A HARD DAY AT WORK

Mom got me a new rope.

I flossed my teeth with it.

Then I chewed on my blue & white

squeaky zebra

 That zebra wore me down.



Time for a nap break.

GOOD JOB!

Have we ever told you Buddy's story?

Three years ago, during what passes for an ice storm here on the Gulf Coast, someone dropped Buddy on the road near our house. We found him the next morning. The temperature was way way below freezing and the rain had turned to sleet and there was this wet, shivering black pit bull terrier huddled up on the outside of our gate.

We had to keep him separate from the other Hooligans until we could get him to the vet for a check-up. That took a couple of days because of work schedules and the local vet's office being closed for the weekend. But he finally had his health exam and  got scheduled for the Important Surgical Procedure all the other dogs have survived. And then, we talked it over and decided that we couldn't in good conscience put a pit bull with unknown history up for adoption. So he became a permanent resident of Hooligan House and Dad's special "Buddy".  He sleeps in Dad's lap and licks the grandkids clean when they come over to play, and he generally just ambles amiably through life. He's a Good Dog and keeping him was one of the best decisions we have ever made.

There were some areas where he needed help, like all rescued dogs need. For instance, he would not walk on the vinyl floor in the kitchen. It was NOT going to happen, no matter how much stinky canned food we put down on the floor to try to tempt him. Buddy sank to his belly and refused to move. That shiny expanse of slippery floor was just too scary for a dog who had never lived in a house. So we got some cheap carpet runners and put them about two feet apart from each other, and made him a red carpet runway to the kitchen. That did the trick, and gradually we moved the rugs farther and farther away from each other until one day there was no more runway. 

Rescue dogs do come with issues. And rescue volunteers and temporary foster parents often don't have the time to research what to do to help the dogs. Shelters have to move dogs into adoption or foster as quickly as possible to make room for new dogs that need help. Sometimes, dogs are adopted out who just aren't ready to deal with the environment of a family situation. That can be big Trouble. Recently, a couple of the local rescue groups here have contacted me with questions about how best to help some of their new canine residents who came from particularly neglectful backgrounds. I'm working with them and the foster parents involved are wonderful people who want to do whatever it takes to help the dogs acclimate to living with loving humans.

Not everyone can adopt a dog and the reasons vary. Most often, people can't afford an adoption fee and vet bills. But if you have a place in your heart and home where a newly rescued dog could be temporarily fostered through his issues until he is ready for adoption ---- what a wonderful gift that would be for everyone. Imagine helping a dog learn to trust that the outstretched hand of a human means something fun is about to happen. That a shiny floor or a doorbell are not really scary things. That another dog sniffing him is not cause for alarm. Teaching a dog how to play with a toy. Teaching him what a dog treat is. And even teaching him that it's perfectly acceptable for him to eat his food from a bowl instead of the ground.

Imagine the joy and the feelings of accomplishment you would experience. Yes, it hurts to send them off to their new adoptive homes, but the tears are rewarding ones. You have done important work and you know this dog has changed from being fearful and shy to being the confident, relaxed and, hopefully, mischievous critter God intended him to be.

One dog at a time. It's special work and it's not easy work.

 But it's Good Work.

Dad and his lap dog, Buddy

SPIRITUAL TALENT

Several days ago, we told you about the pet portrait fundraiser we are doing for ALAiredale Rescue, and showed you a jpg of the portrait that Artist Linda S. Young did of My Jack so that you could see a sample of her work. It was beautiful. Mom put the jpg on her iphone so every time she picks up her phone, she can see Jack.

It’s hard to judge the quality of a painting by looking at a jpg, but Mom and daughter Amanda thought they could see an aura shining softly around Jack. They couldn’t bear having to wait to see the real artwork. But they did have to wait. Ms. Linda was sending it to us by Fedex. Because we live on a skinny road way deep in the woods where trucks can’t turn around, Mom told Ms. Linda to have Jack’s portrait delivered to Amanda’s house in town. It was supposed to arrive within 2 business days.

Day Two came and we missed the Fedex delivery lady. WAILS OF WOE and GGROWLY GNASHING OF TEETH ensued throughout the Hooligan nation.

We missed Fedex on Day Three too! What the heck?? Is that delivery lady waiting around the corner to see when Amanda has to run pick up the kids from skrewell???

The painting finally arrived, perfectly packaged and intact and Mom went speeding from her office to get it. She was panting with excitement. When she got home with it, we all crowded around for the great unveiling.

Okay, here’s where we let Mom describe it to you. She says to tell you that  Ms. Linda has a spiritual talent and that the painting expresses Jack’s noble, loving spirit perfectly. Mom says to tell you, she cried when she saw it.

For a $5.00 donation, you can register to win a portrait by Ms. Linda of your own pet. The proceeds all go to benefit ALAiredale Rescue (Alabama Airedale Rescue Coalition, www.alairedalerescue.blogspot.com has the details). The fundraiser goes through June 1^st, 2012. The winner will be announced on the website. You can purchase as many chances as you like. What are you waiting for?

How Hooligans Spend A Spring Day

playing fetch with Mom's shoe

wrestling with Sis

napping

reading Mom's Southern Living magazine

CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT!

"My Jack"

portrait by Linda S. Young

My Jack (aka Gentleman Jack aka Jack Daniels, aka The Jackman) came to live at Hooligan House in 2002. He was approximately 2 years old and was in rescue. We fostered him and the rest is history. A canine DNA test done a couple of years ago confirmed that Jack is an Airedale Terrier – German Shepherd mix. He has the amazing learning quickness and temperament of ADTs and the loyalty and steadfastness of German Shepherds. Jack is a most wonderful doG in all ways. He's a retired therapy dog and service dog. And he’s the one who turned us on to Airedale Terriers and got us into Airedale Terrier Rescue.

So, it’s only fitting that Jack is the poster doG for AlAiredale Rescue. As we go forward with our rescue efforts, we increasingly see the need for fundraising efforts. We have expenses like fuel for transportation, shelter fees when we pull a dog from a “pound” situation, health exams, heartworm treatment, vaccinations, and all that other behind-the-scenes stuff that is necessary to get a rescue doG ready for adoption. Most of it, we provide from our own funds. Occasionally, we receive donations from lovely people who deeply want to be part of a happy story like GG’s.

A friend of ours has graciously offered to donate her talent and time and energy to help us with a fundraiser. She is an Artist with a huge heart. And the winner of our fundraiser will receive a portrait of their own pet, done from a photograph they will provide. And for a donation of $5.00, your name will entered into a drawing to receive a portrait of your own pet, done from a photograph you will provide (and of course, you may enter more than once!). This painting is valued at $500.00.
All you have to do is send a check or money order for $5.00 to Muriel Donald,

P.O. Box 1121, Grand Bay, AL 36541

Or, you can go to www.alairedalerescue.blogspot.com and make a Paypal donation in the amount of $5.00. Be sure to send us an email with your name and email address when you use Paypal.

To see examples of Linda Young’s art, visit: www.lindasyoung.com

Linda S. Young is an award winning artist originally from Brookline, Massachusetts who now lives in Cape Cod and South Carolina. She works in Pastel, Oil Pastel and Oil. Her ability to capture the nuance of a scene has helped her win many awards including two Best in Shows. Linda is a signature member of the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod. She is a member of 21 in Truro, several Art Associations, and has been in numerous group, juried and solo shows and is in many national and international private collections. In 2012 she will be included in the book "100 Southern Artists".
   As an active member of the artistic community, she believes in helping others attain their artistic goals. Since 2002 she has been Artist Mentor through the School to Careers Partnership Art Internship program.

The winner of the ALAiredale Rescue fundraiser will be announced June 1^st, 2012 on this website.

Another Pet Food Warning / Homemade Dog Food Recipes

ThEY PuT WHAT iN ouR FooD???

Dog Owners are Demanding Action from the FDA. One consumer reported they fed their dogs a product called Waggin' Train treats, which is produced by Nestle Purina. Nestle Purina also produces Canyon Creek Ranch treats, which some other complainants have also publicly blamed for dog illnesses and deaths. The Canyon Creek packaging has a picture of a rancher and his dog roaming a farm on the front of the bag and the company's address in South Carolina is displayed on the back of the bag. Beneath that are the words “Made in China”. You can read the entire article at http://news.yahoo.com/toxic-treats-china-killing-us-dogs-pet-owners-151514587--abc-news.html

From Mom-of-Hooligans:  This happens every couple of years. It certainly seems the US FDA is falling short of making sure the pet food entering our country is safe enough for our pets to eat. So --- here are some recipes for you to make for your dogs. They come from one of my favorite websites: http://www.dogtreatrecipes.org/

Remember, YOU are the best judge of what is safe for your dog.

HOMEMADE DOG FOOD

Ingredients:

6 c. Water (or low-sodium broth)

1 lb. Ground beef, turkey or chicken (you don’t have to use ground meat)

2 c. Brown rice

1/2 tsp Garlic powder

1/2 tsp Dried rosemary

16 oz. Bag of assorted frozen veggies (or preferably, 2 cups fresh), thawed and/or finely chopped.  NOTE:  NO Onions!

Directions:

1.  Add everything but the veggies to a large pot or dutch oven and cook on the stove on medium heat.

2.  Stir mixture until the ground meat is broken up and distributed evenly throughout the pot.

3.  Bring to a boil.

4.  Once boiling, cover and bring the heat down to low.  Simmer for 20 minutes.

5.  After 20 minutes, add veggies and cook for an additional 5 minutes or so.  The time will depend on how long it takes for the veggies to get tender.

Done!

Serve warm, not hot and make sure to let the homemade dog food cool completely before storing it in the fridge.

This dog food recipe makes about 10 cups or 5-2 cup servings depending on the size of your pooch.

It should keep in the fridge for about a week.

VEGGIE BAGELS FOR DOGS

Ingredients:

3/4 cup water

2 1/2 cups white flour

1/2 cup wheat flour

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 egg

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup chopped spinach

1/2 cup chopped carrots

Directions:

To start, combine all dry items in a mixing bowl. Combine the wet ingredients in a different bowl. Mix together the dry and wet ingredients and knead them to form dough. Next, shape small round balls of dough and poke holes in the middle of each ball to create a bagel shape. When finished making bagel balls, place them on a baking sheet and put them in an oven that has been preheated to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake them for forty-five minutes.

UPDATE ON CAMMIE

We know you all are looking forward to an update on Cammie (GG) and her adoption. It is with great joy that we report to you that Cammie is happy in her new home near Dallas, Texas. Her new sister, Lillie, is happy. Her new mom and day and human kids are happy, too. They have been sending us updates and photos all weekend.


Saturday morning began with Cammie inspecting her appearance to be sure she was ready to meet her new family. She'd had an oatmeal scented bath the night before and her fur coat was glossy and soft.

She hopped into the car happily and we started our trip to Baton Rouge. Cammie is a great traveler and she enjoys looking out the window to see the traffic passing by .

We were meeting the adoptive family at the Petsmart in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was a long ride but Cammie cuddled close to me in the back seat all the way over. She snuggled as close as she could get, and chewed on my garnet ring. And for much of the time, she held my hand.

We got to Baton Rouge about thirty minutes before her new mom and dad did, so we walked around Petsmart and gave Cammie time to sniff dog food and dog treats and look at other dogs. New Mom sent me a text message when they were close to the store, and we said our goodbyes before they arrived. I kissed Cammie several times and she licked me reassuringly. She gave Steve a farewell hug.



We all decided to handle things as quickly as possible. They signed the placement contract that says if things don't work out for some reason or if their circumstances should ever change, that Cammie will be returned to us. I handed the leash over to Stef and Wes. Steve took off in one direction. Wes & Stef gave me a beautiful pink potted camellia bush to plant for Cammie. I left FAST as they began walking Cammie in the opposite direction.

Yes, of course I cried. We stopped at Bass Pro Shop for lunch and I think I ordered everything on the menu. Including a beer. We got back in the car and I cried some more. Then Stef sent me a text message to tell me that she was sitting in the back seat with Cammie and that Cammie was snuggled up tight against her, chewing on one of Stef's rings. That made me laugh, which felt good. We had bought some fudge at Bass Pro Shop so I decided it was time to try that. We did, and it was delicious.

Cammie arrived at her new home around 7 pm Saturday night. She met her sister Lillie and the human kids. She and Lillie have shared treats and toys, and have eaten their meals in the same room without any problem. Yesterday morning they ran ran ran through the house together and played bitey-face like fiends. I think it's going to work out beautifully. What do you think?

Cammie claiming Lillie's bed

HOMEWARD BOUND!

"GG", soon to be "Cammie"



We are so happy, and so sad too. Have you ever felt that way? When something so wonderful and lovely and exciting was about to happen... but there was a little corner of your heart that was aching because it was about to happen? Hooligan House is feeling that way tonight. Our GG is leaving Alabama tomorrow morning to go to her new home in Texas. We know it's the most perfect outcome that could have manifested for her and we know her new family will love her as much as we do. We know she will love them and enjoy playing with her new sister and learning new things. But we can't help it, we already miss her just a little bit. To help get past the sadness, we are going to concentrate on making the trip as comfortable and pleasant for GG as it possibly can be, and then when things have re-adjusted here at HH, we will start getting ready for the next rescue dog. Because there's always another one. And we love them all.

A HAPPY EVER AFTER "AIRE-Y TAIL"

Once upon a time there was a Aire-grrrl named Lillie who lived in Texas with her hooman mom and dad and their two kids. They had a very happy family. But Lillie wanted a four-legged sister too, and preferably, a Hooligan. So Lillie's hoomans talked to Airedale Terrier Rescue and pretty soon they found out there was a beeyouteefull Hooligan grrl waaay over there in Alabama. Her name was GG and she was looking for a family of her own.

So, the people at Texas Airedale Rescue went to meet Lillie's family and they told GG's foster family that they thought GG would be very happy in Texas. Tee shirts were picked out for both grrls to wear so that they could permeate the cotton with their own personal perfumes. The shirts will be exchanged through the mail and Alabama Airedale Rescue Coalition has tentatively scheduled GG's trip to Texas for Saturday, March 10th. GG will be lying on Lillie's tee shirt during her ride west, and Lillie will be lying on GG's tee shirt while she waits for her new sister.

And none of this, NONE OF THIS, could have been done without your help.We thank you all who read GG's story, who forwarded her information around the internet, who held happy thoughts, and who were instrumental in helping find just the right forever family for GG. We also want to thank some Airey-Godmothers who donated the much needed funds for GG to have her health exam and her spay surgery.

This isn't the end of GG's story, by a long shot. It's a happy, smiley, laughing, tail wagging, dancey chapter in the very middle. We'll keep you all updated as her story progresses. THANK YOU, AGAIN!

Lillie, with a bag of GG's favorite treats AND

a new red collar for GG.

"Hurry up, Sis!"

WHO IS THIS HOOLIGAN?

and why is she wearing a tee-shirt????

TO BE CONTINUED....

And A Good Time Was Had By All!

PetsMart was busy! Our friends Guinness and Maizie were there, and so was a little white dog named Stella that looks alot like our up-North pal Popie. GG met some puppies and some dogs that are smaller than she is and she did great! She met a few new hoomans, too, and made friends with them. We walked past the birds, the reptiles and the hamster habitats and GG didn't turn a hair at any of them. But when we went past the cats, it was a different story. WHEW! GG gave the cats some unwanted attenshun that Mom had to put a stop to because the cats didunt appreciate it.


Then we went to the grooming salon and GG got her nails done and I got lots of treats from the trainers 'cause they hadn't seen me in awhile. Mom said GG was a perfect lady in the salon. Here are some pickshures of our trip. Mom says we will go back again next weekend so that GG can meet more people and dogs. 


It was alotta fun today and we both slept alla way home but we can't wait to do it AGAIN!

pedicure in progress. See how good GG was?

meeting a Popie puppy

all tuckered out!

ANAVENTURE!

TODAY we are going on ANAVENTURE! 


Me and Mom and Dad and GG are going to the pet supply store. It will be GG's first time there. She is going to get her toenails dremeled down. That ought to be fun! I can't wait to see what GG thinks about the dremel!

 AAARRROOOOOOOOO!!!!

GG contemplates the definition of "dremel"

HAPPINESS IS....

ADOPTION APPLICATIONS!

On Feb 16^th, the Howling Hooligan sent out an announcement that GG was ready for adoption. Less than 12 hours later, we received this response:

My husband and I have been loving the stories on GG’s fast progress and patiently waiting for her to be ready for adoption. We would love to adopt Miss GG. We live in Texas and have a female Airedale and two children ages 12 and 10. Please let me know what steps we need to take in order to get this ball rollin’ so Miss GG can come live in her forever home with us.

Since then, Hooligan House has been in a frenzy of excitement. Phone calls and emails and digital photos have flown back and forth across the miles. Airedale Rescue in Texas is helping coordinate the adoption application. The veterinarian references and personal references have checked out as GREAT.

The home visit is scheduled for this weekend. And, while all this was going on, we got 3 more applications to adopt GG! One family is in Florida and one is in Louisiana and one is in Alabama. Those apps are also being followed up and home visits are being scheduled for them. We don't know for sure who will be approved to adopt GG yet, and although there can be only one forever home for her, the other applicants will have good things to look forward to. They will go on a waiting list for Airedales that come to us in the future, or they may be matched up with an Airedale who is waiting for love in a neighboring state.

The very most exciting thing is that all these applications are from people we have never met but who are following our blog. There’s no way for us to know how many followers we actually have, but we appreciate all and every one of you so much! You have forwarded the blog stories to your friends and families and you have made a joyful difference in GG’s life. THANK YOU!

FRIENDSHIP

Our Jack is probably close to 14 years in human age. He's been with us since 2002 and was an adult when we adopted him. He's a little slow getting up, and very slow walking... unless there's a strange dog on the other side of the gates and then Jack finds enough energy and agility to put up an impressive vocal and threatening performance. But most of the time, he just meanders through his golden days and we all try to anticipate his needs so that he stays comfortable.


One of the things that's going on as Jack ages, is that it's difficult for him to make up his mind what a command means. Or possibly, he's just thinking that he's old enough to make his own decisions now and has earned the right to decide when to come inside from the yard. Often when my  husband or I open the front door and invite the dogs back inside the house, Jack will wobble to his feet and then stand there for several minutes looking at us while he ponders the situation.


This morning, while the dogs were outside, a heavy rain started to fall. DH went to the door to call the dogs and get them inside before they got drenched. Everyone except Jack came running in out of the rain. Jack slowly, agonizingly lurched up on his back legs, managed to stand up, took a couple of steps forward and then stopped. He either wasn't sure what to do or wasn't sure he wanted to do it. DH called to him a couple of times while GG stood in the doorway and watched. The rain started falling harder and Jack still stood there. 


Finally, GG ran back outside into the rain and went over to stand beside Jack.She pressed up against him, then walked with him over to a bush where he lifted his leg. When he was finished, GG escorted Jack to the front porch and up the steps and into the house. Now he is snoozing on his orthopedic bed in the master bedroom, while GG lies just outside the door. 


Great story, huh? 

Training A Rescued Adult Dog

Mom of Hooligans here! We've already had a breakthrough in GG's housetraining, so I thought that in today's blog, I'd share with you how we're handling this.

We use two leashes, one six feet long and the other at least ten feet long. While GG is in the house, I keep the six foot leash snapped to her collar and tethered to my belt. That way, I know where she is at all times and can read the signals she throws out when she is ready to go potty. If I am going to be doing something that will make it inconvenient to have her tethered to me, she goes into her crate until I am finished and then she comes out to be tethered to me again. Not only is this helpful in learning her body language, but it will help her develop some socialization she may be lacking from her time on the streets and in a shelter.

When I take GG outdoors to go potty, I put the long leash on her and take her to the same area each time. Many newly adopted dogs don’t want to “go” in front of their new humans. The longer leash gives GG a sense of not being right under my eye while she takes care of private business. I praise lavishly every time GG potties outdoors. We are associating the word "potty" for urination and the word "poo" for the other business. And, for the record, if your dog makes a mistake in the house, it’s your fault, not hers. This training process should only take a few days. GG made her housetraining breakthrough night before last (the very first afternoon we used the tethering technique) and we know she is going to be completely successful!

MEET "GG"!!

This is "GG". She is the new foster Grrl at Hooligan House. GG was picked up by something Mom calls 'the pound' in a little town waaaay up in north Alabama. A smart lady at the pound headquarters realized GG is an Airedale and she emailed Airedale Rescue. Mom made a few phone calls and sent out some requests for help on facebook, and some Grrrreat Volunteers stepped up to help drive GG to the Gulf Coast. GG arrived at our house last Friday night. Mom says Miss Danielle and Miss Michelle and Miss Aimee have earned a special place in Heaven because of their help with animal rescue.


We don't know anything about GG's history; she isn't telling us. We do know that she isn't housetrained yet, she doesn't know any obedisense commands and she is about 3 years old. She also needs to be fixed. Whatevah that is. Mom made an appointment for that to happen this Thursday. GG is smaller than us Hooligans are. She weighs about 20 pounds less than our Maggie and is a little bit shorter. She is a standard size Airedale Terrier. Dad said she is dainty looking and elegant and that she is better bred than we are. Mom slapped his head with a rolled up magazine when he said it.


No one ever called the pound to see if they had picked up an Airedale and no ads were put in any newspapers about her. Mom doesn't think GG had ever been in a house before she came to us. She doesn't know how to play and everything in the house startles her: the air conditioning coming on, the icemaker dropping ice, the doorbell. She didn't even know what a television was!


She's gonna stay with us for awhile and we're gonna turn her into a regular Hooligan --- uh, I mean, Airedale.  I bet it won't take long.

AAARRROOOOOOO !!!!