My last blog.....

I keep forgetting to write and tell everyone the GREAT news....I was adopted in September 2009!

I am now living with my wonderful new mom, two human brothers, and a doggy brother named Marco!

I have a big yard where I can run and play and I'm enjoying every minute of it!

Thanks to everyone for following my story (along with the rest of the Missouri 75 GSPs) and for all your support.

Love, Phoenix

The latest with what's been going on with me...

Hi everyone. Just a few updates to tell you about. I've been going to my foster mom's job with her several times a week now. She works at a doggy daycare. I do really well there. I get along great with the other dogs and have even played a little with some of them. I'm still working on getting more comfortable, but I think I will start to play more and more soon. I am actually doing really well with all of the employees there. I have let most of them come up and pet me right away (even the men!). It's easier to trust them when I see that all the other dogs let the employees pet and play with them. I still won't let them lead me anywhere by my collar and I still jump when they touch me from behind. But as long as they come up to me and I can see who it is and sniff them, I'm perfectly okay with them petting me. I think this doggy daycare thing will be good for me because I get to meet new dogs and new people everyday.

I've been back in my foster home for a little over 3 weeks now. I'm getting so much better with the 2 men that I live with. Sometimes I still bark if they startle me (like coming in the front door unexpectedly), but for the most part, I am beginning to trust them. They are both able to come up and pet me and sometimes I even go up to them for attention. I'm not quite ready for them to hug or kiss me and I still don’t like sudden movements, but I have come a long way in 3 weeks. I especially enjoy when they give me belly rubs...it's my favorite!

I am also doing really well in the house. I am completely housebroken and crate trained. If I have to potty, I go right to the back door and cry. My foster family has left me in the house while they are away and I behave myself perfectly. I haven't destroyed anything and I just like to nap on the couch until they are back. I play very nicely with my foster brother and sister. We like to chase each other around and play tug-o-war. They tell me I am pretty mellow for a GSP. I do have my moments of high energy where I like to run around and play, but for the most part, I'm happy just hanging out. If you want to play, I'll join in, but if you just want to relax, I'll find a comfy spot to curl up in.

That's all for now!

My Favorite Things

1. FOOD. I love food! In fact, I love anybody that has food to give me! I am extremely food motivated and have no trouble at all gobbling up my meals. Give me food and I'll be your best friend.

2. TOYS. I love toys! Especially the plush ones. They are so much fun to throw around, shake, and chew on. I also like squeeky toys. Those sounds are just so interesting! I can entertain myself all day with toys.

3. PLAYING. I love to play! My favorite playmates include my people and my doggy friends. I like to chase, wrestle, and play tug-o-war with both dogs and people.

4. CUDDLING. I love to cuddle! I enjoy curling up in my foster mom's lap and taking a nap. I really would like to lay by your side and be close to you. If you'll let me on the couch, that would be great, but I don't mind cuddling on the floor either.

5. BONES. I love to chew on bones! Any kind will do. It passes the time and they taste fantastic!

6. WALKS. I love to walk with my pack! When I first came to rescue, I was very scared on walks, but now I love them. I get to see so many interesting things and that helps to make me confident.

7. BELLY RUBS. Oh boy, oh boy, I love belly rubs! It feels so good. I would love to have my belly rubbed all day long.

I'm Back!!

Hello again everyone. It's Phoenix! I made it back to NJ on July 3rd with no problems. I was a little confused at first, but now all is well. I got to meet my original foster mom at her job. I didn't recognize her at first, but once we got back to my foster home, it all started coming back to me. I remembered the yard, the smells, and my foster brother and sister. Once I realized where I was, I went back over to my foster mom and said hello. I've been smiling ever since! My foster mom is so happy that I remembered and my transition back to NJ has gone really well.

My first night back in NJ was filled with good times. I got to watch Cali swim in the pool (I'm not sure if I'm ready to do that yet), go for a long walk, play with toys, eat yummy food, and cuddle with my foster mom. She was surprised to see how far I've come on my walks. We walked for an hour and I only tried to stop and lay down once! With a quick tug on the leash, I was right back up and confidently walked with her and Cali the rest of the way.

I'm still a little nervous with strangers and getting reacquainted with my foster mom's family. I'm a little unsure when they come over to me and I don't like quick or sudden movements. I'm just scared, but I think with some time, I will learn that they are good people. I have become VERY food motivated though, so I have no hestiations when taking food from strangers.

That's all for now. Check back soon as I'll be updating my blogs regularly.

Love, Phoenix

I'm Coming Back to Rescue

I guess you are wondering why I am here again…

While with my new family, I was diagnosed with “diabetes insipidus” – sounds scary, but it really isn’t. Basically I need to drink a lot of water, but if I take medication, I don’t. In general there’s nothing to worry about. It doesn’t affect my overall health or longevity (I am around 2 so I have lots of life to live!). I just have to drink (and pee) a lot OR take a pill. That’s it! Besides this, I am fully vetted and neutered.

Though my adoptive family loved me and has lots of praise for me, this made them change their mind about keeping me. Luckily this rescue group always takes back any dog that was in their program – so I get to live with my fun foster mom Dana again until my real FOREVER home comes along.

So stay tuned for my updates. I'll start blogging again soon once I get back to NJ with Dana!

My Last Blog as a "Foster Dog"

On Easter Sunday, I met these nice new people and I am told they will be my new family. They came over to our house to visit. I was very unsure at first and did a lot of barking and growling. But then I realized that these nice people had really yummy treats! I just ate and ate and ate! My foster mom told me that I was going to be a Connecticut dog now and that it would be a little scary at first, but I would come to love my new home. I was a a little confused when my foster mom put me up into their truck and kissed me goodbye. I'm not quite sure what goodbye means, but she looked sad. She told me we would both be okay and I was finally going home, to where I've always belonged.

I took a really LONG car ride with these new people. I only got sick once. They seem very nice. I also got to meet their two dogs, Prescott and Sedona. They are Irish Setters and look funny compared to me, but I think I like them. They are my new brother and sister.

I am told that this my "forever home"...that sure sounds nice.

Love always,
Phoenix

Just Checking In!

Hi all! Phoenix checking in once again. I am told that I am finally a real dog, so I have to share some stories with everyone.

When my foster mom comes home from work, she comes right over to my crate to let me out. I get so excited. I come bursting out of my crate and do a little dance. I wiggle my butt and jump and kick my feet in the air. I've also become great friends with my foster sister, Cali. She comes over to my crate and stratches at it to let me out. Then we run around a little and play. I love wrestling with Cali and we like to chase each other around. We also play very nicely with toys. Our favorite game is tug-o-war. It's fun, but I always lose (or maybe I'm just letting her win).

When the weather is nice, we spend a lot of time in the backyard. I love spending time outside and basking in the sun. The weather was so nice over the weekend, so I layed out on the patio all day trying to get a tan. I spend a lot of time exploring in the yard. I've been using my nose a lot and finding so much interesting stuff. We've played with these crazy things called bubbles a few times. Cali and Maxwell chase them around and try to eat them. I just like to watch, but I did try to catch a few bubbles here and there.

I've met these really facinating creatures. They are called chinchillas. I try my hardest to catch them, but they are in a cage and I can't get to them. I am very obsessed with them, so I probably shouldn't go to a home with small critters. Maybe I have some bird dog potential in me.

I am still a bit weary with strangers. I feel more confident, but new people continue to scare me a bit. If I have the room, I will keep my distance, but in close quarters, I get a little nervous and have even growled sometimes. It's also hard for me to remember people in different situations. I may like you inside the house, but if we are outside, I may not recognize you and I get scared. I'm working on it though.

I'm getting better at my commands. I know if I sit, I will get something yummy. Stay and settle are a bit harder. My foster mom says she never thought she'd have to teach me "settle", but lately I've been becoming very excited and energetic before we go for a walk and before dinner time.

Everyone is so proud of me because I've learned so much and I am finally acting like a real dog. I know I will probably take a few steps back when I go to my new home, but with patience and time, I will be a great addition to my new family!

Love, Phoenix