Nova's Page
AKA: Teddy Face, Novy Dovy, Noodle, Little Noo
Many Tears had named Nova and we liked her name very much and decided to keep it ......
Nova is Latin and the meaning of her name is NEW.
Nova's Birthday.....3rd July 2002 (she is going to share Loren our Daughters B'Day as we have no idea of her real DOB
Nova's Gotcha Day.....14th October 2006
Likes and Dislikes....Loves cuddles Cheese. hates the smoke alarm.
Tricks: Dance on her back legs, solo catch & Beg
Wining Moments:
3rd Place Best Many Tears Rescue Dog photo comp April 2007
1st place Best Rescue Bitch & Dog fun class @ Basingstoke Training Club 28th April 2007
2nd Place Fancy Dress as a Fairy @ Southern CKCS Club 27th May 2007
On the 9th of October 2006 I saw Nova for the first time at the Many Tears Animal Rescue web site. She tugged on my herat strings as many dogs there do, but with her floppy ears and pink nose she was tugging extra hard and I felt she was very special..
Tim had a small amout of unexpected cash come his way and he asked me what he could buy me as a present..I said yippee I want Nova. So on the 14th of October 2006, Tim and I travelled to Wales to collect Nova and she joined our Family.
She was 4 years and an old ex-puppy farm breeding bitch when we collected her in 2006. She had been kept in a kennel and bred from over and over until she was given up to Many Tears to re home so she had never had a real home and Family.
Can you imagine what sort of life puppy farm dogs have or lack of it? Not knowing anything about basic simple pleasures in life- going for walks on a lead eating yummy snacks being cuddled and loved and most of all having a home.
Nova has now started her new life and we are slowly making up for her past life....Now is the time to look forward.
Nova has come on in leaps and bounds she is a normal happy little dog and the love she gives is un measurable I was right she is very specail indeed.
samoyed fluffter coney angel kaylie alfie kirby nova spitz
Nova's Diary
Nova is an ex-puppy farm breeding bitch, I decided to keep notes on her daily activities as she settled in with us as her first Family and share them.
Nova travelled home from Rescue in our car in a bed with blankets she was quiet and did not make much of an attempt to get out of her bed but she did look over the back seats at us on and off all the way home. Her trip in the car was 178 miles so quite a way when you are not used to car travel.
We did stop on a services in the hope she might have a drink and a pee but she just froze on the spot so we carried on with our journey.
When we got home we introduced her to The Fluffters in our kitchen so she was still in a fairly small space we were advised to do as a small space is what she had been used to, she was very still and quite but things went well she did growl at Kirby but apart from that things were fine.
When you pick Nova up from the floor her body goes very stiff to start but then you feel her very slowly relax it makes you wonder what she thinks is going to happen to her!
It was not long after that Nova decides to check out the rest of the house and we let her do it all in her own time she was cautious but at the same time very brave.
Nova firmly latched on to me and she would not leave my side I think this happens a lot with ex puppy farms as they are not used to a home or people and she felt save with me but at the same time a little scared.
She ate a bowl of food at Tea time and this surprised us we thought she might threat and not eat but no she tucked right in. We decided to feed her with all the other Fluffters as we wanted her to get used to our routine from day one she was very good and stayed in her own bowl and the Fluffters did not try to take her food.
After Tea we went into the garden but she was very clingy and would not leave my feet but it's no wonder all of a sudden being given freedom to roam she did have a pee eventually and was given lots of praise. Next she decide to take a look upstairs she was far more cautious up stairs but she did fine one problem was getting back down the stairs she had no idea at all so we carried her down.
I offered her a dog treat she refused it she was not sure what it was at all this was the same with the selection of treats I had in the jar no interest at all.
My neighbours came over to visit Nova and she was pleased to see them but still very clingy around me a quick hello then back to Mum.
Nova has not been used to household smells or cooking smells which make her sneeze and she was totally un aware of the danger from the heat of our oven it's like teaching a new Puppy about life really. All the sights, sounds and smells that The Fluffters know so well Nova knows none of them so our every move was watched and if something made a noise and she looked unsure then we showed it to her.
Bedtime soon came around I was dreading it I thought she would cry and cry she did a bit but we were firm and did not go to her she had all she needed down stairs in the hall and kitchen plus she had Angel and Kaylie.
Day 2
When we woke up Nova was waiting looking up stairs she knew where we were all right she had a pee and poop in the kitchen but we had expected that as I had walked round and round with her in the garden before bed but she would not go.
She was so over the top to see me with excitement I thought she might burst not the shy little dog I expected to see at all it was a lovely feeling.
Today we decided to wash her paws they were so stained with urine and smelt terrible she did not mind this at all she is a placid little dog so far.
The garden was welcomed today but only with her at my side I am asking her to pee on command and praising her so much for going.
She is scared of the Hoover but no where near as bad as I thought mind you she sees Kirby inches from my heals so she knows it's not that bad.
She has been very clingy Today she rubs herself on me tries to lick my face and goes totally over the top for affection from me it's tough as I want to give her it all but have been advised to distance myself from her a little to avoid separation issues later.
She is also snapping at The Fluffters if they come near me so time out on her own has been advised each time she gets snappy which we are following and seems to be working.
We have also put a stair gate up at the bottom of the stairs so she has no access up there or she will follow me every where and she needs to interact with Tim and Lollie as well.
I feel mean knowing she has not had cuddles and love for 4 years and I wanting to just love her all the time but I know moderation is the way to go if I don't want an insecure dog.
She cried in the night so I pulled of my pillow slip from my bed and Tim took it to her and placed it in her bed he did not speak just gave her the pillow slip and walked away and it did the trick.
Day 3
We woke to see Nova had a clean and dry night what a little star she is she was even keen to get in the garden for her Morning Pee in fact she was so happy this Morning she left my side in the garden and chased Kirby in a big circle which made her huff and puff a bit.
Her back end was very knotted when she arrived and I was dying to remove them but wanted her to settle how ever I felt she was relaxed enough and went ahead she had seen me groom The Fluffters so she knew what was happening she stayed calm and relaxed and she must have felt so much better afterwards.
Tim and I took her to see our Vet Today to get her checked over as she had been spayed a few days ago and I wanted that checked and I thought she might have an Ear Infection which she did so she was given medication. She was very nervous at the Vets in fact she just froze on the spot on the table while he checked her over she is a little under weight but all in all good health.
She is making a very deep and quiet howl today when I am not about even while Tim is with her it's upsetting for me to hear her distress but again we need the distance so I am spending a lot of time at the PC so she will bond with Tim and Lollie and get used to The Fluffters.
Day 4
Another dry clean Morning bless her and using the garden with a wagging tail I hated to not see her little tail wagging in fact she is just so happy Today and I am shocked.
I went to put some washing in the machine and as I put it in the machine she pulled it back out and tugged it like a puppy..LOL..wonderful to see then she curled up on the next load of washing right by the machine and stayed there quite a while.
It was fab to see her there for two reasons the first reason she was not scared of the washing machine and secondly she was not attached to my feet so she's feeling more confident.
Tim gently cleaned her eyes today she had a large crusty build up which needed to be removed on day one but we did not want to pull her about then and yet again she did not make a fuss.
She is still snappy around the Fluffters but there is an improvement due to being put on time out as she hates being alone I am very glad to see the improvement as Kirby was getting quite upset he is a very gentle little soul and not at all used to being snapped at.
Day 5
Well, what can I say a terrific Morning she seems so settled a dry and clean night yet again until Daddy slips up while getting breakfast and forgets to take her to the garden so she pees on the floor Tim just ignored the fact she had done that and got on with breakfast.
Next the garden she had a Pee and ran in a huge circuit of our garden bouncing about like a little Lamb it almost made me cry she looked like a normal happy little dog without a care in the world it was brilliant.
We have been practising being on the lead in the garden Today for the first time she is not keen but it's early days and she can't go out walking until all her jabs are complete so we have a couple of weeks yet and even then I will take her when she is ready.
While we walked The Fluffters Today we left a voice activated recorder running to pick up her sounds she did cry and howl a little but it was no too bad really and expected think when all her Family up and leave her.
Sadly Nova snapped at Angel Today she really went at her face and so Angel told her off good and proper it was upsetting and Nova cried but I don't think she will push her luck with Angel again.
Kaylie and Angel just leave Nova to it really they are not acting any differently to before Nova arrived but then they are quite relaxed and no too bothered by having another dog in the house.
Nova's coat is not very good it's very stained and out of condition and she needed a trim so Today I brushed her all over and trimmed her tail I did not want to pull her about to much but again she was very relaxed in fact she went to sleep as I did it...LOL
Today is Halloween Nova was quite scared of our box of Halloween goodies but after letting her take her time and look at all the things she was fine. We had some children knock at our door for trick or treat Nova was a little unsure and decided to watch from a distance as Angel Kaylie and Kirby greeted all the children Nova also meet our neighbours dogs Today she was fine a little shy but went nose to nose to say hello.
Day 19
Nova's excitement when we get up in the Mornings is totally over the top bless her but it's so nice to see her so pleased to see us she is still sleeping downstairs with Angel and Kaylie to give her a little separation from me other wise she would not leave my side.
Day 20
Nova got very excited on her walks Today she is enjoying them more daily she also meet a Lab which she was just fine with she still freezes on the spot when she sees someone heading for us but she moves on a lot quicker now. still take her on a short daily road walk and she is getting a little better in traffic but she is easily spooked especially by motor bikes,
Day 21
Nova went off lead Today and she was very good she stays with her family and very much enjoys her new freedom and room to run about. She had a great game of chase with Kirby in the garden Today and they both got very mucky but had heaps of fun. She is amazing us how quickly she is coming on.
Nova meet 2 Spaniels out n her walk Today she was not keen and kept her distance she also refused a doggie snack which the Spaniels owner had kindly offered her.
Day 22
Nova meet a few regular walkers in our woods Today and their dogs 2 Westies and a Greyhound I picked Nova up as we all approached each other and then gradually I go bent down with her on my lap so she had a little bit of security she did not take a lot of notice of the Westies but she liked the Greyhound who is a very gentle old girl. Eventually I put Nova on the ground and in her own time she made friends and had a run about with all the dogs.
Day 23
Nova had a wonderful walk today in the woods she enjoyed every moment head held high and tail wagging she even approached the Greyhound she had meet yesterday and seemed happy to see her again.
She also approached a a couple with her tail wagging she did not stick about for long but it was a huge break through to see her want to say hello to a person she does not know. She also seems to have bonded rather well with one of my daughters friends and will now sit on her lap when she visits.
Day 24
Took Nova to our Vet Clinic Today which I will make a regular visit for her she is now 7.09 which is a steady improvement and it is nice to see her filling in a bit too as her waist looked very skinny.
She has totally settled during the Days now with all The Fluffters and does not feel the need to growl at them but in the evenings when she is sleepy she sometimes forgets herself and gets a bit grumpy her punishment is for me to tell her no firmly and then I move away from her or still put her on time out.
Nova plays every day now sometimes only for a few seconds with a toy or a ball but it's lovely to see her so happy. She has a thing for metal she will chew at zips on clothes or my grooming tools anything she can get hold of really...It's kinda odd maybe metal bars was all she ever had to chew on!
Her coat is coming on now it's far less yellow and her feet are far less stained she is as relaxed as ever while she is being groomed but is still not over keen on the sound the scissors make which is odd as she is fine with the clippers!
Day 26
Nova has wet in the night the last 2 nights we wish we knew why after her being clean and dry for so long maybe something spooked her but it's still early day's anyway.
We meet a dear little Rescue dog today over the woods and Nova was quite keen to make friends with her which is great she also meet a local Collie while we were road walking that I have such a soft spot for and again she wanted to be friends.
Nova had not meet any smaller children until Today in fact I was a little unsure of her meeting them until I had an idea of how she would behave around them. The matter was taken out of my hands this afternoon as a child came rushing over hands waving all over the place and on Nova before I could say a thing!
THANK GOD she did not bite him I had no time at all to prepare her as the child was approaching as I was talking to someone walking her dog of course I intend to socialise her with kids but our road walking is focusing on building her confidence with traffic at this stage.
Day 27
Nova had a dry night last night. She did not have a very good road walk today I took her on her own and she did not feel as confident without Kirby at her side. Firstly a big dog barked at her from it's lounge window next a car parked on a grass verge made a lot of noise as it's owner unlocked it by remote then she saw children and mums and dad's walking along with school kids and it all got to much she shook and decided it was better to just stand still and quiver.
I carried her home right or wrong thing to do I think enough was enough for today and I hate to see her so scares she has come on such a long way in just over 3 weeks and I am not going to push her.
Day 35
Nova's energy levels must be at an all time high as she has so much of it now and it's wonderful she dashes about keeping up with Kirby and sometimes even over takes him! She is ever more playful now and far less wary of strangers.
Day 37
Tim and I decided that as Nova is doing so well we would take her into Town for the first time we waited until the Afternoon when it was a bit quieter. She did ok but is still very wary of having people behind her she is getting quite good around traffic now.
We took her to a pet shop and had her fitted out for her Winter coat she is so good when we got home and tried it on her she just carried on as normal playing with her toys and laying on the bean bag totally ignored the coat...It seems anything goes....
Day 38
Nova meet quite a few dogs out on walks Today and was very sociable she even took a treat from a fellow dog walker when she was offered which is a big improvement as the last time she was offered a snack she turned her nose up!
Day 40
Today we had a slip up...OOPS Nova decided to pull a plant out of it's pot all over the table and sofa today she also chewed the wicker covering from the handle of the new toy basket I bought yesterday and last week chewed a hole in my slipper!
I will try another day or two of leaving Nova the run of downstairs while I am at work and if she misbehaves again she will lose the comfort of my bean bag and sofa and have to stay in the kitchen in her bed..Not that it's that bad but she would rather be in the lounge I am sure.
Jan 2007
Nova has been with us now for 3 Months she has proved to be a very special little dog and now fully settled with her new Family in fact it feels like she has been with us forever she is very sweet gentle and kind and such a pleasure to live with.
Nova and Kirby get on so well they play more and more together as the weeks go by and Nova will clean Kirby's coat which he just loves.
Nova has over come many of her fear issues and is turning into a very social and brave little Lady she has gained weight and muscle tone and her energy levels have increased so much. She could not keep up with Kirby when he ran about but she can sure keep up with him now.
I still have to keep a close eye on her when she is playing with Kirby as she can get a little carried away and go over the top but even this is happening less and less now.
She likes Kaylie but is still not keen on Angel and to be honest I don't think she ever will but it's still early day's yet.
Jan 8th 2007
We had real Snow Today which Nova really enjoyed both in our garden and out on our walks here she is having fun http://www.dailymotion.com/Flufftersmum/video/x15s9y_snow-fluffters-number-two
Jan 29th 2007
I took Nova for a weigh in Today she is now 7.08kg she has filled out her tummy is looking good and most of her teats have returned to a good shape and size after feeding all her pups.
Feb 12th 2007
Today Nova played a real tug of war game with Kirby it was very special to see Nova playing and enjoying a game without protecting the stuffie this really is a huge step forward for her and a wonderful thing to see.
here she is in action http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2894048730099043736aJgOGs
Feb 26th 2007
It has taken Nova a while to get used to traffic when she being road walked but Today she cracked her fear and I am over the moon. After our woodland walk Today I got Tim to drop us about 10 minutes from home in a quiet street just off a very busy main road.
Nova walked with Angel Kaylie and Kirby with her head held high with no worry at all, no tail between her little back legs and no running for cover at my feet all the way home and all on the very busy road....What a little star.
March 23rd 2007
Nova is a perfect little Lady she is well behaved fantastic around other dogs settled and learnt to dance on her back legs for a biscuit and also catch a treat when it's thrown to her which took just a week this is something Kirby never managed to grasp!
April 14th 2007
WOW Nova has been with us 6 Months Today it's gone so quickly she is such a happy little dog and about as settled as I think she ever will be I am amassed that she has such a wonderful out look on life with all she has been through but she has had 3 wonderful dogs to show her the way.
Sept 25th 2007
Nova is our little wonder dog she has taken everything in her stride she is so full of love which she shares readily, she has had her 5th Birthday and her 1st Gotcha Day with us she has won special prizes had some great fluffter adventures she really enjoys life to the full now. She gained a new Samoyed Brother called Alfie in June 2007 who she adores Nova is just perfect we love her so very much..
