Pollux needs a new home (Florida - USA)

Gypsy Wolf · 24-08-2011, 03:14

I agree, Taz - the firefighter is DEFINITELY booting the wrong one out! That opinion is unanimous - of course most of my friends are animal lovers, but the bottom line is, the loyalty of another human is questionable whereas the loyalty of a dog? ALWAYS.
Took him to meet the couple who will be fostering him when I go out of town to officiate my baby sister's wedding. He is such an amazing boy - just fit right in like he was meant to be there.
I also got a report from the firefighter - apparently the last time he was fostered there they let him sleep in their bedroom out of the crate and also left him loose in their home when they went out to dinner. Since I have not allowed him to be loose with no supervision I wanted to know how he did. Anything destroyed? Nope. Although he DID learn how to open the door from their house to the garage and left a whole loft of incriminating nose prints on the jeep parked there!

He also was more than happy to snooze the day away with the firefighter and befriended all the dogs in the neighborhood.
So we have some people interested in him who I am planning to interview and make SURE they know, up front, the good, the bad and the ugly so that they will know exactly what they are getting into. Because I see his quirky behaviors as easy to modify I don't necessarily think of them as something that would inspire someone to give him back. Yes, he is big. Yes, he will jump on people he loves in greeting. Yes, he will nip in play. All those things can be fixed, though. I wonder why the previous homes thought it was something to get rid of him over?

Gypsy Wolf · 28-10-2011, 03:54

So, as I had hoped, the foster home - firefighter and girlfriend - did end up officially adopting Pollux. To our surprise and joy (and relief) the girlfriend really stepped up to the plate and made huge steps toward caring for Pollux - walking him herself, feeding him, working with him, etc. That was really what was holding the firefighter back - he didn't want to put the burden of the dog on her. He even bought a kennel for his fenced yard so that Pollux could stay out there and she wouldn't have to care for him when the firefighter was on shift.
Pollux himself fell in love with the girlfriend - he is MUCH more responsive to her than he is to the firefighter - he adores her. So, push came to shove when I was away and the firefighter had to pull a shift without Pollux coming here - so the girlfriend had no choice but to put her money where her mouth is... and she did great. Pollux actually slept on the bed with her and for the first time, she felt "safe" at home without the firefighter there. Yes, Pollux is a scaredy-cat but no would argue with a growling or barking wolf!
So after that, the firefighter decided to officially adopt Pollux. Since then (early October), he reports that they returned the kennel, as Pollux is always loose in the house while they are away! I would NEVER have even suggested an intact adolescent male vlcak be allowed to be loose and unsupervised in a house, but Pollux does not do anything naughty! Apparently one day the girlfriend could not lure him or push him into his crate, so she just left him loose... and he was perfectly behaved, so he has earned the privelege of not having to be crated - unless HE wants to - every once in a while he will go into his crate for a nap. Usually, though, he is with his people - even when he has room to run... the firefighter has a few acres available to him for private hikes, campfire gatherings, etc... he brings Pollux, and because Pollux is SO bonded with his people, he doesn't use a leash. Pollux is glued to their side. Again, I would NEVER advocate that, but I am glad that he has settled in to such a nice life with his adopted family. They understand him (probably better than I do, in some ways, as they are able to enjoy behavior that I would not have trusted him to do), love him and have really made changes to accomodate his needs. Who could ask for better? He is a pampered, much-loved pet who has run of the house, his own private nature refuge to hike on, his people take him out to eat at several outdoor restaurants - they solely eat there to be able to take him with them- he gets to snuggle and sleep on the bed, ride in the jeep, go to fun dog parks to socialize (one of his favorite things in life)... I will see them this weekend - a month follow-up to make sure he is as happy as reported - and I am thrilled that, despite all the difficulties in adopting him out, it worked out well in the end...

yukidomari · 28-10-2011, 04:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunas Mom

So, as I had hoped, the foster home - firefighter and girlfriend - did end up officially adopting Pollux.

Happy news for you and your friend Siobhan, and congratulations to Pollux! May he have many years of happiness.

Czertice · 28-10-2011, 08:38

Great news! Kudos to the brave girlfriend

Shadowlands · 29-10-2011, 16:05

Brilliant news

So happy for Pollux, the Firefighter and his - wonderful - girlfriend.

Tassle · 29-10-2011, 18:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadowlands

Brilliant news

So happy for Pollux, the Firefighter and his - wonderful - girlfriend.

Seconded

28-10-2011, 03:54	#2
Gypsy Wolf Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Florida & Minnesota U.S. Posts: 252	Finally adopted! So, as I had hoped, the foster home - firefighter and girlfriend - did end up officially adopting Pollux. To our surprise and joy (and relief) the girlfriend really stepped up to the plate and made huge steps toward caring for Pollux - walking him herself, feeding him, working with him, etc. That was really what was holding the firefighter back - he didn't want to put the burden of the dog on her. He even bought a kennel for his fenced yard so that Pollux could stay out there and she wouldn't have to care for him when the firefighter was on shift. Pollux himself fell in love with the girlfriend - he is MUCH more responsive to her than he is to the firefighter - he adores her. So, push came to shove when I was away and the firefighter had to pull a shift without Pollux coming here - so the girlfriend had no choice but to put her money where her mouth is... and she did great. Pollux actually slept on the bed with her and for the first time, she felt "safe" at home without the firefighter there. Yes, Pollux is a scaredy-cat but no would argue with a growling or barking wolf! So after that, the firefighter decided to officially adopt Pollux. Since then (early October), he reports that they returned the kennel, as Pollux is always loose in the house while they are away! I would NEVER have even suggested an intact adolescent male vlcak be allowed to be loose and unsupervised in a house, but Pollux does not do anything naughty! Apparently one day the girlfriend could not lure him or push him into his crate, so she just left him loose... and he was perfectly behaved, so he has earned the privelege of not having to be crated - unless HE wants to - every once in a while he will go into his crate for a nap. Usually, though, he is with his people - even when he has room to run... the firefighter has a few acres available to him for private hikes, campfire gatherings, etc... he brings Pollux, and because Pollux is SO bonded with his people, he doesn't use a leash. Pollux is glued to their side. Again, I would NEVER advocate that, but I am glad that he has settled in to such a nice life with his adopted family. They understand him (probably better than I do, in some ways, as they are able to enjoy behavior that I would not have trusted him to do), love him and have really made changes to accomodate his needs. Who could ask for better? He is a pampered, much-loved pet who has run of the house, his own private nature refuge to hike on, his people take him out to eat at several outdoor restaurants - they solely eat there to be able to take him with them- he gets to snuggle and sleep on the bed, ride in the jeep, go to fun dog parks to socialize (one of his favorite things in life)... I will see them this weekend - a month follow-up to make sure he is as happy as reported - and I am thrilled that, despite all the difficulties in adopting him out, it worked out well in the end...

28-10-2011, 08:38	#4
Czertice Rakša Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Praha Posts: 292	Great news! Kudos to the brave girlfriend __________________

24-08-2011, 03:14	#1
Gypsy Wolf Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Florida & Minnesota U.S. Posts: 252	I agree, Taz - the firefighter is DEFINITELY booting the wrong one out! That opinion is unanimous - of course most of my friends are animal lovers, but the bottom line is, the loyalty of another human is questionable whereas the loyalty of a dog? ALWAYS. Took him to meet the couple who will be fostering him when I go out of town to officiate my baby sister's wedding. He is such an amazing boy - just fit right in like he was meant to be there. I also got a report from the firefighter - apparently the last time he was fostered there they let him sleep in their bedroom out of the crate and also left him loose in their home when they went out to dinner. Since I have not allowed him to be loose with no supervision I wanted to know how he did. Anything destroyed? Nope. Although he DID learn how to open the door from their house to the garage and left a whole loft of incriminating nose prints on the jeep parked there! He also was more than happy to snooze the day away with the firefighter and befriended all the dogs in the neighborhood. So we have some people interested in him who I am planning to interview and make SURE they know, up front, the good, the bad and the ugly so that they will know exactly what they are getting into. Because I see his quirky behaviors as easy to modify I don't necessarily think of them as something that would inspire someone to give him back. Yes, he is big. Yes, he will jump on people he loves in greeting. Yes, he will nip in play. All those things can be fixed, though. I wonder why the previous homes thought it was something to get rid of him over?

29-10-2011, 16:05	#5
Shadowlands Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Vidin Posts: 391	Brilliant news So happy for Pollux, the Firefighter and his - wonderful - girlfriend.