My Dog's Name
I have two adopted dogs - Frankie and Hercules
When I Adopted My Dog
Frankie - July 2007; Hercules - January 2008
Where I Found My Dog
My husband and I bought a home after renting for years. I couldn't join my husband in the new house for a couple of months; the day I moved, a tour revealed Frankie behind the last door to be opened.
About My Adopted Dog
Frankie is a big fluffy goofball and although around 5 years old he still acts like a puppy, so inquisitive and playful. The only thing naughty about Frankie is his diet - he'll eat ANYTHING. He especially likes chicken poop and dried up bird carcasses...sigh. He loves to swim in the sea.
Hercules is afraid of his own shadow so his name doesn't quite suit him but it stuck. He is also afraid of my husband, and all men for that matter, but he is the sweetest, most loving dog I have ever encountered.
Herc and Frank as we call them get on so well, they love to wrestle, steal toys from each other, walk and swim together
My Dog's Adoption Story
Since my husband came to the house before I did, and we decided we were going to get a dog, he spent his spare time at the animal shelter volunteering to walk the dogs. Frankie was one of those shelter dogs. My husband quickly became attached to him and adopted him, without telling me!, hence my surprise behind the last door to be opened. Frankie was definitely a cutie but soon after I arrived he became destructive - he relished in dumping out the kitchen bin's contents and strewing it all over the floor, from the front door to the back door. We decided to get Frankie a companion. A friend told us about Hercules, also a shelter dog, that was being fostered due to being heartworm positive. With Frankie we went to meet Hercules a few times and went for walks with the woman who was fostering him, asking lots of questions while watching both dogs' interaction. They seemed quite indifferent towards each other which I guess is better than tearing each other apart! We brought Hercules to our home to stay a couple of weekends and then the third weekend never brought him back, with the shelter's blessing. It didn't take long until Hercules became destructive. I remember coming home from work one night to find every cushion on our L-shaped sofa utterly ripped to shreds. I was livid. Notwithstanding the bumpy beginning, the mess outweighs the laughs and love these furry beasties give to us.
Advice
- Patience patience patience.
- We were able to train our dogs ourselves but also look for local, reputable, trainers or seek books from the library about training your dog or getting them out of bad habits.
- It's also trial and error and what works for your dog.
- To this day, Hercules is put into a kennel in our bedroom when we are not at home. It seems to soothe his separation anxiety. He loves going in there since he gets a treat every time he is meant to. Our neighbors no longer threaten to have him ousted either since he no longer barks all day!
- Just ask for help from the shelter if you need it.
