Then we have Charlie. He is 5 years old and a rescue from Arkansas. It's true what they say about rescues. They're so happy to have a forever home, that everything is just fine with them! He greets us and then grabs a chewy - we're home, he's happy. Time to go to bed? - yippee I'm coming. A good belly or ear rub gets you a grateful lick, and back to the chewy.
I was concerned when we got him almost two years ago. I didn't know how bad his life had been and whether he would connect with us. More importantly - how would Princess Dolly react? No fears, they figured out their own pecking order. Dolly first, as always, Charlie next, and then my husband and me. She wasn't sure about all that playing at first - how dare you bark at me and gnaw on my neck?? Didn't take her long to figure it out, though. Show a little tail, tease a little, and then spin around out of reach. She has this thing where she puts her front paws on his back and walks him all over the room. Drives him nuts trying to get her off, but I think he gets the message - Dolly is in charge!
Well, that's our story - would look forward to some of yours. I just know we're not the only ones living in a dogs house!
12/20/14 - We lost our dear Charlie 2 years ago. He had been sick for a year and it finally was too much for him. It was devastating to us but it reminded us that we rescued him from a bad life and gave him 3 happy years.
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| Misho and Dolly |
arently the man wasn't very nice to her. We don't know her age and she's had at least one litter, but that's about it. She is a very sweet, loving little girl. It took a while but she has made a lot of progress with trusting us. We get kisses and happy hopping when we come home. While she still has her shy moments, she has learned from our Dolly that if you want a treat, stand there and whine and look pathetic. She's learned that she can sleep in our bed, on the couch, and anywhere else she likes, and no one will yell at her or punish her. Dolly is 11 now and doesn't play as much as she used to, so it's fun to have a happy, hoppy girl around. She's a mix, but we're not sure with what, but maybe a terrier as she hops around like she's got springs in her feet! Dolly has been deaf for half her life and Misho seems to be doing the same thing Charlie did. Since Dolly can't hear us, she totally ignores us, and Misho and Charlie seem to have interpreted that as it's not necessary to listen, just run off in the back yard and do what you want, forcing Mommy or Daddy to chase you down and bring you in. She also has her own bed, as that was what she was used to, so she goes there during the day for undisturbed naps. Heaven forbid our Dolly sleep in a DOG bed, so it's her safe area where she's not bothered. They say you should always give a new rescue things or places that are exclusively theirs to help them feel at home. Charlie had his own blanket and a little stool that only he used to get up on things. Misho inherited the blanket, plus another one to make her own personal bed more comfy. It's a happy home with our 2 girls. Dolly took losing Charlie hard and I spent the next couple of months giving her as much attention and love as I could, to help her get through it. It took a while for her to accept Misho, but she ended up enjoying having a new little friend to run around with. Because Dolly is always the dominant one, she was a little taken aback by Misho's hopping around her, slapping her face playfully, and chasing her down. Charlie wasn't as agile, so it was no problem for Dolly to always be in charge. She rarely plays that way with Misho and it's just like 30 seconds or so. Mostly because she's older and has arthritis, but I think she still can't quite accept not being the little girl in charge.
