Sugar meets Cedar (potential "brother")

[Sugars Mom]

Well, we made the decision to try the week out. That should hopefully answer alot of things. We have arranged to get him on Sunday.

There is no DS rescue around here, so not sure how that would work...plus Cedar is small. Regular DS would be too big. Can't be sure of what he is, I'm waiting to see his traits to see if DS fits. I already know he is very calm, so DS????

[Dutchringgirl]

Thalie is very calm. She always has been. She is a low drive but she still will run for hours but not the "crazy" drive like Sadie has. He could just very well have a low drive.

[feraloup]

He may also be still really uncertain about how/where he fits in. Depedning on how long he's been with that foster family, it may be that he's still very cautious about things, and once he's had a chance to become more comfortable in a situation his energy and drive will increase.

Also a note about the aforementioned concern around children...

He may just not have much exposure to them. It may not mean he's been mishandled by a child as that he just doesn't know what to make of them.

My Singer-mix Maiyou used to be totally freaked out by kids... She'd get very stiff and growly if she saw children, but after lots of well-supervised intros and positive interactions with friends' dog-safe kids, and especially after I had a baby, myself, (my son is now 5) she became a "furry nanny" and she's great with kids (not just her own family.)

[Sugars Mom]

Lisa, what you said about Thalie does describe Cedar from the little bit I know about him.

Autumn, I had the same thought about his reaction to kids as you mentioned. I really need to see for myself.

I plan to do as many things as we can without overwhelming him that would be part of our regular activities to get a good sense of how he is with us and environment. I think he will be great but I am glad we get the chance to test things out just to be sure.

2 more sleeps!

On another note, he is still really skinny. I have to research what are good ways to bulk him up a bit. Foster mom said they are adding white potatoes to his food (I didn't catch the brand). Any ideas from any of you for ways to get him to fill out?

[Diesel]

I know first hand from Diesel not being "good" with kids (barking at them) that it was a lack of exposure coupled with his first experience being a screaming 5 year old girl (when he was a puppy). I was so freaked out about having my sister and her kids (3 years old and a 6 month old) come visit but after the second day he was super good. The breakthough came when my nephew started feeding Diesel his cheerios, I guess he made a positive association at that point. Since then, Diesel has been around different kids inside their house and he's been fine. Almost like he was cured, but I still watch him closely.

I really hope the visit goes well, and I think it will (makes me want to get a third)

[leih merigian]

Good news, Sue. This is really the only way you'll have a good idea about his fit. Tho, just keep in mind that with rescues, their true personality usually takes weeks at least to come out. But, you'll still get a good enough idea of how he'll fit with you guys, I'd bet.

I'll bet you're too excited to sleep

[roxanne]

He looks so much like Roxie. Only his head looks to be a little more squarish. I've been told Plott Hound, Dutch Shepherd, and other things. Mainly "she's looks just like my friends pitbull" Sorry, if your friends pit looks like her, somebody seriously lied. I think I'm just going to start calling her a Midwestern Tiger Dog. Lol A very rare breed that can only be found in animal shelters across the Midwest!

[TexasMedy]

Well it is still all good. Cedar was a day or two from being killed and now he has options. I'd pray about it if you are inclined and go with gut feeling. There is certainly no shortage of rescue dogs. Not sure what the perfect dog is for you? If Cedar fits the bill I'd grab him. If not I'd wait since he has another home. With maybe a 15 year commitment and room for only a few dogs i want to do everything i can getting the right fit. Maybe that is selfish way of thinking but is how I look at it. Thank you for rescuing. You guys are awesome.

[leih merigian]

With maybe a 15 year commitment and room for only a few dogs i want to do everything i can getting the right fit. Maybe that is selfish way of thinking but is how I look at it.

I don't think that's selfish, Dan, but smart. I wish more dog owners would go about it with as much care. We'd have less dogs in shelters and rescues that way...

[Sugars Mom]

Well, we tried things out with Cedar today and with a heavy heart, unfortunately, things are not going to work out.

It started out great. I picked him up and brought him home. As soon as Sugar and Cedar saw each other, they wanted to play. I took them for a little walk together and then let them play together. They were awesome together! They both walked so well on the leash, and pIayed together so well. I bought them in the house and let Cedar check out the kitchen and living room. They both lay close to each other while I made lunch and patiently waited.

Cedar is so incredibly calm, sweet, and gentle! Very lovable indeed!

My niece had a soccer game, so I thought I would check it out with the dogs in tow. We arrived at the field and Cedar got a little excited seeing all the balls out there, but was easily redirected. So far so good. I was watching him carefully as I did not want to overwhelm him. I met up with my sister and my other niece who wasn't playing soccer. Cedar is just so friendly and calm with it all. We were watching the game and some boys were nearby playing around with a soccer ball. I was very pleased with how it was going. Cedar and Sugar were just calmly sitting there with us, watching things, hanging out.

Then it all suddenly changed. The ball the boys next to us were playing with came over in our direction and one of the boys ran up to grab it and accidently stepped on Cedars foot. Cedar reacted by biting him on his leg and aggressive barking at him. Cedar was right in front of me, on leash when this all happened and I held him back from the boy. The boy was ok, no broken skin and he was sorry he had stepped on Cedars foot. I said I was sorry Cedar bit him. His Dad also apologised as well. (Very nice of them, I thought!)

Cedar stopped barking and we moved away from other people. A little while later, Cedar saw the boy pass by (approx 20 feet away) and went into the same barking mode at him. Then a little while after that, a ball came towards us, (not near us, but toward us) and Cedar reacted with the barking again, at the soccer ball. So now I have a dog scared of balls and this certain kid, wanting to attack them

I left, as this was not a good situation to be in. Thinking about it, I realized that having active boys, that play sports, and rough house around and play with balls alot, that is just waiting for another incident like this to happen. So sadly, I realized that Cedar will not be the right dog for us and our family : (

I called the foster lady back and told her what happened and what I decided, and returned Cedar back to her. I am very sad, as he is an incredibly great pup, but with an issue to work through. When talking with her more, her and her husband told me how when they got Cedar, he was terrified of her husband, and now look at him. He has obviously come a long way in a short time. Someone will end up with an amazing dog! I miss him already

[Sugars Mom]

And one last time with some pics...I think he is probably a shepherd/pitty mix?

[Dutchringgirl]

Sorry the day worked out that way ,but taking him was way to much for him so soon. I didnt do anything with Sadie for a long time. She was in her crate quite a bit for the first week and I took it really slow. Personally I would not have taken him to the game. If its still a consideration to keep him, go very slow, no games, no kids and balls running around. I would wait for quite a while to introduce him to all of that activity until you guys have some training together and he has built trust in you.

[johninny]

Sue, do you have an idea how old cedar is?

[Sugars Mom]

Hi Lisa, your right, it may have been too much for him too soon, but really, I do need a dog that will be able to handle that kind of activity level, and I know there are dogs out there that can...

John, he is around 6 months old.

[Dutchringgirl]

I understand you need a dog that can handle that, Cedar may be able too but just not so quick. Personally I would not have taken any dog so quick to a game with kids and balls running around. He needs time to settle in and get used to stuff. How long can you keep him on trial?

[Lauren]

Sorry that it didn't work out. I know that it is asking a whole lot of a dog to be instantly good in this type of situation, but you only had a week AND you have little active people running around....

I totally get that. My two have got to be great with kids of all ages and descriptions because we seem to be the hang out for wayward boys, and our daughter brings a baby that she baby sits over regularly. Before I was sure of how Xena would act I was on pins and needles. I hope that little Cedar lands in the perfect spot for him, soon! He is such a cutie!

[feraloup]

Awwww, Sue! I'm so sorry. You must be feeling pretty deflated about it all, especially after things started out so positively. I'll keep my fingers crossed for lil Cedar, I'm already in love with him just from the few photos and posts you've done so far. I agree that he'll be an awesome dog with time and work, but you also need to be honest with yourself about what you have the time and ability to work through, or it wouldn't be fair to either him or your family to take on something you aren't prepared to give your all in working through.

*hugs*

At least with your experiences, the next person to foster/adopt will have a starting point to work from and know one thing to watch for and be really mindful about working with.

[alspyce]

Sorry that Cedar didn't work out for you guys.
I do agree that the soccer game was probably too much, too soon. Better to know now tho, that it isn't a good fit for you. Hopefully he will find his new home soon.

[Sugars Mom]

Maybe it was too soon for the soccer game, but it was his reaction to getting hurt (stepped on) that was my concern. Not just the bite as a reaction, but him seeing that boy 10 min later at a distance and his reaction to him as well. And how long does he need to settle in before getting stepped on accidently by one of our boys, or their friends to not get this reaction?

The thing is, he was very comfortable being at the field, being around the people there, etc, so there was really no warning of this, but it was him getting hurt that triggered it. That reaction is why the foster mom thinks he had been abused in the past.

If we did not have active boys that could potentially "step on him" at some point, I certainly would work with him on this. But I cannot with good conscious be sure that some similiar type accident would not happen in our household, and that is really not fair to Cedar.

[roxanne]

Sorry it didn't work out. I'm sure you'll find the perfect fit.... I completely understand putting the safety of the children first! I've had to make that decision.....it's never easy..