Bing! Our new rescue dog!

Well it's been a little less than 24 hours since we went and adopted Lil' Joe (now known as Bing Crosby...aka Bing...aka Mr. Snuffapuffagus) and he has been great so far. We met with Jodi at Rescue Farm in Poland, Indiana yesterday at 3 and learned all about what he'd been through and his medical issues and what to expect. Filled out the adoption forms and other related paperwork and did a little playing (we brought him a toy). He stole the toy right out of Kev's coat pocket and pranced and shook it about. Sooo cute! We took a couple of photos with him. The first of which he was licking my cheek like crazy, which made me laugh pretty hard. The second of which I was making some silly face.. Jodi liked that one. I haven't seen it yet, but she promised she would send the photos our way soon.

He was really good on the drive home. A bit nervous and uncertain at first. He kept trying to get up on the dashboard, but he was a touch too big for that. He sat on Kevin for the first 30 minutes but eventually came over to me ...leaned up on me and then finally laid down and slept in my lap while I drove us home.

We let him go to the bathroom outside while I waited for Kevin to get Abby to introduce the two of them. Excitement between the two immediately occurred and Bing wanted to play. Abby being 14 wanted none of that so she did her best to evade him while trying to greet the both of us. I think it will take a while for them to acclimate to one another, but I'm sure things will be fine. I rather expected that. At least she isn't snapping at him or growling or anything. She's fairly easy-going so long as she isn't getting pounced upon. Hehehe!

He likes to play a lot. He's also very investigative. Snuffles and puffles all over the place, hence the nickname Mr. Snuffapuffagus. He knows just where the food and water is already and makes sure to get his fill. He thinks the rats are verrrry interesting to which I have to make sure I keep an eye on him so nothing bad happens. He'll learn that they are a no-no eventually. I also have to keep the cat boxes off limits because he seems to have a penchant for poo-eating. Ewww. I'll have to make sure the lickin's are kept off limits for now. I'm sure that will be rectified with diet, so again, just a time issue.

We did have a couple of potty accidents in the hallway, but I quickly told him no and took him outside. Just pee and only twice. He'll get the hang of it.

We originally wanted him to sleep on the bed with us, like Abby does but he doesn't feel 100% comfortable on furniture yet so we decided it was best for everyone if we just crated him over night so there would be no mischief (read poo or pee) on the floor overnight. He was a little sad at first, for there was a little bit of whining but he settled down and slept the whole night through without a peep.

I woke up this morning and immediately grabbed Abby and took her downstairs and outside so she could go to the bathroom. Let her in and gave her 45 minutes to eat and drink and get attention before I released Bing from the crate. As soon as I felt she was ready, I got my shoes ready and located the leash and carried him downstairs. (He's afraid of the stairs..we'll work on that.) I immediately opened the door and took him out. One long pee and a poop later and we were in the house for morning play time. He tuckered himself out with our little tug n fetch game and now he's laying on the floor by the radiator, taking a nap.

He's been taking his medicine for his eye with no problems. I encase the antibiotic in a bit of cheese and he wolfs it down. Excellent. I was a bit worried about that. His eye gets a lil crusty here and there and we have to dab it with a wet (but warm) paper towel. He doesn't like that much, so there is some resistance but it's for his own good.

I really can't understand why most folks would be so resistant or hesitant to adopting a perfectly good dog like Bing, just because he's lacking one eye. The same with many "handicapped" animals... three-legged, one-eyed, or otherwise. There's absolutely no future care involved, it's just cosmetic. It just goes to show how shallow some people can be. Do yourselves a favor and when you look for a rescue animal, be sure to consider those who aren't physically perfect. They're just as good as any other dog or cat. They want your love and care and don't ask for anything more than that. Adopting Bing is the best decision we could've made!