In Like a Lamb...

This is the day that Forgotten Friends-Mixed Breed Rescue's Woolie arrived at our home. We met him at our friends' home this afternoon (thank you, Elders!). When the van door first opened for him to come out he was a little overwhelmed by the 4 kids and 4 adults gathered around, waiting. But after a little time, a few treats, and some space to relax in the back yard, he was fine. And for the rest of the day he was ready, willing, and able to do pretty much anything!

Good thing too, because there were a few curves in the road. We had decided to take him to get a bath on the way home, either at Mud Puppies or Bark 'n Bubbles. He didn't want to get in the car, but we picked him up and put him in the back and attached his seatbelt and he was perfectly happy the rest of the time. No complaints at all about riding around in the car. He hopped out without difficulty at Mud Puppies, but we found a 30 minute wait and LOTS of anxious dogs in the lobby!! (So many pups needing a bath on this sunny day!!) Not wanting to subject dear Woolie to that on his very first day with us, my son Ben, Nathan Elder, Woolie, & I all piled back in the car to try our luck at Bark 'n Bubbles. This time I went in first to make sure they had a bay for us-- and they did! Yay! So I went back out to get Woolie and the boys-- only to find out that the hot water heater was DONE for the day and there was only "cool" water left for baths. We said "no thank you!" to that-- we wanted Woolie to have a warm bath at least on his very first day with us! We decided to try one more place-- Pet Supplies Plus-- since they have a bath bay AND we could get Woolie a harness that fit better for attaching to the seat belt.

Success!! We were able to get the sweet boy bathed (he was nervous but accepting of his time in the tub and even allowed-- albeit reluctantly-- the high-power drier as well. Unfortunately, they don't supply brushes at PSP and we didn't bring any (planning on one of the other two bath shops that DO supply them), so he looked like a giant white fluff ball when we left the store. It didn't keep him from getting LOTS of attention-- many people fawned over him while we were there and he was happily wagging his tail the whole time, loving the attention.

All clean and ready to go to his new foster home, we loaded him up again and headed to our home. We let Woolie come in first and sniff around a bit, then we took him out to the back yard and brought Luci (our 2 year old deaf Aussie) and Jack (our 14 year old Dachshund) to meet him. It was the easiest meet we have EVER had. Luci did a little playful bow in front of Woolie, and they were Friends. (Jack and Woolie did the requisite sniffing, then just moved on, neither one overly interested or impressed with the other!)

Over the course of the evening, Luci and Woolie have done a little canine dance to work out who is going to be the "top dog", but Woolie seems very willing to let Luci keep the title. They have shared toys and a meal so far without difficulty. Luci was a little protective of us (her family) at the beginning, and kept herding Woolie away, but they seem to have worked all that out now and both dogs are lying at my feet as I type this.

The cats do not seem concerned about Woolie, and if he has noticed them he has shown no sign of interest. I will keep you posted.

Woolie and I took a walk around the block and he is very good on the leash. Can't wait until we have the time to do a little more than a quick walk! Zero pulling or lagging, just walked right with me the whole walk with just a Martingale-type collar and the lead.

Woolie had some diarrhea medicine and his heartworm medicine tonight. He ate his whole dinner (we are starting him on Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Fish 1.5 cups tonight) very enthusiastically. He also learned to sit for his dish immediately. Another smart Aussie cookie on our hands!

During the human dinner preparations and meal Woolie just sat relaxed in the middle of the kitchen floor. He acts like he has been here all along!

I will update this blog with photos and reports periodically so that when Woolie's Forever Family finds him they can know what his life with us was like. But I have to go now because I CAN'T WAIT to get my hands (and brush!!) on that gorgeous coat. Woolie and I have a date on the couch in front of the TV...