I got this email from Cal's new mama Lisa-

 "Great day to spend in the yard.I got Cal some smaller balls and they seem to work better in his mouth. He is doing great!!! everyone that meets him falls in love.... surprise!!!!  I gave up on the blog....still couldn't get into it. He goes out with Quigly and follows him around for the most part. He does stay in the yard but loves to explore! 

Hope all is well"

I was thrilled! He looks so, so happy. What a long way he has come in the last 3 months- from a tree in TN, suffering and in pain, to a happy, healthy dog who feels safe and loved. This is why we rescue!

Cal Ripken Jr has been adopted! By a lovely couple, Lisa and Joe, who live on a peaceful farm in NH. I am so happy for him- they are both experienced rescuers, and know that there will be an adjustment period- but are committed to giving Cal the life he deserves. YAY for Cal! And YAY for Lisa and Joe for caring enough about Cal to map sure that he last years of his life are the best ones. But I miss him already!

I took Cal Ripken Jr to Petsmart today and couldn't resist the clown wig! He looks mortified doesn't he! I hope he doesn't officially hate me.... And I'm spending every minute I can with him today, because tomorrow he is going to his new home in NH. he's a very different dog than the frail old man I met 9 weeks ago. Healthy, energetic and much more relaxed. I lost my sweet blind Boston Terrier girl 4 weeks ago, and having Cal here to dote on really helped my husband and I deal with her passing. I'm so happy for him, and really couldn't have chosen a better home than the one he's going to but I have to admit that I'm going to miss him terribly!

Cal is NOT wild about baths! He gives me that "awww did ya really have to" look that always makes me feel kinda guilty....he's a VERY good boy with baths, ear cleaning, nail trims and such, but clearly would rather be anywhere else!

And I have great news- it looks like Cal is going to be adopted! By a lovely couple in NH, both experienced rescuers who can provide Cal with the sort of life I want for him. The adoption process is underway, and he'll likely go to his home next weekend. Paws crossed!!!!! !

One of the many many things that I love about Cal is how well he gets along with other dogs. He's met puppies, blind dogs, dogs with physical issues, big dogs and tiny dogs and has gotten along beautifully with all of them. I have not yet seen him show a bit of aggression of any kind- he is frisky and playful with the ones that want to play, and respects and gives space to the ones that don't. I have absolutely no concerns about him being adopted into a home with friendly dogs or even cats. He's curious about cats, but doesn't bother them.
And after a long day of playing with his friends he likes nothing better than to curl up in a soft place for a long nap!

I don't think Cal Ripken Jr has ever worn clothes before- and I'm not so sure he likes to! He looked a little mortified, but was a good sport about trying on his Celtics jersey....he's a good sport about everything! He looks amazng compared to 6 weeks ago- his weight is normal, and he goes right to the back door like a good boy when he needs to relieve himself. He's seeking affection now, and loves to be petted and loved. He so deserves a loving home where he's pampered and spoiled royally.

We took Cal out to dinner tonight to a nice restaurant with a patio. It was a beautiful night to eat outside and Cal was an angel. He seemed a little nervous at first, but then relaxed and loved the attention he received- it's so nice to have a foster that I can take anywhere! He's so gentle and well behaved, and is looking so handsome these days. What a good boy!

I brought Cal Ripken Jr to our adoption event at the Yawgoo Water Park today and as you can see he made lots of friends- both with and without fur. He is so gentle with children, and loved the attention and affection. There were some young, rambunctious dogs there and I was surprised to see how energetically Cal played with them! It makes me so happy to see his silly, playful side.

One of the things I've learned about Cal is that he's not all that comfortable on laps or furniture- He'll look curious, as if he wants to explore- but when I put him on a couch, chair or lap he gets fidgety, scratching and chewing his nails- and will quickly jump off. I suspect that he was NEVER allowed to feel part of a family before! As you can see, though, he's getting more comfortable each day with his new life, and more receptive to comfort and affection. He has friends, food, care and love- all that a dog could want- and I'm committed to making sure that he'll be safe and loved for the rest of his days.

I wanted to show some before and after pictures- Cal is doing really well physically! He's  gained 4 lbs, and has become much friskier and more playful, especially with my young girl Pixie. One bad habit I've noted though is that he's a bit of a door darter- he loves his walks and outings so much that he wants to follow me out when I leave the house....he stays rgiht by my side though, and isn't the type who will run into the street or anything, he just wants to be  your side.  It still is something I'm working on with him.... pretty much the ONLY thing though because he's as close to perfect as they come!

A beautiful summer night is a great excuse for an ice cream party with Cal and his friends!

A day in the park

We brought Cal to the annual Bark in the Park event today and he had a great time! He made some new friends, both with and without fur, and was so calm and well mannered. It is so nice to have a foster that I can trust around anybody- even a small child. I have to tell you though that he was a dismal failure at the agility course- he was confounded by the first obstacle, a kiddie pool. He stopped, took a drink,looked around and then lay down. I don't think he has much of a future in agility! He also was in his frst parade, of adoptable dogs!

Cal went to the vet today for a re-check of his ear infection- my vet was very pleased with how his ear and mouth have healed. He said his infection seems resolved, but he has LOTS of gunk in both ears from years of neglect- we have some drops to help clear and dry his ears. I was so happy too to see that Cal has gained another pound and is up to 21.6! He was sweet and friendly to everyone he met, but was clearly nervous- he peed and pooped on the floor of the office, which isn't typical- and was GLAD to leave! He did manage to gobble down a few treats though....

One thing that Cal really looks forward to is his nightly walks- he gets super excited when he sees his leash and collar and is ready to go!  He doesn't walk fast, but has more stamina than I'd expect. And he has no reaction at all to other dogs he meets than a curious sniff. I haven't seen ANY aggression of any sort since he's been her- he's a lover, not a fighter! When we get home he settles down with his friends Chloe and Salty Dog in the most comfortable spot he can find. He is such a nice, nice boy.

Yahoo! Cal is up to 20 lbs as of this morning- a 2 lb gain! The fact that he eats like Joey Chestnut at Coney Island doesn't hurt....he is a gobbler and inhales a bowl of food at the speed of light. He went to an adoption event in Warwick yesterday and made lots of new friends, both with and without fur, and certainly is a dog that I feel comfortable taking anywhere- he's so quiet, well mannered and friendly, and is gentle with children. He's quickly learned when it's crate time, and sleeps through the night. I love, love love this boy!!!!! He seems so GRATEFUL to be treated with kindness. Sweet Cal.

Cal's most favorite thing- EATING! His little tail never stops wagging while he's eating. You can tell that this boy has gone hungry for much of his life.

I wanted to show Cal doing one of his favorite things- chasing a ball around. He LOVES balls and will play till he's exhausted!

Cal is having such a good time exploring the yard. Especially when he's following his friend Pixie, who is showing him the ropes. We've found that he LOVES balls of all shapes and sizes, and will chase one around until he's exhausted. His ears are alot better after a good cleaning, and he's on a weight gain regimen which involves lots of treats and healthy, yummy food. He gobbles down everything offered to him with so much gusto, and after a long, rough day of playing with his friends, getting love and affection, and eating, he settles in for a nap. It took him a few days to feel comfortable enough to lie in a soft bed- he would sit stiffly on the floor, looking like he wasn't quite sure what he should do- but he's starting to relax and realize that things are very different for him now, and life's alot easier than it was. He hasn't barked- he makes a weird groaning noise when he's playing with a ball- and I wonder if he's been de-barked. The sort of person who would tie a dog to a tree for years is the sort of person who de-barks a dog. I can't change his sad past, but I can make sure his future is filled with love and comfort.

Cal is settling in nicely to his foster home- and learning what it's like to live in a house, instead of tied to a tree. We took a walk this morning, and he does really well on a leash- and greeted everyone he met warmly.  My first impression of him as a sweet, mild mannered fella hasn't changed, and I'm happy to say that he has not had a single accident in the house- not what I would expect from a dog that was kept outside. He's quiet, gentle and seems to have no aggression of any kind. My sweet blind Chloe has dementia, and bumps into him as she paces and circles, and Cal just seems to understand, and steps out of her way.

My first order of business is to fatten him up! He is so, so thin, and his appetite is so good that I believe that he was simply not given enough food to maintain his weight. I know that miraculously he was negative for parasites, heartworm and lyme disease so starvation explains his weight. I have him on my special weight gain concoction and I'm confident that by this time next month he'll look like a different dog. I'm going to pamper him royally and make sure that any prospective adopter does the same!

For information on how to adopt Cal Ripken Jr, please visit his profile- http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/23457972?rvp=1

After a 28 hour trip, Cal arrived at his foster home- we made a trip to the fire station to met his foster dad Mike, who he greeted with kisses- and when he arrived home he explored the house and yard with great interest. My first impression is that this boy is SWEET! My favorite kind of foster- he loves my dogs and follows them around, doing what they do. He seems fully housetrained, which I didn't expect- and, although he didn't know how to use stairs, he learned in about 15 minutes with the lure of hot dog bits. I love a dog that's food motivated! He is painfully thin, and is being treated for an ear infection. I suspect he's a little hard of hearing but not deaf by any means, and his eyesight may not be perfect either.

 I love him already! He is so gentle, and hasn't made a sound. I'm also surprised by how calm he seems, and how grateful for an kindness shown. I'm confident that he's going to clean up nicely and find a loving home.

Meet Cal, a 9-10 YO cocker spaniel- a survivor of cruelty and neglect. He's spent the last few weeks in the office of a kind vet on TN after being abandoned by his owners. He lived for years and years- 24/7/365- outside, tied to a tree with little food and water. His only companion was another spaniel who died of heatstroke, so Cal sat, alone and hungry, day after day until we saved him. Most of his teeth needed to be pulled, and I'm told he's painfully thin. He's on his way here from TN and will arrive tomorrow for some TLC and good nutrition, and a new home. Stay tuned!