Elvis has left the building

Elvis came to us in September, 2022, when his former owner went into hospice care. The agency that was managing the former owner's care contacted me about taking him in because we had met when dealing with the dogs that belonged to another of their clients (Rufus and Mellie). Elvis moved in here with the most seamless transition of any dog we've ever had. The first night at our house he came up to the bedroom and laid down on one of the pillows, clearly claiming what had always been his spot in his former home. It only took a little convincing for him to move down to the bottom center of the bed and that had been his spot ever since.

We took Elvis out to a couple breweries when he first arrived and he was the most sociable dog I had ever seen. He sought out people to give him attention and/or food and was often rewarded with both. I made the decision to keep Elvis as one of our own, perhaps selfishly, but it was nice to have a dog that we could take anywhere and seemed to enjoy everything. When it came time to figure out what to do with our personal dogs when we move to France, Elvis was the easy one. Although he would handle the move easily enough, it was also clear that Elvis was the most adaptable and adoptable dog we have and we had several offers from people who wanted him.

A woman I've adopted several dogs to over the many years that I've known her recently lost her last dog and wanted another. She indicated an interest in Elvis and it seemed like a good fit for both of them. Last Friday I took Elvis to our vet to get him up to date on everything. Friday evening I gave him a bath in the tub here at home, and Saturday afternoon we drove up to his new home in northern Virginia. We aren't leaving until August but doing it now gives plenty of time to make sure it works out and to find another placement if doesn't for any reason. Elvis has plenty of options. It also lightens the load around here a little bit at least, which I need right now. 

Outside the vet's office Friday morning:

Inside the vet's office:

In the bathtub Friday evening at home:

Looking out the window in his new home:

He still needs to learn to use a doggie door but I'm sure he will. He has a big back yard to hunt around in and constant companionship. 

Another car ride, another hike

I feed the puppy early in the morning and haven't been going out for a hike until late afternoon, so I'm maximizing the chances of having a clean, dry (no car sickness) trip. We went again today, just up to the library but I left her in the van for a short time while I took a couple boxes of books inside that we were donating for their annual book sale. Then we hit the trails, starting from the trailhead behind the library. 

On the return trip she had some more time being left in the van while I ran in to pick up a few things from the store. No poop, no pee, no vomit, so I'm calling it a win. Plus, we walked another three miles today and she now has something positive to associate with going for a ride. She also gave me a very nice "sit" when I asked for it, even though I had no treat in hand.

We came to one of the big boulders on the trail and Bailey did her usual "up."

Elektra tried to follow her up but she didn't have enough jump for this one.

The next boulder wasn't as big and was more puppy-friendly.

Elektra scramble up and stood next to Bailey.

She gave me a nice pose and seemed quite proud of herself.

Three miles, one biker, a couple other hikers, no deer.

The multi purpose walk

All my dog walks have more than one purpose. Exercise for me is the major one, the dogs can get all the exercise they need running outdoors at home. For them it's more than exercise though, it's also an enrichment activity because they are experiencing sights, sounds, and smells that they wouldn't encounter at home. And there's also the training and socialization aspect, although we don't really socialize with the people we encounter any more than the deer. 

Today's walk with the Bailey and Elektra had one additional, very important, purpose. Although she's a very bold, outgoing, and confident pup, Elektra gets car sick when she travels. She has been known to pee, poop, and barf in the course of a short ride. We need to help her get over this fear because she has a potential adopter who likes to travel in an RV with their dog. And even if that doesn't happen, any dog should be able to travel in a car to the vet, to the park, or wherever without being so anxious that it makes them sick. 

At Erika's suggestion I've been feeding her in the crate in my van for the past several days. She will now hop in it on her own and I can shut the door and leave her for a few minutes without any problem. Previously she would always stay away from the van even when other dogs were trying to get in because they wanted to go along. My plan for this week is to take her on short trips, like today's drive to the park, where she will have a fun, positive experience, and hopefully help her get over her fear of travel. 

She loves Bailey almost as much as she loves Woody and was happy to go on today's three mile walk. I needed it badly myself. 

She remembered her "sit" command from yesterday and did it for me even without a treat.

She looks more like Bailey than she does her mother, Marvel.

Bailey was very patient with her.

It was a beautiful day and we had enough daylight for an even longer hike, 

but I decided that three miles felt like enough for today.

Pasture pack and adoption event

Sunday was beautiful but I hadn't slept well and wasn't motivated to get out for a hike. I took a partial pack out to the pasture for a run instead. Bailey, Woody, SweetTart, and the puppy Elektra all had a great time. SweetTart might have preferred colder weather, but the rest of us were really enjoying the lovely spring-like day.

Woody

Bailey is out in front, then Woody and SweetTart, with Elektra brining up the rear.

Elektra (I just call her puppy).

SweetTart

Woody found a stick and we played fetch. We would still be out there playing fetch if it was up to him. My right arm can not throw at all right now so the best I could manage was a fling of the stick with my left. That was enough to satisfy him, as long as I kept doing it.

Elektra pouncing on Bailey, who was doing a play bow.

Elektra needs to get adopted soon because she will soon be bigger than Bailey.

In years past when I was with Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, I would often load up four or more fosters and drive up to an adoption event in northern Virginia. My van is set up with two crates behind the fronts seats and the space in the back can hold two or even three more dogs if everyone is friendly and cooperative. I don't usually have that many fosters at one time anymore, but I do currently have four and they all need to get adopted or moved someplace before our upcoming trip, just a month from now.

Green Dogs was having an adoption event at Petsmart today so I took Woody, SweetTart, Ted, and Elektra. This was after the pasture run so you'd think everyone would be tired, but the excitement of the new place and new people was enough to keep everyone keyed up. They all enjoyed it and everyone did very well with meeting the public and several other new dogs.

The highlight of the event, for me, was the fact that Elektra learned "sit"! I had never really taught her this most basic command because it really doesn't come up much around here. But all the volunteer handlers were packing treats and passing them out freely to any dog who would sit on command. Woody knows it and I was handling him and keeping the treats flowing. At one point when Elektra was nearby she noticed the treats and watched Woody sitting for them. I tried it with her and she caught on very quickly. She's a smart girl but she still has a problem with car sickness that we need to overcome.