Dice

The Run that got Dice to his foster home.

Dice is just the most beautiful dal that I have ever seen. And with all that he has been through, he is just such a happy camper! He's been kenneled so long, I think he was just eager to mark a path......but I know he will be good for obedience class and will graduate at the head of his class!! I am attaching a new picture of him-taken this morning when he was leaving the kennel. He was just so excited and happy. He jumped up and licked my face. When Sanya was getting ready to leave, I went near the car window and he bounded up and gave me another "kiss." He is just so precious.

ANOTHER Note from Maragret:

Just viewed the photos of Dice and he looks so great. I can't wait for Britt to see him in person. He is one of the most beautiful dals I have ever seen. When he first came into the Shelter he was very down. He hardly made a sound and was so unnoticed. We were all sad to see him so despondent. Once we pulled him and boarded him he started to come around. He was so scared the day we took him out that he had diarrhea for a couple of days.

We sent along his food that was donated by Whiskers and Paws Catering service. It's supposed to be premium food so at least he'll have it for a while to get adjusted. Joy and I are very relieved to know that our dal is now safe. If we didn't pull him out the day we did, he would have gone down. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this caravan and rescue. We are truly grateful to you all. Dice is one special boy and deserves a good life.

Margaret
PAWS - Upland

Good Morning guys!

* Leg One/ Upland -> Los Angeles/ Sanya

* Leg Two/ Los Angeles -> Sacramento, CA/Wendy

This, from Wendy who drove him all the way from Los Angeles (by way of San Mateo, where she dropped off Miles, the 10 year old 4-pound Yorkie she was also transporting today):

I'm home! All went well. I didn't have any problems with either of the hand offs, and we arrived home shortly after 7:30. Oh- one funny thing. I let each of the dals out of the car for water and a potty break when we were dropping off Miles...Dice proceeded to pee on everything, INCLUDING Miles' crate, bed and carry-bag. Dice is Overnighting Monday night in Sacramento (Antlepe, CA) with Tammy

And this, from Tami, who's fostering our gorgeous boy tonight:

He's here and is doing fine.... I had to keep him onleash in the house, because he was bound and determined to get to any corner, chair, sofa, wall, table, etc.! I've never seen a dog that driven to mark things! He is a big sweetie, though! Hubby, kids and I got in lots of love and kisses and he's in his crate laying quietly now. He was not terribly crazy about our Great Dane Cobi, but Dice did tolerate him. Our Dane just wanted to play, but it's easy to be intimidated by such a large dog. I think with more time and off leash, they could easily become buddies. Dice was perfectly at ease with our smaller dog.

He really is a love! It looks like our boy is definitely a marker, but also please keep in mind that he was just neutered yesterday...so his hormones are definitely still raging! <VBG>

Hi Trina! Sounds like the Dice-man will be very happy at your house! It's really funny that you also have a Dane! Dice didn't like Cobi standing over him, which I'm sure you know is normal. I think they would have worked it out. As long as Cobi would stay in a play bow, or lay down completely Dice was happy. Cobi is also a teen and he did posture a little - not much, but more than I've ever seen him do before... can't wait to get him neutered! So far, he's been a happy go lucky, love and play with every dog. I really don't want that to change! His breeder took him back from a neglectful home and the two of us agreed to wait until he's two to neuter him. You know, maybe hormones has more to do with Dice's being *unsure* than size. Our other, smaller, dog is neutered. And with Dice just being neutered yesterday, I'm sure his and Cobi's hormones were quite active...

As for the marking....wow....he really is determined, but I'm sure you will work it out...Take care, I'm sending your baby on his way tomorrow morning at 7 at the I80/I5 interchange.... Tami

Dice got to play quite a bit last night after I sent my two to bed with hubby. All three have been out for about an hour this morning. Everyone is getting along fine.

He is really a great dog. I can't believe he was depressed and despondent!!! He is really curious about everything and just loves people. Trina, I don't know if you have kids, but he loves my two boys. He is just happy to run around and explore and then check in for snuggles... He likes tennis balls and even caught one. He just climbed into my lap for kisses! I don't think you will have any trouble putting weight on him or using food as a reward!

Margaret, THANK YOU for pulling him! It is just amazing how these guys can bounce back from such adverse conditions! Wherever he was boarded must have been pretty good. Although he is skinny, his personality just shines. He is going to make some family very happy!

aaaaawwww I just got another batch of kisses.... :-) Tami (off to meet Laura...)

* Leg Three/Sacramento -> Redding/Laura

Here's the latest on Dice's remarkable run to safety:

This, from Laurie (Medford to Eugene leg) which came in about 1:45 today:

Just thought I would let you know, I am sitting here on pins and needles waiting for Sue to arrive with Dice. All my human kids wanted to stay home from school to see him. *S* The Boxer trio are happily inside and dry (yes, raining here) snoring up a storm. Little do they know that soon a beautiful Dal will be visiting for a little while. Sue figured she would be here about 1:30-2pm, but with this rain, it could be snow on the passes, so she might be a little later than that. Will send you a quickie email before I head out of here.

Then this, from Laurie's sweetheart which came in at 3:15:

Just to let everyone know, Dice has left Medford Oregon!! Sue dropped him off at our house around 2:30 (MAJOR bad weather over the passes) so we are running a bit late. Laurie (my honey) just left with him on the way to Eugene. She
expects to meet up with Hollie around 6 P.M. It has rained (and snowed on Sue, White Out conditions around Mt Shasta) all day so we are running a bit behind. More later............Hope Dice likes his new home..........we are happy to be a part of his journey Tom Lewis

* Leg Four/Redding, CA->Medford OR/ Sue

And then this from Sue (Redding to Medford) at 3:45 (and by the way, I groveled appropriately for Sue's above-the-call-of-duty leg today!)

Well, it's 3:30 and I just got home. WHAT A TRIP!!!

The storm I'd heard about on the news materialized as I started up the Siskiyou Pass, and continued with 30 mph winds, blowing sheets of rain mixed with snow, all the way to Shasta Lake. Needless to say, it took 45 minutes longer to meet up with Laura and do the exchange with Dice.

What a sweet dog. Nary a peep out of him all the way home. He ate about a 1.5 cups of dog food (actually wolfed it down), and then curled up and slept most of the way home.

The trip home was more than exciting. In addition to having the high winds, I hit snow and white out conditions for about 15 miles in the Mt. Shasta area, and it really had me worried that I wouldn't make it home if it continued. But, coming down to the 3,000 ft level near Weed, the blowing snow turned to blowing rain, and just gusty winds for the remainder of the trip.

Met with Laurie and her husband at their house and made the hand-off. Laurie is on her way as we speak....she left about 3:15.

I'm exhausted! My hands are still red from my death grip on the steering wheel. I need a cup of coffee with a nip of something stronger in it!

* Leg Five, Medford, OR -> Eugene, OR/ Laurie

This came in from Laura (Sacramento to Redding) about 5:30 this afternoon:

I got back from Redding about an hour ago. The weather going up was fine; the way back was rather hellish. I think Sue got the worst of it in those high altitudes. Have you heard from her?

Dice is a charmer! Still a bit unpolished, but Trina can work with that. I got a kick out of his proto-gymnastic leg lifts (I can see his little brain thinking, "The higher I pee, the bigger I seem!")

This, from Laurie (Medford to Eugene):

A little late checking in, got home and my own Boxer babies acted as if I had been gone a month! Dice is a wonderful traveling companion. He is the sweetest Dal. I handed him off to Hollie at 6:30pm in Eugene at the Gateway Mall, along with his traveling bags...took two pictures and said good-bye. He gives the sweetest kisses.
I was wondering...not that I know much about Dals...but could it be possible that Dice has a hearing problem? I stopped at a rest stop on the way, so we both could use a rest room and when I whistled, no response at all. I clapped my hands, nothing. I called him, again no response. There was nothing to distract him, so was just wondering. I hope not, as that would make even more work for this sweet wonderful boy. Sue said he scarfed his lunch and I know he munched on doggie biscuits on our way north. Shouldn't have any trouble getting weight on this boy! Thank you for the opportunity to help out. It was my pleasure. :-)

* Leg Six/Eugene, OR -> Longview, WA--> Hollie

Anyways, I had a pretty uneventful and pleasant journey with Dice. He was so gorgeous and sweet and I was honored to get some kisses as well. I met with Laurie in Eugene at 6:30pm -- I had actually arrived at 4:30pm so I did some waiting! :) We drove as fast as the speed limit would allow (give or take a few mph!!) and got to Kelso at about 9pm to meet with Britt and all went very well. I'm really hoping that Dice will get adopted into the wonderful home he deserves... he certainly was a pleasure to meet!

Hollie

I just wanted to comment to you real quick about Dice possibly being deaf. Laurie told me her thoughts about it and when we were driving and he was asleep in the backseat, I whistled to see if he would react and he immediately lifted his head...just wanted to let you know that! Hollie

* Leg Seven Longview,WA --> Seattle/ Britt

And at 6:52, Britt (Longview, WA to Seattle) checked in:

Just talked to Hollie, she got Dice from Laurie about 6:30 so we're a bit behind. We're hoping to meet in Longview in about 2 hours, so I should be meeting Trina in Marysville roughly around 10pm. I'll email you all when I get home, and let you know how it went!

Good morning!
Well, I just got back a few minutes ago, took some time to read the other updates, and am now wrapping it up. I dropped Dice off to Trina about midnight. He was a perfect angel, but was raring to get out and hose everything down after three hours in the car. He is definitely a charmer, he gazed at me adoringly almost the entire trip...it's so nice to be worshipped!
It never fails to amaze how the rescue dogs I've come into contact with are consistently beautiful, sweet tempered, gentle, loving animals, and Dice was certainly no exception. I juct can't figure out how they manage to stay so calm and sweet after all they've been through. I guess the saying must be true "To err is human, to forgive is canine". Dice has made it to a wonderful place. Trina has vowed to put some weight on those skinny bones of his, and I think he'll be amazing with some obedience and training. My female dalmatian promptly hauled off the sweatshirt I was wearing with Dice, and is now curled up sleeping with it, so his good looks and charm must be communicable by smell alone!! His new owners will be so lucky.

I just talked to Margaret, she was concerned about the mention that Dice was deaf. I have to say, as much as I hate to mention it, I had a lot of trouble getting his attention when I was trying to take a picture of him and Hollie
at the rest stop. I was thinking it might just be puppy exurberance since Margaret said that he was hearing...but now I'm not so sure. I did finally manage to get him to look at me but I don't know if that was just him catching sight of me, or what. He's certainly a sweetie regardless, but it will make it more difficult to place him for sure.

Britt

* Leg Eight (Final) Marysville, WA -> Oak Harbor/Trina Smith (Sucia Oaks)

2-22-2000 9pm, On the road again, got my Cadbury eggs and cell phone, full tank of gas and oil in the red machine.10 minutes into the trip, Britt calls and I am in a bad area near the base and need to pull over to talk to her. Parking lights on, a Sherriff pulls next to me and stares at me. I keep talking to Britt and look at him.....then look back again, he is still staring at me, so I wave the cell phone at him, he smiles, shakes his head and leaves. OK, back on the road, plans changed, I am going to Seattle now.

10pm, I am working on my next Cadbury egg, answering the phone, writing down a phone number and driving with my elbow....real smart!

11:00pm, I ~zing~ by the exit I am suposed to take, turn at the next one, get stuck on one-ways, doors locked, windows up and I have found a whole lot of new cuss words not found in a dictionary. Round and round I go until finding I-5 again, and double back to the mall. Here I call Britt and she's still a half hour away so I drive to the main entrance and park. Yeah, OK.........I see a bag lady and a man screaming and yelling at his backpack in more colorful words from ~my~ dictionary. Take two Excedrin and eat my midnight snack.

About 12 midnight Britt shows up, we make the transfer nice and smoothly. Dice and I are on the way home. He lays down and quietly sleeps. One pit stop for me and he slept through til we got home.

At home I took him through the garage to the kitchen to meet the 4 boys in there (2 Lhasas and my deaf Dal and deaf Dane). They checked him out, he tucked his tail and a little growling. Chip, the Dal put the Dane in his place letting him know, this boy was ~his~ LOL The Lhasas just growled at each other as usual and didn't even notice DICE, he's no threat, just another spotted neutered thing to them!

Lights out. Bed time. HA HA

The 4 in the kitchen we were quiet as clams, the 21 others on the other side of the house barked all night. Figures. Noone slept except the deaf dogs LOL

My cell phone rings and it is my husband telling me Dice was on his chair..........I explained the story of my morning adventure and he said "OK, he's fine, he can stay on this side of the house then.......He's a really sweet dog you know!!"

Obedience class starts next week.

Dice-man is again sleeping in ~his~ new chair right now. Prissy, my terminally ill Dal is not keen on this spotted boy on her turf but......that's the way life is around here.