Planning ahead...

Our boy arrived this morning and ate like a trooper. I am now placing one dish of food deep inside the kennel next to his water bowl and dog box and he doesn't seem to hesitate except for an occasional head startle once in a while. I did give him a early evening snack yesterday as well. Unless he hung around up in the brush, I didn't see him much yesterday, although he seems to show up to dine soon after I retreat. No matter...the time is soon approaching.

I think I'm going to have to get closer than the house with the rope to yank the kennel door closed. It just doesn't seem like I'll be able to pull fast enough from that distance.

I also put a call into the vet the shelter uses regarding the light sedative. The doctor there felt it would not be beneficial at all due to Teddy's high adrenaline from being on the run for so long. He stated that his adrenaline would override any sedative of that nature. I think I'm still going to look for some Rescue Remedy (in case you didn't know, this is actually an alternative medicine).

I've been contacting various rescue organizations to plan for Teddy's future. He obviously will need a lot of rehab with ideally folks who understand the nature of his breed (which I suspect is more Border collie), the more I watch him. Of course these breeds (border collies and collies) are out of my league. I am a terrier person, so naturally I would much rather defer to the experts. I am hoping once he is rescued and taken to the vet for a complete check and grooming that he can be moved to a "professional" as soon as possible. Of course the folks at the shelter are so dedicated, wonderful and experienced but they have soooo many to take care of. But....if he needs to stay at the shelter for a while, you can be sure I will be a part of his rehab team and be there every day possible (fortunately they are a hop, skip, and jump from my house-I could walk there). I considered keeping him here for a while but I am so doubtful that he will handle that outdoor kennel situation very well, and with the kennel facing his mountain, my fear would be he'd try his best to escape-so I think it's best to move him as quickly as possible. Of course I AM jumping the gun a bit as we don't have him yet, but I think it is imperative to have a plan of action for this guy so his traumas can be kept to a minimum.

Hopefully over the next few days we will have a positive post, no thanks to ANY news media. As long as we can get him that's all that matters. What we need to do is pray he does NOT have heartworm, clean him up, get him medical attention, and begin rehab. I just know that this guy has a wonderfully gentle and sweet personality beneath all those mattes and fear and one day I hope to share with all of you the beautiful dog that lies beneath. And also share with you a story or two about his new life filled with security, love, and trust. Wouldn't that be grand?