Goober, Goober, Goober!

Linda hosted another dog this weekend.  His name is Goober.

He arrived on another Darlington Express Transport.  The history on these dogs is rarely known, and they can prove challenging sometimes.  If they've never had a home, or are always kept outside, they lack all training in the manners of living inside.  Such was the case with Goober.  So Linda had her hands full -- of cleaning products.

First off, Goober got a sponge bath.  Since he also enjoys belly rubs, he didn't mind much that someone was doing double-duty and cleaning him at the same time.  In fact, he probably didn't even know.  But hopefully, he enjoyed his cleaner little self afterwards.
Linda didn't report how Goober was on the leash, or how he liked his walks.  But Linda did learn this morning that he doesn't like the vacuum cleaner much, and he seemed puzzled when he watched her scrubbing the carpet.  Linda seemed to drink an awful lot of coffee, which Goober didn't understand at all.  She seemed to think it would calm her nerves, but Goober didn't get why she needed her nerves calmed.  Could it possibly be because she's a cleaning nut?  After all, that's how she spent most of her morning before delivering him to the next leg of his transport.

As for him, he was quite comfortable other than when the Hoover came near.

Despite this being one of Linda's more difficult cases, she and I both know that he'll soon be in good hands at Furever Friends in Rochester, NY.  And they will work to quickly get him trained on good homelife behavior, which will prepare him to find his "furever" home.  He likes people and is sweet.  He just doesn't know what it's like to have a home.  Hopefully, that will change real soon.  We wish Goober lots of luck on his quest!  In the meantime, Goober owes Linda a large roll of paper towels.

Yay, Effie!

Let me introduce you to Effie, a sweet terrier mix, who arrived two weeks ago on the Darlington Express transport, and had the pleasure of spending one night at Linda's house.  She quickly warmed up to Linda, who treated her to cut-up chicken.  No wonder!  Bribery always works with dogs!  But she wanted to follow Linda everywhere, and even jumped over a baby gate to be sure Linda was within her sight. 

Effie loves walks, and her little tail never stopped wagging as she pranced along with Linda.  She also loves her belly rubbed.

Little Effie was so fortunate.  After she left Linda's, she went to a temporary foster home, who had a boxer.  Effie fell in puppy love with him.  But this proved she'd be great with other dogs.  And before you could say, "Lady and the Tramp", Effie was adopted by a family who also has a small dog.  Hopefully love will be in the air there too.

It's so gratifying to hear these success stories.  This transport idea works, one dog at a time.  Effie is proof positive!

Dolly at Home with Linda

Dolly, who has a happy home with Linda, my friend who took up dog transporting with a vengeance and also hosts doggies overnight to enable them to catch their transport the next day, casts her gaze at the view off her deck of Linda's condo.  Yes, that really is Dolly!  You might think she's a black lion with her mane cut this way, but that's beautiful Dolly, looking stately and beautiful, as a happy border collie should.

Update on Andrew, the Chauffeur

You may remember Andrew, whom I drove on April 29th, along with Dolly.  You will probably remember Andrew because he was the big guy who planted himself in the driver seat, ready to drive off into the sunset.  I don't always get updates on the dogs I drive, but I did hear how Andrew, now called Mr. Cooper (Mr. Cooper?  Wish I could offer up an explanation, but it's a mystery to me too) is enjoying his new life.  Excerpts from his new mommy and several photos follow.  It does my heart good, and I hope it will yours, to know these dogs are making great pets and finding happiness and well-being with their new families.  Enjoy!

From Andrew's new family. He's doing great!!

Carolyn

Sent: Thu, Jun 21, 2012 11:58 am
Subject: 18 great iPhotos of Mr. Cooper

Hello everyone. I thought it was high time to check in and share recent pictures of Mr. Cooper especially since finally we had the fence installed. Now he can roam free as a bird. Some of his favorite things are his soft cushy bed, his nylabone, tennis balls, and our daily morning walk together. He has brought such a joy to our lives and we could not imagine him NOT being here. Everyone who meets him instantly falls in love.  He has only barked 4 times, once at our roomba vacuum and the rest during play times. He loves to ride in the car (HA! -- little do they know he'll be driving soon! - Andrea) and we take him whenever we can.  He is such a good boy. So I just wanted to check in and give you that update and let you know how he is doing. I can't wait to take him somewhere he can try out swimming, with those webbed feet and his otter-like tail, I think he would love it. I was even thinking of getting one of those plastic baby pools and seeing what he does with that.   Would be perfect on a scorcher like today!

Wendy

 

A Match Made in Heaven

As I mentioned in my last post, I had seen an updated picture of Dolly, because my friend, Linda, is now fostering her -- post bath and grooming appointment.  Dolly looked so different to me, that I wasn't sure Linda was actually fostering the same dog I had transported.  I thought there might have been a mix-up.  It's amazing what a shampoo, a good brushing and a flattering haircut can do.

Dolly Before

Dolly After

Now for the BEST news of all!  After only a few days, Linda decided to adopt sweet Dolly, and was immediately approved!  So Linda and Dolly are happily creating their lives together.
 
And on Friday, May 25th, Dolly visited our workplace.  We closed early for the Memorial Day holiday.  It was a quiet pre-holiday Friday, with many employees on vacation, so Dolly was able to visit for about an hour before the office closed.  It is so gratifying to see one of my transports doing so well.  Dolly loves people and is an easy mark for a belly rub.  Or rather, most people are an easy mark to her, and that belly rub.

Here's Dolly at work.

By Linda's desk

Guarding the Project Drawings

  

And here's Dolly visiting with a couple of co-workers.

 

Happy Reunion - Dolly and Andrea

Dolly Training Kris

And finally, here are Linda and Dolly at home together.  Dolly is still a little unsure about what her life holds, as she has been through so much.  But she and her feline siblings are getting along peacefully, and Dolly just loves to be around people.  She looks a heck of a lot happier now than the day I picked her (and Andrew) up from their long transport ride!  We are confident Dolly will soon settle in completely, and will live a happy life forever with Linda.  Amen!

The King is Alive!

On Saturday, May 12^th, I was able to pick up a last minute transport, for King Arthur, a Collie mix. I went on this transport alone, since it was so last minute. King Arthur was surrendered by his family (circumstances unknown), and was fortunate enough to get on another big transport coming our way.

On my last transport, someone had told me about a hammock style seat protector that works great in the back of cars. I was told I could get one at Home Goods for $12. I was thrilled, as I felt the style would not only protect my seats, but would also help prevent dogs from trying to come up into the front seat while I’m driving. Even though I had it on my list of things to do, I had not yet gotten to Home Goods, so on Saturday morning, after committing to King Arthur’s transport, I managed to squeeze in a quick trip to Home Goods amongst my other errands.

$22 later (what happened to $12?!!?), I arrived home and got it untangled and installed in my back seat. There are straps that go around the back headrests, and two to go around the front headrests, which results in a hammock-looking cover from front to back. Perfect!

King Arthur and his driver arrived early, but I was waiting for them. Like many dogs before, he had no interest in relieving himself, despite a 15 minute encouragement session and walk. His driver had left and I continued to coax him, extolling the virtues of tree trunks and light poles, but he just didn’t listen. I finally gave up and we walked toward the open door to the backseat of my car. King Arthur seemed rather joyous to be getting into the car, and sure enough – in he jumped.

Only he scurried underneath my wonderful, new hammock protector, and plopped himself comfortably on the floor behind the passenger seat. He peeked out at me, I suspect because I was laughing uproariously. I think he may have thought he’d gotten a real looney-tune driver on this leg of his transport.

Na, na, na, na, na.

I was no more successful at coaxing him out of the car to relocate him to the top of the hammock protector than I had been getting him to pee on that wonderful light pole I’d told him about. After chuckling and coaxing for several minutes, I once again gave up, closed the door and we headed for Lenape Park in Sellersville, PA, to deliver him to Debbie. King Arthur contentedly slept on the floor and never moved a muscle, other than his eyes to peer at me. Probably wondered if I knew where I was going.

Debbie, her mother and her daughter were delighted to meet King. Or Arthur. What does one call King Arthur for short? King? Arthur? Artie? They all agreed that KA was the spitting image of a previous dog they had, only KA had black spots on his face. KA seemed a little wary about the park and all the attention, but he definitely showed huge interest in the kids’ baseball game, and stood ready to catch a ball if it came his way.


I hung around for awhile as Debbie cheered her son on at his game, and KA sniffed, wagged his tail, and checked everything out. Debbie said she wanted to be his foster, with the hopes he might become her family’s forever companion. Although the jury’s still out on that, King Arthur ended up in good hands.

I finally said my goodbyes, and headed out of the park –straight to a nearby McDonald’s – because I had to pee!

 



Dollywood Update

Dolly, pre-grooming

As you will recall, on my previous transport, I drove Dolly and Andrew, and Dolly was going to her forever home, but needed a good grooming.  She got the grooming, lost her “punk” look, and now looks like a completely different dog!  I know because I saw pictures and thought there had been some mistake, because the pictures I saw didn't look anything like the ragged little Dolly I had driven.  She was much less shaggy, with a much smoother coat, and looked sleeker.  I hope to share a current picture of her soon on my blog.  Trust me -- you won't recognize her.  But I know it's Dolly, because I trust the photographer.  It's my buddy, Linda! 

Dolly didn’t get to stay in her forever home.  Sometimes it just doesn’t work out.  The other border collie in the household is much younger and full of energy, and harassed Dolly to play too much.  With Dolly being 5+, she just isn’t interested in playing so much, and the situation was not fair to her.  So her almost forever mother reached out to Almost Home Dog Rescue (for whom I drive most of the time), and they agreed to take her back and find Dolly a foster home.

When Linda heard that Dolly needed a foster home, she stepped up.  She had already made up her mind to start fostering, so Dolly was a great dog to start with because she's so calm, and is purported to get along okay with cats. 

Linda received Dolly a week ago Saturday night, and everyone is doing well.  When I say everyone, I not only mean Dolly and Linda, but Linda’s three cats, who have been introduced to dogs of late.  So far, they keep to themselves pretty much, but one ventured out to inspect Dolly within 24 hours, so maybe new friendships will be born.

Linda has survived her first week of fostering, and is extremely committed to helping any way she can.  Dolly misses Linda when Linda's at work, but I'm very sure Linda misses Dolly even more.  Could this be a permanent match made in heaven?  I guess only time will tell.  But in the meantime, I'm proud to call Linda my friend!