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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2015 18:38:56 GMT
Oh well done Boo. xxx
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2015 20:27:04 GMT
Great job Boo. Given the situation you're in this goes above and beyond. We all thank you!
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Post by Romi on Jul 6, 2015 20:31:27 GMT
WTG Becka - you're a real star.
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Post by Boo on Jul 12, 2015 16:54:57 GMT
Well, Aston has landed. Along with his bed, food, bowl, toys, fleecey PJs & a whole selection of treats. He's obviously been a very loved little man.
But right now he's a very very scared little man.
We were due to stay at the Barleylands Fun Walk all day today & then stop for a nice long walk on the way home, so that he'd be good & tired when he arrived here. But we had to alter our plans as he found the level of noise/activity at Barleylands overwhelming.
So, with the help of my friend Rachael (who did the transport run for us), I took him & Ruby for a nice quiet, shady walk instead. ... Turns out he's even scared of my Ruby, which is unheard of!
Brought him into the house & he promptly tried to leave (turns out he can open doors!), despite it being super quiet here & Ruby ignoring him entirely.
Finally, after lots of pacing, barking, whining & trying all the doors, just in case, he has just got up on to the sofa next to me. So here's hoping he's finally realised that I'm friendly & he's safe.
I'll try & get some pics & update again later. But I want to ring his relinquishing mum first & find out a bit more about him.
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Post by rowlfsmum on Jul 12, 2015 17:47:34 GMT
Poor Aston he must wonder what the heck has happened to him. I can't believe any dog being scared of Ruby! Well done for taking him on Becka. I hope he settles soon. He has obviously been well looked after and loved so that is why he's scared now.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2015 18:00:17 GMT
Aston sounds as though he's led a very sheltered life, although loved. Sending lots of calming vibes for his first night away from those he knows and obviously misses. Hope things are better in the morning. Thank you Boo, and a massive thank you to Rachael for transporting him all the way back to yours.
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Post by Romi on Jul 12, 2015 18:02:44 GMT
Poor Aston, he must be so confused. Hopefully he will settle down and realise he is safe with you and Ruby. Hugs to you Becka - can't be easy.
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Post by Mimsmum on Jul 12, 2015 18:18:30 GMT
He was not used to any outside activities at all, and took himself close to the ground. It was best that Becka took him home. He is also quite a bit overweight, so probably could benefit from some more exercise, walks and socialization. He has the whippet type mentality, nervous and unsure. If a dog can turn him round, it will be Ruby. X
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Post by Lynn on Jul 12, 2015 18:23:01 GMT
I felt so sorry for him Becca, hope he has settled a little bit with you. he is lucky to have you and Ruby xx
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Post by Boo on Jul 12, 2015 20:18:12 GMT
So, at 7pm on the dot, Aston decided to let the neighbourhood know that I wasn't a very good foster mum as usually he would have been walked/fed by now.
He did this by countersurfing in the kitchen & then jumping on to the window ledge & barking non-stop until I got the message, lol. And he still has a seriously high-pitched puppy type bark. ... My ears!
So off we went for a walk & I decided to let him dictate where we walked & how far we went. We made it all the way down to the river (only 5 minutes away, but further than we went earlier) & he was just starting to relax when some well meaning peeps & their dogs sent him into a panic again. ... Took another 30 mins of walking at a snail's pace before he started to relax again. He's currently spooked by everything, bless him.
Got back here & rang his mum & she says he's only being like this cos of all the changes he's had recently. Apparently he's usually the bouncy one when it comes to other dogs. And he's been brought up on 2 short walks a day during the week & 1 long one at weekends. (And she confirmed that, yes, he's usually fed about 5pm & walked about 7, lol.) So I guess he just needs more time.
Have just given them dinner, but he didn't eat much of it, so will offer it to him again in a little while. He's now crashed out on the sofa once more.
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Post by daisydip on Jul 13, 2015 14:28:56 GMT
Aston sounds abit like Sniffy, she needed time to adjust. I sometimes wonder if it's the ones that come from settled homes who find moving harder. She settled fairly quickly but mealtimes was an issue, she was used to meals being left down all day.
I'm sure he'll be settled with you in no time Becka. Xx
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Post by Boo on Jul 16, 2015 15:01:01 GMT
Apologies for the lack of updates, We've had a tough few days here. First poor old Rubes had a tummy upset (8 times in 12 hours, poor thing!) & then she cut her foot & had to have a GA to check for tendon damage before being stitched up. ... Thankfully all is well again now. Except that she's uber-frustrated at being under house arrest.
Aston, on the other hand, is doing great! He's really settled in here, although he has attached himself firmly to me & still avoids Ruby as much as possible. He is, however, happy to get in the car with her now, so we've been doing short journeys every day, to get him used to it. One of the places we've been going to is my parents' house, as they have a large, secure garden, so Aston & I have been having some lovely off-lead play sessions together.
He's much more relaxed on the lead now as well, although he still gets a little jumpy if anything comes up behind him. And he's started dragging me towards other dogs, albeit just the small ones so far. He had a great time with a 'Golden Doodle' yesterday & we all ended up in the river, lol.
He spent the first 2 nights downstairs by himself, but on night 3 he made it very clear that he wanted to be upstairs with me & Ruby. So, out of respect for my poor neighbours (uber-thin walls here!) I relented & made him a bed on the floor in my room. He's been there ever since, but has never once tried to get on the bed.
So what else can I tell you about Aston?
~ He knows 'off', 'sit', 'paw', 'on your bed' & has just about grasped 'stand' as well, which is what I use whenever we have to cross a road. He also responds really well to 'ready', looking at me to see what I want if he is onlead or going into a play-bow & then tearing off to be chased if he is offlead.
~ He likes to investigate the kitchen worktops but, so far, he hasn't helped himself to anything. Although he will lick dirty plates, if you leave them within reach.
~ He has a strong body clock & will tell you when it is time for food/walks.
~ He's also pretty sound sensitive, barking at any noise he doesn't recognise when he is indoors. (Including every single wheelie bin that was moved on my estate today, starting at 5.45am. )
~ He has very little prey drive, barely reacting at all to cats or rabbits when we're out. He did chase the neighbours cat out of the garden the other day, but it was a half-hearted attempt & more about it daring to be on 'his' patch, I think. ... Talking of which, he's proving to be quite territorial about my house already. Not with Ruby, cos she was here first, but he barks at deliverymen or visitors. And it's a proper 'back off' bark, not an excited one.
~ And talking of barking, he has 2 different barks. He uses a high-pitched whippet/puppy bark when he wants attention or is demanding something, but has a proper deep, grown-up bark when he is scared or being defensive.
~ He likes being in water & will do anything for a biscuit, but has shown no interest in toys or chews yet.
~ He loves a snuggle & will paw you when he want one. Which is most of the time, it seems. In fact I'm having to do a fair bit of ignoring at the mo, cos he definitely has the potential to be overly-clingy.
Overall I think Aston will make someone a cracking little companion! He will bond strongly with his family &, as he is always eager to please, he could progress with training quite easily, I reckon. I think he'd be happy as an only dog so long as somebody was home most of the time (although I'd suggest regular spells in a room on his own to prevent him developing SA), but would be equally happy with a small to medium, non-assertive dog for company. He doesn't need oodles of exercise, so would make a good dog for a low-energy home. However he does love being outside with you so, as long as he was given time to build his stamina gradually, he would probably be happy to go as far as you want.
Day Two - Found the sofa Day Three - First roach So what are you waiting for folks? Get him while you can. (I'd take him myself if my situation were different!)
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Post by rowlfsmum on Jul 16, 2015 15:33:14 GMT
He sounds as though he will turn out to be a great companion. Sorry to hear Ruby has been poorly and hope her paw heals quickly.
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Post by Lynn on Jul 16, 2015 15:41:02 GMT
Lovely update Becca, he's gorgeous isn't he? looks a lot happier and relaxed now. Sorry you have had a few rough days, hope Ruby is ok. You are doing a great job with him
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Post by antoniaalfie55 on Jul 16, 2015 18:24:13 GMT
Sounds like the little man is settling in nicely Well done Becka and Ruby
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Post by Socksmum on Jul 17, 2015 10:21:12 GMT
Sorry not to have been on sooner Becka, I overdid it a bit at Barleylands and the RA has kept me at home for a few days. Well he looks alLOT happier than he did on Sunday! You're doing a fine job there and hopefully he'll soon be snapped up. Hope you manage to change the setting on his body clock and get some decent sleep. Heal well vibes for poor old Rubes too, hope she's soon all better xx
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Post by Boo on Jul 18, 2015 11:40:50 GMT
Thanks guys! Ruby doing well & Aston slept until my alarm went off this morning, so all is good here.
Aaaaaand, Aston is meeting some very special people on Monday, so fingers crossed for him!
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Post by rowlfsmum on Jul 18, 2015 12:08:39 GMT
Wow tha was quick! Good luck Aston.
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Post by Socksmum on Jul 18, 2015 12:27:31 GMT
Be good on Monday Aston xx
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Post by Romi on Jul 18, 2015 14:09:44 GMT
Ooooh good luck Aston. Glad Ruby is doing ok.
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