Hi, Abel watchers. Abel's new FD (Foster Dad) here.

Abel was at a temporary foster before moving here last week. Thank You, Judy, for taking good care of this beautiful boy. Abel's new foster home is only a few miles from his last place. Abel met my 2 dogs (11-year-old resident and 9-year-old foster brother) with no problems at all. No problems with the 2 cats either. Things started out very well. As to be expected, Abel was a little uneasy in new surroundings. I led him around the house several times. He didn't want to go up to the second floor, so I figured he would explore when he feels ready.

I gave Abel free roam of the house his first night here. I slept lightly and woke at 3 AM when he barked. Too late. He had already had an accident. I let him and the other dogs outside to show him the proper place to do his business. Abel has had no more accidents since the first night. Now, if he barks during the night, I jump out of bed and let him out. Abel is slowly getting used to my time schedule. I usually get up around 7 AM. Abel is now getting up and barks about 6:30. Progress!

Abel took 4-5 days to really start feeling comfortable here. Very average with other foster dogs. He now does come upstairs in the morning to see if I am awake. I believe Abel sleeps in the large wire crate most of the night. He will nap in there during the day also. I have left the house for 5 hours with no problems. He has not chewed any toilet paper or anything else he shouldn't have.

Abel seems to get very hungry before his mealtimes. He will counter-surf for food at those times. I now, don't leave any food on the kitchen counters. I feed the dogs separately in different parts of the house, so no problems at mealtime. I do give treats with them together, and haven't had any problems with that. Abel and foster dog Chandler have had a couple of minor scuffles when Abel stepped on Chandler. There was a lot of noise and movement, but no real bites. I separated them and there was no continued aggression at all. I think Chandler is a bit more careful where he lays and Abel watches where he walks better.

Abel and Chandler

It was mentioned that Abel doesn't really like small dogs. Knowing that, I was cautious when I introduced him to the neighbor's Beagle mix, Moe. Moe barks when he sees people or dogs. We had a nice, slow intro to Moe with no problems. I think if an unfamiliar dog of any size runs up to Abel, he feels he is being attacked and then defends himself. He may get less sensitive to this as time goes on, since his vision loss is recent. I think it is just something to be very aware of with Abel.

We walk about 3 miles most days in 2 walks. Resident girl, Belle, has a hard time going any further than that. I think Abel could do 5-6 miles easily.

Abel seems to be a very easy dog to have around once he gets used to a new routine. His very limited vision is not a big disability for him. As he gets more used to it, he should do even better. He has a sweet personality and loves getting attention and is very happy to see you when you get home. I have much more to learn about Abel.

If you think Abel could be the dog for you and your family, contact your placement adviser. Abel will be at the Meet-and-Greet in Elk River on Saturday, 8/8/15, from 11-1 if you would like to meet him and other RAGOM dogs.

Guess who is taking a summer vaca out in the country? Yep—it’s Abel! He loves the fresh air, the sounds, and all the smells out here in rural MN. His tail has been a’wagging since he got here—not a hint of nervousness or anxiety. He is quickly learning the lay of the land in the house and yard. I find myself forgetting he is blind because he gets around so well. I’ve had him tethered to me since he got here to help him get acquainted with everything, to let him know he is safe, and to reinforce the routine (where and when to potty, etc). He is doing really well—such a good boy!

I have to tell you all what a SWEETHEART he is. He is snuggly and affectionate, and he has a great sense of humor. On one of the trips back into the house after going potty, we stopped at the water bowl so he could get a drink. He stepped into the bowl with his front paw, and I thought—poor guy, he ran into the water bowl—but then he put his second paw into the bowl and stood there with a smile on his face. He knew exactly what he was doing and just wanted to cool off, silly boy!

He is slipping into our family routine super quickly. I was told he doesn’t like it when dogs or people “charge” him. Understandable as he’s only been going blind for about ½ year. We are taking it slow with the resident dogs so they don’t abruptly encroach on his space until he is used to them. One of the residents is 7-month-old Charlie (Luke 15-070) who thinks every human and dog is as excited to see him as he is to see them.

Abel had a vet appointment today and he weighs 76 lbs. The vet said he is at a perfect weight—way to go, Abel! He had a bath today and he wanted me to show off how handsome he is. I love his beautiful feathering. I’ll post more as I get to know this wonderful boy!

Abel has just been hanging out, enjoying the sun after the days of rain here in Iowa. He finished his antibiotics and his repeat urine was clean, though his foster mom had to go to the vet to get him give a sample as he held it all day and would not go for them.

Abel's getting along with my residents without issues, though he likes his personal space when it comes to small areas. Treats are given when he can be outside or in the covered lower porch away from other dogs. Food dishes are picked up when all are finished. I have offered Abel several different items to chew and/or play with, but he shows no interest. He seems to prefer to hang out with his human at all times when possible. I sometimes find him on the sofa/human bed when I have been gone, which is OK in this house, but often he gets right off when he hears me.

Abel went to visit another volunteer foster and their residents, enjoying their big yard except he did find the window well and fell in and needed to be retrieved by removing the screen on the lower level. I am sure he felt like Alice In Wonderland when that happened. Only one of their larger male residents and Abel were not going to be best friends as we introduced them on-leash, so this resident stayed in the house while Abel had some extra yard time with the remainder fur residents.

Abel is an inquisitive guy who often noses around to see what he can find. I have often found items from the garden bench out in the yard where he has dropped them. He has chewed a couple of garden gloves, but for some reason, he only likes to chew the fingers tips. Abel continues to be accident-free with his potty habits.

Abel gets around very easily and he accepts his visual challenge with grace. When we go for walks, I just remind him when we come to a curb/step by saying, "Step," and he slows and tests it with his paw to see if it goes up or down. Abel does need more guidance with dim/darkened evening hours, but when the motion detector lights come on, he has enough vision to get around safely or by my calling his name or tapping/clapping your hands to guide him back to the house from the fenced-in yard. Abel is loving these nice weather days and frequently lays out in the yard just enjoying everything.

Sweetie-pie Abel has been on a roller coaster for this past week and he took FM along for the ride. Last Wednesday night, FM rushed him to Emergency Care (just like with kids - it only happens after 10:00 p.m.!) and, after an uncomfortable balance of the night, to our regular vet the following morning. After X-rays and examinations, we ended up with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Poor Abel! He obviously felt lousy. He was wheezing and coughing and retching. Fluids and couch rest were prescribed, and we could only wait until the antibiotics started to kick for him to start to feel better.

For the next few days, when he wasn't on the couch, Abel spent most of his time with fellow foster, Roy 13-347. Roy seemed to supply the doggy compassion and snuggles required by our sick boy.

But Abel has bounced back quickly. First, it was some doggy playtime in the kitchen with resident Cubbie.

We then resumed our walks at the Golf Course and even hiked our 2-mile route yesterday. (We are, incidentally, already seeing the positive results of our exercise/eating program. Abel has lost 3 pounds!) And now, after the new snow, Abel feels ready to frolic in the back yard. Among the residents, Cubbie seems to best understand how to play with Abel: in close with lots of touching, twirling about, and jumping up on hind legs. (Resident Zo-Zo 12-108 is a "Catch me if you can" kind of girl and Bear 10-277 believes that patriarchs don't play like that.) Abel totally enjoys this play time. Afterwards, he settles down for a nap inside with a big smile on his face.

And so our sweet Abel continues to settle in to his new home. He is less anxious and more content as the days pass. At this point, I see virtually no difference between Abel and the other guys who are fully sighted as they function on a daily basis. When we go ouside, Abel is off-leash in the back yard. FM accompanies everyone on their trips and so can redirect Abel if it's necessary. There is one dead-end path that Abel seems partial to taking. When I call him, however, he quite happily turns around and comes over to join me. He is a totally endearing guy and FM finds herself giving him extra hugs and pats so that he knows for sure that he is a wanted and loved member of our household.