Saturday, November 7, 2009

Rehoming Donny

Hello!

I meant to write about rehoming Donny but as you can tell I've been slacking the last couple months in my blog postings. 

Yes, Donny and the rest of the pack had some issues.  Once nursed back to health, he had the tendency to bully the lot into subservience.  It was not only dominant posturing but snarly show of teeth, intimidating growls which usually end in major fights.

And it wasn't very pleasant at times - having to break up fights at least once a day.  It got to a point where I had to put Donny on a long leash while the rest of the pack were out.  He would protest of course, they being able to roam about free while he was only given a 20ft diameter range to roam.  The others, both Bassets and the Furkids especially having learnt their lesson would stay at least 21ft away from Donny or risk being attacked. 

While Donny seems to have a soft spot for Trixie - mainly because she's female and look most like him.  However, the feeling wasn't mutual.  She's snapped back at him telling him to back off and knowing Trixie ... she does a mean snap when she wants to make a point.  The only time she doesn't snap is when she has something to hold in her mouth - which explains why in most action shots, Trixie is holding on to something.  Look at poor Anna for instance.  I no longer them Anna and Trixie play together for fear of another bloody confrontation.  The last time resulted in Anna having stitches in her frong leg 'elbow' and having to be on a course of antibiotics to prevent infection and inflammation!


While that's Trixie's capabilities to inflict grevious injuries.  There also Joe to be reckon with.  The Rottie is not known to like to share - esp. his toys.  I taught Donny, with his months being with us, how to fetch and he discovered, he liked the game.  Only he wasn't allowed to play fetch while Joe is playing fetch - the Rottie will run any dog or pup down - even Trixie's cowed.  And Donny being a newcomer doesn't know the rules of the Dog Woods Pack just yet and I wasn't going to risk having the new boy torn apart over a game of fetch.  Which lead to him being confined to the crate whenever Joe and Trixie were out on their daily game of fetch-snatch until one fine evening Donny learnt how to open his crate door (for some reason all the dogs in Dog Woods seem to have acquired knack of opening doors) and let himself loose.


He seemed to get on with the bigger dogs just fine but would pounce on the poor Bassets plodding about.  And you know how it is with dog fights.  The minute one starts, the rest wants a bite too.  No joy.  Can't possibly have water hose on standby all the time to spray down fighting dogs. 

I found Donny a nice home with a family of two girls.  They both seem to get along.  Apparently the  man of the house is so taken to Donny, he even puts him to bed come bedtime.  He's also very impressed that Donny doesn't need to have a leash when taken on walks.  He'd automatically walk at the same pace as his human.  In the event he goes off following an interesting scent, he'd always come when called.  And as for his fear of storms, he gets to spend his stormy days cowering in the living room of his new home.  Hopefully he doesn't do much harm to their furniture!


17 comments:

  1. We are glad that Donny has found a nice home - it is fairer to everyone including yourself!
    You did a great job with him and now he has a settled future where he doesn't need to compete for his position in the pack.
    We wish him well and well done - we are sure it was a hard decision!!!
    xxxxx

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  2. sometimes a dog needs to be in a smaller pack, it must of been a hard desision but just think if you hadnt taken him in his time of need he wouldnt of had this opertunity of his very own family

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  3. I'm glad Donny found the right new home! Good of you to be so in tune to what he needed.

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  4. Sheesh! There's always so much going on at your place!

    Glad the pretty boy found a home. Sounds like it's just what he needed.

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  5. It's hard to bring an adult dog into a pack that's been together for a while. The outsider has a difficult time adjusting to the rules. That's why we always add puppies instead of adults.

    I'm glad you were able to find a good home for him. He's a lovely boy and deserves to be happy.

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  6. I'm sorry it didn't work out with your pack, but glad Donny went to a good home!

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  7. Tank woo fur saving Donny the furst time 'round

    AND

    TANK WOO TANK WOO fur finding him a furever home of his own!

    Pakhk dynamikhs often rekhwire diffikhult decisions but woo've done the furry best fur all!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

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  8. Hi gang,
    How nice to hear Donny found a good home.
    Stop fighting, you hear?!
    Your pal,
    Sedona

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  9. Sorry it didn't work out with Donny but he would never have found his new home if you hadn't given him a chance with you. You did your best.

    woos, the OP Pack

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  10. I know you did everything possible but sometimes things don't work!
    Glad you found Donny a good home!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  11. We know the feeling, with John fostering dogs they sometimes come in so quite then slowly change. Sasha who we had a couple of weeks ago was very nice but got so attached to John she would not let us near him in the house. But out side she was okay with all dogs and people. I am sure Donny will be fine now.

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  12. We're so glad to hear that Donny found a loving home. :)
    xoxo,
    Brownie

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  13. Great that Donny got such a nice home. Since didn't fit it with your group it was good you found him another home.

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  14. It was a happy ending for everyone--and we are so glad for Donny.

    love & wags,
    River

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  15. You are a saint for giving Donny this new lease on life. Good job!

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  16. I guess this arrangement is for the best of all parties (and your sanity)!! Breaking up a pack of fighting dogs is certainly not something plesant and now that Donny's gone to a home who loves him, the rest of the pack can finally resume back their order.

    Thank you for taking care of Donny and for finding him that lovely new home!!

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  17. Yes sounds like the best thing for everyone.

    Wizz :-)

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