I AM NOW HOME!

Yippee. What a great day. My furever family adopted me and I have four children to raise now. What fun. I think I can wear them out running all over... or maybe they will wear me out. Phew. But that is OK. I like a good sleep after a fun day of play. I am so happy because I get to be top-dog now. WooHoo. Well, OK, I am the only dog but that does not change that I am top dog now. WOOF!

Some New Pictures of ME... WooHoo!

My people finally took some more pictures of me! Ain't I photogenic?

Ain't I cute? I love chasing the ball and just running around the yard.

See, I am kinda a small dog compared to the BIG Dog of the house... but he is nice and throws the ball for me anyway.

The Very Latest on ME

Well it has been a week and still no new photos. But my people say that now that the weather is better they will try. It helps with photography. We might even have some video taken. I feel like a movie star. Hope it happens soon. But you don't have to wait. You can apply for my adoption NOW. Thank you.

If you are interested in adopting me, please go to www.anewleash.org and click on Adoption Application on the right side of the page. Fill it out and email it to pets@anewleash.org as an attachment.

I Got Weighed... Again.

My people have this funny thing... they keep trying to figure out what I weigh. So we did it again. And I am just 27 lbs. I am not sure what an lbs. is but I'm 27 of them. But it seems to indicate that I am about as big as I'm going to get. It helps me be fast and lithe on my feet. Oh, like that word lithe? It is among many things I am learning. OK, well that's it for today.

The Latest on ME of Course

Remember, you can read all about my story at the beginning of this blog.

Well, I've been with my foster family since November 2009. I've had fun playing with my fellow doggies. I especially like to rassle with the youngest female. We have a good time until my people tell us to settle down, and I listen, even if a bit reluctantly (after all I'm still a puppy at heart).

The older female doggy (they call her the Queen) has a reverse effect on me. She is too dignified to rassle. She just tells me no and I curl up next to her. I am flexible.

Finally, for doggies anyway, they have a male and we tolerate one another. He thinks he's boss and I think I am. We don't rassle but are courteous as we interact. Of course, he's kinda a loner anyway and keeps off to himself naturally. So I get "the girls" all to myself. WooHoo.

And guess what, they have a CAT. Still a mystery critter to me. She is slinky and sneaky and I am always watching for her. But she fools me often. She has had to tell me to "Back Off! Rowerrrr!" a few times and I know what's good for me. I guess we can co-exist, she was here first after all.

I've learned many manners but still slip up occasionally. They want me to sit and wait while they open the crate so I do. They want me to sit at the door and wait until they invite me to come through, so I do but boy is that tough! I am getting better, but not perfect, at not jumping up on people (I love them so much). I am definitely food and treat focused. You could probably have me smash through walls for a treat!

OK, all this writing has tired me out. Phew. Now it's time for a nap. Will you be my furever family?

Here's the beginning of My Story

In November 2009 I found my foster family on my journey to finding my furever home. I was out hunting around their valley and discovered these folks who I needed to let rescue me. I let them take me into their home and have blessed them with my goofy presence (I like to listen intently and tilt my head while figuring out what they are saying).

Soon I got to visit the nice veterinarian and she said that I am a retriever mix of some kind. My foster parents just say I am a neat dog with character! I don’t know what character is but it sounds good anyway. On December 8th I weighed 23 lbs and the veterinarian estimated that I was about 8 months old and generally a healthy boy. On January 16th I weighed 26 lbs. So I guess I won’t be a HUGE dog, just a right-size dog for anyone.

My strengths are that I have learned to sit and be more courteous when walking through doors (my people get to go first). Plus, my people say that I am a great leash-walker. I stay close with no pulling. I do very well in my crate. It’s my den with some neat blankets for snuggling. I am well housed-trained as long as I am allowed outside regularly and I prefer to do my business outside, especially in the leaf piles around the edge of “our” property.

Also, I love to run around the yard. My prey instincts are strong. I am so interested in those squirrels. I like to profile my heritage by standing and pointing (it makes me look like I know what I am doing). But since I cannot catch those prey I settle for chasing tennis balls or even Kongs! That is fun… especially when I can play keep-away.

My one slight weakness is that I do want to claim my people and not always share them with my three adopted doggy friends. The veterinarian said I want to be an Alpha, whatever that is, and my foster family agrees. But, with rules and discipline I am learning very well that I must behave by the house policies and get along with my furry friends. I have even met the cat – but she keeps me in my place and so I listen. A firm and consistent hand works well with me.

All I need now is my FUREVER HOME. Will it be yours? Please, please, PLEASE.

With lots of devotion and love to give – I am RUFUS

If you are interested in adopting me, please go to www.anewleash.org and click on Adoption Application on the right side of the page. Fill it out and email it to pets@anewleash.org as an attachment..

Each adopted pet will be transported to his or her new home and a home visit will be conducted to ensure that the home and pet are compatible.

**Adoption fees are tax-deductible. For applicants in Huntsville and Madison, AL the adoption fee is typically $185. This occasionally varies depending on the pet or vet bills of the pet. For applicants outside Huntsville or Madison limits, but within a 20 mile radius, the adoption fee is typically $200. Outside the 20 mile radius, ask about the adoption fee. PLEASE ASK US WHAT THE ADOPTION FEE IS FOR THE PET YOU ARE INTERESTED IN, IF YOU ARE UNSURE.

Each dog comes fully vetted: thoroughly examined by a licensed veterinarian, MICROCHIPPED, spayed or neutered, HW/Ehrl/Lyme tested, fecal tested for intestinal parasites, dewormed, vaccinated for Rabies, DA2PPvL, and Bordetella(when needed), and medicated and/or surgery performed for any problem or injury that the individual pet has had.

Return Policy: If you wish to return the pet(s) after adoption, you MUST return them to A New Leash on Life, Inc. They are not to be given to someone else or turned in to another agency. The returned pet(s) will be placed back into our foster program when the next available foster home has an opening.

Please visit our website at www.anewleash.org for more information.