Herding Trials for some of the CastAway Boyz!!

Accompanied by their Pembroke Pal, Miss Ghillie, and their foster mom, K.D., CastAways, Nolan, Wilson and Charlie all had a taste of what it is to do the job for which you were bred - herding! 

Time to meet the sheep, kindly made available by their owner, JoAnna, and Steve, their trainer, who graciously provided herding instinct testing for our Rescues. - Thanks Joanna and Steve!

What's your guess? Who had the herding genes in the group? Check out the photos below and see!

Getting one-on-one attention is never a bad thing for a Corgi.  Steve shares some herding advice before the sheep enter the scene. Dog and shepherd must be in synch for this to work well!

Foster mom, K.D. shows Nolan and Wilson how it's done.

Whoa...Nolan is a natural!

Perfect Nolan, round 'em up!

Hey, wait a minute!

Nolan takes a moment to inspect the perimeter 

and savor the beautiful day.

Meanwhile, Wilson has work to do, with the help of Steve's corgi, Sammo.

OK Wilson...these are the sheep, it's up to you now!

You've got it Wilson, that's the way to get those sheep in line.

Thanks Sammo...and you're a great teacher!

Good job Wilson!

Run Wilson, run!

Watch carefully Wilson!

Go get 'em Sammo!

Someone looks like a tired Corgi.  Showing your new buddy what it takes to be a real herding dog takes its own kind of energy!

Oh, and for the record...no photos of Charlie wasn't a coincidence. He and Ghillie are like-minded on this one, showing no real interest in the sheep. Much more fun to play with the humans! 

And thanks again to Steve for giving us an absolutely gorgeous November morning, complete with show dusting in the air, and the opportunity to see which of the Boys possesses natural herding talent!

CastAway Update - Wilson and the Fall Colors!

Time to assess the progress 

our CastAway Rescues have made! 

1. Kelly - This nice fellow has gone to his new home in New Mexico and prospers there with his new human mom and canine sister.

2. Charlie - Our Wild and Crazy guy is calming nicely. Still the most enthusiastic and adventuresome, this guy will need an owner who has had experience with a busy, strong-minded corgi. Make no mistake, Charlie is a real sweetheart, but is like a teen needing "tough love" at this stage in his development.

3. Nolan - Proving to be the shyest or the four, Nolan continues to make great progress in his socialization efforts. And there is a Big Surprise in Nolan's future! Stay tuned to learn more about it in the next few days!

4. Wilson - Our handsome little tri-colored boy has also proven to be a bit on the shy side. Getting used to all of the new people, places and things in the world outside of a puppy mill environment is more of a challenge for him. He will take a little longer than Charlie or Kelly to acclimate to the Big World. Wilson will need a home with someone who has had a history of working with a shy dog.  He's a very sweet fellow and is slowly blossoming in his foster home.

Below: Wilson gets a chance to explore the gorgeous acreage of his foster home (with his German Shepherd companion for moral support). These photos were taken early in October.

What's this? A bucket...what does it do?

Heading out for a big adventure!

Hmmm...sure smells good here!

Can you say Corgi in Heaven?

And more Heaven!!!

This is my favorite: Looks more like a painting and makes me want to be there!

Thanks for hanging out with me!

Wow!  This is really cool.  Can we go around again?

Stay Tuned - Cast Away Personality Profiles Coming Soon!

We're all a LOT happier now that we've been with our foster mom for a month. She knows quite a bit more about us too.  

Look for our personality profiles 

COMING SOON!

Wilson makes the Social Scene

Wilson proved a bit more hesitant when it came to meeting new people and new dog pals. At first he didn't want to walk on a leash, but with a bit of encouragement he managed. All the new sounds in the Outside World were overwhelming. 

Strangers were initially too intimidating, but after ten minutes or so that Corgi Curiousity just got the better of him and he chose to approach cautiously. He seemed to especially like Amy and the feeling was mutual, as you'll see from the photos.

When it came to meeting new dogs, Wilson walked right up to Eko (Anatolian Shepherd) and they were fine together.

Though he wasn't quite as gregarious as Charlie and Kelly, Wilson's social confidence was still much better than anticipated for a first outing. This is a really sweet little guy and his Foster Mom reports that his confidence is growing noticeably each day. Wilson learns very quickly and we're starting to see that he's got quite the sense of humor! Wilson, you're a Winner!

Wilson took a real liking to Amy!

For those who say dogs don't smile...think again!

Not only is Amy friendly, but she has the Ear Scratch down to a science. Ahhhh!

And, as an added bonus, a picnic table! Any self-respecting Corgi is always alert for a Food Opportunity! I'll just take a little look-see up here!

These new folks are really nice, but you're still my favorite Foster Mom!

Eko is really TALL! Good thing he's a nice guy.

Hi Teresa! So nice of you to come down to my level! 

It's so much nicer when people don't tower over me. 

Charlie spoke so highly of you! Thanks for making me feel at home here.

Fun Facts - As we Learn More!

Charlie - Great table manners: He lays down with his bowl between his feet when he eats. Also does the Frog Dog - too cute!

Wilson - Is showing himself to be quite a character. The most serious of the group upon arrival in foster care, this fellow is now showing that he's playful....and VERY smart! Each dog has his own kennel area and his own outside run area. Wilson has already figured out whos is whos!

Nolan - Asked his foster mom if "Clean Sheets" came with room service. He is kenneled next to a couple of cats and doesn't like the way they stare at him. Quiet up to now, his first bark was at the cats. From now on he gets a "privacy sheet" hung between him and the cats!

Kelly - The diplomat: Gets along with everyone - even the cats!

And we're told that they all like Country Music and Oldies. When I asked K.D. how she knew this, she said: "That's what they listened to all the way home from the shelter - and they didn't HOWL at it! " 

OK, I'll take that for now! But we will have to see just who likes Shania Twain and who votes for Mick Jagger, as we get to know them better!

This Week's Activity: Healing Body & Soul

This evening I received an update from the Cast Away Rescue's Foster Person, "K.D." She said:

The Cast Aways are enjoying the down time to rest and heal. Not just their external hurts, surgery etc. but their hearts, minds and souls.  They like their new individual runs (dens) as their own and not having to share everything.  They also like being clean.

Charlie is like a puppy with his inquisitive nature. He gets into everything if I give him half a chance.  Then he races around and chases back and forth when he comes inside for the night.  I attempt to catch him like a game but let him make a few passes running past me before I finally catch him. (Hmm...could this be an agility dog in the making?)

Kelly is the most mellow.  He is sweet, friendly, outgoing, and has kissed my fingers and cheek. Tonight he rolled on the grass about half a dozen times.  When I asked him "what are you doing Kelly?  You goofy dog!" He got up and just looked at me, like "What do you mean? or who me??"  He is So cute.

Wilson is the surprise as he keeps changing daily.  Mr Wilson as I call him.  Sometimes gruff with the others as they are being taken in or out, he has "words" for them.  I think he is trying to tell them he is in charge, but not sure. I do tell him that he needs to knock it off or stop and he does!!

 

When I go to his pen and want to bring him in, he is starting to play. Bouncing up and down, runing around, me acting like I am chasing him, bent over, butt in the air, hands closer to the ground and he is so happy.  He even runs between my legs from behind.  Since he is such a chunck I try NOT to pick him up anymore than I have to. I have not tried the "On the back thing yet".

Nolan is the quietest one.  Although this morning, he spoke his mind to Tramp (the cat).  He did not enjoy having Tramp meowing at him.  Tramp just sat in the corner of the kitty run and stared at Nolans food. I did not realize at first that they could see each other.  Nolan definitely told Tramp to back off because it was his food.  Tramp however felt that since the dogs were in his "Former" extended kitty fun and run area, why shouldn't he share that good smelling chicken dog food!

You all take care and stay tuned for more.  They love the outside runs and enjoy just laying on the grass or ground and watching and listening to everything around them.  I am sure it is just a "TAD" overwhelming!

Thanks K.D. You're doing an awesome job with these nice boys. They're obviously becoming much more relaxed and are starting to show us who they really are. Sounds like more fun than a Barrel of Corgis!

Back to Basics - Getting them Healthy!

A big day today as our four Cast Aways all had their first vet visit. For Kelly, Nolan and Wilson, this meant saying goodbye to some beloved treasures...time for the neutering! Charlie had that experience just before we pulled him while he was still in the shelter.

Everyone was tested for heartworms and found to be negative - Yahoo! This is a Big Deal, as heartworm treatment is quite $$ and not easy on a dog.

Other fun stuff included rabies shots all around (other vaccinations were done in the shelter), plus fecal tests, ear cleanings (a couple have ear infections). And another first...dental cleanings! Sadly, due to neglect of their dental health, three of the four dogs required tooth extractions. Nolan won the prize needing to have 5 teeth removed. Lesson: Brush your dog's teeth!

We suspect that we will see an upsurge in energy level, particularly from Nolan and Kelly who had multiple infected teeth. This is extremely draining, as the dog's immune system is fighting to control infection and it can really sap a dog.

And...then there was the bill! Funny how none of these canines pulled out a checkbook when it was time to pay the $1,344.00 bill! (And that was with the Rescue Discount applied!).

But, other than the dental work, there were no issues - they're all basically very health fellows and it feels good to know that they'll be in good shape when they're ready to find their permanent homes!

Rehabilitation and Socialization - It's a Long Road

After only a couple of days, our four new Cast Away Boyz are starting to relax. We're seeing more interest in exploring their new environment, more smiling, more interest in food, etc. But these fellows have a lot ahead of them. If you've never owned or fostered an "undersocialized" dog, it is an experience unlike what you'd expect. It requires time and patience beyond anything you can imagine.

Wilson's First Bath - Grooming Table? What's That?

Consider what you'd be like if you'd been born in prison, raised in a cell, then released on your 25th birthday! That's right. You turn 25, the cell door is unlocked and you're ushered to the front door. The door opens, you step out onto the dirt road in front of the jail. You've been given $50 and and a clean suit of clothes.  Now you're on your own! You've never seen a blade of grass. You've never eaten a really good steak. You've never been to a party. You've never ridden a bicycle....starting to get it?

Nolan's First Bath - Hmmm... I'd rather be out there on that Green Stuff

This is exactly what a puppy mill dog, now in foster care, is experiencing. In some ways many of these dogs do amazingly well. They learn to trust their new foster person within a couple of weeks. But figuring out the rest of the world....that takes a lot longer.

When we take dogs like this into foster care, we assume they will be with us for a minimum of 3 months. It isn't uncommon for them to need 6 months or more before they're ready to go to their permanent homes with their "real" families.

The key is trust. With the right foster person, an individual who can show them infinite patience, these dogs can slowly adapt to all of the new stimuli that awaits them in a typical home environment. 

Overcoming fear is the biggest issue. Everything is new and strange. They missed out on learning about the noise that a telephone makes, what it means to ride in a car, how to play with the spray from the garden hose. Not to mention how to accept people of all sizes, shapes, genders and hairstyles! (Yes, I had one that did NOT like baldness...go figure!)

They start out not knowing what a leash is, let alone how to walk around the block without being overwhelmed by all the new things they encounter. After a number of weeks/months, they become sufficiently acclimated to move on to Phase Two. That point at which a knowledgeable new owner can take them into their new home and continue the process.

We know that all four of these dogs are going to make it to Phase Two. We just don't know when. As of today, Wilson's big accomplishment was going outside to the yard on his own. He stayed out for just a few minutes, and then was ready to come back to the security of his new digs. For any normal dog, this is business as usual. For Wilson, this took a big leap of faith and a lot of courage! Hooray Wilson! 

There will be a lot more leaps, and some mis-steps too, as these dogs expand their horizons. Stay tuned! Given time and space, they will amuse, delight and snuggle their way into our hearts!

First Observations - Really Nice Personalities!

Now that our Cast Away Crew of Rescue Corgis have been in foster care for a couple of days, their personalities are already starting to emerge. All four are responding far better than we'd imagined; not as shy as we'd expected. Clearly these boys know that something BIG has happened. They seem to know that K.D., our foster mom, represents a ticket to a real life and they're determined to make the most of the opportunity. Here's what we've seen so far.

Wilson- Our tri-colored fellow is the shyest of the group, and the most serious. At times he shows a gruff exterior, but underneath there is a Teddy Bear. We don't think he has ever been on grass. He doesn't seem to have had too much human attention, but responds quite positively to it.  Our Foster Mom said: "Petting him and praising him does work as he will walk a little with me.  We sat on the grass and he crawled in my lap!!  Then he lifted his "BIG" head and licked my chin a couple of times." Quite a handsome boy, probably about 4 years old." I think we'll see more of the "Teddy Bear" side as this guy discovers his new world.

 

Charlie - A happy red/white boy, seems to be the alpha of the four. He also seems to be the most well-socialized and the one that was probably considered the most eligible for adoption by the shelter staff. Our Foster mom said: "He's very friendly and met my neighbor on the tractor as they were going to the garden to do some plowing. He was not intimidated by the noise at all.  He went up and met "Mary" and she petted him." Charlie's foster mom has also branded him the "comedian" of the group. Happy, bouncy and smiling, this is a nice fellow! Charlie was born in January 2004, according to shelter paperwork. We don't have any DoB information on any of the others, but we're pretty sure that Kelly is a littermate to Charlie, making them both about 4.5 years.

Kelly- A handsome red/white boy, Kelly is a little softer than the others. We think that Charlie and Kelly may be littermates. Like Charlie, Kelly is extremely friendly and outgoing.  He was not afraid of the neighbor's tractor when it was his turn to be out with his new foster mom. She said that he was "...running ahead of me and racing with the grass and checking out every spot under trees and flowers. He completely finished his dish of food before everyone else...and wants to be outside. I can lift him with no problems and hug him."

 

Nolan - A lovely red-headed boy, Nolan is extremely sweet. He seems like the oldest in the group, perhaps 5-6 years old. Was a bit hesitant at first, but within 24 hours, he's coming out of his shell nicely. Our Foster Mom said: "He is very outgoing and runs ahead of me on leash.  Not afraid of anything and very inquisitive with everything especially the grass and trees."  Nolan has a bit of a glamour coat and allowed himself to be brushed without any resistance. This is pretty significant for a dog that we've had less than 2 days! Foster Mom said: "I was able to rake out the pants.  While I was raking the underside very slowly and carefully, I held his right paw up so I could see and have access to this part of him. Nolan reached down and licked my hand that was holding his paw! I really like this fellow!"

 

More photos of the Cast Away Rescues

Wilson

Nolan

Kelly

Charlie