I just had to share this story. So cool. I used to have a basset hound. Fred was her name. Yes, her. The full name was Winifred the Woebegone.

[Amazing Dog Saves His Own Life by Calling 911]

Guess he forgot to measure the crate for bread size.

I’m going to try and show Gracie’s progress in both personality and size over the months. So when I say Gracie Month 1, it doesn’t mean she’s a month old. But our first month with her. We adopted her on January 14th, 2012 from the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley, MN. Her birthday is October 27th, 2011.

Over this month we’ve seen lots of things. First of all, she pretty much arrived potty trained. She has still never (knock on wood) had an accident in her kennels. She goes almost every time we let her out. Unless Charlie happens to have killed something and left it in the yard. Then she gets a little distracted. I followed her out one day to find her ear-deep in a rabbit stomach. That’s when we started to learn “leave it”.

Just yesterday, I had to pull a dead (long dead, we’re talking almost turned to paper) mouse from her mouth. Twice. Joy. She’s getting better at “leave it”, she knows what it means (as well as “drop it”) but she doesn’t really want to comply.

She is becoming a real stinker. As in the case of the mouse above, I kicked it away from her and hid it under some leaves. I think I only succeeded in making the game more fun. She quickly dug it back up when I went to check on the other dog. She’s really become a digger. She loves to unearth poops in the yard. She’s not picky. Rabbit, cat, dog, her own…anything!

She is also learning how to sneak things she’s not supposed to have and when we say, “What do you have in your mouth?” she stops chewing as if to say, “Um, nothing.” then as soon as we turn our head she’s chewing again.

The most recent trait I’ve seen is that when she spots something she wants (as in, a cat) she hunkers down really low, ears back and starts slinking. [Like this] I’ve never had a dog that’s done that before. But then again, I’ve never lived with a herder.

She’s also exhibiting the lovely herding quality of biting ankles. so far, only Fozzie’s. It’s going to be really fun to watch her try and herd the cats.

Another “herding” thing she does is make piles of all her toys. She will go find one, play with it where it is for a little while and it seems if it passes the test it goes into her pile.

She also is showing some “foxy” behavior. She likes to play with [this cat toy] and when she sees the ball spin around she rears up and pounces on it. Very cute. That ball is never coming out of there, but don’t tell her that. It keeps her busy for a long time!

We took her DNA sample last weekend and sent it in, so I’ll let you know when I find out what breeds are in there. I’m going to guess Cattle Dog (Australian Shepherd) and Border Collie.

Here are some photos of her growth. I have more that I can’t get to right now, and I’ll make a slide show once I have them all edited.

Looks like Fozzie and Albert are missing their Animal Humane Society days. Or just trying to stay clear of the puppy!

Just watch…and listen….

Do you know of, or are you involved in an animal-realted charity? Animal and wildlife charities in any of the 50 United States have until March 31st, 2012 to apply for this year’s grant. Have Kristen Nelson, D.V.M., speak at no cost on behalf of your animal non-profit. Dr. Nelson is a veterinarian, speaker and the author of Coated With Fur: A Vet’s Life

If interested, please see [Animal Charity Grant] for details.

Buy the book

I am a fluffy 18 month old DLH kitty. Can you adopt me? I am a very sweet and gentle girl, who loves to be petted and cuddled. I am very friendly, and like both adults and children who have gentle hands. I have been living outside on a porch, but it’s cold and wet out here. If you look closely at me, you can see that my eyes are a little crossed. Also, because they are smaller than normal, my nicitating membrane (the third eyelid – the part showing in the center corners of my eye) is partially covering my pupils. It makes it hard for me to see, but I still play and get around just fine! This condition does not require any special care, but it does make me look a little odd. Even so, I would be much safer and happier if I had a warm and loving home.

Her rescuer says:
This is Millie. She has a similar condition as her brother, who I adopted. He was actually completely blind when I brought him in.
She can see, and gets around fine outside.

Please contact PetsMN via [email], or comment below if you would like to bring me home.

My name is Muffin. Can you adopt me? I am between 7-18 months old. I’ve been living outside in the cold, but I would love to find a warm home with a loving family. I am a little shy (I prefer to hide when I hear loud noises or see sudden movement), but with patience and kindness, I will make a wonderful and loving companion. I enjoy being near people, I just need to feel comfortable around them before getting too close. Please consider adopting me!

My eyes are crossed, but not because of illness. I can see, but just not quite as well as a cat with normal eyes. This doesn’t stop me from playing and exploring!

Her rescuer says: I’m not really sure about her age. I can’t quite tell where she fits in the group? I adopted 2 – one from the older (15-18 month old) group, and one from the younger (6-ish month old). Both cats had their age determined by my vet. And, so, I’ve used those approximations for all the other cats. But Muffin is sort of in between? She’s smaller than the older group (She has a tiny frame under all that fluff!) but seems a bit bigger than the younger group. I guess maybe give her approx age as 7-18 months old?
In the group shot, she’s the one in the upper left.

Please contact PetsMN via [email], or comment below if you would like to bring me home.

My name is Bandit. Can you adopt me? I am a male DSH between 15-18 months old, so I’m still not fully mature. I am very friendly, and enjoying cuddle time on someone’s lap, purring loudly and snuggling. I am also playful, and like to explore. I have tuxedo markings with a distinctive white ring around one back leg. My coat is as soft as a rabbit. I hope this will make someone want to pet me and bring me home with them. I live outside, in a country setting with many coyotes nearby. I just really want to be in a safe warm house with a family that loves me.

Please contact PetsMN via [email], or comment below if you would like to bring me home.

My name is Boo, I am a 7(ish) month old DSH female. I like to snuggle, and I purr quickly. I’ve been living outside in the cold, but I would love to find a warm home with a loving family. There are a lot of coyotes out here in the country, and it’s not safe for me to live outside here. I like gentle kids and I am very friendly.

As you can see, my pupils are shaped a little funny. I know they look weird, but please don’t let that keep you from bringing me home. I can see, just not as well as other cats. And I can get around just fine, same as any other cat!

Please contact PetsMN via [email], or comment below if you would like to bring me home.