Scout's Firsts

Scout, our first retired research beagle foster, arrived this weekend. She's a really sweet, well-balanced dog, especially considering her circumstances. She is very friendly with people and other dogs and doesn't seem bothered by things like loud noises, passing bicycles, etc. It's astounding to me that other foster dogs we've had—who had lived with families and in homes—freaked out at things like this, but sweet little Scout doesn't flinch. I'm sure her breed has something to do with it, but it's also an indicator to me that she was socialized during the critical first few months of life.

But still, knowing that she spent her life in a laboratory means that just about everything is a "first" for Scout. It's sad to think that a dog could live a year or two or five without a toy to call its own or without ever feeling a cold January wind blow its ears back. So we're documenting Scout's firsts. Here are just a few so far:

Scout's First Blankie (while recovering from her spay surgery)

Scout's First Toy 

Scout's First Sunday Morning Walk

Scout's First Kiss

Missy's DNA

People constantly approach us on walks and ask what Missy is. Every time I settle on a breed I think she looks like, someone sways me. When I'm convinced she's a spaniel mix, a passerby says, "Wow, she must be a border collie mix." (I assure them she has nothing close to the energy level of a border collie.) Then, when I'm sure she's got some spitz in her, I see a similar dog on Petfinder labeled as a flat-coated retriever. And so on...

The ambiguity of her breed is one of my favorite things about her. I hate the idea that a dog is supposed to look like something. After all, who really cares what's in our dog's DNA? At the vet's office, I identified her as "mixed breed" on their paperwork. When the receptionist questioned me, I asked her to take her best guess. The receptionist looked down at Missy, shrugged, and said, "Mixed breed it is."

But a homeowner's insurance company pushed me over the edge. When we were applying to a new company, the representative asked if we owned a dog and if so, what breed. He wouldn't accept "mixed breed" for an answer. He needed to write something down in the file. Forget about the fact that we had a flooded basement that caused tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage. These people were willing to cover us as along as we don't have a bully breed living in our house. (Click here for more about breed-specific practices by insurance companies.) "Is she a pit bull?" the representative asked. And we said, "She's small and black and fluffy. Just put spaniel mix."

After that conversation, I caved and bought a DNA test for Missy. People need labels for everything, it seems. We can make our best guesses about what she is based on what she looks like, but what's in her DNA could be very different. Some friends also pointed out that it's good to know what breeds could be in the mix for medical purposes. And plus, it will just be fun to know. So we shelled out $50, ordered a test, and swabbed her cheeks. We dropped the samples in the mail this evening and should receive a copy of the results in 2-3 weeks. Stay tuned.

Do I think the results will be the end-all, be-all answer to what makes our dog supremely awesome? No. Will I be surprised or angry if it comes back as mostly "mixed breed?" Not at all.

In the end, she's our Missy, a purebred Missy.

Next Up, a Research Beagle!

A retired research beagle

Most people are surprised to know that dogs are used in biomedical research. The breed of choice? Beagles. They're small, have sweet dispositions, and easy to handle. While you could imagine the worst, I've been told there are strict USDA standards that involves regular inspections. The dogs are generally well cared for and socialized with both humans and other dogs.

Some laboratories will release dogs into "retirement" after they are no longer needed. Often these dogs have been used only for training purposes, as part of a control group, or have had only non-toxic materials tested on them. The dogs receive medical clearance before being released to rescues. 

Usually I shy away from taking in hounds because their bays would likely make my condo neighbors unhappy, but research beagles are bred to be quiet. (Imagine a lab full of howling hounds!) Since our rescue is working to take in numerous beagles at once because of a lab re-organization, we signed ourselves up for our very first beagle. She's set to arrive this weekend. 

However, I worry that...

• these dogs have never seen the light of day. They've never felt grass on their paw pads. They've never lived in a house. It means many "firsts" and, of course, lots of housebreaking. I'm told they are fast learners and are often adopted pretty quickly as well. 
• she'll be too stinkin' cute and sweet to let go! 

ADOPTED: Ariel's Foster Failure

You may rememberAriel, the 8-year-old chihuahua mix who spent Christmas with us while her foster family was on vacation. Well, the family came back and decided they could never let her go again, so they adopted her!

Foster failures aren't really that common. After all, if fosters adopted most of the dogs they took in, there wouldn't be any space left for them to save more dogs. But when it does happen, you know it's because that foster dog has carved a very special place in a family's heart. And so it was with Ariel Best of luck to Ariel and her forever family!

PUP-DATE: Zazu Again!

Zazu and her former foster dad

It's no surprise that I have a constant flow of Zazu (now Tallulah) pup-dates because her family lives right around the corner. One day I saw Tallulah's mom at the train station and heard that Tallulah ate a pair of glasses. Another day I heard about how Tallulah opened all the lower cabinets in the kitchen and helped herself to lunch. But these pup-dates are always followed with solutions they've come up with to keep Tallulah's insatiable curiosity at bay. And then: "She's such a wonderful dog, and we couldn't imagine life without her. Thank you for bringing us to her."

Tallulah is a great dog, but there's no doubt that her hound behaviors require a good deal of patience, lots of exercise, and, as her family pointed out, several trips to Pier 1 to replace household items she has helped herself to. It reminds me that every family has their own tolerance for issues they're willing to work with. For some, they can't tolerate a dog who jumps on the furniture or has an occasional accident in the house. For others, they're willing to work through behavioral issues (Jagger's family also comes to mind) or medical problems.

Today we were out for a long walk on a new trail in town and saw Tallulah herself for the first time since she was adopted in September. She jumped on us and gave us kisses. We'd like to think that she remembered us, but the truth is that she just loves everyone. She's taken to eating the contents of the garbage can, so her family takes out the garbage every day before they leave for work. She's doing great, and they couldn't imagine life without her.

Wishing You a Merry Christmas

From Ariel (who we're foster-dog sitting)

and Missy, of course!

Wordless Wednesday: ADOPTED: Maggie's Journey

Magnolia the golden doodle-ish dog showed up on the Web site of a shelter we partner with in VA. I may or may not have had her forever family in mind when I asked to foster her.

Shaggy Maggie made her way up to NJ with the volunteer transport system. By the time she reached us, she was pooped.

The next morning, we took her for a walk...

and then got her a bath.

Afterward, she went home to her forever family—which just so happens to be my parents! It's the second best thing to foster failing!

And now Missy has a new best friend!