All In A Days Work

There’s something incredibly special, for me, about participating in public events. The opportunity to meet and talk to people about BeFreegle, and the need for all of us to work together to help more dogs from research gain sanctuary, gets my juices flowing. I will talk all day to whoever will listen and people do listen. As event goers walk past our booth many pause when they see our BeFreegle Ambassadors. After all who can resist a beagle? When we greet them and tell them that our organization’s mission is to help dogs from research find a new leash on life most stop dead in their tracks. They ask questions. Why beagles? How many? Do they have residual effects from their prior life? Do they all get to leave the labs when their research is complete? I can answer these questions in my sleep. They are the breed of choice because of their sweet docile dispositions, because they are small, easy to handle and for the most part a very healthy breed. Approximately 65,000 to 70,000 are used each year in the US. Many dogs retired from research are initially timid and unsure of their new surroundings but all are remarkably resilient and in our experience, they learn to embrace their new lives rather quickly. Sadly, of all the dogs used each year in research, not enough go on to live out the remainder of their lives as beloved family pets. I founded BeFreegle to help change that because I know we can do better.
This weekend we were invited by our friends, at the Duchess County SPCA, to participate in their 20th annual Petwalk. An event that draws crowds from throughout the Hudson Valley and gives folks a chance to bring their own dogs for a day of fun, including a dog agility course, free organic pet treats and lots of family oriented activities. As I packed the car in the early morning hours I was grateful for the sun peeking through the clouds. A perfect late summer day, mid 60’s no humidity, in the Hudson Valley and the perfect opportunity to make new friends. What more could we ask for? Smiling at the thought of what the rest of the day would bring, I buckled Juno and Maya into the back seat. Ten minutes into our journey I realized I forgot our table and had to turn around and go back and get it. Annoyed because I was already a little late getting on the road I swung the car back around. Now even later for our destination all I wished for was a hot cup of coffee. A mile from our destination I passed a deli, hit the brakes, turned around and got my coffee. I got as far as exiting the deli as I proceeded to dump it all over myself. Cursing my clumsiness I quickly realized that I had dumped coffee all over my white BeFreegle shirt. More colorful words came from my mouth as I stood in the parking lot covered in coffee. I knew there was a reason I threw my other Befreegle shirt in the trunk before setting out that morning. Karma was on my side. Or so I thought! Thoroughly discouraged, I stripped my shirt off right there in the parking lot and put on my spare, marched back into the deli poured myself another cup of coffee and carefully got it to the car without further incident. Finally arriving in one piece, we were able to drive the car onto the field to unload. Since my volunteers would be arriving later than me I was on my own, with two Freegles, to set up. I’ve been doing events for years, I’m an expert at this. What could go wrong??

Here’s how it all went down. Maya, who sometimes gets car sick, usually 30 seconds before we reach our destination, had spent the car ride drooling on herself, as we turned into the parking lot the vomit came. Getting her out of the car and cleaned up was my first priority. Once done, I decided that as soon as our pop up tent was up and everything was unloaded from the car, I would get Juno out too. In the meantime, I tied Maya’s leash to the open car door handle. Tent up, car unloaded I took Juno out and tied her to the same door handle as Maya while I set up our booth. Bad idea. Within exactly 7 seconds they had tangled their leashes into an impossible knot, wrapped three times around Juno’s leg, because I was 20 feet away and they obviously missed me. At the same time two folding chairs, courtesy of our hosts, arrived at our booth. Great, I thought, I’ll tie a dog to each chair. Maya won’t go anywhere as long as she’s near me. Juno, on the other hand, will try to get to our neighboring booth, filled with dog food and treats, so I stacked a heavy t-shirt bin on her chair. Makes getting to the next booth more of a challenge for her. Not challenging enough apparently because in short order she had knocked the bin off the chair and was well on her way to visit and sample from our neighbors, chair and all. We were not getting off on the right foot with our neighbors so I dropped what I was doing to drag her back. As I did that Maya decided that I was much too far away and needed to be next to me, immediately, chair and all. The only difference between my two girls is that Juno is more seasoned and has had experience with chairs chasing her, Maya, not so much. As the chair gave way it bounced twice on the ground which was enough to get Maya hightailing it out of Dodge. Within moments chaos ensued. The chair gave up bouncing and folded in on itself, now resembling a sled, with Maya mushing along across the grassy field. My neighbors seemed horrified as my little dog ran willy nilly in small circles as I tried to stop her, running, laughing, yelling, “I got this”. We finally got her to stop and I immediately realized that Juno was lose once again and was hightailing it back to the dog treats, again with chair in tow. Finally, able to corral them both I untied Maya from the chair sat on the grass with them and laughed til I cried. Maya, no worse for wear, was happy to be next to me again. As the excitement died down my neighbors went back to setting up their booths, speaking in whispers and wondering who exactly was in charge at our booth, me or the dogs. The jury is still out on that one.
I was able to get through the rest of set up without incident and on to the best part of the day, making new friends. The day was perfect, great attendance, engaged visitors, perfect weather, sunny and breezy. And then it got windy, then it got really windy, then our almost brand new BeFreegle tent was history. I’m endlessly grateful no one got hurt but unfortunately our tent became a mangled heap. Not about to let something small like that get in the way of our day, we spent the rest of that amazing afternoon, in the warm September sun. I am so thankful that my brother, Einar and his kids stopped by for a visit and to help us get the tent folded back up, without him I would still be trying to figure out that mess. I am also endlessly grateful for our BeFreegle volunteer, Anna, she always knows exactly what to do and is such a huge help to BeFreegle, gives endless love to Juno and Maya and is always well stocked with chickie strips. Volunteers are the backbone of any all volunteer non profit, don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.

In spite of all the things that seemed to go wrong that day, one blessed thing went exactly right. For the first time Maya was initiating contact with complete strangers and engaged in meet and greet the entire time. Wagging her tail and genuinely happy to be out on such a beautiful day. I’m so proud of her and always knew that giving her the time and space she needed she should follow in her big sisters footsteps (or pawsteps?)and become our Assistant BeFreegle Ambassador. If there was ever any doubt that a research dog could not go on to live out the remainder of their life, not only as a beloved family pet, but to serve their community and pay it forward for the next Freegles needing sanctuary, I think you need to meet my little girl, Maya.

BeFreegle Ambassador Maya

It seems as though it was only yesterday as we traveled across the interstate. I spent the entire trip out to you sitting in the back seat, for once in my life letting someone else take charge. Totally out of character for me but I had other things on my mind. I wondered what you would be like. Would you be scared or curious? Would it be love at first sight? Most likely not, but rather a period of adjustment. A time for us to get to know one another. You would likely make mistakes, but so would I. My expectations were high and low all at once. My stomach in a knot. I didn’t know why, I have met and taken care of so many Freegles already so why was this time different? Because this time you were ours. Ours to watch over, to teach the ways of the world and to assure your safety when you would leave us for your forever home. I consider that a great responsibility. As I sat it that back seat heading towards you, I realized that you were the something that was missing in my life.

Your first days and weeks were, as we anticipated, difficult for all of us, I’m sure mostly for you though. I wanted more than anything for you to trust me. Wanting to pick you up and hug you tight to make up for lost time. As I look back on the past 6 months I see each of you in my minds eye as you took your first steps out of your crates to explore the outdoors for the first time. I was there when you made potty outside and not inside and my shouts of joy frightened you. I’m very sorry but you have no idea how happy that made me! I was there for your first night on a comfy bed, your first walks, your first hugs and your first party to welcome you all home. I was there as each of you went on to your forever homes and I cried great tears of joy for your new life. As we celebrate the 6 month anniversary of your homecoming I want to tell you all how proud I am of you.

Daisy, your indomitable spirit was apparent shortly after we met. You are such a smart girl and so very brave. I remind myself all the time that all I ever needed to know about being brave I learned from my Freegles. Daisy, my sweet, that applies mostly to you. I could not have asked for a better family for you. They have given you the time and love you needed to flourish in your new life. Your a working girl and a weekend New England getaway girl too! Taking your cues from your big brother, Professor, you hike off leash with your family, play endlessly with your best friend Ginger and sleep curled up in the fluffiest bed in the world dreaming the sweetest of dreams.

Maya, I am sad for those who do not believe in love at first sight, for you stole my heart from the moment we met and you kissed me ever so cautiously. The first one to stretch your legs and run like the wind across the backyard I’m sure the only thing stopping you from running off into the sunset is me. If only I was truly as wonderful as you think I am. You have taken up the role of Junior Ambassador next to your big sister, Juno, with much enthusiasm. She is a tough act to follow but I have no doubt you can hold your own! You have learned, rather quickly I might add, the finer things in life like visits to the city, elevators and fancy hotels where we do not pee on the carpet!

And last, but by no means the least, (I saved the best for last) Sunny. My eyes fill with tears and a lump forms in my throat as I think about your first few weeks of freedom. Bravery did not come easy for you, in fact it came in fits and starts. Wanting so badly to be part of the pack, you just couldn’t bring yourself to come into the kitchen to join us as I prepared our meals. Always on high alert for something to happen, you only settled down when you had another Freegle to snuggle with. Strength in numbers is always good advice, I suppose. Your forever family came to you at exactly the right moment. Sometimes good things come to those who wait and Sunny, my love, you are exactly where you should be. Some would call them foster failures but I know better. From the moment I met your Mom and Dad, something told me they were going to keep you. Now wedged firmly in their hearts as well as between them in bed each night there is no place on earth I would rather you be.

As our girls flourish in their new lives we keep looking towards the future and the next group we can bring home. I’ve never been big on patience and waiting for things like nonprofit paperwork to be processed. Don’t they know we have important work to do? My life lesson for now, as I wait for that paperwork is to sit on my hands and cultivate patience. I think I would much rather take a hike!!

Sunshine SIT!!

Securing The Perimeter

What the HECK?! For two months we have been working on pottying outside, leash manners and sit. The photo to the left is what we have accomplished to date. Juno is more than willing to sit anytime, anywhere if there is food in my hand, Maya follows her big sister. As you can see we have one stubborn holdout of the bunch. This week Sunshine had TWO accidents in her crate. TWO!! We are not happy about that. She has had amply opportunity to go outside but is much more interested in sniffing all of the new smells from the emerging wildlife and melting snow. Too busy as such to waste time pottying…Until today.

When dealing with a Freegle you never know what they are going to respond to or how they will react. When I hold a treat in my hand Juno and Maya’s butts automatically hit the floor, cookie follows. They get it. Sunshine… well, clearly she has other things on her mind.

Each Freegle comes with their own set of training issues that are sometimes a challenge. Maya took all of her cues from Juno and learned to sit for her meals without me ever spending two minutes teaching her, but she is a submissive piddler. That is my challenge with her. We have spent a lot of time working on her confidence and she is doing wonderfully. We still have accidents occasionally and everyone in the house has learned to never try to chase Maya unless you are outside and it’s play time. If she jumps on your bed you best run to the other room and make a lot of noise playing with the other dogs so she comes running. If you try to grab her she will piddle, yes on your bed. If you do, it’s your own darn fault, you were warned!!

Sunshine, as many of you know, comes with several issues, subscriptions really! She still paces nervously around the house but it is getting better, in small doses. Back to those two accidents we are not happy about. She holds her pee because she is too busy when she is outside. She is such a scent hound and her desire to follow a scent very strong. If Sunshine ever escaped I am fairly certain she would end up somewhere in New Jersey or even Ohio without ever once lifting her nose off the ground.

Our morning routine is fairly simple and straightforward. Get up, go right outside for piddles, back inside for breakfast immediately thereafter, playtime outside before work. Sunshine almost never pees first thing but rather searches and secures the perimeter. Round and round she goes as the minutes tick by. Training tips suggest giving them 5 to 10 minutes to do their business and Maya can be pretty well trusted to go on command. Sunshine does not. If I tell her “Go potty” one of two things will happen. 1. She ignores me. 2. She looks are me as if I have wounded her deeply for interrupting her morning sniff-about. Today I took back the power. We went out as normal and everyone pottyed, except Sunshine. A lot of things must have happened while we were sleeping and she needed to be updated right away. So back inside we went and Sunshine was put into her crate. Knowing she peed in her crate the other day in this very same scenario I decided to change things up. I fed the other dogs but not her. I put her food in the table next to her crate and opened the crate door. I said, “Let’s go Sunshine. Outside.” She dutifully followed me but was unwilling to leave the deck, knowing her breakfast was waiting for her. It was a standoff. Me against the Freegle. She looked at me, wounded again by her mean foster mom. I looked at her and said in my usual stern voice, “Sunshine GO potty.” She stepped off the deck and walked about 10 feet circled and peed. Really?! I saved my incredulity for later on and praised her and immediately brought her in and fed her. Let’s hope this works tomorrow and the next day until we can safely get all of those 250 pennies in the jar. Until then I may have to continue to dream up clever ways to outwit our Sunshine. I imagine her secretly laughing at me behind my back as I try to keep up with her ever changing agenda.

Our time together is becoming shorter as it looks as though she will be going into a foster to hopefully adopt home in the coming weeks with a wonderful family who wants nothing more than to give her the time and space she needs to learn to stop outsmarting her humans. We will get as many pennies in the jar before passing it on to her new family. Keep your fingers crossed for our Sunshine.

Peace and Wanderlust,

Kate & Sunshine

Maya photobombs Sunshine’s glamour pose!

Bow WOW!!!

Spring fever has hit BeFreegle Central!! With temps above 50 degrees today the spring thaw has just begun. Along with the spring thaw comes what some of us dog people call the muddy season. Those of you who know are nodding your head yes right now!! The dreaded muddy season. The ground is frozen so as the snow melts it has no where to go but to sit in giant muddy puddles in the backyard. Undeterred by large vats of mud our Freegle girls romped and ran and splashed in the mud today like a bunch of three year old kids set loose in a summer rainstorm puddle! Zoomies throughout the yard, over the snow softening which at times gave way to their weight and caused them to tumble head over hiney until they were a ball of tangled up Freegles. I took a seat and quietly watched. Maya likes to check in to make sure I’m watching. She would at times come to me to engage in play with her. I would crouch low and hide behind melting piles of snow, she would hop (yes she hops) over cautiously at first to see where I went. I would pop out and she would gleefully hop away zooming to the other side of the yard. I also cleared the patio of snow today just because I will soon be dragging out my chairs to sit outside. Hurrying spring? You bet I am. As Maya and I played hide and seek over snow piles and around the tarp covered patio table a new player entered the game. As I rounded the table for our game of tag, there was Sunshine, tail up, eyes bright ready for action. She play bowed me! Yes, she did! I bowed back and chased her! She ran like the wind, I swear I saw the beginnings of a smile. The moment only lasted a few seconds but I feel that what she did today was cause for celebration. Every day gets a little better. All I want is for her to be happy and today I found a crack, although slight in the protective wall she has built up around herself. She’s getting it, slowly but surely she’s getting it. We had a little setback yesterday and she lost 5 pennies. Today she has already gained most of them back. Good girl!

As I cleaned up 16 muddy legs and paws, 4 wet bellies and a few mud covered snouts I hoped that the snow will soon melt and the mud to dry up so the girls can experience all of the wonders the spring and summer hold. Skunks and groundhogs will be on the top of their list, for sure. Heaven help me!

Peace & Muddy Pawprints,

Kate & Sunshine

Daisy the Snow Angel

On The Way

A funny thing happened on the way to the mechanic. Today was the dreaded, take the car to the mechanic for the few thousand miles overdue and much needed 100k checkup. Once you get to that kind of mileage things start to squeak and rattle and it’s best to have it checked out before you end up stranded waiting for AAA. There was a coffee shop with wifi a short 15 minute walk away and since it was the first day above freezing in a while and the sun was peaking through the clouds I figured, why not walk.

A few hours later my cell phone rang, it was the mechanic who is also a good family friend. My stomach did a little flip flop as I saw the number come up. Please nothing major, please nothing major. Good news, your car is done he said. The battery was bad and we did a tune up and oil change. Good to go. I packed up my stuff and headed back in the direction of the shop. I decided to walk along the other side of the street from my trip up, just for a change of scenery. As I came upon a brick building I happen to look up and read the sign. The name was vaguely familiar and as I took about 5 steps beyond I realized why it was familiar. Daisy’s new Mom and Dad’s business. Daisy goes to work with them everyday. Daisy was just beyond those front doors. I stopped and looked inside, several people stared back at me. I didn’t see any familiar faces. Should I? Shouldn’t I? What do I do? I stood there looking, I imagine, dumb for my indecision, standing there staring through the window. I’m pretty sure that this hesitation of mine was not as long as I was remembering it. Two steps up later I was inside. Two minutes later I was ushered into Daisy’s Mom’s office where there was a little Freegle girl curled up on the chair on her soft comfy blanket. She hopped down and sniffed, about three seconds later it registered who I was and I was bombarded with kisses!! How great Daisy looks and to see her smiling really made my day.

Daisy’s Mom and Dad are such fantastic people and as I apologized for being presumptuous they were so very gracious. She is such a very lucky girl and just got back from her very first vacation. I will save that story for her Mom to tell in next months Aarroosletter. In the meantime I got all the kisses I need to sustain me for a good long time. Thank you to Bill and Debbie for being so understanding and inviting me in. It truly made my day to see all of you, including Professor!!

On the home-front, Sunshine is doing really great. We had one little accident tonight. It was totally my fault as I was not paying attention to her signals. In hindsight I should have been more aware. For that reason I am not taking her 5 pennies away. I don’t want to damage her new found self esteem!

I recently took her crate away and put her in a pen without a top to see how she would do. At first she seemed to be very afraid but I climbed in there with a load of treats in my hand. Eventually I had all four dogs in there with me, well until I ran out of treats that is!! It’s so good to see her responding to the training and the holistic supplements. Every day gets better and better, but we all always knew she would. This little girl is going to make someone a wonderful and loyal friend one day. Until then I would have to say she and I are pretty tight.

Peace and Sunny Days,

Kate & Sunshine

Morning  romp, with Freegles Maya and Sunshine

Good Day Sunshine

Today was a great Sun-Shiny Day!! We started the day with an inside toy carried outside by Sunshine. Normally I don’t let the inside toys to go outside as they have a tendency to get buried in the snow. But this morning Sunshine looked so happy that I let her. Spoil her? Oh why not?! We started on a new holistic supplement last night, as recommended by our family and BeFreegle vet, Dr. P. We conferenced about Sunshine yesterday and he suggested that we try another holistic remedy before prescribing meds for her anxiety. Nutricalm for Dogs is chock full of good things like L-Tryptophan and Valerian Root. With the supplement and continued behavioral guidance I am sure that our baby, Sunshine will be feeling so much better in a few weeks.

I continue to be amazed and inspired by all of our Freegle girls bravery. Their willingness to reach beyond their fear is a great lesson that I need to apply to my own self. If they can do it, anyone can!

We continue to learn new things about each other and a yesterday I had a humbling ah ha moment when I scolded her for messing in the house. Dogs, I have come to learn, who have spent time in similar circumstances as Sunshine and the other Freegles, have no concept of potty inside versus potty outside. My scolding her only taught her that potty was bad when I was around. And since I always watch them outside she would never potty until she got back inside when I would literally leave the room for 30 seconds. When I discovered this it broke my heart and I vowed to do better, starting immediately. This morning, armed with extra time and treats in my pocket, we started the day by going outside right away. She sniffed and ate snow, sniffed some more, watched a leaf blow across the snow, sniffed… I issued a defeated sigh as I stood outside with her in 18 degree whether silently chanting to myself, patience, patience, patience… Patience is hard when it’s 18 degrees and you have to go to work in 45 minutes. She didn’t go, so I brought her back in, put her in her crate and let the rest of our pack out, the pack who has to good sense to potty and get it over with fast and get back in where it’s warm! After about another 15 minutes I took her out again. Once again she sniffed and circles, sniffed, watched a leaf, circled, circled, circled… and squat!!! I resisted the urge to shout out, “Way to go Sunshine!”, lest she stop midstream! So I waited until she was done. Many good girl shrieks and treats later she and I went back in for breakfast. After breakfast with the pack outside we went again for some playtime. Feeling, obviously pleased with herself she grabbed her toy. What could I do?

Not only have we had no accidents in the house since but our trips to the frozen tundra of the backyard got a wee (pun intended) bit shorter as the day progressed. I read a surefire way to know your dog is housebroken. It will cost 250 pennies. For each successful potty outside one penny goes in a jar. For every potty inside five come out. By the time all 250 pennies are in the jar one can say the Freegle is housebroken! At present count, we have 4 pennies in the jar, only 246 to go. But hey, every journey begins with a single step. Wish us luck!!

Peace and Outdoor Potty’s,

Kate & Sunshine

Sunshine’s Potty Countdown Clock