Tasha
"Adopted
to Tom & Theresa of NY,NY on 1/30/2004" Tasha
came to us from a Jackson, MS shelter. She is one of the beautiful
Choclate Lab/Golden mixes. She was HW positive and has been treated.
She has been spayed and ready to go to her forever home.
01/14/05 UPDATE:
Hi,
The last email you sent was so sad. Wish people could
open their hearts
more. The rescue is really doing an amazing job. Hope the New Year
brings
you more success...
Rosie has most definitely turned out to be a very special
girl. She is sooo
sweet, but yet very energetic and fun. She has really changed over
the
course of the year. Although she is still wary of new men, she has
really
adjusted to city life as she meets so many people and dogs every day.
She
have some best dog friends that she sees every weekend morning in the
park
and a few regular pals from her morning visits to the dog run. Her
night
time plays are usually long walks around the park which ends up just
being
with Rockie. She still kisses the ground he trots over. I wish she
had more
girl power. And Rockie is so submissive he never adjusted to being
alpha
dog. We call him beta prime. But Rosie always lets him win games of
fetch.
Beating him to the ball but letting him get it.
She still occasionally chases bikes and cars (namely
the small scooters that
pick up garbage in central park, but she comes when called and knows
she
shouldn't behave that way.) Many times we can intercept her chase.
But once
in a while she takes off. We really try to not let her off leash where
she
may be tempted, but I can't wait until the day when there are no worries.
I
know she wouldn't "attack", but her barking scares the driver
or cyclist.
Last weekend, the man driving the "scooter", (not sure what
it is called),
actually fed her cookies to encourage her that he is a nice guy and
not to
be afraid. I think however, the cookies may promote another chase.
But we'll
see this weekend. The garbage trucks are really only a problem on weekends
since we are out a little later. If you have any suggestions for better
training methods, let me know. (basically we just yell no and when
she is
good we reward with praises and cookies.)
Rosie's heartworm tests all turned out negative after
the six month period.
She is healthy. She recently had an allergic reaction to something
toxic she
ingested. We ended up at the emergency vet because her muzzle blew
up! So
scary. She was treated released and then readmitted her 2 days because
her
liver enzymes were very elevated. Fortunately, everything returned
to normal
within 2 weeks. We still have no idea what she ate. No evidence at
home. She
may have drank from a puddle in the park that contained something bad.
Who
knows. So now I look like the ultimate bag lady in the park as I carry,
bags
to pick up crap, cookies, balls, and a water bottle and portable water
bowl
so Rosie always has water and hopefully will not be tempted to drink
puddles. As you can imagine, my efforts are rather fruitless. Dogs
will be
dogs. I think Rosie may also have some allergies as she chews at her
paws.
We had her rechecked for scabies etc, but the vet said possible allergies
or
maybe nerves. There are actually doggie dermatologist in NYC. We have
an
appt next week that we have had to wait two months for (waiting list).
It is
crazy. I am not sure if she needs to be seen. But I am so obsessive
so I
figured why not. Any experience with dog allergies? (I don't think
it is her
food since we already tried changing food etc etc. I think it may be
inhalant allergy since she snores.)
She still maintains her perch on the front window sill.
she was very
dismayed during Christmas when the tree blocked some of her view. But
she's
back now. In fact, everyone knows her on the block very well since
as they
tell me she sits looking out the window all day! I have been very amiss
about taking digital pictures. But I have a digital camera now so I
will
send you some pics. She basically looks the same. Same height. She
put on 5
pounds, but I think it is mostly muscle. Her fur is the same length,
but
shinier. She really has a great coat. She always gets complements.
In fact,
I want to take a sample of her hair to tell my hairdresser to dye it
that
color!
Well, I hope this finds you well. I wish I was in LA
so I could be more
involved. If you ever need a contact in NY/NJ let me know. I have done
some
volunteering at our local animal control. They are doing a good job,
but it
is always so sad since although their euthanasia rates have declined,
they
often have no choice.
Take care,
Theresa and Tom and Rosie and Rockie
PS I am going to New Orleans in February (week of 22nd)
for a work related
meeting. Hopefully, I can deliver my dues in person!
3/30/04 UPDATE
HI,
Just wanted to let you know that we are VERY happy with Rosie (Tasha).
She is an absolute sweetie and brings joy to our lives every day.
Her fur patch has finally grown in and her coat is looking beautiful.
Her fur is still short, not like a Golden’s, but longer than
a lab. She is also not shedding so much. I think the treatments for
the mites really helped and our vet tonight said she is cured, but
she will have one more treatment. She is
eating wellness fish formula for her coat, which I think also helps,
but her breath always smells like tuna fish! But I am getting used
to it! Rockie and Rosie are also bonding finally. I think that Rockie
just felt like the odd man out when Louie (my foster) was here. And
Louie is doing great, and we see him every weekend at the park. WE
are becoming good friends with his adopters, and really I couldn't
be happier. It is so cute
seeing them all reunite each week! I also just did a home visit for
labs4rescue for Mimi (a little choc lab). It was so nice and I felt
really good helping to ease the anxiety of a first time city dog owner.
I am doing another home visit this weekend. So I hope I can help out
gulf south goldens some time soon. Rosie is now sitting on the windowsill
looking out the window. There is a permanent dent in our blinds! Everyone
on the block gets a big kick out of it. Apparently, she watches people
go by all day! She is more used to the pace of the city now. Very few
people warrant a bark! She is really well behaved off leash, always
comes when called. The only problem is that she chases after joggers
and bicycle riders. I think she may think they are prey! She usually
stops when we shout "no". But one has to keep a constant
eagle eye out for her. Last weekend there was a marathon in the park
so it overlapped our early morning off leash time, and boy Rosie had
quite a few distractions! But we are working on it. We are thinking
of taking her to classes if we can't break the habit. (I am worried
about the bicyclist mostly.) One funny thing, I found a group that
actually will run with your dog. We were looking for a dog walker just
once a week due to our work hours, and I stumbled upon "running
paws". They walk your dogs to the park, and then proceed to literally
run with them on leash. Rockie and Rosie ran last week, and were reported
to be the #2 runners of the week! They are in good shape, and once
Rosie is running, she doesn't notice the bicyclists! I am really excited
for them, and I can't wait to try to run with them myself. (We usually
just let them play in the dog run or off leash in the park.) Well,
anyway, running paws, only in NY!
Hope all is well,
Theresa
PS I have been reading about all of the dogs you have
saved and the money
you have raised! You are truly amazing!
2/24/04 UPDATE
"Hi,
Just wanted to give you an update on Tasha/Rosie(its rockie and Rosie).
She is currently perched on the window sill looking out onto the
street. She climbs onto the window sill and literally lifts up the
blinds to look out! She is a funny bunny! I have to send you a pic.
She is sprawled out across
the ledge! She is doing great! We are due for our microfilaria test
soon, but I have no worries since she seems very healthy. She is gaining
aerobic endurance and thus not panting so much (I think we just exercised
her too much that first night). But she is a very fast runner and can
even outrun Rockie! They have some pretty amazing games of fetch! She
is SOOOOO friendly! Always giving kisses and hugs. Everyone loves her
who meets her. She is truly special. We think we found a potential
adopter for Louie, our foster. He has had some bad luck with adopters
backing out at the last minute without even meeting him! He has become
an integral part of our family so it will be super hard to say good
bye. I feel bad for Rosie (Tasha) since they are pals. But if he is
gone this weekend, we will just have to have an extra special good
time. maybe a hike. Every time we walk by the lake in central park
she is pulling towards the water. I can't wait to see her swim! But
it is still a bit cold up here. But Rosie loves the cold! She actually
often sleeps by the drafty door! She seems to prefer that to the bed,
couch , chairs etc. As soon as Louie is gone (he is very destructive)
we will get her a bed for by the door! A little news on her beautiful
coat...I think she will not have a typical golden retriever long coat.
It looks like she will stay as is, a bit furry. So I definately think
she may have something else in her. Everyone in the city has an opinion
from chow, some japenese dog (forgot the name) to nova scotia duck
trolling retriever. We are partial to the duck trolling retriever since
she dunks her entire head in the water bowl. The bowl is
always empty if Rosie has a drink! Well hope all is going well with
the rescue. Hope you are getting more hits on the dogs. The petfinder
thing was really a shame! Not fair. I don't understand why a rescue
site would be so picky. I wish I could do more from here. The one app
I followed up on did not respond. I haven't spoken with Debbie in a
while, but I will drop her a note. No one responded to my offer
to foster in the future in NY. But for now, we could use a little break
from 3 dogs. It is no problem in the house or off leash in the park,
but any oncoming pedestrian traffic while walking the streets of NY
is a challange with 3!
Take care,
Theresa"
"Hi all,
Tasha is home, and it hasn't taken her long to come out of her shell!
She is an absolute doll! Very very sweet and kind. She is also so
polite. I had to use a cookie to let her know it was okay to hang
out on the couch etc...She and Louie, my foster dog, are playing
non stop. They keep running back and forther in the apart. They were
just out in the snow running around in the back yard. Tasha LOVES
the snow. She runs around so much, I don't think there is a chance
she'll get cold! She also plays with Louie so sweetly in the apartment.
They just roll around on the floor together and nibble each other.
Rockie is just sleeping. He seems indifferent to it all right now.
Maybe he is under the weather still or an eight year old and a puppy
are just too far apart. The only sad thing is watching Louie and
Tasha play together knowing Louie is going to his new home tomorrow.
I still want to keep him too. But maybe Tom will change his mind
about having
3 dogs when he sees them together. Even if we don't keep Louie, it
would free us up for another foster. WEll, I am on my way to buy Tasha
a new collar, some treats, and to check out those leashes for walking
two dogs on one! Hope all is well with everyone! WE may get more snow
up here!
Take care,
Theresa"
