Daddy thinks is bad
3. Warn and protect the family against intruders
4. Be nice to my sister and let her be the alpha dog
5. If I accidentally do something bad, let Daddy know how sorry I am
6. Show everyone in the family how much I love them every single day
7. Eat all my dog food no matter how unappetizing it may be (I know there are treats coming later)
8. Do no harm to any living thing. I can growl, bark, chase, but never bite (at least not hard). If there is an intruder that Daddy seems to know, I can not bite him at all or even growl (loudly).
9. Faithfully follow and be with Daddy all the time even if my sister is upstairs with Mommy
10. Never hide my enthusiasm and exuberance for every single tiny thing that is a part of my life (such as going outside, coming back in, such as chewing a bone that I don’t really like when Daddy gives it to me, and everything else).
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I have been asked how it is that Charlie went fron 36 pounds when we adopted him to 45 pounds now (where I want him). Turns out there’s really no secret. His previoous owners had kept him on a diet to keeop him at 34 -36 lbs at their vet’s suggestion. (We only found this out recently.) When Charlie first arrived he appeared to be in extremely good shape and I even wondered if he was doing agility or something. Our vet agreed that he was in “top show shape.” Looking at him, I still thought he was too thin and decided to “bulk him up” by making sure he ate a little more than normal at each meal, while maintaining exercise for him. I now think what really happened is that his frame is really for a 45 – 50 lb dog (almost same size as Scruffy was). Since I was not trying to keep him at 36 lbs like his prevous owners, he has now grown into his natural size.
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Margaret, me, Ruby and Charlie
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Many posts ago, I mentioned that Charlie weighed about 36 lbs when we got him. I also mentioned that I would try to bulk him up a bit, mainly by diet and exercise. I thought his frame could handle more weight without getting fat. Well, today he was at the vet and he weighs 45 lbs! He is as active as ever and is certainly not fat. I think this is about his ideal weight.
Ruby was an obese 44 lbs when we got her. We slimmed her down to 32 lbs which is slightly above what I think her ideal weight is (even for the super-large Beagle that she is). Well today she weighed 35 lbs, so we have some work to do.
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Recently I posted about a plastic owl that seemed to scare Ruby, maybe becasue of its realistic eyes. A few days ago, while in the back yard, Ruby showed the same behavior – abruptly halting and then hesitantly sniffing from a distance. This time it was a part of a plant that had fallen to the ground. It was the general size and shape of a jalepino pepper, but plumper and lighter in color. Looking at it, I tried to figure out what could be scary about it. Then I realized that it could be mistaken for a large green bug. Is Ruby that smart that she is afraid of big bugs the same way I am? My fear is based on the fear of accidentally squashing one as I go to swipe it off my body. I would expect this type of unfounded, almost superstitious fear to occur in the more intelligent primates such as apes, but not dogs. Of course I am not sure Ruby thought it was a bug.
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More About RoscoeRoscoe is a purebred nine month old male Keeshond that’s adorable AND sweet! SINCE OUR ADOPTION FEE IS SO LOW, why not consider a nice DONATION, tax free, to help us furnish and supply equipment to our NEW SHELTER! The staff at Story County Animal Shelter works very hard to find JUST the right home for EVERY animal that comes through the door. I’m a volunteer and I see the relentless dedication and love they have for all the pets. For information call : 515-382-3338. Roscoe is house trained and spayed/neutered.
My Contact Info
Story Co. Animal Shelter
Nevada, IA
515-382-3338
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More About SMOKEY7-17-10-COURTESY POST- SMOKEY is a 9 month boy Keeshond and is black/gray . He was hit by a car and dumped. He had 2 bone surgeries and has had his leg amputated. He is super sweet, loves kids, dogs and cats. He is doing great on house training. Are you the special person for SMOKEY? He is neutered, heartworm negative and current on all vaccinations.
For an application please e mail Danita Schimmelpfenig/ FUREVER FRIENDS at- dognme@madtel.net *********************************************************** ADOPTION FEE: 250.00 Adoption Fee will reimburse costs incurred by the foster caregiver for vaccines administered, deworming medications, flea/tick treatment, heartworm test, and spay/neuter surgery if the dog is not already altered. ***********************************************************
NOTE: All applications are processed in the order received, but an adoption is made to the best application received for each of our animals. All applicants must provide a veterinary reference on the adoption application. Home visits often occur prior to each adoption. Understand that the adoption fee is not for the purchase of a dog, but rather to cover the medical cost of all dogs in our care. SMOKEY is up-to-date with routine shots, house trained and spayed/neutered.
My Contact Info
Penny’s Wish
Kansas City, KS
620-437-2364
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Missing since last night, Male Keeshond (no collar).
My wife, Karen, is walking for the 4th year in the 2 day, 40 mile Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Help her reach her goal of $3,000 and support the fight against breast cancer. Make a secure online donation 