Shelby & Jacket Arrive at Golden Pines

 It's the holidays and I have a arms length list of things that are keeping me busy. One thing the past few weeks has been the arrival of Shelby and Jacket. 

I was first asked to consider a hospice boy named Vaughn from the Golden Retriever Rescue. But a day or so later before he was supposed to come, there was a change in plans. The Foster Home Coordinator called and asked if we'd consider taking a 17 year old girl, named Shelby instead. Of course I agreed to the switch. A little later came another phone call asking if we would also take Shelby's brother from another Mother, a 10 year old Black Lab named Jacket. What's one more dog, right? So I agreed to that too. So, on Saturday, November 21, after traveling more than 200 miles, Shelby and Jacket arrived at Golden Pines.

~On the way to Golden Pines~

This duo came from a shelter in southern Virginia. Their original owner had a stroke and the two were rehomed. And when that owner couldn't keep them, he took them both to the shelter - full of fleas and "other things" that dogs should never have on their coats and skin. Both were also not in the best of health, and have just finished antibiotics, and steroids. However, Shelby is still on doxycycline for Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis. 

Shelby is absolutely delightful! I don't think she's 17 years old (an unheard of age for a golden) She has fit into the household and the routine really easily. All the dogs like her just fine. She's very overweight, and has problems getting to her feet and moving around. I've put her on a pain medication that has really helped, and she's willing to go outside on her own now, and doesn't need so much coaxing. Shelby is pretty picky with her food, but she loves green beans, so we're giving her plenty of those with her meals. 

~Shelby on her first day with us, tired and not feeling so well~

Jacket, or Jack as we're calling him is another story. He's about 10 years old, and is a really handsome Lab. He's eager for attention and friendly and does as we ask of him. He's also wonderful with Shelby and our girl Sophie. But Sunny and Charlie for whatever reason, he doesn't like at all and has attacked them both. He's not hurting them, (thankfully!) and the fights are easily broken up. But Sunny and especially Charlie being seniors, are easily knocked off their feet and do not fight back. Jack just has to see Sunny and he reacts to him. Because of that, we're not allowing him to interact with Todd at all, so we are keeping Jack separated from the group. As you can guess, Todd being a terrier is a fierce fighter, and I don't want to take any chances and risk him or someone getting injured.  

~Jacket or Jack as we call him~

Of course I am very concerned about all of this and I have my worries about Jack in the long-term as far as his and even Shelby finding a new forever home. But right now, I'm willing to stay the course and see where it takes all of us. 

~Taken yesterday - trust me, Shelby does have an inner smile!~