Betsy
Betsy is a 4 yo spayed female lab mix pulled from a PA shelter.
Click here to see her video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0hSBUNl50E
5/13/11
Betsy met her new family last night & it was love at first sight. 
4/22/2011 Update
Hi everyone! It’s me! I guess my name really is Betsy now, even though it was something else before I went to the shelter. I’ve decided I’m fine with that name. I’ve noticed that when I answer to it I get good things like treats, meals, walks, toys, and FM’s attention. So “Betsy” it is!
I’ve gotten pretty accustomed to life with FM and Gracie and I do believe I like it. After a period of some uncertainty about whether it was okay to pee in the house, I now have the answer: It’s not okay. I’m settling into a pretty predictable routine about taking care of things outdoors. When we go on walks I no longer need to walk a quarter- or half- mile before squatting. I generally take care of that pretty quickly. Usually the rest of my business still takes a little longer, but nothing extraordinary. I certainly enjoy the walks. I’ve met several people and puppers and that’s been good. (I really like it when they admire me and tell me how pretty I am!)
Maybe the most exciting thing about taking a walk is the huge bunny population that hangs around this neighborhood. I so-o-o want to catch those little things! In fact one day last week, after FM had persuaded me to ignore a pair of bunnies across the street, I saw one nearby on the side where we were walking, and I bolted for it, big time. Even with my EasyWalk harness firmly in place I managed to yank the leash right out of FM’s hand and I was off like a shot. She was too shocked to say anything, but I can tell you it would have been a waste of her breath anyhow. I am one very speedy runner and I gave that bunny a good chase across the grass, but I didn’t end up catching it. As soon as I stopped and looked at FM she called me back. It sounded like some kind of fun game, so I came back right away. Even though I could see she was happy that I was coming to her, I got worried as I got closer, and so I crouched right down on the ground and tucked my head down, in case she might hit me. Oh my! You should’ve seen the look on her face when I did that. I thought she was about to cry! She told me it was okay, and she actually hugged me! Well, that was a pleasant surprise! I haven’t done any more bunny-chasing since then. I’ve given it some thought a few times but I can tell FM has an iron grip on that leash–with both hands–and it’s pretty clear there won’t be any more bunny-hunts on HER watch!
Gracie and I are very chummy. The one time we are definitely separated (other than taking our walks separately) is when FM takes her shower. Gracie doesn’t want to be anywhere near that bathroom, but I like to come in and curl up outside the shower, the closer the better. We both like to be on the bed with FM, but we’d rather not be there together. So one of us usually sleeps on the dog bed while the other sleeps with FM on her bed. And either way is perfectly fine. Sometimes during the day we curl up and sleep on opposite ends of the sofa. We’re really good about sharing. Of course it’s easy for me to say that, since Gracie usually gives in to me if there’s something we both want!
I’ve learned to go in the kitchen and do “down” before FM gives me my meals. Gracie helped me to learn that. She also taught me that it’s okay if FM takes her out and leaves me in the house, because pretty soon she’ll come back and then it will be MY turn. So I don’t need to bark or cry when they walk out. That Gracie is really a pretty good example about some things! Now we’ll see if I can teach HER how to speak. Stay tuned on that!
FM will be taking me to the vet soon, for a baseline check-up. I think we may also get a nail-trim then, since I’ve been doing some pretty dramatic sliding on the kitchen floor in my haste to get out there at mealtime. I’ll ask FM to take some more photos of me, just so you can get a more complete appreciation of how cute I am. (Modest too!)
Gotta sign off now…it’s getting to be time to start thinking about dinner… xoxoxo–
Betsy4/11/2011 Update
Hi everyone!
Gracie and I have been doing really well together. In fact, FM took down the baby gates yesterday, since it was clear we really didn’t need them. (I’ll let you in on a secret: FM actually thought about putting them back up today, because that crazy Gracie took immediate advantage of her renewed access to the kitchen by getting into a bunch of stuff while FM was out yesterday. FM changed her mind, though. I think she’s hoping I will be a good influence on that naughty Gracie.) So now we both have the full run of the first floor. Most of the doors are closed upstairs, but that’s okay. Unless FM is up there it’s more fun to be downstairs.
Our variety of fun stuff was expanded today when FM got out some big ol’ soup bones she’s been hiding in the basement. We both love ‘em, but there’s absolutely no grabbiness or possession issues, since there’s only two of us but lots of bones. I think there are five out now. FM said she has at least fifteen more still hidden. Wonder how long it’ll be before they’re all out?
I’m keeping FM on her toes with my toileting schedule. I know she doesn’t have it figured out yet, but she’s trying… I think the part that confuses her the most is that even after I’ve been in the house all day, or have been asleep all night I don’t take care of any business immediately when we go out. I like to walk a good quarter-mile or so before stopping to squat. And it’s much longer than that before I decide to ‘go’. In fact today I had three walks (and Gracie had two) before FM had to leave for work, and I still hadn’t done the ‘going’ part. I think we just need to reach an understanding about schedules and routines. And I’m sure we will…
Speaking of walks, I do most of mine with the Easy-Walk harness on. It really suits me just fine in terms of comfort, but I have much more trouble getting up a head of steam to chase down the rabbits. (FM tells me that’s the whole point.) Today was especially enjoyable for a morning walk because it was trash day. Yippee! So much interesting stuff set out for my inspection!
Now that I’ve had a little more than a week to settle in, I’ve decided I like hangin’ around FM. Pretty much anyplace she goes in the house I will be right there. Not close enought to trip her, but close enough to make sure she knows I’m keepin’ her company. I think Queen Gracie is a little put out…she keeps her distance when I’m right close to FM. Nice of her to respect me that way! On the other hand if she’s hangin’ by FM for some pets and snuggles I do not hesitate a moment to nudge my way in. Lucky for me Gracie is pretty tolerant. Of course she knows she gets the big prize every night when she’s allowed to sleep on FM’s bed while I stay on the dog bed on the floor. Really that’s fine by me, ’cause it’s a big comfy bed. On occasion Gracie will get down off FM’s bed during the night and we’ll share the space on the floor. Pretty nice!
Stay tuned for an updated photo or two next time around. Later… xoxox Betsy
4/8/2011 Update
From Betsy’s FM – Betsy is settling in pretty well. She is a very cute and engaging little girl! She and Gracie get along really well. They play energetically together. Betsy likes to grab a ball and zoom around with it, in keep-away mode. Gracie doesn’t even try to keep up with those antics. Betsy is very fond of the stuffed squeaky toys and finding out what the insides look and taste like. I plan to offer her a rope toy and see what she does with that. She is an active and energetic dog !
She’s pretty easy to walk, using the easy-walk harness. BUT when she sees a rabbit she does pull hard. I need both hands on the leash and both feet firmly planted to control her. I’ve started telling her “easy” when she getts into that crazy mode and that seems to be helping. She also knows “shake” (either paw), “sit,” “speak,” and she’s quickly learning “down.” I think the recall command will go a little easier when she really knows her name. She doesn’t answer to it very consistently yet.
We’ve encountered two neighbor dogs so far. Each time she has barked in not-too-friendly style and then willingly approached the dogs gradually. The actual meetings have been totally peaceful and congenial.
She tried to chase a cat this morning. We were very close when she first saw it, but it shot under a car (parked!) before she could really get going. I don’t think we’ll have a lot of cat encounters on walks. I may never get a good idea about how she would react in a house or enclosed yard.
She is still having some housebreaking issues, she is not signaling her need to go out yet. I’m modifying the walking now, so she has a chance to go out right after dinner as well as right before. And I’m paying close attention to be sure she actually does relieve herself on walks. She is distracted by the novelty right now…I think she is so enthralled with the smells and sounds she forgets the main reason she’s out there. I plan on doing a final late stroll before calling it a night and see how that goes. In the meantime, she’s gated in the kitchen when I’m not around to supervise. I think she and Gracie are fine together and Betsy seems generally trustworthy in the house, but till she’s reliably taking care of all of her business outside I’d rather confine her .
She’s on Doxy 300mg twice a day because she tested positive for Lyme at the shelter. I’m wrapping the capsules in cheese, which works pretty well. Gracie likes the arrangement too, since she also gets a few cheese treats in the process. Yum!
4/4/2011 Update
Hi everyone! Rumor has it my name is Betsy, but I can tell you this: that rumor is false. The nice people at the shelter gave me this name, and I may just decide to keep it, but I’m not yet in the habit of answering to it. My FM has been trying to figure out what I was called in my previous life, but she hasn’t hit on it yet, poor thing.
FM told me that I should let you all know how things are going. Apparently a previous foster in this house like to “organize” the info by topic, so I’ll do the same:
Walking: I love going out for walks, and this time of year is the very best, ’cause there are so many critters around! I really, really want to catch those bunnies. If I have to drag FM along in my pursuit, so be it. The main thing is to catch those little furballs. I have this walking harness that makes it a little harder for me to assert myself. I have a feeling the harness and I are going to become good friends! I haven’t yet met any dogs while I’ve been on a walk. Stay tuned on that. We did pass a man on the street when we were walking this AM. I started to grumble, but FM redirected me and that was fine. I’m very good about doing the peeing and pooping thing on our walks, and NOT in the house.
Playing: When I got here Saturday there were quite a few soft squeaky toys around, and the resident girl Gracie has been very tolerant about sharing. Boy, do I ever love those toys! I can make them squeak continuously for a really long time. And with a little effort I can open them up and get the stuffing and squeaker out. Hmmm…I wonder if that has anything to do with the sudden disappearance of several of the toys?? FM likes to throw the toys and the balls in the house for Gracie and me. I guess I’m the competitive type…I almost always get to the toy before Gracie does, and I grab it right up. I’ll bring it back to FM, sort of, but I’d kinda rather play with the toy than fetch it. I think we’ll be refining our play routine was we go along.
Eating: I like my food and I finish it all at one time, but I don’t inhale it. That Gracie girl thinks there’s some kind of a race about cleaning our bowls, and she always wins. Then she starts trying to hover near me, but FM won’t let her get too close, out of respect for my space. If FM didn’t direct Gracie away, I’d have to do it myself. I haven’t yet found anything interesting to check out on the tables or counter tops, and the trash can is behind a closed door, so there’s no hope of trash-picking around here. I guess you could call that mandatory good behavior.
Sleeping: I slept my first night gated in the kitchen, without a peep, while Gracie and FM slept upstairs. Last night I was fine till 4:00 AM, then I woke up and started barking. After a number of barks FM came down and took me out for a walk, but I really didn’t need to do anything. When we came back inside, FM decided to let me come up to sleep in her room for the rest of the night. However, she drew the line when I offered to keep her company on the bed. So I ended up sleeping on the floor next to the bed while Gracie girl slept on the bed. It was peaceful the rest of the night. I suspect there will be additional maneuvers each night before we settle on a routine about who sleeps where.
So that’s where things stand from my point of view. Here’s some further comment from FM:
Betsy is a pretty energetic girl. Her records from the shelter say she’s between 3 and 4 years old, and she has the strength and energy of youth. She pulls like a champ when she sees rabbits while we’re out walking. The harness will make it a little easier to control her but she’s definitely strong. She’s not a barker as far as I can tell and not destructive except for the squeaky toys, as she told you. She was gated in the kitchen all day while I was at training yesterday, and she didn’t mess with anything.
She and Gracie are congenial, with just the occasional grumble if one of them thinks the other is horning in on a toy or on me. I’m not yet ready to trust the two of them all day unsupervised, but I think they will be fine together with a little more time to settle in. Betsy is showing clear signs of being the alpha. She has a little “arf” type of bark, not the big woof you would expect from a lab. At least not that I’ve heard so far.
Betsy tested positive for Lyme at the shelter, so she’s on Doxy for 30 days. She is not the best pill-taker, but burying the capsule in cheese is working so far. I took some photos of her but they aren’t great. I’ll send them in a second e-mail. Maybe later in the week I’ll get some outdoor shots. Stay tuned!
