I Don't Know The Reason I Stayed Here All Season

It's been 8 months since Jack moved into his new home in Virginia. In the beginning, Jack was emotionally very needy. He didn't know his new people...he couldn't understand anything he was told. He was following his Mommy within an inch everywhere she went, as if afraid that she will forget about his presence, forget about him. He never could figure what she wanted him to do and just awkwardly jerked in space, mixing up commands, eager to please and get any reassurance in his worthiness. At any sign of attention from his humans he would drop on the floor and roll on his back, so to encourage belly rubs - as that's what was the solution to his emotional confusion. Maybe, he associated a human touch with being accepted, being loved. Submissively spreading on the floor was all he might have felt he could offer. All that plus stubborn resistance to training and periodic urination inside, were signs of great anxiety.
With time, Jack learned to read his humans and the routine happenings in the house. He got in tune with moods of the humans and in pace with activities. That gave him lots of confidence and he seems to be more self-sufficient now. He knows he will get his treats, and his rubs -- per Mommy's schedule and discretion. He relaxed quite a bit and quit peeing in the house.

In another way he establishes his place under the sun is by constantly competing with his older sis Tais. He never lets Tais go though a door before him...If both dogs are called to report, he would first smash Tais on the floor before he runs to the call because he knows how to slow down an old, arthritic dog. If pettings or treats are being dispersed, he is most agitated about getting them first, and getting them all --wedging his face (or the whole body when he can) between the person and Tais or another dog. Quite a bully this pretty face!!

Wise Men Say Only Fools Rush In

Jack is thrilled to report that he has just graduated magna cum laude from the Leash University. While he had familiarity with leash subjects, he needed some time to really grasp the discipline. A few weeks of fieldwork on a regular colar-attached leash were unproductive: Mommy kept stopping every two feet and saying something about him pulling too hard.

One day a brown-suited man left a box at Jack's front door. The box contaned a weird complicated thing that looked like a bunch of strings that was placed around Jack's body and front paws. Now the walks became more confusing: every time Jack rushed just a little bit, some invisible force restrained his fore-paws. One thing Jack got out of it: Mommy stopped stressing about his every move and he could finally enjoy things around him without interruption. He just had to walk at the pace she set.

A few more weeks of advanced studies included walking with the leash dragging on the ground and obeying command "stay"in front of a wide open front door! Now, THAT's a distinguished scholar!! He is now seeking an internship at a street out of area to apply his academic skills.
Here are Jack and Tais after taking a bath, are waiting patiently before they are allowed to go outside.

Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon

Last weekend something new and exciting happened in Jack's life. After lunch, the Man set up a big hanging bed for Mommy out in the back yard. At first, Jack didn't know what that was and was afraid of it (of course). Suddenly, Tais showed up and tried to jump into the hammock. That was a pleasant surprise: she lately seems to be loosing interest in many activities and just prefers to be on her own, on her bed. I guess, she recalled those nice chill-outs in the hammock in the past few years, snuggling with Mommy and listening to the birds and sounds of trees, and lazily watching squirrels...

Of course, gone her days of easy jumping into a hammock that is 2 foot from the ground, so Mommy had to lift Tais and place her into the hammock. Then she got herself in with a couple of magazines. It took only one look at Jack, "So, Are You Getting In Here Or What?" -- and in a blink of an eye, Jack sprang into the hammock, causing it to rock like crazy from side to side. All three almost fell on the ground :))

Jack liked the hammock a lot! If not the rainshower, he'd lie there till dark!

Before I Knew It She Was Walking Next to Me

There have been some sad news in Jacks life lately: his now beloved sister Tais has been diagnosed with cancer.

After Tais toe amputation surgery, Jack was cognizant of her condition. He gave her gentle quick licks when passed by her bed, he brought his toys and placed them next to her. He kept at a distance, but watched her a lot. It seemed on a couple of occasions that he even alerted his Mom that Tais wanted to go outside.

After two weeks of recovery, Tais now seems to regain some interest in life. Her paw healed (more or less) and her appetite is at the pre-winter levels. While she is lethargic for the most part of the day -she jumps a bit in the evenings, fools around with toys, and gives her famous friendly growls. She always has been talkative, while hardly ever barking (typical setter feature).

Today all went for a slow walk around the block for the first time since the surgery. The slow pace was strange to Jack, but he did fine overall. Of course, pulled his leash a bit, but not too bad.

I WILL HEEL IF YOU HEAL

Jack's sister Tais stays tonight at a vet hospital to have her toe amputated. There is a suspicion of cancer, but the biopsy results will be known in a few days.

While she is somewhere on an operation table, Jack and his Mommy decided to "go out" in honor of Tais, because that's what Tais loves most: long walks around the 'hood. Mind you, Jack has never been outside the boundaries of the house (except for once when he *almost* ran away, but was diverted back to his homestead).

At first, Jack pulled in all directions, but quite quickly he learned to do what was expected, i.e. walk nicely on the leach. Most likely, he had been trained before to "heel" and that came back to him, otherwise he is a super genius.

At one point a neighborhood yellow lab popped up from behind a shrub- unleashed -and started a rapid approach in Jack's direction. While she looked friendly, Jack's Mom remained cautioned and pulled Jack on a short leach. Amazingly, Jack sensed her mood: he remained still, but highly alert: mouth closed, eyes wide open, slowly waving his tail, and all legs slightly bent, ready to react any second, like in a karate stance. The encounter was friendly and Jack was nice as well, but it made his Mommy feel so good that there seemed to be a communication between them and agreement at some special sixth sense level.

Tired and overwhelmed from exploration of the neighborhood, Jack is now spread flat on the floor and chasing somebody in his dream. Tais would be so excited for us! We did so good, Jackie!

With 2 Dogs In the Yard...Now Everything Is Easy 'Cause of You

Jack was allowed in the front yard today. It is not fenced in, therefore Jack had to be tied up on a long line, while Mommy was mulching the plants and picking big scary sticks from under the trees.
Jack had enormous fun: listening, listening, listening, and lifting his nose higher for sniffing too: lots of birdies, and some people with dogs passing by. FUN!!

Tais lately is not doing good: she's got some sort of infection on her toe, so it's hard to get the poor thing into the picture. But eventually, she got our for fresh air as well, and you know, to help with the yard work.

Scaramouche, Will You Do The Fandango?

Where Jack dwells, there are sliding doors with primitive but effective anti-break-in devices: wooden poles placed in the tracks. Well, one day Jack decided one needs to be chewed to pieces.

Naturally, he got diarrhea. Upon arrival, his Mommy found the doggy place in a total and complete mess with dogs running filthy and stinky... you got the picture. After steam vacuuming the carpet, a new spy technology was used: ultra-violet light. Apparently it is supposed to detect spots left behind by some leg-lifting creatures, we won't point fingers who.

You have a wild guess about results? Go ahead.

Yep. Absolutely EVERY piece of furniture and EVERY corner of the room revealled small urine markings. Jack has been methodically marking the area all this time!! Arhhhh!! Never trust the English!

STICKY BUSINESS

One of Jack's areas of great discomfort is a human with some sort of a stick in close proximity...First , his Mommy discovered it as she rolled out a contractor's measuring tape in Jack's presence -- he got visibly agitated and ran away! She then proceeded at different times to display him a broom, a hoe, a roll of gift paper --to confirm Jack's special fear around the whole idea of a standing person holding a long, skinny object. Each time, Jack gets nervious and runs. He cannot even observe from inside the house when his Mommy operates a spade or an axe outside in the yard. He just gets out of sight into the deepest corner of the house.

One can only imagine a possible cause of such phobia...

One way to get him a bit less scared of sticks, was an idea of feeding him a treat on a stick. Long stirring spoon seemed a good fit for the purpose.



It took quite a few attempts to finally get Jack eat straight from a "stick"

Still, not working for other long skinny objects, but we are getting there!

TOO MUCH NOISE. TOO MANY MEN

There is an excellent book that recently surfaced in our neck of the woods, that describes dogs' body language. Indeed, Jack can hide his emotions so well, that if you are not attentive, you might not notice what's going on.

It was a tough day today for Jack. Two men came to do some outdoor electrical work, and although they never stepped into the house, Jack was not a happy camper about seeing the men in the windows. Although you just couldn't see that in his eyes, but some clues could reveal that Jack was at the end of the rope for hours: his facial muscles were tense, he salivated like he'd eaten a pickle for breakfast,breathing hard and sticking his tongue out like a spatula. At one point his Mommy thought he might feel better if crated, but he started jumping into a corner of his crate and even whined for a second.

Only in the end of the day, when the men left, Jack finally relaxed and even munched on a treat that had been given to him earlier. He cherishes the silence most

I Want You ...To Show Me The Way

Jack is a one smart dog, plus he learns a lot from his sis. He is now allowed off the leash in the backyard, which he enjoys a whole lot more that being on a stinky long line. And, as one would expect from a dog of noble English lords, he doesn't go to the toilet anywhere in the play area - only in the far corner of his yard.

Over the winter, his wonderful Fommy (foster Mom) taught him "Come!" "Off!" and "Sit!" - and he polishes those commands daily.


By now he also learned not to rush ahead a human at the stairs or through a door: he waits until he gets "OK." He is also actively learning the command "Down" - like in "Lay down!" Once he masters that, he will be learning how to "Stay!" - that promises to be a hard one for the energetic young pal.

While Jack loves to play fetch in the house, doing it outside is just not his thing. He buries in the ground everything his Mommy throws! You know, you can't trust those squirrels...

IMAGINE ALL THE DOGS LIVING LIFE IN PEACE

Did you know that Jack and his fursister Tais are now best buddies? Well, OF COURSE! How else? When nothing is going on, they prefer to be apart: Tais seeks sunny and quiet spots around the house, while Jack prefers to stay close to his Mommy.(Only once he snuck out into the kitchen and stole a chunk of salami from a counter!!)

But once there is something cooking - literally or figuratively - the two form an aliance and are one happy bunch.

They do the snout-snout thing all the time, watch the squirrels together, and even pu-pu in the yard next to each other !! (I'm afraid the Blog Police will go after me saying this)

Although, Jack is still shy of Dave, because he doesn't see him much - but generally, the peace seems to be restored.

STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU

Jack is doing his best to just "fit in." His first challenge is his older fursister, Tais. As you know, she hasn't been exactly a good sport when Jack arrived. She used to be THE queen around here, and not ready to share her favorite bed, toys, and humans with the newbee. Tais: "Look...I'm trying my best, ok?"

Jack understands... He learned not to get too close to Tais, otherwise she snarls at him. He respects her space and tries to live by the rules of the house he came to live in (some immigrants in this country should learn this from Jack, but I dirgess). Jack stays close to Tais but doesn't get too much in her face: Jack is handling his grumpy sis with self-respect. He doesn't get even, nor he desperately seeks her approval. He just is being self-sufficient and always a gentleman!!

JUST RUNNIN' SCARED EACH PLACE WE GO

There are MANY things in Jack's new place to be afraid of : kitchen in general, because of noises of dishwasher, kettle, and washer and dryer...shutting of cabinetry doors, opening the blinds...even afraid of his own tag hitting the dish bowl when he eats.

It takes a lot of nice calling from his Mommy to come into the kitchen and have his food eaten, or he would be just standing there in the hallway like this.

Here, Jack is scared of a TV-stand door that opens by itself once you hit it with a toy.

Suprisingly, Jack is so not afraid of the vacuum cleaner!! Good boy!

Tonight, they forecast thurnderstorms - but at the first sign of a storm, Jack will be cuddling with his Mommy to take his mind off the thunder and stuff

OK...THIS NEW PLACE IS ALRIGHT

Well, well, well.. Jack's new humans got downstairs at 7am and found a wet spot on Jack's bed...I wonder what happened? I don't know what you are talking about...Must be this old grumpy Tais got into Jack's crate at night and made the nasty spot.

Let me tell you something more exciting than that. This place has a big yard!! With all the wild creatures in it!! The female human (I think she is supposed to be the new mommy - but we will see about that!) well, she went outside each window and scattered nuts and berries on the ground. That surely was some sort of invite for all kindsa birdies. Neat... the show was going on for the whole afternoon!!

But the real cool part is that the windows in the place go all the way to the ground! OMG!! Not just one window, but six!! Jack paces between the windows, afraid to miss the action!

By the way -- they surely know how to play rope here!

Because it's Jack's FAVORITE GAME!!

Ye-e-a-ha-a!! So far so good, so stick around till next week update!

MEETING THE NEW FAMILY

After a long ride form Michigan, Jack finally arrived to Northern Virginia, and first met his fursister Tais at Reston Park&Ride. All the sniffing and associated activity went very well!!

Upon entering the house, Jack inspected every inch of it. Tais wasn't exactly fond of this, as her aristocratic upbringing dictated that guests do not act in such obnoxious manner. She didn't realize at that point that Jack is gonna be a family member, so she was protective of her homestead. But Jack was a REAL gentleman -- despite some growls of his older sister, he just was trying to get along with everybody!!

The humans stayed in the canine quarters for some fondue and movie, so everybody settled, once the pre-views were over.
Finally, the evening closed with some hugging and kissing, only occasional growls from Tais :)

WE SAY GOOD BYE... AND YOU SAY HELLO!

Getting ready to head home!

Mixed emotions.

Tears of Happiness because you are getting a great family to call your own.  Tears of Sadness because we have grown to love you so much and will miss our Snuggle Buddy! 

No worries, Jack!  You are a wonderful boy that deserves the loving family that chose to add you to their family.  You are a very smart, loyal and big hearted boy.  You have touched our lives in so many ways!  I hope we have made up for the misfortune of your past and given you the ability to trust the humans in your future!  Take what you have learned from us and make sure you are a good boy for your new mommy and daddy!  Treat your new Fursister with respect... she is your elder!  

I could say so much more to you Jack, but it's time to say Good bye!   I need to borrow something I learned from another foster mom.... because there is no better way to say this...

"You may have left my home but you will never leave my heart!"

Love you always,  Lisa (Your "Fommy"),  Sofia (your little girl), Bobby (your Foster Dad), Cali, Mallory and Mazie (your foster fur sisters), Binnie (you foster guinea pig sister) and Zee the resident Gecko!  

THE ATTENTIVE CO-PILOT!

Jack was the perfect Setter Ball during the 8 hours it took us to reach Bedford, PA.  I'm sure he was dreaming about his new family.   He woke up for head rubs and belly rubs and then went right back to sleep!  No worries, Jack!  Your new family will love you !  

WAKE UP, SLEEPY HEAD!

Jack... It's time to wake up!  It's time to go to see your family!

BIG S...T...R...E...T...C...H............

Come on!  The sun isn't even up yet!  

JACK THE CROSSING GUARD...

Jack's Foster Mom opened the shades to clean the windows and the school bus arrived...

Cleaning was postponed until after the children walked home.  Jack sat at attention for 5 minutes!  What a good boy!

WHERE"S THE TENNIS BALL?

CATCHING SNOWFLAKES...

LEAP DAY...SNOW DAY...

JACK'S BIG SISTER...

Looks like Jack's sister, Tais, wants to look beautiful for his homecoming!
I think Tais will be keeping a watchful eye on her new brother, Jack!

A FUN WAY TO PASS TIME...

Well, Jack found out that he needs to wait a little bit longer to go to his new family.  Someone forgot to tell the weathermen that snow and ice storms aren't welcome on transport days!  So, he will be spoiled by his foster family for one more week!  He does have a pretty rough life!  Don't you think?  

STARVED FOR ATTENTION...

Jack loves to get belly rubs from Sofia!  
That's the spot!
OH!  Come on... just five more minutes?  

CUDDLE TIME

What a way for Jack to spend the afternoon... chewing on his new fursister's toy while cuddling with his foster fursister!  Jack loves everyone and every toy he meets!  

JACK MEETS HIS MOM

Jack had his first real adventure this afternoon.  He went for a ride with his foster mom to the airport to meet someone very special.  A wonderful couple was interested in adopting Jack but they live far away from his foster home.  So, his new mom flew to Detroit to meet him!  We didn't have much time before his mom had to get back on the plane to head home.  So, we headed to PetSmart!  Jack checked out the other dogs, people, treats, toys and the rescued cats. We were allowed to use their training area to have some off leash time.  By the time we left 90 minutes later, Jack had a new rope toy and a new mommy!  We headed back to the airport to say good bye!  Jack's mom brought one of her t-shirts and a dog toy from Jack's older fursister. 

Jack watched his mom as he left in the car.  Then, he fluffed the t-shirt and curled up in it!  He grabbed the bunny with his mouth and fell asleep!  What a great day for Jack!

ALL ABOUT JACK...

Jack is a 4-5 year old, neutered, tri colored English Field Setter with a soft coat, perky ears and a lot of love to give! At 45 pounds he could use a few pounds to fill out his thin frame. His foster mom is feeding him a little extra with each meal and Jack loves to eat yummy treats. Jack loves to play with toys. He will toss the kong, balls or rope toy in the air and try to catch it with his feet. It only took 5 minutes for Jack to learn to drop the toy in my lap to extend his playtime! He is showing more interest in running and wrestling with his 3 ES foster sisters but prefers his playtime to be about the toys.
He does enjoy running in the yard and his long legs are pretty fast. He is not really “birdy” but does take notice of the squirrels. He has the potential to “run big” so we are really working on his recall. In 2 short weeks, his recall has become very reliable. He really aims to please his humans and is a fast learner! Right now, his favorite activity is curling up on the dog chair next to the picture window and his foster mom’s desk!


Jack's temperament is very sweet and laid back. He loves being the center of his foster mom’s universe and he LOVES to cuddle. However, he is not a lazy setter. He does love his playtime but his level of play is very appropriate. Jack will try to jump over and onto the sectional when he gets excited but does listen to the “off” command. This behavior is improving daily. Overall, he is a fairly quiet boy. He has only barked twice in 2 weeks. He gets along great with his 3 ES foster sisters and he LOVES the 3-year-old human in his foster home! At the end of the day, Jack cuddles with his 3 foster fur sisters and his human family during movie time.
Jack has good house manners and makes improvements every day. He really aims to please. He has not had an accident since arriving in his foster home. He loves his crate and will take a nap on his own if playtime is too tiring. He slept in his crate at night when he first arrived. After 5 days, Jack graduated to sleeping in bed with his foster mom and the members of the furry gang. He does not jump on people. He will follow his foster mom around the house and will stop and sit at her feet when she stops. Jack knows “sit” and “come” and is learning “off” and “settle.” His leash manners need some work but he is making progress each day.



Jack would like a forever family that will shower him with affection, spoil him rotten, and reinforce the progress he has made with learning his commands. A good throwing arm is a plus! He would probably enjoy having another dog to keep him company when he’s left alone. This handsome boy would also thrive on the attention of being an only dog. He is great with the children in his foster home but would also do well in an adult only home. Jack has not been cat tested. He ignored the guinea pig when he first arrived. Lately, he has noticed her and gets excited when she moves around her cage.

Jack is ready and waiting to deliver some Setter kisses to his new family.