Silver's reaction to Li'l Herman's Arrival

Li'l Herman looking for squirrels in Texas

Li'l Herman Running

Li'l Herman looking pensive

Li'l Herman Stretching

Li'l Herman's letter to Daddy Wayne and his bio

5/27/05 Letter came Snail Mail

Hi Mr. Wayne,

My name is Lil’ Herman. I am so happy you have adopted me, because I want so badly to have a place I can call home and a family who will love me, I can barely stand it.

Let me tell you a little about myself. As you know, I was lost and couldn’t find my way back home. One day, a man in a uniform picked me up from the streets and took me to a cold and scary place that had a lot of other lost dogs there. We were all so scared. A few days later, a nice woman came and looked at me, and took me to her home where there were a lot of other dogs living. This nice woman shaved off all my dirty and matted hair and gave me a good bath… it felt so good. I enjoyed living at this woman’s home. There were food and toys around all the time. I just loved having food and clean water whenever I wanted, because it was pretty hard to come by when I was lost.

One day, a man came and took me to a house that had a fluffy white dog already living there. His name is Augie Doggie, and Augie seemed to have everything I had hoped I’d have one day… plenty of food and water, lots of squeaky toys and chewy things, and a great back yard with big trees and shade. I soon discovered these little furry animals that ran around in the trees and on top of the fence. My foster dad calls them squirrels. I try real hard to catch them, but they’re pretty darn fast runners, plus they can climb trees really good. Maybe one day one of them will be sleeping or busy doing something else and I’ll catch em’.

My foster brother, Augie, was a little jealous of me at first because he was used to getting all the attention from my foster dad. But the longer I lived at his house, the better he seemed to like me. We’d chase squirrels together several times a day, and sometimes would chase one another around the house. I still like to take his squeaky toys from him, but he has so many, that I can’t possibly guard them all. When I first came to Augie’s house, I spent the first couple of nights in a cage, then my foster dad started letting me sleep in the bed… holy moly what a great feeling! I just love to stretch out and roll around in that bed, then fall asleep next to my foster dad. He holds and cuddles me so good and it makes me feel so safe and loved. He also lets me sit in his recliner chair with him and fall asleep on him for some great naps. Another thing I’ve learned is that when he walks into this one room with a lot of small doors and food smells, there seems to be something good to eat in everyone that he opens. As you can guess, I stay pretty close to him whenever he walks around… I just might get a tasty treat.

Sometimes, we go for a ride in his car. I just love to ride in the car. One day all three of us spent the whole day in the car. We traveled 700 miles in order to rescue a little baby Bichon puppy whose owner couldn’t care for any more. The trip was great. I didn’t get sick at all, and I think I chased away about 100 big trucks while we were going down the highway. We would come up beside them on the road and when their big tires got a little too close to our car, I would growl and bark at them and pretty soon they would be gone. I guess I just had to teach them not to mess with us.

Another thing I love to do is go for a walk. Whenever my foster dad brings out the long, red leash, I get all excited and start wiggling around, because I know we’re going for a walk, and I can hardly contain myself. I walk really good on a leash, but my foster dad still needs a little practice. Somehow, he seems to be pretty good at getting the red leash wrapped around my feet while I’m trying to lead us down the sidewalk. I suppose with some practice, he’ll learn to do it better.

I’m pretty happy at my foster home, but know it’s only temporary because he has to help other dogs, like me, find a home. I’m looking forward to living at your home and being a good dog for you and all my new step-siblings. I still need to learn a few manners, and hope you will be patient with me while I learn the rules of your family. I had a little separation anxiety at first when my foster dad would leave the house, but he taught me how not to have it. If I have a relapse, you can ask him how he fixed it for me. Like most dogs, I love table scraps, but I also like my regular dog food too. I’m easy to please, and am a loving baby who just wants to be safe and loved. Thank you for adopting me Daddy Wayne.

With love,
Lil’ Herman

Li'l Herman's bio on Small Paws Rescue:

Hi! My name is Li'l Herman! Can you tell I'm one happy fluff? I have a zest for life! You could say the world is my oyster. I am 1 ½ yrs old and weigh about 12 lbs. I was a lost puppy that ended up in a scary shelter but I was rescued just in the nick of time! Boy! Was I a mess! I was one big matted furball. Well, after my extreme makeover I felt and LOOKED like a different dog. My hair is still a little short right now because they had to shave me down but it's growing out nicely. I have some patches of gray here and there. My foster dad says I'm adorable in a clownish sort of way.

Since my release from "jail" I have made it my main mission in life to have fun and soak up all the attention I can get. I am very outgoing, playful, and friendly. I'm a brave boy too- not scared of nuthin' ! I like other dogs just fine and I like to play with and chase my squeaky toys. My all time favorite hobby is to chase the squirrels in my backyard. They are fast little things! Someday I hope to catch one!

I love to snuggle, cuddle, and most importantly receive belly rubs. I follow my foster dad everywhere he goes. I'm very curious. I am housetrained! Really, I am!! And I'm learning manners like "down". I walk okay on the leash but I sometimes get wrapped around my foster dad's legs so I could use some training and practice in that department. I'm a quick and eager learner.

My dream is to someday have my own forever home. (Well that dream and the squirrel catchin' dream.) Are you the one that will make my dream come true?
P.S. Don't worry if you don't have squirrels for me to chase at your house. I'll find another hobby. And if I catch me a squirrel soon I'll bring him with me to live at your house!

On Thursday, May 26, Li'l Herman flew into Las Vegas and into my heart from Houston, TX via Continental Airlines... he's a Coton de Tulear and not a Bichon but my four Bichons Ricky, Lucy, Princess and Snowball don't mind at all... even my newly adopted Persian cat Silver thinks Li'l Herman is pretty cool! Sugar is also a recent adoptee and has been my shadow since I rescued her from the pound but she's learned to share Li'l Herman with me too... she sleeps against my back and Li'l Herman sleeps against my front... he even likes sleeping under the covers with his head on my shoulder like Spuds used to... he sits on my leather recliner chair with me all the time in the store. If I have to get up to wait on a customer, he follows me and then is back up on the chair before I can get to it... he runs and stretches just like in the pictures and he loves to play... even knows how to chase a ball and bring it back... something my Bichons weren't interested in doing... he's a joy! I don't know how his foster Dad was ever able to give him up.

******5/28/05

Thanks for the update on Herman (you can never send too many updates as far as I'm concerned). It's so comforting to know he is transitioning so well. It sounds like he is truely settling into his new home with you. I hope he and your other dogs are getting along... although it can take a little while for multiple dogs to settle on their own set of boundries. I hope Herman is the loving cuddle bug you were hoping for. And yes, I really do miss him... he has such an addictive personality. I think Augie even misses him in an odd way. Thursday, he seemed to be a little puzzled over how quiet the house was, and yesterday, for most of the day, Augie would stand up and put his paws on the arm of the chair I was sitting in and look at me (his normal way of telling me he wants to go outside) about every hour (normal schedule is about once every 6-7 hours). Augie would then walk around the yard and trees as though he was looking for Herman... where's Herman, because Herman would normally lay down at the base on one of my two huge Oak trees and wait on the squirrels. It was so cute but so sad at the same time. I guess, given a little time, we'll all adapt and have many happy memories. I suppose another round of fostering will help ease the feelings and re-focus our attention on helping other dogs in need of a home. Herman was my first foster and he'll always hold a special place in my heart, not only for being the first, but for being Herman.

The little 4 month old female Bichon baby we drove 700 miles for is doing great with her foster family. Her and Augie started playing and chasing one another around the house as soon as we got home from the trip. It sounds like she and the family's other Bichon are inseparable... almost from minute one. The foster mom says she doesn't have room for another dog (she already has 3 other dogs of her own) and will put her up for adoption once she is old enough to be spayed, but I suspect she'll end up wanting to keep her. She is very friendly like Herman and likes to cuddle, and is a little bossy... supposedly doesn't take anythng off anybody just because she is tiny. I kept her for the first night because we got in so late, and I intended to cage her for the night to keep her safe from the Augie and Herman, plus prevent her from pottying althrough the house, or chewing on an electric cord or something. Well she made it clea r she would have no part of the cage business... man, what a set of lungs that baby had. I'd thought she'd gag herself. Next I took her from the cage and cordoned her off in the dining area with a portable dog fence and went to bed. Again more blood curdling screaming. After about 5 minutes, she got real quiet, and I figured she tired herself out. The next thing I new, I felt something tapping the side of the bed. At first I thought it was Augie, but when I looked, it was the baby Bichon trying to get on the bed, so I figured what the heck, and helped her up on the bed and we all fell asleep... Herman against me on the left, the baby against me on the right, and Augie on the floor in the closet. It was great. Whatever the outcome, someone will end up with a fantastic little Bichon.

Li'l Herman... my new Coton de Tulear

5/29/05

My Bichons won't let me touch them with a brush... the groomer says they're so well behaved for her that I can't imagine it... his hair is wiry curly and the brushing makes it a little straighter... the ones in the pictures have been brushed to death obviously, but I can see why he needs to be brushed as it would definitely get matted easily if you didn't... I got a dog brush for Christmas from my brother and hadn't taken it out of the package as I knew I'd never brush the Bichons... so glad I kept it as it's perfect for li'l Herman... it's strong and when you are finished, you push a button in the middle and the bristles retract so all the hair is released. Bichons have a silky feel and he's got a totally different feeling coat... almost like velcro. Li'l Herman ain't afraid of nuthin'! It's amazing how he just fitted himself right in... lots of confidence... the poor little white dog of unknown origin I rescued hid in my store for two days before coming and poking her head into the doggie door into the house to see if it was okay for her to come in... I took her turkey and everything I could think of to try to lure her out but she had to ease herself in on her own terms. She regressed a little when Herman arrived as she felt displaced but I've been giving her special attention too and now she's lying right up against me again... she's at my back and Herman at my front and the cat comes up on her side and meows for attention... the other four just loll about enjoying their old age... every once in a while, they'll come up and ask for a little petting and scratching but I didn't realize how independent they are until I lost Spuds who was hogging all the attention.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2005 12:33 AM
Subject: Re: Emailing: coton-country
Looking at the pic of the Coton de Tulear breed explains why Li'l Herman's hair has some gray patches, especially on the ears. Is his hair straight? The pic of the Coton looks straight- maybe that's just adult show coat.

My little foster girl, Janie, looks so much like him in the face. I know she's Bichon but she has the same expression. I wish she were outgoing and not scared though.

5/26/05

Li'l Herman is definitely a good watch dog with a good loud bark if he hears
something outside... he's "interested" in the cat but I've told him she's
not a squirrel and he's made no attempt to chase her and she doesn't seem to
realize there's yet another dog in her life... they all look the same to her
I guess. She was up on the bed purring and getting petted while Sugar and
Herman were lying right up against me... the web says they only need bathing
twice a year but I doubt that... they're supposed to be brushed two or three
times a week but not scissored so my groomer will have an easy job...

One of the rarest breeds, the Coton de Tulear comes from Madagascar, where
the breed was originally restricted to ownership by royalty. Later, the
social elite were allowed to own the breed, but it is still known as the
Royal Dog of Madagascar. The dog is named after the island's port city of
Tulear, and called Coton because of its cottonlike hair.
A small dog with dark eyes, long lashes and lots of charm, the Coton has a
winning smile. Its coat is long, dry, oil- and dander-free, and has no doggy
odor, so it is a good choice for allergy sufferers. It is kept tangle-free
by brushing or combing several times a week, and shedding is minimal. Color
varies from white, white with champagne highlights and a dusting of black
hairs, to white with a few yellow or gray patches.
The Coton stands 10 to 12 inches at the withers and weighs from 12 to 15
pounds. The breed is said to be intelligent and affectionate.

Lil' Herman's Arrival

My li'l Herman is attached to me at the hip already... he's so SMART... already figured out the three doggie door system and if I have to get up out of my chair, he's back up on the chair before I can sit down to make sure he's right there to sit with me... what a little charmer! I've wanted a coton de tulear so badly and now I have one!

He was excited to see me as soon as I got him at the airport as if he knew... I put a leash on him and he had a pee and then sat on my lap all the way to the store... alternating between looking curiously at everything out the window and lying his head down on my lap... I imagine he was tired from his trip but he was still excited about all the buildings and cars... guess he knew he was in Las Vegas... I'll have to take him down to the Strip to see all the lights. He and the other dogs had no problems at all and he peed twice in the yard and then peed in the store as well to mark it and when we came over to the house, peed here too so I told him that was it... that everything was marked now! He's so smart that I do believe he knew what was happening this morning and you must have been so sad... I had to drive one of my Bichon pups to the Union Plaza hotel to go to a friend of mine in Santa Fe and it was all I could do to keep from just turning around and heading back home with her. I sort of suspected from the description that Li'l Herman might be a coton de tulear but was positive as soon as I saw him... his hair has a very different consistency from a bichon's but of course, they're closely related... some of the stuff I've read say they only need a bath twice a year but I'd be surprised at that since my Bichons get dirty in a couple of weeks... we'll see... I and everyone I know thinks of him as Li'l Herman so I think that's what he'll stay for sure.

Thank you, David, for sharing him with me... now that I see what a sweetie he is and so gentle, I can imagine how much you miss him... and Augie too... I swear they know what's going on more than we give them credit for. I'll definitely keep you updated...

The message is ready to be sent with the following file or link attachments:
Shortcut to: http://www.molalla.net/coton-country/

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 2:28 PM

Subject: Fwd: Lil' Herman's Arrival

Hi Wayne,

I was so glad to hear Herman made it to you in good shape. I couldn't help but worry about him and all the commotion he was experiencing. I know he will settle in pretty quick with you and your clan of fluffs. I had him a little less than 5 weeks total and he acted more at home every day.

Augie Doggie was even warming up to him, except he still didn't much care to be in the same bed with Herman (Herman likes to own whatever free space there is, so Augie just goes and sleeps in the closet). However, they would eat and drink out of the same bowls, romp in the back yard, and go for car rides like best of buds. And just like Augie, whenever I brought out the leash, he was just beside himself with excitement of going somewhere... anywhere. Herman still liked to take any toy from Augie if Augie showed an interest in it.

Yesterday, in general, was pretty gloomy, yet at the same time happy around here... knowing it was Lil' Herman's last day here, but knowing he was heading to a permanent home with you. I had really gotten attached to the little guy. I believe Herman was probably picking up on the vibe also, as last night in bed, he was stuck to me like never before. I couldn't move without moving him first, and even stranger yet was that Augie slept the whole night in bed with us. Almost like he knew he was saying goodbye to Herman. And to top off last nights' strangeness, on the way to the airport this morning, it was still dark outside and Herman was lying down in the front seat totally relaxed and still, and I was petting him, when all of a sudden, he got up and crawled into my lap and started barking. We were about 3 miles from the airport when that happened, and I couldn't help but feel that he telling me goodbye, speaking to me the only way he knew how.

Lil' Herman was the first dog I ever fostered and hopefully won't be the last (however, I'll have to get better at sending them off to a new life). By the way, feel free to rename him if you'd like. His name when I took him in was Turner, which I didn't think fit his looks. About three weeks before I even thought of fostering a dog, I got the name Herman stuck in my head for some reason and couldn't stop thinking about it. It's sort of a case when you get a tune in you head and can't quit singing or humming it... for days or weeks. Sort of haunting-like. Well when I first laid eyes on Turner, I knew instantly, right then and there he was a "Herman"... he looked like a Herman, with his gray ears and weird eye pigments, a little clownish in a good way. That's how he became known as Herman, but if you don't like the name, it's no offense to me if you change it.

Wayne, I wish you and Herman, and your other pooches all the joy and happiness possible, and hope he can help soothe your heart after the loss of your other fluff. The little guy really left his paw print on my heart... just like I know he also will on your heart. I think that is his mission here on Earth. He is so full of love for humans, you can see it in his little soul when looking deep into his eyes... it's incredible. If you ever get a chance, I'd would be so grateful for an occasional update on how you all are doing (I'd love to see a picture of him once his coat is fully grown out and groomed. I bet he'll be more adorable than ever... if that's possible). I know you'll take good care of my Lil' Herman... and he'll take good care of you. Thank you for opening your home and heart to him.

Dave

How Could You?

When I was a puppy I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" - but then you'd relent and roll me over for a bellyrub. My housetraining took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed, listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day. Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch - because your touch was now so infrequent - and I would have defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams. Together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family. I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog or cat, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a goodbye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?" They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you - that you had changed your mind - that this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table, rubbed my ears and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?" Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself - a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. With my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not meant for her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.