Sunday, September 30, 2007

Jesse James moves to an Austin Aussie Rescue home!

The director's home, in fact!! Let's hope that Austin Aussie Rescue will be able to find him the Forever Home this dear boy so deserves!

We will post updates when we have them so that Jesse's fans will know how his journey turns out...

Waiting

Jesse had to go back to the director's rescue ranch for a while. He was having trouble getting along with the other alpha-ish male dog in our home. It really hurt my heart to let him go, and the kids were not happy. Jesse was a joy as a pet in our home, and we were very sad about the siuation, but we didn't want the dogs to harm one another. The funny part is that he got along with the other dog in the house.

When at our home, Jessie would follow me around. Soon, he got tired of the way I went up and down, up and down the stairs. So, he started to wait for me in the middle of the stairs. One I sat down for a while he would come all the way up, or all the way down the stairs. It was funny to walk by the stairs and seem him perched there. Or course I had to get a picture. (Above.)

Friday, September 28, 2007

Half-and-half

Jessie has the most amazing eyes. They are half brown and half blue. He uses them to his advantage too.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Where is the gang?

I couldn't resist the cowboy costume for a foster dog named, Jesse James. He tolerated it rather well, actually. As long as he was being petted, he was willing to wear anything.

I am getting a chance to learn more about Jesse's personality and temperament. He does seem to have some territorial guarding issues with other dogs. He will also bark at the door when someone knocks. He has not shown anything but tenderness with people, though he a bit rougher with his foster brother dogs. Actually, he is fine with the Aussie foster brother, but has issues with his golden retriever foster brother. Maybe it is an Aussie thing? I think he would probably be best in a one dog family.

Maybe because of his hip, but Jesse does not have the high energy level of most aussies. He is content to just be wherever his people are, and especially his special person (at this home his foster mother.)

He loves his crate and uses it throughout the day to rest in, and sleeps all night in it really well. He has not marked at all in our house since the very first day.

He is so sweet and loving and the one of the cuddliest dogs I have know. He has a happy wiggle for every person he meets, and he is good with kids.

We took him for a walk the other day and he walked great, but random things did bother him, like a skateboard passing,sprinklers, etc. He recovered well and followed his foster family down the road though.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Pleasant Suprises

[Jesse watches his foster mother from the window.] I have to admit that I am always a bit surprised when I get a foster dog that has been homeless for a long time that is not antisocial or aggressive. I am amazed by how much sweetness and affection they still have in them. You would think those long months living in a kennel will really take their toll. However, Jesse is so absolutely sweet. He loves people. If he could, he would Velcro himself to my leg. Shadow would have been an appropriate name for him too. It if funny though, because I can see that he likes other people as well. He spent much of yesterday either at my feet and going upstairs to lay near the kids. He is particularly fond of our boy child. It was like he was so drawn to both places and he just couldn't decide so every few minutes he was back and forth, back and forth. His crate is also upstairs and he likes to rest in that, though given the chance her prefers the bed. (Bad foster momma!)

He has been two days without the belly band and no accidents inside! His pattern definitely seems to be the first day of trying to "mark" and then understanding that he has to do that outside. Speaking of outside, Jesse has had enough of that. He would prefer to be inside...always. :)

He very much likes his routine, and if I am late for our dinner routine he will pace around in the kitchen to remind me. :)

Friday, September 21, 2007

Welcome, Jesse James!

Jessie joined us today. We are his new foster home, and hopefully the last on his visit to a forever home. I am happy to say that beyond the first initial attempt to mark the first few moments in the house, there have been no more attempts today. He has figured out already that it is best to do that outside. We will keep the belly band on for another day or two and then we will try to go belly-bandless. That stairs have proved to be no problem for him to manage.

Jesse has been a joy to have in the house already. He has wiggled his way into every one's good graces already. Those striking eyes are hard to resist. He has been really good with the children. He was a little sad when his previous foster mom left, and he watched out the window for a long time and whined. He was very easy to distract though, and hasn't left my side since.

I like the way he nudges me a bit when he wants my attention, and he is a leaner. When you start to give him so love, he leans in for more.

We look forward to getting to know him better and are happy to have him with us.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

A crazy month

Jesse James has had a busy month. After his stay at Austin Aussie Rescue foster Matt's home, he came back to our home briefly in preparation for a stay in a trial home. Unfortunately, after a few days it was clear he was not a match for that family, and he came back to stay with us. Later, he had another chance at a home, but that family chose one of our other dogs. So Jesse James is still patiently waiting for his family to find him.

Jesse continues to heal well from his surgery and his marking is no longer the problem here it once was (though everyone should be aware that they need to be vigliant when he first arrives at new place just to be sure!). He has a good time playing with the other dogs and LOVES attention from the people in his life.

He will likely go to another foster home this Friday for a few weeks... hopefully this will be the last temporary stop for dear Jesse...