Should I cage Brandie and the pups?

December 23, 2012

With the family arriving tomorrow morning, the question still remains.  What to do with Brandie and her pups?  How would she react with lots of people in my house. She's not used to it.

That morning I went to Cartimar in Pasay and looked for an affordable and folding cage for Brandie. I didn't find one that fits my requirement.  Either, it costs a fortune or too small.  I decided against the cage.

I went to our family home and looked for some leftover wire fence. I was planning to put Brandie and her pups in my workshop and block the entrance with the wire fence.  They are already used to this area. They hide and sleep there. I  just don't know how would they react to the wire fence.

Side story:  While waiting for the jeepney, I saw a white female dog on the other side of the street trying to cross towards my side.  She has just given birth based on her swollen and sagging chest/stomach.  She reminded me of Brandie.  After a few minutes, she still couldn't cross it.  I decided to help her.  I walked to the other side and stopped the ongoing traffic so the mom dog could cross.  Then she looked at me as if thanking me, and then walk northwards.  Maybe that's where her pups are.  :)

At home, I measured and cut to size the wire fence in my Workshop entrance and installed it.  Then I put Brandie and her pups in it.  It was a riot! Chaos! The pups were crying and Brandie was trying to jump the fence! They wanted to be free again.  Walking, running, sleeping in the carport and the balconies like what they have accustomed to doing.

They love my workshop.  They like hiding there, sleeping there.  What they don't like is being fenced in there. 

I conceded.  This was not gonna work. I let them out.

I thought of putting the pups in the kiddie pool/laundry area, where I bath Brandie and her pups.  That too, didn't work.  The pups were wailing  as if they were being slaughtered!

I decided that, with the 5 pups it was status quo; with Brandie, I would just put her on a leash in the farthest corner of the gate.  That way, the pups could still get to her, and she could still see us, and not feel being caged in.  

Brandie is "free" dog.  She's used to having a collar, and on a leash during her daily walks.  But being caged is not her cup of tea.

I was praying.  Hope everything would go smoothly tomorrow.

Rehoming Marius and Hachi (Part 1)

December 22, 2012

The whole family would be spending Christmas 2012 in my place.  First time I'm hosting the annual event, solo.  Problem is Brandie.  Her pups are so lovable, and the kids would surely love them.  Dunno about Brandie. How would she react?  Would she be the protective Mom?

The pups are almost 2 months now.  I decided to re-home Marius and Hachi to my neighbors.

The first night was heart breaking.  Both pups were crying the whole night.  Their 3 remaining siblings with me could hear them.  And they would cry, too.  They were all crying in unison.  As if calling each other.  Reminds me of that scene in 101 Dalmatians. Brandy, though not howling or crying, was also uneasy that evening.

I hardly slept that night.  It was as if I gave away my babies and I could  hear them crying and calling for me, "Dad!  Dad! Where are you? We wanna go home!"

The next day, I decided to take them back.  I'll just re-home them again after the holidays.  My family would be complete, as well as my 4-legged family.  :)

Hachi catching up on sleep after a restless night with my neighbor.

Marius giving me that  "Dad, how could you?" look.