Sam
January 23, 2010
Two steps forward and one step back…..Last Wednesday I had a little set back. My foster mom bought me a new toy that had a yummy raw hide treat attached to it. Unfortunately, it upset my tummy and I had an accident in the family room. I am doing much better now though. I guess I just have a bit of a sensitive tummy. I am now eating good quality food and treats.
Since I keep breaking through the baby gate to get downstairs, my foster mom decided not to put it up anymore. I don’t disturb anything, and with the exception of one day last week, I had no accidents – Hooray! All I do is lay on my blanky on the couch and snooze until mom and dad come home.
Today, I met some people at Tailwagger’s in Blue Bell where mom gets my food. I was so wiggly and excited because I am not used to going out to places like this. I got lots of pets and the owner even gave me some good treats! He gave mom some recommendations on some healthy treats for my future family to buy for me.
Later, I met Aunt Joan and Jasper at the park. Jasper is a chocolate lab and very cute just like me, only he has a really big head! We got along great together and walked the trails in the park getting lots of lovin’ from people on the way, and giving them kisses. A little blond-haired girl wanted to pet us. She was very sweet and petted me so gently that I just had to cover her with kisses. She told her mom that I looked sad, but I think that’s because I have droopy eyes. Then her mom made her realize I was wagging my tail and that meant that I was happy and not sad.
When we got home from the park I played with Denver in the yard for awhile. We each grabbed a tennis ball and chased each other around the yard. What a fun day I had today! I’m really bushed now…..so until next time….this is Sam the Man signing off…
January 16, 2010
How can you not love this face?
Things have been going really well. Potty training and walking on lead are works in progress. I am getting really good at fetch. I am still working on commands. Sometimes I am a little dense and forget things, but when I do what I am told I get a treat. YUM! Guess what? I am done with the poops! I haven’t had diarrhea for about a week. Hooray! I still wiggle a lot and love to give kisses. I am just an affectionate fellow, what can I say! Would you like me to cuddle with you? If so, check out my write up on BLRR’s website – I am available for adoption NOW! There is even a little video of me there. Does that mean I’m a star now? I’ll be waiting for those applications to come in….until next time…..
Sam the Man
January 10, 2010
Things have been pretty crazy around here lately. I was starting to have diarrhea problems again and had a couple of accidents in the house. I have been on meds and have had formed poops for a couple of days now….paws crossed that those meds are doing the trick.
I am still lovable as ever. My big foster-brother, Denver is teaching me how to be a dog. Today I played tug with him for the first time and it was fun! I am also beginning to be a little mischievous. I counter-surfed today and stole a pot holder. – tasted like chicken….YUM! I told FM that Denver did it since she calls him my “partner in crime,” but she didn’t believe me!
Here we are tugging!
I seem to be in a good routine right now with regard to feeding. I am still on a bland diet for my tummy issues, but FM has started to give me some kibble, and so far, no runny poops. Sorry, I seem to be fixated on that subject…but I am very good in all other areas.
Today, I met Aunt Laura who is going to visit me at lunchtime to give me a potty break during the week. She is very nice. Denver barked at her for a little while, but then warmed up to her when she showed him her skills in tennis ball throwing. I just wiggled and gave her kisses.
That’s all for now. Keep fingers and paws crossed that my bad poops go away and I am able to put on some weight.
Hugs and Big Sloppy Kisses,
Sam The Man
January 4, 2010
Sam here…..let me tell you – those humans are so silly sometimes. I made a firm doo-doo in the yard tonight and my foster mom did a happy dance! I think she was worried about me having diarrhea again today, but I fooled her. LOL!
Today my foster mom and dad went back to work and were gone for a long time. I had to stay in the kitchen by myself, but they brought my bed in there and made it real comfy and cozy. I got a little bored and moved some stuff around on the counters. They need to think about getting me some stuff to keep me busy during the day.
When they came home from work I got to play with Denver in the yard and then we went for a walk around the neighborhood. I still need lots of practice walking on lead since I get excited and pull very hard. I only want to keep up with Denver, but FM says I need to walk with her. Bummer! I got to meet Mark, one of my neighbor’s down the street. I ran right up to him, wiggled and got some pets. That felt really good. Then it was back to our warm house for some yummy dinner.
Lately, I’ve been taking snoozes up on the bed. I know I am not supposed to be up there, but I saw Denver do it once and it looked so comfy. I get down when I’m told to, but I always sneak back up when no one is looking.
Ssssshhhh! Don't tell Foster Mom!
That’s all for now – I’m getting very sleepy….time for a snooze. Until next time ….this is Sam the Man signing off.
Foster Mom notes: I was typing on the computer when Sam sat beside me and just stared at me. This struck me as odd since he is usually either wiggling near me or lying down – but I didn’t think about it too much. Then he got up and barked….. for the first time! The first thing that went through my mind was “That doesn’t sound like Denver.” Then my husband and I looked at each other and realized it was Sam. So outside Sam and I ran, and he did his big #2 potty. Finally, now we have a signal to look for. I did give him a big hug and kiss, and did a happy dance in the yard – and I’m not ashamed to admit it!
January 3, 2010
Sam had another diarrhea accident in the LR. So we’re eliminating the kibble and going back to chicken and rice only. Will be calling the vet tomorrow to discuss.
He eats like a pig when he is fed, but does not seem to be ravenous or food obsessed the rest of the time.
From a behavioral standpoint Sam is a doll. He is walking better on Gentle Leader collar, but still needs more work of course. He tends to lean into my left leg so I always need to push him slightly with it to straighten him out otherwise he would be tripping me the entire time. He knows “sit” very well and did a little better with “stay” today. He is playing more with Denver and even playing more with toys and the tennis ball, altough he doesn’t keep with them for very long. He empties out the toy basket and I end up with the toys all over the place – but that’s ok….he’s learning how to be a dog.
This thing is getting empty - you gonna do something about that?
He hasn’t really gotten into things he’s not supposed to with the exception of some tissue paper in a waste basket, but having him is like having a big puppy around – he doesn’t know many things that we take for granted – like to stay away from the fireplace glass or the open oven. He learned the hard way on the fireplace, but I caught him before he put his head in the oven. He listens well to a quick “Eh-eh” correction.
Sam is SUPER-velcro and very pushy when it comes to getting and giving some lovin’. I can’t tie my shoes without a big brown head in the way licking my face. This may seem charming at first, but when you are trying to get things done and he won’t stop it is annoying. Putting on his collar and leash is a challenge b/c he is constantly wiggling and when you lean over him to hook him up there is that big head and tongue again. Once you start petting him he leans into you for more. I give him some pets, hugs and kisses, but I don’t coddle him. When I am done I tell him to go lie down or I ignore him and he goes away or lays down near me. Although he is velcro 90% of the time, sometimes he does go to a different room to lie down or play with Denver on his own.
He does not exhibit any fears or phobias that I can see. I have exposed him to the vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, and snow blower. I have dropped things near him on purpose. No fear reaction, only curiousity. He walks through doorways fine – he even pushed his way through a doorway that Denver was blocking this morning 
He is not afraid of men with or without hats. I can lean over him and take his food away while he is eating it – nothing. I think this guy is a candidate for therapy dog training – seriously.
So overall behaviorally he is doing great, but physically the diarrhea and weight loss has me worried. It is so frustrating to think you are on the right track and then WHAMMO you are back to square one again:(
January 1, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Sam here - I just know it’s gonna be a great year for me! My foster mom and dad are helping me get real healthy, and they are teaching me some “manners,” whatever they are so that I can get a really good forever home.
Yesterday, I went on another walk and my FM said I did GREAT. We even walked a little farther than usual. We walked past a man using this big machine to move the white stuff that was laying on the ground – I think my FM called it snow. It was really loud but it didn’t bother me. I tend to perk up my ears when looking at things I don’t know a lot about. My FM calls it curiosity, and says I look really cute when I do that. Here’s a picture of me watching a squirrel.
SQUIRREL!
My FM says I had the “trots.” I love to trot around the yard, but I don’t think that is what she meant. Sometimes my FM can be kinda weird. Yesterday, I pooped and she liked the way it looked and made such a fuss – WEIRDO!
Today, I made my FM laugh out loud. My FM put Denver’s big basket of toys away since she didn’t know whether or not Denver would share them with me. She has been giving me one at a time to see if I am interested in them. I take them and chew or play with them for about a minute and then I get bored. Since Denver hasn’t been mean about me taking his toys, my FM decided to bring the basket back out. While she was on the computer she heard some ruckus in the bedroom and Denver barking. She said, “What is going on in there!” When she came to investigate, I had taken EVERY toy from the basket and placed them around Denver’s bed where I was laying. FM came in and saw Denver taking away the toy I was playing with and busted up laughing. She figures he did this with every toy I brought in, so I just went back to the basket to get more. Denver gets a little rambunctious with so many toys around, so FM picked up all the toys and put the basket away. She said something about it being like picking up after a 2 year old – but I’m 5 – I wonder what she meant.
That’s all I have to report today. Stay tuned for more updates from Sam the Man!
December 28, 2009
Hi Everyone! I'm Sam the Man!
Hi everyone, I’m Sam the man, and I recently came to Brookline and today I just met my new foster mom and dad! I originally was pulled from a puppy mill and placed in a rescue with a kennel facility. I was very stressed there, wasn’t eating and got really skinny. So now Brookline took me into their care and I am going to get to know what if feels like to live in a real home! Whoohooo!
This morning my foster mom (FM) picked me up from this really nice couple who are Bookline volunteers too, and who were taking care of me for awhile. On the way home we stopped at this store where FM said we had to get some food for me. This store was GREAT. It had a lot of things to smell and people to pet me. We went up and down the aisles to look for my food. FM said that I was pulling her all over the place and that I will need to be taught some leash manners. I don’t know what that means…..and didn’t really care because there was more stuff to sniff….
When we got to my new foster home, FM walked me up and down the street and didn’t let me criss-cross in front of her. She said that I am a quick learner and that I “get it.” Get what? Some food?… because I am a lab and I like food. Then a big noisy trash truck went by – it startled me at first, but I had no interest in it…..other stuff to smell is more interesting. Then another Brookline lady came to meet me. Her name is Amy. She helped me to walk nicely too and helped FM introduce my new fur-brother, Denver to me. Denver is a bit rambunctious. He just LOVES to play rough, but I am on the somewhat quieter side. As long as FM can keep him in line, I think we’ll become good buds.
Then I got to meet my foster dad (FD). I love him already. I just ran up to him wagging like I’ve known him for a long time. Me and Denver played in the yard for awhile. Well, he played - I mostly just ran around sniffing and running away from him. He wasn’t mean to me….just a little too friendly. I went potty and Amy and FM made a big fuss. I don’t know why, when you gotta go, you gotta go – no big deal. FM took me into my new house to sniff around. I went into every room and sniffed and sniffed. I didn’t touch anything I wasn’t supposed to and I didn’t even attempt to put my mark on anything. When I was in the computer room, I decided to sit down. FM made a BIG fuss and gave me a kibble treat. Then she asked me to sit again and I did – got another treat…..I could get used to this!
So let me get this straight - I get a treat when my bottom's on the floor? Pretty cool!
She says I am so smart and such a good boy! Denver came in and tried to play rough with me again, but after awhile he calmed down. FM told me “down” and with some kibble I did it even though I did not stay down very long. So within a couple of hours I learned the proper way of walking on lead, how to sit and how to lie down. I must be smart. FM says with lots of command reinforcement, practice and love I will make a GREAT pet for some lucky family. Now, Denver is snoozing in the living room with FD and I am in the computer room with FM. My eyes are getting very heavy. I had a very busy day so far and I think I need to take a nap. Stay tuned for more updates on my progress in a nice warm home.
Foster Mom notes:
In the little time that I have had Sam I think he is a SUPER dog. He is a quick learner and has a very sweet disposition. He loves to be loved and loves to wiggle and give kisses. He is a bit needy so we will be working on building his confidence.
I'm pretty skinny, but FM's gonna change that!
He was having digestive problems and diarrhea, but he made formed poop in my yard, so hopefully that is on track now and we can get some weight onto him. He does not seem to exhibit many of the hard core socialization problems of puppy mill dogs. He is okay going through doorways and up and down stairs. He hasn’t seemed skittish around loud noises, but we were not exposed to many today. He seems very smart and adaptable….so far he has been a love. More to come!
12/28/09 Update –
Hey, this evening I played! I ran around with Denver in the yard and I got happy over a squeaky toy although I did not play with it for a long time. I think I’m learning how to be a puppy again. Hooray for me!
Your buddy,
Sam
December 29, 2009
Last night was the first night in my new foster home. No one knew what to expect – would I pace, would I whine? I was really tired after my long busy day so I jumped in my fur-brother’s bed – it is very comfy. I hung out there while James read for a little while and then went to sleep – no one heard a peep out of me. Don’t know where Denver ended up, but I heard him pacing around the bedroom. Oh well, you snooze – you lose. I guess he should have gotten to his bed first!
It sure is nice and cozy here!
This morning when everyone woke up, I had soooo much energy. But I didn’t jump on anyone or start barking, I just wiggled super-fast and gave more sloppy wet kisses. That sure got everyone’s attention. Denver and I went outside and did potty. He wanted to play….he always has that darn ball in his mouth. It was way too cold for me – brings back bad memories of having to live outside in yucky weather. I wanted to go back inside where it is nice and warm and where I could get more pets and treats. Cheryl was a little worried what trouble Denver and I might get into while she took a shower. Trouble? Do I look like I get into trouble! Much to her surprise Denver and I were lying on our own beds in the bedroom. I was a good boy and I got a treat!
I played a little bit more today – stealing a squeaky toy away from Denver and jumping around with it. I lost interest in it very quickly though, probably because that loudmouth kept barking at me. Well, he can have it – it’s not that great! Now it’s time for me to take a snooze. Even though it is warm in front of the fireplace, I prefer to nap in Denver’s bed in the bedroom. More from Sam the man later…
Foster Mom’s Notes:
Today I introduced Sam to the hairdryer. When I turned it on he walked away. However, when I had it on and had some treats to give him he didn’t mind it at all. When I was finished using it I let him sniff it and he was fine.
We walked for the first time on a Gentle Leader Collar. He did not like it and it was challenging walking him in it, but we got through it ok. Worked on some turns in the driveway. Still have a way to go.
We also worked on the “stay” command. He has “sit” down pretty well, but hasn’t gotten “stay” yet. Will try again later.
Overall, he just loves to be loved, and wants to be with his people….a real sweetie.
December 30, 2009
Ok, so last night didn’t go so well. I got sprayed with ear gunk, slimed a couple of times, and I smelled like poop. I took Sam to the vet yesterday and was told he has a double middle ear infection – nothing that a little ear cleanser and antibiotic ointment won’t handle. But I failed to “step away from the dog” after I administered the cleanser. LOL! He must really be feeling the stress of all the bouncing around he’s done lately. He had several diarrhea episodes, one of which was on my living room floor (thank goodness for the Spot Bot). Since Sam has big flubby lips he tends to be a bit of a drooler. He likes to give you lovin’, so hence the slime. After cleaning up the poop and thinking back upon my day – I had to laugh. If this were my first foster, I probably would have been in tears. But when you have a lab, you learn to “go with the flow.”
I don’t think that I mentioned that half of Sam’s tail had been amputated at some point. Another dog that came from the same mill had her tail amputated too. I don’t even want to think about how or why this happened. So when I see that tail, that skinny wiggly body and that big brown head looking up at me, I remind myself that these little inconveniences are nothing compared to what this poor dog and others like him have gone through – and they are worth EVERY minute
So because Sam has the poops now, I needed to put him on a bland diet. I poop-proofed and closed off my kitchen and made Sam a nice little bed area there. I ran out for about an hour to get him some chicken and rice and a vitamin supplement. When I got home, much to my surprise there were no surprises for me. Hooray, Sam! He got lots of love and kisses.
Sam ran and played with Denver in the yard this morning and evening. We took a walk using the Gentle Leader Collar and he did much better today than yesterday – baby steps. He also did well with turning. I have purposely dropped things around the house and made noise to see how he reacts. He doesn’t seemed to be bothered by much. More puppy is coming out of him though. He follows Denver to see what he barks at, and has learned to jump on the bed. We are correcting that behavior though. So today seemed to be a much better day than yesterday, but the night is still young. LOL!
