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Judith & Gary & Ginger & Fred

From Foster Dogs to Permanent Residents.

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire were an online photo of two anxious-looking senior dogs the first time we saw them. We’ve always kept three or four Kuvasz dogs on our acreage here in the mountains, and had just lost two of our oldest dogs. We contacted Ginger Luke about fostering them, and she arranged for them to be transported the many miles to our house in the Olympic Mountains. They arrived tired and dirty and frightened out of their wits in a very dedicated, also tired, volunteer’s leather interior Lexus.

Fred and Ginger spent the first weeks with us in a grassy fenced dog compound, in airy dog houses with covered porches overlooking our buildings. A good place to get familiar with all the daily comings and goings to and from the garages and the house. It took a couple of weeks before they’d let us handle them and that long before we could fit them with collars and begin taking them out for dog walks. At first we had both dogs on leash and left the resident dogs home. And then one at a time we incorporated one of the resident dogs and then both so that all four dogs were getting used to one another on the trail. Then daily dog walks were either Fred or Ginger on leash and one of them free, until finally we felt confident that they felt safe enough with us that they wouldn’t run away. Fred and Ginger were inseparable, occupying the same dog house. We knew we were making progress the morning Fred and Ginger had each claimed one of the dog condos.

Fred and Ginger have become affectionate, healthy, and very strong dogs. They were both pretty wobbly when they first arrived, but Ginger has discovered that she likes to compete with our pup for ball chasing. It’s all up and down here in the mountain foothills – at first Ginger could barely get around steadily, now she’s so conditioned she can regularly get to the ball before the youngster dog. Fred likes to chase squirrels, and although he has an arthritic shoulder, he can move out now too when he’s inclined.

Fred and Ginger were most likely city dogs, or backyard dogs possibly - they hadn’t a clue about life in the forest. They tripped over logs and were afraid of our small stream. Now they wade in and drink. They’re amazingly responsive to our voices – none of the dogs are allowed to chase animals when we’re out walking - and Fred and Ginger will turn on a dime to return when called. They’ve learned the basics of leash work, to heel and sit, and we’re satisfied with that. They’ve learned about horses, how to be “out” of horse area when asked. How not to chase when the horses are running and playing.

Fred and Ginger are allowed to be out of sight for short times now, but must respond to a whistle within a minute or so. If it takes too long for them to get back then they spend time in the dog compound together. If it happens too often, then one is rotated in and the other out every couple of hours for a day or two. Being “stay home” is paramount here. They’re still a work in progress, as are all of our animals no matter the age. They like being good dogs, and we’re glad that we are able to give them some additional good years. They’re definitely part of the family.

Ginger Luke is doing such a service for abandoned animals.

Thanks,
Jude & Gary