We've had quite an adventure (happy and sad) with dogs recently. First we adopted a big dog named Gage who was a beautiful mix of German Shepherd and Great Dane. We really enjoyed him. Quite a peaceful and gentle big dog. But he had some surprises for us. He escaped from our grip on three different occasions, causing us to call the sheriff's department as well as the police. Each time we got him back he was just fine, as if he'd had some fun and was now ready to come back home and settle down! He also frightened us by almost biting a young boy who was visiting and who did not provoke any aggressive behavior. It was odd, because he was always very loving towards us. Perhaps he was trying to protect us, or perhaps this young boy reminded him of someone else who had been cruel to him.

We had to return him to the humane society shelter due to fears he might attack someone in our home. Very sad, but too much of a risk. The shelter does not give refunds, but they will make exchanges. So now we have Roxie who is half the size of Gage and much younger. Very sweet and cuddly, but has some problems with going to the bathroom on our rugs. We are trying to get a handle on this since we really love her and understand that rescue dogs can sometimes have such problems.

Roxie only eats wet food,  per vet and shelter's suggestions (she had pelvic surgery due to being hit by a car a year ago). We crate her and take her out as soon as she leaves the crate. We also take her out before and after her 2 meals a day. We give her a treat when she does go  to the bathroom outside, and we do not punish her if she does go on the carpet. Perhaps we just need to be patient and keep doing what we are doing.


If you have any suggestions on how to help Roxie learn to
poop and pee outside, please email me at moosewinks@gmail.com. And if you have the love and space for a big teddy bear of a dog, and no small children around... contact the Maine Coastal  Humane Society about Gage in Brunswick, Maine. http://www.coastalhumanesociety.org/adopt/dogs/