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!