UPDATE Rose (formerly known as Shira) is home! See post #14

[charliesmom]

So, after seeing Shira in the Rescue/Rehome section, the hubs and I (mostly I) decided that she would make a great sister for Charlie. We asked for an application and were approved this morning. We just have to drive the 5 hours to go get her in Turlock. I'm hoping they'll be able to meet us half way but we'll drive the distance if we need to.

Anyway, poor Charlie will have to sit this trip out since he's recovering from his neutering yesterday. The vet discovered Charlie had a cryptorchid and had to do exploratory surgery. Poor guy (Charlie not the vet). But Mr. Charles McFluffiebutt, Labradoodle, is recovering nicely and chewing on a meaty beef bone as we speak. All is well in his world.

Until sis shows up on Saturday.

[Raleighsmom]

Oh a big Congratulations to you!!!! What a wonderful thing you're doing for Shira...and and even more wonderful thing for Charlie!!! Is she older than Charlie? cause big sister's can be a pain in the butt for Mr. McFluffiebutt.... Glad to hear he tolerated his surgery well..can't wait to see pics of the two of them together!!!

[SamsonsMom]

Oh how amazing!! Congrats!!! Hope you don't have to drive 5 hours, but it'll be well worth it if you do have too.

[Jac]

Oh, this is sooooooooo exciting!!! I couldn't be happier! What a great ending for this sweet girl...she has gone through a lot but she will now have a good, loving home...and she deserves it!
Charlie...poor Charlie...that much be sore...ugh!
You might want to watch them carefully at first because Charlie may want to play and he has to be "still" until he heals...and he also might be in pain to where he wants to be left alone while he heals...but I hope that it is the perfect mix of joy, play, love and rest for both of them!
We often deliver pups on 5 hour trips...we usually stay overnight...you might want to consider staying in a motel half way home to give Shira a little rest...but I have also found that dogs travel really well at night...so if your return is during the night time she will probably just sleep most of the way.
Also, take a harness with you so that when you take her out to walk, she can't pull out of her collar. I have heard a lot of sad stories of puppies that pull out of their collars at rest stops when they are going to new homes. A harness would help so that you don't have to think of it...and if she is not leash trained, it will help her not to choke if she pulls on the leash.
I generally don't feed the dogs on long trips. You can offer treats and chewies (usually not taken) and keep the water handy...but this helps keep their tummy settled on long trips.
Okay, enough advice! Now, on to the celebrations!
Congratulations!

[SamsonsMom]

Okay is anyone else just staring at the picture of Shira on petfinder?? I AM! LOL!!

She is such a doll baby!

[lindamarie]

WHERE is the picture??? waaaaaaaaa...I missed it!!
CONGRATS to you and happy healing to Charlie! His new lil 'sis will be such fun for ALL!!

[SamsonsMom]

Originally Posted by lindamarie

WHERE is the picture??? waaaaaaaaa...I missed it!!
CONGRATS to you and happy healing to Charlie! His new lil 'sis will be such fun for ALL!!

Look under the Rescue/Rehome section on the main forum page, and I think it's the first post listed "Northern California lady" or something class to that. LOL. There's a link in that message to Shira's petfinder ad.

[kirama]

Originally Posted by SamsonsMom

Okay is anyone else just staring at the picture of Shira on petfinder?? I AM! LOL!!

She is such a doll baby!

she has two littermates, they are on petfinder too- go look, you will drool over the little boy with bright blue eyes (unless they have been adopted by now)

[SamsonsMom]

I know I saw - love those ice blue eyes. ALL THESE puppies! You guys are making me want to a puppy! LOL.

[MaxandMe]

WOW............CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! can't wait to hear all about Shira on her trip home and once she's home with Charlie,
who btw i hope recovers well and quickly.

NOW to go to petfinder and see if i can find her pic
too bad NO ONE listed the link so i could BE LAZY and just click it
(just messin w/ya)

[charliesmom]

Thanks, everyone! We're still negotiating the drive but it looks like I'll be going up early in the morning on Saturday. Any suggestions on how to secure her in the car while I drive? Charlie usually sits on the seat next to me but tries to crawl into my lap. He is the only dog I've ever met that hated being in the car. Even with the windows down!

Speaking of Charlie, here he is, happy to be home from the hospital:



And so is his loyal sidekick and Guy Friday, Frankie the Fish. Just give him a minute, he's all choked up about his boss' return.



Despite his surgery, Mr. Fluffiebutt is still on the case...hunting legos.



Ah, a nice bone after a hard days work. And Frankie is giving him the scoop on all the gossip McFluffiebutt missed while he was gone. Good times, good times.

[Jac]

Great pictures! Charlie is such a handsome boy!

I would take a crate, just in case, but if she prefers to ride in the back seat, I'd let her. I would take someone along so that if she is more comfortable, they can hold her...I know, that is not the safest way to travel...but gosh, if it helps her...

[KingstonTodd]

Looking forward to hearing how the pick up went today. GL with the drive and everything. I bet its going to be a crazy doodle 500 type of day!!

[charliesmom]

The day was exhausting but worth it. I got the word early Saturday morning that I needed to be in Madera by 2 pm to pick up Rose (formerly known as Shira). Which meant I had about an hour to shower, dress, get my two youngest ready to go with me, and stop by a friend's house to grab a portable crate.

We did manage to get there about 2:30 which was fine since Rhonda of PupznPalz was running a bit late too. It was a very nice meeting and Rose & my son Joseph (3 yo) were immediately drawn to each other. Managed to finally corral everyone into the car, buckled into their various contraptions, and got the heck out of Madera.

The only time she whimpered was when she had to go to the bathroom. In the five hours we were in the car, she must have had three loose bowel movements. At this point, I'm chalking it up to nervousness and stress. If they continue I'll bring it up with the vet.

And she was starving. Well, not literally. Rhonda did feed her just not recently because she knew that Rose would be in the car for a while. We fed her some TOTW when we got home and she sucked it up. Yea!

The meeting with Charlie at first didn't go so well. He was hyper excited and wanted to jump all over her. She of course was terrified and didn't want to have anything to do with him. So, we put Charlie in his crate and gave Rose a bath because, boy, did she stink!



Then, while my husband played with Rose in the living room, Charlie and I had some play time in the other room. He got a brand new I-Qube in the mail today so I got that out for him. He was hysterical trying to get the squeeky balls out of it. He managed to get it stuck on his head and run around the room all at the same time. I tried to get a shot of it but he went too fast. After he wore himself out, we put Rose in her crate and let Charlie sniff at her.



Rose wasn't too sure at first about this reeeeaaally hyper boy trying to paw and lick at her but she finally started to play with him from the safety of her crate.



Then the hubs got this brilliant idea that we should put the crates next to each other so that it would be easier for me to take the puppy out during the night for potty breaks. That man, always thinking of me, I tells ya!



Finally, I let Rose out to play which caused Charlie to be unhappy. He wanted to play too! So I let him out and they both played with the I-Qube for a while. Rose even managed to keep a ball from Charlie.



They seem to be getting along so far, which is good. My only concern is that Charlie has tried mounting her a couple of times and I'm worried that 1) should he even be exhibiting that kind of behavior since we had him neutered, and 2) will he hurt Rose if I can't get him off of her in time? She is smaller than he is at the moment.

Oh, and the scoop on Rose's background: a female Lab mix (they think with Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Labrador) and a male Standard Poodle were found in an orchard together and the three puppies were running around near them. It is assumed that the puppies belong to the adult dogs. The female, at least, was nursing them. So, any thoughts on if Rose really is a Labradoodle? Truthfully, it doesn't really matter since she's already a part of the family.

Thanks!

[KingstonTodd]

Oh what a cutie. The side by side rates is adorable. mine cuddle through the crates! I would peg her as an aussiedoodle based on quick appearances, but like you said, it doesnt really matter. Let us know when she does her first doodle 500, or you capture her in "the doodle pose" (sleeping upside down with all 4 legs up) and it will be official.