Hi Sarah and Barbara,How can we ever thank you and MABCR for this amazing boy? So sweet and happy. I promise no more long updates but want to let you know that everything is just great with him.
He is now doing the indoor steps. Upstairs came more quickly than down, with cajoling and praise. The secret to getting him to descend the steps for the first time was turning on my bath water - and downstairs he went! He sleeps in our room but generally goes down around 1 a.m. and then sleeps by the front door where perhaps it's cooler for him.
I am teaching him to play ball (a soft Buddy glow ball) and although he doesn't catch it yet he proudly brings it right back and has learned "drop it". He also learned or relearned "sit" and "shake" and "wait" very quickly. He is very good to wait at the door when we go out and in.
He and Bright Spot both know they can't approach each other's bowls until each is done eating. He is very gentle when receiving treats or vitamins. He's eating Science Diet kibble with a little Instinct wet food, and I am glad Barbara warned us he wasn't a big eater.
We got him a bigger crate for day time use (48" x 32" or thereabouts) and when he's on leash he goes right in. We didn't crate him yesterday for our evening 20 minute Starbucks walk and he and Bright Spot both greeted us at the door when we returned. We may start leaving him uncrated next week since we're taking down the Christmas tree this weekend. He hasn't bothered it at all but his enthusiastic tail has sent an ornament or two sailing and we wouldn't want one to break and put either creature at risk for cut paws. He is absolutely trustworthy when it comes to his bathroom habits.
We had Amy (Woofies) give him 30 minute midday walks all this week, and those will change to 15 minutes starting next week. She loves him so much and is so glad to have another Border Collie in our household to love.
I took him for his first checkup on Monday night and he was welcomed so lovingly! Kyla changed her schedule to meet him. He was very skittish but everyone is so kind there, he will eventually be fine when he goes . Dr. Jason discovered that Blue's right canine is half broken and there is some small exposure, so I am going to schedule a consult with a veterinary orthodontist that Dr. Jason recommends and get that taken care of within the next few weeks.
He likes being brushed except for his tail and gently took my hand into his mouth with no tooth contact on my hand to let me know. Of course, his tail will need brushed (there are one or two small tangles/mats) but I'll go a little slower on that.
Next week, we are going to change his name to Matty (short for Mathesar, a gentle and kind character in a movie that Jer and I both like). I think he will adjust okay to that as it's more musical on the ear.
So! We are all happy and it's such a joy to have a dog to love and care for again.
Take care, K.
1 comment:
It's so wonderful to hear that Blue is doing so well! He's such a sweetheart and i'm glad that he has adjusted well to your home. Some days i miss his calm nature because all of the puppies are back where he used to be and it's a little bit insane. Good luck in the future, and give Blue/ Matty a big hug for me!
-Casey-
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