Meet Telly & Shep
Topic: Telly & Shep
Here is our update and info about our two little boy rescues, Telly and Shep. They arrived on Saturday night, 6.6.2009
We are the Hartman family of Renton, WA. My husband Brad, me- Kristi, and our daughters Elly (5) and Evan (15 months), along with our 3 year-old female Eskie Cleo (from Angelheart Eskies) have decided to add some rescue action to our summertime fun. We have had 2 rescue mini girls in our lives in past years and have really enjoyed the experience, so here we are again... I am sending some pictures of our backyard setup under the apple tree. Thanks so much to Sherry and Guy for making it easy to help!
Saturday 6/6/09 - Sherry and Guy brought us two very frightened little boy Eskies this evening. "Shep" with the tall ears is a bit more outgoing. He checks everything out first and still holds a reserved Eskie smile, but it is far away. "Baldy" is just quaking in his boots when anyone looks at him, and hides his head as best he can. He suffered horribly from flea dermatitis and his poor skin looks raw under what is left of his matted yellow fur. Right away we decided he needed a more dignified name with positive energy, so he is now named "Telly" for actor Telly Savalas (aka Kojak) who is also wanting for hair. Hard to tell how old they are. Maybe 5 or 6?
We have a good sized backyard with a big apple tree, and set the boys up in a big X-pen with a crate inside to share. They get nice morning sun and shade in the hotter hours of the day. It's a good central location where they can see a lot of the action. We think it's really important for our kids to learn early on about being around animals of all temperaments, so this is all part of our teaching them too. They are very excited to be part of the rescue. We let the boys get settled in and brought in an extra blanket for Telly. It was interesting to me that Cleo, our 3 year-old Eskie went right up to the pen and laid down beside it watching them. I was sure she would bark at them and be the biggest hurdle, but she has been good. She almost seemed to understand right away that they were of a different world then she knew.
We fed them and tucked them in after a few tries at sitting in the enclosure with tiny tidbits for peace offerings. Prime rib was refused to give you an idea of where these guys are coming from. We heard a bit of squabbling in the crate and then quiet for the night.
I'll send more updates later - have to get the kids off to school, but we have great strides to report already!!
xoxo Kristi
Niko Day Six!
Topic: Niko
Goooooood Morning Everybody!!
Can't believe it but it's Day 6 in my new home....wow, what a great few days I've had!!
Since I last wrote to you I've figured out how to jump up on the bed and now I sleep with my family in the Sleeping Den...no more crate for you know who <G>
I just got lonely. Every night Mummy would say, "bedtime" and everybody would run into the Sleeping Den, leaving me all alone....so two nights ago, I said enough of this...I want to sleep with my family, we do everything else together...so into the Sleeping Den I went...figured out how high I would have to jump to get up on the bed and went for it. Well, you know, I have a spot!!...down by Mummy's feet...they are so much fun to play with!!
Then I found more toys!! I have been rooting out toys that Mummy didn't even know we had...we have sooooo many!! Mummy told the others "finders keepers"...so every day when Mummy's at work...I go toy hunting then pile them up so that she can see them when she comes home...she is very very impressed...I figure it could take me weeks to find them all!!
Another first, I discovered pie and spaghetti!!....Yummy Yummy.....Mummy was having a piece of pie and put it on the table when she had to do something., so I went over and sniffed...it was divine! Something called Autumn Harvest...all red stuff...so anyway...I couldn't take it and grabbed it off of the plate...well, I tasted it and it tasted as good as it smelled so I did the only thing a guy can do...I buried my face in it and then rolled in it....so good! Mummy says I'm a mess but I think it just improves my looks and of course I won't let her take it off me...so hey!!
And then last night I met Spaghetti and meat sauce..OMG....I grabbed a few mouthfuls of that when Mum wasn't looking.....now that's good food!!....So I've told Mummy that I'm ready to switch to human food when she's ready .....she just stared at me LOL.....poor Mummy....she can't believe how fast I'm adapting!!!
Let's see ....my love life.....ah yes, the girl of my dreams, the one and only Lillie.....I'm happy to report progress has been made on two fronts....she lets me sit with her during the day and she lets me sleep close to her at night....I'm in Heaven....although she did comment on my piey face...so I've asked her to maybe clean me up a bit....She declined...said Mummy will have to give me a bath....not yet...no way.....
And lastly.....Mummy.....well I did let her pat me yesterday, and didn't shy away....she's ok ya know....she makes good things to eat....always makes sure i have enough food and water...and can always find a treat or two....the others adore her...and I'm beginning to see why....
Well, gotta go....time for a little breaky ....am thinking that I might work with Mummy on putting a collar on me soon...will write in the next couple of days!!!
Have a great day!!!
Hugs
Niko
We've Made Progress!!!!
Topic: Luna & Rocket
Wow! We've made some progress in the last 1 1/2 days.
The unfortunate news is we still can't touch them. However, both of them are very excited to see us and come to the fence. Luna is starting to stay at the fence or move away and come back. Luna may be the one we can touch first. She is the one that will stand closest to the fence.
Luna and Rocket were sleeping in the same crate this morning when they greeted me.
Both of them have definitely found their voices! They've started to bark a little bit when they feel they are being ignored. Its such a positive sign that they want human interaction. I sat in their pen today and they both relaxed pretty quickly albeit they spent most of the time behind their crate. For the first time, Luna was making eye contact with me. She has such sad eyes. To me this is another sign that she may come out of her shell first. Rocket doesn't look at like that.
Luna was giving me a bit of an Eskie smile while I was in their x-pen. Rocket had a little bit of a smile yesterday.
Zephyr and Rocket were playing this evening! Rocket was in the pen following Zephyr and spinning donuts as Zephyr ran around the outside. It brought tears to my eyes. Who knows the last time Rocket played. He was having a great time. Luna went and hid in her corner I think as much to get out of the way then anything else.
Because of the possibility of thunderstorms this evening Bob went and bought a larger tarp. We've strung it over the pen to keep out the rain and reflect the sun. (Its silver on one side.) Luna and Rocket hid in their crate while we strung it up. As soon as we finished they popped out of the crate. It was nice to see them come out and not cower in their crate due to the changes we made to their environment.
That's it for now. I wish they were making faster progress, but I have to keep in mind how far they've come in a week and how far they have to go. Slow and steady progress will give them the best chance for long term success.
Luna Finds Her Voice
Topic: Luna & Rocket
The baby steps continue. Luna found her voice today. She barked once at me as I walked out the door. She continues to show more and more interest in Bob and I, but she just can't bring herself to creep out of her corner to do more than peek over the top of or around the crate she lies next to. She is very good at "spy hopping".
Luna pops her head up and looks over the crate every time I come out the door. The saddest thing is Luna actually trembles when I talk to her. I can't imagine what has happened to her that makes her afraid of a human voice. I was encouraged to catch Luna eating this morning. I still haven't seen her drink water, but it was warmer today and the water in the bucket was disappearing faster than it did yesterday. She must be drinking some of that water.
Rocket has definitely figured out he will be getting fed regularly. No more scarfing for him. I'm giving them a bit more now that I know Rocket isn't eating all of it. I wish I could get Luna to come out of her corner and eat with Rocket, but that will have to be a future baby step.
There are currently 2 crates in the x-pen. I need to take one out, it goes in the back of the minivan. Rocket has started using them as dog houses. This means he's not lying next to Luna. This continues to show me he is being less protective of her. He is also not reacting as strongly when one of my dogs comes up to smell her through the fence. I guess I'll put one of the other spares in the x-pen in hopes that Luna will eventually use it.
I spent 30 - 45 minutes in the x-pen sitting in a chair and reading. Both dogs went and hid in the corner, but eventually Rocket came out and went into one of the crates. Luna peaked around the corner of the crate a number of times, but stayed behind it. I'm moving my chair around the outside of the pen so they get used to seeing me in other positions.
Today Trekker and Zephyr were wrestling in the backyard. Rocket was very attentive. At first he was upset about their wrestling match, but then he relaxed and watched. When Trekker and Zephyr were finished Zephyr came over to the x-pen. Zephyr went into a play bow and Rocket did the same thing! Rocket was a little growly during his play bow, but it was definitely a "I want to play too" move. I wish I could let him out to play, but I'm not sure how hard he would play and if it would turn into a fight. I do know I wouldn't be able to get him back into the x-pen. Another future baby step.
That's it for now. Denise
Sirius Dreams American Eskimo Dogs
email hotshoe@dogstardreams.com
http://www.dogstardreams.com
“Chaos in the midst of chaos isn’t funny, but chaos in the midst of order is.” – Steve Martin
Niko's Day Three
Topic: Niko
Happy Day Everyone!!
Day 3 in my new country and I have a little confession to make.....I'm in love.................................
Her name is Lillie and she's the pack leader and she's beautiful and smart and totally ignores me....and I adore her....and she's a standard so not only is she taller than me, she has a beautiful big bark........and she's an older woman........sigh...I like nothing better that burying my snout in her ruff...she smells so good and is so white and beautiful...did I say that.....
Anyway, the rest of my day. Mum got up and took everyone outside but me, apparently I have to agree to wear something called a collar and a leash before I can go with them...so I just went back to my crate and waited patiently for them to come back...and they did...but ....it was what they did next that shook me to my claws...They went back to bed!! Do you believe that?? I couldn't.
So I waited for them to get up again and when it was obvious they weren't going to anytime soon, I marched right into the sleeping den and demanded that they all get up...and they ignored me!! So, I stood right there and I barked and barked until Mummy said "Right" and then they all got up!! So they should...the sun was out ....it was daytime, why would they want to sleep.....Mummy said something about it only being 7 am...but I don't care. I was up so they could be too!!
Mum made me breakfast and while she was doing that she made herself something called coffee....she looked at me and then added an extra scoop....she said something under her breath that sounded like she might need it.....anyway, I gobbled up my food and drank all my water so Mum gave me more...and then I went over and helped myself to my brother and sisters breakfast...so Mum put down more.....We put on Dog Whisperer and watched that then another show called Dog Town. Very interesting stuff...none of which applies to me of course <G>
I then finally figured out how to jump on the couch so while everybody was laying around I had a little power nap....the couch was so soft and comfy it was hard to wake up, but I did!!
I wanted to go outside but Mummy said I had to help her with the chores....since I've never done chores I just followed her around to find out what she meant....First of all she brought out something called the rug shampooer...and we cleaned up my little accidents...couldn't get to the puppy pad in time....she then brought out another machine called the "Vacuum Monster"...it's huge and makes such a big noise.....and we vacuumed...and of course I had to assist the monster as it went from room to room...it was dragging Mummy along 'cause she had to empty it's tummy every so often.....
Then I went outside and lay out in the sun and had a really nice snooze....indoors again and time to play with the toys and help Mum and here it is nighttime already and I've been making all sorts of advances to Lillie, but she just looks at me with those big brown eyes and wags her tail and jumps up and kisses Mummy...I don't know why...I'm just going to have to bury my snout in her ruff more so she gets the hint....anyway Mummy's just brought the laundry up and I'm going to go and observe her folding....have a nice night...p.s. - Mummy says I'm such a girl guy .....I think she means I really like the girls ....teeheehee
Oh...I let Mummy touch me today!!...No pats yet....but she can touch me...it's ok.....
'til tomorrow
Niko
Second New Day
Topic: Niko
Hi Everybody
Well, here I be, I have survived my second full day in Canada and boy has it been fun!!
This morning, Mummy went out to do some shopping so while she was gone I organized my brother and sisters and led them in song...I supplied the howls and Max and Lillie supplied the backup vocals....yips and yippy yips...boy are we good! Trissie, because she can't bark....conducted......
Mum says she opened the door to our part of the building and knew immediately where the songs were coming from...she just couldn't believe she heard three melodious voices...as soon as we heard her footsteps we stopped...and Lillie and Max met her at the door while I dashed into my crate...
Anyway, Mummy thinks we should form a group "Niko and the Eskies" and cut a cd and give all the proceeds of our sales to Ms. Sherry so she can rescue more doggies...like me and Max.... so if there are any record producers reading this, we're interested in a deal!! We had a wonderful singing group at Kennewick...it was one of our ways to keep ourselves amused...
So, today, let's see, I was out and in today. Mummy kept my crate door open last night and today, which is really nice because when I want a little nap I just go into my crate and when I want to go outside and sun, I just head outside and I'm allowed everywhere!!...So fun!!
I'm getting a little closer to Mum, but I'm not too sure of her yet so I'm taking my time, but I'm not afraid to walk near her now. I know that she means me no harm. I might let her pat me tomorrow.
And, tonight Lillie and I had it out...not badly mind you...but she didn't appreciate me trying to dominate her and told me so....then I asked her to play with me, but she refused...maybe Trissie will play. Max is being a great big brother. He's older than me by a bit and he really watches me ...as I watch them. He talks to me all the time, and I really enjoy him, even when he grumbles.
More to tell tomorrow...am just going to go get a little snack and some more water. I just can't get enough water and food. Mummy doesn't know where I put it all..so she just keeps filling up the dishes every time I empty them.
Oh and I almost forgot!! I played with a toy today...I've never played with a toy before but I watched the other doggies and I saw a toy that looked really neat so I grabbed it and started to play with it....around here we all share toys so no one was upset or worried...Mummy just looked at me with a big grin on her face.
'Til tomorrow
Nighty night
Niko
Luna & Rocket Update
Topic: Luna & Rocket
Lynn, Here's the latest: Rocket and Luna continue to make progress. Rocket barks a greeting as I go out to scoop poop and change their water. I'm hoping he's telling me he's happy to see me.
Rocket is approaching the fence more and more, but moves away when I open the gate to go in. Luna had a breakthrough today. She popped her head up and walked up to the fence, albeit for about 3 seconds, when I opened the bedroom door. That was a huge step for her. Luna is starting to show more interest in seeing me although she's still spending most of the day in the corner behind one of the crates.
Rocket is continuing to slowly relax his protective behavior with Luna. When I came home from the dog show today he was lying in the door less crate I've placed in the pen to serve as a dog house. That's the first I've seen him use it. He has been spending his time lying protectively next to Luna.
Zephyr and Rocket are having fewer and fewer discussions. Actually there has been some tail wagging as they approach each other.
If there was any doubt whether Rocket and Luna were Eskies, and of course there wasn't, they proved their lineage yesterday when I tried to give Luna her third dose of worm meds. The previous day I was able to herd Luna into a crate by using a trash bag as a barrier. Well that did not work yesterday. She had that all figured out and had no problem zooming around it. It didn't work on Rocket either. Instead of making further attempts and upsetting both of them, I waited until Bob got home from work. He helped me herd Luna into the crate. Once she was in there I left her alone with my dogs in the house for 90 minutes.
When I went out to check on her Luna had eaten all of the canned food with her worm powder mixed in. I'm still not sure how much food Luna is eating when I feed them. She isn't eating in front of me. I'm bringing my dogs in for a half hour after I feed Luna and Rocket in order to give her time to eat in private. I'm going to start putting food some food out at night in hopes Luna will eat when its quiet. I'm still having a problem with Rocket's loose stools. I think I've been giving him too much canned food, so I cut way back this morning. I think its starting to help.
This evening was the first time I fed them and Rocket didn't pounce on his food and gobble it down. He may be starting to realize he will be getting fed on a regular schedule and doesn't need to scarf it down. I wish I felt better about their water consumption. It hasn't been hot, but it seems like the level in the water bucket isn't going down like it should with two dogs, even small ones. Maybe I should put some type of flavoring in the water for a while to make it more enticing.
Of course I still can't touch either of them. I've held my hand out a few times to Rocket as he's walked by. So far he hasn't approached it to give me a sniff and I'm not pushing the point. Luna isn't coming close enough for me to try holding out my hand. She'll get there.
That's it for now. I think both Luna and Rocket are craving attention, they just don't trust us enough at this point to allow it to happen. End of report. Lynn - I'll get some photos tomorrow for posting on the blog.
Denise
Sirius Dreams American Eskimo Dogs
email hotshoe@dogstardreams.com
http://www.dogstardreams.com
“Chaos in the midst of chaos isn’t funny, but chaos in the midst of order is.” – Steve Martin
Luna & Rocket Update - Des Moines, WA
Topic: Luna & Rocket
Sherry,
Like the names? Lynn came up with Rocket as in "rocket to the moon (luna)". Anyway these names are also quite different from our kids' names to help avoid confusion when they are called, once they learn them of course.
We got through the night all right. We placed the crate they travelled in back in the x-pen. As you suggested Bob and I tried to gently herd them into it because they wouldn't go in on their own. We finally gave up, not wanting to stress them any more, and left them out. (Maybe that crate helped to relax Rocket because it smelled like them, who knows.) Bob and I stood outside their pen for quite a while just talking to them while our dogs were in the house. This seemed to calm both of them, especially Rocket, down. I checked on them a couple of times last time. They were snuggled together in a corner of their pen and seemed perfectly happy to be there. I'm not sure they've been on grass, albeit covered with cedar chips, before. I think they are enjoying the texture. Rocket didn't bark again until this morning when I let my dogs outside.
We've had a few "discussions" at the x-pen fence line. Rocket was quite protective of Luna last night. He has already relaxed that attitude a bit. Hormone boy Zephyr has been the biggest problem. I've brought him in a couple of times when he got to be too obnoxious. Trekker has had a couple of talks. Once Langley had his sniff he just walks by ignoring the newcomers. He's such a good alpha dog. I think Rocket is a little intimidated by Langley's size. He's growled at Langley a couple of times as Langley walked by the pen. Suzie, as expected is a non-issue. Rocket is already learning that "uh-uh" means cease and desist your barking. Smart boy.
I am starting to see some tail wagging from Rocket when Zephyr approaches the fence. At least until one of them cops a little attitude with the other. I think Rocket will be a good play buddy for Zephyr when Rocket's ready for that step.
As the day has gone on all of my dogs are following Langley's lead and ignoring the newcomers more and more.
Rocket ate most of both breakfasts this morning. Poor Luna wouldn't come out of her corner. She hasn't eaten tonight, but Rocket did leave some food for her. I'm hopeful she'll eat when I'm not sitting by the pen watching. I had the food by the fence, but Zephyr and Rocket started having a discussion about who the food belonged to so I moved it into the middle of the pen by one of the crates.
I did get some food down Luna when I wormed her this afternoon. It took some doing, but I got her into the crate with a door. I had to use a black garbage bag to gently herd her into the crate. I didn't wave it around (heaven forbid), I used it like you'd use a piece of cardboard as a barrier and direct her where I wanted her to go. It worked fine. I placed a dish with canned food and the worming powder thoroughly mixed in with her. Afterward I shut the door and left Luna alone for a couple of hours. When I returned the food was gone. Rocket was a little worried about Luna shut up in the crate, but he settled in by the door and waited until I released her. I'll repeat the process tomorrow.
I'm still experiencing some pretty loose stools. No poopy butts and it hasn't been constant, just icky (and smelly) piles. I'm sure the worm meds, plus stress of moving to another new location is contributing to this problem. I'll keep an eye on it of course.
We'll get a tarp over the shade cloth this weekend to keep rain out. Not that there was any sun today, but the shade cloth will help to keep them cool when it returns.
They are both looking up with ears forward, and Rocket starts toward the fence line, when I come out the door. They are very curious, so its a matter of building that trust. I spent at least a couple of hours outside in about a dozen sessions sitting in a chair next to the pen just talking to them.
Now here's the funny story for the day. Of course Rocket has picked a couple of places to pee on the fence and of course my boy doggers have to go pee on top of it. Well this morning I set Rocket and Luna's breakfasts down by one of those pee spots, not even thinking that might be a bad location. Sure enough, Langley comes along and lifts a leg peeing in one of the food bowls. I know he wasn't purposefully peeing in the bowl, it just happened to be in the "line of fire". LOL So the little bit of food left went down the toilet and the bowl received a thorough scrubbing.
I think that's it for today. I feel we've all made some good progress for their first day.
BTW - Penny and Rich are bringing a check for the rescue fund to the AKC show tomorrow. I'll run it by this weekend or drop it off at Posh Puppy early next week. I've heard from several family and friends planning to send money to you. Bob's sister sent my message on to her dog lover friends so you may receive additional $$ from them.
Denise
Sirius Dreams American Eskimo Dogs
email hotshoe@dogstardreams.com
http://www.dogstardreams.com
“Chaos in the midst of chaos isn’t funny, but chaos in the midst of order is.” – Steve Martin
Niko Update - Canada
Topic: Niko
Hi Auntie Denise:)
May I call you that?? Mummy said you played a special part in getting Max to her and that he actually lived with you before coming to Mummy? I was sleeping in the sunshine when you wrote and Mummy (I've decided to call her that now) said I should be well mannered and write you back <G> and say thank you for taking the time to write to me. So, thank you!!
Can I ask you something? Did Max always grumble? He's so funny...he grumbles, Mummy laughs, he grumbles some more, she laughs harder...sometimes I think he does it cause he likes it when she laughs....did he always do that?
Mummy tells me you're planning on getting a couple of the girls from the rescue. Is that true? There were some sweet girls there at Kennewick, who I know could really use a good home with caring parents. With us all split up now and all over the state it might be harder to find them but I know they're there.
Wow, so much has happened to me in such a short period of time! I just can't believe it. I was sitting in my crate last night before going to sleep and I just couldn't believe that there was fresh food and water for me and it was all mine...and I was warm and cozy and watching something called a tv. Mummy said I had very very little...actually nothing...and I never knew that....I thought all doggies were treated the same...now I'm finding out that it's not true.
I'm still skittish around my mummy but she's being very patient with me...I'm just trying to figure out where I can poo and pee....second bedroom...wall to wall lino and puppy pads...and mummy cleans it down every day...I'm just so surprised by how clean she keeps everything but she says she has to..it's so we're healthy :)...and she says when I am stronger and am ready to go on a leash she'll take me outside and we'll start exploring the world....and I'll walk on grass as a normal part of my life...she said Lillie will help at that point by showing me how to walk to a leash and they'll both be by my side so I don't get scared.
I've never seen a computer before let alone typed on one...Mum says I'm a natural...I think she really likes me....oh and mummy says I'll probably be saying woof woof eh?? in no time :)
Anyway, thank you for writing to me and hopefully when Mummy brings me down for a visit, we can meet. Anyway please write me too and let me know how things are going with your search for your girls....love to hear :)
Hugs and nighty night
Niko
