AARF Dog Adoption Stand

I'm sorry to say that neither Bruce or Tiki will be at the adoption stand this Saturday. Foster mom has go out of town to be with family this weekend. Please email me to if you are interested in meeting one of my foster dogs at Ashley_Nollen@yahoo.com

What's the best home for me?

Bruce would do best with another dog in the house. He LOVES dogy company and he really does need a playmate. His forever family should not be one that travels to far away lands every week- Bruce does get carsick. As far as children go- his one ear hurts if you yank on it, due to an old injury. So, children that are old enough to understand not to pull on dogy ears, would be just fine for Bruce. He often enjoys a good pet from kids at the dog stand. He has an excellent temperment for little ones.

Please if you are considering adopting ANY dog, have some idea of how you are going to excerise them. Even low energy dogs still need daily excerise.

Please feel free to email me, Bruce's foster mom, at Ashley_Nollen@yahoo.com

Bruce will be at the AARF Adoption Stand THIS Saturday (July 26th) from 11am- 3pm at the Petsmart at Libbie and Broad st.

Look I'm FAMOUS!!!!

http://www.wrva.com/pages/dogoftheweek.html

Quickie Update

Bruce is doing wonderful with his housetraining- he hasn't had an accident in about 3 weeks now. He's doing a *little* better about not getting sick in the car- finally learned he has to lay down in the backseat as oppose to standing and swaying.

Bruce is getting to be his proper weight.. I think he's about 60 pounds right now, he may gain about 5 more pounds for a grand total of 65. He's not growing anymore- he's at his adult height- but he still needs to put on just a few more pounds to be at his normal weight. When Bruce first came to AARF he was severely skinny- you can see some of that in the blue picture with him looking up at the camera. His spine and ribs showed too much back then.

He still doesn't know how to play fetch, but he does like holding the toys in his mouth... he just doesn't bring them back to you.

Hello World!

Bruce has gone on several adventures. First to the river. He wasn't too sure about water. Getting his paws wet was one thing, but swimming?! Turns out he was a natural. The second time at the river he swam out to his Foster Dad out of the blue and asked to be held. He holds on with his toes. He was running around and splashing and having a great time. Its the best way to beat the heat.

He also got to go to Woofstock, which is a fundraiser to benefit Richmond Animal League. AARF will be having our Paws In the Park Fundraiser this Saturday June 14, 2008 at the Innsbrook picnic area from 10-3. For more information see http://www.aarf.org/pawsinthepark2008.htm

Anyway, at Woofstock Bruce had fun meeting new friends of the dog and children variety, trying out the agility equipment and laying in a ice pile. He knew how to do it right, he just walked run up and layed down. The other dogs shuffled around him for a bit and eventually he was joined by a few dogy friends.

Bruce has really blossomed. He now LOVES going on walks. He can pull a little bit but the gentle leader really helps with that. He also likes going to the dog park even though a little boston terrior scared him. (Its funny how the little dogs always get the best of the bigger dogs). He likes playing tug of war and shaking toys he finds. He does NOT rip cloth toys to shreds but he does like to shake them about. He's really into raw hides.

He still has some puppy energy to him as he is only a year old. He settles down nicely after a good walk, a trip to the dog park or a swim in the river. He's getting better about hopping into the car on his own. He still gets car sick from time to time and his house training is going well with few accidents.

He hasn't gotten much attention at the dog adoption stand, which is odd because he has such a beautiful face and sweet temperament. If you are looking for a great dog look no further! Come meet Bruce at the AARF adoption stand on Saturdays from 11am-3pm. And please contact me, his foster mamma, Ashley at Ashley_Nollen@yahoo.com

AARF Website: www.aarf.org

All About Bruce :D

Good Stuff First:

Bruce is gaining weight! Yay! According to last thursday's vet visit (when he got neutered) he has gained 4 pounds. He still needs *at least* 6 more pounds to go. He should be somewhere between 60-65 pounds when he is at a proper healthy weight.

He loooooves giving dogy kisses! Beyond what a normal dog gives. He HAS to give you LOTS of kisses. And he's got a big tongue o.o

He hasn't quite figured out squeaky ball yet, but he likes holding them in his mouth. We are still working on fetch. Right now he'll pick up a ball and go lay down somewhere with it.

Bruce knows his name and does come to it. He has also learned sit! He has an amazing ability to balance on his hind legs for an extended period of time, he has the talent of a Circus dog. : ) He's not too hard to train and does want to please. He really likes milkbones.

He plays incredibly gently with his foster dog sisters. His mouth is much bigger than his sister's are but he has a very soft mouth. More often and not he will "paw" at them- basically he takes his foot and just pops them in the head. Tee hee.

He is very playful but also very calm. He really doesn't bark too often. He has a very mellow but perky demeanor.

Stuff that needs work:

He is *mostly* housetrained. He's had two pee pee accidents in the house. Honestly I don't think thats too bad given his mysterous past. He was found as a stray and brought to the pound. He was nervous about coming into the house the first time (he's so over that) so I suspect he had never been in a house before. I don't think it will be too much longer before I can say he's fully housetrained.

He gets carsick sometimes. Not fun. He tends to "dig" at the seat right before he gets sick. He doesn't much like getting in the car and I normally have to pick him up to put him in. Feeding him before giving him a car ride is a baaaad idea.

He's still not too sure about this "walking" on a leash thing. He doesn't tug- in fact he is the opposite, he likes to park his butt. I think this is due to still being nervous about going back to the pound. He walks better when his foster sisters are going on the walk with him.