©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.

©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.

You have just adopted a wonderful dog from Turtle Gardens. What happens next can make or break a living relationship. Common sense and sensitivity are paramount in any new friendship as well as understanding. In humans, talking helps resolve problems. With animals we have to set the boundaries for a compatible co-existence. All members of the family should be introduced to the new dog. It is especially important that children be given an active role in befriending the dog. This is vital when a dog has been living in a situation like ours at Turtle Gardens. Teenagers live and play together in a communal yard. They are very social with other dogs but they don’t interact with a lot of people. We call this a lack of social skills. Sometimes a dog will perceive a child as a dog and treat him like he would another puppy. If the dog bonds to an adult without  clarifying the child’s position in the household, problems will arise with  the child being hurt.  The best solution is to not let it even start.

Once the dog has settled down after the first flush of excitement of arrival, it is time to give him a treat. The youngest child should offer the treat with the supervision of a parent. Have the dog sit, in front of the child who will offer the treat hand flat so fingers will not be grabbed if the dog doesn’t know what soft mouth means.  At mealtimes, the parent can prepare the food, call the dog, have him sit then the child offers the food and puts it down. Leave the dog to eat quietly. Children need to learn when to leave the dog alone.

Once the dog has finished his meal and needs to go outside, take him out. When he goes potty, tell him “Good dog” then have the child offer the treat. The dog now sees the child as a “good” that offers treats. He is learning to respect the little human.

Take the dog for a walk, with the child.  Most dogs have learned to walk on a leash using a halti at Turtle Gardens. They also learned sit, so ask him to sit and have the child give him a treat. Over and over again. Play fetch with the dog and child. The more interaction with dog and child; the better chance of a good bonding experience.

Dogs need to learn that children are human and that good things happen when children are around. With some dogs this is a natural occurrence. With others, they need to learn it. Let common sense prevail with dogs and children.

©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.

It is pouring rain again! The dogs are all wet, with muddy paws. Why do dogs go outside at daybreak then decide to check on you to see if you are still breathing by sticking their cold, wet noses and soaking head on your cheek? Then scamper happily away to the common room when they hear the shriek. Some dogs have a macabre sense of humour!! 

The floors are all decorated with muddy paw prints. The wood stove is chugging away trying to dry everything off - it is a losing battle. I think I am wishing for snow - much cleaner than mud!

I received a call from Cam that Pete is a delight! He has latched onto her 12 year old son. He was so glad to meet them and jumped into their brand new truck as if he had always sat between them. He never looked back. Cam tells me he is acting like an overgrown puppy - he is so glad about everything. The calm, well behaved boy hasn't shown up yet. He is having fun - he is just too excited to be well behaved. But he will. Pete is a good dog.

Hero is on his way home. Dave met the ferry as it was pulling into Prince Rupert and found Michael right away. Hero was introduced and went away happily with him. As did little Maggie - she likes everybody! Hero is on his big adventure - his own family! There were no problems with crossing the border - both dogs had all their paperwork.  Good luck guys - I really miss you.

Dave and his sister Bear made it home by midnight - the TG Bus has a few minor repairs - the heater motor needs to be replaced - a necessity up here! And it will need winter tires. A few more expenses but reliable transport is the foundation of long distance adoptions. It is just too expensive and too stressful to fly them. 90% of our adoption are long distance or internet adoptions. The TG Bus is necessary for our Happy Endings.

©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.

Other than the clock rang too early - didn't finish baths 'til 1 am, this morning went very well. Hero, Maggie and Pete are on their way to their new families. Strnagely enough - Pete's former owner called yesterday afternoon to find out how he was doing. I was able to say he was going to his new home today with a new name! She told me thta Pete was so mellow and great with cats - he should pass "cat 101" just fine. He hopped into the tub by himself - what a good boy he is. He is all shiny and clean for his introduction. He jumped into the minivan and sat down behind the driver's seat - Dave removed the back seat this morning! He was ready to go He will be the first one to meet his family in Terrace. Good luck Pete - you are such a nice boy.

Maggie is crated as she is just over 3 months old. She sat in the tub like a little angel. I think she really enjoyed her bath. She is a wonderful little girl - Laynie's last puppy. Laynie is the girl that was abandoned at the mall 3 days before giving birth in the pound. We think she was a kelpie/sheltie mix. Maggie looks just like he rmom - she will eb a beautiful adult - she sure is a cute puppy and smart too. She is wearing a matching green leash set. Thank you Pawsitevely Pets (4th Ave location) for your donation - we are really using them - the dogs look so smart in their new gear!

And finally my wonderful Hero is going to his own family! And yes I shed a few tears. The big fella turned back and came to be to say goddbye - he is such a brave boy and will be an awesome companion for Michael and his family. Hero is one of my demodex gang - he arrived in May of last year after spending a week in a plywood box, starving - the neighbours had compained about his condition and couldn't bear to look at him. Demodex is an inherited condition in which the immune system is immature resulting in a horrific skin condition which are caused by a mite on all dogs skin. Every puppy from the carrie rmom is affected. Hero was one of 14 dogs that eventually ened up here at Turtle Gardens - their safe port in the storm of demodex. The treatment is ivomec, antibiotics, selsun blue baths, daily sprays of betadine to help with the itching and premium dog food. It  is very costly. We still have 5 dogs with demodex - still the same mother/grandmother (now cured, spayed and adopted). One of her pups also had pups - Harley (also spayed, cured and adopted) her last pup is Jaime in full bloom of demodex. She is already spayed, under tratment and looking for her committed family. The last 4 are Plato, Moses, Sampson and Pattycake. They are 7 months old, just starting to recover from their first bout - they will regress with their neuter/spays. They are Hero's half brothers/sister.

Hero balked at his bath but was good once he was lifted into the tub. He is still patchy, and quite thin. He is stressed from th enew dogs that came in - they bother him in his sanctuary on my bed. They go by  him to go out th eside yard. There are two groups now and they each use a yard to play within their own group. Hero hates being disturbed when he is napping. He will be an only dog in his new home. He will love that! He will be going to tho ffice with Michael once or twice a week. He will ahve a choice of beds to nap on. He will have rides, walks an dlots of companionship - but no dogs to bug him. He will be able to bond with his people and not have to share. He will be a prince and Hero deserves all that and more. Have a good trip Hero - I will miss you.

©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.

I have capitulated - th ewoodstove is is heating up the common room and boy do the the dogs ever love the heat! Wood heat is warmer than "canned" heat or central heating. It warms you up right to the  inner core. And it warms you up getting it in, splitting it and carrying it in to the stove. Electrical heat doesn't do that -  it warms you once! the groups of dogs are all around the stove, each touching the other. And yes Willow is there among them! He has accepted being indoors - a little change is good. he enjoys the extra attention too! - The pat on ht ehead a sI go by, the ear scrunchies whne he looks at me. and the food and water is always in the same place. Willow is now an inside dog!

 Pete is going to a foster to adopt home in Terrace tomorrow. Dave is driving Hero and Maggie to Prince Rupert to meet with Michael who is taking the overnight ferry from Juneau - talk about going the extra mile for a rescue dog! If Pete conquers "cat 101" then he has a wonderful home in Terrace. Good luck Pete!

©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.

Yesterday was a grand day for Cody! He is gone to a foster to adopt home in Smithers. He will live with a 15 year old boy who really, really wanted a dog. Cody is still young enough to go for walks, LOVES to play fetch - balls especially. He was so very happy to go out the gate and when he was taken for a walk - well his tail gyrated and never stopped wagging until it came time to being lifted into the canopy of the truck. All the seats were taken with people! It started spinning again as he stuck his big head out the window (before it was closed) his beautiful eyes shining! Cody knew it was his turn and he was so happy to find his own family. I hope it is a final home for Cody - he must pass "cat 101". So far he is A-ok. Good luck Cody!!

©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.

The morning broke clear, bright and crispy this morning! So I went thru all my donated sweaters and coats and found one for Pixie - she was shivering during this morning's potty! Isn't she cute!

Yesterday was training day. I met Lorna in October of 1992 when she adopted Shadow. She joined the Canines North Dog Club in Smithers and is now president of the club. She has trained Shadow then Tassie and finally Rayla - all TG dogs for agility, rallyo and wonderuful manners. They are all awesome ambassadors for rescue dogs everywhere and especially for Turtle Gardens. Lorna and her friend Jean offer basic obedience classes, rallyO classes and basic agility. She also volunteers here at Turtle Gardens - she uses positive reinforcement conditioning - clicker training. The dogs learn how to learn. And they love it!

I asked Lorna to check Kenny for toy drive as he has an application from Ann for flyball and superdogs!  He has the drive, the ability and the willingness to be a good candidate for flyball!! He ran after the squeaky toy and pounced on it. He loves food!  He was so excited and boy can he run! He would have a hard time in a pet home but in an agility/flyball home he will excel! So look for Kenny in next year's superdogs!

Then it was Shelagh's turn. Lorna said this about lovely Shelagh - Good family dog, wants to be with you (chewing on the gate - could be a candidate for seperation anxiety), very easy to lure with milkbones, starting sit without lure, follows well, lures to down.

Here she is walking on a loose lead. 

Ask for a sit and she does! Look at her expression - she loves it!

And here - the down! Again look at her expression!! She so wants her own family!

Little Bear has tremendous focus - he is another wonderful little family dog. Lorna says he is smart, affectionate, focuses very well, walks on a loose lead most of the time. can sit for 20 seconds, loves to cuddle - ideal for an older person - so gentle and quiet.

This picture shows that  he is really a small little guy and he likes to cuddle - ttouch has him almost swooning !

Lorna found Henry a “neat dog” - very trainable, able to focus well, starting to sit, lures easily for kibble!! and is a very gentle boy.  

And last little Reuben - a quiet, very focused boy, offering sits for food, walks on a loose leash. And he is gaining weight too. Another wonderful family pet. 

Lorna says that we have a wonderful bunch of dogs - I knew that! They all have great pontential to be awesome family pets. Someone's throaway garbage is another's treasure. And these puppers are all pure gold.

©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.