From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog (Update 6)

We've all followed the journey of Flopsy, also know as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home thanks to her Foster Mom, Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors. (To read Rusty's journey from a pauper to a princess written by her Foster Mom click here.) Rusty started the next chapter of her life in January 2008 when she was adopted by her Forever Mom, Sheryl. Not only did Rusty get her chance at "happily ever after" she also got a new name! Rusty is now known as Maisie and lives with her brothers Murry and Micha. Maisie's story continues thanks to updates from her Forever Mom. (To read previous updates click here.)

May 07, 2008 - Maisie update from her Forever Mom

Wanted to share a 'first' with you, there are 2 puppy pillows in my office, and Maisie 'owns' the big one. Yesterday Murry decided he'd give it a try, and she decided to keep him company! They slept together for over an hour. And again today, they napped together. So sweet!

June 25, 2008
Returned to Boston and picked up The Gang of Three Sunday evening. They were all very happy to see me. When we got home I put the pups in the yard while I unloaded the car and Maisie was sooooo happy she was running up and down and Murry played some too. When we went to bed that night she bellied her way up to me (she usually sleeps at the foot of the bed) and put her little head on my tummy - she wanted to be close -I think she missed me.

Murry got sprayed by a skunk while I was away and the Pet Nanny cleaned him up but he was still wearing Eu d'Skunk so he went to the groomers yesterday. Maisie was looking for him everywhere in the house - I took her to the groomers to pick up him up and she kept sniffing him - I think to make sure it was him - he had 4 baths and then some aroma therapy - I had her nails done and she was fine with it.

I just came up to my office to get on the computer, and Murry does the stairs, but Maisie doesn't. She waited 5 minutes and then gave me a couple of very indignant barks to say - "Hey, remember me? I want to come upstairs too!" I am starting to teach her the stairs - just a few at a time.

To Be Continued ...

If you would like to help a puppy mill dog like Maisie and possibly win a great gift, check out our New Leash On Life XII!

From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog (Update 5)

We've all followed the journey of Flopsy, also know as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home thanks to her Foster Mom, Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors. (To read Rusty's journey from a pauper to a princess written by her Foster Mom click here.) Rusty started the next chapter of her life in January 2008 when she was adopted by her Forever Mom, Sheryl. Not only did Rusty get her chance at "happily ever after" she also got a new name! Rusty is now known as Maisie and lives with her brothers Murry and Micha. Maisie's story continues thanks to updates from her Forever Mom. (To read previous updates click here.)

April 24, 2008 - Maisie update from her Forever Mom

Now that it's almost Spring, our little girl is assuming the guise of 'Squirrel Girl' a true super hero - no squirrel too far away, too small or too high up in a tree. Squirrel Girl could leap tall buildings in a single bound (potentially), but is content to leap around the yard and stare into the trees on the off chance that there will be an up close and personal encounter.

And today, just to spice things up, we had a pair of mallard ducks (male and female) in the yard. We were going out to the car to go to the park, and fortunately, because I know how our little girl has such excellent eyesight, I had a very firm grip on her rope and had it wrapped around my hand several times, so that when she spotted the mallards, she couldn't just bound right over to them. It took me a minute to see what she was seeing. I think the ducks were eating food that had spilled from the bird feeder, but it's quite unusual for them to come up from the beach.

We've been trying something new at the park, now that we've been going there for 3 months and she knows it's safe. I used to tell everyone “don't look at her; don't say her name”. Now they are all talking to her and saying her name so that she can learn no harm comes from that. She gets those really big eyes, but is less fearful.

And, here's an example of something good coming from something that was not good. There is man at the park who carries a bag of treats for his dog, and insists on giving them out to all the other dogs in spite of being asked not to. About 3 weeks ago he gave Murry a treat that lodged in his throat. Poor Murry couldn't swallow, but he was able to breathe. People were suggesting a Heimlich maneuver, fingers down the throat, etc. I was just watching him as he was not very agitated and was trying to swallow. Then one woman came over and said she does 'energy work' with animals, and maybe she could help. I agreed and she put her hands on Murry's back, toward his tail. She gently massaged him for about a minute and then he threw up the treat and his breakfast - and was fine after that. In talking with her I learned that she is a Reiki Master - Reiki is an ancient and traditional form of energy balancing originating in Japan. Anyway, we talked about Maisie and she thought she might be able to help, so this past Monday she came over and gave her a treatment. It was easy, I just held Maisie on my lap, and she gently touched her for about 20 minutes. Maisie didn't mind, although she looked at the woman a couple of times, and then she put her head down and gave a big sigh. I wasn't sure what to expect form this, but thought it was worth trying. I was so surprised the next day when I noticed that Maisie was acting less fearful, and also seemed more relaxed. The next day we got to the park a bit later than usual, so folks were finished with their walks and just visiting at the picnic tables. I went over, and put Maisie up on the table and there were 5 men sitting at the table. I sat right in front of her and even with the men talking and laughing, she wasn't acting afraid - she didn't try to get down, and even looked around a bit at them. So on Saturday she's going to have another treatment.

The other thing that happened after this is that she initiated some play with Murry in the yard. We also had a visitor, a little schnauzer, and she was running with him and Murry a few times.

So, all good things, I think; very small steps, but all progress. Murry seems more interested in her, so that is good. The kitty really likes her, and of course, I'm madly in love with her!

To Be Continued ...

If you would like to help a puppy mill dog like Maisie and possibly win a great gift check out our New Leash On Life XII!

From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog (Update 4)

We've all followed the journey of Flopsy, also know as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home thanks to her Foster Mom, Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors. (To read Rusty's journey from a pauper to a princess written by her Foster Mom click here.) Rusty started the next chapter of her life in January 2008 when she was adopted by her Forever Mom, Sheryl. Not only did Rusty get her chance at "happily ever after" she also got a new name! Rusty is now known as Maisie and lives with her brothers Murry and Micha. Maisie's story continues thanks to updates from her Forever Mom. (To read previous updates click here.)

3/7/08 - Maisie update from her Forever Mom!

We've had some nice milestones this week.

Maisie did "sit" twice with a verbal command - When I'm handing out treats, I always ask Murry to sit, and Maisie only had to "look cute" for the first 6 weeks. Then I started pushing gently on her back end and saying "sit" and then giving her a treat. I have to say she generally seemed bewildered by the process. Anyway, one morning this week after our walk, Murry did his sit, and then when I asked Maisie to sit, she did! Then later in the day did it again! Now she seems to have forgotten, but I know she has it in her.

We were in the front yard, and they were off leash. Maisie usually just stays close to me and then I have to run up and down the yard so she gets some exercise. We'd been out for a while and a friend was walking by and we were talking over the fence, when she remarked on the dogs. When I turned around to look, Maisie was running up and down the yard - chasing Murry and then he chased her - they did this about 5 times, but as soon as she saw me looking at her she stopped. (You know from experience that she does that.) When someone knocks at the front door and Murry runs to the door, Maisie's right there with him. Of course, when we open the door, she moves back across the room to observe, but she's not hiding in a corner anymore.

Earlier this week, we were all in bed and I fell asleep reading - woke up about 3:30 AM with the light still on and noticed that the kitty was using Maisie's mid-section as a pillow. Last night we were all getting settled on the bed and Maisie rested her head on top of Murry's backside and he didn't object. (Murry can be very grumpy on the bed.) They both went to sleep like that.

So we have little bits and pieces of progress. No pressure on her - we just move forward at her pace. We just came in from doing errands and then walking and as it's raining here, we had lots of towel and blow drying. Now I'm settling in to do some work, and they are both on their "office" pillows napping.

To Be Continued ...

From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog (Update 3)

We've all followed the journey of Flopsy, also know as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home thanks to her Foster Mom, Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors. (To read Rusty's journey from a pauper to a princess written by her Foster Mom click here.) Rusty started the next chapter of her life in January 2008 when she was adopted by her Forever Mom, Sheryl. Not only did Rusty get her chance at "happily ever after" she also got a new name! Rusty is now known as Maisie and lives with her brothers Murry and Micha. Maisie's story continues thanks to updates from her Forever Mom. (To read previous updates click here.)

2/14/08 - Happy Valentine's Day From Maisie!

Hi Foster Mom & Dad - Maisie here with lots of LUV for you ! ! ! Do you remember this picture of you and me? I've had sooooo many adventures since then - and sooooo many new friends.

Mommy Sheryl takes us for lots of walks - I've met lots of dogs at the park - some are really big but they all like me. We go in the car to get to the park and I have my own crate in the back seat, right next to Murry's so we can see each other and we can look out the windows too. My little undershirt with all the hearts is just great for keeping me extra warm under my special jacket with my name on it. Murry looks very smart in his black and white jacket.

My toes are getting lots better - I get my pills three times a day and they are always covered with something yummy, so I really like to take them.

After dinner we get bones to chew on - well, Micha doesn't because he's busy taking another nap - he really sleeps a lot - when he's not watching the birds at the bird feeder - we call it Bird TV!

At bed time Mommy Sheryl puts me and Murry up on the bed - we know not to jump down. Micha jumps up and down on his own, but that's just the way kitties are. Here is a picture of us waiting for Sheryl. Micha is so silly, when we go to sleep he gets completely under the top cover - he looks like a big lump. I sleep between Murry and Sheryl - very comfy and sometimes I even snuggle up to Murry - he's my good buddy.


When we go outside he barks a couple of times and then we run around together to make sure there are no wild animals in the yard - can't be too careful, you know. Sometimes there's frozen snow so I eat the ice - it's yummy.

I'm so happy in my new home - just this week I realized that when someone walks towards me, I don’t' have to run - that it has nothing to do with me. Sometimes Mommy Sheryl calls me "Maisie Daisy" - she says that's 'cause I'm like a flower getting ready to bloom. Thanks for taking such good care of me - luvs from Maisie - and hello to all my Cairn buddies!

To Be Continued ...

From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog (Update 2)

We've all followed the journey of Flopsy, also know as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home thanks to her Foster Mom, Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors. (To read Rusty's journey from a pauper to a princess written by her Foster Mom click here.) Rusty started the next chapter of her life in January 2008 when she was adopted by her Forever Mom, Sheryl. Not only did Rusty get her chance at "happily ever after" she also got a new name! Rusty is now known as Maisie and lives with her brothers Murry and Micha. Maisie's story continues thanks to updates from her Forever Mom. (To read previous updates click here.)

1/27/08 - Progress report from Sheryl!

Some of her big accomplishments are:

• Instead of running away when it's treat time and making me put the treat down and step away, she actually comes right up to me to get it!
  
• She is providing endless entertainment for the kitty as I keep a very lightweight leash on her in the house and the kitty chases it and carries it in his mouth as she moves about.
  
• This morning when it was time to go out she came to the back door and waited while I put Murry's coat on and then I put hers on - usually I have to track her down for this.
  
• Going in and out the door is now relatively easy - she probably does it on her own about 8 out of 10 times.
  
• She is staying in whatever room we're in without me having to attach the leash to something.


• And, I think this is a big one, last evening my friends Bob and Laurel came over and Maisie was on her big cushion in the living room (the one she's on in Susan's pictures) when they knocked. I answered the door, we said hello's they came in, etc and she did not leave the cushion or the room - we went upstairs to look at some furniture and then back down to sit in the living room and she still did not leave the room! I had asked them not to look at her or pay her any attention and it seemed to be OK with her to have these strangers here.

She is very funny when poor Murry is outside trying to poop, she puts her nose right up under him - today he lost his balance - he doesn't seem to mind whatever she does.

It's snowing here today and she does love it - runs around and looks very happy - I see her and Murry showing a bit more interest in each other - very small signs, but all in the right direction. When they are in the yard alone, they tend to interact more than when I'm out there with them - I can see this when I let them out in the back yard and watch through the window.

She's a great little princess - she has such a girly walk - really just prances about and I think she likes all of us and is content here - I think at the end of the year we'll have a sociable gal who'll be comfortable with strangers. Susan gave me a book about helping shy dogs and it has some great suggestions.

To Be Continued ...

From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog (Update 1)

We've all followed the journey of Flopsy, also know as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home thanks to her Foster Mom, Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors. (To read Rusty's journey from a pauper to a princess written by her Foster Mom click here.) Rusty started the next chapter of her life in January 2008 when she was adopted by her Forever Mom, Sheryl. Not only did Rusty get her chance at "happily ever after" she also got a new name! Rusty is now known as Maisie and lives with her brothers Murry and Micha. Maisie's story continues thanks to updates from her Forever Mom.

1/5/08 - Written by Maisie's Foster Mom

Sheryl and Maisie arrived in Boston around 5:30 a.m. She called me this evening, after she had a chance to pick up Murry (Cairn) and Micha (cat) at the pet sitters house and introduce Maisie to Murry.

Let me start at the beginning. She said Maisie was a perfect angel on the plane ride home. Once they hopped a taxi and got home, she let Maisie out of the Sherpa and she did her business. They then went inside the house and to bed for a while. Later in the morning, they got up and she fed Maisie her breakfast. Sheryl left Maisie downstairs and heard her pacing, trying to figure out where Sheryl was. Sheryl called to her, but Maisie couldn't figure out the direction of her voice.

Sheryl went and picked up Murry and Micha and left Maisie at home in the crate. When she returned, she put Murry in the backyard and went back inside and got Maisie. She said they sniffed one another for a minute or two, and then lost interest. :) Sheryl said that Murry was more interested in her, since she had been gone for a week. They went inside the house and Sheryl and Murry went upstairs again to unpack. Sheryl said no more than 5 minutes later, she hears a "thump, thump, thump" and went to the stairs and there is Maisie coming up the stairs to be with them! We don't have stairs, so this is HUGE! The only other time she attempted stairs is when we were staying with Lois in July.

Sheryl took Murry and Maisie to the park for a walk, because the next door neighbor had workers outside using power tools and it was really noisy. She put Maisie in her seatbelt and Maisie did her usual rubbing her head around on the seat, getting excited to go for a ride. Sheryl said the time of day she took them is when the park is quiet, so she knew it wouldn't be too overwhelming for Maisie. Maisie, of course, loved her walks and did amazingly well, even when other dogs came up to her. She said they walked the park for 45 minutes.

Sheryl said that Maisie has claimed a "safe" corner in the house and tends to lay there most of the time. When I was talking with Sheryl, she said she had Maisie on her lap, because she didn't want Maisie to always stay in the corner.

Maisie did mark in her house twice, so I told Sheryl that when she isn't able to watch her, to put her in an enclosed area to prevent this from happening and she agreed to do this. I also suggested that she pick up the throw rugs for a little while, since there might be certain odors on the rugs that are "enticing" her to mark.

I am so pleased with how things are going!

To Be Continued ...