a day in the life of Smudge

Guest blogged by Smudge, with a little help from intern Laura Mundy. Thanks, ladies!
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Hey-oh! Smudge here. Since it was recently revealed that I'm a BAD RAP blogger, thought I'd go ahead and elaborate a smudge about my doings for all of you wonderful folks out there. I should preface by saying that the humans here understand dogs need a variety of life too, just like them. So we engage our senses, have many adventures, and play games. And as you may have heard too, staying active, mentally and physically, keeps you young. You don’t have to ask me twice to subscribe to this theory! A recent “Day in the Life of Smudge” went a little something like this: After breakfast, I knocked out some work, as I think most clearly in the morning.   I played with the funny-looking dog.   I basked in the sun and had many deep thoughts. That day’s deep thoughts drifted to global commerce, social justice, and how to manipulate Intern into giving me more food.  I initiated a road trip to visit the goats. I told Intern, "Let's go see the goats! She was more than happy to oblige, being a goat-lover herself. There was some dispute over the best driving route, and Intern called me a “backseat driver,” whatever that means. Goats! Goats! Goats! To ward off our mid-afternoon slump, we grabbed a Venti Iced GreenTea at Starbucks. I made Intern hold me while I sipped it. It's cool to be held like that. Really. A nice man and his son came up to give me pets and treats. That was the best. Back at the barn, I thoroughly removed all the peanut butter from the Kong someone had so thoughtfully left in my kennel. There’s a rumor floating around here that if you are well-behaved, the Kong Fairy will pay you a visit. I'd say that rumor is true. Zzzzzzzzzz. Sweet dreams. And before I knew it, the big beautiful sun was setting, and it was nearly time for bed. Intern and I had a quiet game of hide and seek, just before she tucked me in for the night.

Guest Blogger!

June has been one of the best months ever at the barn. Why? For one entire month, we're enjoying the TLC of intern Laura Mundy, who is living on-site (hellooo tiny cabin) during a break from her life in Seattle. She's busy helping us ready the current batch of dogs for adoption and has been doing chores glamorous and very-much-not-so glamorous. But we'll let her tell you about all that.

Here's her first blog installment with promises for a few more. Thanks so much for adding your fuel to this little O-town fire Laura!

Laura Mundy! Intern Extraordinaire

When I told my friends I was doing an internship at BAD RAP, there was a lot of excitement and celebration. I also got a lot of “Keep us updated!” I promised I would.

In my first week of working at BAD RAP, and living next to the barn, I’ve experienced quite a few things. There are the things you would expect, like getting to know the dogs, the routine, meeting the lovely volunteers, how to use a flirt pole, etc. There are some other things that may surprise you. So, without further ado, I give you:

Top 5 Little Known Facts about BAD RAP

1.      BAD RAP houses not only dogs, but a healthy population of gophers as well. Diamond keeps a close tab on their activity.

2.       Hipster barn dogs, like Ned Flanders, wear their cones in the downward position.

3.       Dog Mountain is only 39.5 inches in elevation, but to Corky, it feels much higher!

4.       Dogs earn their keep by providing light administrative support. Smudge is also an occasional ghost blogger. 

5.       There’s a peeping tom who lives on the property. But he’s friendly.

Zuzu Love

Zuzu met the Weiss family today during their search for new love. We can't tell if they liked each other ... Can you?

This pretty girl came to us from the overcrowded South Central Los Angeles Shelter thanks to LA group Angel City Pit Bulls. We first met her courtesy of Lori Fusaro's photos. How can you say 'no' to photos like these? Impossible.

Go Zuzu, go Zuzu! (click on photo to biggin it)

Chew Buddies

The barn is full of, um .... this sound.

Donovan's Happy Ending

Donovan arrived in Oakland a gawky young dog with limited life skills and tiny ear nubs from an amateur's attempt at an ear crop. Foster-mom extraordinaire Rachel raised her hand and offered him a foster spot in her San Francisco home. Donovan was awkward, excitable and lacked basic understanding of how to behave in the big city. Rachel problem solved, exposed young Donovan to the thrills of the world in manageable doses and found a way to channel his excitement into excellent obedience skills. When an application came in from a wonderful couple with a chihuahua mix it seemed meant to be.

Donovan is no longer an awkward and anxious orphan. Now he is a lovely young dog with an adoring family and a tiny big sister.

Congratulations Candance and Sean and thank you little Ellie for accepting a big doofus as a brother. Most of all congratulations and thank you to Rachel for turning our boy's life around.

Jillyfish

Jilly finally convinced one of her good friends, awesome BAD RAP foster mom Rachel, to take her out of the city for a little vacation. The camping part didn't quite happen, but I'm pretty sure it was wild enough anyway. We learned that not only does Jilly love playing with the sprinklers and hoses, she also LOVES swimming.

What is that fast moving creature way out in the creek?

Its a Jillyfish! 

Jilly ended her trip with a scenic hike overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Thank you Rachel for taking our beautiful orphan on a little early summer vacation! I know she had the time of her life.

Jilly is STILL looking for her forever people. If you are searching for a beautiful and fun friend see her bio on the available dogs page at badrap.org. 

steeling ourselves

The barn's been rumbling with the usual clatter of dogs coming and dogs going: Farnam, Sassy, Corndog, Gum, Sammy, Elton, Corky, Diamond ... One minute they're here, dashing around as if this was always their home - the next minute their kennel is empty and ready to be swabbed down in prep for new residents. (Corky is still here, puppy Stew is leaving any day, and Diamond has a hopeful suitor with more dogs on their way in.)

Loredo is a recent visitor who spent two weeks learning about the world through the lens of our daily routine. He came from a cruelty case in Idaho, and he told us two things about himself once he landed. One: He agrees that life is definitely better without a heavy chain or noisy shelter kennels to wear him down. And Two: He let us know that he's pretty darn worn down.

Photos from evaluations at Idaho Humane Society: Idaho survivors

Life has not been good to Loredo, and his body tells the tale. Our job was to let him rest and recover some before moving to foster care. There was pacing, mournful howling, painful limping, diarrhea and more diarrhea - laundry and more laundry. We hid multitudes of pills in his food, cooked rice and scraped can after can of stool firming pumpkin into his dish, tended the gaping hole in his leg (a bad pressure sore), massaged him, bathed him and did our best to let him know that he isn't alone anymore. It was a tough two weeks for all of us, including Loredo. Finally, when his diarrhea slowed and his sleep cycles deepened, we knew it was time to send him to talented (RVT) foster mom Katie Moyer for more TLC.

Is he going to make it? We don't know. We don't say 'yes' to medical cases without steeling ourselves just a little bit. Time will tell, and along with time, a battery of tests to help us solve the mystery of Loredo's various ailments. Thank dog for compassionate foster homes who are willing to put their heart on the block while hoping for the very best.

Elton's time

During the Sad Times, Elton's house was a plastic barrel. He spent a lot of time going round and round in circles and wondering what it might feel like to move in a straight line.

He could barely believe it when the New People came by to tell him that his life had just changed.

One of his first friends in California showed him the fun of rolling around on the cool green grass. Elton hadn't felt this good since he pushed up next to his mama as a young babe.

His good memories came rushing back to him all at once in this place ... He remembered what it was like to bounce and play like he used to when he was a wee pup.

He felt safe here and slept better than he'd slept in ages.

Every day was a new discovery. There were amazing new things to smell and taste in this California place.

And new friends who wanted to chase and laugh.

One day, the big furry friend took him into the 'big house' for the first time and said, "Look - It's time for you to leave this place. Where you're going, you'll have your very own house just like this one and your very own family. You'll need to remember what we taught you about not peeing on the big house floor, and not taking food from the people's plates. You just need to do this. Watch. You lay on the floor when you're resting and you wait for the people to tell you how beautiful you are. They do that a lot. You'll do just fine, little buddy."

Tomorrow, Elton leaves for his brand new life. We all plan on missing him like crazy.

Many thanks to the staff of Walter Crowe Animal Shelter of South Carolina for getting Elton to safety. He was the only adult dog from this family of dogs to survive, so is incredibly special to all of us. Carry on in the name of your tribe, Little Man. You do them all proud!

Sit! Look!

New barn residents get a week or two to settle in to the barn routine, sleep off any stress, and learn about their new barn crew friends. Then the work of learning to be an amazing pet dog starts.

Sit, look - YES!

Sweet and clever Elton caught on quickly. He knows that putting his wiggly end on the ground and staring deeply into the human's eyes makes treats and love happen.  

Gooood boy, Elton!

three little explorers

While Donna & Tim were handling serious rescue business in Idaho, 3 young barn pups decided to do a little exploring led by the ever curious Gum. 

Hey Sammy, Elton - somebody's staying here.  Who could it be?

I wonder if there are any cookies in there.

Come on, let's see if we can get in and check it out!

Hmmm - I don't see any cookies here.

Sammy, Gum - here's a nice bowl of cold water! 

Mmmmm - slurp, slurp, slurp.

















Golly, I wonder what's up these stairs?  Sammy, I'm gonna do it, I'm going on up.



I'm coming too, Gum!














Oh no, it's kinda scary up here!  I wanna go back down Sammy, out of my way

Oh Elton, I'm so ashamed...I just couldn't do it - it was too scary up there!


Sammy...are you OK?  Come down and play with us.






 

Hey look guys, I can see the barn!!

Ah ha! I think I found the cookies!!









 

Someone's coming?  Oh quick, let's get outta here!












OK - this is more like it!  Dog Mountain's so much more fun than scary cabin stairs, I don't care what Sammy says!

nap

Shhh. Sneaky photo through the barn window of Tim stealin' a little nap, with new kid Sammy looking like she might have a devilish plan up her sleeve.

Good thing Tim's protecting his um, family jewels - even while dozing. On the job safety is a big priority around here.

Backpacking

Who's taking Jilly camping? She'll even carry her own gear.

dog pile

Gum:  Wanna play Sassy?

Sassy & Gum:  Come on Elliott! Wanna go, huh? Wanna go??

Elliott:  First, must do a smell check on Sassy.

Dog Pile, Elliott's down, ha ha ha!!

Sassy:  Woo wee, this is fun. Gum - you're it!!

young love

Gum: "Sassy, Sassy. Can I hang out with you Sassy? You're so cool and so pretty and I think we could be friends. Whaddaya think Sassy? Huh? Huh? ... Sassy?"

Sassy: "Pfffft!"