Foster Journal
June 2002: Lucky Update; Diamond
Comes Back
June 1, 2002
Amy,
Hard to believe it's been almost six months. Sorry not to have
emailed you sooner. Lucky is very happy with us and we are very glad
we have her. She is quite a protective watchdog and has become daddy's
girl. For some reason I am her favorite. From what we are able to
determine she seems to be part pit bull. She has the size and shape
of one and many of the behaviors. The other half we are still trying
to figure out. All we can guess is something black and hairy. I have
attached a picture. We have more but I'm at my dad's house and this
is the only picture I had with me.
Dean
---
Hi Dean! Thanks a lot for the picture! I just got back from vacation
and I'm still wading through lots of email. I'm really happy that
Lucky found such a wonderful home. Kind of curious why you think
she might be part pit. I definitely remember her as having a very
terrier-like personality so it's certainly a possibility, but I was
thinking more
like schnauzer or something like that. I have a pit mix and I love
the breed but I don't remember Lucky having the wiggly pit bull butt!
Thanks again for the picture and update. It really means a lot to
me to know that one of my "kids" is doing well!
June 3, 2002
"Is Diamond still available? Two people I know were interested
in border collies and I told one about her....I'll tell the other
later tonight."
At this point I am not sure if they are going to try to keep Diamond
or not. They keep going back and forth. I went over there two weeks
ago to see how she was (she looks wonderful!) and to try to explain
some basic dog info to them (like housetraining and FENCING!!!) I
have not had a chance to talk to them since I got back from vacation.
I basically warned them that if things didn't improve within a few
weeks, they should seriously consider giving her up. I think they
might be more willing to do that if I could tell them about the people
who might be interested in her. So you can give them my number
but please make sure they know that the current owners might decide
to keep
her. I'll call them in the next day or two and I'll let you know
what I find out.
---
Yes, Diamond definitely needs a fence because she now has a strong
history of running away. She was very shy when I had her and I thought
small kids might scare her. But when I saw her recently she seemed
much more confident, so I think kids would be fine. She is not aggressive
at all, but she is a little rowdy (totally untrained adolescent).
I will have to get in touch with her owners and see how she is doing
(and what they are planning to do).
I thought she might be part BC when I had her, and when I saw her
recently it was absolutely confirmed. She has grown a little and
filled out a lot since the web pictures were taken. Beautiful silky
coat, always in motion, a little mouthy but very gentle. She's a
really cool dog, and very intelligent, but she will definitely need
to learn basic
manners.
I didn't get a chance to call them today. I'll let you know what
I find out. The home you suggested does sound just about ideal. We'll
see what happens.
June 4, 2002
I talked to Diamond's owner and she says they are going to keep
her. I can't decide if that's good news or bad news! She said they
finally put up an overhead trolley tie-out for her, and have started
using treats to teach her to come when called. Housetraining is improving.
So it looks like she will be staying in her current home (for now,
anyway). The husband is going in for back surgery in a few weeks
and I think they are both nervous about it and kind of clinging to
Diamond for support. I have no doubt that they love the dog. I just
wish I could impress upon them that dogs are not furry little people!
June 5, 2002
Amy,
You might be right about Lucky being part Schnauzer rather than
pit bull. I'm not sure how big the biggest Schnauzers get or even
what they call them. Lucky has a very broad ribcage and is very stocky
for her size. That plus her fondness for chewing the hell out of
things and roughhousing is what made me think she has pit in her.
I've never owned a pit bull so I'm not an expert on them. I guess
we'll never know for sure. I'm just glad we have her.
She was needed in our lives.
Dean
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