Life's a beach

This past couple of weeks, life's a beach, for us and the Foxy dogs. This fabulous spot is right here in our home town, not 5 mins from our homes. We call this place our "Dog Psychology Centre" as it helps us all relax, take time out of our day to get together and just have fun. The kids swim, so do the dogs. Benny loves to drag the kids back to shore, its quite funny to watch and he is so pleased with himself.

The beach is surrounded by woods where the dogs can go off for a run without danger of cars driving by.

We are lucky Hudson is such a dog town, and this is a great place to take your dogs for exercise. You meet so many people and of course you immediately have something in common, dogs. Well, they usually have one or two, we usually have 7 to 12, but the more the merrier. All the dogs get along so well as they are all relaxed and if they want time to themselves they just go find themselves a spot on the beach or go for a stroll around the woods.

When we go in the evening, we are usually the only ones there, but often a few other Foxy dogs and their guardians come strolling by, so we have some catch up time. Everyone is tired out when they get home and are all in bed and out like a light by 9:30pm. In our house, we are up and back out again at the beach if the weather permits by 6:45am for an hour. It's so peaceful then. The only other person we run into is foster mom Jeniese, who lives about 2 mins from this fabulous spot so she takes a stroll down if she has time before the kids get up.

Check out more pictures on our website www.foxyscaninecompanions.ca under Foxy's Scrapbook

Roxy looking for her new guardian to come strolling by

Adoption Day Update

Yesterday we held our Adoption Day at Animalerie Babalou for the 2nd Sunday in a row, we like to keep Vito company as he is alone in the store while Nancy takes a well-deserved break. We'd like to thank everyone who came out to meet us and to meet Maxwell and Vanille. We had some great applicants and Maxwell should have his new home by the end of the week. He was pretty tired out when we got home, he had his supper and then went off to bed for the rest of the night.

We also acquired a new addition to the Foxy group at the adoption day, a lovely little 10 month old, black male cocker spaniel named Duke. He soon fit in with the rest of the gang. He is quite a little cuddler. Janiese's young son Adrian was very happy and surprised when we arrived in the driveway after the adoption day. His little foster, Muffin, was adopted last Friday to a lovely lady, Lorraine, who is making him very welcome, even the lovely Persian cat of hers doesn't mind Muffin. So now Adrian has new little playmate.

Vanille is still looking for her new home as is Roxy. Both are lovely little dogs who would love to find their forever homes.

Balou was neutered last Thursday and is now doing very well, he is alert and wanting to go for walks. Pictures have now been posted on the website. He is still underweight, but his ribs don't show anymore and he has gained 12lbs since his last weigh-in about 3 weeks ago. He is feeling much better now he has more food and his ear infection has been attended to. He is an amazing guy. He loves to go outside now, and he loves to just flop down on the floor wherever you are working at the time. His new foster mom thinks he is just great and will make someone a wonderful companion. He's like a big teddy-bear. That's Balou in the picture, just laying around outside.

This week Duke will be going in to be groomed and vaccinated, then next week he will be off to the vets to be neutered. Dr. Plasse is enjoying a well-deserved vacation this week.

For more information on all our dogs looking for new homes, check out the website www.foxyscaninecompanions.ca

Today is a busy day, combination of housework, yuk, and paperwork. Both have to be done unfortunately, so best to do it right it away at the beginning of the week. All my dogs are sleeping in various places around the house, Maxwell is still pooped out from yesterday.

Update on Laya

Laya was one of our special cases from 2004. Kim and I were having lunch when we got a call from a lady that her husband had taken her dog to the local animal control and she was pregnant, both Laya and the lady. She was in quite a state as he had taken Laya after she had left for work and without her permission.

We quickly jumped into action and managed to get Laya. We had a super foster in Lori for her who kept her at her home until Laya had her babies, luckily only 3, who were gorgeous, and gave them all a home until the puppies were old enough to adopt.

Laya found her forever home with Sue in Kingston. Sue had recently lost her beloved dog and had seen Laya's story and felt a strong connection with her and she made the drive over from Kingston, a 3 hour trip one way, to meet her. When Laya was ready, she went home with Sue.

At the beginning of May, Sue contact Foxy's to give us an up date on Laya, and what an update it was. Below you can read Laya's story in Sue's words.


May 4, 2005
Laya & I were returning to Kingston (I took her to work with me). We drove the scenic route along lake Ontario, Aldolphus reach, etc. We stopped at a few parks for Laya to have a stretch & walk/pee, etc. At our usual park (for Sat. AM walks) was our last stop & Laya took off. We were having a great time (but she wasn't listening to me). Then she spotted another dog in the distance (on the opposite side of this busy highway) & she took off. I tried to stop her & was running & screaming at the top of my lungs but she wouldn't come to me &, she was hit by a car.

The van that hit her drove off , then some really nice people stopped (1 of the ladies was a Vet Tech.). They drove Laya & I back to my van & helped me get her into the van. Fortunately my Vet was on call for the weekend. Laya had some abrasions & a very badly broken right front leg (7 fractures sites). She had surgery & they inserted a metal plate + 7 screws. Her recovery was long with lots of hicups (infections, osteomyelitis & discussions re: amputation of her right leg). However, she has done very well.

On Feb. 27'06, Laya had the plate + screws removed & she is her old self again. Her right leg still bothers her if she is too active. But, the good that has come out of all this, is that she is a much calmer & more obediant dog (& her owner is much firmer, a more authoritative dog owner. I need to be with Laya's strong willed nature.).

We are all very happy that Laya recovered well and we hope she has a long future ahead of her with Sue. This little girl is one lucky dog, she has some angels watching over her.

June in bloom

Today we held our first adoption day for June. We thank everyone who came and especially those who kept the appointments they had scheduled. It was a pleasure to meet you all and your families.

Maxwell, Vanille and Muffin were on hand as the meet and greet team. They are all pooped out now and sleeping quite deeply. They had lots of fussing, attention and walks. Hopefully, they will find their new homes in the next week and they can settle in to enjoy the summer knowing they are in their forever homes.

Maxwell is quite a character and keeps me entertained. He is also extremely loveable and cuddly. Vanille is quite busy and likes to have your undivided attention, Muffin is pretty laid-back and is quite happy to have a fuss made of him. He just rolls over and gives his belly for a tummy rub.

Roxy was spending the day with foster mom and dad and Pedro, so was unable to make it, but I'm sure she had a great time anyway.

Balou is recovering nicely from his ear infection and is coming back to life. We should a picture of him soon on the web page.

Emilie, Jeniese's daughter, set up a lemonade and cookie stand for the adoption day, but given the weather was not so good, there were not many sidewalk people to offer her goodies too, but maybe next time. She did such a great job last year at the Hudson Street Fair, with her friends, who also have Foxy dogs.

We have lots of ideas for Foxy's and some will be announced in the next couple of weeks so stay tuned.

At home, fence posts are being put in, so all the pooches can run free without worry. The electric fencing isnt very practical with 5 dogs in the house, so we have decided to fence in now, so they dont all go running off over the golf course and there is nothing worse than an irate golfer...

I have been reading a book by the Dog Whisperer, Cesar's Way. I highly recommend it. Its very easy to read and his philiosophy of dog psychology is amazing. I also ordered "Living in a multi-dog household" so am now trying some of the techniques and they seem to working quite well. With 5 dogs it does get a bit chaotic, especially when the door bell rings. So we will see how well we do. I'm am also exerting my place as the "Leader of the Pack" as Cesar recommends and that seems to be starting to work also. I like the way he approaches his dogs. He also keeps about 35 to 40 rescue dogs at his centre that he works with and takes them all on a 4 hour run every morning. That must be quite a sight to see in Los Angeles. Don't think I will be attempting that any time soon.

The gardens are all in bloom now and summer is on its way (so they tell us) and all the dogs are blooming with the love and care they are getting in their foster homes and we hope they blossom even more when they finally get their forever homes.