Delilah (aka Delia) has been ADOPTED!

Hi, My name is Delia, however, I prefer Delilah!  They tell me that I'm a 50 lb Great Pyrenees/Lab Mix and that I'm about a year old.  They also say that I'm up to date on my shots and I've been spayed (What ever that means. It's all human terms anyways)!

Hopefully I will be joining my new foster family, the Forsht's, this weekend.  My current adopter has kept me kenneled in a crate for up to 20 hours a day and I'm trying to tell her that I don't deserve to live like that but she doesn't understand.  

My new foster family is willing to help me with my slight issues such as not listening, better house manners and basic obedience training. I hear from some of their previous fosters, they are good at correcting small issues like that.  I think I will be happy there until I find my new "fur-ever" home. Which I hope is soon :)

My foster mom, Sherry, will let you know more about me as she comes to understand my youngster ways ;)

Ok, so I've been in my new foster home for a few days now and so far, I'm nothing like my previous owner said except that I WAS crated for more than 20 hours a day.  That was not fun and not the kind of life I deserve!!

My foster mom, Sherry, says I'm a good girl and she she thinks I weigh closer to 70 lbs now.  She doesn't keep me in my crate unless she leaves the house or at night for bedtime.  I do "sing" for about 10 minutes after she closes the door then I quiet down and go to sleep.  I do go to "bed" when told but I also like the fact that my crate door is kept open so I can come and go as I please when she's home and can keep an eye on me.  I am a one year old puppy and I do like to chew since I've never had proper training yet but I am learning :)

 I love a comfy dog bed!

I know the sit command  by both verbal instruction and the hand signal.  I "shake" with my paw.  I love playing with my foster siblings and kids.  When I take food or treats from my humans, I am VERY gentle.  Occasionally, I do get greedy with my food and scarf it down but my foster mom just puts a small glass in my food bowl for me to eat around and it really works!  I slow down when I eat! I even wait patiently by my feeding spot while my foster siblings get fed first.  I'm learning to sit/stay while my food is being put down in front of me.

 

Well, I've been here for about a week and I haven't had any accidents in the house so far.  I do tend to grab things I shouldn't while playing but I listen when told to "leave it".

I've recently learned to wait patiently by my feeding spot while my foster siblings get fed first.  You see, I'm last in line for food and that's fine with me.  I'm learning to sit/stay while my food is being put down in front of me.

I do have a small issue with jumping on people when I get excited and until I learn better manners, a home with infants or toddlers may not work.  I don't mean to hurt anyone, I just want to give kisses ;)  I am a love bug!!!!

I'm sure there are more things that my foster mom will learn about me in the next few days but I'm sure she will keep you posted with updated pictures and accomplishments.

 (Roxie and I playing tug of war)

If you are interested in adopting me, I'm available through Dogs XL Rescue.  Please fill out an adoption application to get the process started.  

My foster family drove 170 miles this weekend to take me to the adoption event in Glen Burnie, MD and from what I've heard Sherry tell people, she didn't even know I was in the van!!  I love to ride and didn't get car sick :)  I was so worn out after this all day event, that I didn't even "sing" when she put me to bed last night.

Great news for Delilah..... She found her new fur-ever home with a wonderful family of 5!

Rumor has it from Facebook that Delilah is the perfect dog!  Check out what her new family has to say "Nothing wrong with a "round 2" dog. Our Delilah(Delia), is the best dog we have ever had. Her first Adoptive family gave her back to DOGS XL rescue. So glad they did, because now she is OURS!"

I'm so happy for her!

New Fosters Coming Soon!

Well, the holidays are upon us and everyone is hustling and bustling to get things done.

I truly hope that everyone enjoys this time with their families and friends, including our 4 legged ones!

OK--we admit it--there is nothing cuter than a puppy wearing a red ribbon underneath the Christmas tree.  However, that cute little furball requires some assembly--it takes months of training and years of commitment to raise a dog.  Without a considerable amount of time and effort, before you know it, that gift is 60+ pounds of perpetual energy with no manners or training.

If you are absolutely set upon getting your family a puppy for Christmas, consider this alternative instead: Purchase a leash, a collar, a good book on raising a puppy, a gift certificate for a veterinary checkup, a gift certificate for puppy socialization classes from one of the local obedience instructors, a book or video tape on the topic of how to select the right dog for your family, or a gift subscription to one of the dog-oriented magazines.

Wrap these up and put them under the tree. As family members unwrap the various pieces of the "puzzle", their delight and anticipation will grow. They will gradually understand what this present is! Then, after the Christmas tree is taken down and the frenzy of the holiday season is behind, the family can once again enjoy together the anticipation and excitement of discussing and selecting a breed, selecting a breeder or Rescue group, selecting an individual pup or second-chance dog, and so on. This will increase the family's mutual commitment to, and investment in, the well-being of the newest family member. It will be a project the family has done together, which is a wonderful way for any adoption to commence. This will not decrease the enjoyment of your new puppy; I guarantee it. It will increase it by many fold. And it will be a better start both for the puppy, and for the long-term relationship between dog and owner(s). A dog with a good introduction to its adoptive family is much more likely to become a long term companion rather than just another tragic statistic.

Our last foster, we officially adopted!!! Roxie was a surprise to us all when she brought out the "puppy" again in Dallas and Sunshine.  They both with into "mope" mode after we lost Cisco in May to bladder cancer. Thanks to Roxie, they are all playing like they are the same age and having a blast!

 

Although we have reached our personal limit on our permanent 4 legged family members, we still want to help those pets in need.  After the holidays, we will return to fostering dogs in need of their fur-ever home!

I also want to personally thank those that helped out a pup in need of a Christmas miracle.  Poinsettia, currently with Dogs XL Rescue, is undergoing a life saving surgery this morning thanks to those that generously donated to her vet care.