Rubykins, the (Supposed) Mastador

A few months ago we encountered this awesome rescue organization the gets cats and dogs from kill shelters (mostly from California) and works their damnedest to find them forever homes. We met them in the local Petsmart during an adoption event. We almost adopted this adorable terrier mix pup who was just over two months old. As hard as it pulled at my heart strings Collin and I were able to say no and walk away. Also, we knew that we truly wanted a large breed dog for our first dog, and the adorable snuggle bug we saw wouldn't get much bigger than twice the size of our kitty.

Every now and again I would check the site of the rescue organization (if you're considering adopting, please, check them out here - OFOSA) to see who they had in there kennels waiting for homes. Commonly they tend to get small breeds.

In mid-July I knew they were going to be making a rescue trip down to Bakersfield to collect a bunch of dogs/puppies. As I scrolled through the heart melting faces I found this one:

In an instant, I was in love. Then I read her details and I knew I couldn't not meet this gorgeous girl. I sent the link to Collin and he thought I was playing some sick joke on him. This adorable monster was just over four months old and they listed her breed as a Mastiff Lab mix. Holy freaking dream. I mean, we are talking planetary alignment here. These are the two breeds we most wanted to find for our first dog, and the fact she was a puppy to boot meant we knew we wouldn't be fighting an uphill battle with her adjusting to a toddler and a cat.

In the same second that I fell in love with her my mind flashed through a million images of her and the tiny human growing up together. That's just the way my mind works.

Collin called the shelter and told them we wanted to meet her. We filled out the adoption application, faxed it in and then I left early to get the demon child from daycare. The moment we saw this awkward leggy pup in the flesh we knew she was meant for greatness, and that greatness would be with us.

Since she had just completed her intake they informed us that we couldn't actually take her home for seven days. They do this to insure that the animals they adopt out are healthy and clean. We were more than okay with this as it gave us the opportunity to get things set up for her homecoming. She was mistakenly listed as Rosie on their site, but the name didn't fit for us. We talked over options with the kiddo (we all knew who's dog she would really be) and none of them made her happy. As we left the shelter I remembered that I forgot to have Collin sign the application; he ran back in to do so. I sat with an over excited toddler who kept asking why her puppy wasn't in the car. When he came back out he told us that "her name" was actually supposed to be listed as "Ruby." We all agreed that it suited her perfectly.

A few days later (and two days before we were expected to pick her up) the shelter called. Ruby had contracted Parvo. Think of it as the flu, but like chicken pox in the fact that once contracted (and survived) the dog cannot contract it again. Parvo is a serious issue, but (like the vet tech told me) it shouldn't be a death sentence for a dog. It attacks their lymph nodes and organ tissues and causes vomiting and diarrhea. When they called and told us my heart shattered into a million pieces for this tiny (not tiny) baby. She was already malnourished when they brought her in and this just decimated her body. They already started an aggressive treatment of blood plasma transfusion, IV fluids and anti-nausea meds. They asked us if we would still want her - assuming she survived - to which we adamantly replied yes. They promised to send updates and photos. One of the photos we received is below:

  She was skin and bones, but she was starting to come around. Thankfully, a few days later (August 3rd to be exact) she was healthy enough to come home. She lacked quite a bit of energy as her body fought to recover and rebuild. She was also a finicky eater at first (but I am glad to say we got her transitioned away from any people food and onto just dry kibble).

Her and the girl have bonded beautifully and we commonly have to remind the human child that the newest furry child doesn't have quite as much energy as her since she has a lot of growing to do in the next year and a half. They estimate she will weigh in around 100 pounds once full grown. She was maybe twenty pounds of skin and bones when we brought her home. At five months she is about the height of a medium sized dog and is commonly mistaken for a pit bull because of it (which I don't care because pits are some of the sweetest dogs in the world). I am interested to see if the vet confirms her breed mix or says something different. Everything about her says lab/mastiff, but you never know, and I really couldn't care either way. I love this goofy pup with all my heart.

Now here's a bunch of pictures from the last three weeks!

First day home. 

Snuggles with her daddy. (those paws!!)

 Playing outside, a few days - a week after coming home. (her coat is puppy soft, totally throws a bunch of people when they meet her thinking she's an adult)

There's a happy pup. She settled in real quick. 

Two weeks after bringing her home we set off on an epic road trip to and from Omaha. She did AWESOME. (in a future post I will share how I made this trip go as smoothly as possible with a toddler, a puppy and a husband)

 Watching the thunder storms in Omaha get closer (I called this one "A Girl, Her Giraffe and Her Dog") 

Pit stop on the way back to Portland. Water break!

Tonight, her rawhide chew fell off the couch, but she couldn't quite trouble herself to get all the way down to get it. 

Friday, her and I have a date with the vet to get weighed, her rabies vaccination (she was just a bit young when we got her and I can't wait for her alteration appointment next month which is provided as a part of her adoption fee once she is of age and in her case put on some much needed weight [which she has]) and a nail trim. This is all in preparation of official training starting on Saturday, 

We are all going to be taking the 6 week beginner training class with her. And when I say all I mean all. Collin, munchkin and I will all be attending the classes so that Ruby knows to listen to ALL of us the same. The trainer (thru Petsmart) is a big advocate for this and I 110% agree. What good is training if the animal only responds to one person? I'm sure there will be some frustrating moments, just like with the toddler, but Ruby is smart as sin. She is already housebroken, understands sit, stay and gets come and lay down when she wants to. 

I will be sure to share more of Rubykins' and Tiny Human's adventures as they grow together!