Kid safe!

Hope really impressed me with her polite and gentle nature with my little niece and nephew. They took her all over the house, they think all my fosters need a tour. Hope sweetly sniffed the toys they offered-and didn't seem to mind when they snatched them away, telling her the toys belonged to them, not dogs! Hope also respected their grouchy dalmation, who made it clear she was the boss, not Hope.

Hope with the kids!

Hope spent the afternoon with my little niece and nephew. I don't think her tail ever stopped wagging. She was gentle and sweet with them. What a good girl!

buddies!

Hope and Ceres, her foster sis, sharing a cuddle on the bed.

everybody SIT!

We are working on getting Hope to think of herself as part of the pack, so everyone gets some cheese when I get a nice sit from everyone...not as easy as it looks. Hope is learning "sit." But by the time the other two are sitting, and she gets around to doing it, my perfect picture opportunity is lost:(

our little couch warmer

Here is Annabel taking advantage of our built in "couch warmer"- Hope!

I am ready, are you?

The View according to Hope: Hey potential family! Hope here, or as my foster mommie calls me, "Hopey"-forgive her the baby talk, she is a crazy but loving woman! I am so settled in to family life in a multi dog and cat and kid home, you wouldn't believe it. My mom means more to me than anyone! And if I can bond with her so quickly, imagine what a faithful dog I will be for you! I got the whole house thing down pat-we eat in our special spots, we "go" outside, we play with toys, we get excited to go on walks, we cuddle ALOT, we come when mom or Annabel call our names, and we ride in the car with the wind thru our ears. My tail is my most dangerous body part, that's what mom says-because it wags constantly! My eyes are bright and alert-because I am oh so happy to be part of a family. I can't wait to be a part of a furever home. Mom thinks I could be an agility dog, obediance dog, or even a therapy dog. I guess the sky's the limit when you have come as far as I have in such a short time. Talk to you again soon!-Hope

Hope with her "pet" moose

Well, I had to get Hope a toy of her own, since bratty brother and sister keep taking all the other ones away. So Hope keeps her moose in her crate, and when she wants to play, runs and gets it. The best part is, when they aren't looking, she will zip the moose back to her crate for safekeeping. Cute!

What's going on out there???

Hope is in her "spot" at my feet while I work on the computer. She listens to her noisy foster brother and sister playing wrestle-mania in the other room. I thinks she is saying-I will stay right her while you bark and carry on, thank you very much.

The most recent update!

Hope is too tired to add to her blog. She is recovering from her spay-right now she is softly snoring away under a blanket on the couch in front of the fireplace. Hope got her nails beautifully trimmed while she was "on the table"-a pedicure during surgery, sounds good to me. Here is a picture of my little patient. Sorry Hope, while you were sleeping we had buttered popcorn and Corona!

Hope-ful for a home of her own!

Hope would love to have a family to call her own. She is an extremely loving girl who gives kisses and hugs. She sits for pets really sweetly, so kids would be fine-she is not the kind to bowl them over or run at them. Hope is fine with kitties and other dogs. She is learning to read the signs her foster sister and brother send her way-and then act appropriately. But she would be just fine as your only doggie, too. Hope is eager to please and eager to learn. She is housetrained and leash trained and a good little car rider. Hope is 2-still full of puppy wonder for the world around her, but able to 'settle' quickly for quiet times. She would do well in a household that desires a clever, happy dog- one who wants to be near you and a part of what you are doing. Hope sits/lays next to me with her tail wagging, whether I am chopping veggies, watching t.v., or working on the computer.

lap dog!

a pic I took of her on my lap, curled into a ball, head buried in my jammies-cuddle bunny:)

You mean this is all mine?!

Hope is definately not used to having her own "stuff" like her own dog bowl, crate, and toys. She practically sneaks up to her stuff, like if she goes boldly it may disappear or she will be scolded. After a few days, I am sure she will take the luxury for granted just like my spoiled dogs:)

Do you need an assistant at the computer?

Hope is happy to hang out under the computer chair while my daughter or I type away. A nice leash walk and a romp around the yard is all she needs for exercise. So, if you add a mile or a block to your daily walk, Hope will trot along happily. But if you see rainclouds and decide to watch t.v. instead, she will snuggle in with you for that too!

Hope- you are being watched!

Ceres, Hope's foster sis, is keeping a good eye on Hope. We think maybe our pretty little gsp doesn't like the competition of another beautiful girl. It's ok ladies, all the more of you to love.

I have heard about these things called "toys"

Hope loves to get ahold of the dog toys. Unfortunately, poor Hope, none have squeakers. When she manages to find the toys, Hope hoardes them around her.

look at how pretty I am!

Hope says, "I am a pretty young girl who is trying very hard to fit into a multi dog household. My favorite spot is anywhere a human is. I am not sure how to act with my foster brother and sister. They are being a little rude-taking my toys and barking at just about anything. I don't bark here, but maybe when I feel really comfortable I will learn to scare the girl scouts away like my big scary foster brother. I am trying so hard to be a good girl. I have never had much chance to prove myself before so I have shown my foster mom that I won't have accidents in the house or in my crate, I crate really well (and I feel really comfortable in there), I walk on these long walks on my leash and do pretty good, if I do say so myself. My ideal home would be one where you will let me lay at your feet, come in out of the rain and snow, and do my favorite thing ever-snuggle my head into your lap!"

Livin the good life-finally!

Well we couldn't resist Hope's story of being the only survivor of her litter and being kept as an outside dog! Pointers are meant to be spoiled in our opinion. Hope has this living in the house thing down. She walks around in great amazement-looking at the toys, the warm spots to hang out, the food bowl with warm yummy food! She was quick to learn the art of relaxation. She joined the family at the dinner table-simply found warm feet and plopped her head on them. She doesn't know that pointers have couch privledges yet, but I am assuming her foster sister and brother will have her curled up in a ball on the couch in no time. Meanwhile, she crates beautifully, walks on leash like a champ, and "goes" outside (and then runs back in when you call her).

Hope is talking to me!

So I am cleaning the backyard after the snow has melted (yuck!) and Hope wants me to put down the scooper and PLAY!

Hope is exploring her new yard

Hope loved trotting around the backyard. She came running when we called her name, what a good, good girl.

getting to know one another

Tentative hellos from foster sis Ceres.

Foster home needed for a sweet young Pointer Girl!

Little Hope is the sole survivor of a litter of six puppies that her mother Goldie had.
Her owner hoped that Hope would turn into a hunting dog. However, Hope turned out to be gun-shy. Hope is playful and affectionate, but has never been fully integrated in a family household and is currently living in a kennel outside.
Hope's owner would like to give Hope a chance to find an indoor forever home as a family companion. We are looking for a foster home for this cutie pie.
Please contact Illinois Birddog Rescue and complete a foster application (see link on the right side) if you can help and would like to foster Hope.