Welcome Home Charlie-boy!

 

Well, the meet and greet went really well today. Started off taking them all for a walk separately before introducing them, and then we introduced Ciara, who did some serious butt and what-not sniffing to check him out, and then we took them for a little walk together before returned and introduced dexter. They all went well, but then they were all hot as well...lol, though I never foresaw any problems.  The trainer at the kennels was a bit concerned about them what with Ciara being a dominant, but I think he must have misunderstood me when I said that she was. what I meant is that in all packs, with all animals, there is a heirarchy - Ciara is just at the top of that - was all I meant. In that respect, there was absolutely nothing to worry about.

 

The main concern now is Charlie-boy's behaviour. It has always been thought he suffers from separation anxiety, but the trainer at the kennels doesn't think that it is. He thinks it is more bad behaviour, bad manners and no real discipline.  Now Charlie-boy has had free reign for the years until he came into foster care, and has obviously not known any boundaries.  So Charlie is being crate-trained (which is a new one on us as we've never crate-trained before), and he doesn't like going into the crate and boy, is he strong! I put him in there briefly for a couple of minutes while I was on here, and he proceeded to cry and rattle the cage. I let him out when I had to go and get the washing in. 

All three pooches are now sprawled on the tiled floor underneath the table here. Except when the neighbour over the back calls her cat - then Dexter starts woofing, which in turn sets Charlie and Ciara off woofing as well. lol  And all she did was call "Mimi!" once...every so often.



So after discussing it with Vicki, we are on an extended adoption trial of 4 weeks, afterwhich we can adopt him. Though she stressed that if it is too much don't feel like we HAVE to keep him and feel bad about taking him back, because HE IS a difficult boy and can be very destructive. I watched him in the crate when I put him in and he latched onto it and went hammer and tong on it, shaking it this way and that. All because he didn't want to be in there. Basically like a little child throwing a tanty. As adorable as he is, Charlie-boy is a brat!  And THAT is what we have to train OUT of him.

 

Yes, it will be a challenge...but, it's a learning experience for us all - canines and humans alike!  Charlie-boy really is adorable, and really does seem eager to please so that in itself will help in training. He is just stubborn - staffy stubborn - and very very strong!  But Charlie - me boss, you pooch!

We have a storm going on at the moment and he doesn't seem overly phased at all by it...whereas Ciara is panting like a steam train. lol

Anyway....stay tuned for more on Charlie-boy, as I'm sure there will be more to come!
 

Tomorrow's the Day!

 

Well, the big day is here....tomorrow at least.  Tomorrow morning we head up to the kennels with Ciara and Dexter to meet the beautiful Charlie-boy!  I'm trying my best NOT to be anxious, but the suspense is almost killing me!  I am remaining positive that all will go well but there is a part of you that just wants to get it over with so we can all relax again.

 

This is an important day, not so much for us but for Charlie. He has had a rough time of it going back and forth between various homes that just never lasted, which of course only adds to his anxiety. Tomorrow is important for him because after all he has been through he really REALLY needs a home.  And we want to offer that for him, and be his safe haven.

 

When we meet tomorrow, we will do a slow introduction with Ciara (our boss girl) before bringing Dexter into the equation.  Because it is important that Ciara meets him first, gets to know him with some serious butt-sniffing and the like and maybe a little play - as she is the canine pack leader.  Then we will slowly introduce Dexter because he is a hyper boy, Ciara does tend to jump in when Dexter is playing with another to "protect" her boy.  This is the important factor and we need to work it just right.  I do so want this to go well for Charlie, because he needs a good home, and we want to give him that so he never has to be pushed from pillar to post again.

 

Please keep us in your thoughts tomorrow, and that for Charlie's sake, it all goes smoothly....and Charlie can be "home" at last.

Charlie at the Kennels

 

Here is Charlie, enjoying the sunshine and interaction with all the other dogs at Dogwoods Country Kennels.  He loves the company of both people and canines alike, and seems to be doing quite well considering all his recent setbacks. While I'm not usually a huge fan of kennels this particular one seems to a fabulous place, set amongst the vast bushland of the Blue Mountains boasting a huge acreage on which they reside.

 

I visited the Kennels' Facebook page this morning and was greeted with this happy smiley photo of the Charlie-boy, captioned "Charlie - another happy staffy". Is there any other kind? lol  It was great to see the photo on there, and it helped ease a few fears I had for the little guy stuck all the way up there - being bounced about from pillar to post. 

 

Do I have a home, or do I not have a home - that is the question?!

 

Well, Charlie-boy, just you hang in there! Just another 2 nights at the Kennels and we'll be up on Sunday morning to meet and greet you with your two new (hopefully) siblings.  And all going well, you will come home with us and start your new life - once and for all!

 

I have discussed the situation with my two and have had words with Ciara, the lady boss, and have reassured her that SHE will always be my girl but this little guy needs to know the love and comforts that she and Dexter are lucky enough to enjoy.  Ciara is very intuitive, and she can sense your mood, how you feel and knows what you are thinking long before you even voice them, so it was important that I reassure her that she is not going to be left out and that she is still my girl. 

 

On the day I received the call to say Charlie was on his way to the kennels as his adoption trial fell through (again), talks were had and plans were being made - Ciara knew.  For that very afternoon when we returned home from some errands they both greeted us excitedly, but Ciara then took herself up to the back corner of the yard and nestled herslef in the garden behind a mass of lantana and jasmine (and weeds) - which is her "safe place" when she feels scared.  I called her and she came out but just stood in the middle of the yard, not coming any further.  She knew. So since then I have been working with her to reassure her that she's still my girl, and having little chats about Charlie with them. She knows. She understands. So it's important I stay positive about the situation and not let her feel threatened in any way.

 

 I've also reminded her of the times Dexter annoys her and pesters her to play, even when she just wants to relax, and I've told her that as they are of similar ages, Charlie and Dexter could be happily playing together outside or in the back room while she just "chills out" on the couch in the house or on the bed. No need to be disturbed or being pestered to play all the time.  As an older girl approaching her 8th birthday in April, she likes to enjoy a nap or two more often.  Dexter, of course, will be happy to have another playmate!

 

So hang in there, Charlie-boy! Not long now....and hopefully in 48 hours you will be curled up here with these two, enjoying the lap of luxury that is also yours to come!

A Home for Charlie

 

As most of you probably know, I have two gorgeous English Staffordshire Bull Terriers who feature proudly in my header and my blinkie - Ciara, who is 7, and Dexter who is 21 months. I love staffies as they such people-oriented dogs, and if socialised young, are also dog-friendly. The staffy is also known affectionately as "the Nanny dog", for their love of children and their protectiveness toward them. Staffies simply "love to love and be loved"! And if you ever venture through my door, you will almost certainly receive a full body search from both of mine...lol.

 

Anyway, last week a gorgeous red staffy in need of a "furever home" was brought to my attention. I don't know why he stood out amongst all the others, as I have seen plenty of shelter dogs and those in the pound and rescue needing homes, but this precious boy just touched my heart. His name is Charlie, and he was surrendered last year because, at only 2 years, he was blind with cataracts. He obviously won the hearts of a local rescue group too as they took him from the pound and spent some $6,000 on surgery to restore his sight - which was completely successful, I might add.  They said to witness him see things for the first time was a pure joy - as I can well imagine.

 

But Charlie's troubles were not over.  Sadly, he suffers separation anxiety and is very clingy - probably attributed to his blindness - and while foster carers and the rescue group have worked with him to help him with his anxiety, they have been unable to place him in a permanent forever home. He has been in several homes already, all of which have returned him, unable to cope.  The most recent being today.

 

 Only Sunday just gone, he went to his potential new home. Then today the foster carer with Paws n' Hooves rescue group received a phone call while she was on her way to work, saying "We're on our way back with Charlie!" After TWO DAYS!!  They couldn't cope with him and don't want their son to become attached to him. So poor Charlie returned once again, and was placed in the kennels - as no foster carer was able to take him on on such short notice.

 

I have been in contact with Charlie's carer for the last few days about his needs etc. and then again today regarding his return.  Unfortunately, as she works full time she is unable to get to the kennels (which are about an hour and a half away) until the weekend. So we have organised to meet with Charlie, with his foster carer, on Sunday morning with our two. And if all goes well, we will take him under a 2 weeks trial basis - which is really only to see if Ciara (our boss dog) welcomes him. I will not give up on him for any other reason, than if Ciara doesn't accept him.  THAT would be the only reason.  Poor Charlie won't know whether he is coming or going, he has been in that many homes!  What he needs is consistency. Staffies are stubborn creatures at the best of times, but with his needs, consistency is the key to helping him manage his anxiety.  He may never completely get over it, but it can be managed.  And, Ciara willing, I won't give up on him for that.

  Poor Charlie really has not taken a trick.  But hopefully this is the end of the line for him and we are his FUREVER HOME!

 

These are photos of the gorgeous Charlie we fell in love with - as you can see why!