Timber on TV

Last week, CTV did a short piece on their evening news about our amazing Timber. Luckily, Kat Horne (a friend) recorded and placed the piece on YouTube so we can share it with friends who missed it. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ch-7qwGHUY 

Katie comes home!

A few months ago, we decided it was time to begin the process of adding another dog to our family. We chose one of the wonderful dogs that were available for adoption at our local SPCA. Two days later, they phoned and told us we could come in and bring Timber to meet the new dog.

Two wonderful gals arranged for Timber to meet his future sister in a large pen where the dogs could play together. Unfortunately, the older dog we had chosen was not too happy with our exuberant and playful Timber. The gals then brought out a second older dog, which also wasn’t keen on Timber. We were ready to give up and wait for another dog to become available when one of the girls said, “What about Katie?” So, a few minutes later, out came Katie, also young (almost 2) and playful, and a perfect match for Timber!

A special big hug goes out to the two wonderful gals who took the time and had the patience to match us up with the perfect dog. I would like to advise anyone who is adopting a dog to allow the experts to help choose a dog that is right for their family.

Needless to say, the two dogs are amazing together. They run around the back yard chasing one another and playing with toys for an hour, then drink a gallon of ice water, go pee and then start all over again!

Inside they also play, but mostly wrestling and playing tug-of-war rather than running a lot. And, then there’s a down time when they are too tired to play, so they just lick one another’s ears and snuggle, usually lying on their backs with all eight legs stuck up in the air!

Katie is doing very well. She peed in the house five times on the first day, so we decided to begin using the house training techniques we have successfully used on puppies. Over the next two days, she peed inside only once. Today, she is doing great, completely trained; the only thing we need to perfect now is teaching her how to let us know when she wants to go out.

The first two nights we dragged her crate up to our bedroom where Tim sleeps on a soft fluffy bed on the rug. She slept quietly and peacefully both nights. On the third night, we decided to try her sleeping on her soft fluffy bed (identical to Timber’s) beside him on the floor (No crate). Total Success! She slept all night and no accidents!

We are just thrilled with Katie. She is extremely lovable and gives us a thousand kisses a day. She walks up to me every hour or so when I’m at my computer to get a few pets and hugs. She shares herself with her two humans and her brother and we already love her very much. And, I know she loves us too!

Timber also thanks everyone at the SPCA; not just for the wonderful kindness and love you gave him while he was in your care, but also for taking the time and patience to help Katie overcome her past and become the sweet and lovable girl she is today.

Timber - The Service Dog

Meet Timber! This photo was taken at the SPCA shortly after we met him. He was found in a wooded area almost starved to death. He was only 8-9 months old.

Timber, a Huskador (Husky and Golden Labrador mix), has been with us since September 2007, and has grown into an incredible, mature dog with excellent manners. The days of chewing stuff and barking madly at everything that moved seem to be behind us.

He gained ten pounds in only three months; you can no longer see the outlines of his ribs. Tim is very gentle and loving with everyone he meets. He is finally comfortable driving in the car and now trusts us that we will not abandon him. He often travels with us on weekend get-a ways and camping, and befriends everyone he meets – human, canine, and even a llama. Timber loves his crate (also his toy box) when we go out for a couple of hours and trusts that we will return.

What may come as a surprise, Timber has become a reliable service dog. John has occasional seizures and Timber has learned to predict their onset and provide about a two to three minute warning. He frantically whimpers and nudges John until he responds, and then guides him upstairs to where I am. Timber then lies beside him until he wakes up.

My partner, John, and I want to say thank you very much to our local SPCA for allowing us to adopt Timber. For everyone wanting to add a dog to their family, please know that rescue animals are not simply discards. Rather, they are phenomenal, loving animals, desperately in need of a second chance at life.

A Bit about Me

I am a self-educated portraitist, visual artist, forensic artist (retired), illustrator, art educator and author.

In 2002, I retired from my twenty-five year career as a forensic artist, to pursue a new career as an author of educational drawing books and electronic publications. I am currently writing and illustrating my third book, as well administrating and writing curriculum for my website, http://www.drawspace.com/.

Noteworthy publications include:

• Drawing for Dummies (March 4, 2003): Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., New, York, NY.
  
• The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Drawing People (August 2004): Published by Alpha - Pearson Education – Macmillan, Indianapolis, IN.