Friday, November 20, 2009

Mimi & Copper have been adopted!

Finally! After almost three months with us Mimi and Copper are getting adopted!
A wonderful family in Coventry RI found them on petfinder and it seemed like a perfect match! They foster children and have an adopted 4 year old disabled son, and with Mimi and Copper loving children and being more low-key we're sure they're all going to be very happy together!

Yay for happy endings!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

How do I adopt Mimi & Copper...?



If you think Mimi & Copper might be a good match for you, don't hesitate to fill out our Online Adoption Application! It is in no way binding, but will show that you are interested and we can figure out if they are a good match for you.
If you are really serious, I highly recommend putting down a deposit on them, which is usually half of the adoption fee, via Pay Pal. That way they will be put on hold and we know that you are committed! If the adoption doesn't go through your deposit will be refunded.

You can visit Mimi & Copper on Petfinder.com,
or visit Mimi and Copper on Dogster.com!

Read more about Friends Of Homeless Animals, Inc. on our website!

Mimi & Copper Update: 2 Months!


Now little Mimi & Copper have been with us for 2 months, and I just can't believe they haven't been adopted yet! Sweeter, snugglier and more easy going dogs can't be found!

To refresh everyone's memory: Mimi and Copper are a mother and son pair of chihuahuas. They are 4 and 3 years old and weigh approx. 12 and 10 lbs. Mimi is the lighter colored of the two and Copper is, well, the copper colored one...


They were owner surrenders to the rescue, I'm not sure exactly why they were given up, and quite frankly I can't think of any good reason! They are quiet, sweet and very affectionate, housebroken, crate trained and great on a leash.


Since the last update the two have really come out of their shells! They were very timid, jumpy and shy when they first arrived, but with plenty of walks, treats from strangers and good old socialization they are now little social butterflies!

They are still a bit shy when first approached, but warms right up and will come right over for pets and snuggles! Getting down to their level always helps, and some yummy treats...

(Mimi & our friend Ashley)

(Copper & our friend Nikki)

We have also discovered that they LOVE children! We know that their former family had an 8 year old son, and it's clear that he must have been good with them because they adore kids! They are very respectful and gentle, even with little babies! They are very patient and lets kids pet them and even try to pick them up. They will even give gentle little kisses, so cute!
(I will say however, like with any animals, it does depend on the child. Teaching children to be respectful with animals is crucial, and small children should never be left unattended with an animal.)


They are no longer nervous on walks, but are now loving it! Copper has the best little show dog strut and Mimi has lost over 4 lbs! They love going out exploring and meeting new people, and they are so good, no pulling on the leash...

Copper does bark at other dogs when out on walks, but a quick "No!" and getting his attention usually takes care of it. He is protective of his mommy with other dogs, but it's all show, no real aggression. He will easily learn to be respectful on the leash if his adoptive family keep up his training. The key seems to be to not let him greet other dogs when he's being huffy, but wait til he's quiet, THEN let him approach...

(At the farmers market looking for goodies...)

They are very smart and quick learners. Particularly Copper is extremely attentive and learns extremely fast! He has already learned a bunch of cute tricks and basic obedience! He would be a wonderful candidate for agility for example. He will "Dance" on command, "Spin" and "Catch" a treat... Mimi tries he best to keep up!

Their recall is very good and they both absolutely know their names! I still won't take thgem off leash anywhere unfenced, I don't want to take any chances, especially seeing how they are a bit on the skittish side...


They are great with our other dogs and will even instigate play! Copper particularly likes to play with our pug/jack russell mix Bela, thery will chase eachother around the house and wrestle, so cute! They haven't shown any interest in toys however, maybe they will eventually, but they seem content without it...

Mimi has one funny quirk: She loves to eat paper and cardboard! We have to make sure that any importand papers are out of reach or she will literally eat them! It looks like mice have been at it and her poops end up looking like papier mache, and I doubt that it's very good for her, so we just keep an eye on her with any paper products... Empty toilet rolls, cardboard boxes and letters: watch out! :)

(Mimi)

(Copper)

The two really are the perfect little dogs! They sleep quietly together in their crate at night, they are sweet and affectionate, they adore their people, they rarely bark and are a joy to have around! And it's a real benefit having the two together, knowing that they never have to be alone and they don't have any separation anxiety!

Anyone who decides to adopt them can consider themselves very lucky! Better dogs will be VERY hard to find!


Monday, September 21, 2009

Woofminster & Paws In The Park 2009!

Mimi and Copper had a busy weekend! Not one, but TWO adoption events to attend!

It started with Planet Dog's 4'th Annual Woofminster amateur dog show and cover dog challenge at Camp Ketcha in Scarborough, ME on Saturday September 19.

(Nikki and the dogs at the FOHA table)

It was a beautiful day and Mimi and Copper were on their best behavior! They greeted everyone so nicely (with the exception of Copper barking a bit at a few other dogs) and they were so cute in their Friends Of Homeless Animals t-shirts.



We went with our good friend Nikki of Pawz-N-Clawz dog walking who brought one of her dogs, lovely golden retriever Maya.
We had a table set up for the rescue group and Mimi and Copper were so cute showing themselves off, snuggling and giving kisses!

(Nikki & Maya)

(Mimi & Copper with our pug/jack russell mix Bela)


Then on Sunday it was time for the Animal Refuge League's 12'th Annual Paws In The Park event, with a pledge walk to raise money for the shelter, dog contests, etc.

Again Mimi and Copper were on their best behavior, charming everyone and even got to strutt their stuff on stage during the Rescue Parade!

(Copper and Mimi being interviwewd by TV's Shannon Moss!)


Our own little pug/jack russell mix Bela also won 1'st place in the Best trick contest, showing off a combo of different tricks! I'm one proud momma!


All in all it was a great weekend, met some wonderful people and some wonderful dogs, did some great networking for the rescue, and now we all need a long nap... :)

(Mimi & Bela napping in the car)

Monday, September 7, 2009

The first few days...



Mimi and Copper have now been here for a few days and have started settling in...

They are such great little dogs! Very affectionate, they just adore snuggling up to you on the couch and give kisses! They sleep completely quiet together in their crate at night, and haven't had any accidents. Mimi does a bit of submissive peeing when you reach for her, but that has nothing to do with housebreaking, and it has already gotten better so I doubt it would be a problem...

Copper is the protector and is quite nervous on walks downtown (he's fine in the neighborhood). He's constantly vigilant and looking around for any "dangers" he feels he needs to protect his mom from. But that is also starting to get better already, he's not the bossy type and we're teaching him to relax on the leash through socialization and treat rewards for calm behavior... They are both a bit skittish and shy with strangers, but this is also getting better already through socialization and treats from strangers. They are absolutely not aggressive in any way, just a bit skittish...

Copper also barks at other dogs on walks, but again a quick correction and encouragement for good behaviors is already showing improvement...
Copper eapecialltbis a bit more shy around men, but is learning quickly. My husband has a ton of experience with fearful dogs and is a great resource.

They have both been getting along wonderfully with all three of our dogs, including our oafy 3 year old brick wall of a male Boston. the only time Copper has an issue is when he has to share his
Moms attention in the couch, he can get growly (only with dogs, never with people!), but we correct him and he's getting more accepting with sharing his beloved mom...

Mimi is quite obese, mainly because Copper would gladly give every piece of food to her and she gladly accepts! We watch them qhen they eat, and if Mimi tried to eat his food a quick "Ah-ah!" does the trick... Monitored meals and regular exercise should get her back to a normal weight in no time...

They are such great little dogs and will make someone a wonderful pair of companions!

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Adopt Mimi & Copper!



Mimi & Copper are a mom and son pair of chihuahuas who have been inseparable since Copper was born. Mimi is 4 and Copper is 3 years old...

They are our current foster dogs and they have to be adopted together! They are up to date on all vaccines, Heartguard and Frontline and are both fixed. They are sweet, quiet, housebroken, crate trained (they sleep in the same crate!) and good on a leash....

They would make an excellent addition to a quiet household as the best little couch potatos and snugglers ever!

This is their story on Petfinder.com:

Adoption donation $300 (this is for BOTH Mom & son)
Located in Maine.
Mom (lighter color) & son (Copper color) - Prefer for them to be placed together as they are very bonded.
Copper is the color copper and is to the left. Mimi is to the right and more blonde in color.

Copper & Mimi (mother & son)are Chihuahua mixes.
They were light heartworm positive in 2008, but have been treated and are now on monthly heartworm pills, that have been given every month.
Mimi and Copper are really good and up to date on vaccinations. They are approximately 3 and 4 yrs old.
They are very sweet, quite attached to each other, housebroken, crate trained, get along with cats, children and other dogs.
They probably weigh 12-13 lbs each.