BEAKER GOES HOME

Beaker has been adopted to a very active retired couple in Vancouver.  He will be an only dog, which I think suits him quite well, and he may even get a basket on the bicycle to ride in.

When I met his new mom on Tuesday morning, before work, Beaker walked away with her without a backwards glance.  It certainly didn't hurt that he got to take his quacky duck with him....he bounced along side her on his way to the car never taking his eyes off that duck.  I'll have to remember that for future adoptions.  Beaker is such an easy going, adaptable dog I'm sure he's already loving his new home too.

Here is the last video that I took of him.  I love sharing cereal with the dogs because it's so crunchy, but Beaker had the softest acceptance of treats ever.  Sometimes he would almost look like he was going to close his eyes and fall asleep, if he took it any slower.

A NEW TOY

I went through a store yesterday and saw this hard plastic dog toy that talks.  All you have to do is just touch it and it talks to the dog, growls, howls and won't stop until it hasn't been touched for a few seconds.  I couldn't resist taking this home.  I didn't realize that the little plastic tab had already been pulled out of it and that there wasn't an on/off button.  So I took it up to the counter while it was chattering at me the whole time, rode home with it talking the whole way and then gave it to Beaker to see his reaction.  I didn't capture his initial frenzy with it, but he sure had fun.  It is just big enough that he can't get his teeth around it which I think frustrated him even more and he kept pushing it under or behind things and then would look at me to dig it out for him.

MINI TG REUNION IN THE SUNSHINE



Beaker suited up for a walk in the rain.

Beaker, at 8 months old, is doing better at asking for the door than some of the adult dogs that I’ve fostered.  He’s doing so well that he even asked for the door at my cousin’s place last week.  We were over there for dinner and had gone straight from daycare.  A couple of hours into the night he went up to the sliding glass door and looked back at me.  I took him outside and he peed right away.  I was so proud of him.  It’s one thing for a dog to learn to ask for the door at home as they’ve gone in and out of it so many times, but in a new home to go to a door they’ve never been out of before...what a good boy! 

As he settles in he is starting to become more attached to me.  I had thought he was a little indifferent to me but at my cousin’s he checked in quite a bit and wanted to stick nearby so he’s starting to rely on me more and more.   He is also becoming more active too.  He plays well with other dogs at daycare but I’m told he also goes for some human attention from the staff.  He comes out of there ready to go for a walk or play with any toys, but if you stop the activity he crashes with tiredness.  I love that about daycare!    He seems fine with being left alone for a short period in certain circumstances but in others he’s starting to wine and bark when I first leave.  He’s still a puppy though and will need someone to teach him to be okay with being left, in small, gradual increments. 

Yesterday, I met up with friends for a dog walk.  Between the four of us, we had 7 dogs and 6 of those were from Turtle Gardens.  Karyn with Reudi, is the sole reason that I ever knew about Turtle Gardens which got me fostering and out of one of my fosters came Kathy's adoption of Rosie (previously Buttercup).  Kathy also had Booker with her, who is from Bully Buddies and is such a soft, sensitive dog.  Then there was Gloria and her pack of three - Charlee (who I originally tried to adopt from TG), Tessa, and Milah (daughter of my foster Mattisue).   So alot of great connections in one group and we had an amazing walk.  With that many dogs to follow, Beaker was given off leash privileges.  Here are some pics from the walk:

Rosie, Tess, Milah, Beaker

 

Milah running full tilt

Crazy running face

 

Beaker



Milah chasing Beaker...a pretty even match.



Rosie



Booker - not a TG dog but he fits in just the same, and is such a good boy.



Booker, Tess, Reudi



Reudi....the dog that launched a bunch of TG relationships



Charlee



Beaker



Milah

I JUST NEEDED SOMEONE TO BLOG ABOUT

BEAKER

I took a bit of a break from fostering.  We had enough foster homes for all the dogs to come down in February and I also had a weekend out of town where I wouldn't be able to take a dog so I went to February's dog run just to help out and process the adoptions for the day, but came home dogless.  I enjoy my time with foster dogs as well as the down time without one.  But, when there was an opportunity to foster again I snapped it up.  There were two little dogs up North ready to fly down to Richmond and with Jodi's help in picking them up we were able to get Ariel on her way to her forever home and then Beaker came to me for fostering.   I should also give credit to Vicky who took charge of Ariel and Beaker for a bit so she could get them on their flight, which was a real bonus as both dogs were pampered with some great grooming (sorry Vicky, I ruined Beaker's 'do' in the course of one day...but it was in the name of good fun).

We went to the beach on Saturday and Sunday and at first Beaker would bark his head off at all of the dogs but after a few introductions he was fine with most dogs.  Some of the bigger dogs approaching fast would cause him to bark but once they were in sniffing distance he was good again.

Running back to me.

Watching the dog in the distance.



Full-tilt....running with much enthusiasm.

Faces you never knew a dog made when running back to you until you freeze frame.

I think its safe to say that Beaker enjoyed his trips to the beach and loves running in the sand.  He even ventured into the water without a second thought.  I see some swimming in his future.

At home he is quiet and although I take him out on a regular schedule he has also asked for the door a couple of times.  He is cuddly but also is happy to lay on his own end of the couch or on his dog bed.  He loves all of the toys I've put down for him but the kong seems to be a favorite so far.  

Beaker had his first day of daycare and I was told that he played all day long....as was evidenced when we got home and I started making my dinner.

I love dog daycare!

Tired little bedhead!