Mar 07 2008
Riley Gets a Sister
Beauty shot, originally uploaded by daveronku.
Say hello to 62.5 lbs. of fun: our new Fox Hound-Boxer girl, Dixie!
Dixie came to us via a pretty circuitous route. A few weeks ago, Julie checked petfinder.com to see the dogs currently being fostered by the group that had Riley. She found a boy dog, Metro, a 1 1/2 year old mutt who we thought would be a good match. We met him a couple days later and liked him enough to arrange a meeting with Riley.
That week, Metro and another dog, Dixie, were featured on Dick Goddard’s ’save our pets’ segment on the local news. We asked the foster organization to bring both dogs to our meeting.
We met on neutral ground at a house in Euclid. It quickly became apparent that it wasn’t going to work out between Metro and Riley. Metro definitely wants to dominate, and at half Riley’s size that was going to be an issue. Our boy just wants to play with every dog he meets; when challenged he usually just projects an attitude of ‘whatever dude, I’m outta here.’
Riley and Dixie hit it off immediately, tearing around the back yard and wrestling. We decided that it’d be a good idea to meet up again, this time at our own house. Again, they got along well, and we decided to take a chance on this little lady.
Here backstory is rather sad. She was dumped a couple of years ago by an unknown person at an animal clinic on the west side run by a terrible vet who’s been in the news around here for her unprofessionalism. She kept Dixie confined to a crate for the better part of a year. The poor dog was only allowed out a couple of times a day to do her business. Eventually, she was condemned to be put to sleep.
Our rescue people heard about her and took her to a trainer who owns a rehab kennel out in Chesterland. He’s a former Sheriff’s Deputy with extensive experience in training police dogs. Since breaking a hip during a drug bust, he’s retired from the Sheriff’s Dept. and now makes a living rehabilitating “death row dogs.”
Dixie spent nine months in that kennel, going from a frightened, skittish dog who could not be approached without her lashing out, to a sweet gentle girl who loves to snuggle and be petted. The trainer did an amazing job of bringing her back from the brink, and we thank him for his efforts.
Riley enjoys playing with Dixie, but he seems to be a little put out by this usurper taking some of our attention. But they’re getting along so well after such a short period of time that we’re confident they’ll become the best of friends. Wish us luck!
Congratulations on your new additions!! She looks like a Ruby though.
We like the soul patch above the nose.
Marianne’s addition: “Oh my God, Dick Goddard’s still alive??”
Jacque, we’re thinking about naming her after you. She snorts when she’s happy.
And yes, Ol’ Dick is still alive. He’s like Dorothy Fuldheim; he’ll be on the air until they have to prop him up with 2×4s and Gaffer tape.
Welcome to Dixie! I look forward to meeting Dixie and Riley when we come to visit.
That’s so cool of you and Julie to rescue another dog. You’ll have to change her name of course, but other than that, she’s beautiful! Riley will have so much fun with Dix– er I mean, your new dog.
“She looks like a Ruby though”
Does that mean she be workin’?
LOL to Marianne and holy crap - Dorothy Fuldheim. Now there’s a blast from the past eh?
Welcome Dix- er whateveryournamewillbesinceyoucan’tstealDixie’s
:)
She’s cute. She looks old, how old is she? Perhaps she looks old because of the crap she’s been put through…which is why you can’t change her name. She’s been thru enough, let the poor thing at least keep her name.
She looks sweet, her and Riley look like a good match.
Have fun picking up all the dog crap! :-)
Welcome to the family Dixie. Dave and Julie will have to get you one of them redneck flags to wear as a bandana. Then they can take you back to that shitty vet so you can bite her. The Bitch. Good for the retired sheriff, it sounds like he found himself a rewarding retirement gig, and good for you guys adopting her. I’m sure she’ll appreciate all the spoiling you guys will be giving her, compared to her earlier life.
I had the same reaction about Dick Goddard. Did you get a free Wooly Bear too?
Are the dog having fun in all this snow? I bet it’s up their armpits.
That so called ‘vet’ isn’t still in business, is she? She should lose her license, if she hasn’t already. I’m glad that she was able to be successfully rehabilitated. It sounds like the trainer is a miracle worker. He must have had infinite patience with her.
Sadly, she’s still in business, though I’ve heard the state is investigating her.
There are a lot of new pictures of them playing in the snow on my flickr page.
Hmmm tell me more about this vet.. I see a bullseye on her head in the near future.. ooops did I say that out loud?
Congrats on the rescuing!!! You guys are my heros!!!!!!!
Now why can’t everyone adopt a dog or four???