Well, I can’t lie. It’s been the best week with our new pup Rawlings. Everyone is settling in and we’re learning our new normal. It’s been a wild ride but the love we are met with every morning is parallel to none. I gushed all about her and our new little family yesterday, but today it’s time to hear someone else’s story. Meet Indy, this week’s Rescue Confessions spotlight! I’ve known Indy’s mom almost since I started this project. She’s another blogger that whips up the most mouth-watering appetizers ever at The Jolly Hostess. Highly recommend giving her a follow for your next party planning inspo!
So let’s meet her pup, shall we?
Alana’s Turn:
Tell us about your rescue! Name, age, breed, species??
Our rescue love is Indy Draco Rhodus and he goes by Indy Poo Poo, which he obviously is all about. He is a year-and-a-half Black Lab mix, with Australian Shepherd and a little Pit Bull (we think).
Where did you two first meet?
We first met Indy when he was at Anti-Cruelty Society. He was separate from the other dogs because he had just completed a heartworm treatment. My fiancé and I saw him online and are so thankful that we asked to see him since he wasn’t in the kennels. He was a happy, stocky guy with short legs and the cutest puppy face.
Why did you decide to pursue adoption?
I’ve been wanting to rescue a dog for around 7 years but knew that my lifestyle wasn’t a good fit for a dog. My sister rescued a dog around that time because she was over men (!!!) and I got to see how happy and fulfilled Lily made my sister. Once my busy lifestyle slowed down and I moved in with my fiancé, we knew it was the right time to share responsibilities and start taking care of something together.
We decided to adopt because so many rescue dogs need a home. Additionally, I had read that there is something called Black Dog Syndrome, which means black dogs don’t get adopted as quickly as other dogs. So, we knew we wanted to give a forever home to a dog that needed one and that he/she needed to be black too.
How did you know they were “the one” (or two, or three!)?
It was so easy to fall in love with Indy. As we started to play with him, I got down on one knee and he looked right into my eyes and licked my cheek. Then, he looked at my fiancé, who was sitting on a bench and jumped up to put his front legs right on his lap. We immediately looked at each other and said, “do you want to get him?!”. The answer was “yes!”, of course!
What advice do you have for someone who is deciding whether or not to adopt?
DO IT! Okay, let me take a step back. Not only will you be helping to get a dog out of a shelter, but you have the best surprises waiting for you when you adopt. The dogs available are usually a mix of breeds which means he/she will have lots of different characteristics. You’ll have a one of a kind!
For example, Indy’s demeanor is 100% lab. He loves people/other dogs, thinks he’s a lap dog and is very loyal. At the same time, he has a protective quality and muscularity of a pit bull. Indy is a bit of a barker, but he’s trying to protect his family, so we don’t want to totally change that behavior. Also, I call him our little football player because when he plays with his best friend, Beau, he’s like a charging bull (hello, muscles!), running around like crazy and trying to steal away Beau’s stick. And lastly, he’s food motivated and easy to train like an Australian Shepherd (and cuddly when he wants to be too!). The fact that he’s a rescue makes him the most diverse in our family.
At the same time, knowing that you may not be 100% on what you are going to get, be prepared to take time and get to know your dog once you adopt. There may be additional training needed or an adjustment in how you are around him/her. However, dogs are resilient and with time, they will get used to their new forever home.
PS Elin and I live in a high rise and we knew a puppy was not the best match for us. Since we got Indy when he was a year old, we knew his size and his demeanor and that they wouldn’t change too much. I would highly recommend this if you aren’t game for too many surprises (or accidents in the elevator!).
Anything else you’d like to share (favorite dates/stories/lessons learned)?
It was a very different experience adopting Indy because he was heartworm positive. At first, we were scared that meant that we couldn’t adopt him – and I almost cried! – but we knew we needed to find out more information. We talked to the vet and he explained that the biggest difference with Indy’s current state was that we couldn’t allow him to get too riled up or excited. Indy had a treatment that killed all the worms around his heart, but there were still remnants of them. If his heart started to beat too fast, the worm remnants could harm his heart. So, we understood that we would need to take it very easy.
We brought Indy back after 6 weeks to have him tested again and he was heartworm free! If he had tested positive, then Anti-Cruelty would have repeated the treatment. Moving forward, we will keep Indy on monthly preventative medicine and have the vet check him annually. but he could resume his normal activity levels. Almost a year later, and he is still healthy and without any heartworm scares!
If you find out that the dog you want to adopt has heartworm, know that it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t adopt him/her. Take some time to get the facts, make sure you can financially support it and go from there. If he/she has already won your heart and the treatment is in your means, then there’s really no reason why you won’t be able to bring him/her home!
Indy’s Turn:
Favorite toy:
My fox and skunk squeaky toys that don’t stand a chance. I ate the squeaker out of the fox, but I still love chasing him around and playing tug of war with him.
Most impressive trick:
Get in your bed, sit, paw, in that order every time because I know I’ll get a treat.
Least impressive trick:
Mom is working on “let’s party” with me. When I get to the door, I am sometimes so excited to see my family that I run in a small circle until Mom opens the door. Then mom says, let’s party! And I don’t know what she’s talking about, so I just look at her. I’m sure I’ll pick up on it soon since there are treats involved!
I will do anything for:
Full Moon Human Grade Chicken & Sweet Potato Dog Treats. It tastes just like jerky!
Tennis balls or squirrels:
Squirrels are so confusing; how do they disappear so quickly near a tree?! And I love all tennis balls that aren’t mine.
Tennis balls or squirrels:
If it doesn’t make a noise, I am over it.
My favorite place:
Definitely the couch. Especially when I can stretch out all the way and both my mom and dad are there.
It drives my mother the craziest when…
I really have to go out (because I want to play, duh) and they just started dinner. I find that if I paw them enough and try to stand on their legs, then they give in and we get to go out.
Likes to dress up? (Prove it!)
Oh yes. But only for Halloween. My most popular costume to date is when mom and dad dressed me up as Indiana Jones because he’s my hero. We won honorable mention!
I remember when Alana messaged me about Indy and wanting to bring him home. I was so excited for her and I knew Indy was going to be one happy and loved puppy.
xoxo,
Christine
That’s our granddog!! He is really the sweetest and we are so in love with him! We have 2 rescue dogs of our own (of course:)
Awww lucky you!! He’s a handsome and happy man, and I can tell that he is so loved. I’m happy to hear he’s got some fellow rescue cousins (uncles?!) to hang out with too! Thanks for reading!