The Places I Have Been & The ThingsThat I Have Learnt

Before I was rescued I didn't have much hope. I had been abandoned (or lost and no one came to find me). I was scared and alone, running loose on the wrong side of town. It was apparent from the scars on my body, and my growing belly, that the world had not been kind to me. People had taught me not to trust and other dogs had caused me pain.


I was rescued a month ago, and since then have learnt many new things.

I have learnt that human touch does not need to cause pain. People are good and gentle and kind. People give me good food, speak softly to me, cuddle, play, keep me clean and many more wonderful things.

I have learn to ask to go outside, and when I do there is dancing, singing and delicious smelly treats. When I happen to go inside, no one scolds me or punishes me. We simply try again, and more often, to do things the right way.

I have learnt that I don't have to yell at other dogs. This took me a long time to learn. Fostermomma and her Walrus were so kind and patient with me. We took things real slow - no one rushed me. I know that Walrus probably didn't enjoy spending so much time in his room. I think he's an extra special old dude for giving me the space I needed to relax and settle into life here first.

When I was ready, Walrus was calm and polite about meeting me at the baby gate. He never stared at me or grumbled. And best of all, he shared his delicious homemade cookies with me.

Eventually, I gave up yelling at him when he walked by my crate to go outside It might have been the handfuls of dried liver Fostermomma threw at me to keep me busy every time he passed. It didn't take long before I warmed up to the idea of him being in "my" space (and even gave him a little wag after awhile).

A few calm dates late at night and before I even knew what had happened I had made a new friend.

It just kept getting better from there - just last week I had a play date with Fostermommas friends pony (a pretty Great Dane named Sasha).

I have learnt to sit for everything, to empty the toy box, to fetch and that things can turn around - they can get better.

I know there is more out there for me and Im ready for it. Will you be there? Will you help me learn to be the best me? I'll be waiting.

XoXo,
Winifred

For more info on adopting Winnie, click here or contact us at info@ador-a-bull.com

Snowy Sunday

....and then it SNOWED! I love snow! Love love LOVE snow!!!

I love snow in my eye.

I love snow on my nose.

I love snow on my toes!

I love snow EVERYWHERE!

For more info on adopting Winnie, click here or contact us at info@ador-a-bull.com

Toy Beds

Fostermomma brought home a HUGE stuffy toy the other day.

She kept laughing and telling me not to eat my new BED, but I didnt get it! So I kept on chewing.

Then I put a hole in it. Then fostermomma put the bed away.

The end.

For more info on adopting Winnie, click here or contact us at info@ador-a-bull.com

Wordless Wednesday

For more info on adopting Winnie, click here or contact us at info@ador-a-bull.com

"NO!" Is Not A Request

At a year old Winnie is still very much a puppy and has a lot of puppy energy to burn. We are able to get rid of a lot of her sillies with food toys (mental stimulation) and games of fetch.

Sometimes though, if the weather isn't co-operating, or the days just aren't long enough, Winnie expels her pent up energy in other, less desirable, ways - mostly by launching herself into, or off of you. Using your body as a spring board. This is both annoying and painful, as she's a good size dog and not very gentle about this game of hers.

The first instinct of most owners when dogs jump up is to push the dog off. Since the dog usually sees this as an invitation to play, it gets even more bouncy. The owners voice then starts to rise as frustration sets in "No! No! NOOO!"

Dogs need to play – but they also need to know how to calm. A great way to teach your dog a little bit of self control when they are excited, is with a game called "Crazy Sits". 

With your dog on leash, initiate short games. Use your body posture – bend over – be fun. After a couple seconds stand, avoid eye contact and calmly say, “sit.” Then wait patiently. Calmly reward your dog when they finally sit. This exercise takes practice, but most dogs learn the how the game works quickly.

The same sort of situation can occur when dogs bark at the window/door, are sniffing at food on the counter, etc.  Thankfully, we have a toolbox full of available "commands" we can teach our dogs and use to our advantage.

Is your dog infamous for yelling at the world through the front window? Ask your dog to "leave it" and "come" - redirect and reward.

Your dog cannot jump on you or your guests when asked to "sit" (or when fetching a toy - as I've taught The Walrus).

Ask for what you want, and reward appropriate behavior, instead of concentrating on what your dog may be doing wrong. We promise - it works (Winnie can now stop and sit as she's barreling at you from across the room!).

For more info on adopting Winnie, click here or contact us at info@ador-a-bull.com

Squeaky Clean

Foster momma's been saying a lot lately that she needs to get me into the bath.  I had NO idea what that meant...until today...

Foster momma grabbed a humongous handful of PB and Naner cookies and lead me into the bathroom. I jumped into the tub thing on my own (just follow your nose I always say). Everything was going just dandy - I was getting lots of treats and foster momma was using her extra happy voice. Then, all of a sudden, water started shooting out the this snake looking doo-hicky!

Then fostermomma put this nice smelling stuff on me. Boy, did it not taste as good as it smelt!

I didnt know what to think of it, but I remained calm and went to my happy place. Before I knew it, it was all over and foster momma gave me a good rub with a nice fluffy towel - ahhhh!

When I got out, foster momma put a brand spanking new collar on me. What do you think? Is it a keeper, or should I chew it off and force her to put the old grimmy one back on?

I'll keep doing this while I wait for you to decide.



For more info on adopting Winnie, click here or contact us at info@ador-a-bull.com

How Many Toys? SO Many!!!

Boy, this place is great! Today I emptied to toy pot - toys everywhere!!! I just couldn't decide which one I just had to have, so I'm testing them all.

There are toys that wobble (and smell like kibble and leave pieces behind)!

Toys that squeak and toys that rattle!

Toys with nubs!

Toys that bounce (and flip in the air and you never know where they are going to end up)!

Toys that "huck" and toys for chewing!

I can't decide! I love them all!!!

For more info on adopting Winnie, click here or contact us at info@ador-a-bull.com