His name is Bob and he came to us because my friend Candace posted his picture on Facebook, saying that he'd spent the last few freezing nights on a chain with a small doghouse for shelter, He's eight months old, a neutered male English Shepherd and I thought he would fit in to our pack . . .
Ali surprised me by disagreeing (we keep Otis and Ali four day s a week -- doggy day.care.) Willa too thought it was a Bad Idea -- especially when I paid attention to the new guy. So we spent yesterday adjusting attitudes -- starting with keeping Ali and Bob leashed and Ali restrained. Willa made horrible faces and cursed when Bob came near her but I just tossed a blanket over her and let her carry on like an idiot. Bob was perplexed but not afraid.
A diversion was needed and John made a run to the grocery for rawhide chews.
Bob got one . . .
Otis (who has been a perfect gentleman about the new guy) got one . . .
Ali got one . . . as did Willa and Dan . . . and they all chewed in quiet solidarity.
Bob hid his in the ficus tree pot and got another.
By the afternoon, Bob and Ali had played together, rough-housing and tail-wagging, and things were no longer tense, Bob likes to chase tennis balls and I saw him twice roll a ball to Ali, trying to initiate a game. Willa has her nose out of joint and is still growling and cursing but nobody takes her seriously.
Everybody got lots of attention and special treats and all kinds of carrying on. It's exhausting but worthwhile to see the change in attitudes over the day.
The kittehs mostly stayed in the bedroom till Otis and Ali left. Bob is both interested in them and intimidated by them (they make awful faces too. He doesn't seem to want to hurt them but he bounces at them (like Tigger) and they puff up and hiss. I'm pretty sure this will change.
Bob will be leashed when he's outside till we feel confident he'll come when called. His previous owners gave him up because he ran off. We hope, that with our whole farm to roam, he'll be content to stay put.
He's a lovely, snuggly, boy with enough of the puppy left in him that we're having to be careful about what we leave lying around. (He was starting a little shoe collection till I realized what he was up to.)
He also reminds me a lot of our late sweet Bear -- though far more energetic. I suspect he's going to be every bit as good a dog as she was.
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| BEAR |
27 comments:
Lucky Bob, a dog!
Bob is adorable! Please give him a hug (lots of them) and a kiss on the head from me. I hope he and the kittehs learn to get along with no harm to anyone.
Bob is quite handsome! I have every confidence things will work out exactly as you envision them. Sounds like you are already on the right path!
We humans could learn a lesson from your critters!
Deana the Queena
What an adorable addition to the pack. We have just the one dog but after buying a house I'm sure we will get another all too soon.
Look at his sweet face. He's adorable and a very lucky fella to be taken into your home. I bet now that he'll have some friends he won't run off. I wouldn't :)
Sam
What a beauty, and glad you're taking the time to help him blend with your household. I've always been partial to the "black and tan" markings on a dog. What a great beginning to the new year, a new pet in the family!
Welcome, Bob! Congratulations on your new addition.
Soon as things settle down ole Bob gonna have so much fun with the other critters he wouldn't think of running away. Two kittahs to make faces at and rawhide bones to chew. Maybe there is some "tree kittys" (squirrels) to chase. Doggie heaven.
Too bad you and John aren't President..........think of how much better the world would be if differences were accepted but good behavior was reinforced and expected!
Great dogs.......great post........thanks!
How wonderful of you to spend the day helping the dogs adjust. Bob is gorgeous and I'm sure he really wants to be a farm dog. Nice post.
Vicki, Bob is beautiful, and he looks so happy to be in a real home! Bless you for saving him.
Oh, he is beautiful! I've always heard English Shepherd's make wonderful farm dogs. I'm glad progress is being made, and I'm sure Princess Willa will come around. Bob just needs a job and the herding dogs really like to be around their 'pack' (people) so I don't think he will be a runner once he gets settled in. He just needs lots of interaction, exercise and love. (which I know he will get on your farm!).
Kudos to you all for working extra hard to make the settling in phase progress so nicely. Many people give up at that early stage. I remember when I had Boone (the mastiff) who was pretty dog aggressive. After Ariel died I got Ashley a short time later because he was so lonely. I ended up having to walk both of them on the lead (one on each side) around and around and around before he settled down enough to sniff. He hated her for all of about an evening and then they were best buds forever.
Good luck to you and LUCKY BOB!
Tammy
Such pretty colouring, hope they all get along well in time. I had to look up English Shepherd. Funny that they are not common here. It seems they were bred from dogs taken out to America by settlers and the type was lost in England. They are similar to Border Collies but not the same.
What a beautiful dog, Bob is. I would love to have a dog, but my housemates will need some convincing. I'm working on it. I'm glad that peace came at the end of the day although I realise it is a work in progress. Good luck with Bob and I hope to see a lot more of him.
Awww, Bob looks like a very lucky dog, and I imagine you are lucky to have him join your pack. What a sweetie. Glad the adjustment is going well. Willa will come around :)
I enjoyed so much this photo essay of your new addition to the pack! YAY! So happy you took him in and that all are adjusting to his presence. As I'm sure Willa will at some point. :-) And I sure liked the earlier piece with Willa in her new sweater -- wicked cute.
Hi Vicki, You don't know me, but I'm a friend of Sue and Judy and sent an email to them about Bob. I think it was Judy that forwarded it to Candace. Thank you so much for providing such a loving home to him and the rest of your crew. I enjoyed reading your post and seeing the pics.
Thank you, Marla, for setting all of this in motion! He's doing great and the whole pack is getting along well. He's such a sweet boy!
Bob is beautiful. He will love you both forever.
Bless your hearts. Your are the best. And you have the best dog and kitteh family!
Hey Vicki... I was the one trying to find a home for Bob and enlisted the help of Marla. The pup was given to my parents a few weeks ago and knowing them (not dog people) I had to find a home for him. I am so so happy that he has landed in with your pack am I very humbled and touched by the unconditional efforts that everyone involved has put toward getting him to you. It looks and sounds like he is doing great! God speed Bob!
Glen, bless you for realizing he needed a different home. And bless Candace and Kathy for making the long drive to get him and bring him home to us. Bob is doing great!
awww...i appreciate your heart....and taking care of the pups...and it does take adjustments....adopting a child is much the same...and you will get there....
What a cuddly, beautiful dog. I am so glad you took him in.
You are a dog management wizard.
I'm so pleased by Bob and his presence in your household. He's got a happy sweet face and such clean sparkly teeth, and that shiny, wavy, thick black hair like Molly's. Handsome, handsome, handsome.
All the critters will work it out . . . Bob's only playing/testing the cats, to find out where the line is. And, as Husband says, dogs who can roam rarely do. Yes, the leash for a while so he knows for sure where all the Good Stuff happens, and then freedom and the best of all possible worlds!
Bless your furry household.
Coming back, after seeing Glen's note, to say God bless Glen, too.
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