New York! New York!

Troy steps out into the New York Sunshine

Start spreading the news, Troy's arriving today; he wants to be a part of it - New York New York! Shame on me causing offence to Sinatra fans, but I wanted to let you know that Troy's safely arrived, his shelter-town blues are melting away, his vagabond shoes are longing to stay (oops, there I go again), he's going to make a brand new start of it (Sorreee), up state of New York, New York, New Yorrrrrrrk. Apologies to Frank.

Traveller Joe Cherian has done a smashing job of keeping us updated every moment he could, on arrival in Narita, and on touch down in New York:

Dear Sherry,
Just a quick update that Troy arrived safe and sound! He explored around the airport and is on his way in Ria's car to New Jersey Will send you some photos tonight.
Regards, Emma & Joe

More arrival photos >> click here

Ria was there as planned to meet & greet Troy at JFK airport on Wednesday morning , allowing him to sniff around and act like a dog for a moment or two, before whisking him home for a day and a night of R&R before Joe travels down to take him "home". More later.

Thanks Joe, Emma, Ria : great job.

From the ASD Team, Singapore

http://www.asdsingapore.com/

Japan calling!

• Joe Cherian & Martin Conisbee with Troy
  Changi Airport, Terminal 2 : 29th September 09
  
  From Narita airport in Tokyo, comes this heavenly message from Joe Cherian who kindly took Troy on his trans-continental flight to a new life in USA:
  
  Hi Sherry
  Everything's smooth sailing so far. As you predicted, ANA ground staff in NRT super competent. Someone greeted me at the gate with a sign, had the vet papers check, and asked what Troy needed (H20, no food - just as you advised). Miss Kuroda-san bowed deeply to apologize that I wouldn't be able to "play with Troy" during the layover. She later returned to report that Troy was doing just fine, and that she had topped up his water. Joe
  
  
  It went smoothly at the Singapore end too. Martin, Jolfha & I arrived a little ahead of Joe, checked Troy in and paid his air fare for a K9 Class Seat, no problems, so by the time Joe arrived he and Troy were all set to head off to their respective departure lounges.
  
  At the smell of his marrow bone, Troy hopped in his crate, re-arranged the interior to his liking (!), and then settled down, as hopefully you can see in this photo. Good boy Troy.
  
  He had a slippery start... lost his footing on the highly polished tiles in the Terminal entrance which un-nerved him a bit - but I think that just served to make the sight of his crate a little more welcome.
  
  His 'veil' - the green netting placed over his crate by ANA for extra security - reminded me of a bride and the items you give to her to ensure her BIG DAY goes smoothly:
• Something old (in Troy's case, my t-shirt to lie on)
• Something new (a new yellow ball, from his ASD pals)
• Something borrowed (the crate, hoping to get it back one day)
• Something blue (his collar)

Yep, Troy is all set for his Big Day - his arrival in USA!

View Troy's farewell party in Singapore >> click here


Couldn't have got Troy into this home with Jim in Massachusetts, without the help and support of a lot of special people:

Joe Cherian who took him; Ria for pick-up at JFK and over-nighting; Jim Nelson of course for seeing the potential in Troy; Caryn Stewart, Amy Ferber & Tim Wong for their bits in the plot; Derrick for the donated crate; and especially the staff and volunteers at ASD for rescuing and caring for him so wonderfully.

Final preparations for Troy's departure to USA

Reflections of Troy!

24 Sept: just heard we have a willing volunteer in New York to meet Troy at JFK when he arrives on the 30th. Hoorah, a sigh of relief and big thanks to Tim Wong for phoning friends in New York to organise this.

Here's a brief update following Troy's visit to the vet at Namly Clinic yesterday for his official "Vet Health Certificate" which he needs to obtain his export licence.

Troy was examined and pronounced fit with a healthy-sounding heart. The vet believes he could do with gaining a little weight as his back/hip bone is slightly too prominent although his ribs are covered nicely. Nothing to worry about and the vet believes weight gain will come naturally from more exercise which in turn may produce a healthier appetite. He eats twice a day with me, but comparatively small portions and will stop when he's had enough. Definitely not a guzzler. I expect the cold Massachusetts winter will see an increase in appetite.

A blood test was taken, results pending, to check for heartworms and blood parasites.

Troy continues to grow in character as each day goes by and he feels more comfortable. He's more playful now with 2 of my other dogs, pays an active interest (!) in what the humans are eating, now sleeps in his crate without his blue bed as a comforter, sits for a treat, waits patiently while he's harnessed up for a walk, and happily pulls me down the street in search of good things to sniff. I can almost here him thinking "let's go, keep up, no dawdling, I have places to go, people to meet." Indoors he goes very quiet during our daily thundering downpours, but takes no notice if he's out in it. Strange, eh.

No doubt Troy, like most other newly rehomed shelter dogs, will take a little time to adjust to the new routine in a new home. I think it takes at least 2 weeks before their true characters start shining through!

And finally, my daily brushing of Troy's back teeth with a special gel has produced little change so far, but the vet did say it would take a long time. Again she wasn't unduly worried about the presence of plaque.

Bye for now from me and a sleepy Troy who is curled up by the side of my desk as I type. Great dog - he deserves this chance. Thanks to everyone who is making Troy's journey possible.

Sherry

Crate Training Troy, My Way!

Two in, two out!

















Three in, almost there... go on Troy, go on!















Snug as a bug!













Crate training can be easy or hard, it depends on the dog. Some dogs just walk in day one, others may never want the confines of a crate. Each dog is different so you have to find a way that works for him. With patience and no shoving, a dog can usually learn to relax inside a crate.

Troy arrived very wary of the crate and unwilling to go in for anything - even liver cooked specially for him; he'd had some experiences being crated on car journeys to adoption events, and to him they were unpleasant memories. He had no idea it was done for his own and the driver's safety! Anyway his wariness of the crate had to be undone and he had to start associating the crate with pleasant things.

There's plenty of tips on the web for crate training, and if you want to get it right, it's worth reading up. With the benefit of 50 or more crate trainings behind me, I still take it slowly and carefully, never forcing, always offering treats, favourite toys or food as a reward for going in.

Once I had allowed Troy to settle at my home, eating properly and very happy around me, I started games around the crate with Daisy and Maffy (both crate trained) and Troy. In and out for treats and favourite toys, but never asking or forcing Troy to go in. Food was the next thing... every bowl he ate was placed inside the crate, initially near the door so he could stand fully outside, then further and further back. Daisy eats in the crate next door which gave him a model to follow. Once he went all the way in to eat, I'd close the gate slowly, but open it immediately at first, and then after longer spells. The art is to make sure he's never clawing or barking to get out if you can avoid it.

The turn around for Troy came when I squeezed my tubby body all the way in with his food bowl and just stayed there [squished and uncomfortable I might add]. Cor, what I put my body through for dogs! That got him interested, especially if I sort of barred him from squeezing in beside me - he could smell his food but couldn't get at it! As I squeezed out, he rushed in at high velocity! But I still hadn't got him to sit and relax inside.

The EUREKA moment came when I remembered his love of his very large dog bed, with padded sides. Too big for the crate really, but I squeezed in it and before I'd finished squashing it down, Troy had jumped in and took control of the bed making. He's spent three blissfully peaceful nights in it now - and I'm sure I'll be able to substitute that for something smaller over the next few nights.

Any dog heading overseas in a plane has to be properly crate trained as it helps to make the long journey more bearable if they know their crate is a safe place to be. In the final training sessions, the crate should be fitted out as near as possible to how it will be on the actual journey, with a bowl and water bottled, incontinence pad, some shredded newspaper in case doggy feels the need to bury anything (like a bone or poo) and perhaps something that smells heavily of his carer, like a well-worn t-shirt. Don't sedate a dog for travel, don't feed him too much that day, and make sure he eliminates before being crated for the journey. And plenty of exercise beforehand.

Troy is in ASD's international rehoming programme, but until he earns his 'Crate Merit Badge', Troy won't be flying anywhere.

Thinking outside the Box for Troy

I'm all of a tiz about Troy, happy for him and intent on babbling on excitedly about his many virtues. This wonderful white knight brings pleasure with every step forward he takes. And what huge steps they are, from un-noticed shelter dog to handsome hero who turns a few heads in the park!

Daisy, my other ASD foster dog, can't leave him alone. She flirts outrageously, thrusts her toys at him and wiggles her rump right under his nose when she wants him to notice her. Together they're making a love nest. i.e. they're digging a hole in my garden, with Daisy in charge of the shovelling.

There's so much progress to report, it's best done in businessy bullets. Here goes, hope I do him justice:

• He's slept 3 consecutive nights in his crate, 9-10 hr stretches but still has to be coaxed in.
• He jumps happily in the back of my car to drive to the park for walkies - I think he's losing his fear of cars so has stopped drooling, at least on these short trips.
• He's happy & confident on leash - anywhere. Pulls though and he's fairly strong.
• Can now climb steps which he couldn't when he first arrived. It's funny to watch him though!
• Not afraid of thunder or lightening as first thought.
• He barks as a warning. Now races to the garden gate with the rest of my pack to warn off the dustmen who everyday come to steal our things.
• Those entering the gate, he greets with a wag and obvious interest.
• Is beginning to jump up on people as a greeting, which has to be stopped. Think he's learning this from my own dogs. Oops.
• Barks furiously when he spots himself in the mirror. Obviously hates having such a handsome rival!
• Has come out of his shell to run around the garden in hot pursuit of the others
• Just beginning to have fun with a toy - runs after it, picks it up.
• Only one indoor pee accident - but I was right on the spot to yell NO and take him outside.
• Is kind of chilled most of the time, content to sit quietly at my feet, alone or with others.
• Fine with cats - took him right up to one of the unafraid strays in the park. He looked disinterestedly for a while then walked off.
• Interested to meet other dogs and good with the ones I've introduced him to so far. His hackles will rise initially but he doesn't want to initiate trouble. He's fine with other dogs but would benefit from more socialisation.
• Great with the children he's met so far.
• Is very gentle in taking treats, no grabbing
• Is far less wary of my head kisses now - I think he's beginning to enjoy them, mwah mwah.
• He's losing his 'surface sensitivity'. He wouldn't walk across anything in the house that wasn't a tiled floor, having to leap across mats or dog beds. He still refuses to walk on wet grass - but for 13 years my other doggy has refused likewise.
• A simple "psssst" redirects his attention from naughtiness, like chewing the telephone box on the wall.
• Very interested in food and treats which will serve him well when it's training time.
• Happily lets me take his food away, his toys, his treats.

He's having a love affair with his blue dog bed, sighing "phorrrrr" everytime he climbs in and snuggles down. It was by stuffing his giant dog bed into the crate that encouraged him in for the very first time. We mortals have to think outside the box - or crate in this case - when trying to encourage a dog to do what we want! If he gets the thumbs up for overseas travel and finds someone overseas who wants to love him forever, wonder if we can send him in the crate, stuffed into his blue dog bed? Any thoughts, anyone?
More about Troy's crate training >> here.

I know he's not afraid of thunder or lightning as he appears to be when living in the shelter. Last Sunday, Martin & I spent 45 minutes in a small park shelter, waiting for the thunder, lightning and torrential rain to stop. It was noisy under the tin roof and cold! Troy cleverly chose the dryest spot, underneath the bench and settled down unperturbedly for a snooze. Not sure, but suspect there was generally more noise and anxiety at the shelter during storms which transmitted to Troy. Anyway, we all stayed calm and unafraid, and Troy took our lead.

Troy's Bio

Name:
Troy

Sex:
Male (neutered)

Date of Birth:
March 07

Size:
Height to shoulders: 21.5 inches (57 cm)
Height to top of head: approx 26 inches (66 cm)
Weight: 19 Kg (41.8 lbs)

History:
Troy was born a stray. He, and 2 siblings, were raised by their mother in the grounds of a factory in Kaki Bukit, an industrial area of Singapore. Yvonne, a longterm carer with Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD), used to feed them, but when it became known they might be taken by government dog catchers, Yvonne arranged for this family of dogs to be moved, eventually returning Troy's siblings who still live in the factory grounds. They are now registered by the kind factory owner as his own, so they're safe from the catchers, but the factory owner could only register 2. The ASD team managed to find mama a home, and that left just Troy. He has been living at ASD's shelter for 2 years now and although friendly and lovable, his size and mixed breed origin makes him hard to rehome. 80% of Singaporeans live in government high-rise apartments and are limited to 1 small dog, no cats.

Features:
Troy is a handsome creamy white. He has a darker strip of golden brown running along his back, from base of his tail right up to the top of his head, which culminates attractively in speckled gingery brown ear tips. He has pale eyelashes, brown eyes which are outlined in a grey-brown, and a pinkish-black nose.

Troy is short-coated, fuller-coated around his neck, with a bushier tail that curves tall over his back. His hair is 1 inch long over most of his body and lies flat; it is soft to the touch, not stiff. Troy will benefit from daily brushing and regular baths. Shedding is low – but Singapore is always hot and there might be seasonal shedding if he moves to a different climate. In a cold climate his coat will undoubtedly thicken.

Character:
Friendly, slightly aloof to begin with, but quickly warms to everyone. Enjoys pats and is happy to roll over for a tummy rub. As Troy has been in a shelter environment for most of his life, his personality in a quieter, home environment is only just emerging. Happy and confident though and adjusts quickly. Gets on fine with female dogs - yet to test with more dominant males.

Happy on leash, pulls but no training given.
Toilet trained.
Can't do steps/stairs (yet!)
Fearful of thunder
Gets a little car sick (drools and if the journey extends over 40 minutes, he may be sick. Happy to jump in the car before and after walks - so hopefully his car sickness may disappear once he associates car rides with walks and good times.
Food motivated so training should be easy.

Troy will blossom and benefit from living with a loving family in a home environment.

Ready for adoption:

As from now for local Singapore adoption. When crate-trained for overseas (possibly end of September onwards).

Troy's Portrait Gallery

Troy, stretching his legs and sightseeing in New York

























LIBERTY! And Troy's loving it!!

Troy, cosy in fostercare with Ria in
New Jersey, before his trip on to Massachusetts.

Wed, 30 Sept 09: Troy safely arrives in New York, on time - and is greeted by Emma (Joe's wife) and Ria who will be taking Troy home for a day and a night of New York style hospitality!

Friends from ASD visit Troy to play and give the lad a scrubbing before he leaves, and to hug and kiss him 'adieu, farewell, so long'

Troy at ASD Shelter : 29 August 09

9 Sept 09: East Coast Park

Troy : First Steps Towards a New Home!

9 Sept: Troy leaveshis carer at ASD for fostercare in a home environment

Troy joined me 2 days ago as my latest ASD foster dog, and since then I've learned he doesn't like fresh liver (what!), scuffs and paws to make a nest before sitting down - even on tiled and wooden floors (goofy!), and he marks all outdoor areas by squatting like a young male, leaning forward, back legs slightly apart - bit girlish really!

[Just done some reading on this, and male leg-cocking appears to be hormonally controlled when testosterone levels rise. Perhaps Troy just isn't hormonally charged right now!] >> read more

What's best, though, is that he likes everyone he meets! He's not the rushy-up type of dog, wag wag, pat me, pant pant, but approaches slowly and confidently, tail wagging gently, to enjoy a stroke. He especially likes neck and chin rubs. He also likes gentle head strokes but is a little wary of kisses around his head! Early days though, and if he's to become someone's Troy Boy!, he may just have to grin & bear it!

My husband, Martin - who doesn't like EVERY dog I bring into our home (lovable patient man that he is), has given Troy the 'Pat of Approval', labelling him Nice Guy and blathering on about it being good to have another chap in the house. What with me and 4 female dogs ranging from 7 months to 13 years (I'm a tad older) , i.e. all levels of misbehaviour and grumpiness, I sort of sympathise with him on this point.

If Troy is to be considered as part of ASD's SSOS programme (rehoming overseas), he must learn to relax totally in a crate, being happy to sleep in it all through the night. We have a very long way to go on that score, Troy being unwilling to enter the crate on his own accord even for a tasty liver snack.

His aloofness with my other K9s is disappearing as time goes on, aided considerably by puppy Daisy who carries her octopus to him regularly, shoving it in his face and demanding he tries to take it from her.

That's it for today. I'll update Troy Boy's Blog frequently, so keep checking back.