Re: HUGE MEGA THANKS Bonita of Bwana!!! (Callie)

calliecritturs — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:52:19 GMT

Dog_ma I'd say that's probably another bit of evidence that it surely CAN help!! That's great!

Re: HUGE MEGA THANKS Bonita of Bwana!!! (Callie)

Dog_ma — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 05:01:19 GMT

Yay! So glad it worked for you guys.

We visited Eko's litter at 4 weeks old, and took a blanket to rub all over the pup we chose. We brought the blanket home and gave it to Sasha. I don't know if it helped make a difference, but she was great about him coming home with us at 8 weeks. It was almost a non-event - and this is a dog who doesn't do well with most new dogs.

Re: HUGE MEGA THANKS Bonita of Bwana!!! (Callie)

lorib — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 04:45:56 GMT

How cool is this? Wooohooo!

Re: HUGE MEGA THANKS Bonita of Bwana!!! (Callie)

Bonita of Bwana — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 04:29:59 GMT

Gosh Callie you made my night Thank you!! I have used this for 2 legged kids too, when away from home there is nothing like a pillowcase washed in mom's shampoo. And with a pack as large as mine scent is something unique for each dog. I am so thrilled Tinkerbelle is coming along under your gentle touch,not that there was ever a doubt in my mind you were exactly the medicine she needed!! Give little Tink a hug from Auntie Bonita I so hope to meet you and your pack some day !!

Bonita of Bwana

HUGE MEGA THANKS Bonita of Bwana!!! (Callie)

calliecritturs — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 04:02:07 GMT

Sorry, I seem to be the new thread queen tonight but this is the first night 've been able to sit and post.

Folks -- the way *I* used this is just one of many different reasons and ways you could do this and use this. IT IS AN AWESOME idea and it works.

I read in one of Bonita's posts a few weeks ago where she talked about some situation where a dog was gonna be away from it's family so they sent a 'scent box'.

At the time I thot "what a neat idea" ... but when we were preparing to go to Texas to pick up Tinkerbell (then "Lulu Bear") I kept thinking the one thing that scared me was that I was expecting UN-doglike behavior on all sides.

1. I was expecting this scared, sick little dog to immediately feel comfortable enough with us to just let go of her foster folks and stay the night in a motel and then ride in a car three days to get to a 'new' home with THREE new dogs who already lived there.

2. I was expecting three dogs (who already had an established pack order) to just welcome a newbie with open paws despite the fact they'd never 'met' her and there would be NO TIME for a "neutral area" meet and greet -- AND if they didn't all get along I was essentially screwed!

I happened to see that scent box post of Bonita's and I thot WOW .... that is an awesome idea!!

Bonita, it works. It ROCKS. It is absolutely the best thing we could have done.

The foster mother simply gave her a ratty old towel in her crate overnight and then folded it up and sent it in a Priority Mail 'tyvek' envelope.

I bought a package of mega cheap washcloths at Wal-Mart -- dropped one washcloth in each of Billy, Luna & Kee's beds before bedtime and in the morning I folded each one and put it in a ziplock bag. I had put old pillowcases on David's and my pillows -- and I folded each of those up and ziplocked them. I figured separate was better.

Marie simply tossed them all in the dog crate. when I got hers, ... well, Luna tried to inhale the envelope before David got it to me. *grin* But I let each dog sniff it all they wanted to and told them (again) this was our puppy and that's where Dad and I were going ... to GET her (and remember I talk to my dogs all the time, so this was no big departure).

Bonita I owe you big time!! When we got to Austin Rita met us in the busy lobby of the motel. Tink literally LAUNCHED HERSELF into our arms. Reticence? none. She took one sniff from about 4' away and Rita could barely HOLD her -- she wanted IN OUR ARMS. And she couldn't decide who she wanted to see more -- David or I!!

Wow. No hanging back and waiting for the dog to come to me ... no way. CATCH HER MID-AIR is more like it!! She thot she KNEW us.

When we got home -- we tried to think our way thru the meet'n'greet, but Billy was over an hour away in New Smyrna with Pirate. Luna n Kee were in downtown Orlando.

David got Luna 'n Kee and I took Tink with me to get Billy (he's my trusty -- I know I can count on his behavior -- Luna can be more of a wild child -- always ready to PLAY but sometimes a bit "big dog" rough).

They met in a 10' square of apartment grass (one of those "potty places") -- walked right up to each other with big wags like "*I* KNOW YOU!" -- I'm not sure whether the little Eng. Cocker tail nubbin or the pug curly tail wagged faster. I put her on the seat of the car and Billy hopped up next to her, laid down and LET her sniff him all over.

got home -- and the 'meet' with Luna and Kee was literally a non-event. "Oh hi -- you're home!" -- it was amazing.

I've meant to put this up all week and just couldn't get to it.

For those of you who do rescue -- try it when someone wants to bring home a new dog and has an existing pack. Try it for a dog who is being re-homed some distance away. There are SO many instances this could help!!

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Re: HUGE MEGA THANKS Bonita of Bwana!!! (Callie)

Re: HUGE MEGA THANKS Bonita of Bwana!!! (Callie)

Re: HUGE MEGA THANKS Bonita of Bwana!!! (Callie)

Re: HUGE MEGA THANKS Bonita of Bwana!!! (Callie)

HUGE MEGA THANKS Bonita of Bwana!!! (Callie)