Meet Luci...Our Foster-pup!

A little more than a week ago, I stumbled across an adult dog whose Mama was looking for a home for her. I would love to provide "foster care" for critters, but...we weren't so sure that was for us. Something about this girl and her situation tugged at my heart...A few PMs and emails later, we were scheduling transport of "terrier" Luci.

It takes a few days for everyone to get to know everyone else, but the first night was a great indicator that things were going to be just fine.  We had the typical lip curls, growls, a few teeth-gnashings, and many more introductions than you see here!  She sniffed at the back of Shasta's leg, and made tracks in a big hurry when that hoof came up off the ground!

For the most part, she got along with everyone...not everyone was ready to accept her though...  Jasmine isn't quite as gentle with the kitties as Luci is.  Luci approaches them slowly and cautiously...waits for acceptance, and doesn't quite understand if they growl at her!  A week has made a lot of difference in that category! Most of the kitties have become friendly with her in that week, and she and Jasmine have just about worked out all the kinks about who's Alpha...they're sharing. And they actually do share.  They both want the same place in the bed at night...Jasmine gets it to start with, and if she gives it up, it's fair game.  They both get to sleep on the bed.  They both get treats.  They both get to pre-wash plates. It keeps them content.

After considerable research, I've determined Luci is predominately General Schnauzer...making her the in-between size.  Not a small dog, but not a moose either.  She's about 17 inches at the shoulder...her nose just clears the top of the coffee table, which brings up some minor house-manners issues.  She's responding well to the reminders, she doesn't like the "Mama" tone.  We also discovered she had developed a bit of "follicular dermatitis" which is so common it's expected in Schnauzers.  It's so easy to treat, we've knocked that down already.  Schnauzers are so susceptible to this ailment that it could have been triggered by something as simple as change in her diet, or the hay in the back of the car on the trip home, or even the change from outside kennel to in and out.  Like I said, it was quickly solved.  Now, we're working on mats.  She loves that so much I only torture her for short periods.  Poor honey!  She'll be visiting a groomer soon (as soon as I get past pay-day!) for a Schnauzer cut...left a bit long for winter comfort...although she pants so much, she might be okay without all the extra!  We can always put a toddler sweater on her!

We only had one worrisome episode...she chases the chickens...and came away with a mouthful of Mama Banty hen's feathers.  Everyone is okay.  I think it's because they ran.  She was trying to meet the rooster the other night, and gave chase when he ran.  He went over the fence, but Mama Banty still has Peep with her.  She'd die before letting anything get to Peep.  Obviously, this will require a bit of work.  Since Luci wasn't overly concerned about the chickens once they were in their pen and not running from her, I think this is a reasonable expectation.  Time to work with baby chicks and a water pistol. It's a great passive training tool!  We need to increase and replace some of our flock this year regardless.  I'll be interested in Buff Orpingtons (have rooster...), Marans (love the BIG dark brown eggs!), and some banties. I think having babies in the house will give Luci a chance to learn about them from start to pen.  After that, she'll be fine.