| MEET: STEWIE |
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| STATE: CT
AGE: 3 years DOB: 8-2005 WEIGHT: 57 lbs SEX: Male NEUT/UTD: Yes/Yes COAT COLOR: White DOCKED TAIL: Yes CROPPED EARS: No CHILDREN UNDER 4: too jumpy CHILDREN OVER 4: Yes SEPARATION ANXIETY: No OTHER DOGS: Yes CATS: Yes CRATE TRAINED: Yes HOUSE TRAINED: Yes LEASH TRAINED: No OBEDIENCE TRAINED: Learning MICROCHIPPED: No ADOPTION FEE: $300 |
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| NOTE ** Because of my hearing impairment, I will only be placed in a home where someone is home often, such as retired, work at home, work opposite shifts, stay at home parents, etc. |
| UPDATE 5/16/10 - Stewie is the greatest dog ever! He shares our home with me, my husband, two other dogs and until recently, two cats (one went on to the bridge in January). I can't believe it's been a year since he came home. When he first got here, it was just him and Rosie (our beloved boxer Nando had passed on to the bridge about 6 months prior). Rosie was adopted from SCBR back in 2002. Right from the start, they hit it off, mainly because Stewie is such a gentleman. With Rosie, he was kind, deferential and a little bit scared (that's how Rosie likes 'em!)
Then, in November, his world changed again - Chris found Daisy roaming around downtown Bridgeport. We searched for her owners, but in the end, it seemed obvious she had been dumped. Oh well, someone else's loss. Stewie was very excited about a new sister! We call them Frick and Frack. They sit on the chair together and snuggle every night, they play like crazy in the house. It's only outside that Stewie lets the two girls be alone (they run around like maniacs in the yard, while Stewie likes to hang inside with me while I work.) When Stewie first arrived, we weren't able to find a trainer who knew anything about deaf dogs, but with Daisy's arrival, we knew we'd have to improvise, and do something! Stewie has always been well mannered, although he has a penchant for counter-surfing if we don't stay on top of the discipline (which involves mainly squirting with a water bottle and shaking our head "no"). So when our trainer came, she ended up working with the whole crew (it had been years since Rosie did any formal training, and she really like showing off for her brother and sister). The other two fell right in line, and now all three are well behaved, sweet, loving dogs. OK, I will tell one tale out of school -- yesterday (Stewie's one year anniversary), I went out to dinner with some friends, and Chris was still out when I left. I guess Stewie was angry that I hadn't made a bigger fuss about his anniversary, because when Chris got back, Stewie had indeed surfed the counter, and found the one thing that he felt he deserved -- my PAYCHECK. When Chris came home, it was shredded. Next year, I'll remember to buy a gift. All in all, our blessings from SCBR have been huge! First Rosie, and now Stewie! Thank you all for all you do. We are so grateful! UPDATE 11/15/09 - Wow - I can't believe it's been six months since we picked up Stewie! He has made us laugh every day. Right now he is lounging in bed with his dad, watching HGTV (his favorite). Actually, anything he does with his dad is his favorite. Dad is a HERO! When my husband walks outside to do yardwork or wash cars, Stewie will jump up on the bench at the kitchen table and just rest his head forlornly on the windowsill until Chris comes back. It's WAY better when Chris lets Stewie "help." He is definitely a "guy's guy". During the week, when Chris is at work, I serve as an ok surrogate. I work at home, and he will literally crawl up in my lap while I write. I swear his head weighs about 50 pounds. but the vet tells me otherwise. If his whole body weighs 75 lbs, I guess his head can't be 50. Stewie likes to think he is a lap dog, despite his formidable size. Stewie has learned some passable leash manners (we still work on that every day!), but he LOVES to go for walks. When he sees the leash coming out, he jumps around the kitchen and smiles (yes -- he has an enormous smile). He still likes to pull on the leash from time to time, but keeping a stash of his favorite treats on hand when we walk usually minimizes that. His counter surfing is getting much better, but sometimes we forget to put everything away, and he reminds us by eating, say, a dollar bill off the counter. My favorite Stewie moment was when he greeted Chris coming out of the shower with a mouthful of paper money - he had snatched Chris' wallet off the kitchen table. Since then, Chris has been very well trained. :) He and Rosie seem to be "secret friends". In front of us, they both display an aloofness, that would indicate they don't really care for one another. But when we come home they are pressed up against one another on the side of their respective crates. Rosie also likes to "check on him" when Stewie is still sleeping, so I know she likes having him around - I just wish she was a little more gentle with him, but Rosie just isn't the gentle type. Stewie's deafness has really become a "non-issue" for us. We talk to him just like we talk to Rosie, and we sign with both of them, really without even thinking about it. What we thought was going to be this big hurdle is just another trait that we have adapted to. All in all, Stewie is a bright light in our lives. Thanks again, SCBR for Stewie and Rosie! UPDATE 8/17/09 - My little (or not really little at all) deaf white boy is sleeping at my feet right now. He has adjusted so well to our home, and has made friends (both 2- and 4-legged) all around the neighborhood. Never having had a deaf dog before, I find it so interesting that he rarely lets us out of his sight, and he doesn't like new things in the house/yard. It's upsetting to him if I park my car in the driveway, because he can see it, and the balance is upset. But I only have to walk over with him to see that it's ok, and there are no threats nearby, and he's back to his happy-go-lucky self. He and Rosie are getting better together, or I should say Rosie is getting better at letting Stewie be Stewie. Initially she would get mad at him if he got too much attention, or if he decided to play by himself. Now, she just kind of rolls her little boxer eyes at him ("kids!") She does try to initiate play with him outside, but he's still a little gun-shy (she was a little rough with him at first). He's getting more manageable on lead - we bring lots of treats on our walks! And although we're still working on a couple of bad habits (he likes to eat toilet paper off the roll!!!!???? and he's sometimes a thieving counter-surfer), they're becoming less and less frequent, as he knows the squirt bottle of water is nearby. He is definitely a creature of habit -- he knows that breakfast is right after we go outside to do our business in the morning, and if I'm lollygagging around the garden too much, he let's me know it's breakfast time. And he knows dinner is at 7, so around 6:40, he starts talking to us, and hopping around a bit (very cute). Every day we tell him he's early, and sometimes he's even early for being early! All in all, Stewie is a bright spot in our lives, and we are so grateful to SCBR for him, and for Rosie, who has now been with us for 7! years. 5/15/09 - Stewie has been adopted! 5/5/09 - Stewie arrived here in CT after a busy weekend, but this boy is the most adaptable dog I have had the opportunity to work with. He just goes with the flow, be it car rides, new dogs to play with , strangers coming and going, taking him here and there. He is just happy to be with you and with friends to play with dog or human. He responds quickly to signs and Stewie knows sit, come, walk, hi, his name and good boy and one we. He would be a wonderfull companion for human and another dog. He is sweet, loving, gentle and at the same time has lots of energy and very playful. He is just a delight to foster and I know he is going to find the right person who can't wait to make him a part of their lives. You won't be sorry.....Stewie is a doll. 5/3/09 - Stewie is back with us in rescue. Changes are hard enough on dogs, imagine being a deaf one. Sad for them... lucky for you!!! He's back!!!! 4/18/09 - Stewie has left the building!! Stewie's new Dad just left with him about an hour ago. Stewie was a complete gentleman for his new Dad. He hopped in Bob's SUV and never looked back. Justin and I got a little choked up watching them leave but he's going to have an awesome life! He's going to have 2 skin brothers (11 & 16) and they want to adopt another young pup in a few months once Stewie gets settled in. Bob already has a special trainer lined up for obedience classes too! I'm so excited and sad at the same time! 3/26/09 - Hello! Stewie here...wow, it’s hard to believe I've been in rescue for about 4 months now! Time flies when you are having fun! Foster Mom and Foster Dad (FM & FD) are a lot of fun but I still wish for a forever home to call my own. Especially if it has a yard with a fence and another dog for me to play with. And I'm pretty easy going so it doesn't matter if that other dog is a yorkie or a great dane! I love them all!! And I like cats too...but the ones I live with right now think I'm too big to play with. (Geesh, you slip and step on their tail ONE TIME and that's it!! They think they are SOOOO perfect! lol) Since the last time I wrote I have graduated from the crate for short periods of time!! Its pretty cool! If FM needs to leave for a couple hours she will let me stay out of the crate, but if she plans on being gone for most of the day I still have to go in it, but I LOVE it when I get to stay out! I usually just lay on the rug in front of the sliding glass door and soak up all the sun! I know that certain things are off limits, like the trash can! I also love my toys! I will play with every type of toy that you give me! And I LOVE to play catch! If you throw a treat or toy in the air I can catch it in my mouth ALMOST every time! Not to brag or anything but I'm getting pretty good! FM takes me to the dog park once a week or so and I have so much fun! I get along with all the dogs. Oh and I met a 2 year old little girl the other day. She gave me a treat, and I made sure to take it very gently from her hand. I was a very good boy around her but FM wouldn't let me get too close...she said I might knock the little girl over with my big wiggle butt! I just wanted to check her for more treats, I wouldn't bump into her on purpose! FM says I would still do best with older children - ones that I couldn't knock over so easily. Come to think of it, it would be pretty awesome to have a forever-family with kids! I love kids! (They usually give me food!!) Did I mention I'd do ANYTHING for a treat?! As long as you work with me and show me the hand signal I'll do anything. Oh and I also love to cuddle! I'm trying to cuddle with FM right now on the lazy-boy but she doesn't leave me much room!! LOL But that's ok because I can curl up and still squeeze right in! I don't know what FM means when she says I'm too big to be a lap dog...I'm totally comfortable laying on her lap! Well, I guess that's it for now, but if you are reading this and looking for a good snuggler, I'm your guy! Put your application in now and I'll prove it to ya! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here are some links to Stewie's YouTube debute! This boy just cracks me up - Enjoy! Stewie & Joey (my previous foster) playing Tug-o-War! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GRnwPHk-nQ Stewie "Going Crazy" -- This is me giving Stewie the hand signal to "go crazy" which means just that...GO CRAZY!! Stewie was being shy...but gives me a big ol' kiss in the end! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJc5Uc1lB5E ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2/2/09 - Well, Stewie has been here for just over 2 months now and has made so many changes that we don't think we even have the same dog anymore! He now knows hand signals for No, Sit, Lay-down, Move, Off (when he decides to get on the couch), Outside, Easy (when he gets a little too excited), Go-crazy (that's our sign that its OK to get excited and GO CRAZY!! lol), Stay (but still needs a little work), and the newest signal that we just learned last week...ROLL OVER!! This guy is SO food motivated he'll do just about anything for that treat!! He's gotten to the point of just automatically sitting when he sees the treats! He also knows that when the harness comes out that means go and sit by the door and wait for us. He knows that when his people start putting on their jackets and there is NO LEASH in sight, then he walks right into his crate and waits for us to close it. Don't get me wrong he still sulks and gives you those big boxer puppy eyes, hoping that we will change our minds and get the leash...lol. We feel so guilty leaving sometimes!! :0( LOL This guy is all about his routine. The other night we lost track of time and his usual 7:30 walk didn't happen...when 8:45 rolled around he just couldn't hold it anymore and he had an accident...but it was our fault! We didn't keep up on the routine...and you could tell he felt so bad about the accident! As soon as he finished he ran to his crate! He just knew he was in trouble! But we couldn't scold him!! It was our fault! So as you can see this guy has a routine and likes to stick to it! But as long as he gets food and gets to relieve himself when he needs to...he's flexible with everything else! Stewie loves car rides and has gotten a lot better about sitting for most of the ride. He has to be able to see out the windows though...not one to sleep in the car! He and my cats have come a long way too! Monroe (my female) was not happy about him being here for the 1st 6 weeks or so...but I think she has finally realized that he's deaf. They've even figured out their own "signals!" She has now started lifting a paw to tell him to back-off! Before she would just growl and hiss...he had no clue she was mad so he'd keep getting closer and then all of a sudden he'd get the claws!! But not anymore! I don't even hear the hissing and growling like I did just a week ago and she is coming out in the living room more and more now!! I'm tellin' ya this is a whole new dog...shoot, a whole new house!! (OMG they are both curled up, sleeping on the same couch right now!! TOO CUTE!!) Last night was the Super Bowl and we had plans to go over to a friends house...I spent most of the day making goodies to bring but when it came time to leave...both Justin and I just kept saying "I kinda just want to stay here and hang with Stewie!" We ended up staying until just before 1/2 time and then headed over. By then it was Stewie's bedtime and he had already crawled into his crate for bed! So we figured it was ok to leave! LOL We just love this guy! He's everything you would want in a dog, you just have to learn to communicate with him! Get your applications in for Stewie, he'll add so much more to your life than you ever expected!! (I know he has ours!) 12/22/08 - Stewie has lived in VT most of his life and came from a breeder in Canada according to his paperwork...but you would never know it by the way he freaks out at the snow!! It was in the process of snowing last night and he kept doing these 180 degree, spinning-in-the-air jumps trying to catch all the snow flakes as they came down. Justin and I were doubled over in hysterics! This dog never stops entertaining us!! 12/1/08- Hi everyone, my name is Stewie. I've been with Foster Mom and Dad for a week now and am LOVING it here! They were a little scary at 1st but now I realize that they were just trying to get me to pay attention to them. Foster Mom tells me to "look" at her and then I usually get a treat so now I look at her every chance I get...just to make sure! I really like Foster Mom and Dad! They have taught me how to sit and behave when food is around. I sometimes forget that I have to sit nicely and wait until it is my turn but I remember quickly. We are also working on reminding me that my feet don't belong on the counters. Foster Mom will shake her head and finger at me everytime I do it, so I guess I shouldn't be doing that...there's just SO many good smells up there!! But if I sit nicely I usually get a bite of something so I try my best to keep my paws on the ground! When Foster Mom and Dad aren't at home I keep myself busy in my crate. I like my crate but would prefer to be out of it, if possible. Foster Mom says I haven't quite learned the "paws on the ground" trick yet, so I have to stay in the crate when no one is home and at bed time. I don't mind, as long as I have my chewie!!Yesterday, Foster Mom and Dad took me to this big fenced in yard where I could run! I had so much fun! Then we took a long walk and I fell asleep on the way home...I was pooped! My neck kinda hurts and Foster Mom says that she is going to get me a harness for our walks because I LOVE to pull and my collar has rubbed my neck raw. :0( Since my foster home doesn't have a fence, Foster Mom says I can't get let off the leash because I will just run and run and run...I guess that's not a good thing. Mom says I should have a home that has a fence so I can run anytime I want to, which sounds AWESOME!! So I'm putting a "forever home" and a "fence" on my list to Santa this year! Foster Mom says I'm going to be neutered on Wednesday so I will stop having the urge to nibble her arm and try to get on top of her. She sounded really excited about that but, some how I don't think it's going to be much fun. I guess we'll see. I'm pretty easy going so I think it will all work out just fine. Foster Mom also says that me getting neutered is the last step before I'll be ready to go to my forever home! Which really sounds like fun! I just hope my forever home has a fence and another dog for me to wrestle and run with, because I have a lot of energy to use up. Well, I think that's all for now. Paws crossed that the whole "neutering" thing turns out good!! I'll let you know... -Stewie |
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