Ripken's Return

It's been a learning experience, even when we thought he had a great future with a great new family, not everything works out the way you envision. Unfortunately, Ripken didn't work out in his new home. It was reported that he showed signs of aggression toward their 1 year old son and male visitors they had come into their home. When we were working and testing Ripken around children, he did not show any signs of aggression toward any of the kids that we had him around. Since I have had him back, the first night he growled at my dog Bryan, but has since been absolutely fine. He has not shown a single ounce of aggression toward people.
As I reported before, he does has crate issues if other dogs come around his crate (especially while he is eating). We have been taking special care to keep the other two dogs away from Rip while he is in his crate to avoid any of these behaviors. Ripken is totally crate trained and since we have had him back I am thrilled to report he has not had a single accident inside of the house. We have him on a strict schedule and this really has been working well. I believe he would be best with a family that do not have other pets or young children. My nieces are 8 and 7 and he was putty in their hands. My cousin's (+Rainbow Tails Rescue)  nephews are a little younger and she reported that Rip was great with them as well. He needs to have daily exercise and a fenced in back yard would be preferable. We believe he is a chocolate lab mix with possibly a bermeise mountain dog. He is approximately 8 months to a year old, he's a big puppy. His unique features are his eyes and he has his duclaws. He's a big teddy bear - goof ball that needs a loving, patient home.
If you would like to inquire about Ripken, you can email rainbowtails@hotmail.com

Ripken's Rescue

Yesterday, the 4th of July, our lovable teddy bear was adopted. He's in a new home now and has a wonderful family that will give him the awesome home he so desperately deserves.

Thinking Back

When we first picked him up from the transport, he was filthy and I remember thinking that he was a big puppy. But, his cuteness was his saving grace sometimes. When we brought him home I bathed him (twice) and groomed him. He looked like a different dog once we cared for him. His journey was a shaky one at first. We were worried because of some of his behaviors, which if you have followed his progress you are aware of how far he's come. Seeing Ripken leave with his new family made all the trials we went through worth it. All the

clothes he destroyed or ate, the electrical chords he chewed through, all the training... I know that through our trials and tribulations, seeing him behaving appropriately with new people, especially a one year old, was great.
We took this dog from a shelter and brought him into our home, in attempts to train him so that he could have a better chance with a successful adoption. His new family has been in contact with me and reported that he is a joy and adjusting well. The pictures speak for themselves as well. I am so happy for Ripken.

And here we are... 

We finally found the right home. He has a fenced in back-yard and a little human to play with. He is going to an experienced family, their previous canine companion was a St. Bernard! They reported that they have a lot of tennis balls (which Ripken absolutely loves) so I am confident that he is happy, healthy, and secure.

People have questioned "How can you do that?" In reference to letting go of the dogs. It's simple for me really. I knew from the start the goal, to foster shelter dogs so that they can have the chance to acclimate to a home environment to give them a better chance of a successful adoption. Seeing them go to their new families is a happy experience. We gave these dogs this chance, otherwise they may have never of been adopted.
To all the families out there that have adopted rescue or shelter dogs - Thank You!!