The Wedding Has Been Called Off

They were preparing to say "I Do", when Humphrey decided he preferred to have a girlfriend on the side, as opposed to a live-in.  As many men in Southern California, Humphrey is really into his house and his toys and having good romps with playful friends.  But the notion of sharing his space permanently (especially with a woman who wears pants) made him a little uncomfortable.  And grumpy.

On Saturday we decided to end the home trial in the interest of safety, and Humphrey will continue his life as a swinging single.  I think it is bittersweet for him.  He is happy to have his space back, but bored again.

The experience made me a bit nervous.  Lucy's well-being is my number one priority, so I am hoping she will find a family where she can be an Only Dog, and around-town companion to her people.

Live and Learn, as they say.  Onward!


To see Lucy's BIO, click here
To see VIDEOS of Lucy, click here

Lucy On Home Trial

At an adoption event two weeks ago, we met a couple that was looking for a "playmate" for their high-energy dog, Humphrey. He is an English Bulldog / Boxer mix, and an absolute tank. His temperament is some exponential form of gregarious. He pestered his people so much for attention and play, they figured Humphrey probably needed a sibling.

Humphrey is choosy about who he likes, so we met after a training class for a quick sniff-test. Neither seemed threatened by the other, so we made plans for a longer meet up.  

Their first official date was a walk in the neighborhood. They were happy to see each other again, and they walked together fairly well. Lucy thought he was a nice guy, and Humphrey clearly enjoyed having the company.  We also played on the front lawn to allow them some roll-around time in a controlled environment.
  

The second date was a walk, and a venture into the back yard, i.e. Humphrey's turf. Here they were allowed to play off leash, and it was like WWF. Humphrey has an insatiable appetite for play, and is a strong dude, so I was worried Lucy would be overwhelmed.  But she held her own, and them some.
  

We toured the house all together before leaving, and Humphrey did not show any signs of territorialism at all.   I thought he might be smitten.

By the third date they were so familiar and happy to see each other, they went straight to the backyard to play. They absolutely wear each other out. They collapsed in the grass from exhaustion, and Lucy picked up one of  Humphrey's (many) bones to chew on while resting. Humphrey didn't quite know what to make of it, and ultimately decided she could have it. He is either the consummate gentleman, or he gets the sense she is not a woman to be messed with.

Today I took Lucy for her first day of Home Trial. We rightly did our due diligence to see if they are safe and happy playmates, and now we take 1-2 weeks in order to see if they are equally compatible roommates.   Humphrey's parents will also evaluate whether they can handle life with TWO big dogs in the house!  Humphrey's mom and I laid on the floor with them and rubbed their bellies, to show them they could also enjoy quiet time together. They each extended a paw so they could touch pawpads while laying down. It was a very good sign. Of course neither of us had a camera handy.

Sorting out the pecking order? *

FINALLY the batteries ran out.  *

I know that Lucy is in a loving home right now, and that Humphrey is an enthusiast host. But I still need to eat a pint of Rocky Road and cry my eyes out right now. Missing her already.

*thanks for the pics, Deanna.

To see Lucy's BIO, click here
To see VIDEOS of Lucy, click here

House Privileges!

Lucy has become a timeshare dog.  

I was walking Lucy in town several weeks ago, and met a woman named Angela who stopped to pet her and love on her.  She said that she recently lost her dog, and she wasn't ready for another, but she loves them so much.  

Then, a couple of weeks ago, Angela emailed me out of the blue and asked me how Lucy is doing, and said she can't bear the fact that Lucy has to live in a garage.  So she invited Lucy to a sleepover "to make her life a little better".  One sleepover turned into many, and Lucy has become a staple at Angela's house.  

Angela has been wonderful in providing a way for Lucy to gain "house experience", and lounge with her humans, as she loves to do.  Lucy is getting massively spoiled at Aunt Angela's house.

The first thing Lucy did when she went in the house was get into crouch position and walk cautiously into all the rooms to sniff.  Once she checked out the whole house (including vacuum cleaner), she straightened up, and wagged her tail.  Then drank out of the toilet.

Lucy has been great at learning her house manners, and feels tremendously comfortable with the busy life of a fitness trainer (including getting up early and going to client workouts with Angela)!  She even eats a raw egg on her breakfast for good health.   Apparently she can be a bit of a bed-hog though.

I hope she gets adopted soon, because she is NOT going to want to go back to the garage life!
We love you, Aunt Angela, and can't thank you enough.

To see Lucy's BIO, click here
To see VIDEOS of Lucy, click here

LucyTube (videos)

I am starting to take some video of Lucy (though it's challenging because it's usually just the two of us, and I am not tremendously coordinated).   My apologies for the quality of filming here, but it should give you some sense of her beyond still photos.

I will update this YouTube channel regularly, so check back with this link for new videos!

Lucy's YouTube Channel
AdoptLucyGoose

Help! We're Moving! Please Adopt!

Hi Everyone -

We are moving in April, and my ability to foster Lucy ends then!  Timing is getting tight, and I am more anxious than ever to get Lucy placed in a loving home.

Please let me know if you are interested and would like to meet her - she is SO WONDERFUL and I simply cannot believe she is not yet someone's pet.  It's entirely my fault - I have not done enough to get her exposed and networked.  I am just not experienced with the rescue world.

If you could help me by posting this blog address on Facebook or by emailing a friend, I would be tremendously grateful.   Thank you!

Lori

To see Lucy's BIO, click here

Social Walker

Going for walks serves the practical potty purpose, of course, but more importantly for her, walks serve to get her out of garage isolation.  Lucy is a social dog, so she thrives on interaction with people and pets.  In her world, garage time is lounging time, and leash time is LOVE time.  She enjoys meeting and greeting, and often lays down as if to say "I'm not going anywhere until I get to say hello".

This girl played with Lucy for about 30 minutes while her mom drank coffee at Coffee Bean.  She told us all about how she wants to be an actress.  Lucy listened intently.

In addition to the love we get from people, we have the sniff-and-play dance with most dogs we come across (we walk in an area that is popular among dog owners).  She has become so non-reactive that even when the occasional dog barks at her or gets snippy, she ignores it and moves on.  She's so chill.

To see Lucy's BIO, click here

Playground Patrol

Lucy is becoming a staple at the playground.  I think her maternal instincts (still quite strong) make her a natural at overseeing kids in motion.   Thankfully, she has more stamina than I do.

To see Lucy's BIO, click here