… we had two 8-month old Apsos home and clean. Not only matted but urine-soaked feet and bellies. It took three people and almost six hours to get them cleaned up. Matted to the skin in various places on their heads, muzzles and around the neck, chest and shoulders. Feces caked on the rear.
These boys are horses … I’d guess they weigh 21+ pounds (to put it in perspective, my boys weigh 14.5 to 15 pounds at maturity). Golden in color with black tipping. And exceptional temperaments. Through it all, the only thing they offered were kisses. No snapping, no biting, no whining … that’s saying a lot given what it took to get them cleaned up.
They could be twins and we’re having difficulty telling them apart. At the moment, one has retained baby canines, the other doesn’t. Neuters are scheduled for the 19th. They have a bit of separation anxiety but we’re working through that …
These little cuties … well, not so little … will be available for adoption in the next four to six weeks. They need to be neutered, caught up on their vaccinations and microchipped. We’re also in the midst of contacting a trainer/animal behaviorist to work on their separation anxiety. While they’re getting better, we want to make sure we’re doing all we can for them to ensure they are well-adjusted.
Update: Spoke with the trainer/behaviorist today. She does not believe they have separation anxiety. As they lived in an apartment that didn’t allow pets, every noise was responded to by the owner so that behavior [barking] was reinforced by the attention. We’re ignoring the barking and it should extinquish itself in the next four to six days. We’re also using a D.A.P. diffuser and spray as a calming agent.
… needed for one of our former fosters. I always knew this day would come … a day wherein a phone call is received concerning one of the dogs we’ve placed. Knew it would be difficult for the owners who opened their hearts and home to a rescue years long past to make this call.
More to follow on this little one as we update her progress in foster care … and her new life outside the confines of a wire cage and endless breeding.
… come in many forms. For one little dog, her angel came in the guise of a cross-country trucker. This particular angel has a name. “Tom” to be exact. He’s based in Colorado and makes regular runs to/from the East coast — which means a lot if you’re trying to coordinate getting a dog from back east transported to Colorado. While one can find many a transport in the mid-west and eastern states, same can not be said of Colorado. Having Tom out there and willing to go the extra mile to get a dog where it needs to be is a blessing. His motto … “If it fits, it gits!”
There’s a reason why we don’t normally take senior dogs into rescue. Actually several reasons. Most folks looking to adopt a dog are not in the market for an older companion as they’d like to spend more than just a year or two (or even less) with their new best friend. Many times, the old dogs arrive with serious behavioral and/or medical problems. Rescue has a term for these dogs … “forever fosters.” “Forever” because they usually end up spending the rest of their lives in foster care. The problem with that scenario is spacing and funding. Available space is at a premium — at least for us — and having a forever foster takes up a spot that could be used for a younger, more adoptable dog. Funding is always an issue so taking care of an elderly dog becomes problematic.
… hit the jackpot at the recent Fire Hydrant 5 in Fort Collins! He amped up the charm and captured the interest of a family from Loveland. Turns out they were about as perfect for him as they come and he rounds a family of Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister and canine sibling, Annie. Plans are in motion to have him certified for therapy visits at hospitals, nursing homes and schools. 
ApsoRescueColorado 
