the kid

Gum. Gumbino, Gumdrop, Gumdango, Gumption ... So many names for such a simple guy.

Gum was owner surrendered to a Sacramento shelter when his family couldn't find a dog friendly rental. Then he was scheduled to be destroyed when the shelter discovered he flattened out at doorways and couldn't be coaxed through. That was last week. This week he's safe and Elliot's five minute lesson on using doors worked like a charm. Easy peasy.

He's just what the doctor ordered for party animal Diamond. She was using too much of her yard time bouncing (literally) at birds, but it's all about wrastlin' now. Go Gum!

Charm School

When young Donovan came to BAD RAP from his rural shelter he was lacking some of the sophistication that city dogs acquire earlier in life. So the big city dogs wouldn't make fun of our awkward teenager, Alma, the elderbull puppy, agreed to help young Donovan learn the basics.

See, Donovan, this is how you ask another dog to play

Once you're friends, you can kiss and play bitey-face.

Thanks to his kind mentor, Donovan is quickly learning how to be a civilized young dog.  Thank you Alma!

Both Donovan and Alma are still looking for their forever homes at badrap.org

neener neener

Sassy: "I notice you have a .... ball"  Elliot: "Why Gosh. Yes I do!"

Sassy: "I would like to have that ball." Elliot: "Really? Huh!"

Sassy: "Definitely want that ball." Elliot: "Waddaya know?"

Sassy: "Stare into my eyes. You want to give me the ball." Elliot: "No thank you."

Sassy: "Come back here with that ball!" Elliot: "La La La La...

..La La LA LAAA!"

Sassy: "Darnit! This isn't working like it works on Corndog."  

there's a kid at the barn

On Presidents Day, the barn dogs had a special visitor who came to help them practice being around kids.  And once the Kikster was done with picking up dog poop (hey, someone has to do it) and putting fresh water in all of the kennels, the pooches all got to show off their obedience and agility skills in the yard, their neighborhood walking skills, and then each one took turns hanging out on the couch with her.

Here's Loni showing off her lap dog skills.
















And Sassy and Corndog enjoy just chilling with the kid who gave each of them the kid tester seal of approval.

Thanks barn pooches for showing the Kikster that y'all know how to behave around kids.

Corndoggery

Having a fluffy around has been so much fun. We get to brush her longish fur -- that's new! Our marketing plan has not been working for her though. Site visitors are intrigued by her novelty, but not nearly enough impressed to bring her home. They want beef!

So it's time to seed the Net (aka Craigslist) with Corndog images in hopes that they snag the love of a fluffy fan. She won't mind leaving Sassy behind if it turns out that the girls get offers from different homes. They've been such agreeable roommates, but they're just as happy doing their own thing and don't check in with each like they used to.

So, here it is: A Sassy-less promo for the furry one. Go Corndog, Go!

barn crew demo time

Farnam, Sassy and Loni left the barn for a few hours and joined the now-adopted Astro for a fun public demo. They strutted their stuff in front of the latest group signed on for Pit Ed beginning classes. The orientation is set up to help registrants know what to expect when they start their lessons in a couple of weeks. Many of their dogs will be initially leash reactive, and some of the handlers will be more than a little nervous. The first day of class is always exciting (and we love it). Hopefully, the demos will help everyone imagine how well mannered their dogs will be with just a little bit of work and practice.

While all eyes are on the dogs, the real stars here are the handlers - Barn Crew members Caroline, Anita, Charity and Nancy. Their steady direction help make it all look so natural and so easy. These are the times when we're especially proud of the team. Half the battle of training a new group is convincing people that their dogs will be just fine once they try on a few basic handling skills and act like the smooth, confident leaders dogs love to follow. Just like the team is demonstrating so beautifully here.

Farnam, Sassy, Loni and Astro wag and snuffle as if to say, "Yup."

Many thanks to Oakland euro auto shop Precision Motors for opening your doors to us!

... waiting ...

Well. Where is it?

Farnam's been hoppin' up on the barrels and practicing his best circus star face in hopes that it'll make us move a little faster on the making of Dog Mountain. We expect fancy moves from this flashy clown when it's finally launched.

Sorry Farnam! Mountains weren't built in a day, y'dig?

Dog Mountain

Eating lunch with the dogs has become a real challenge - what with everyone trying to play 'king of the mountain' on the picnic table during our breaks. And then it dawned on us - A mountain! It's time to create one just for the dogs. Just as we were imagining what Dog Mountain might look like, a wonderful donation from LUSH Charity Pot showed up to help us get there. Woot! Perfectly timed. So the pressure is on: It has to be functional AND beautiful too, to honor our kind donors.

So, Voila! Here arrives our new agility tunnel to replace the old nasty blue one that the dogs loved just a little too much over the years. And just today from the wine country - because every self respecting play structure should be built of recycled goods - a batch of used wine barrels, beautifully stained with the best merlot. Viva Northern California!

So we heaved everything into a circle for now and stood back and stared. How do you make a Dog Mountain? How high should it go? Sassy hopped right up on our first layer and said, "This is good. Keep going." And Corndog smiled up and said, "Will there be food up there? I need steps!"

So we'll stare and heave and rearrange and stare some more, and hopefully we'll have something mountainous to report back on very soon. Suggestions welcome!

Many thanks to LUSH Cosmetics Charity Pot for giving us a way to give some fun to the dogs. We're thrilled!

the senior dating scene

Jimmy stopped by for a visit yesterday and had a good time flirting with Miss Sassy. We're not so sure that they appreciate all the chaperones on their blind date, though. How's a guy ever gonna to steal a kiss with this kind of audience?

Video Time!

Jilly's been working very hard on a little video project so her people can find her. Has she convinced you?

Diamond wonders why....

Last night, Diamond worked soooo hard on the 'leave-it' command but from the look in her eye, I think she was secretly wondering just WHY we were playing this 'game'. 

On the other hand, we find this mastery of this command very helpful in daily life.  How has learning 'leave-it' been helpful to you and your pooch?

hide-n-seek sassy

I lost Sassy for about 10 minutes too long the other day. After a good sized heart attack, Elliot found her new secret fort under the bathtub stairs for me. Jeezus Sassy! I thought you'd levitated over the fence when my back was turned.

Score one for sassy bitches who love themselves a little well-deserved private time.

what's that look?

Monday night at the barn, I was admiring Farnham's heart shaped eye patch.  As we gazed into each other's eyes I wondered......

- is this "the look of love" a la Burt Bacharach? 

- or, is this a "Love love me do" early Beatles look? 

- or something else totally different? 

Waddya think?

One thing's certain, Farnham is ready for Valentine's Day.

Seriously

This guy is constantly acting like a clown. 

How is this going to help my forever people find me, Uba?

I'll just sit here in my crate waiting for someone to love me and make me their baby girl. One day they'll find me, despite Uba messing up my glamour shots.

love,

Jilly

a winter romance

With every new batch of orphans, Boy Wonder seems to choose one special dog to be his special friend. Now that Oscar has left for his new home, it's all about Sassy. And for Sassy, it's allll about Elliot.

Magpie's New Years' Wish Comes True

After spending a few days at sleep away camp, aka the barn, Magpie went home. During our drive she wasn't sure, "where are we going, chauffeur lady?" her worried brown eyes asked. When we arrived on her new street, surrounded by well manicured front yards, she wasn't sure if a little puppy from West Oakland should be in such a nice neighborhood. Then her new mom opened the front door and immediately everything was all better. 

Next, she said hello to her friend Karlee and met big sister Darian. 

Karlee demonstrated her training skills and Magpie and her new big brother, french bulldog-mix Ami, demonstrated their tandem sits.

Home at last for the little pie bald puppy. Mama Etta Bull and daddy Zeus would be so proud to see their last girl with such a lovely family.

Thank you to foster mom Rachel for taking on a little tyke and helping her grow into such a lovely young dog. 

a new year friendship

Could it be true? Magpie seemed to make a quick friend yesterday during class. We couldn't help but notice how much they liked each other. Hmm...

Stay tuned as we check to see if Cupid's arrow has landed.

Santa's magic - Lots of homes for 2012 barn dogs

Have you been keeping track of the dogs who moved through the barn this year? It's been a revolving door and with all the activity, we have a hard time keeping count ourselves. Here's a tally of 2012's part or full time barn residents who are in their new homes as of today. Such a good batch of memories! The (m) denotes dogs who had special medical needs beyond the basics.

Brothers Riley & Ruben (m), Rita Mae, Olive, Blink, Jibboom (m), Talullah, Gris-Gris, Catfish Jones, Congo (m), Dyna Girl, Etta, Elderbull Annie (m), Elderbull Jimmy (m), Astro (m), Diva, Tippy (m), Rosco, Addy, Clive, Danny, Mama Maggie (m), Oscar (m), Rooney (m), Hugo (m), Jondi, Patsy, Bertha, Star, Gurdy (m), Moto (m), Rascal/Clyde, Bean, Possum (m). (Right: Patsy went home with Hannah, who went on to become a valued Barn Crew team member after the adoption.)

Thanks to all of you for your support. I wanted to call out a special thanks to cyber-friend Carla Morgan. Every time we quietly pondered whether it was wise to take on another out of state cruelty case and/or dog with medical needs, a gift from Carla would magically appear in our mailbox as if to say, "Yes! Of course you should help this dog!" We think Carla must have psychic powers, not to mention the biggest of hearts. Thank you Carla!

Our year end report is posted for your review: BADRAP 2012 Year End Review

Below, 'Bean' got her Happy Ending photo taken with new dad, brother-dog Diamond and Santa at the East Bay Rats Clubhouse last weekend. Her new dad takes them everywhere he goes and they enjoy the best of times. If you live in the SF east bay, you're likely to run into this trio jetting about in Byrd's pick-up, and if you do, please wave them a hello. They're bound to wave right back at you with the biggest of smiles.

Jilly Needs You!

Please help me! The lady got a new camera and she won't stop pointing it at me.

When I'm outside looking for squirrels

When I'm inside watching for the mail man

Even while I'm trying to take a nap.

I hope I find my family soon and they whisk me away from this torture. 

Hello?

Meet Donovan.

Can I be your baby boy?