Going the miles for Miles

Or...that sad Frost line arises: and Miles to go before I sleep. Such sadness underscores the beauty of our fragile at-risk Berkeley dogs. Beautiful, happy (once he's befriended you!) Miles epitomizes this beauty. Some of you may wonder why he hasn't been posted, and why he has a special 'HALTI ONLY' warning on his Red-Dot walk card.

Well, Miles is a doll. He sits to be collared, as he knows you're taking him out; and he runs like a stallion, with or without his toys, in the play area. (Almost knows "drop it"!)

But, as some may know, he was distressed at being left at BACS and can be high-strung and barky with strangers at his barrier. Then, he had to be sedated in order for the vet to check out his badly infected ears. Kate and Tim have done a wonderful job acclimating him to his probably lifelong ear meds. But Miles also has a drama-king's aversion to the prong collar (I've developed some ambivalence about using the prong for my dog, as there are effective trainers and training sites who have gentler methods and consider the prong a tool of torture--see below): i.e., he will start yelping and sometimes jump and roll around in a fit of civil disobedience. Humor aside, he's never redirected with me; but I know he'd get himself in trouble were anyone to try a pop correction with him.

Those who walk him regularly know he's amenable enough to the Halti--he'll actually slip right into it! though his affection for other dogs makes him a bit feisty when they pass.

But he did pass his temp test on that score: great with dogs; also with cats--but then! the old vet aversion kicked in when his paws were handled during his temp test: he tried to bite. He is probably set to be a 'rescue-only' boy.

Yet everyone at BACS seems to realize that Miles is essentially a great, loving, safe dog--with this handling caveat.
Obviously, though, that's some caveat, and it's important not to be complacent about his apparent ease, to prevent him from 'getting in trouble.'

So I am hoping other Miles fans will join me in experimenting with some Dog Listening (NOT Whispering) methods that saved former BACS inmate Mallory, an extremely dog-reactive lab mix who was otherwise a love. The day she was to be put down, she was rescued by Dog Listening trainer Penny Locke. Some of her and a colleague's video links listed below. And some lovely shots of a happy happy Miles in the doggie play pen. Please contact me if you're interested in working with Kyree, an Oakland -based Dog Listener, to help Miles--and maybe also help dogs like Bella, Noodle, Faye, Jasper--smooth out their mouthy kinks. BACS also has Jan Fennel's DVD, and I have a copy as well if you'd like to borrow. All part of our Red Dot Education! Alexandra (510) 849-2613

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxfP2O09bx0 Cali plays with a tire/early days

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELXqugUj9rA Cali sharing space

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEjPOpIgrXQ But it's mine today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNRDHpNtFk4 (22bradshaw's rescue of a 'vicious' South African Dutch shepherd)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN84oAl8tCA (part 2)

Hercules check-in

I'm sure we all remember Hercules, who went to a sanctuary in Humboldt County several weeks ago. I called the sanctuary to follow up on how Hercules was doing, and got some good news. He was adopted quickly! The sanctuary uses caution when they adopt out pits and pit mixes, but they were very pleased with the couple that adopted Hercules. Herky is now residing up in Humboldt County, and it sounds like all is well with him.

Unfortunately no pictures or adopter testimonials but I wanted to share with everyone. Hercules had a long road to find his home but it looks like it finally happened for him. Thanks to all the volunteers who worked with this lovable but challenging dog, especially Mike & Summer Vodnoy and Larry Gurley who put in a lot of hours with him. Plus Tim, Donna, and Donyale at BAD RAP who also helped him along.

Cleo: one clever (and very happy) girl

From the day Cleo arrived at the shelter, it was clear that she was a very special girl. Here's an update from her mom, Noreen:

Cleo has been an outstanding dog: smart, loyal and full of love and kisses! It has been about two months since we adopted her, and she already knows Come, Sit, Down, Up, In, Out (of her crate, or the car), Stay, Fetch and Drop It - well, almost! We took her to the beach over the weekend for her first romp in the water - and she loved it! She loves chasing other dogs, and is nothing but friendly towards all four-legged critters she meets (well, except squirrels)!

Way to go, Cleo.

Sweet Samuel Has a New Home

Samuel is a guy whose looks always belied his sweet nature. And who would have guessed that, while he was an enthusiastic enough walker, he mostly liked to sit on the bench and give kisses. Today he finally found a shelter browser who wasn't fooled by his tough-guy facade! Samuel has gone home to live the good life with a female pit mix (another BACS dog from years past, I think).

Beauty's Only Skin Deep, as the Temptations sang. Samuel is living proof.

Rory Has A Girlfriend!

Many of us loved Rory, the big guy with a huge head and a gentle heart. Last week, a neighbor of Kathy Kear's came in to meet him (thank you, Kathy!)-- and of course she found Rory irresistible. The big question: how would her alpha female pittie take to Rory moving into her space, where she has been a prized only dog? We did a long 'meet and greet' walk, and things seemed to be okay, though Rory was clearly lots more interested than Pippin was in having a, ahem, relationship.

With excitement and a little trepidation, Kate took Rory home. We all crossed our fingers. A few short days later, Kate reports that Pippin and Rory are in love!

Pippin, you couldn't have found a nicer guy. We're so happy for both of you.

We knew you could do it, Roscoe!

Roscoe, now Hank, is thriving in his new home. But don't take it from me. Here it is directly from his new mom (who won't be offended by my editing, I hope):

"It's been almost a month since I adopted Hank and I wanted to let you know he is doing great. He is much more confident and is so mellow that I take him to work with me at the tattoo shop almost every day. He is so gentle and affectionate with everyone, I think he makes the tattoos hurt less! Today we went to the beach and I let him off-leash for the first time. At first he was a little scared of the ocean but a girl pit who had also been recently adopted showed up and showed him the ways. He was so happy!"

Go Roscoe! Oops, I mean Go Hank!