Mrs.Nesbit's Diner

Wendy · 2010-02-17 07:45:25

Thank you Pedro, your words are such a comfort.

Haley was an awesome dog. Not the protective rottweiler you would think of. She was a mushy dog who loved everyone. Whenever anyone would come to the house, ie: cable guy, electric company, plumber, etc. she would befriend them and try to sneak out the door with them! She was so awesome with the kids, cats, kittens, puppies, everything! Just like Buster. I really lucked out with those 2 rescue dogs, they were discarded for whatever reason and I was the lucky one to be able to have them both for as many years as I did.

Jewel, our border collie mix is 12 years old now but still acts like she's 5 or 6. She is a crazy, hyper girl who is my shadow. I took her from a kill shelter the day before she was to be euthanized. Nobody wanted her, she had been there 6 months and had gone 'cage crazy' and would spin in the cage for hours and hours until she was exhausted. With a structured home routine and lots and lots of love she came around. She still spins when she gets overexcited or when I start up the vacuum (something about the sound triggers it) but otherwise is a totally normal dog who is awesome. She can even be trusted with the chooks! I NEVER thought that would happen as she was so fixated on them when they were little out in their pen. She would stand there for 1-2 hours, legs shaking with excitement, just waiting for a chance to grab one. Then, after they were bigger and free ranging, I worked with her on a leash and she realized that their poop was yummy...as gross as that is. So now she can be loose around them and doesn't even give them a second glance, just wants that all you can eat poop buffet, lol!

If I ever have time to figure out how to post pics I will put pics of Buster, Haley and Jewel on here, and the flock of course!

My heart is broken right now as I never thought I would lose 2 best friends in a 3 month span.

Thank you again for your kind words, they are appreciated more than you know...

Wendy · 2010-03-29 12:12:05

We found her! A rottie/husky mix came to the clinic last week from a local animal shelter to be spayed. I instantly loved her, she has a very sweet temperment and loves to give kisses. I took her home knowing she has a disability but wanted to see how she was with the kids, cats and Jewel, my border collie mix. She loves the kids, Jewel, and is slowly getting used to the cats. She especially loves my 5 year old who understands her the best of any of us. She doesn't even mind the chooks but no matter, she has to be leashed when outside of our fenced in dog area anyway.

Her name is Maddie and she is deaf.

Our 5 year old son has a severe speech disability and used sign language as his only means of communication from the age of 2 to almost 4 so he signs to her. The funny thing is she knows about 5 signs already. Come, stay, sit, down, good girl. She also understands that when she is out in the yard at night and I flash the spotlights to come right in. She doesn't react at all to anyone who awakens her either. She will just open her eyes, stand up and give you a kiss. Apparently she had been on her own for 6 weeks until the dog warden could catch her. She is very thin but we will work on that. Oddly enough, she is an excellent watch dog. Her other senses make up for her deafness and she is always watching EVERYTHING, except when she's sleeping, lol.

We knew she was out there, and are glad we waited. Thanks for listening.

Wendy

thndrdancr · 2010-03-30 11:04:40

So glad she "came to you". Sometimes you just KNOW, its very hard to describe.

She sounds wonderful and good luck, how fortunate you both are to have found each other.

Wendy · 2010-05-11 09:00:03

Well we still have Miss Maddie and she is doing very well! She is up to a good weight now and what a good watchdog she is! Almost too good...every time grandma and grandpa or the neighbors come over she acts like she's never seen them before and charges the fence. But as soon as I sign no to her and bring her inside she is fine. She is great with the kids, just steals their food any chance she gets, lol! She seems ok with most of our cats too and she pretty much ignores the chickens. I do have baby chicks inside right now and no way would I trust her with them. She does have a high prey drive but seems to be ok with 'our' animals. She barks as much as Buster did so I think that is helping keep predators away. I am so glad we have her.

Rustaholic · 2010-07-18 04:14:23

This has been a very nice read, Wendy.
We have a rescued German Shepherd/ Rottweiler mix.

About 135 pounds and he is turning into a great family dog.
I still need to test him with a stranger when we are not home.

Mrs.Nesbit's Diner

Announcement

#11 2010-02-17 07:45:25

Re: Missing my best friend...Buster

#12 2010-03-29 12:12:05

Re: Missing my best friend...Buster

#13 2010-03-30 11:04:40

Re: Missing my best friend...Buster

#14 2010-05-11 09:00:03

Re: Missing my best friend...Buster

#15 2010-07-18 04:14:23

Re: Missing my best friend...Buster

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