Thank Goodness for Animal Lovers

[mugsy]

It's me again. I went to yahoo and found 2 or 3 sites that might help, but not a lot. The pictures that I saw are more like what I thought a foxhound looked like. They look like big beagles.

[Xena]

Hi Mugsy from what I was able to find there is an English Foxhound and an American Foxhound that is smaller. I think she would be the American one. It does say that to have a Foxhound it is best to have a farm or live in a rural area and that they do need alot of exercise. But must be kept confined outside because they roam. In our area here the vet said that the eastern shore is real big for having foxhounds. That is mostly farmland over there I guess that is why. Does your friend have a large fenced in yard? Because Skinny seems to be over her fear now and is rearing to go. That is what worries Bev for them to let her out they have to tie her up or else she might bolt and they wouldn't be able to catch her. She said she doesn't like tying her up outside and feels bad knowing she wants to run. She is a pretty hyper little thing now. lol
Xena

[jennifert]

(Ilovehounds) really would know the most (I'm sorry, I can't remember your first name) She knows so much about these breeds...Anyway, I'm sure Skinny is just happy to have love and would adapt to any lifestyle well.

[mugsy]

Xena, I don't know if his yard is fenced or not. I agree, dogs adapt well. Before we moved (where we now have about 1/3 of an acre fenced), we had a dinky little yard and we had 5 when we moved and the dogs adapted well. They were perfectly happy. Has Bev considered getting a trolley so that Skinny is attached, but can still run around.

[Xena]

Hi Mugsy and Jennifer,
Bev and I discussed that yesterday a little I was explaining it to her. I think you mean it is like a clothesline that has a lead that she could run up and back with? I have never used one so am not too experienced with one. I am going to PetsMart today to see what they have that she may be able to use. Bev has already told me that she will keep her as long as we can resolve getting her enough exercise. She says Skinny wants to go out all the time and paces. She appears to have a lot of energy now to burn off so maybe the trolley will work. I told her Skinny may have been an outdoor dog before so I am sure there is going to be an adjustment time to staying in the house more too. We just have to be careful right now as she is coming into heat. They have a Rotty a couple of doors down that keeps jumping his fence so they placed chicken wire across the top. Now he has learned to climb the fence and wants to keep coming for visits in thier yard. For now we know she is best to be confined and only allowed out to go to the bathroom until her heat cycle is finished and we can get her spayed. And I agree that she will eventually adapt to her new family and living arrangements.

Xena

[ December 30, 2001: Message edited by: Xena ]

[jennifert]

When I first got Duncan, we figured he was an outdoor dog too. He had a scar around his neck that the vet thinks may have been caused by a rope or wire tied around it. He was probably put in someone's back yard as a pup and left there. Thank God he escaped and they didn't bother looking for him! Anyway, he seemed to have a hard time adjusting to being indoors most of the time at first. He hung out by the front door a lot and looked out the windows constantly. He didn't seem to understand doorways or doors at all. The first few nights he would "flip out" when I shut off the lights. I think he was scared of the complete darkness inside so we slept with the lights on for a few days.If I stood up or moved, he would run to the door. I thought housebreaking him would be next to impossible but it wasn't and after about 2 weeks, he seemed to have adjusted to being an indoor house pet! So much so now that he doesn't like to be outside w/o me! I let him out to "use the facilities" and if I don't come out with him and stand on the porch, he leaps on the door until I do! It was fine in the summer but now it's like 10 degrees out...Not so much fun anymore!

[lizbud]

Xena,
How much of Skinny's "restlessness & pacing
do you think is related to her heat cycle?
Also "the general stress" of going thru so
many changes in enviorment in such a short
amount of time?
With the proper amount of walks & later
with more training, some exercise in the yard
by playing fetch games with her, maybe she
would not be such a handful for her family.
What do you think?

[Xena]

Hi Lizbud,
I am thinking that the upcoming heat cycle may be also contributing to her pacing and wanting to go outside all the time. Hopefully like you have all said she will adapt soon and enjoy her new home surroundings. Maybe when the heat cycle is over we will see a change. She goes back in 3 weeks for her vaccinations and then we should be able to schedule her to be spayed. That might calm her down a little too. I think with Bev's dogs being older and kind of laid back now that Skinny's reambunxiousness has them just a little overwhelmed. So I am asking her to hang in there to give Skinny time to adjust to all the changes and her heat cycle to finish. They may be able to work with her easier then.
Xena

[Xena]

Just wanted to give you a quick update. Bev and her husband have decided to keep Skinny.
They said she has calmed down alot and they have set up the trolley system in her yard to run on during the day. At night her husband takes Skinny for long walks to tire her out. Skinny once pulled out of her collar while Bev was walking her. She said Skinny took off right back for the house and started scratching at the door to go back inside. So I think Skinny is quite content and happy there.
Xena

[lizbud]

Xena,
Great News !! I think Skinny must know
were her forever home is. Thanks for the
update . Continued good luck to Bev , her
husband & Skinny !!

[Logan]

Xena, that is good news. Please tell Bev that we all thank her, and you, for your generosity. Skinny sounds like she will be just fine!

[mugsy]

Thank you Xena, I needed a piece of good news. I'm so glad that Bev decided to keep Skinny...they will both be very happy. Keep us up to date on her progress.