Blossom’s foster family gave us an update recently as to how she’s doing and the news is great! She’s more active on her daily walks and seems to be more energetic overall. She has a routine of walk, then meal, so she’s excited to eat after a nice stroll and then nap later in the day.

Blossom still has a few accidents here and there but her foster mom, Denise, said that it’s not as common as it once was and she leaves a few wee wee pads down just in case for Blossom to use. She’s been good mostly and is starting to learn to go on the pads but still has the occasional accident.

Her foster mom told us:

Blossom is quite the sweetheart lately. We think she is much more comfortable now that she is the only dog in the house. She still doesn’t like being pet while she is standing, but if she’s lying in her bed she enjoys being petted and massaged.

When Denise is doing chores around the house, Blossom likes to watch and follow her from room to room. She’s curious and likes to see what the buzz is all about.Blossom will sometimes snap at hands if she thinks there’s a treat – like an alligator. She also sometimes will snap if she’s startled. Her foster mom told us there might be two reasons for this:

1. her eye sight is poor and she is startled when a hand appears too quickly.
2. she could have had some bad experiences with “surprise” grabs and tugs by people in the past.

In any case, if Blossom sees you and sees your intentions with a leash, harness, or whatever you may need to do her, she’s ok with it all. We’re very happy to know one of our senior dogs has adjusted so well and is opening up to show her true wonderful self!

Kuna’s foster family have been working with Kuna to get over his separation anxiety. Recently, they had to leave him alone for a full work day and Kuna was very unhappy. He became upset and they are trying to confine him in a small room away from the other dogs because he has a tendency to play too rough and needs supervision. However, Kuna is a playful and good dog overall.

He’s becoming very comfortable with his foster family and is friendly towards other dogs he meets on walks, and the ones he lives with in the house. He’s also been very good with meeting strangers, children, and likes to go for car rides. He enjoys playing retrieve with toys and shares with the other dogs. He has shown food aggression in the past with the other dogs but at present he seems to be OK.

Kuna is also their new alarm system! He makes a variety of noises, not quite barks, to let them know someone may be walking by the house, delivering mail, or anything that needs to be brought to their attention. Kuna is also learning to “come” when called but as with many Shibas, this seems to be more dependent on their mood than reinforcement!

Buddy is now part of Jenn’s pack – he has been interacting with her other dogs on a regular basis and likes it. He also now has a thing for car rides and gets extremely excited when Jenn gets ready to go somewhere because he hopes it means he gets to go too.

Jenn let us know that Buddy does have allergies but they seem to be seasonal. He also has a luxating patella (similar to a floating or loose knee that people may have) so he needs to take it easy jumping around to not make it worse or hurt it. At the moment, it doesn’t affect him at all. However, whoever adopts him should know to not let him jump off high surfaces or put too much shock on his back legs. Buddy takes glucosamine everyday and a multi-vitamin and runs around like a puppy!

Buddy is becoming a very well-adjusted dog. He will always be cautious with trusting people but he’s made amazing progress in the time we’ve had him. Jenn told us that he likes to run around the backyard with her dogs and follows the pack around. When he’s tired, he lays in his bed and takes a nap. She’s not had any major issues with him and her dogs at all. Buddy found his placement quickly and knows he’s not the top dog, but is quite happy just to be part of a pack and have a foster family that loves him, plays with him, and teaching him what it means to be in a home.

He’s a happy boy overall, still jumps up on Jenn and her husband when he’s super happy and excited, and likes to go on adventures in the car with Jenn. Jenn also uploaded a few videos of Buddy to our Youtube acct.

Bella found a great forever home and recently they sent us an update. She’s in love with winter and romps around in the snow with great energy and excitement. She’s also taken to sleeping on the bed and will nudge her owners to move so she has more room. They adore her and told us she’s being treated like a princess and plays more and more each day.

We love to know how our adopted dogs are doing – Bella is loved and thriving!

Blossom is staying with a temporary foster this week, while her regular foster mom is out of town. Temp foster Lily loves to make videos so we have video of Blossom now!

Adopting a senior dog is truly rewarding and very different from adding a younger dog to your family. This article about adopting an older Shiba is informative.

Like many older dogs, Blossom feels unsettled when moved around and faced with new situations. She needs a forever home where she can live out her life with a regular routine and someone to depend on.

Are you the special home we are seeking for Blossom? If you are interested in meeting her, please complete an adoption application so we can get to know you!

Lucy and Sketch aka Diamond are loving their forever home! Michele was able to go visit them a few weeks ago and see these two special dogs.

Lucy has been learning tricks and will work for food:

We are glad they have such loving, wonderful owners. Diamond has the collar on to keep him from rubbing his eyes as he is still undergoing some medical treatments. But he’s happy, healthy, and has a sister to keep him company.

Jenn, who has been working with Buddy for many many months, is getting ready for Buddy to move to a new foster home. He has made amazing progress with Jenn, her family, and pack. He learned to trust a little more, didn’t have to be on guard all the time, and began to relax and live a nice stress free life in her home. Jenn worked with him extensively and he is a happy dog who still needs to understand and learn that he doesn’t need to guard his food and that the vet is not a scary place. His allergies are improving and he’s a very healthy boy, overall.

Buddy is amazing and he just needs someone who is very experienced to learn from him, teach him, and help him feel safe, secure, and loved. He has a body language all his own which makes him unique to all of us here at NYCSR. He willingly wants to meet people, greet them with excitement, but yet tenses up and becomes frightened quickly with sudden movements. He’s become much better with understanding that no one is going to surprise him or hurt him, but old habits and conditioning can be hard to break. He’s a wonderful dog and we believe his new foster home will take Buddy to the next level of being a great dog and wonderful addition to someone’s home.

Jenn sent us a couple pics of Buddy:

   

Dennis, Kuna’s foster, let us know that Kuna has improved and adapted to the rules, routines, and household. Kuna likes to meet new people and will lean and cuddle up against them rather quickly for a Shiba. He also is very happy with his foster sister and they play together with no problems.

Kuna no longer exhibits agression during dinner with the other dogs in the house and can eat his food right next to them with no growling or posturing. He also willingly will walk into his crate and go to bed at night. Dennis said it seems that Kuna hasn’t had any nightmares or nervous reactions in weeks.

Overall, it sounds as if Kuna has adjusted. He gives kisses to his fosters, walks better on a leash, greets new dogs without hostility, and his anxiety seems to be lessening. Kuna is also quite the guard dog. He barks if he sees or hears something unusual near the house.

Kuna is a great dog and we’re glad he’s adjusted well to his foster home. He started obedience classes last month and we will have an update soon on how he’s doing with it.

Rusty has become more and more affectionate with his foster family. He is much more playful all around and will come up onto the bed when invited to cuddle. He’s also not barking as much as he did before. He wears a citronella collar when no one is home. Rusty has figured out that when he is wearing the collar he is still allowed to bark at a soft level, just not at the full level that was disturbing to our neighbors.

His foster mom discovered that Rusty seems to love the fall season. He likes to chase the leaves as they blow around and tries to catch them. He also will try to play in the piles of leaves he passes on walks. Christine told us Rusty will check out all the leaves he walks by and when he finds one he deems to be “perfect” he picks it up and carries it. That is, until he finds the next “perfect” leaf.

Rusty spent some time with a few other dogs one weekend and got along well but was definitely tense. He also showed some aggression and possession over his food bowl to the other dogs. He liked playing with them but was somewhat reserved. He may need a few meetings with some dogs to really relax and play without any nervousness.

Christine has told us that Rusty is really a beautifully trained dog with great manners. Never snapping food from your hand he will always wait patiently for treats. He is very good with dogs at the dog run.

He has not had any more seizures of any size since the first few they observed.

Blossom has gained a little bit of weight. She’s a picky eater and grazes her food so it’s a slow process of getting her to a healthy weight. She seems to like Natural Balance and Wellness and will listen and learn for treats as her reward. Blossom is also getting better about walking down the stairs. She was hesitant before and has been overcoming it. She’s also become calmer and has adjusted very well to having a set routine.

Blossom had an ultrasound recently and it seems to be that the “gunk” that was seen in her gall bladder can be remedied as long as she gains some more weight and has good exercise and nutrition. We’re happy to hear that.

Personality wise, Blossom has opened up some more and when she’s very excited she will walk very very close to her foster mom, almost get underfoot, and practically weave like a cat. She also gives kisses and has been showing a more affectionate side. Blossom is still somewhat aloof but now and then she is curious and interested in something or someone and will explore.

Since it seems Blossom may have some hearing loss, Denise has been using signals that also “vibrate” such as knocking on the floor in the house to get Blossom to “come.” We’re hoping her forever home will understand Blossom needs some extra TLC and maybe even try to teach her a few hand signals.

We’re very happy to know that Blossom is doing well and loves her foster home.