Ollie is a Music Lover

Ollie just cracks me up! I think he's either a music lover or Al Green fan because he seems to REALLY love the music on his video. I'm not kidding... he can be in another room playing with the dogs or laying down taking a snoze and if he hears that song, he stops what he's doing and comes walking up to me and smiles his big goofy smile. :) It is so cute and is just the sweetest boy in the world!

Vet Visit

Ollie and I dropped by the vet today to officially check his weight and was pleasantly surprised that in just 10 days had gained 10 pounds! I could tell his bones were not sticking out as they were but WOW! A pound a day! He also got those terribly long nails clipped and was a champ! He now has an appointment on Thursday to be neutered and get his vaccinations and micro chip so after this weekend, he'll be ready for his forever home!

His house training is excellent (no accidents!) and clearly indicates when he needs outside by going to the door. He's not once chewed on anything inappropriate but we always make sure he's got lots and lots of toys.

We're constantly working on his manners and he's getting better by the day. He's learning "sit" and NOT to jump up and nip at your hands for treat or for attention. Things are starting to click. He is so smart and willing to please. There is not much he won't do for food (shocking right!?) but it's going to take time because even at 8 or so months, he still has a lot of puppy energy.

OH! I can't remember if I mentioned this but he loves to play fetch and just playing with him for 10 minutes seems to drain a lot of his energy out. He is MUCH calmer indoors than he was even just a few days ago. I think most of it is because he's been given a routine and has realized he is safe and he's not ever going to have to worry about being hungry or homeless again.

Gaining Weight!

Ollie is gaining weight faster than I thought was possible! In just a weeks time I would guess he's put on 5-8 pounds. I don't have time to get him in to the vet this week to be weighed but I'm taking him on Monday and get those claws of his trimmed. OMG... I don't think his nails have every been trimmed! They have to be at least 2 inches long!

It looks like he's going to be able to be neutered much sooner than I thought and may be ready for his forever home as soon as the first week of November! For sure I'll have them clip those nails short while under being neutered.

He's just the sweetest thing. :) His energy level is definitely increasing and he's going to need an active home with a yard to run and play in. He is still exploring and learning all about living indoors and I think sometimes, he doesn't know what to think. It's like, I want to be in here but what am I suppose to do? But he is relaxing more and more every day. He's not too crazy about being outside unless a human is out there with him but each day he's becoming more secure and comfortable. Today, he and Maverick had a great time running and playing chase in the yard. It was such a joy to see him having the energy to do that and seeing him having fun!

He is so good with other dogs. He's playful but not over the top and is very respectful. One thing that is always a good indicator around our house is the old Lady Molly. Most foster dogs we have here learn fast just to ignore her and stay out of her way. She can look awfully mean when she raises her nose and growls. But she seems to like Ollie which is a first in a long time!

He's good with our cat Jasper too, but I think if he was living with a young cat the ran from dogs instead being calm or standing up to them, I think he would chase them. So it might be best he not go to a home with cats... just in case.

His worst habit is wanting to jump on you when he greets you but that too is improving. I'm using the pennies in a can trick to teach him not to jump on me. Next week we start on learning sit. He would do fine with older kids but he still has a lot of puppy in him and I think he's too rambunctious for small kids. Maybe over 8 would be okay. Just depends on the kids I think.

Ollie's First Day of his New Life

October 17, 2008 was the beginning of Ollie's new life. It's the day he was not only saved by an Animal Control Officer from the life he had been forced to live on the run, but also the day he was taken in to our care here at Austin Dog Rescue.

Even though starving and anemic from the thousands of fleas and ticks that he had on him, he was still willing to show how loving and appreciative he was to not be on the run anymore. He is so thin right now that even the bones in his head are showing and has burned so many calories trying to stay alive, he has little muscle mass. But all of that is about to change!

He's been in his foster home for five days now and is all ready gaining weight and enjoying exploring and learning life living indoors with a foster family and other dogs (and a cat!) He immediately discovered toys and his favorite is a pink pig that squeaks!

As you can imagine, he's eating as much as is given to him. He's fed 2-3 cups of food three times a day, along with additional vitamins and he licks his bowl clean every time! We'll be taking him to the vet each week to make sure he continues to gain weight and as soon as he's put on enough weight, he'll be neutered and ready for his new home. We think Ollie will make a great Thanksgiving Homecoming for some truly lucky family.

Ollie has your typical Lab personality. Loves everyone he meets, gets along great with other dogs and has his moments of pure Lab Puppy enthusiasm. Calm indoors, active and playful outdoors. He is working on his indoor manners but so far, no counter surfing, only jumping on you when he's happy to see you. That too we'll be working on, teaching him that sit is a more appropriate way to welcome people.

We'll be updating Ollie's Blog on his progress and hopes of fulfilling his dream of finding a forever home.