Foster Sister Friday: Carly

Woah, hi there!  I'm Carly and I've been hanging out with Corbin and Brutus ALLLLL week!  Yep, I'm a lucky gal, huh ladies?  You're jealous, I know it. 

Let me tell you a little something about living here.  Corbin is even cooler in person, can you imagine?  Brutus drools even more in person, can you imagine THAT?  The foster lady is real nice but foster dude lets me cuddle with him on the COUCH! 

Now, let me tell you a little about my perfect little self.  I am, afterall, perfect!  I haven't pottied in the house ALL week!  And, I hang out in my crate next to the boys all day long while the foster rents are at work.  Foster lady comes home at lunch time and lets us stretch out legs and lounge in the sun.  I perfer the shade where it's a little cooler.

Foster lady says most foster dogs sleep in their crate, especially puppies because it helps them hold their potties until the morning.  But, ya know what?  I'm SO perfect, that foster lady lets ME sleep OUT of the crate and in a DOG BED!  I really like Corbin's dog bed, so I make him snuggle with me, then he moves to another bed and I follow him for more snuggles.  He loves to snuggle with me, I just KNOW it!  Who wouldn't want to snuggle with me?

I'm 11 weeks old.  I'm told I'm a lab mix.  I definitely have a lab personality!  But, we can't put a paw on whatever else is in me.  I think I'm just mixed with super cute, doncha think?!  Anyway, I met a really nice lady last Saturday at clinic and do you want to know something super awesome about her?  She lives RIGHT up the road from Corbin! Yep.  So she's coming to see me tomorrow and I might be able to go home with her.  Then I could see Corbin ALL the time and go for walkies with  him when I learn how to do them!

I like to give the boys smooches!  I'm always licking their faces.  I just love Brutus and Corbin.  They've been so kind and welcoming to me!  Corbin keeps saying Brutus has a bit to learn about being a foster brother, but I think he's doing JUST fine!

 

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Wish me and Brutus luck!

My letter to PETA

First, follow this link and read the article: http://stubbydog.org/2012/08/a-letter-to-peta/

Now, you can read my thoughts:

Dear PETA,

I'm a Pit Bull. I was rescued from a shelter. I was fostered, then adopted, by my parents. My parents don't think I'm macho, as much as I try to get them to believe that I am.... I'm really kind of a push over. I'm also not considered a living weapon by my parents, or anyone for that matter... They would risk their lives before I had to risk mine. I've never been attached to a heavy chain, I've never been encouraged to be aggressive and I do not spend long days in extreme weather outside. I live in the comfort of my air conditioned/heated home with my soft dog bed that I sometimes share with foster siblings. I snuggle on the couch and in bed with my parents. I invite other shelter Pit Bulls into my home, and they're subject to the same wonderful life that I live and to the love of my parents until they find themselves a wonderful home of their own.

 

Out of the 25 foster dogs I have been a brother to in the last 2 years, 16 of them have been "pit bull" type dogs. I can tell you, with 100% certainty, none of them were adopted for the reasons you state. None of them live in horrible conditions. None of them are living weapons. Would all of my 25 foster siblings protect their families if it came down to it? You bet. From my Pit Bull fosters to my Dachshund fosters, it's called loyalty, PETA. Get it right.

 

And, instead of knocking all Pit Bulls, how about you look at the shelters? The ones allowing dogs to go into these types of homes that you describe? How about asking for stricter adoption rules? Adoption applications, vet checks, home visits, interviews? How about trying to decrease the number of dogs that end up living on chains after adoption? Isn't that the real problem, PETA?

Yours Truly,
Corbin, the Pit Bull

Wordless Wednesday: Beauty & the Beasts

8 Paws + 4 Paws = ?

12 Paws!

 

Wondering why I just made you do a math problem?  Let me tell you a story about how my house got 12 paws.

I really have nothing to do with this story,

other than the fact that I'm handsome and perfect.

 

Saturday afternoon, the momma was chillin' on MY boat, WITHOUT me, but that's a whole nother story.  Anyway, she happened to be in the boat when her phone rang.  She saw it was the rescue and answered it.  Carol, one of the volunteers who's brave enough to man the phone, was on the other end of the line.  She said she was sorry for bothering the momma, but the momma knows the Rescue World never sleeps.  So, Carol said she called because she needed to ask the momma a question and then said "The emergency room called.  ::Pause::  Oh, that's Nancy (behaviorist) on the other line and I've been waiting for her call.  I'll call you back."  BOL! Yep, so the momma was having a heart attack until her phone rang again.  Did someone get bit? One of our volunteers in an accident?  A dog hurt?  WHAT emergency room!?  Well, Carol called the momma back and explaind the WHOLE situation. 

Meet Chance.

 

Now, don't get too excited.  As much as the momma wanted Chance to be those extra 4 paws in our house, she knows that me and drooly boy were a little bit too much for this fragile little dude.

 

So, I bet you're wondering what Chance's story is and why he's all bandaged up, right?  Well, Chance was brought into the Emergency Clinic by his owners (Please note, owners, not family).  Chance was hit by a car.  The vet explained to his owners that, thankfully, nothing was broken, but he was pretty beat up and would need some care in the coming days/weeks.  The family asked how much it would cost to euthanize him because they didn't care enough about him to pay his medical bills.  True story, folks.

 

The nice Vet lady saw what a great dog Chance was and asked his owners to sign him over to the vet clinic.  His wounds were deep and painful, but he could be patched up and back to his wonderful self in no time.  The people signed the paperwork and walked away from Chance.  Nice Vet Lady did some operations on Chance and put a few drains in his cuts and patched up his handsome face, then started calling local rescues.  She called 6 rescues before calling Homeward Bound, they were the first ones to say yes.  How does one say no to a doggie in need? 

 

Nice Vet Lady explained to the momma that Chance was in a lot of pain and would need to go under to have his dressings changed every day.  So, the momma had to brainstorm to think of the perfect foster home for him.  One of the Homeward Bound volunteers, Maryann is a nurse and helped nurse a previous dog back to health after an infection from having a tumor removed.  She'd be the perfect place for him!  Only problem was that Maryann took in a puppy as a foster. 

Long story short... the momma came home with the puppy.

 

Meet Carly, my new foster sister... covered in Brutus Drool.

 

I've gotta say, for a puppy, she's pretty cool.  She's not too crazy and doesn't bother me too much.  She kind of fits in perfectly.  Brutus is a little put out that he's not the only foster kid in the house.  I think he was getting quite comfortable!

"Was I not good enough for you, foster lady?"

 

But, we do have a problem with the little black furball... Do you know what she did last night? She took over MY sofa as her bed.  And, do you know what I had to do with MY sofa????

I had to share it.

 

Anyway, we're a 12 paw house hold for the week!  I don't think little Carly will last another clinic without finding a perfect forever home... because, she's quite perfect herself!

 

The parents

The parents have been together for 2.5 years today!  Ok, well, also 2.5 years BC (before Corbin), so that makes 5 years total! 

 

I'm happy to say, from this point forward, they're relationship will be more than HALF filled with Corbin love!  Clearly, the glue that makes their worlds go round. 

How did they survive before me?

Diet update

Remember how I told you the momma came home from being away from me for a WHOLE WEEK and told me I was fat?  Ok, maybe she said chunky, but whatever.  Anyway, she thinks she has it all figured out.

You, lady, are crazy callin' me chunky.

Now, do you also remember  a few weeks ago I made a confession to you about my love for Puddles Milkybones?  Well, in case you forgot, I absolutely go crazy for Milkybones.  I'm talkin' back flips!  So, the momma got me some really huge milkybones and keeps them somewhere where I can't reach.

To prevent her walking in on this.... again.

Although I can't reach them... do you know who can?  My dad!  He can reach them and he gives me one whole huge milkybone every time I deserve a treat!  Which is like 87 times a day. Whereas the momma gives me like 1/87th of that treat.  Seriously, she crunches and smushes it up so that me and the Brutus have to share 1 treat all day long.  Here's my example:

Cruel and unusual punishment.

You see the treat on top?  That's my super large milkybone that dad gives me.  See the treat on the bottom?  That's the size that the momma uses, and she breaks it in half -or sometimes THREES or even worse, FIFTHS!  And, I only get milkybones from the momma when I refuse to come inside because it's the only way she can get me in sometimes when I'm stubborn and I want a milkybone.  Otherwise, I get carrots or sweet taters or healthier snacks -all which are fine, but NOT milkybones!  So, she thinks that I got chunky by eating 87 large milkybones a day... I think she needs to get her eyes checked because I'm still 100% handsome, milkybones and all!

Handsome + Milkeybone = Corbin

Off topic, look at the drool on this kid!

It's even blurry because it sways.

Do you want to know what's even awesome-er?  My girls, Bethany and Avery, were visiting last weekend, if you guessed that correctly on Monday!  And, do you want to know what they brought me?

Can you read that?

It says "Milkybones JUST for Corbin, whenever Corbin wants one, no questions asked or tricks needed. No milkeybones for Brutus. Love, Bethany and Avery."

Neener Neener Drooly Boy... no Milkybones for you!

Wordless Wednesday: Firebird

Don't I look badass with my dad?

Dog Days of Summer: Day 21

I've been wanting to play along with Norwood's Dog Days of Summer, so here we are! 

Day 21: In the car

Cruisin' with Dad in the Firebird

Brutus figured out the car isn't all that bad.

The kid, using me as his pillow in the car.

Guess Who?

Guess who's.....

Still here?

Guess who's......

Weekend visiting?

And... Guess who's....

Still handsome?

Foster Brother Friday: Brutus' Personal Ad

Single Male seeking single female, single male, couple or family. 

I'm not picky.

My name is Brutus and I'm looking for a relationship.  Let me answer a few questions for you, so you can get a better grasp on who I am and if you might be my perfect match. (I stole them from Eharmony... they think these are some good first date questions!)

1. Who has been the biggest influence in your life?

Corbin of course... although foster momma and foster dad are close seconds

2. What kinds of things really make you laugh?

Oh! When foster dad throws my ball and then expects me to bring it back to him, but I run in circles and dart across the yard really, really fast!  It's just the best time...  I always have a smile on my face!

3. What’s your favorite place in the entire world?

Right next to foster momma... or foster dad.  I love being close to my people, they make my world a wonderful place.

4. Who is your best friend? What do you like about him/her?

Corbin!  He's just wonderful and has taught me so much and is a total blast to play with.  We've grown really fond of each other and when I first arrived, and then when I was returned, he really calmed me and let me know that everything was going to be okay. 

5. Favorite movie of all time? Why so?

The Lifetime movie that goes on outside the front window!

6. What’s your biggest goal in life right now?

To find a perfect forever family.

7. What is your favorite way to spend a Saturday?

My perfect Saturday would involve foster momma giving us breakfast early, snuggles in bed, a little play time outside, a great car ride to Lake George, jumping and playing in the water with foster parents and Corbin and greeting anyone and everyone who walks by us, going to a nice lunch at one of the dog friendly restaurants and getting sweet potato fries, car ride home and a night full of snuggling!  Oh, and dinner... and lots of treats!

8. Do you have any pet peeves?

I don't like it when people are upset with me... it makes me really sad.

9. What was your family like growing up?

My first family really loved me, I think... they taught me mannors and some tricks, but they couldn't keep me and brought me and my sister to the shelter.  That was okay though, because it brought me up here and I got to meet the foster momma and foster dad and Corbin. 

10. What were you like as a kid?

I'm still a kid!

11. What should I know about you that I’d never think to ask about?

You should know that I love to carry a fleece blanket around the house... no reason really, but I grab it out of my crate and carry it into the living room.  You should also know that I'm super crate trained and Corbin and I race down the hallway to get into our crates when the foster parents leave!  I love my crate.  Oh, and you should probably know that my name was Oakley, but I didn't respond to it and the foster momma kept calling me Brutus, which I came to... so it stuck.

12. Did you—or do you—have a nickname? What’s the story behind it?

Foster dad calls me Big Blue... Corbin's nick name is Big Brown, and since I'm a blue color and foster dad is a big Giants fan, he calls me Big Blue!  They also call me Brutey and foster momma calls me smushy face and she smushes my face together and shakes my head back and forth... Oh, I LOVE that!

13. Who was your favorite schoolteacher or college professor? Why?

I love learning from the foster momma!  And foster dad taught me how to catch a ball!  But, I have to say, Professor Corbin is absolutely my favorite! I've learned so much from him.

14. Have you figured out your calling in life? What is it?

I knew it shortly after I met foster momma, my calling is to bring positive awareness to pit bulls and to show everyone what wonderful dogs we are because I'm such a wonderful boy!  The foster momma hopes I find a perfect home that will continue to work with me on my good behavior and will bring me out in public so I can meet and charm as many people as possible!  Foster momma says this is a huge reason why she'd love to keep me forever, because I make sure a good argument for wonderful pit bulls!

15. What do you hate most about the dating process?

Waiting!!!!!  Although, killing the time in my foster home isn't all that bad!

Here are a few other things that might help you decide if I'd be a good forever dog for you.  I love snuggling, so you must have a couch, okay?  I sleep in my crate, because I want to, but if you ask me to sleep in bed with you, I will not say no!  I'm kind of a nervous fella and I always want to make you happy, so if you yell at me, I get really scared. 

I love other dogs, and cats scare me a bit, so I keep my distance.  I only bark when I feel I need to and when the foster parents come home.  I bark so they remember I'm in my crate and to let me out because I'm so excited they're home!  I'm totally house trained.  I like to eat tomatoes sometimes.  I'm not a begger, I'm not a counter surfer and I'm not a garbage digger.  Actually, I'm not a digger of any kind.  I enjoy chewing on bones, but I don't chew what's not mine (or Corbin's!). 

I like to play and I love to run, so I'd love a fenced in yard.  You'll know why when you see me run and do my zoomies! It makes me so happy.  I'm good on walks, and I enjoy taking them. 

The car makes me a little nervous, but I willingly get in now.  Maybe someday I'll stick my head out, like Corbin does but for now, I'm comfortable laying down on the back seat.  I'm a little unsure of some new situations, like the lake!  Those waves were a little unsettling at first, but with some patience, foster dad showed me that it was super fun once you got over them... and it sure was!  I've experienced a lot here, but I still might come across some new things, so just know to be patient!

Overall, I'm really just a great fella... I promise to love you and to make you laugh every day.  I promise to learn from you and hopefully you can learn a little from me too.  Whatever you give me, I'll multiply with love.  I know this was a little long winded, but I thought it would be great for me to get it all out there!  This is me, Brutus!