SOMETIMES TREATS JUST AREN'T ENOUGH

Who would have thought that a dog would notice the small opening between the floor and the elevator? Most of our dogs have never given a thought to that opening but to this dog, not only did he notice the opening, he had severe misgivings about crossing over it. Just look at what his body language is telling us.

He considered the treat lures that were offered, but to him, the value of those treats (which he had thoroughly enjoyed just moments ago out in our shelter park) were not enough to overcome his fear of making it over that threshold safely.

So we covered the threat, a very simple solution to a very real problem for our buddy, and it worked for him. His body language in the second photo is telling us that it's not a done deal for him, but he succeeded. Bigtime. That's what this scenario was about - giving the dog control over his environment and giving him an opportunity for success. Kudoes to our brave buddy.

No pushing the dog , no dragging the dog with the leash, no carrying the dog, no loud voice telling him it's ok when he knows perfectly well that it's not, all of which would have exacerbated his fear and done nothing to change it. We created the beginning of a positive emotional response to this particular fear. Each small success leads to a more confident dog. Not to mention the trust factor that we're establishing

So, thanks, honeybunch, for giving us yet another tool to work with youse guys. (No, I'm not from the Bronx.)

Just Dandy.

Sometimes a dog gets under your skin, and you hold a piece of them in your mind all day. Dandelion is one of those dogs.

She came into the shelter with a different name. And, I won't go into her whole story, but just know that it isn't the happiest story. The first time I went into her kennel, she crawled into my lap, laid her neck on mine, and let me hug her for a long time. I was hooked.

When I found out that Dandy (I call her Dandy. And Princess Dandelion) was not going back to her owner, and was going to foster care, and was going to foster care with friends of mine (!!)...well, let's just say I was ecstatic.

Last week, I went to my friends' house to see Dandy. She had been out of the shelter for a few days. When I walked into their house, she ran up to me, and I swear I could hear her say, "LOOK AT ME. How cool is this? I am SO happy! Thank you!"
In her foster home she is surrounded by two humans, two dogs, a hairless cat, two hairless rats, and a gecko. She likes to lay on the couch, and I hear she likes to sleep under the covers. I can't tell you how much this warms my heart.

Today, my dogs got to meet Dandy. We all took a walk together at McClaren Park. I was a little worried that my big girl would try to boss little Dandy around, but it went really well. From kennel to wooded trails, this little girl has come a long way.

I can't wait to see how happy she will make a very lucky adoptee. I just hope she'll keep in touch with me. I consider her a friend, and I think she might kind of like me too.

Stoney aka Coco aka ??

"What's your name now?", I wonder. Have they discovered your vast repertoire of ball talents? Even if they haven't found them all yet, I'm sure they will grow to love you as much as we did/do. A cheerful lass by nature, affectionate, graceful as a gazelle, and so much fun to play with, I was happy as I've ever been when the San Francisco SPCA took a good look at you and placed you in Maddie's Pet Adoption Center. A subsequent visit revealed that you were a staff favorite over there too, and then the next time I came to visit, you were gone. Some lucky person wanted you to share their home and baby, you made it. Bless us, you made it. You go, big lovely girl. Have a great life with your new family.