Tales & Tails of New York

 

 

 

(Picture Above:  Nemo -- The rowdy little TERROR-ier finally finds his home!)

 

 

I could have sworn my dog, Tina and my foster (Dandi Dinmont Terrier) dog, Nemo were singing the old chestnut above to each other when walking the two rowdy canines in Central Park this past Saturday.

 

Did I say, "waking" the two dogs?

 

Actually, I was dragged from one end of the park to the other, the two dogs daring and challenging each other every inch along the way for who was going to take charge on the marathon race walk.

 

Tina, who normally takes the lead in teaching younger dogs how to walk and behave, instead, joined in the fray and "fun" of dare and double dare contests with Nemo. One might have thought we were all preparing for the Idititrod race -- except that neither dog was a Husky and I sure as hell didn't have a sled to sit back and relax on!

 

It didn't help that during the two-hour jaunt through the park, Nemo decided to charge every dog we passed like the rowdy little TERROR-IER he is, prompting one guy walking his (well behaved) 150lb Rottweiler to yell at me, "That's one nasty little dog you got there, lady!"

 

Why do these tiny dogs always want to take on the huge, macho dogs like Pits and Rotties?  Are they suicidal -- or just plain crazy?

 

That Rottie could have had Nemo like a Doritos snack chip!

 

By the time I finally made it home after this grueling 2-hour "adventure" I was ready to strangle both dogs.

 

Only, I had neither the strength nor energy. 

 

My right arm felt as if it had just gone through a meat grinder and my legs felt like cement blocks.  Iwas "done" for the rest of the day -- or perhaps, for the rest of the century.

 

Ironically, that same evening I received a phone call from a woman interested in adopting Nemo.

 

"Karyn" had lost her 15-year-old Bichon mix to cancer some months back and was finally ready for a new dog.

 

I spoke with Karyn for some time, explaining to her that Nemo was a very high energy dog who required tons of vigorous exercise.  I also told her that although Nemo was great with other dogs off leash or in a home, he was quite another story when on the leash.  Karyn would probably not be popular with other dog owners on the block if adopting Nemo.  He especially liked to take on and attack big dogs.

 

But, Karyn being an active woman who likes to run was not deterred by some of the challenges she would have to face if adopting Nemo.

 

We arranged to meet the next day.

 

I met Karyn outside of my building with Nemo when she arrived early Sunday afternoon.  I was concerned that Nemo would not be too welcoming were Karyn to march into my apartment.  He had already demonstrated his "guard dog" attributes with a friend of mine a week earlier.

 

To my surprise, Nemo was actually reasonably nice with Karyn when meeting her.  Though not overtly friendly with the 40-something-year-old professional woman, he at least didn't growl or snap at her. 

 

We walked Nemo to Central Park where he of course reacted like Cujo to every dog we passed.  I wanted Karyn to see first hand what she was getting into if adopting Nemo.  His leash aggression towards other dogs was something that would have to be worked on with a trainer.

 

But, once again, Karyn, though concerned about the behavior was not overly deterred.

 

Generally, this problem can be solved through regular social exposure to and interaction with other dogs -- particularly in a doggie day care or dog run situation.  We already knew Nemo was fine with other dogs when off leash or in a home with one.

 

Despite seeing Nemo at his very worst, Karyn nevertheless opted to adopt him.

 

Yesterday, I called Karyn to see how things were going with Nemo.

 

To my delight and relief, the adoption so far, is going very well!

 

Karyn has an appointment with a trainer this weekend to work on Nemo's leash aggression with other dogs, but other than that, he has adjusted very well to his new home.  Nemo is even good with Karyn's Mom who apparently lives near Karyn and frequently visits.

 

The experience with Nemo is rather reflective of the very "down and up" kind of week we have had.

 

There have been some real challenges this past week. One foster person is leaving the country in a couple of weeks and we still don't have placement for the dog (Snoop) she has been fostering for almost a year. 

 

Another dog (Panda) bit his interim foster person, after the regular foster went away for a few days (stress of change and unfamiliarity, I believe).  I am currently boarding him at my vet until NamHee gets back later this week. The fact that Panda has now bitten someone however, makes him a very difficult, if not impossible adoption.  He's one of those dogs one has to "go very slowly with" when first acquiring.

 

On the bright side of things however, we have had three dog adoptions over the past few days.

 

In addition to Nemo, both, Star and Randy have been adopted.  However, in the latter case, Randy, our wonderful Chow/Samoyed mix can't go to his new home until after he is groomed (today) and neutered this Saturday.

 

I think in rescue, we call this, a real "roller coaster" type of week. 

 

Or, perhaps, its just life. -- PCA

 

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