The Deed is Done

Rusty is spending the night at the kennel waiting for his new family. I hope that he finds just the right person. He's a totally sweet little guy, loving, cuddly, affectionate - it's hard to believe that he hates other dogs so much. I took him to Starbucks this morning to get a coffee. There were people outside having their coffee with their dogs. We were in the car and he was snarling and growling and barking - trying to get to them. It really scared me to get out of the car, in case he bolted. But my neighborhood Starbucks, isn't a drive thru, so I have to get out if I wanted coffee.

Then when I took him to the kennel, they knew him and already had a place reserved for him, all by himself. Couldn't put him in with another dog. I realize that even though I cried because I'm already so attached, he wasn't the right dog for me. And the right dog is out there for me!

I want a small dog, under 10 lbs, short hair, nice temperament, socialized, loving, cuddly, loves people and other dogs. I want to take him to the dog park, the dog beach, play outside, walks in the neighborhood, put him or her in my purse and carry them around with me. That would be alot of fun! Any suggestions? A chi? yorkie? min pin?

"Here's all you need to know about men and women: Women are crazy, and men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid."

-- George Carlin

I AM SO SAD.......

I just spoke with the rescue group and we talked about Rusty, his behavior and I am so sad because tomorrow I am going to take him back to them. But they understand and have assured me that they will find Rusty the PERFECT HOME - someplace with a loving family, big yard and no dogs living as close as the ones on my street. They were so wonderful to me, they suggested that I snuggle, cuddle, kiss and love my Rusty all night. He really knows that I love him, it's just not the right dog for me.

The good news is he will find his right home and they will work with me to help me find just the right dog too.

I'm going to miss him............

"Here's all you need to know about men and women: Women are crazy, and men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid."

-- George Carlin

Rusty, my little heartbreaker

We've only had Rusty for a couple weeks. We donated a nice fee for him, spent just as much on a vet bill, even more for toys, bed, food, accessories....but all of this is moot considering his behavior last week. I have been torn all week long about what do to with Rusty after his vicious attack of my neighbor's pomeranian.

In case you missed it, Rusty bolted out the door last Friday when I came home from work. Then he darted down the street, stopped in our neighbor's yard and attacked their adorable little pomeranian. Fortunately for the neighbor's dog he has a ton of hair. The hair saved him because Rusty was going for the kill.

We live in southern California and if you've ever been in this sort of environment you know that houses are on top of each other. In our case, I would say there are about 125 townhomes on a couple acres, all crammed in here closely together. Almost everyone has a small dog, that's all that's allowed. So, living so closely to other dogs with a dog that HATES other dogs is scary. Scary to the point that I fear what would happen if he got out again. He could kill a chihuahua no problem and there are many of them close to our home.

I am so disappointed. I feel like the rescue should have told us more than 'he doesn't like other dogs'. He's WAY BEYOND dislike - he HATES other dogs with a PASSION!! The real kicker is that I really want a dog of my own. I wanted to get a chihuahua, but couldn't find one at the time. The Jack Russell was a request from my honey. I did my research and agreed because even though they are very hyper, smart, fun, curious, loving, and he's the sweetest little dog around town. I am so attached to him and love him so much.

This is going to be hard, but we are going to give him back. He needs to live out of the reach of so many other dogs. I just know that if he stays around he will end up hurting a dog and aside from feeling horrible about the other persons dog, paying vet bills, but sadly enough, I will suffer from a lawsuit. I just can't do it.

I'm a real dog lover and I am going to keep looking, but this time, not from a rescue. I'll go to the shelter. They will only give dogs that are socialized, I might have to deal with house training but at least I won't have to a lawsuit over killing a dog or even worst, hurting a child. I feel guilty. Someone please help me. I hope that people will understand.

"Here's all you need to know about men and women: Women are crazy, and men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid."

-- George Carlin

The Adventures of Rusty...

I have to admit, this is fun having a younger dog. I always seemed to rescue or inherit older dogs in the past, forgetting the energy level, the curiosity and the adventurous spirit that puppies have. Even though Rusty is "about" 10 months old, he's very much the pup. And this morning was no different than any other day in the Adventures of Rusty!!

After his breakfast this morning, I headed back upstairs to straighten up and bit and just hang out in my glorious sunroom. I was curled up in the papasan chair and decided that he was being too quiet, not his usual racing up and down the steps, flying through the hallways and trying to get me to come downstairs. In fact, it was eerily quiet..........hmmm.

Meanwhile, my honey had been to the store to pick up milk for breakfast - are you like me and ALWAYS forget at least ONE thing at the grocery store? Anyway, he tossed my Sunday paper on the couch and left.

Ah the joys of paper, plastic bags and unraveling the front page from the local from the sports sections....the glossy paper ads, the fun of seeing how tiny the shreds can be. Yes, that's it, Rusty pulled the paper out of the plastic bag by destroying the bag then proceeded to tear up my paper into teeny, tiny little pieces. But at least he kept them all in a nice pile on the couch!! He was having a hey-day!! Fun to no end!!

So, this morning, I got to read only the stories that were near the fold of the paper! He totally cracks me up.

LESSON LEARNED - HE LOVES TO TEAR UP PAPERS, SO WHY DID I BUY A SHREADER!??

"Here's all you need to know about men and women: Women are crazy, and men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid."

-- George Carlin

Need Advice from the Dog-Lovers

Rusty is a dog-hater! He hates and attacks other dogs for no reason. Yesterday, I found out the hard way what they told us when we got him. I came home from work early so he wouldn't have to be alone while he was getting better. So, I opened the door to come in and BOLT - OUT THE DOOR HE WENT! CRAP!!!

We went after him, of course he wasn't interested in coming when he was called. Then he spotted a neighbor's dog, a Pomeranian. He ran after him - latched down on him and bit!! OH MY GOD! It was bedlam! The other lady was screaming, I was trying to get him to let go, and Roland was holding him and trying to get him off. It was insane!! A pitcher of water and INSTANTLY he let go.

Fortunately, he didn't hurt the other dog because the other dog had TONS OF FUR. I'm so glad that he was alright.

So, we can't take our puppy to the dog park, doggie daycare, or any other situation where he could play with other dogs. It's so sad. I really wanted to get a chihuahua soon and wont' be able to do that either until we get him over this agression.

I have the name of a behaviorist that I'll take him to, but if anyone has any experience, suggestions, etc. please let me know.

"Here's all you need to know about men and women: Women are crazy, and men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid."

-- George Carlin

Vet Checked!! Rusty ok

Back from the Vet, seems Rusty has a bacterial infection in his tummy. Got 3 prescriptions, removed the stitches from his "manhood snips" and told us to feed him more, let him decide how much he wants to eat. :)

It's all good and I'm relieved - gonna get the pet insurance though, because all of that costs $200!! $95 of it was just X-Rays.....pretty costly. But it's good that they are so thorough.

I'll upload more pictures in a day or two once he's feeling back to "normal".

"Here's all you need to know about men and women: Women are crazy, and men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid."

-- George Carlin