Hobo Haven

John and Brian could not choose between Isabell, the shy English Foxhound, and Charley, the senior boy, when they met the hounds being fostered by H. E. L. P., so they did what anyone would, they adopted them both! Isabell arrived at our home on August 9, 2002.  She was so scared but she was very friendly at the same time.  Brian said she jumped right up on the bed with him at the motel and wanted to snuggle.  I became a little worried about how much she was sleeping, and when we had blood taken, it showed her thyroid levels were a little off, but not enough for medication.  We went to see Dr. Evans, who prescribed a change of diet and supplements as well as acupuncture.  It wasn't long before Isabell started running more and sleeping less, and with that her extra weight started to come off.  Izzy went from 85 lbs. to 62 and she looks great!  During the first few days they were here, Charley took care of Isabell.  He nudged her out the doors and to her food bowl, and it wasn't long before Isabell was taking the lead.  She was the first one to venture up the stairs and join the family in the main part of the house. The first one to pick up a toy, to play with the other dogs. She is really beginning to come out of her shell and is getting that mischievous twinkle in her eye, daring us to chase her, barking "you can't catch me!" We just enrolled Izzy in obedience class to help build her confidence and we're looking forward to watching this sweet girl blossom.    

Unfortunately, getting to obedience class requires riding in the car.  Izzy did fine getting to the first class, but it was all downhill from there.  We eventually decided the trauma of a car ride was not worth it.  Izzy does just fine in the house and loves to be outside.  She knows sit, stay and come and walks well on lead, so we'll leave it at that for this senior girl.

When  Isabell arrived, we noticed she has a dent in her lower back that looks like she  may have been kicked by a horse.  When she collapsed in the yard resulting in a trip to the ER in June of 2004, it turned out to be related to that injury.  She is doing much better with supplements. She would probably benefit from seeing a neurologist, but we think the two plus-hour car ride would be too stressful for her.  She has bouts where she loses motor control in her back end, but we can gauge when she is having trouble by how she is holding her tail and keep her quiet until she is better.  The only time she has pain is when she uses the stairs or when she has a collision outside while playing, so we limit her to the first floor of the house and try not to foster any rowdy youngsters.  

We  were very worried about how Isabell would do when we lost Charley.  She had been sodependent on him since her arrival.  We were very relieved when we saw her blossoming and becoming more adventurous every day. She is much more confident now and has bonded with the other dogs.  Isabell bosses all the boys around and is now bossy with her humans, as well.  She demands belly rubs on the sofa, barks at us when dinner is late, and paws us when she wants treats or a bath!  (Isabell loves the water, baths included!)  The only thing we have to worry about is when she decides to jump off the back of the sofa, giving all humans in the house more stress than anyone needs!  

Izzy has always been what several of her vets have described as a 'girly girl', but she has surprised us by how much she likes being dressed up!  Every time she gets a  new collar, she has to go up to all the humans she meets and stretches her neck toward them so they can admire how pretty she looks.  I think the most surprising change is that Isabell has found her voice!  Not only does she bark to let us know when she needs something, but has also joined Butch and Rexy's road tour and has started singing back up!

Isabell joins Butch and Rex in a song.  She always lets Butch know when he's off key.

Isabell is learning the benefits of good dental hygiene.

 Nah, nah, nah, nah nah!

When Isabell first arrived, she looked more like a lab mix than a foxhound!  

Last winter we discovered just how playful Izzy can be outside.  We were fortunate enough to capture Isabell's now famous snow somersaults on film!  A proper snow bank is required for a really good snow somersault!  As shy as Isabell is, she really loves to show off and gets even sillier with an audience!

Emma

Lucy

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Wrecker

Butch

Isabell

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