Wednesday!

Message

Ritterskoop · #26 Post by **Ritterskoop** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:34 pm

Awesomeness all around.

peacock2121 · #27 Post by **peacock2121** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:05 am

MarleysGh0st wrote:
peacock2121 wrote:
peacock2121 wrote:Good luck to all involved!

Am I invited?
Not that I know anything about anything.
If you want to know something about something, you could read the series of threads PSM has been titling, "Today's Visit with the Dogs".

Like this one:
viewtopic.php?t=10097

I always like knowing something about something.

Thanks for the heads up!

peacock2121 · #28 Post by **peacock2121** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:08 am

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:This involves a four year old black baby. OK, he's not a baby. He's coming home on Wednesday.

I went to Hemopet today and I walked Zap. He didn't bark at himself and he didn't stop walking and demand a treat. The ladies in the front of the place couldn't figure out what dog I was walking because Zap always barks at himself and it was the first time he didn't.

The adoption people asked me why him. I told them that when he let Emma take a toy out of his mouth after he worked so hard to catch it and when he kept playing with us, even when he was exhausted, I knew. I had warned them that it might take me a while to decide, but when I did, it would be because the dog picked us. I know it sounds silly. Part of his problem is that he is very smart and likes to test limits. I get that because I have two girls who do the same thing. Once I figured this out about him, I could deal with him.

After I committed to adopting him, I was told that Zap was one of the dogs that they thought would never get adopted. When he first got to Hemopet, he was a brat and rather than training him to have good behavior, they just threw him in a crate and separated him from the other dogs. He's black and he has many battle scars and a goofy ear because another dog tried to chew it off. He isn't a beautiful brindle or a fawn colored dog with big Bambi eyes, he's just Zap and they figured that few people would take the time to get to know him and love him. It wasn't until he got into adoptions that he started to be disciplined and shown appropriate behavior.

So they asked me when I wanted him. I told them that I would take him tomorrow if they let me. They clean his teeth, clip his nails, give him a bath and do blood work before he goes, so the soonest I can bring him home is Wednesday.

I am so happy for him - a real 'turn it around' story!

peacock2121 · #29 Post by **peacock2121** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:11 am

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:
AnnieCamaro wrote:Miss Placentia, I am so happyhappyhappy. This places needs more excellent dogs! I will think nice pictures into Zap's eyelids so he won't be afraid of everybody.

Please give us a photo as soon as you can. I might fall in lovelovelove. I like scars, because I have a few of my own.

Are you going to keep is Hemopet name or give him a new one?

/:P\
To me he will always be Zap, so that is his name. I toyed with changing it, but he has been through so much, and he answers to his name, so I didn't want take away his identity.

We did pick out a middle name for him. Sirius. It's perfect for many reasons. Our cat Jasper also has a star middle name, Rigel, so I am keeping up the tradition for my boys. Also, in the Harry Potter books, Sirius is Harry's godfather and he is an animagus who changes into a big black dog and Zap is a big black dog.

So he will be Zap Sirius Suchard.

I love what my mouth does when I say that name.

Great choice.

peacock2121 · #30 Post by **peacock2121** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:11 am

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:I changed my avatar so that you can see how hunky he is!

I love the ear!

peacock2121 · #31 Post by **peacock2121** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 5:12 am

AnnieCamaro wrote:Oh. Oh. Oh!

He is very handsome. Don't tell him I have a crush on him, and I will try very hard not to let it slip, eyelid-wise.

Oh, my.

/:P\

He knows.

You try to not let him know.

You can't hide it Annie.

It is part of your charm.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #32 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 7:33 am

cindy.wellman wrote:YAY! Doesn't Wednesday seem soooo far away? I wouldn't be able to sleep. I'm glad he picked your family.

I did have a hard time sleeping. I was thinking about how busy his day will be today.

He's going to get shots, and a bath. He's going to get his ears cleaned and his teeth cleaned. He's probably wondering what the hell is going on.

I have a bunch of things to do today, but I am going to try to drive over and hang out with him for a bit.

kayrharris · #33 Post by **kayrharris** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 7:58 am

Zap is going to think he's in heaven when he gets to your house.
I know you will have everything just perfect for when he arrives.

silvercamaro · #34 Post by **silvercamaro** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:05 am

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:
He's going to get shots, and a bath. He's going to get his ears cleaned and his teeth cleaned. He's probably wondering what the hell is going on.

I have a bunch of things to do today, but I am going to try to drive over and hang out with him for a bit.

They most likely will put him under anesthesia for the teeth cleaning. When he wakes up, he will still be groggy for long time. If you get there during that stage, don't feel disappointed if he doesn't react to you in the way you might be expecting.

He will have a beautiful smile as soon as he feels like smiling again.

MarleysGh0st · #35 Post by **MarleysGh0st** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:05 am

Have you planned how you'll introduce Zap to the cats?

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #36 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:16 am

kayrharris wrote:Zap is going to think he's in heaven when he gets to your house.
I know you will have everything just perfect for when he arrives.

Emma and I went shopping for him last week.

We bought him two doggie posturepedic beds at Sam's Club. (Less than $30 each, a lot cheaper than at PetCo!) We also bought him a stand for his food and water so that he doesn't have to bend down to eat and to help keep the cats from getting into his food. We bought him toys, too! I have to go to Toys R Us today to get him a pool, because he likes to swim in kiddie pools.

We ordered both of the fancy collars for him in the mail, but they haven't arrived yet. We are going to get a very plain martingale collar at Hemopet's Greyhound store, along with a leash. He comes home with a 30 day supply of food and I can get more of his particular blend at the Greyhound store.

kayrharris · #37 Post by **kayrharris** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:19 am

Sounds perfect. Those orthopedic dog beds can be very expensive.

He may just want to nap for a day or two.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #38 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:23 am

I have a bunch of stuff going on behalf of the girls' school, so I have to get my work done today, because for first three days after I get him, I am not leaving him alone.

tlynn78 · #39 Post by **tlynn78** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:39 am

Yay for Zap, and the Suchards!

t.

cindy.wellman · #40 Post by **cindy.wellman** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 11:02 am

How old is Zap? I must have missed that information.

Are there specific recommendations about exercise that he needs? Does he need to go to some big field and just run? Is Emma up for the running challenge? LOL, I have images of Zap running Emma.

How much food does a dude like Zap need?

ulysses5019 · #41 Post by **ulysses5019** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 11:04 am

Is he arriving on a Greyhound bus?

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #42 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 11:08 am

cindy.wellman wrote:How old is Zap? I must have missed that information.

Are there specific recommendations about exercise that he needs? Does he need to go to some big field and just run? Is Emma up for the running challenge? LOL, I have images of Zap running Emma.

How much food does a dude like Zap need?

He's four years old. He was born in July 2004. (He has tats in his ear!)
Emma knows that she will not be allowed to walk him until she is a little taller and stronger and I am comfortable with his respect for her.

I usually walk 2 1/2 miles every day. I am going to split up the walk for him, but it will be me who is walking him. He can't ever leave the backyard without a leash, so I can't imagine him running in a field.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #43 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 11:11 am

ulysses5019 wrote:Is he arriving on a Greyhound bus?

No, he is arriving via Buttercup.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #44 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 11:33 am

cindy.wellman wrote: How much food does a dude like Zap need?

I am not sure. I know that most of the greyhounds are fed twice a day, plus treats from spoilers.

I was told to write a list of questions to ask when I pick him up tomorrow. Here is my list so far.

1. What time is Zap first let out to go potty?

2. How often is he taken out to go potty?

3. How often is he fed? 2x or 3x a day?

4. What quantity of food?

5. What type of food does he eat? Dry? What about wet?

6. If I change his diet, any recommendations?

7. Any food allergies?

8. Why is he given sweet potato biscuits rather than carrot biscuits?

9. Does he need vitamins?

10. What type?

11. Anything for his anemia?

12. Does Zap have any old racing injuries or other injuries besides his ear?

13. Can I get a certificate of rabies shots and a certificate of sterilization for licensing?

14. When are the rest of his vaccines due? What is his history of vaccinations? What about deworming and flea treatment, when we they last done?

15. I know that his racing name Irene's Zap, is it ok for me to request his pet certificate from the NGA? (Is Hemopet the registered owner, if not I am going to send a thank you note to the original owner to thank them for making him available for adoption.)

16. Do you recommend rain coats for the rain? (Because I plan on walking him in the rain, because I walk in the rain.)

peacock2121 · #45 Post by **peacock2121** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 11:44 am

Your responsibility astounds me.

I would never have thought of such questions to ask.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #46 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 12:39 pm

I am worrying that I am not asking enough questions.

I have to make some copies at Emma's school, and then I am going to go see him.

kayrharris · #47 Post by **kayrharris** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 12:59 pm

I'd be the same way. Never having owned a dog of my own, I wouldn't know where to start as far as feedings, when to take him out, walking in the rain, etc.

Good questions! I'm sure they will calm all your fears before you leave with him.

PlacentiaSoccerMom · #48 Post by **PlacentiaSoccerMom** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:47 pm

After I finished some work, I visited with Zap for two hours today.

He was so happy to see me. He jumped up to kiss me and I told him no, he tried again, I told him no again. I petted him, and tried to be very calm. I got him on a leash and took him for a walk. When we got into the shade, I stopped him and gave him hugs. Once again, he didn't stop or bark at himself in the window. He used to pull away from me when he walked, but now he walks with his head up against my left leg, so when I stop, he stops.

After walking, we hung out on the couch. I have him a few treats and after he was done, he sat on my lap. Other dogs from his group went through the area, but he didn't try to get up and leave.

A bit later, I took him into the Greyhound store. I bought him a non-fancy teal blue collar and leash. Emma asked for a pooper scooper, so I bought a blue one. They have stuffed animals for sale in the store and Zap went over to the area. He gave me a sad puppy look, like he wanted one, but I told him that we already bought toys for him. He was very good and didn't try to "steal" any of them.

The person in charge of adoptions came in and we discussed his diet. He is going to stay on a fish and potato diet. About a year ago he had some issues with his liver and he has been doing well on the diet. They said that I could gradually change his food if I wanted to, but I am going to keep him on the same food. They let people who have adopted from Hemopet buy food at cost, so I will be buying it at Hemopet.

We talked for a long time and Zap was very good while we were talking. I was told that he is probably going to be a "Mamma's Boy."

I also found out that Zap's sister lives in the next city and her name is Zip. He also has a brother who lives in Las Vegas.

I get to pick him up at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow!

mrkelley23 · #49 Post by **mrkelley23** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 8:50 pm

Yay for Zap and the Suchard family! You all sound very, very lucky.

Bob Juch · #50 Post by **Bob Juch** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:26 pm

Hey Julie, do you have a spare room?