Willow update 07/18/05:
Just a quick follow-up note. We have had Paris, now called Willow, for
three months. She has turned out to be a very good dog. She took second
place in her obedience class and is scheduled for her second round in
August. Our fears about how Joe would respond to a new dog being added
to the family have proven unfounded. He has adapted well, even though
she has taken charge. He seems fine with it and has given back as good
has he has gotten. He has also picked up some new dog behaviors which
has been interesting.
Both Suzanne and I truly appreciate the help we received from all of the members of GSRAW that we came into contact with during our adoption process. It is clear that your organization is carefully watching out for the best interest of both the dogs and the families that they will ultimately be joining. Thanks for all the help and support.
Willow update 07/08/05:
Well it is really hard to believe
we are coming up on three months of having Willow in our lives. Though
she has had her minor ups and downs, but she is settling in. On the
downside, she came down with Red Mange and had to take antibiotics for a
month. She was losing hair on her forehead, cheek and leg. She seems to
be fully >recovering though and was retested for parasites and came up
clean. We think the stress of changing households and getting used to
new rules and new animals and people were probably a contributing
factor. But the vet did a good job of diagnosing her and we even got to
see the parasites under the microscope. She has gained about 7 pounds
since you first got her in January, and would probably gain more if she
wasn't so active. She eats good, and shares food dishes with Joe, though
that has taken some practice.
Willow has just completed her first beginners training class and she did very well. We of course thought she was the best dog in the class, but we haven't gotten her grades back yet. It was fun watching her learn. She is very clever and attentive, and she would watch the other dogs doing things wrong and getting their corrections. It was almost like she could figure out how to avoid making the same mistakes the other dogs were making, just by paying attention. She is still working on it, but she heels, sits, downs, stays, and comes front pretty much on command. She has a working dog mentality, so she performs well and class, but tries to ignore the same commands when she returns to the comfort of home. We are working on giving her more to do in order to get what she wants. She will be taking the second class in August. She is the fastest learner we have ever had. We have also taken advantage of the learning materials and are using them to work with Joe, too. The advice to put her in a class was very sound and we appreciate it. Though we have trained dogs by ourselves before, she needed the structure and socialization process of a formal class.
The cat problem has also died down with repeated corrections. It's more a truce than a friendship, but we can already leave her in the house with Joe when we go away for a few hours, and the cats seem to be able to keep their distance. She and Joe found a bunny nest in the yard, and they didn't even kill the babies, though they did play pass the baby bunny a few times, so we guess the cats don't have to worry too much. We also are now able to let her sleep upstairs with the rest of her new pack, which makes her very happy. She is also getting territorial and taking on the job of protecting the house if Joe doesn't start barking first. And when they hear a siren, they howl in unison, which is both cute and funny.
So things are very good. Willow follows Suzanne around wherever she goes, like a shadow. She does like to dig, but that is pretty normal dog behavior. All things considered, she turns out to be a perfect dog for us and Joe. She is still bonding with us, but we are sure she will soon love us as much as we love her.
It's hard to believe her original owners abandoned her. She is really going to be a special dog, with very good behavior. We believe the screening process your group goes through proir to adoption is a very important part of the process of finding the right people for each dogs needs. We will continue to work to deserve this special friend we have been given.
Steve & Suzanne
Things continue to go smoothly. We spent yesterday outside playing and taking walks. Paris (now known as Willow) has been excellent. She and Joe alternate trying to torment each other, and still find time for solitary play and rest. Fetch is now a game where one runs after the ball and the other chases the ball carrier. Joe has been willing to let her eat his food, and the only minor incident was over who should get the bigger share of the two hot dogs, which were put in each of two different dishes. She is eating well, though her water drinking manners are a little bit suspect. Luckily, they both can share the outside water, so we are going to minimize how much she gets to drink when she is inside. The sleeping pattern is to go to your room, and she has taken over the back room including the black leather couch, which you have to turn on the lights to find out. She complains about being alone for a little while, then calms down. As neither dog was able to get a nap yesterday, by dinner time they were both pooped and slept at our feet while we ate, with no real attempts to beg for the chicken on our plates. Today we had to leave her alone for about three hours, but she didn't do anything wrong while she was isolated in her room. We should be able to slowly give her more of a run of the house, but not until the cats cease to be so interesting. No real problems, other than the cat’s attitudes. We can't thank you enough for the work you put in, and the love you showed her during her temporary stay. We will only be able to pay you back by giving her the forever home she deserves. We will send pictures later this week, as our camera cable is at the office. Feel free to call or write if you have any questions, and if your travels bring you to Milwaukee, let us know and we will try to arrange a home visit so you can enjoy her progress, too.
Steve and Suzanne