Pheasant

      As I woke up this morning to take Rush on a walk I was wanting to go two miles, instead we went one. We started out just walking up the street, the usual, we walk past our neighbors house and they have a boxer that sprints over (he has a shock collar on). So Rush has to go over and smell the boxer because he LOVES that boxer. We continue on our walk and ahead of us I see a mother deer and a baby deer crossing the street, Rush never notices deer, he isn't very observant that way. So we get to the top of the street and I look to my left and notice the mother deer jumped over the fence -- now, this fence at their house is black spiked fence as seen below.

Example

       The baby deer did now however try to jump over the fence, it tried to crawl between the iron bars. The baby deer got stuck and I heard it crying as the momma deer panicked now knowing what to do, the baby deer was starting to bleed trying to get through that fence. Rush and I sat there having NO clue what we should do about this baby deer, LUCKILY this couple from my ward were on a morning walk (as always) and I waiting for them to get closer. I told them there was a baby deer stuck and her husband went over to check it out, it was a two person job so LUCKILY another man from my ward was just driving and stopped to help. They had called another person that lived close by also, it took about ten minutes but the baby deer was free and ran off into the bushes. We continued our walk and decided to only go a mile. 

       Some other GREAT news is, my parents came back and my mom is adopting Storm. She fits in the family so well and is so incredibly happy here. She has anxiety, but that makes her stay real close and not run off all the time. She's a great example on Rush, Rush can be quite a lazy boy, not quite, REALLY the lazy boy. He'll go off and do his business (poop) and then decide he's too tired to come back so he'll just sit in the middle of the yard looking off and if you come over to him he'll just lay down so you can't get him up. Anyways, my mom adopted Storm and let me show you a picture of how happy Storm is to have her new forever home. 

"I'm adopted?!"

       Storm was a owner surrender, she was super pregnant and only had a week before she popped. She was the favorite in that shelter and they begged Rescue Rovers to get her out before she gave birth. She was saved and into a fosters home, a couple days later she gave birth to 9 puppies. She couldn't produce enough milk and lost 2 of her babies, she was incredibly shy but super compassionate. She went to two foster homes before she came to us where we adored her and couldn't let her go. 

Shelter Picture

       
       They actually cleaned the cages by hosing down the floors while the dogs were in there, that's why the ground is all wet. She couldn't be happier now though, she has a huge yard to run all she wants in and a family that loves her, and ALOT of bffs (dogs) to play with -- Rush, Peachy, Rufus, and Marlene. Rush won't leave her side when he's upstairs with her, this morning after our walk we came upstairs after feeding and Storm and Peachy were on a walk with my parents and Rush was searching everywhere for at least ONE dog! He didn't know what to do with himself, he had to say good morning to someone!

       So Rush goes on a lot of car rides with me, I like the company. Today I had to pick Scott up from the bus stop since he started school today! Should have gotten a first day of school picture I know, I know... Or maybe more pictures of him on here! Anyways, so we waited in the parking lot for the bus to come and Rush is my little guard dog, he is watching everyone making sure they DO NOT do anything too fishy. 

Keeping an eye on everyone. 

Bored

       Scott finally got off the bus and Rush couldn't be happier to see him! Rush has a problem with when he gets super excited he pees, he seems to be doing the excited pee a lot lately, that and he has to bring a toy whenever he goes and greets someone. Speaking of toys, I got him three new toys since it was a set, the migrator set which consists of Pheasant, Goose, and Duck. They have them on Amazon separately but I got all three for a waaaay better deal. Anyways, it always feels good to see them play with their new toy, especially out of the three they play with your favorite one. 

Pheasant

IN & OUT

       Last night I magically got two Collie/Heeler puppies which I named Merry and Pippin, they were 4 months. Needless to say, I could not handle them at all and had to trade them. They were the biggest balls of energy I have ever seen, they were too much for Rush (my 4 month old puppy) He was like an old man compared to them! They were cute little things but I realized, they are not my type of dog. They are for someone with dedication; whether it's running, walking, parks, or even just has a fenced backyard! They'd be great buddies for half marathons though, they could probably run about 4-5 miles right now. Last night I was driving home thinking "I am regretting this situation so hard." I tied them up last night for 2 seconds and they both bolted and I was thinking "hey, they are going to rip their necks off!" -- NOPE -- they broke it and kept running! I ALMOST LOST TWO PUPPIES THE FIRST HOUR I HAD THEM. I ran through the sprinklers and all three of us were soaking wet, luckily they were connected and got caught on the tire of the truck. I just stood there in the sprinklers holding 2 leashes not knowing what I was going to do for the weekend with them as they were spinning around like little tornados knotting up their leashes into one big ball. I had them sleep in a giant crate upstairs in the bathroom, and listened to them rustling around all night long. 

Pippin

Merry (Meriodic)

Me, Merry, and Pippin

      

       This picture fits their personality perfectly! Merry (brown) is the shy but very clingy boy, as you can see with his little finger like paws clenching my shirt. Pippin(black) is the attention HOG, he would jump on me and when Merry would try he'd push him off with his paw. I think I could handle them if I only had one of em, but I got to trade them both for one very special lady. This special ladies name is Storm, those superhero pups I had, well, this is their mother. 

Storm

      

       Storm, I've had her for less than a day but she's been incredible the amount of time I've had her. When we went to pick her up she just hopped into the car and wouldn't come out, we got home and Rush absolutely LOVED her, Peach our not so social dog PLAYED with her. She's got so much personality and very easy to take care of. Rush could barely walk this afternoon he was so exhausted from playing, yet he couldn't stop. 

Rush

       

       They were asleep by 7:30, and this is where Storm decided she wanted to sleep...

Run & Bark

       Well guys, I took Rush on his first run and let's just say it went a lot better than I thought. We went on a little mile jog yesterday afternoon and half the time it was me jogging and him walking sort of fast right behind me. As soon as he's on our street and sees our house, he just takes off and sprints with his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth and spit spraying out running the home stretch. 

A good run

       I've been wanting to take him running since he was 4 weeks old when I got him. He is about 4 1/2 months now and almost 30 pounds, so I figured I could take him for a little run. PLUS I want him to get all his energy out and just kind of crash when we get home - which he did. Today we ran 2 miles and boy did he do better than yesterday! He was kind of dragging at the end of mile 1, but as soon as he pooped he was a rocket. Guess he's got the running trots, and it's nice he doesn't try and jump up to bite my pant leg anymore while running. 

After 2 mile run today

He was one tired, tired doggy.

       So Monday was Scotts birthday, he turned the big 2-5. For breakfast I took him to Kneaders since neither of us have had their all you can eat french toast before. That french toast is THICK, I didn't even make it through the two we started with. Scotts mom and sister showed up later to join us eat also, and we all went into a sugar coma for the rest of the day. BUT, their french toast was quite delicious and I may eat there again, I just wish it wasn't just at breakfast time though. I'm never hungry in the morning. 

Kneaders

Hip

So, I decided to be hip and cool and start a Facebook account for mine and Scotts photography. We did a couple different types, since me and my mother foster dogs together I've gotten to take a lot of pictures of puppies and other peoples dogs/fosters. If interested our website is www.thegifford.com/photography -- I got to have a little photo-shoot with my boy Rush (4months) Scott was practicing the evening pictures with the warm colors before we took my sister-in-law and her fiancés engagements the next day. I think we've come a LONG way from when we first were doing shoots. 

Now, my sister-in-laws engagements turned out great, I think. We did a morning shoot yesterday and we'll do an evening shoot tonight. Here are just a couple of those photos -- 

I'm still trying to figure out all the poses for engagements, I know, I know, I can go on Pinterest. We always have tonight to try out more poses. 
Now let me post one more picture, this is of Rush, but it is my FAVORITE face he makes -- the look.

Cuteness Overload!

       I had the opportunity to take some pictures of a momma and her babies that are being fostered! They are so incredibly cute and I hope you all die of cuteness overload. I can't help but share some of the portraits of the either the dogs I've fostered or others have fostered. There is something so enjoyable about taking pictures of animals, and helping dogs find their forever home from that one perfect picture that caught someones eyes! 
       First I will show you the mother and her four babies that my friend is fostering at the moment! Also she is also a dog groomer and does incredible work! The momma's name is Tootsie, and her four pups are -- Baby Ruth, Bazooka, Black Licorice, and Carmello.

Baby Ruth

Baby Ruth

Now, for the little time I spent with Baby Ruth she is incredibly lovable and pretty much the softest little fluff ball I have ever held/felt. She is so adorable!

Bazooka

Bazooka

       Bazooka, is the man of the group. He is the only boy and BOY does he show it!

Black Licorice

Black Licorice

Black Licorice -- I haven't really seen her personality, but she seems pretty laid back from as far as I can tell.

Carmello

Carmello

Carmello is personally my favorite, she is very laid back and gives kisses when you hold her. She fell asleep in my arms the first time I held her. 

Carmello, Baby Ruth, Black Licorice, and Bazooka 

Tootsie

Tootsie

Tootsie is kind of hesitant around strangers, but once she warms up she is incredibly nice. These puppies/momma will be ready to adopt in a couple weeks or more. They're on the search for their forever home that'll love them to pieces!

       Now, I got to take one of her puppy. She is a foster fail to her dog Thor, he is a Chi mix and has the most gorgeous blue eyes! How could she not?

Thor

       

A couple weeks ago we were fostering three heeler/houndog mix puppies, I never posted pictures of them but they were SO cute. There was Gambit, Hulk, and Superman. They went to their forever homes and have been doing marvelous!

Gambit

Gambit and I

Gambit was THE ideal puppy, when you picture puppy you envisioned him. I mean, he was the puppy on the dog food bag! Any chance he got he would come after your face and lick you to death! He went to a wonderful family that the children will love him and play with him all the time. The family kept his name Gambit since the kids did NOT want to change it. 

Hulk

Humor shot of Hulk

Hulk and I

Hulk was the most affectionate puppy out of the three, also the mellowest. He moaned in his sleep, and enjoyed sleeping behind the cooler in our house. His new family changed his name to Bruce as in Bruce Wayne, it fits him perfectly! 

Superman

Superman

Unfortunately I don't have a picture with him. Superman was the spunkiest little guy, he will be A LOT of work. He got adopted by a nice couple that named him Harley and will love him to pieces! 

So my sister had a foster dog this last week that got adopted and then returned and then a day later got adopted again and hasn't been back. His name was Farley, and golly was he adorable and a baby! He could be held and snuggled all day long and wouldn't be upset. He was picked up by the pound and the owners didn't bother to come pick him up, so he was on death row to enter the gas chamber, BUT, my lovely sister said she would foster him so he got a second chance!

Farley lovin life.

Farley and Kristy

Last but not least, my favorite dog in the whole world! He has the most enjoyable personality and I love him to death! He may make me REALLY frustrated at some times but he makes it up to me every time. For being four months, he's a pretty smart pup. 

Foster failure Rush

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Rush and Peach have a weird relationship...