Momo's New Foster Mommy

I took Momo to her new foster mommy, Kim in Amarillo on Saturday.  They hit it off rather quickly and I think Momo is going to do really well in her new home.  It was one of the more difficult things I've done with a foster and it was hard for me to say goodbye, but I think Kim is going to do well in helping Momo in her journey to find her forever home.

I have added Kim to the permissions to continue on here writing Momo's blog and I am sure you all will be hearing from her soon.  Momo has come quite a long way in her journey so far and Kim will be taking her even further now.  Kim and I will be staying in touch and it helps to know I can go see her and still help along the way.  With that, I'm turning the reins over...  errr, I mean leash... to Kim.

Thank you for helping Momo on her journey Kim.  You're going to do great!

-Jess

On to a new foster

After much internal fighting, I came to the conclusion that Momo needs a new foster.  She is such a sweet, affectionate, loving little girl and I feel that I can no longer provide for her what she needs at this point.

It's breaking my heart to say goodbye to her and I love her very much.  She has frustrated me to no end at times (she can be incredibly stubborn), but more than anything she's made me laugh and brightened my day with her full faced smiles, waves, dances, singing for her breakfast/dinner and kisses. 

At this point in time, here is what I believe will be best for her:

• She does best with a solid routine.  Feeding time, out time, etc.
• She will HAVE to be kept on a strict diet.  She will never be "petite", but she will blow up if you over feed her and it has been a struggle just to get her to lose the weight she has lost. 
• She will HAVE to be kept on a glucosamine supplement due to her luxating patella.  She has made huge strides in her mobility and will run now, but I would hate to see her revert back to the stage she was at.  So, maintain the supplement!
• She would be well suited in a quiet home environment.  Chaos and loud noise stresses her out.
• She isn't a chewer and doesn't know what to do with toys, so that isn't a concern.  She is pretty good at entertaining herself.
• She is fully house trained, but she relies on her human to keep the routine on her potty time.  She will get anxious and pant heavily if she needs to go back out outside of her normal times, but that is few and far between.
• She doesn't mind getting a bath, but she isn't exactly thrilled with getting them either.  Her coat is so pretty and velvety now (she felt dirty and very oily for quite some time) and she doesn't have the typical Shiba coat.  She prefers a brush to a comb when you groom her and talking to her and petting her keeps her calm about it (she doesn't require much grooming).

If I had to describe what I feel would be the best home environment/human for Momo, it would be an older/mature, A-type personality adult with a genle hand/demeanor.  Momo doesn't jump (she does bounce when she dances), but she is very strong.  I feel she would be best suited in a house with a securely fenced yard, not an apartment due to her stubbornness about walking on lead and the inability to control the noise level in an apartment community.

She has shown a little stress/anxiety in new environments outside of her home, but with gentle reassurance, talking to her and not forcing her to go too far outside her comfort zone, she does okay.  The key with her is not forcing too much on her at once.

She truly is a very happy little girl and is really very easy (in my opinion) as long as you keep the above in mind.  I want nothing but the absolute best for her.  Wherever she ends up, she's certainly taking a little piece of my heart with her.

Play Time!

Momo is finally starting to play!  The other night our huge patio was cleared of leaves and it left a trail of leaves.  Momo decided that she really likes leaves and was running back and forth through them playing.  This little girl has come a long way from the scared, timid dog that joined us in September.  I am very pleased with her progress emotionally and physically.  We're working more on her socialization with my Mr. Mellow Shiba and she seems to be indifferent about him. 

I am looking to get her spayed this month and then she should be ready for adoption soon after (estimating late December - early January).  I will be posting an entry soon outlining what I believe to be the best situation for her, so stay tuned!

Changes

Momo is finally learning to trust.  She has come a long way in her rehabilitation and she has more to go, but I am very pleased to see how well she is doing.  I don't recall if I had shared before that getting her to go outside had been a challenge that required her to be carried.  Well, no more of that!  She has started going outside on her own with little encouragement and runs out the door in excitement.  She is not as scared of being outside and has started to adventure into wandering around the back yard sniffing and investigating. 

She is a very quiet girl and I think I have only heard her bark once or twice.  Now she does get chatty from time to time when she thinks you're behind schedule for her to be fed, but it isn't annoying in the slightest.  It's the cutest thing when she huffs, throws her head around and dances for her dinner.

She is still very shy and I don't know if that will ever be overcome, but she loves being affectionate when you rub her belly or scratch her neck.  Speaking of scratching...  When Momo first came here, she was so obese she couldn't really scratch herself and now, she doesn't seem to have much issue with it. 

I know that if anyone who saw Momo when she was first picked up in Oklahoma saw her today, they would be shocked at how much she has changed.

Run Momo, RUN!

Yes, you read correctly....  Momo, RUN!  This little girl is getting down and running.  Now don't go imagining speed, because she isn't fast.  She is quick and the run is a little amusing to see, but yes, she is running. 

Her confidence is growing by leaps and bounds lately and she is spending a lot more time out of her crate.  She hasn't shown any signs of aggression in a while and I'm happy with that.

She is also getting used to being groomed.  While it isn't her favorite thing in the world, I can at least note that she enjoys the brush much more than the comb.  Our evening ritual consists of dinner, time in the back yard (which she appreciates more if you go out with her) and then a good thorough brushing.

Her weight is still an issue, but you can clearly see where she is losing fat and gaining muscle tone.  She doesn't have the bulldog style bowed front anymore and the belly is considerably better.

She still isn't thrilled with going to PetSmart for her weigh-in every 10 days, but she's now leading the way to the scale and then leading the way right back to the door when we're done (opposite ends of the store).  She is as affectionate as ever and is STARTING to seek out affection from us, but it isn't very often. 

This little girl has a long way to go to be "rehabilitated" from her previous living conditions, but she is making strides and her confidence is building (and that's a huge part of it right there).

I will keep you all posted as she continues her progress.

The latest photos

Momo October 2011 - Slideshow Creator

PROGRESS!!!

Momo is finally showing some signs of progress with her weight!  In a 10-day time span, she lost 1.1 lbs (2.88%) of her weight.  Her weight according to the vet paperwork was 36 lbs.  However, since we could see that she had lost weight when we weighed her the first time (at PetSmart) and it showed she was at 38.1 lbs, we feel the starting weight from the vet was inaccurate and we're taking 38.1 as her starting weight.

She also moving around much more easily and sometimes enjoys her walks.  Between the food and her supplement, she's getting plenty of glucosamine to help her with her joints.  Her losing weight only helps in the effort to relieve pressure as well. 

For the most part, she prefers to spend her time in her crate (which we leave open) and I think that is due to being so used to the environment she came out of.  She is very sweet and loves to be pet, but she doesn't seek out human interaction unless it's time for breakfast or dinner.  When it is time to eat, she has no qualms about letting you know it's time by dancing, talking and occasionally singing.  I have this little performance on video, but the quality is not very good so I will try to get it again, soon.

One interesting quirk we have found is she has a resistance to going outside.  Getting her to go outside is quite a task which we don't entirely understand and it's a first that has been encountered.  Most dogs are always ready to go outside, but not Momo.  Once she is outside, she wanders around in the yard and does her business, but she really doesn't seem to enjoy just being outside (she goes out without any other dogs).  When the door is opened for her to go back inside, she dashes back to her "room". 

She gets a little nervous when you comb her, but she doesn't complain.  When she has had enough (usually about 2-3 minutes at a time), she'll take off.  Bathing doesn't seem to be an issue, but she has had one bath here and tried to lay down in the bathtub.  Now while most Shiba owners would be astonished at this since they (in general) hate getting baths and will try every way they know to get out of a bath, Momo just didn't seem to care.

In the times she's been taken to PetSmart, she really moves out and acts like she knows exactly where she's going.  She hates the scale though (but I think all of us women do!). 

I'm really happy with her progress and eager for more to come.  Stay tuned!

Momo's First Visit to PetSmart

We just got home from Momo's first visit to PetSmart and boy oh boy were we surprised!  First off, we got her weighed and she came in at 38.1 lbs.  Not really sure how that's possible considering the strict diet we have her on and seeing with our own eyes that she has slimmed down!  Her starting weight from the vet that gave her shots and teeth extractions shows 36 lbs, but we're not convinced that was accurate at this point. 

We were really surprised to see her moving around (she's very stubborn about walking on a leash or at all for that matter).  She was walking around PetSmart like she knew exactly what she was doing and where she was going!  It was such a treat to see her so determined to move around (which she only does when it's time for breakfast or dinner).  To say that she was dragging me around would be an understatement.  I really think the hip & joint supplement is starting to work because she was almost at a trot.

We'll be taking her back to PetSmart in 2 weeks to get her weighed again and hopefully we'll get a more accurate reading on her weight loss.  So, while her weight was discouraging, seeing her moving around so easily and with such determination in her little face was inspiring. 

GO MOMO GO!  :-)

Interesting discoveries

We have had more time with Momo now and have a few discoveries.  For starters, she's not as social as we originally thought she was.  She has attacked 3 of our dogs and they were unprovoked attacks.  One of which really got me hot under the collar due to the fact that it was on our 19 year old Mini-Manchester Terrier (who was an adoption from our local shelter - *YAY FOR ADOPTED PETS!*).  Now before anyone goes and gets any ideas here, let me break this down.  These attacks happened outside under supervision and there were no toys or food around and no shows of dominance or aggression by any of the dogs.  We keep Momo in the den and she is separated from the pack by a 3-foot baby gate (which over the last couple of days she has been charging in "attack" mode).  She is fed at the same time as everyone else and in the den.  Now some of you may disagree with our keeping Momo separated from the pack.  However, we find that if we bring a new dog into the house, it is less stressful on the entire house and pack if they are kept separate from the pack but not "caged" so they can get to know each other without the pack order being disturbed. 

We believe that Momo may have food aggression as she is highly motivated by food.  She dances, talks and carries on until we get her breakfast/dinner ready.  When it comes time for her to go outside to go potty, she plays possum and refuses to move.  Since the attacks, we have restricted her outside time to her alone simply out of the safety for our dogs.  She gets her social time with us and we spend time with her one-on-one, just like we do with all of our dogs.  We are starting to feed her outside as a motivator to get her out and I'm not sure how I feel about that right now.  We'll see how it goes.  I just don't want her to get the idea that every time she goes outside, she eats.

We are taking her to PetSmart tomorrow to get her weighed and we're crossing our fingers that she has lost a little weight.  I am noticing a little that she appears to be slimming down/toning a little, but it's only been 10 days.  We are also thinking that Momo was a food hoarder.  Trying to understand why she is so obese and why the others she was rescued with are under weight is the only indicator we have of this because we limit her food intake.  Make no mistake though, when it's time to eat, she cleans her bowl.

Some of you may be wondering why I am sharing these things about her if she is to ever be adopted.  I am of the belief that in order for Momo to go to the proper home all of her personality traits need to be disclosed.  We know that Shibas are a special breed and they have traits that are not for everyone.  I think any of us that have had or have a Shiba would agree that if we had gotten our first Shiba without knowing about these things, we would have been lost.  I know I certainly appreciate my support system in the person I got my Shibas from because she has taught me a lot about them and I've had at least one Shiba for 8 years now.  We all need to be educated on something before we make a commitment and that is why I share everything I observe.  It's the only fair thing to do for both Momo and her adoptive family/pack.

A good weekend

It has been a good weekend.  Momo is starting to come out of her crate more and is finding she likes to lay next to the front door.  She has spent quite a bit of time outside and was even playing yesterday morning.  She got a bath today and I have a feeling she'll be getting them about once a week for a little while.  She's very soft, but her coat is a bit oily. 

I have been considering changing her name due to the fact that it sounds so much like "no", but I haven't found anything yet that suits her.  I'll keep working on that.  If I had to pick one word to describe her personality it would be affable.  She is just such a happy dog!

I have discovered that she likes her space from the other dogs.  We had her out this weekend with my other two shibas and they are no threat to her, but she seemed to feel the need to make her dominance known when they approached her.  Not exactly sure what that was all about, but she talked down easily and quickly.

Other than that, I don't have much to report.  She seems to be responding well to her diet and we'll see where she is with her weight next weekend.  *Fingers crossed*

You not only get a greeting, you get a wave!

Yes, you read the title correctly!  Momo knows how to wave!  I was visiting with her earlier this evening and she lifted her paw up and waved at me.  At first I thought it was a fluke, but I discovered she did it if I waved at her.  All I could do was giggle and ask her to do it again.  I thought I would capture it on video so you all could see it too.

Now, as for her progress...  she is making strides and I am amazed at how social, happy and well adjusted she is.  Now I am not going to tell you she's the perfect dog because she's not.  However, from everything I've heard about the environment that Momo came from, her being social is quite the contradiction to everything I know about dogs. 

She has been enjoying going outside in our back yard and has been perfect.  Her crate stays open 24/7 and I have found that she prefers being in her crate rather than anywhere else.  She's discovered that the bed is pretty cool, but still prefers her crate.  I figure with some time and more confidence, she'll come out more, but we aren't forcing too many issues right now.  One step at a time here.

Now for something funny (well, I laughed at the time anyway).  I tried to take her for a short walk this afternoon because her energy level seemed to be high and I thought she may enjoy it.  Well...  We got down the street to our neighbors house...  who live 2 doors down and she decided she had enough.  I kept encouraging her to keep moving and after about 5 minutes of her sitting there, I decided she wasn't going any further.  I tried to convince her we were going back home and she wasn't budging.  So here I am with a dog sitting, refusing to move and I started laughing because I realised exactly what was going to happen.  Yup...  I took her for a walk back up the street to the house...  IN MY ARMS.  Normally this wouldn't be a big deal.  However, carrying a 36 pound "petite" Shiba down the street had me in stitches.  I'm sure the neighbors thought I was a real oddball for doing it, but what choice did I have when she refused to move?  For all I knew her joints were bothering her.

Something else that has been discovered is Momo is a dancer.  It's about the cutest little doggie dance I've ever seen.  I'm still trying to capture it on video and I'll share when I do.  But for now, this is what I have.  She's such a sweet and happy little girl and will definitely make someone very happy!

Momo has made it here!

While Miss. Stephanie was packing and getting ready for her move, Miss. Nicole came and picked me up from the vet today after I had 7 of my teeth pulled.  While it's a little strange (I keep smacking my mouth trying to figure out where they went), I'm really glad I didn't have as many pulled as Katsumi (26 had to be pulled).  When I got here, I found a big crate with a cover and a really big, soft memory foam orthopedic bed for me to lay on if I want.  But I must say, I really prefer being in my crate.  Get this...  I even have a comforter in my crate all folded up (which I rearranged a bit)!  I know! WOWZERZ!  I was really thirsty after my trip here and I've been a little groggy, but I'm a really happy girl right now. 

I had a little dinner, but wasn't feeling up to eating much.  I'm not really sure about this though because I didn't get dinner in bed (HOW RUDE!).  They put the food clear on the other side of the room.  I wasn't terribly thrilled about having to go get my dinner and I hope they realize that I AM a princess and I get my meals delivered to me in bed!  Unfortunately, Mizz Momo, you are seriously overweight (a whopping 36 lbs.) and you will have to get up and get your food if you're hungry love.  Okay, whatever!  Talk to the paw, missy! 

Earlier I was tricked into getting up with these yummy treats and out of my comfy crate and they took me in the back yard.  I wandered around investigating and found there's a lot of stuff back there for me to check out.  I can't wait until the morning when I get to see it better in the sunlight.  I'm so excited! 

I think a princess could get used to this...

Good News!

Momo is heartworm NEGATIVE!  *happy dance*

I don't have much to report today other than that.  Tomorrow she will be getting some teeth pulled and then coming here.  Once I get her settled in, I will post an update and a couple of photos.

So maybe not today... but definitely Wednesday!

Momo had her visit to the vet today (Thank you Dr. Kit!) and during her evaluation, one of her teeth came out.  Poor thing!  It was decided that she will definitely need to have some extractions done, but unlike her friend, she'll get to keep some teeth.  Her heartworm test is supposed to come back tomorrow and I think we are all hoping that she comes back negative.  So far from all the reports that I have read on her friends they have all come back negative.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to bring her home today.  We all decided the best option would be for her to stay north since I am so far from Dr. Kit and then pick her up from Miss. Nicole on Wednesday.

I have her diet and exercise planned out to help her get to a more healthy weight.  Dr. Kit has recommended that she lose at least 15 pounds.  I am hoping that we can get her to that target by the end of October, but that may be a little too ambitious.  We will see how it goes though and re-evaluate her weight and goals each week (which I will share along with photos) as needed. 

I am hoping by the end of her second week of dieting and some exercise, she will be ready for some safe socializing opportunities (i.e. PetSmart).  I certainly do not want to put too much on her too soon and I'll be constantly evaluating her progress and not put too much on her too quickly.

Stay tuned everyone! 

The night before...

Momo has had quite the adventure this weekend with all of the work that everyone put in to getting her and her friends from the situation they were in to all over Texas, they have had quite the journey so far.  I will be picking Momo up tomorrow from Miss. Stephanie who is looking after her until I can bring her home.  She is going to the vet in the morning to get checked out, get her shots and get heartworm testing.  I hope the vet has good news on the heartworms and other than her being overweight, there are no serious medical issues. 

Stephanie has informed me that her teeth need work and may need to have a few pulled.  I hope Momo's dental issues aren't too bad.  Fingers are crossed.  Stephanie also shared a video showing Momo trying to get up from a sitting position in her crate and moving around.  It just about broke my heart to see her struggle to get up.  She was so eager and wanted to get up so much that I think it was will power alone that got her up and moving.  She appears to be a very sweet, happy, curious and social girl which is excellent news.  She hasn't lost her spirit!

My biggest goals for Momo will be to get her to a healthy weight through diet and excercise (which will hopefully help her mobility issues), make sure she is exposed to all kinds of environments for socialization and build her confidence.  I think Momo is well on her way to stealing a piece of my heart and I haven't even met her yet!

Stay tuned!  I will keep everyone updated on her adventures, as well as her rehabilitation so she finds a loving, forever home.