ADOPTED!!!!

Rudy is happy to announce that he has been adopted by Scott and Jenn from NY. He will leave for his new home on 9/18. Christi is packing his bags....its a bittersweet goodbye, but Rudy will have a wonderful life as the only dog, plenty of exercise, and love! Thank you Scott and Jenn for giving Rudy his forever home!!!!

Rudy's STATS

There's a lot of information about me on this blog, and I have sure changed over the months. Here's my updated status.
I AM:
Age: approximately 2 years old and a neutered male
Shots: Rabies and Distemper/parvo up to date
Other: on monthly heartworm meds and Frontline plus
Past medical history: was treated for heartworm in 7/09 and is heartworm clear now.
No other known health issues.
Training: knows sit, down, come, and walks on a leash. Has had some clicker training.
Fully house trained. Has never had an accident in the house. Crate trained.
Other dogs: Preferably the only dog in the household. Could be a second dog if owner was
experienced in introducing dogs and behavior management
Other pets: Minimal exposure to cats, although when I have seen them, I have not attempted to
chase them
Children: Minimal exposure to children. Has some difficulty with people/dogs that move
quickly and impulsively.
Weight: 39 lbs.
Shedding: yes
Behavior: Can be a little mouthy like many Tollers, but does not bite. Likes to sit on your lap, get his belly scratched, be petted, lie on the couch, chew bones. He does not know how to fetch and is just learning to play with toys. He responds well to 'No' and is not a dominant dog. He is bouncy and energetic. He will need at least one walk per day. He would be a good dog for obedience training or agility because he likes to please and responds well to a clicker. He has good attention. He'd be happy to be a companion to give and receive attention and love.
Housing requirements: Toller Rescue Inc. requires a fenced in yard or area. He would like a crate. He should not be tied outside or left outside by himself. He prefers to be with people, and he spent most of his life tied out and left to his own devices before he came to Rescue. He has been with Christi for 8 months, has really settled down, and is so ready to be placed in his forever home.

Sweet, sweet Rudy

Christi took Turner to hunt tests last weekend, and only Turner could go. The Boston Terriers and I were boarded at the vet's. Well, as Christi was telling the vet tech that I might be wary of people and animals I did not know, the animal hospital cat came over and sat right in front of me. That darn cat was trying to tempt me into being naughty and I just didn't care. I didn't move. I guess I'm not the cat chaser that I was made out to be. When Christi picked me up, the vet tech girl told Christi that I never barked and I was very well behaved. She even walked me out to Christi's car! When I saw Christi I was so happy! I wagged my tail and jumped up on her and gave her a big Toller hug. Then I jumped in the crate in the back of the SUV all by myself. For the first time, Christi did not have to pick me up and shove me in. I love riding in the car so much that I figured it out! I am such a good boy!

I'm so ready to be adopted!

Well, I'm still here! I love living here with Christi but I am really ready for my 'forever' home. Someone came to look at me, and I was adorable. I sat on their lap and cuddled, but she decided on a different dog. I was so disappointed because I really wanted to be in a single dog home and do some agility! I love going on my daily walks and I am paying better attention. I need exercise every day, and lots of rubbing (Christi calls it massage) Christi went on vacation in June, and I had to be boarded. Thank you Sydney Jones for paying for my stay, which included extra walks and attention and a bath!!! I smelled so delicious and so so fluffy I couldn't stand it. See my beautiful tail feathers? Christi liked it, but I just had to roll in the grass and the dirt.

Rudy's new coat

Every day I look more and more like a Toller. I have grown a lot more hair, especially on my chest, around my neck, and my rear. My coat is softer and is more like a Toller.....less like a lab.

My favorite activity is to cuddle with Christi on the couch! Yes, I am quite the lap dog. I am learning to walk on a leash outside. There is so much to do and see outside. It is really hard to concentrate, but I am doing better.

Photos of Rudy at Class

Here I am practicing a sit/stay with tension on the lead. See how I'm not tempted to move!

Just hangin with the group, waiting for our turn!

A little petting and rubbing is always appreciated!

Christi just loves it when I look up at her!

Rudy----the graduate! 2/18/2010

Here I am! Look at me! Aren't I just the cutest dog you have ever seen?

Graduation

Tonight, I graduated from Basic Pet Class. I got a certificate, a Rosette, and a bone! I did the best with the off lead recall tonight with mild distractions! Hurrah for me! I fooled those instructors. When I went into the ring tonight, the instructors commented 'Here comes wild Rudy" and I turned on my best behavior. I came when called, I didn't try to escape or run like a crazy man! Of course there was food and petting involved, so why would I go anywhere? I don't like it when I have to sit outside the ring and give the other dogs a chance. I would rather be working! John came tonight and took pictures of me. He thinks I am turning into a pretty nice dog. I actually have some manners now. I can sit/stay and down/stay with mild distractions; I can come when called with moderate distractions; I can walk on a leash, but Christi says I need more practice. I take food nicely from Christi', but I am still a little mouthy when I am excited. But, if the person is calm, I calm down right away!! I now sit in my crate and wait to be fed. In fact, Christi puts the food in front of me and I have to wait until she tells me I can eat it. I really love this game. So, Christi says we can start looking for my forever home. Even though I still need a little training, I will probably always need training just to keep me busy and happy....cuz I really like to do things.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Rudy says the best Valentine yet would be to have a forever home! We're sorry for the lack of updates the past two weeks, but Christi has been out of commission with pneumonia. Rudy says, "Its been rough for me while Christi was sick. I didn't have any training for heeling or running time. I had a lot of practice for 'stay' and 'come' and I've gotten quite good at both. In fact, I can now sit in my crate nicely while Christi puts my food in front of me. I don't eat it until she says 'Get it get it get it.' I get so excited I can hardly stand it, but I am a good boy and I stay. I need mental and physical exercise every day. If I don't get my quota, I have a hard time concentrating on anything. Christi thinks I am ready for the 'right home' but I can stay here until my people come. Christi says I need to go to a home with no young children, since I still have trouble with fast movement that I'm not expecting, and it takes me time to adjust to new people coming into my space. I need daily exercise and I would love it if someone would continue to train me in obedience or agility. I am a dog who thrives on having a job and having lots of love. I love to be scratched and rubbed, and I put my head on Christi's lap so she can rub my head. My favorite activity in the evening is to lay on the dog bed and chew bones. I do calm down. I can walk nicely on a leash now, and I am learning to wait at the door and let the person go out first. I sleep during car rides and I don't vomit in the car any more. I am so much more relaxed. I will need a fenced in yard, and I really look for ways to get out of the fence. Christi has an 8 ft. stockade fence. I can't get out, but I peak through the cracks. Christi hopes to have more updated pictures of me soon....but if you are interested in a wonderful friend and companion, contact TRI Rescue and ask about Rudy!

My life is full of cookies!

Every day I become more and more comfortable here. I love to lay on Turner's bed in the livingroom and chew a bone, or rip the stuffing out of some of Turner's babies. Christi hid all of Turner's favorite toys because he has had them for 3 years. Imagine...having a toy for 3 years! I am just like the Boston Terriers...it is my mission to take the stuffing and squeekers out of toys. I am learning Sit/Stay now. Christi throws cookies on the floor and I have to sit and stay until she tells me to 'Get it.' I've been working hard on 'come.' Christi took me outside on a long rope called a flexi-lead. I'd be sniffing and doin my own thing, and then I'd hear 'Rudy Come!' and I'd have to come to her and get a cookie. After a couple of times, I figured out that it was easier just to stay next to Christi instead of wandering off. However, I know I wouldn't be trusted off leash. I will now take cookies nicely from John, and he gives me atleast one every day! What a life!!! Everybody gives me cookies. There are two Boston Terriers visiting, so now I share my room with 4 Bostons. I watch Turner go to their crates and kiss them, and now I do it too! They are funny little dogs, and I don't bark at them when they run around any more. Oh, and Christi didn't take me to class this week because it was snowing so hard there was a white out. I was really ready for my car ride. Well, that's all for now!

Celebrating a month!

Well, I've been living with Christi for a month now. Life sure has changed. I get predictable meals, predictable loving, predictable playtime. Actually, I am just learning how to play and I love it! I just discovered the joy of squeeky toys and finding ways to get the squeekers out. I was the BEST DOG in obedience class last night. Christi found out that I will do anything for venison, so I even heeled through a ring full of dogs, no problem. I am learning to stay when there are cookies on the floor in front of me. That is really hard, but I can make it for 5 seconds. I can also sit and wait in my crate until Christi taps me on the chest and says 'OK' and then I know I can come out. I have earned time in the livingroom now, and I tolerate John in the same room...I kind of give him the evil eye because I am not sure I can trust him yet, but I don't try to bite him or be mean. I notice him and keep my distance. Once I feel I can trust you, I'm your friend forever, but I am very cautious. I am really getting good at taking cookies nicely. In fact, Christi gives me very tiny pieces that I have to carefully scoop from her hands. I haven't been ripping up my bedding as much. As I get more settled and comfortable, I have less need to tear up my bed. All is well in Rudy-land.

A month of progress

Wow...time sure flies when you're having fun! I've had a busy month, and my first experience with SNOW! I am not sure I like it, but Christi no longer has to shove me out the door to do potty. Speaking of potty, I am totally housetrained. I have never had an accident in the house or in my crate. I still rip my blankets, but I am doing it less and less. Christi plays some clicker games with me and I also have gone to two obedience classes. Christi no longer makes the sound effects from 'Jaws' when she gives me cookies. I haven't figured out why she did that, but she also said something about being happy to keep her fingers. I know my name! I come to my name (most of the time with no distractions) I know 'sit' and 'down' and I know the beginning steps of heeling 'with me' and recall 'come.' I love playing these games. The first night in class, we noticed I have a few issues, which Christi says are workable. I don't like dogs and people that move fast. I lunge and bark furiously when people run, especially kids. I also don't like a flat hand above my head. So, I am starting to play games with a little movement and hands up in the air, and I am tolerating Christi doing these crazy motions. I walk up and down the stairs now. I didn't vomit in the car the past two rides so Christi's driving must be improving. I am learning 'stay.' Christi is sooo proud of me because now I will sit and stay while she opens the crate door, and I'll come out of my crate when she taps my chest and says 'OK.' I don't know why knocking her over when I came out of the crate was a problem, but she likes the new way better. I have been a good boy in class. I am a little curious, but I don't lunge and pull on the leash. I am definitely doing better on a leash. I like the other dogs and have done a little kissing, but I don't like it when they get in my space uninvited. I tolerate it, but Christi knows I am unhappy by my tail posture. Interactions are closely monitored. I love it when people pet me. Christi thinks I need lots of petting to increase my confidence and acceptance of humans into my life. I have never tried to bite Christi or anybody else. I really try to take those cookies nicely now because I hate being called a Toller-shark mix. I prefer to be called a Toller-Golden mix, but who knows? The vet thinks I may have some spaniel in me. Christi says she loves me even though I am not pure bred. She says I am a dog who wants to do the right thing, but I don't have a clue. Well, I think I am getting better every day. Life is good here in Ashburnham, even though there is lots of snow!

Hi! My name is Rudy. I am a Rescue Toller mix through Toller Rescue, Inc. People say I'm a lucky dog because I found my way to Christi's house. Here's the start of my story. Nobody exactly knows my history, but I've been around. I was rescued from a kill shelter down south somewhere, and then I was transported to New Hampshire where a lovely lady who does pug rescue kept me for a bit. I liked living with the other dogs, but I didn't really like the commotion. We do know that I was tied out a lot and that I had several other names....Butterscotch, Jethro, and Eli were among them. When Christi first met me, I didn't answer to any of those names. So, Christi decided to give me a new name since I'm getting a new start. Why Rudy? Well, two days before Christmas, Christi heard about a Toller mix that was in New Hampshire. After a little investigating, Christi drove to N.H. two days before Christmas to get me. She decided to name me Rudy after that magical reindeer. Not that I look like a reindeer or act like a reindeer...but she thinks I am magical. I am not really magical, I just really want someone to love me and pet me (alot) and give me cookies. So far, Christi is doing a pretty good job at that.

So, in the beginning, all I did was cry and bark at every dog and every person I saw. I acted like I would eat them up. But, my tail was always wagging. I love food and I was like a shark when I took food from Christi. I had the beginnings of 'sit' and I would touch my butt to the ground for about 2 seconds before I leaped into the air to snatch that cookie. I did not play with toys. I didn't chase a ball or play tug. I wasn't interested in any of Turner's babies (and there are hundreds of them here!!!) I wore a collar but did not walk on a leash. I rip up any dogs beds put into my crate. I have a great appetite. I get car sick and Christi says I need to stop that because she hates stopping the car and cleaning up vomit when it is 10 degrees outside. Well, I don't like throwing up either, but maybe if Christi didn't take the corners on two wheels ...just kidding. So, I want to play with the Bostons and Turner. Christi says I have no manners and I'm out of control so I have to go to school for 'Basic Pet' class. I know she is nervous about this because I won't walk on a leash, and I don't know how to go up and down the stairs to the kennel room and she has to carry all 45 lbs of me. That's almost half of Christi's weight.

Fast forward to my health. I was checked by Christi's vet the first week in January. I was treated for heartworms last July, and we are happy to report that I was re-tested for heartworm, and am negative. I am a neutered male. My weight is perfect. Everything else is good. The vet said that I am calm inside. I am up to date on all my shots and am microchipped. Christi has put me on all kinds of supplements that make my food delicious to improve my coat and general health. Christi was upset that somebody cut my tail feathers and pantaloons, but they are growing back...and Christi puts conditioner on me once per week to make me shiney and smell good. I love to be groomed, especially I like it when Christi pulls the funky hair from my ears!