The Revolving Door of Rescue

Great news, Lando got adopted today! He went to a former rottie adopter, my favorite kind. She hadn't met him before today but I was pretty sure she would love him, he's a pretty lovable guy. They hit it off as anticipated and off they went. 

I was very happy to see Lando get adopted. He was an easy foster, and he was a great playmate for Everest, but being a rottweiler, he needed more hands-on and one-on-one attention than I could provide around here. We also needed his space because this evening we picked up a new foster Dane, Rajah. 

He came from what was apparently a good home but one that had fallen into circumstances that they really couldn't properly provide for needs of a three year old Dane. He was a scared and confused boy when we picked him up, but didn't take long here at home for his tail to come up. This was one of those times that having 6-7 other dogs really helped. He could see that we were dog-friendly and he was at home with some of his own kind. He was trying to play with Serena and I expect she will reciprocate that tomorrow outdoors. But the real ice breaker was Everest. That little girl looked at him like he was the big, tall handsome man of her dreams. She wanted to play with him immediately and she did. 

I think that Raj will fill Lando's role as playmate for Everest quite well and willingly. My pictures this evening aren't great and it may be raining tomorrow, so I'm not sure when I'll be able to get good pictures of him. Everest is right about him though. He is tall, dark, and handsome. He's got a dark merle coat and when he puts on about 15-20 pounds, he'll look really fine. 

Walking the Danish Girls

I hadn't taken Serena out on the trails for a while. She doesn't complain if she doesn't get to go on walks like Maya and Della do, and she seems satisfied with pasture play for exercise, but I know she enjoys the hikes in the woods. This afternoon I took both the Danes for about 2.5 miles on trails through the woods at Pleasant Grove. I started at the trailhead behind the library and took the newest of the trails. It wasn't exactly dry, but there were only a few really muddy areas.

I always forget how much Serena enjoys it. She's shows her excitement and enthusiasm probably more than any dog I've had since Sparky. She was out front the entire way and surprisingly, Della walked behind me for the most part, bringing up the rear. When we came out of the woods and into a more peopley area I put the short leads onto the Gentle Leaders and walked with the girls on either side of me. We saw several other walkers with dogs, but everyone was on a leash today, thankfully, and the Danes were easy to handle on their short leads. 

It was a great day, great walk, my legs are getting back in shape again. When the days get longer and I become more proficient at my new job I hope I'll have time for multiple walks in one day again.

Here we are at Sparky's watering hole. They didn't even take a drink.

Play Pals

I put Max and Lando out in Daneland in the morning and feed them there. I've been feeding Everest in the AC yard by herself because she eats so slow and then bring her back inside to hang out with us upstairs in my office. She's good indoors and would generally hang out in her crate with the door open, chewing on one of the chew toys. She likes that well enough in the evenings, but in the morning Everest is really wanting to go outside to run and play. She's been in boarding for a month so I figure that's something that I can offer her here that she'll enjoy and appreciate. So I took her out to Daneland with the boys and within a matter of minutes she had them both running around chasing after her.

You wouldn't think that a Rottweiler can fly, but this one can.

I was surprised but very happy to see Max join in the chase this morning. 

Normally when other dogs play he just goes into a tailspin and barks.

Look at that tail on Everest! Feathered and flying high.

Lando is very happy now with Everest around to play with.

Hiking Everest

Maya and I took Everest for her first hike today. It was the first blue sky day in recent memory and the temperature was equally beautiful. Everest was one of the best foster dogs I've had on a leash. She was out front the entire way, but she didn't pull at all. 

Everest enjoyed the walk, we all did. 

Travels with Everest

Everest turned up at a shelter in Texas as a stray, heavily pregnant. Eleven pups were delivered by c-section. Everest went to a foster home in Texas but killed a couple of chickens. I can't blame her for that, she was hungry, chickens kill easily, and they are tasty. They couldn't or wouldn't re-home her in Texas so she came here, arriving Sunday evening shortly after 8:00 p.m.

She was transported over a period of two days by a string of volunteers, each driving one leg of the journey. That always scares me because each transfer is an opportunity for a disaster to occur but this group of transporters handled it flawlessly. I'm not sure how many handoffs there were but several of them sent pictures along the way. Everest seems to have been a very good traveler, cheerfully accepting each new driver and vehicle along the way. 

By the time I got Everest home most everyone around here had gone to bed. She met Theo, did her business in the AC yard, and then went into a crate in my office next to Lando. Della got me up about 2:00 a.m., and Maya got up too, and then Everest and Lando wanted out, so she met a few more of our pack, briefy, in the middle of the night. She met most everyone else this morning, no problems at all. I put her out in Daneland with Lando and they were soon chasing each other around the yard, in spite of the rain. She has discovered the nice, dry, straw-filled shed and was peeking her head out the door the last time I checked. So far, so good. Welcome Everest.*

*(For those of us without young children, the name "Everest" comes from the animated cartoon show "Paw Patrol" which includes a female dog character of the same name. Who knew?)

Someone had some fun with photoshop along the way.

Meeting Erika upon arrival last night.

Only Theo was up to greet Everest when we arrived home.

Everyone else was shut in the bedroom or the office.

Look at that tail, definitely part husky, I'd say.

She's not going to stay so bright, white, and pretty for long, but she seems to be

enjoying herself with Lando and he definitely loves having someone to play with.

Her voice is also very husky-like.